nia

Centennial Celebration For Jose Fajardo – Featuring The Jose Fajardo Jr. Orchestra

Jose Fajardo, Jr.’s Father, Jose Fajardo, Would Have Been 100 On This Day. This Show Will Celebrate The Charanga Flute Master Who Was Well Known During The Palladium Days!




nia

California Rep. Doris Matsui / Sacramento COVID-19 Recovery / Poet Amanda Harrinauth And Finding Joy

California Rep. Doris Matsui discusses what did and didn’t work in COVID-19 relief packages. The Greater Sacramento Economic Council on the region’s potential for recovery, and poet Amanda Harrinauth on finding joy in every day.




nia

California Teen Killed By Drunk Driver Leaves Legacy In Worship Song

“I AM,” Recorded By 15 Year-old Lily Kelly Just Months Before Her Untimely Passing, Is Available Now At All Major Digital Outlets, Including ITunes, Google Play And Spotify.




nia

O’Rourke v. Northern California Electrical

(United States Ninth Circuit) - Affirmed. The panel affirmed the district court’s grant of summary judgment in an ERISA action challenging the denial of plaintiff’s request for early retirement benefits, holding that any procedural irregularities in the actions of the board were minor.




nia

"Queen Latifah And Shania Twain Discover An Overnight Internet Sensation CJ Stain

Canadian Producer Praised For His Artistry From Queen Latifah And Shania Twain




nia

Conard v. Pennsylvania State Police

(United States Third Circuit) - Reinstated a former 911 dispatcher's claim that her former supervisors gave false, defamatory job references to her prospective employers to retaliate against her for her previous employment complaints, in violation of her constitutional rights. The dispatcher claimed that undeserved negative references had prevented her from obtaining other employment. Reversing the dismissal of her complaint, the Third Circuit held that she adequately pleaded a First Amendment retaliation claim.




nia

Delaware Riverkeeper Network v. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

(United States Third Circuit) - Denied a petition for review of a Pennsylvania state regulators' decision to grant a Clean Water Act certification to a natural gas pipeline project. An environmental organization raised various procedural and substantive arguments against the environmental regulators' issuance of a water quality certification. On judicial review, the Third Circuit held that the environmentalists' challenge failed on the merits. Prior to reaching the merits, the panel discussed in detail questions regarding its jurisdiction under the Natural Gas Act.




nia

Ergon-West Virginia, Inc. v. EPA

(United States Fourth Circuit) - Vacated the denial of an exemption from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's renewable fuel standard program. A small refinery sought an extension of its exemption from EPA's renewable fuel standard program, which requires refineries and other facilities to allocate a certain percentage of their fuel production to renewable fuels. When the EPA denied the request for an extension, the refinery petitioned the Fourth Circuit, which concluded that the EPA's decision was arbitrary and capricious. The panel therefore vacated the EPA's denial and remanded for further proceedings.




nia

US Tobacco Cooperative Inc. v. Big South Wholesale of Virginia, LLC

(United States Fourth Circuit) - Held that the United States should be substituted as a party defendant in a lawsuit in which two defendants were tobacco industry businesspeople who had agreed to perform undercover work for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The question before the Fourth Circuit was whether the United States should be substituted as a party defendant. The panel held that the answer was yes, and thus reversed the district court's ruling on the matter.




nia

Award-Winning Lithuanian Rock Band Colours Of Bubbles "She Is The Darkness" 2018 China Tour

The Tour Will Kickoff In Shanghai Where The Band Will Represent Lithuania During The Country's Signing To The Silk Road Music Alliance





nia

Kevin, Robin and Nia Slip



Kevin and Nia go in.





nia

Watch! Nia Long In a Leather Cat Suit Is Everything



The ageless actress slayed on Real Husbands of Hollywood.




nia

10 Reasons Why We Want Nia Long to Be Our Homegirl



Just a couple reasons why Nia Long deserves a spot.



  • Real Husbands of Hollywood


nia

Flicks of the Week: Nia Long & Best Man Gang Have the Juice



Back like they never left!



  • BET Star Cinema

nia

Miss Virginia



A struggling mom refuses to let her teenage son fail.



  • BET Star Cinema
  • BET Original Movies
  • Uzo Aduba

nia

California Authorities Continue To Fight A Fire



Residents have received many donations.




nia

Sanshou Fighters To Compete In California

Five Bermuda members of the Bermuda Sanshou Association will compete in the 3rd Pan American Kung Fu Championships in San Jose, California from July 12th – 14th. Bermuda Team Garon Wilkinson – Northern Open Hand Form, Flexible Weapon, 2-man Fighting Set Kaelin Cox – Southern Open Hand Form, Long Weapon, 2-man Fighting Set Talia Iris […]

(Click to read the full article)




nia

Martial Artists Win Medals In Virginia

Martial artists from Bermuda won multiple medals at John Chung’s World Cup of Martial Arts event in Virginia. on January 18 and January 19. A spokesperson said, “Mr Chung was celebrating 50 years of his martial arts career and team leader Andrea McKey presented him with a plaque from the Bermuda Karate Organization acknowledging this […]

(Click to read the full article)




nia

Photos: Colonial Helps Next Generation Rugby

The next generation rugby players in Bermuda and East and Southern Africa have been given a big boost thanks to one of the Island’s leading insurance companies. Colonial Group International, which is sponsoring the Classic Lions during the World Rugby Classic, held a quiz night earlier this week which raised $4,500 for Beyond Rugby Bermuda […]

(Click to read the full article)




nia

Motocross: Mitchell, Ingham Compete In Virginia

Jyire Mitchell and Zendai Ingham competed at Lake Sugar Tree in Virginia. Competing in the 250 A Class, Mitchell finished 3rd overall, Mitchell finished 2nd in the first moto, before finishing 3rd in the second moto. Mitchell would then finish 4th competing in the Open All-Star A/B, Mitchell was 2nd in the first moto, before […]

(Click to read the full article)




nia

Bermuda Rower Wins Silver Medal In Virginia

Michael and Anita Swain competed in the long distance rowing races in Virginia last weekend, along with 5,000 other rowers, with Michael Swain collecting a silver medal. Mr Swain competed in three races and Ms Swain in two; totaling 50,000 meters between the two of them. The event is just south of Washington DC, along […]

(Click to read the full article)




nia

Video: Estonian Media Highlights Roger Lee

Getting there isn’t always half the fun when you’re travelling to Bermuda from Estonia, local footballer Roger Lee jokes in a new interview. And getting back to that Baltic country can be even more challenging depending on where his Bermuda national squad obligations take him for a game. The 28-year-old Bermuda international has been playing […]

(Click to read the full article)




nia

Colonial Group To Close Office To Walk-Ins

Colonial Group International will close its offices on Monday [March 23] for walk-in business but will continue to service clients without any disruptions. CGI CEO Naz Farrow said: “It is clear that in Bermuda as well as the rest of the world we are facing an unprecedented challenge. At Colonial we are concerned and focused […]

(Click to read the full article)




nia

Photos: Colonial Valentine’s Day Tea Party

More than 100 seniors enjoyed a Valentine’s Day tea party organised as a big ‘thank-you’ from one of the Island’s biggest pension providers. Colonial Group International invited seniors with a pension with the firm to the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute which was decorated with hearts and flowers. CGI CEO Naz Farrow told the seniors: “It […]

(Click to read the full article)




nia

Colonial To Cover Covid-19 Antibody Testing

“Clients of Colonial Medical Insurance Company will be covered for Covid-19 antibody testing following an agreement with Helix Genetic and Scientific Solutions Ltd. of Hamilton,” the company announced. A Colonial spokesperson said, “The agreement, which will be operated as a pilot programme through June 30, will provide insurance cover for physician-ordered COVID-19 antibody testing for […]

(Click to read the full article)




nia

Bermuda Biennial Opens At BNG On March 7

The 2020 Bermuda Biennial opens to the public on Saturday, March 7, with the exhibition giving “Bermudian artists the opportunity to engage in an internationally juried process overseen by established curators.” A spokesperson said, “The exhibition, sponsored by Bacardi Limited, is a key platform for the contemporary art scene in Bermuda. Started in 1994 by […]

(Click to read the full article)




nia

Bermuda Biennial Opens At National Gallery

The 2020 Bermuda Biennial opened to the public on Saturday [March 7], with the exhibition to run until September. A spokesperson said, “The 2020 Bermuda Biennial opened to the public on Saturday, March 7. The exhibition, sponsored by Bacardi Limited, is a key platform for the contemporary art scene in Bermuda. Started in 1994 by […]

(Click to read the full article)




nia

Shiona Turini Attends CDGA Awards In California

Bermudian style influencer and fashion expert Shiona Turini attended the 22nd Costume Designers Guild Awards [CDGA] yesterday [Jan 28] in Beverly Hills, California, where she was nominated in the ‘Excellence in Contemporary Film’ category. Ms. Turini was nominated for her work on ‘Queen & Slim’ alongside Arjun Bhasin, Mitchell Travers, Jenny Eagan, and Ellen Mirojnick, […]

(Click to read the full article)




nia

Featured Centennial Paper: Bicycle Transportation Committee

The TRB Standing Technical Committee on Bicycle Transportation has been in existence for about 45 years, founded in 1974 as the Bicycling and Bicycles Committee. We had an early name change to the Committee on Bicycling and Bicycle Facilities shortly after our birth and became the Bicycle Transportation Committee in 1996. The committee's existence closely parallels the history of bicycle transportation research in the United States. Very little was done prior to the mid-1970s, when a surge of interest in...




nia

Featured Centennial Paper - The History of Impaired Driving and the Role of the Transportation Research Board Committee on Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Transportation

The Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee's Centennial Paper to review what it has accomplished since its inception in the early 1970s, how it has evolved along with the field, and what challenges and opportunities it confronts going forward. To learn more about the history of impaired driving and the Standing Technical Committee on Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Transportation (ANB50), check out the Committee's Centennial Paper. As part of TRB's Centennial Celebration, the Technical Activities Council invited al...




nia

Featured Centennial Paper - TRB’s Role in Transportation Infrastructure Protection and Resilience

Standing Technical Committee on Critical Transportation Infrastructure got its start as the Task Force on Critical Transportation Infrastructure Security tied directly in response to the Presidential Decision Directive 63, Critical Infrastructure Protection (PPD-63). Soon after the task force was established, as a way to bring awareness to this topic, TRB published a special edition of TR News (211): Transportation Security: Protecting the System from Attack and Theft (November-December 2000). The editio...




nia

“Ветер был реже, чем дождь” – Сильвия Видаль о первопроходе “Sincronia Màgica”


Фото из архива Сильвии Видаль.

Первопрохождение. Соло. Сильвия Видаль. Не восхищаться этой "Чудо-женщиной" в мире альпинизма и её восхождениями невозможно! На этот раз она отправилась в долину Чилино в Патагонии, чтобы соло проложить новый маршрут по северной стене Сьеро-Чилино-Гранде.




nia

COVID-19 Is Exposing A Virulent Strain Of Broadband Market Failure Denialism

A few weeks ago, the US telecom industry began pushing a bullshit narrative through its usual allies. In short, the claim revolves around the argument that the only reason the US internet still works during a pandemic was because the Trump FCC ignored the public, ignored most objective experts, and gutted itself at the behest of telecom industry lobbyists. The argument first popped up over at AEI, then the Trump FCC, then the pages of the Wall Street Journal, and has since been seen in numerous op-eds nationwide. I'd wager that's not a coincidence, and I'd also wager we'll be seeing a lot more of them.

All of the pieces try to argue that the only reason the US internet works during a pandemic is because the FCC gutted its authority over telecom as part of its "restoring internet freedom" net neutrality repeal. This repeal, the story goes, drove significant investment in US broadband networks (not remotely true), resulting in telecom Utopia (also not true). The argument also posits that in Europe, where regulators have generally taken a more active role in policing things like industry consolidation and telecom monopolies, the internet all but fell apart (guess what: not true).

Usually, like in this op-ed, there's ample insistence that the US broadband sector is largely wonderful while the EU has gone to hell:

"Unlike here, European networks are more heavily regulated. This has led to less investment and worse performance for consumers for years. American consumers are being generally well served by the private sector."

Anybody who has spent five minutes talking to Comcast customer support -- or tried to get scandal-plagued ISP like Frontier Communications to upgrade rotten DSL lines -- knows this is bullshit. Still, we penned a lengthy post exploring just how full of shit this argument is, and how there's absolutely zero supporting evidence for the claims. The entire house of cards is built on fluff and nonsense, and it's just ethically grotesque to use a disaster to help justify regulatory capture and market failure.

While it's true that the US internet, in general, has held up relatively well during a pandemic, the same can't be said of the so called "last mile," or the link from your ISP's network to your home. Yes, the core internet and most primary transit routes, designed to handle massive capacity spikes during events like the Superbowl, has handled the load relatively well. The problem, as Sascha Meinrath correctly notes here, is sluggish speeds on consumer and business lines that, for many, haven't been upgraded in years:

"Right now, an international consortium of network scientists is collecting 750,000 U.S. broadband speed tests from internet service provider (ISP) customers each day, and we’ve been tracking a stunning loss of connectivity speeds to people’s homes. According to most ISPs, the core network is handling the extra load. But our data show that the last-mile network infrastructure appears to be falling down on the job."

Again, your 5 Mbps DSL line might be ok during normal times, but it's not going to serve you well during a pandemic when your entire family is streaming 4K videos, gaming, and Zooming. And your DSL line isn't upgraded because there's (1) very little competition forcing your ISP to do so, and (2) the US government is filled to the brim with sycophants who prioritize campaign contributions and ISP revenues over the health of the market and consumer welfare. And while there's a contingency of industry-linked folks who try very hard to pretend otherwise, this is a policy failure that's directly tied to mindless deregulation, a lack of competition, and, more importantly, corruption. In short, the complete opposite of the industry's latest talking point.

For years we've been noting how US telcos have refused to repair or upgrade aging DSL lines because it's not profitable enough, quickly enough for Wall Street's liking. Facing no competition and no regulatory oversight, there's zero incentive for a giant US broadband provider to try very hard. Similarly, because our lawmakers and regulators are largely of the captured, revolving door variety, they rubber stamp shitty mergers, turn a blind eye to very obvious industry problems, routinely throwing billions in taxpayer money at monopolies in exchange for fiber networks that are usually only partially deployed -- if they're deployed at all.

Meanwhile, US telcos that have all but given up on upgrading aging DSL lines have helped cement an even bigger Comcast monopoly across vast swaths of America. It's a problem that the telecom sector, Trump FCC, and various industry apologists will ignore to almost comical effect. Also ignored is the fact that this results in US broadband subscribers paying some of the highest prices for broadband in the developed world:

"Numerous studies, including those conducted by the FCC itself, show that broadband pricing is the second-largest barrier to broadband adoption (availability is the first). It’s obvious that if people are being charged a lot for a service, they’re less likely to purchase it. And independent researchers have already documented that poor areas often pay more than rich communities for connectivity. Redlining of minority and rural areas appears to be widespread, and we need accurate pricing data from the FCC to meaningfully address these disparities."

Try to find any instance where Ajit Pai, or anybody in this chorus of telecom monopoly apologists, actually admits that the US broadband market isn't competitive and, as a result, is hugely expensive for businesses and consumers alike. You simply won't find it. What you will find are a lot of excuses and straw men arguments like this latest one, designed to distract the press, public, and policymakers from very obvious market failure. Market failure that was a major problem in normal times, and exponentially more so during a pandemic where broadband is an essential lifeline.




nia

California’s privacy warriors are back – and this time they want to take their fight all the way to the ballot box

Politicos watered down earlier efforts, so data defenders will fight to the end

The small group of policy wonks that forced California’s legislature to rush through privacy legislation two years ago are back – and this time they want a ballot.…




nia

Optimism or denial as mental self-defence

---------------------------------------------------[Sat Nov 26 15:25:44 2016]--
From: (S) ease of well-being  (steph)

Subject: Optimism or denial as mental self-defence

A few things recently have given me cause to consider my response to bad things
happening, and my reactions to other people's responses.  First, there's
Trump's election in the US which is undesirable and directly or indirectly
likely to cause some people harm (although I doubt it'll have any effect on me
personally).  I agree that he's not the best or even a good candidate and I
agree that he has incited prejudiced people to show and act on their
prejudices: people are being hurt.  However, I do not like the stream of
articles saying he's a white supremacist or a Nazi or California should secede
or the Electoral College should choose Clinton, or whatever.  Part of this is
doubtless my contrary streak, but part of it is something different.  I observe
that I am semi-consciously adopting a position that `things will turn out all
right' or `it won't be that bad' because countenancing the opposite is not good
for my mental health.

The other thing is some changes in the wider organisation for which I work;
basically there has been a botched reorganisation which has left most people
unhappy and from what I hear from numerous sources with good reason.  This
doesn't currently affect me much and I don't expect it to because of political
realities.  However, even just having the argument with someone closer to the
failing department (and more likely to feel its direct effects) seems to be
followed by my feeling anxious and depressed.  Again, adopting a constructive
positive attitude (which may appear to others pollyannaish, naive, optimistic,
or just in denial) seems to be a defence I've learned here and I suspect it
helps.  But there's more obviously a risk when I'm more involved than I am in
the US case, namely that my optimism will blind me to dangers that will be to
my detriment.

Does my ornery nature come to the rescue, though?  Perhaps because I'm at heart
a bit of a grumpy sod and only respect authorities when I think they deserve it
my tendency to want to probe and prod and query and dig my heels in may
counteract the defensive optimism.  Or alternatively, I'm optimistic in a
different sense: perhaps I just have confidence that I'll win?

LJDW




nia

IBM and West Virginia University’s Center for Disability Inclusion Unveil Mobile Workplace Accommodation Case Management App

IBM and West Virginia University’s Center for Disability Inclusion (CDI) today announced they are developing a first generation mobile workplace accommodation case management app to help U.S. businesses create inclusive workplaces for employees with disabilities.




nia

Finding a Beached Whale: Pt. Reyes, California

One morning at the tidepools and chance upon the largest creature on earth.




nia

IBM Future of Identity Study: Millennials Poised to Disrupt Authentication Landscape

IBM Security today released a global study examining consumer perspectives around digital identity and authentication, which found that people now prioritize security over convenience when logging into applications and devices. Generational differences also emerged showing that younger adults are putting less care into traditional password hygiene, yet are more likely to use biometrics, multifactor authentication and password managers to improve their personal security.




nia

IBM Donates More Than 2.5 Million Hours of Volunteer Service to Communities Worldwide as Part of Centennial Day of Service

IBM today announced that as part of its Celebration of Service, designed to allow employees, retirees, clients and business partners to donate their time and expertise during the company's Centennial year, 300,000 IBMers around the world -- close to three quarters of its global workforce -- are volunteering in more than 5,000 projects in 120 countries, meeting civic and societal challenges and serving millions in need.




nia

Millennials prefieren las tecnologías biométricas de seguridad a las contraseñas

El 67% de los usuarios en todo el mundo se siente actualmente cómodo utilizando tecnologías biométricas (lectura de huella dactilar, escaneado de retina y reconocimiento facial o de voz) para acceder a sus aplicaciones, según el estudio IBM Security Future of Identity elaborado por IBM.




nia

Tecnológico de Monterrey e IBM impulsan innovación con el primer Centro de Mercadotecnia Digital en LA

El Tecnológico de Monterrey e IBM en México abrieron hoy el Innovation & Digital Marketing Center en el Campus Santa Fe de esta institución, un espacio único en su tipo en Latinoamérica que ofrecerá a la comunidad universitaria y a los emprendedores herramientas de Analítica y Smarter Marketing.




nia

IBM Aims to Help Alleviate Water Shortages in Northern California’s Wine Country



  • Energy & Utilities

nia

St Virgil’s College leads digital education delivery in Tasmania with IBM

Tasmania’s St Virgil’s College has signed a two-year agreement with IBM to equip staff and students with Apple iPads and Mobile Device Management (MDM) software as part of its digital education delivery commitment.




nia

Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff: Shill for the Macedonians

In the latest episode of their multi-layered podcast, Ken and Robin talk narrative voices in RPG play, Whitey Bulger & MK-ULTRA, curse tablets, and Oswald Wirth & Stanislas de Guaita.



  • Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff

nia

Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff: Sonia Plus Melted Cheese

In the latest episode of their thoroughly vetted podcast, Ken and Robin talk converting standard GUMSHOE scenarios to QuickShock, a Ukraine mole, QuestWorlds with Ian Cooper, and moving Lovecraft to Chicago.



  • Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff

nia

Lucifer - Marginia

Какая офигительнейшая еботня
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf8N_LERyTU&list=PLaxF0X40F65ipw3lCBWAVo3K4xXmys77D
Lucifer ?- Marginia

http://progressreview.blogspot.com/2017/10/lucifers-marginia-recorded-1989-1993.html
https://centraldoprog.blogspot.com/2020/04/lucifer-marginia-1993-cd-japan.html
https://www.proggnosis.com/Release/15009
https://www.up-4ever.org/rh2ohju0lqv7

японский прог-рок, звучащий как прог-обработки
к музыке из популярных аниме (в централпроге поминают
Олдфилда и Ренессанс, спорить не буду)




nia

Daredevil 'Mad Mike' Hughes dies in crash of his homemade rocket in California

"Mad Mike" Hughes, a self-styled explorer and daredevil bent on proving that the earth is flat was killed over the weekend when his homemade rocket crashed in the California desert over the weekend.