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Princeton joins court challenge to federal immigration executive order

Princeton University and 16 other universities filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday supporting a legal challenge to the Trump administration's Jan. 27 executive order on immigration.




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Researchers create 'time crystals' envisioned by Princeton scientists

Theories developed at Princeton University led to the creation of time crystals reported in the journal Nature March 9 by two groups of researchers based at Harvard University and the University of Maryland. Time crystals feature atoms and molecules arranged across space and time and are opening up entirely new ways to think about the nature of matter. They also eventually may help protect information in futuristic devices known as quantum computers.




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Princeton offers admission to 6.1 percent of Class of 2021 applicants

Princeton University has offered admission to 1,890 students, or 6.1 percent of the record 31,056 applicants for the Class of 2021, in what is the University's most selective admission process to date. Last year, the University's admission rate was 6.46 percent. The class size is expected to be 1,308 students for the Class of 2021.




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Biased bots: Artificial-intelligence systems echo human prejudices

Princeton University-based researchers have found that machine-learning programs can acquire the cultural biases embedded in the patterns of wording, from a mere preference for flowers over insects, to discriminatory views on race and gender.




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Princeton unveils preview of new main website design

Princeton University has made public a preview version of a new design for its main website and is seeking comment from the University community and other visitors to the site. The preview site is at beta.princeton.edu.




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Princeton reaffirms climate pledge

Princeton University has reaffirmed a statement it made in 2015 expressing the hope that the then-upcoming U.N. Climate Negotiations in Paris would “lead to significant progress in promoting clean energy and other positive actions to address the environmental impacts of climate change.”




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Princeton University holds 270th Commencement

Princeton University awarded degrees to 1,268 undergraduates in the Class of 2017, three from former classes and 520 graduate students at its 270th Commencement Tuesday, June 6.




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EPA Announces $280 Million Water Infrastructure Loan to the City of Wichita

WASHINGTON (April 27, 2020) — Today, the U.S.




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EPA Announces $192 Million Water Infrastructure Loan to Reduce Sewer Overflows in Seattle

WASHINGTON (April 28, 2020) — Today, the U.S.




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EPA Announces Winners of its Annual Campus RainWorks Challenge

WASHINGTON (April 29, 2020) — Today, the U.S.




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Omaha/Council Bluffs Area Gas Stations, Owned by Mega Saver and Tobacco and Phones 4 Less, Agree to Upgrade Spill Monitoring and Alarm Systems

Environmental News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




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EPA Announces Change to Cleanup Plan for Lightman Drum Company Superfund Site

NEW YORK – Because levels of contamination in groundwater are falling naturally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend part of its previous plan to clean up an area of the Lightman Drum Company Superfund site in Winslow Township, New Jersey.




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EPA Announces Supplement to Science Transparency Proposed Rule

WASHINGTON (March 3, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to the Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science proposed rule.




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EPA Awards $99,004 to AirLift Environmental LLC in Lincoln, Nebraska, Through Small Business Innovation Research Program

Environmental NewsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




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EPA Announces Extended Comment Period on Supplement to Science Transparency Proposed Rule

WASHINGTON (April 2, 2020) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an extension of the comment period on the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking for the proposed rule, “Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science.”




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Science Advisory Board Issues Comments on Agency’s Draft Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science Rulemaking

WASHINGTON (April 28, 2020) —  Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) transmitted its official advice and comments to EPA Administrator Wheeler on the Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science proposed rule.




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EPA Administrator Concludes Engagements at G7 Environmental Ministers Meeting

Metz, France (May 7, 2019) - Yesterday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler concluded his visit to Metz, France where he attended the annual G7 Environmental Ministers Meeting.




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EPA Administrator Concludes Engagements at G20 Environmental Ministers Meeting

KARUIZAWA, JAPAN – Yesterday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler concluded his visit to Karuizawa, Japan where he attended the inaugural G20 Energy and Environmental Ministers Meeting.




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Mayor eficiencia en el cruce de la frontera de Nogales mejora la calidad del aire y la salud pública

NOGALES, AZ – Hoy, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de EE. UU.




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Increased efficiency at Nogales border crossing improves air quality, public health

NOGALES, AZ – Today, the U.S.




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El Programa Ambiental México-EE. UU. Frontera 2020 anuncia financiamiento disponible para proyectos de salud pública y ambiental

SAN DIEGO – Hoy, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés), en coordinación con el Banco de Desarrollo de América del Norte (BDAN), emitió una Solicitud de Propuestas (RFP, por sus siglas en inglés) a través del Programa Frontera 2020.




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U.S.-Mexico Border 2020 Program Announces Available Funding for Public Health and Environmental Projects

SAN DIEGO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with the North American Development Bank (NADB), released a Request for Proposals (RFP) through the Border 2020 Program.




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U.S. EPA awards $280,000 to advance environmental projects in the California/Baja California border region




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EPA Announces Record of Decision for Hastings Superfund Site, Operable Unit 1, in Hastings, Nebraska

Environmental News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




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EPA Announces $1.5 Million in Funding to Reduce Emissions From Diesel Engines in Four Midwest States

Environmental News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




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EPA and Wisconsin Announce Inland Sheboygan County Area Now Meets Federal Air Quality Standard for Ozone

Sheboygan County, Wis. – Today, the U.S.




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EPA and Indiana Announce Indianapolis, Muncie, Lake and Porter Counties Now Meet Federal Air Quality Standards

WASHINGTON (April 28, 2020) —  Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and State of Indiana announced that recent air monitoring data show the city of Indianapolis, and the areas of Muncie, Lake and Porter counties are meeting federal air quality standards.




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EPA Honors University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler for Outstanding Community Asthma Care Program

DALLAS – (May 1, 2020) In celebration of Asthma Awareness Month, the U.S.




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Jack Connelly and Jim Sedinger: Will science or politics guide the future of greater sage grouse?




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Nancy Workman, Salt Lake County’s first mayor, dies at 79




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Brooklyn man arrested for molesting eight women, including six victims groped in one day: police

Nearly all of the assaults occurred on Thursday along the border of South Williamsburg and Bedford-Stuyvesant between 9:55 and 11:15 a.m., cops said.




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Unhinged man shouts he has HIV, then punches, spits at train operator in Brooklyn

The C train reached its last stop just after 9 a.m. Saturday at the Euclid Ave. station in East New York when the man insisted he needed five more minutes before he could leave the car.




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Rochford: 'Greatest team' Dublin take their chances

Former Mayo manager Stephen Rochford feels the difference between a Dublin side he calls the "greatest in history" and the Mayo, Kerry and Tyrone teams they have beaten on the way to five in a row is the ability to convert scoring opportunities in finals.




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Singapore using robot ‘dog’ to enforce social distancing

It’s all bark and no bite.




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French World War II patriot Cécile Rol-Tanguy dead at 101

French Resistance leader Cecile Rol-Tanguy has died at the age of 101.




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Singapore using robot ‘dog’ to enforce social distancing

It’s all bark and no bite.




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French World War II patriot Cécile Rol-Tanguy dead at 101

French Resistance leader Cecile Rol-Tanguy has died at the age of 101.




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FDA Grants Emergency Use Authorization For 1st Coronavirus Antigen Test

The agency announced approval for the diagnostic method on Saturday. Cheaper and easier to administer than genetic tests for the virus, it could potentially expand to daily testing of millions.




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Unhinged man shouts he has HIV, then punches, spits at train operator in Brooklyn

The C train reached its last stop just after 9 a.m. Saturday at the Euclid Ave. station in East New York when the man insisted he needed five more minutes before he could leave the car.




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Community members step up to pay Washington County school lunch debt

Two residents of Washington County organize donations from community members to pay Washington County School District 15k+ lunch debt

       




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mb 4.7 VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION

Magnitude  mb 4.7
Region  VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION
Date time  2020-05-10 04:46:01.2 UTC
Location  49.50 N ; 127.74 W
Depth  10 km




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Former Purdue forward Vincent Edwards officially signs with Houston Rockets

Vincent Edwards signed with the Houston Rockets on Thursday, per the team.

      




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NFL Draft 2020: Purdue linebacker Markus Bailey drafted by Cincinnati Bengals

Markus Bailey missed most of his senior season with a knee injury but he started 40 games for the Boilermakers.

       




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Toughness, maturity define incoming Purdue quarterback Austin Burton

Austin Burton announced last week he's transferring from UCLA to Purdue. He'll be a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility.

       




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For IMS, Brickyard weekend means several contingencies, but focus is 'May in August' for Indy 500

Decision makers at Penske Entertainment are beginning to chart the course for a historic summer of racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

       




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Richard Stallman Joins Discussion About Changing Emacs' Appearance To Make It More Popular

Emacs "predates Linux, and was once far more popular," writes LWN.net, while adding that the text editor "has fallen into relative obscurity over the years." Then it reports on a "mega-thread" on the emacs-devel mailing list about how to make Emacs more appealing and attractive to users: The discussion started with a post from "ndame" asking why Emacs is "so square"; the appearance of things like buttons could be improved with rounded corners, they said. Richard Stallman, one of the original authors of Emacs, seemed somewhat dismissive in his reply: "Perhaps we should implement a mode that puts cosmetics on Emacs so it will appeal to those who judge by the surface of things." But Stefan Kangas thought there was more to it than that: I think it's unfortunate if we assume that this is all bells and whistles. Graphical design elements can also improve usability. I also don't know that it's helpful to assume that the rest of the world will take the enlightened stance.... He wondered if there was "any reason not to improve the default look". Stallman said that there are some technical barriers in finding someone interested in and capable of doing the work needed, but there is an overarching problem that needs to be addressed first: The code to interface Emacs to X-based GUIs needs rewriting by an expert, and has needed it for decades. Until it gets that rewrite, changes in it are likely to break something. Stallman did agree that the graphical design could improve usability, "but I have a feeling that the changes that would help are deeper issues than the shape of corners". It was a long and interesting discussion, touching on the popularity of both Vim and Visual Studio Code, while another post questioned whether Emacs should even be prioritizing its menu bar and tool bar. One post suggested "starter kits" to make the text editor more friendly to newcomers, another suggested making Cntrl-C cut-and-paste the default key binding, and one asked whether it was Emacs' terminology and keyboard shortcuts that might be confusing to users coming from Microsoft Word. "You are basically making a commitment to being or becoming a power user..." argued another post. "If you just want to do 'casual' text editing emacs is a very weird choice in 2020."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.




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Channel24.co.za | Prince Harry shares heartfelt video message to commemorate Invictus Games

The Duke of Sussex sent a special video message to mark what would have been the opening ceremony of the 2020 Invictus Games.




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6 Ultimate Inca Trail Highlights

One of the most popular hikes in South America, the Inca Trail is definitely the experience of a lifetime. A centuries-old trail, it begins in the ancient Incan capital of Cusco and winds some 88 kilometers to some of the world’s most iconic ruins: Machu Picchu. Of course, the entirety of Inca Trail is absolutely stunning, from stunning snowcapped Andean peaks to centuries-old ruins situated in bucolic river valleys. However, these 5 highlights are truly bound to make your jaw drop.

Wayllabamba. The endpoint of the first day’s trek along the Inca Trail, Wayllabamba, which means “grassy plain” in Quechua, is the perfect spot to watch the sunset behind the dramatic Andean peaks. This grassy plain overlooks a stunning spot of Andean scenery, with centuries-old Incan terraces winding through the surrounding mountainsides. There is even a village nearby where travelers can mingle with local villagers.

Image courtesy of flatfootedadventurer.com

The Valley of Llulluchapampa. Trekkers will start off the first portion of day two of the journey hiking through the picturesque Valley of Llulluchapampa. As you gradually ascend in altitude, you will even be afforded perfect views of stunning snowcapped cliffs.

Image courtesy of Panoramio.com

Runkuracay: This unique oval structure, sometimes colloquially know as the “Egg Hut,” is believed to have been a kind of rest stop for Incan travelers, called a tambo, providing them with a place to spend the night and rest their animals. It is the perfect place to enjoy a mid-hike break and marvel at the beauty of Incan architecture.

Image courtesy of lenstherapy.wordpress.com

Sayacmarca: First discovered by the famous Hiram Bingham when he wandered along a road extending from Machu Picchu, the dramatic Sayacmarca is situated at a fork in an old Incan road in a dense subtropical forest full of butterflies and hummingbirds. Quechua for “Dominant Town,” these unique ruins have an almost mystical air about them and are arguably the most impressive along the Inca Trail (except for Machu Picchu itself, of course!). It is believed that Sayacmarca was actually built by the Colla, a major enemy of the Incas, and that the Incas took over the site following their conquest of the group.

Image courtesy of 4feet2mouths.com

Phuyupatamarca: Dubbed “La Ciudad entre la Niebla” (“The City above the Clouds”), this major archeological site is situated a staggering 3,200 meters above sea level. Apropos to the nickname, Phuyupatamarca is very often surrounded by dense, white clouds. The ruins, dramatically constructed into a steep cliffside, contain five stone baths that fill up with freshwater during the rainy season. It is believed that these baths were used for religious ceremonies. Visitors can also check out the site’s elaborate hydraulic system, a true testament to impressive capabilities of Incan engineering. Of all of the Incan ruins in the region, Phuyupatamarca is arguably the most intact and therefore a truly spectacular site for trekkers passing through.

"Phuyupatamarca (cloud-level town)" by D. Gordon E. Robertson - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Huiñay Huayna (Wiñay Wayna): Huiñay Huayna (traditionally spelled Wiñay Wayna in Quechua, the language of the Incas) was constructed into a steep hillside overlooking the Urubamba River. In addition to the site’s ancient houses and temples, it also boasts an incredibly complex system of Incan terraces, formerly used for agriculture. The name of the site roughly translates to “Forever Young,” and many trekkers report that these ruins are the most beautiful found along the trail.

Image courtesy of http://blog.teara.govt.nz

These are just some of what you will see along the Inca Trail: Learn more about popular Inca Trail itineraries here




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6 Tips and Tricks for Hiking the Inca Trail

My flight was booked! My dream of hiking the Inca Trail, and walking through the sun gate to Machu Picchu was finally becoming a reality. But then, the reality hit me. I have never done an overnight hike before! What do I pack? How do I get into shape? Is it safe? Do I go alone or with a group? As excited as I was, I realized I had a lot of planning ahead of me, but every moment of preparation (and sometimes extreme anxiety) was all worth it. Here are a few tips and tricks that helped me not only survive the Inca Trail, but have the trip of a lifetime!

  1. Find an Incredible Tour Group

Before booking my trip, I was not sure how I felt about going with a tour group. I was worried that traveling with a group of strangers would take away from the trip. However, after plenty of research, I decided to go with Active Adventures on the Ultimate Peru Adventure.

Our trip leader was not only full of helpful and interesting information, but became a friend who gave local tips, and made me feel comfortable and safe. I became close friends with my small tour group of 10 people, and still keep in touch with them. Picking a quality tour group like Active Adventures not only helped take the stress out of travelling logistics, but is truly what made my trip an enjoyable experience. (And for all the foodies out there, our Inca Trail chefs were incredible).

  1. Get Fit

On the Inca Trail we had people of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels. However, I highly recommend preparing your body a little, and familiarizing yourself with how your body reacts to high altitude. But, don’t worry, you don’t need to an extreme amount of training. To prepare, I went on one to two hikes a week, and did plenty of dog walking. My hikes on average ranged from 3 to 7 miles.

However, as fit as you are, everybody reacts differently to altitude. Try finding a hike in your area that has somewhat of a higher altitude. I only had the opportunity to do one higher altitude hike. It was not as high as the Inca Trail, but it still gave me an idea of how my body feels in high altitude. But don’t stress out too much! Your tour leader has helped many people hike the Inca Trail, and will be there to help you if you start to feel sick, or simply need a little extra motivation.

  1. Technology Tools

I am a firm believer in digital detoxing when traveling, but when hiking in the wilderness, it is comforting to know that I have helpful resources at my fingertips if I ever need it. When hiking or traveling, there are always a few resources and apps I like to have on my phone or iTouch to stay safe.

As a traveler, we are more vulnerable to security threats or identity theft on public computers and Wi-Fi. I choose to use a VPN when traveling for Wi-Fi security in hotels, to avoid computer viruses, and to gain access to content that is geo-blocked. For my Inca Trail trek I downloaded the MotionX GPS app. The app supports GPS navigation without the need for cell service. Thankfully our guides kept us on track, but it was comforting knowing that if anything happened, I could use my phone as a backup for navigation help.

  1. Make a Visit to Your Doctor

When traveling anywhere, it is important to check in with your doctor. Different regions of the world may require various vaccinations, or medication. Before visiting your doctor, it is also helpful to do a little bit of your own research as to what medications or vaccinations are needed for travel. Your doctor may be familiar with vaccinations needed for Peru, but you are the only person who knows what your trip will consist of. Be sure to mention to your doctor if you are going to the Peruvian Amazon, or high altitude.

For the Inca Trail I recommend packing the following medications:

-Altitude sickness medication (Acetazolamide)

                       -Imodium

                       -Antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin)

                       -Bug spray (not technically a medication, but important to bring as well)

                       -Ibuprofen (always good to have)

This list is most likely what your doctor will recommend as well, but be sure to do your own research as well. You may need malaria pills or certain vaccinations depending on where else your trip is going, or personal previous medical history.

  1. Pack Light

The hardest part of my trip (aside from trekking up the stairs of the Inca Trail) was packing! There are several limitations on how much you pack on the Inca Trail in order to maintain that porters are being treated fairly and respectfully. Each porter is limited to carrying 20kg. This includes all blankets, clothes, and the porter’s personal belongings. Talk to your Active Adventure tour guide before leaving on your trip to find out up to date information on how much you are able to pack, and information on sleeping bags and pads.

Aside from packing light, there are of course certain items you will want to pack, depending on the time of year your trek is. I used Her Packing List, along with the information provided by Active Adventures to help me in packing everything I need.

  1. Have the Time of Your Life

Last, but not least, be ready to have incredible experiences and memories that will last a life time. When I first booked my trip to Peru and the Inca Trail I had certain expectations and ideas of what the trip would be like. I was looking forward to seeing Machu Picchu, but what I found was that the most memorable and exciting parts of my trip were not necessarily seeing the big tourist spots like Machu Picchu, but the journey getting there, and the unexpected surprises that came along the way. Peru and its people exceeded all expectations, and opened my mind in ways I did not know were possible.

Hi, my name is Jess Signet. My parents were travelers since before I was born. Even in the womb, I was able to travel all over the place! Boy, did things NOT change as I grew older!
Knowing there’s more to the world than the bubble I live in made me want to travel even further. Traveling is my drug and I’m addicted. (Please, no intervention!)

 



  • Hiking and Trekking
  • Tips and Things To Know