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Police Confirm: Three Men Arrested

Police have arrested three men as part of Operation Athelstan, an “operational response to the firearm incident that occurred on August 24,” with an 18-year-old male “arrested in connection with the firearm incident” and two other men “arrested on suspicion of possession of controlled drugs and drug equipment.” A police spokesperson said, “Around 3:00pm on […]




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Firearm & Ammo Recovered, Three Arrested

Police “attended a residence in Warwick and recovered what appears to be a firearm and ammunition” and “three persons have been arrested in connection with this matter.” A police spokesperson said, “Shortly before noon today, Friday, September 13, 2024, acting on information received, police attended a residence in Warwick and recovered what appears to be […]




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Three Senior Citizens Defrauded Of $685,000

Following three senior citizens being defrauded of approximately $685,000 via online and phone scams, the police have issued another advisory urging “residents, particularly senior citizens, to remain vigilant regarding online scams and phone scams.” A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] continues to urge residents, particularly senior citizens, to remain vigilant regarding online scams […]




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Court: Three Men Charged With Murder

Three men were charged in connection with the murder of 19-year-old Letrae Doeman, who was fatally shot earlier this month. Appearing in Magistrates Court today, Quazori Brangman of Pembroke, Jukai Burgess of St. George’s and Nasaje Anderson of St. George’s were charged with the unlawful killing of Letrae Doeman and using a firearm to commit […]




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Three Men Charged In Magistrates Court

Three men appeared in Magistrate’s Court today [Aug 26] charged in connection with the death of Marcus Wilson, who was fatally stabbed earlier this month in Warwick. Jaja DeSilva, Isiah Smith and Omari Williams were charged in connection with the matter. The defendants, who are aged from 18 to their mid 20s, were not required to […]




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Court: Man Sentenced To Three Years In Jail

Jaha Mallory was sentenced to three years in prison and two years probation for wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The ruling said, “The facts of this case were outlined in the Summary of Evidence read to the Court. In short, the Accused and the Complainant were personally known to one another before […]




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New Year, New Season! Prime Video Announces Premiere Date for "Harlem" Season Three

After a shocking Season Two finale cliffhanger that left audiences on the edge of their seats, the news is finally out that Harlem will return for Season Three at the top of next year on January 23, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.




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OWC's Upcoming Thunderbolt 5 Hub Adds Three More Thunderbolt 5 Ports to Latest Macs

OWC today announced its new Thunderbolt 5 Hub, one of the first accessories to support Intel's latest Thunderbolt standard, and offering Thunderbolt 5 compatibility with Apple's new Mac mini and MacBook Pro Models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.


The hub converts a single Thunderbolt port into three Thunderbolt 5 ports and one USB-A port, and delivers up to 80Gb/s bi-directional data transfer speeds. It can achieve speeds up to twice as fast as Thunderbolt 4, with bandwidth up to 120Gb/s available for display connections, and supports connecting up to three 8K displays at 60Hz with Display Stream Compression, making it suitable for demanding visual workflows.


In terms of charging output, the hub provides up to 140W power delivery, which is enough for a 16-inch MacBook Pro, while the aluminum enclosure features passive cooling for silent operation.

OWC is keen to emphasize backward compatibility with Thunderbolt 3/4 and USB-C devices, allowing users to connect both newer and legacy peripherals. The hub also enables the creation of three separate device daisy chains that can operate independently.

The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub opens a new world of workflow possibilities and performance with compact perfection. By turning a single cable connection into three Thunderbolt 5 ports and one USB-A port, the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub breaks the connectivity handcuffs of host machines not offering enough Thunderbolt 5 ports. With up to 80Gb/s of bi-directional data speed – up to 2x faster than Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 – and up to 120Gb/s for higher display bandwidth needs, the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub redefines productivity. Connect portable SSDs exceeding 6000MB/s, up to three 8K displays @ 60Hz with DSC, today's USB-C connector compatible devices, and yesterday's USB-A desktop accessories. All while keeping modern notebooks powered and charged up for mobile use with 140 watts.

The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub is available for pre-order at $189.99 from the company's website and will begin shipping in December. OWC announced a new Thunderbolt 5 external SSD earlier this month.
This article, "OWC's Upcoming Thunderbolt 5 Hub Adds Three More Thunderbolt 5 Ports to Latest Macs" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums




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Royal Architects, Unnamed Noblemen, and Viscounts–A 130 Year Tale of West Francia in Three Parts. Part Two: The Unnamed Noblemen (A Review of Paladins of The West Kingdom)

During the early reign of King Charles III (Charles the Simple) in West Francia, the area was besieged by Viking invasions, while the memory of the previous and frequent Saracen incursions was still fresh in the minds of the general populace. The Saracens were Muslim - mostly Berbers from Africa – and had only let up on the Franks because they’d been pushed back by the Vikings. The local nobles were left largely to fend the Vikings off on their own.

In Paladins of the West Kingdom, players assume the role of these unnamed nobles (most likely Dukes), working to keep the region safe and spread their faith (historically: Christianity).  I really enjoy this theme, and in fact, playing the game nurtured my interest in the historical kingdom of West Francia.  That’s why I can tell you that while the rulebook notes that the King lends his Paladins to the nobles to aid them in their quest, I’m giving all the credit for the loan to the designers, Shem Phillips and S J MacDonald.  Paladins are a fictional group of knights in French lore (think of them as similar to the Knights of the Round Table in British lore),  or alternatively, a translation of the Frankish royal title of Palatine Count, which was a noble that focused mostly on judicial and governing matters and was not known as a knight.

I’ve won a few and lost a few games of Paladins. It’s a worker placement game that incorporates card drafting.  At the beginning of every round, players draw the next three Paladin cards in their deck and choose one to play for the round, one to put back on top of their Paladin deck to draw during the next round, and one to put at the bottom of their Paladin deck. Each Paladin boosts faith, influence, or strength (usually more than one of these), and also provides a special benefit. If you’ve got players prone to analysis paralysis, this is where they may get stalled, especially in the first few rounds. After Paladins are selected and put into play, workers for the round are selected by each player and put into their personal resource supply. You have many stations on your player board to place your workers during the round,  and when you do so, your moves are independent and walled off from your opponents (they cannot tamper with your player board or placement of your workers on it). However, there is one area on the general board (the King’s Favour card area) where you can also place your workers and those spots are competitive. Also contributing to player interaction – some of the stations on your player board where you place workers allow you to move resources (monks and outposts) from your player board to the main board, consuming a competitive spot that provides a placement reward. And all the resource cards on display around the main board – the townsfolk you can hire, the walls you can build, the outsiders you can attack or convert, the tavern cards you draw workers from, and the suspicion cards you gain $$$ from, are all lucrative items for which players must compete. So we’ve got a good mix of independent action and player interaction in Paladins.  There are not a lot of opportunities for  “take that” behavior in this game, other than perhaps timing your draw of suspicion cards to trigger an inquisition when you know your opponents will suffer a penalty and be forced to take on more debt.

Strategy Tips:

[1] Don’t be afraid to take on debt. It’s not too hard to flip debt cards for additional victory points and the income generated from the suspicion cards + the usefulness of the criminal workers are worth the increase in debt.

[2] As with all worker placement games, look for opportunities to get more workers. For example, try to recruit any townsfolk that provide workers as a reward for other actions.

[3] Attacking outsiders is a reliable way to get provisions and build influence, which are prerequisites for building the wall, which in turn give more strength and allow you to attack more outsiders. When paired with the townsfolk card that provide a bonus worker for every attack action, it’s a powerful combination.  

Giving the game more intellectual weight, worker placement on your board and the actions workers trigger often have additional requirements beyond number and types (i.e., colors) of workers. The actions triggered by worker placement may be constrained by your strength, faith, or influence level. And some spots or actions triggered by placing workers in those spots require money or provisions. All of these prerequisites can be gained as rewards from prior actions triggered by various worker placement, so much of the game is finding the most efficient ways to obtain prerequisites associated with the series of actions you’d like to take as the game progresses. I worried this decision making would be a weak point for analysis paralysis (I’m a pretty good candidate for testing potential AP, as I’m prone to it) and while there can be a bit of that during the game, nothing excessive was logged during our plays.  

The artists (Shem Phillips on graphic design and Mihajlo Dimitrievski on illustrations) have printed helpful indicators next to each placement location on boards and cards to identify any prerequisites as well as rewards. It’s an example of how the designers have worked with the artists to layer meaningful game information into the layers of artwork. In fact, all of the symbols implemented across the game components are really quite helpful. Bonus: once you familiarize yourself with them in one of the West Kingdom games, you’ll have learned them for the entire series as the artists reuse the same symbols in all three titles.

Beyond the iconography, the illustrations and other artwork are lovely. As with the iconography, the same style of artwork is implemented across the entire series and it carries the theme well. There was a good mix of cisgender representation, but not a lot of racial diversity, especially as would be suggested by the historical setting of the game (for example, Berbers in the area had skin tones ranging from light to to dark brown).

The components for Paladins of the West Kingdom are well made.

There are wooden meeples, an assortment of foldable boards constructed from cardboard, and various plastic coated card decks. We found the rulebook to be clear and direct, and there weren’t any items we had to look up online. It would have been nice if the designers included a player aid in the components, but I was able to compensate for the oversight by downloading a detailed player aid another user uploaded to the forums on BoardGameGeek.com.

Paladins of the West Kingdom is my favorite game of the West Kingdom series. All of the worker types and available actions make sense within the context of the theme, the mechanisms (worker placement, card drafting) integrate tightly with the scoring system to provide opportunities for building a victory point engine, and the game is complex and interesting yet still accessible for new players. The game is also a great value at its price point (approx $50) given you’ll get dozens of multiplayer games in before even a hint of same-o same-o creeps in. Many games with comparable replayability and complexity are double the price of Paladins. There’s also a solo play mode, which provides an additional way to explore the game.

-------------------------------------------------

Publisher: Renegade Game Studios
Players: 1-4 (We played with 2)
Actual Playing Time (vs the guideline on the box): About 2 hours per game
Game type: card drafting, worker placement
Retail Price: $50

Rating:

Jenni’s rating scale:
OUI: I would play this game again; this game is ok. I probably would not buy this game myself but I would play it with those who own it and if someone gave it to me I would keep it.
OUI OUI: I would play this game again; this game is good. I would buy this game.
OUI OUI OUI: I LOVE THIS GAME. I MUST HAVE THIS GAME.
NON: I would not play this game again. I would return this game or give it away if it was given to me.



  • board game reviews
  • card drafting games
  • Renegade Game Studios
  • worker placement games

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Somewhere Between Two and Twenty Four Things, Somewhere Between One and Twenty Three of Which are Elephants.

Alt text: a cake, of sorts. Decorated, in a sense, to look like an elephant. Definitely.




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Far Fewer Than Twenty-Four Things - Thing Three

Alt Text. A blue man with a long neck appears sceptical about something.






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Thames Water gets backing from three-quarter of creditors; markets eye US inflation – business live

Emergency funding deal would give struggling water company £3bn lifeline Thames Water has been teetering on the brink of collapse since being described as “uninvestible” in March when shareholders refused to pour in more cash. The government has been on standby for nationalisation through a…




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After spending three years working on SMS verification at Zenly, Prelude wants to fix SMS onboarding

Prelude is a new a new French startup that focuses on SMS verification; it’s coming out of stealth Wednesday. The two founders met when they were working for Zenly, a popular location-sharing app with tens of millions of users that was acquired by Snap (and later shut down). While you might not…




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The three wise men are late again !




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Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes (Switch) $15 @ Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KRKD3P2?tag=cheapassgam08-20&th=1

 

This is more like one of those hack and slash Musou type games for anyone that isn't usually interested in Fire Emblem. Metacritic 80 with an 89 user score.




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Jason Sudeikis Claps Back at all the ‘Ted Lasso’ Season Three Haters

By Keegan Kelly Published: November 12th, 2024




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Where is The White Lotus season three set? Thailand filming locations revealed

Cameras started rolling for The White Lotus cast on the Thai islands in February




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Amsterdam City Break: Discovering the Heart of the Netherlands in Three Magical Days

Amsterdam is a city of contrasts, where historic charm meets vibrant modernity. A city break in Amsterdam offers a chance to explore picturesque canals, world-renowned museums, and eclectic neighbourhoods, all within a compact and walkable setting. In this guide, I’ll take you through an unforgettable three-day itinerary designed to capture the essence of Amsterdam. From strolling along cobblestone streets to indulging in Dutch delicacies, here’s how to make the most of your Amsterdam city break. Considering taking a cruise to Amsterdam? Arriving by sea is not only a unique way to start your adventure but also offers breathtaking views of the city from the water. Cruises often include extras like guided tours or exclusive shore excursions, making it a convenient option for those looking to experience Amsterdam’s maritime charm from the moment they arrive. Day 1: Uncovering Amsterdam’s Historic Canals and Culinary Scene Morning: Arrive and Settle In If you’re arriving by cruise, you’ll dock at the Port of Amsterdam, just a stone’s throw away from the city centre. Once you’ve disembarked and checked into your accommodation, it’s time to start exploring. Begin your visit with a leisurely walk through Amsterdam’s Canal Belt, a UNESCO World Heritage site that embodies the city’s rich history and iconic architecture. As you wander, you’ll find charming bridges, historic houseboats, and narrow townhouses adorned with ornate gables. Each canal has its own character, but Prinsengracht, Herengracht, and Keizersgracht are among the most famous. You’ll quickly see why these canals are one of Amsterdam’s most photographed attractions. Afternoon: Dive into Amsterdam’s Maritime History with a Canal Cruise One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the city’s history is to take a canal cruise. Various operators offer guided tours, ranging from hour-long excursions to multi-course dinner cruises. As you glide along the water, you’ll get a sense of how Amsterdam’s intricate canal system helped shape its trade and commerce over the centuries. Plus, you’ll enjoy views of iconic landmarks like the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, and Westerkerk from a unique vantage point. Evening: Sample Amsterdam’s Diverse Culinary Offerings Amsterdam’s food scene is as diverse as its population. For your first evening, treat yourself to a traditional Dutch dinner. Try local dishes like stamppot, a hearty blend of potatoes, vegetables, and sausage, or erwtensoep, a thick pea soup perfect for chilly evenings. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, don’t miss poffertjes—tiny pancakes dusted with powdered sugar. For a more eclectic dining experience, Amsterdam is home to countless international restaurants, reflecting its role as a global melting pot. You’ll find everything from Indonesian rijsttafel (a feast of small dishes) to Middle Eastern mezze. Many restaurants are located along the canals, offering atmospheric outdoor seating and views of the water. Day 2: Art, Parks, and Local Markets Morning: Explore the Treasures of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is a haven for art lovers, and the Rijksmuseum is a must-visit. Housing masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, including Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, the museum offers a comprehensive journey through Dutch art and history. Set aside at least a couple of hours to explore the galleries, as the collection is extensive. For an insider’s tip, arrive early to avoid crowds, especially if you want to get a close-up view of Rembrandt’s renowned pieces. If you’re visiting during spring or summer, don’t miss the museum’s garden, which features beautiful sculptures and tranquil spots for a mid-morning break. Afternoon: Discover Van Gogh’s Vibrant World and Stroll Through Vondelpark Just a short walk from the Rijksmuseum is the Van Gogh Museum, dedicated to the life and work of one of the most iconic artists in history. With over 200 paintings, including famous works like Sunflowers and The Bedroom, this museum provides an intimate look at Van Gogh’s creative genius and turbulent life. After you’ve soaked in Van Gogh’s vivid colours and swirling brushstrokes, take a break in nearby Vondelpark. This sprawling green space is a favourite among locals and visitors alike, offering a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Pack a picnic or grab a coffee from one of the park’s cafés, and spend some time people-watching, cycling, or simply soaking up the scenery. Evening: Dinner in De Pijp and a Stroll Through the Albert Cuyp Market For dinner, head to De Pijp, a lively neighbourhood known for its multicultural vibe and delicious food scene. Here, you’ll find everything from trendy eateries to traditional eetcafés, where you can enjoy hearty Dutch fare in a casual setting. While you’re in De Pijp, be sure to explore the Albert Cuyp Market, the largest outdoor market in Europe. With over 250 stalls selling everything from fresh produce and cheese to clothing and souvenirs, it’s a fantastic place to soak up the local atmosphere. Grab a snack like a freshly made stroopwafel, or pick up some Dutch cheese to take home as a tasty souvenir. Day 3: History and Shopping in Amsterdam’s Iconic Neighbourhoods Morning: Reflect on History at the Anne Frank House Begin your day with a visit to the Anne Frank House, where the young diarist and her family hid during World War II. The museum offers a poignant glimpse into the hardships faced by Anne and her family, as well as the resilience of those who lived through the era. Due to its popularity, it’s best to book tickets in advance to avoid long wait times. If you’re interested in exploring more of Amsterdam’s wartime history, consider adding a visit to the Resistance Museum, which offers further insights into the city’s experiences during the German occupation. Afternoon: Shop and Dine in the Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) Next, head to the Negen Straatjes, or Nine Streets, a charming area within the Canal Belt known for its quirky boutiques, vintage shops, and cosy cafés. This is the perfect place to indulge in some retail therapy, with stores selling everything from high-end fashion and handmade jewellery to unique home decor and antique books. Take your time browsing the shops, and be sure to stop for lunch at one of the many cafés lining the streets. The area is famous for its atmospheric coffee shops and bakeries, offering everything from freshly baked pastries to artisanal sandwiches. For a sweet treat, try a slice of Dutch apple pie, which pairs perfectly with a strong espresso. Evening: Wrap Up Your Trip at a Cosy Brown Café As your city break in Amsterdam comes to a close, spend your last evening unwinding at a traditional Dutch brown café. These cosy pubs are named for their dark wood interiors and smoky atmospheres, and they’re a staple of local culture. Café Hoppe and Café De Dokter are both great choices, offering a warm ambiance and a selection of Dutch beers to sample. Whether you’re sharing a drink with friends or simply savouring a quiet moment, the relaxed atmosphere of a brown café is the perfect way to end your Amsterdam adventure. Tips for an Unforgettable Amsterdam City Break When to Visit: Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Amsterdam, as the weather is mild, and there are fewer tourists. Spring is particularly beautiful due to the blooming tulips, while autumn offers colourful foliage along the canals. Getting Around: Amsterdam’s public transport system includes trams, buses, and ferries, making it easy to navigate the city. However, the city centre is highly walkable, and cycling is a popular way to get around. Many hotels offer bike rentals, or you can rent one from a local shop. Accommodations: Amsterdam offers a wide range of accommodation options, from boutique hotels and cosy bed-and-breakfasts to trendy hostels and luxurious canal-side apartments. Consider staying in a central area like the Jordaan or De Pijp for easy access to the city’s top attractions. Must-Try Foods: Beyond traditional Dutch dishes like stamppot and haring (raw herring), Amsterdam is known for its cheese, with varieties like gouda and edam readily available. Street foods like patat (thick-cut fries) served with mayo and bitterballen (fried meatballs) are also popular, especially at local markets and pubs. Cultural Etiquette: While Amsterdam is known for its liberal attitudes, it’s essential to respect local customs. Keep in mind that cycling is a primary mode of transportation, so be cautious when crossing bike lanes, and always look both ways.

The post Amsterdam City Break: Discovering the Heart of the Netherlands in Three Magical Days appeared first on Geeky Traveller.





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Three Benefits of Promoting Digital Goods and Software Products

Are you dreaming of being your own boss someday, or would you like to bring in extra income? Starting an online business is one of the easiest ways to accomplish this. The biggest challenge of starting an online business can be developing your business plan. If you are struggling to come up with that brilliant […]




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Enterprise Software: Saas vs. the Big Three

Forbes.com published an article by Dan Woods where he describes a battle between the traditional enterprise software providers (Microsoft, SAP, and Oracle) and Saas providers like Salesforce.com and NetSuite.

According to Woods, SaaS applications are easier to use because they offer streamlined interfaces that are modeled after successful web consumer sites like Amazon.com, Yahoo!, eBay, Google, etc. These SaaS interfaces were designed to be easily configurable.

Traditional enterprise software is not as easy to use because user interfaces are often created before it is known exactly how the software would be used. Customization to the user interface is often done at installation by systems integrators who do not have any actual user behavior on which to base their customizations.


The Big Three are well aware of the usability gap between their products and SaaS software, but it is unclear how to solve the problem. Oracle emphasizes Fusion as an integration platform. SAP recently announced an experiment called Blue Ruby that is attempting to adapt Ruby on Rails as a user interface and programming technology for its applications. But is it possible to affordably automate a business starting with a configurable application platform that must be adapted to the specific user interfaces and business processes in a company? The SaaS model starts with a usable interface and a working automation of common processes, and then has the configuration proceed from there. The hosted nature of SaaS removes the deployment barriers.



IVT software is the only webcasting and digital asset management applications available both as a SaaS and as a behind-the-firewall installation. With webcasting software, the divide has included the question: should there be proprietary hardware or should the solution be software-only.

IVT falls on the software-only side, believing that "black box" proprietary hardware is not scalable and is prone to obsolescence.

IVT software on a SaaS basis works with the network infrastructure that already exists, which is one of the competitive advantages we take to the enterprise video battle.





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PaxDb, a Database of Protein Abundance Averages Across All Three Domains of Life

M. Wang
Aug 1, 2012; 11:492-500
Technological Innovation and Resources




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Extending the Limits of Quantitative Proteome Profiling with Data-Independent Acquisition and Application to Acetaminophen-Treated Three-Dimensional Liver Microtissues

Roland Bruderer
May 1, 2015; 14:1400-1410
Research




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The Kremlin Letters: Wartime Exchanges of the Big Three




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Normal high density lipoprotein inhibits three steps in the formation of mildly oxidized low density lipoprotein: steps 2 and 3

Mohamad Navab
Sep 1, 2000; 41:1495-1508
Articles




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Normal high density lipoprotein inhibits three steps in the formation of mildly oxidized low density lipoprotein: step 1

Mohamad Navab
Sep 1, 2000; 41:1481-1494
Articles




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The Rohingya Crisis: Three Years On

The Rohingya Crisis: Three Years On 17 September 2020 — 1:30PM TO 2:15PM Anonymous (not verified) 9 September 2020 Online

Speakers examine the current situation of the Rohingya people and assess the threat that COVID-19 poses to the health and human rights of refugees and displaced people.

It has been three years since a military-led crackdown forced more than 740,000 Rohingya to flee across the border into Bangladesh to escape collective punishment and violence in Myanmar.

Most refugees have sought shelter in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district, where access to clean water is limited, sanitation facilities are lacking, and due to overcrowding, social distancing is impossible.

While the number of reported COVID-19 cases has so far been relatively low, testing capacity remains limited and anecdotal reports from humanitarians suggest that COVID-19 has spread extensively through the refugee camps and the Bangladeshi host community.

The speakers also consider the different approaches taken by neighbouring states, regional and international organizations in responding to the crisis.

What can be done to address the needs of refugees in the short term and how can fundamental human rights be restored and protected during the time of COVID-19? What aid provision has been successfully delivered within Rakhine State and in what ways?

Ahead of elections in Myanmar in November, how can the international community persuade the Myanmarese government into positive action? And what would a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis look like and what are the competing views over how such a solution should be delivered?

This event is held in partnership with The Atlantic Council.




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New Fighting Brings Three-year Armenian-Azerbaijani Truce to an End

16 July 2020

Laurence Broers

Associate Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme
Deadly clashes at the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan have followed renewed disappointment in the peace process, and cast a new shadow over its future.

2020-07-16-Armenia-Shrapnel-Conflict

A man shows a piece of shrapnel after attacks carried out by the Armenian army at Dondar Kuscu village near Tovuz, Azerbaijan. Photo by Aziz Karimov/Getty Images.

Although the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is focused on the Line of Contact around Nagorny Karabakh, a new - and significant - outbreak of violence has happened some 300 kilometres away on high ground along the de jure Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

Although not a first, violence in this area has generally been contained by the proximity of major transport and infrastructure arteries, and of civilian populations on both sides of the border. Plus, unlike in Nagorny Karabakh, the extended deterrents conferred by Armenia’s membership of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and bilateral agreements with Russia are also – theoretically at least – in force.

Despite this, battlespaces opened rapidly, with bombardment of civilian homes, drone strikes and cyberattacks on government and other sites being widely reported by both sides. At the time of writing, combined reported casualties were already at least 16, the highest for a single incident since April 2016’s ‘four-day war’.

Most are known to be Azerbaijani combatants, including the highest-ranking Azerbaijani serviceman to be killed in action since the 1990s – the respected Major General Polad Hashimov. And, although rumoured to be removed soon anyway following a campaign of negative briefing, Azerbaijani foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov was publicly blamed in the immediate aftermath for ‘meaningless’ diplomacy and dismissed. He was replaced by education minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

Origins of the clashes

How the fighting began remains unclear. The escalation did not appear to result from a coordinated offensive operation of the kind that led to the four-day war, nor are there obvious strategic goals for either side in terms of the international border. There does appear to have been an element of surprise as an Azerbaijani vehicle unexpectedly encountered a new Armenian post, triggering deadly artillery exchanges.

Unclear boundaries in highland terrain may have played a role. Although referred to as the international border, the de jure boundary between Armenia and Azerbaijan - previously an inconsequential internal administrative boundary in the Soviet Union - is not clearly demarcated in many areas and does not coincide with lines of actual control.

Here, as in Nakhichevan - Azerbaijan’s exclave bordering Armenia and Iran - Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have been engaged in long-term, incremental competition for tactical advantage by claiming higher ground in ‘no man’s lands’. But in remote and cartographically ambiguous areas, the precise location of borders - and even place-names - are unclear, and rival forces can unexpectedly meet their adversaries.

Although clear strategic objectives appear absent, what might then have been a lesser incident escalated purposefully into a crisis – suggesting a political rationale.

A missed opportunity for a negotiations reset

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan began 2020 with unfinished consolidations of domestic power - whether bottom-up in the case of Armenia’s ‘Velvet Revolution’, or top-down in the case of Azerbaijan elite renewal. COVID-19 then added further challenges, with the government of Armenia facing significant domestic criticism for its handling of the pandemic, while numerous opposition activists in Azerbaijan were arrested, and the country’s economic vulnerability to external shocks was highlighted.

But throughout this, the frontlines did remain calm - as they generally have since the three-year period from 2014-2017 which witnessed regular skirmishes, use of heavy weaponry and four days of intensive combat in April 2016. In January 2019, the OSCE Minsk Group made the often-cited announcement that the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed on the necessity of ‘preparing their populations for peace’.

Although the quietest year on the frontline since the 1990s then followed, neither side invested seriously in a peace strategy. After a reasonable start and moves towards humanitarian cooperation, relations between President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan eventually visibly soured.

Several moves, such as the go-ahead for new infrastructure in the occupied territories and Pashinyan’s attendance at de facto leader Arayik Harutyunyan’s inauguration in Nagorny Karabakh, were received in Azerbaijan as evidence of Armenian insincerity towards the peace process.

More inflammatory rhetoric then resumed, leading the OSCE Minsk Group to call for calm at the end of June. As recently as July 7, President Aliyev expressed public criticism of the peace process and emphasised the validity of Azerbaijan’s right to use force.

Each new round of Armenian-Azerbaijani fighting serves as an audit of the various restraining factors preventing a larger war. A Russian-Euro-Atlantic-Iranian consensus on proactively containing any new Armenian-Azerbaijani war appears to still hold, although senior-level attention from US secretary of state Mike Pompeo trailed that of his counterparts.

Russia acted quickly to offer mediation, reflecting the reality that any large-scale Armenia-Azerbaijan war would test Russia’s extended deterrence guarantees to Armenia. As in April 2016, Turkey has been vigorous in its support of Azerbaijan, raising concerns in Armenia and drawing oblique warnings from Russia. On the other hand, the CSTO - much to Armenian chagrin - dithered, initially calling then postponing a meeting citing the need for more time to study the situation.

Unprecedented spontaneous demonstrations in Baku called for war with Armenia, broke into the Azerbaijani parliament and, in some cases, articulated anti-government slogans. In the absence of reliable polling, such protests cannot be taken as evidence of a popular consensus in favour of war.

But they do underline the importance of the conflict as the one issue in Azerbaijan where open protest is accepted as legitimate and cannot easily be dispersed. As losses over the past week are counted, the dismissal of the foreign minister may not be sufficient to quell public anger.

Prospects are now real of a return to the dynamics in 2014-15: recursive low-level violence aimed at influencing the diplomatic calendar and public opinion while remaining below the deterrence threshold for triggering active external involvement.




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SophosAI team presents three papers on AI applied to cybersecurity at CAMLIS

On October 24 and 25, SophosAI presents ideas on how to use models large and small—and defend against malignant ones.




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Exploring Public International Law and the Rights of Individuals with Chinese Scholars - Part Three

Exploring Public International Law and the Rights of Individuals with Chinese Scholars - Part Three Other resource sysadmin 30 October 2018

As part of a roundtable series, Chatham House, China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) and the Graduate Institute Geneva held a two-day roundtable meeting in Geneva on public international law and the rights of individuals.

The Representative of China at the 19th Session of the Human Rights Council, Palais des Nations, Geneva. 27 February 2012. Photo: UN Photo Geneva/Violaine Martin.

The specific objectives were to:

  • create a platform for Chinese international law academics working on international human rights law issues to present their thinking and exchange ideas with counterparts from outside China;
  • build stronger understanding within the wider international law community of intellectual debates taking place in China about the international human rights system and China’s role within it;
  • support networking between Chinese and non-Chinese academics working on international human rights and related areas of international law.

The roundtable forms part of a wider Chatham House project exploring China’s impact on the international human rights system and was inspired by early discussions with a burgeoning community of Chinese academics thinking, writing (mainly in Chinese) and teaching about international human rights law.

For CUPL, one of the largest and most prestigious law schools in China and perhaps the only university in the world with an entire faculty of international law, the initiative is part of a drive to forge partnerships beyond China in the international law field.

The meeting in Geneva was co-hosted by the Graduate Institute Geneva and involved 19 participants, 9 Chinese (from six research institutions in Beijing and Shanghai) and 11 non-Chinese (from eight research institutions in Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States).

To ensure continuity while also expanding the expert network being built, the third meeting included a mix of participants from the first two meetings and some new participants

All discussions were held in English under the Chatham House Rule.




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