ira

Sterilised mum: My miracle baby stopped breathing three times

Maeva McDermott, who was conceived after her mother was sterilised, was born with a severe condition that blocked her airways.




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Son hails 'inspirational' parents who founded firm

Bernard and Joan O’Malley, who founded a leading produce firm, died within days of each other aged 88.




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'Would-be pirates' in sinking boat rescued from harbour

The wooden boat took on water very quickly as it tried to navigate the harbour in the early hours.




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Bomb survivor tells of facing conspiracy theorist

Martin Hibbert successfully sued a man who claimed the 2017 Manchester attack was staged and "a lie".




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'Our town is becoming a desirable place to live'

A £12m cash boost from the council has seen newly refurbished homes make Maryport more desirable.




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Poole Pirates crowned speedway champions

The Poole Pirates win speedway's SGB Championship after beating the Oxford Cheetahs.




ira

"Claude" author's inspiration

Coventry author Alex T Smith shares where his writing journey began.




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Netanyahu s’est entretenu 3 fois avec Trump depuis sa réélection à propos de la "menace iranienne"

Netanyahu s’est entretenu 3 fois avec Trump depuis sa réélection à propos de la "menace iranienne"




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Gaza : au moins trois morts après une frappe israélienne sur le camp de réfugiés de Nouseirat

Gaza : au moins trois morts après une frappe israélienne sur le camp de réfugiés de Nouseirat




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In Search of New Identity for LIS Discipline, with Some References to Iran




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Demographic Factors Affecting Freshman Students' Attitudes towards Software Piracy: An Empirical Study




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Tracking Viral Contamination through User Habits and IT Practices




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The Influence of Crisis Management, Risk-Taking, and Innovation in Sustainability Practices: Empirical Evidence From Iraq

Aim/Purpose: This study examines the impact of decision-making, crisis management, and decision-making on sustainability through the mediation of open innovation in the energy sector. Background: Public companies study high-performance practices, requiring overcoming basic obstacles such as financial crises that prevent the adoption and development of sustainability programs. Methodology: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to the closure of businesses in Iraq, a survey was distributed. To facilitate responses, free consultations were offered to help complete the questionnaire quickly. Of the 435 questionnaires answered, 397 were used for further analysis. Contribution: The impact of crises that impede the energy sector from adopting sustainable environmental regulations is investigated in this study. Its identification of specific constraints to open innovation leads to the effectiveness of adopting environmentally friendly policies and reaching high levels of sustainable performance. Findings: The impacts of risk-taking, crisis management, and decision-making on sustainability have been explored. Results show that open innovation fully mediates the relationship between the factors of risk-taking, crisis management, decision-making, and sustainability. Recommendations for Practitioners: The proposed model can be used by practitioners to develop and improve sustainable innovation practices and achieve superior performance. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers are recommended to conduct in-depth studies of the phenomenon based on theoretical and empirical foundations, especially in light of the relationship between crisis management, decision-making, and risk-taking and their impact on sustainability based on linear and non-compensatory relationships. Impact on Society: This study provides a reference for organizations with similar cultural backgrounds in adopting sustainable practices to minimize pollution in the Iraqi context. Future Research: A more in-depth study can be performed using a larger sample, which not only includes the energy industry but also other industries.




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Continued Usage Intention of Mobile Learning (M-Learning) in Iraqi Universities Under an Unstable Environment: Integrating the ECM and UTAUT2 Models

Aim/Purpose: This study examines the adoption and continued use of m-learning in Iraqi universities amidst an unstable environment by extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) and Expectation-Confirmation Model (ECM) models. The primary goal is to address the specific challenges and opportunities in Iraq’s higher education institutions (HEIs) due to geopolitical instability and understand their impact on student acceptance, satisfaction, and continued m-learning usage. Background: The research builds on the growing importance of m-learning, especially in HEIs, and recognizes the unique challenges faced by institutions in Iraq, given the region’s instability. It identifies gaps in existing models and proposes extensions, introducing the variable “civil conflicts” to account for the volatile context. The study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of m-learning acceptance in conflict-affected regions and provide insights for improving m-learning initiatives in Iraqi HEIs. Methodology: To achieve its objectives, this research employed a quantitative survey to collect data from 399 students in five Iraqi universities. PLS-SEM is used for the analysis of quantitative data, testing the extended UTAUT2 and ECM models. Contribution: The study’s findings are expected to contribute to the development of a nuanced understanding of m-learning adoption and continued usage in conflict-affected regions, particularly in the Iraqi HEI context. Findings: The study’s findings may inform strategies to enhance the effectiveness of m-learning initiatives in Iraqi HEIs and offer insights into how education can be supported in regions characterized by instability. Recommendations for Practitioners: Educators and policymakers can benefit from the research by making informed decisions to support education continuity and quality, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers can build upon this study by further exploring the adoption and usage of m-learning in unstable environments and evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed model extensions. Impact on Society: The research has the potential to positively impact society by improving access to quality education in regions affected by conflict and instability. Future Research: Future research can expand upon this study by examining the extended model’s applicability in different conflict-affected regions and assessing the long-term impact of m-learning initiatives on students’ educational outcomes.




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Developing a Conceptual Framework for Evaluation of E-Content of Virtual Courses: E-Learning Center of an Iranian University Case Study




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The Impact of e-Skills on the Settlement of Iranian Refugees in Australia

Aim/Purpose: The research investigates the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on Iranian refugees’ settlement in Australia. Background: The study identifies the issues of settlement, such as language, cultural and social differences. Methodology: The Multi-Sited Ethnography (MSE), which is a qualitative methodology, has been used with a thematic analysis drawing on a series of semi-structured interviews with two groups of participants (51 Iranian refugees and 55 people with a role in assisting refugees). Contribution: The research findings may enable the creation of a model for use by the Aus-tralian Government with Iranian refugees. Findings: The findings show the vital role ICT play in refugees’ ongoing day-to-day life towards settlement. Recommendations for Practitioners: The results from this paper could be generalised to other groups of refugees in Australia and also could be used for Iranian refugees in other countries. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers may use a similar study for refugees of different backgrounds in Australia and around the world. Impact on Society: ICT may assist refugees to become less isolated, less marginalized and part of mainstream society. Future Research: Future research could look into the digital divide between refugees in Australia and main stream Australians.




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Addiction Potential among Iranian Governmental Employees: Predicting Role of Perceived Stress, Job Security, and Job Satisfaction

Aim/Purpose: To explore the incidence of addiction potential within the Iranian public working population, describing how many Iranian public employees fall within the diagnostic categories of low, moderate, and high addiction potential. Also, to investigate the predicting role of occupational variables such as perceived stress, job security, and job satisfaction on addiction potential and belonging to low, moderate, and high addiction potential diagnostic categories. Background: Substance addiction among employees can lead to several negative consequences at the individual and organizational levels. Also, it is the fourth cause of death in Iran. However, few studies have been conducted on the topic among employees, and non among Iranian employees. Methodology: The study participants were 430 employees working in governmental offices of the North Khorasan province, Iran. Descriptive statistical analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to explore the incidence of addiction potential within the analyzed population and to investigate whether occupational variables such as perceived stress, job security, and job satisfaction predicted low, moderate, or high addiction potential. Contribution: This paper suggests that perceived stress might act as a risk factor for developing addiction, whereas job security and job satisfaction might be protective factors against the likelihood of addiction development. Findings: More than half of the sample showed moderate to high addiction potential. Perceived stress was positively related to addiction potential. Job security and job satisfaction were negatively related to addiction potential. Recommendation for Researchers: When addressing the topic of substance addiction, researchers should focus on the preventative side of investigating it; that is, addiction risk rather than already unfolded addiction. Also, researchers should be mindful of the cultural context in which studies are conducted. Future Research: Future research might investigate other relevant occupational predictors in relation to employee addiction potential, such as leadership style, work-life balance, and worktime schedule, or expand on the relevant causal chain by including personality traits such as neuroticism.




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If Different Acupressure Points have the same Effect on the Pain Severity of Active Phase of Delivery among Primiparous Women Referred to the Selected Hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 2010

Labor pain and its relieving methods is one of the anxieties of mothers having a great impact on the quality of care during delivery as well as the patients' satisfaction. The propensity of using non-medicinal pain relief methods is increasing. The present study aimed to compare the effect of Acupressure at two GB-21 and SP06 points on the severity of labor pain. In this quasi-experimental single blind study started on December 2010 and ended on June 2011 in which 150 primiparous women were divided into three groups of Acupressure at GB-21 point, Acupressure at SP-6 point and control group. The intervention was carried out for 20 min at 3-4 and 20 min at 7-8 cm dilatation of Cervix. The pain severity was measured by Visual Analog Scale before and immediately, 30 and 60 min after the intervention. Then, the data were statistically analyzed. No significant difference was found among the 3 groups regarding the pain severity before the intervention. However, the pain severity it was reduced at 3-4 and 7-8 cm dilatation immediately, 30 and 60 min after the intervention in the two intervention groups compared to the control group (p<0.001). Nonetheless, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two intervention groups (p = 0.93). The results of the study showed that application of Acupressure at two GB-21 and SP-6 points was effective in the reduction of the severity of labor pain. Therefore, further studies are recommended to be performed on the application of Acupressure together with non-medicinal methods.




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Update on Oral Antivirals for COVID-19 Management




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US contractor ordered to pay $42 million to Iraqis tortured at Abu Ghraib

WASHINGTON: A federal jury on Tuesday ordered a US defense contractor to pay $42 million in damages to three Iraqi men who were tortured at Abu Ghraib prison, their lawyers said.

CACI Premier Technology Inc was found liable at the conclusion of a long-running trial for its role in the torture of the three men at the notorious prison in 2003 and 2004, the Center for Constitutional Rights said.

Suhail Al Shimari, a middle school principal, Asa’ad Zuba’e, a fruit vendor, and Salah Al-Ejaili, a journalist, were each awarded $14 million in damages, the center said in a statement.

The three men filed suit against CACI, a private company based in Arlington, Virginia, in 2008.

Abu Ghraib prison, west of Baghdad, became a potent negative symbol of the US occupation of Iraq after evidence emerged of detainee abuse by American soldiers at the facility.

Most of the abuse took place at the end of 2003, when CACI employees were working in the prison, according to the suit.

The company’s civilian employees were accused of having encouraged US soldiers to abuse the prisoners to prepare them for interrogation.

Criminal charges were brought against 11 low-ranking guards, including former army reserve specialist Lynndie England, who was shown smiling in photographs while posing next to naked prisoners.

The case against CACI was brought under a section of the US Code called the Alien Tort Statute, which allows non-US citizens to file suit in US courts for human rights violations for incidents that took place outside the United States.

CACI claimed that most of the alleged abuse was approved by the then-US defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, and incorporated into rules of engagement by military commanders at the prison.

“Today is a big day for me and for justice,“ Al-Ejaili said in a statement.

“This victory is a shining light for everyone who has been oppressed and a strong warning to any company or contractor practicing different forms of torture and abuse.”

Katherine Gallagher, an attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, welcomed the jury’s verdict saying it “makes clear CACI’s role in this shameful part of our history.”

“Private military and security contractors are put on notice that they can and will be held accountable when they breach the most fundamental international law protections -- like the prohibition against torture,“ Gallagher said.

“For 20 years, CACI has refused to take responsibility for its role in torture at Abu Ghraib.”




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Should I Contribute to a 529 Plan Only To Roll It Into a Roth IRA Later?

In past years, contributing to a 529 plan presented a clear risk to parents and grandparents. It’s always been a tax-advantaged way to pay for college. But if the intended beneficiary didn’t go to college, or if they got a scholarship and didn’t need the 529 plan funds, it created a dilemma. You’d have to […]

The post Should I Contribute to a 529 Plan Only To Roll It Into a Roth IRA Later? appeared first on Clark Howard.




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Love from women of steel: 'Sinf-e-Aahan' letters are going viral for all the right reasons

Twitter lauds Umera Ahmed's writing for the emotional reflection and character arc of the girls' PMA journey so far




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Like Mahira and Sajal, start embracing fusion wear and watch your style game soar

Add Western touches to traditional outfits to get the best of both worlds




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Mishi Khan criticises Arshad Nadeem over viral video, calls out ‘arrogance’

Former actress accuses Olympian of letting fame get to his head after a video shows him ignoring a reporter



  • Life &amp; Style

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Hania Aamir tracks down 'Indian culprit' behind viral explicit deepfake video

After identifying the culprit, Hania Aamir urged fans to report the account, which has changed names multiple times.



  • Life &amp; Style

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Hira Khan reveals casting fraud after being asked to wear short clothes for an audition

The Pakistani drama star expressed her disbelief at being asked to attend a late-night audition in revealing attire.



  • Life &amp; Style

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Viral Parisian ‘crookie’ has finally come to Karachi with a divine fusion of croissant, cookie dough

Much to food and internet enthusiasts’ delight, Masoom’s Bakery has launched an impressive rendition of the dessert




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Glen Powell reacts to viral 'Mission Impossible' rumour

Glen Powell reacts to viral 'Mission Impossible' rumour

Rumour has it that Tom Cruise wants Glen Powell to replace him in Mission Impossible. But the latter response to this was a must-read.

The Top Gun: Maverick star appeared on The Pat McAfee Show after the host asked him...




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MPA Escalates Pirate Site Blocking in Philippines, Targeting Sflix and Myflixer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) continues to play a key role in expanding global site blocking efforts. After helping to establish a voluntary site blocking agreement in the Philippines, the MPA also filed the first complaints under the new rule. Torrent site YTS was the first target, followed by popular pirate streaming sites SFlix and MyFlixer this week.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Amazon’s Indian Branch Targets Pirate Streaming Apps Hosted on GitHub

Amazon is cracking down on pirate streaming apps that offer unauthorized access to Prime Video content. The company recently filed DMCA takedown notices with GitHub to remove APKs associated with popular apps such as PikaShow, Castle, and FlixFox. Interestingly, the takedown requests were made on behalf of Amazon Seller Services, an Indian subsidiary not typically linked to Amazon's streaming platform.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Piracy Shield Crisis Erupts as AGCOM Board Member Slams Huge Toll on Resources

Critics of Italy's Piracy Shield are not difficult to find but, with its powerful and influential proponents rarely far away, getting heard is a considerable challenge. Not to mention getting anything done. After calling for the platform's suspension and meeting resistance in the wake of the recent Google Drive blocking blunder, AGCOM board member Elisa Giomi has gone public with a laundry list of concerns. It pulls zero punches.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Braflix to Shut Down: Pirate Site Throws in the Towel Citing Legal Pressure

Pirate streaming site Braflix burst onto the scene last year, offering a vast library of movies and TV shows via a user-friendly interface. With millions of monthly visits the site was destined to profit from the demise of several large competitors. The opposite happened. Facing legal pressure, Braflix has decided to throw in the towel instead.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Google Asked to Remove 10 Billion “Pirate” Search Results

Rightsholders have asked Google to remove more than 10 billion 'copyright infringing' URLs from its search results. The search engine doesn't celebrate the milestone in any way, but the takedown notices document intriguing shifts in volume over time, as well as shifting takedown interests.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Pirate IPTV-Selling ‘Law Enforcement Officer’ Faces Wiretapping Claim

A lawsuit filed in the U.S. claims that a pirate IPTV seller adopted a novel marketing strategy to support a business with 450,000 subscribers . According to the plaintiffs, the owner of the service "held himself out as a Chicago-area law enforcement officer" to "mitigate potential concerns" over the unlawfulness of his business. A theoretical damages claim of more than a billion dollars, plus an allegation of wiretapping, makes this case a little more spicy than most.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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IPTV Piracy Blocking at the Internet’s Core Routers Undergoes Testing

After 15+ years of blackholing IP addresses and making the Domain Name System tell more lies than Pinocchio, some may wonder whether site-blocking is harming prospects of a future open internet. Confirmation that piracy blocking tests are now being conducted at the internet's core routers isn't a surprise. It's only the internet's spinal column, so what could possibly go wrong?

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Cloudflare to EU: Anti-Piracy Measures Shouldn’t Harm Privacy and Security

Cloudflare is urging the EU Commission to exclude the company from its upcoming Piracy Watch List, despite requests from several rightsholder groups for its inclusion. The American company says it's committed to addressing piracy concerns but not at the expense of user privacy and security. Instead, the European Commission should ensure that its Piracy Watch List does not become a tool for advocating policy changes.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Pirating “The Pirate Bay” TV Series is Ironically Difficult (Updated)

The Pirate Bay made its debut as a TV series on the Swedish streaming platform SVT Play earlier today. International viewers are left waiting until other services pick it up. In the meantime, some may be tempted to explore unofficial channels for pirated copies of the show. But finding a pirated copy is proving surprisingly difficult.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Nintendo Sues Emulator Gamer Who Streamed Pirated Games Before Release

Nintendo has filed a devastating lawsuit against a gamer who not only live-streamed games before their commercial release, but used emulators and pirated ROMs to do so. Jesse Keighin, aka EveryGameGuru, faces claims of unauthorized public performance and reproduction, contributory infringement and inducement for sharing links to emulators and pirated ROMs, plus violations of the anti-circumvention and circumvention device trafficking components of the DMCA.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Key Pirate Bay Figures Don’t Recognize Themselves in TV Series

The Pirate Bay TV series is the entertainment industry's depiction of the torrent site's turbulent history. The creators don't take sides but mostly focus on the legal battle that only represents part of the story. According to Pirate Bay co-founder Peter Sunde and Piratbyrån's Rasmus Fleischer, living though it all was a completely different experience.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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DAZN’s Piracy Shield ‘Smart TV’ Block Revoked After IPTV Portal Complaint

After DAZN received a warning for the blunder that saw Google Drive blocked in Italy, a company behind a smart TV video player app had a DAZN-initiated blocking decision revoked after a successful appeal. That may seem like a win, but the finer details reveal a legal framework that favors rightsholders so strongly, online services incurring liability for the actions of users seems inevitable.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Top 10 Most Pirated Movies of The Week – 11/11/2024

Every week we take a close look at the most pirated movies on torrent sites. What are pirates downloading? 'Deadpool & Wolverine' tops the chart, followed by 'Joker: Folie à Deux'. 'The Substance' completes the top three.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Per-Song or Per-Album? Record Labels Challenge Court’s Piracy Damages Ruling

Several major record labels are asking the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for a rehearing en banc in their piracy lawsuit against Grande Communications. They argue that the court erred in holding that piracy damages should be calculated per album, rather than per song. They argue that this decision, which will lower the $47 million damages award, doesn't reflect the way that music is commercialized today.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Piracy Kingpin Behind ‘Noonoo TV’ and ‘TVWiki’ Arrested in Korea

Korean authorities have shut down the popular video piracy service TVWIKI, which had millions of users. A special unit of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism arrested the alleged operator, who is also believed to be connected to other streaming platforms. These include OKTOON, which was also pulled offline, and piracy giant NoonooTV, which voluntarily threw in the towel last year.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Google’s “Negligent” Piracy Response Prevented Critic Deindexing Its Own Site

Google is facing criticism in Spain and Italy for alleged anti-piracy failures. The latest claim accuses Google of ignoring notices that aim to remove pirate IPTV providers from search results. So here's the thing: why would a company take down 10 billion URLs from search but suddenly start acting differently? The public labeling of Google as "grossly negligent" deserves context too; two weeks ago, Google's diligence prevented one of its accusers from deindexing its own website.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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Record-breaking Iranian javelin thrower stripped of Paralympic gold over display of 'religious' flag

The turn of events altered the medal standings, upgrading the silver medal of India’s Navdeep Singh to gold.




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Analog Equivalent Rights (2/21): The analog, anonymous letter and The Pirate Bay

Privacy: Our parents were taking liberties for granted in their analog world, liberties that are not passed down to our children in the transition to digital — such as the simple right to send an anonymous letter.

Sometimes when speaking, I ask the audience how many would be okay with sites like The Pirate Bay, even if it means that artists are losing money from their operation. (Do note that this assertion is disputed: I’m asking the question on the basis of what-if the assertion is true.) Some people raise their hands, the proportion varying with audience and venue.

The copyright industry asserts that the offline laws don’t apply on the Internet when they want to sue and prosecute people sharing knowledge and culture. They’re right, but not in the way they think. They’re right that copyright law does apply online as well. But privacy laws don’t, and they should.

In the offline world, an analog letter was given a certain level of protection. This was not intended to cover just the physical letter as such, but correspondence in general; it was just that the letter was the only form of such correspondence when these liberties were drafted.

First, the letter was anonymous. It was your prerogative entirely whether you identified yourself as sender of the letter on the outside of the envelope, on the inside of the letter (so not even the postal service knew who sent it, only the recipient), or not at all.

Further, the letter was untracked in transit. The only governments tracking people’s correspondence were those we looked down on with enormous contempt.

Third, the letter was secret. The envelope would never we broken in transit.

Fourth, the carrier was never responsible for the contents, of nothing else for the simple reason they were not allowed to examine the content in the first place. But even if they could, like with a envelopeless postcard, they were never liable for executing their courier duties — this principle, the courier immunity or messenger immunity, is a principle that dates as far back as the Roman Empire.

These principles, the liberties of correspondence, should apply to offline correspondence (the letter) just as it should to online correspondence. But it doesn’t. You don’t have the right to send anything you like to anybody you like online, because it might be a copyright infringement — even though our parents had exactly this right in their offline world.

So the copyright industry is right – sending a copied drawing in a letter is a copyright infringement, and sending a copied piece of music over the net is the same kind of copyright infringement. But offline, there are checks and balances to these laws – even though it’s a copyright infringement, nobody is allowed to open the letter in transit just to see if it violates the law, because the secrecy of private correspondence is considered more important than discovering copyright infringements. This is key. This set of checks and balances has not been carried over into the digital environment.

The only time a letter is opened and prevented is when somebody is under individual and prior suspicion of a serious crime. The words “individual” and “prior” are important here — opening letters just to see if they contain a non-serious crime in progress, like copyright infringement, is simply not permitted in the slightest.

There is no reason for the offline liberties of our parents to not be carried over into the same online liberties for our children, regardless of whether that means somebody doesn’t know how to run a business anymore.

After highlighting these points, I repeat the question whether the audience would be okay with sites like The Pirate Bay, even if it means an artist is losing income. And after making these points, basically everybody raises their hand to say they would be fine with it; they would be fine with our children having the same liberty as our parents, and the checks and balances of the offline world to also apply online.

Next in the series, we’re going to look at a related topic – public anonymous announcements and the important role the city square soapbox filled in shaping liberty.

Privacy remains your own responsibility.




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Pirate Party enters parliament in Luxembourg, gets 17% in Prague

Pirate Parties: This past weekend, elections were held in Luxembourg and the Czech Republic. The Pirate Party of Luxembourg tripled their support and entered the Luxembourg Parliament with two MPs, and in the Czech Republic, the Pirate Party increased their support further – now receiving a full 17% in Prague.

With 6.45% of the votes of the final tally, the Luxembourg Pirate Party is entering its national Parliament, being the fifth Pirate Party to enter a national or supranational legislature (after Sweden, Germany, Iceland, and the Czech Republic). This may not seem like much, but it is a very big deal, for reasons I’ll elaborate on later. A big congratulations to Sven Clement and Marc Goergen, new Members of Parliament for Luxembourg!

Further, the Czech Republic has had municipal elections, and the Czech Pirate Party showed a full 17.1% support in Prague, the Czech capital, making the Pirates the second biggest party with a very narrow gap to the first place (at 17.9%). This may or may not translate to votes for the Czech national legislature, but is nevertheless the highest score recorded so far for a Pirate Party election day. I understand the Czech Pirates have as many as 275 (two hundred and seventy-five!) newly-elected members of city councils, up from 21 (twenty-one). Well done, well done indeed!

For people in a winner-takes-all system, like the UK or United States, this may sound like a mediocre result. In those countries, there are usually only two parties, and the loser with 49% of the vote gets nothing. However, most of Europe have so-called proportional systems, where 5% of the nationwide votes gives you 5% of the national legislation seats. In these systems, the parties elected to Parliament negotiate between themselves to find a ruling majority coalition of 51%+ of the seats, trying to negotiate common positions between parties that are reasonably close to each other in policy. This usually requires a few weeks of intense negotiations between the elections and the presentation of a successfully negotiated majority coalition.

Further, it could reasonable be asked what kind of difference the Czech Republic or Luxembourg could possibly make on their own in the global information repression. The answer is, a whole lot. The key here is realizing that one country is sufficient to break the global repression of information; the repression is completely dependent on every single country keeping watertight doors. If one single country decides to allow the free movement of culture and knowledge, then all such distribution will immediately be based there. The copyright industry lobby in other countries will protest, quite loudly, but there’s not really anything they can do about it.

And since the problem from a policymaking standpoint has been that the industry-age era politicians consider the Internet-related policy areas completely peripheral in the first place, conceding those policy areas will be seen as very cheap price to bind those votes to a majority coalition.

“One country is sufficient to break the global repression of information.”

A relevant comparison is how Canada has now legalized cannabis at the country level, following many state-level initiatives here and there in the world, and at once, the floodgates are open. Not just for the illegal distribution networks, but more importantly, for legalization everywhere else. As a German politician dryly said today, “what’s possible in Canada is also possible in Germany”, proposing that cannabis should be legalized outright in Germany. I would imagine the tone is similar in most places — or, importantly, many enough places.

The Luxembourg and Prague coalition talks have just started, with an outcome typically expected in a few weeks.




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The Shadow Conspiracy - Back in stock!



We got The Shadow Conspiracy back in stock, like for example the Subrosa X Shadow "Featherweight" Helmet, which got a In-Mold technology to make a custom shape and fit utilizing a thin outer shell covers and protects high density EPS foam.

Also back in stock, The Shadow Conspiracy "Crow Straight Gauge 4PC" BMX Bar, which is Johnny Devlin's Signature bar and uses Straight Gauge Chromoly Tubing (tube-wall of uniform thickness). It got after welding heat treatment and the crossbar has a unique tear shape. The The Shadow Conspiracy "Crow Straight Gauge 4PC" BMX Bar comes with a width of 29" (73.66 cm) and a backsweep of 10°.


Check our online-shop for more new The Shadow Conspiracy products!
Have fun!



All the best

, Your kunstform BMX Shop Team




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BMX Event: Stuttgart Kessel Festival 2019 - BMX Miniramp Session



The Kessel Festival is Stuttgart's Music, Sport and Culture Festival and takes place on 01.06 - 02.06.2019. International top stars of the music scene on the main stage, young musicians on the up-and-coming stage, sports and fun sports areas to join in and watch, sustainability to touch in the integrated day after tomorrow market and an interactive children and family program make the Kessel Festival something special for visitors of all ages.

Together with the STUTTPARK skate hall, there will be a mini ramp with skateboard session on 01.06.2019 and a BMX session on 02.06.2019 . If you want to participate actively as a rider in the BMX session, please register in advance via Email contact@kunstform.org . A contest with the groups AM and Profi is planned. You can expect lavish prizes, which are provided by kunstform.


Depending on how many riders are coming, the following schedule is fixed:

Groups:
amateurs
professional

Schedule:
10:00 - 12:00: Amateurs - Pratice & Qualification (Cut to 8 riders)
12:00 - 14:00: Professional Pratice & Qualification (Cut to 8 riders)
14:00 - 15:00: Open Session
15:00 - 16:00: Amateurs Finale (Battle-Format)
16:00 - 17:00: Profi Finale (Battle-Format)
18:00: Awards ceremony Amateure & Profi
18:00 - 20:00: Open Session

What: Kessel Festival 2019 - BMX Miniramp Session

When: 02.06.2019 from 10:00 o'clock

Where: On the grounds of the Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart

For more information about the event, visit www.kesselfestival.de .

Please register in advance via Email contact@kunstform.org!

We are happy that you're coming,
Your kunstform BMX Shop Team




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Video: Miniramp Highlights @ Kessel Festival Stuttgart 2019





At the beginning of June, the Kessel Festival, Stuttgart's music, sports and culture festival took place. As part of this event, a miniramp contest went down, under very hot temperatures. Whether our guys and the locals have survived the heat, you'll find out in the video.

Enjoy, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!


Video: Justin Rudd

Related links: