In an interview before his passing, Daniel Ellsberg, renowned whistleblower of the Pentagon Papers, emphasized the importance of honesty in American war reporting. Reflecting on the impact of showcasing pictures of people killed by the U.S. military's bombing campaigns on the front pages of newspapers, Ellsberg expressed his desire for the public to be fully aware of the human consequences of such actions. While acknowledging the potential for social media to facilitate awareness, he also highlighted the media and government's collaboration in keeping vital information hidden.
Ellsberg, who dedicated his life to antiwar activism, passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 92. Beyond his famous disclosure of the Pentagon Papers, which exposed the truth about the Vietnam War, Ellsberg continued to uncover hidden aspects of U.S. militarism and shed light on the psychological and cultural dynamics within the media and politics. His deep intellect and compassion allowed him to reveal the social pressures and fear operating within a country addicted to aggressive warfare.
During our conversation, Ellsberg drew comparisons between media coverage of September 11 and the U.S. military's "shock and awe" attack on Baghdad at the start of the Iraq invasion. He noted the Times' powerful display of photographs and personal anecdotes to humanize the victims of 9/11. However, he lamented the absence of similar coverage for the victims of the Iraq War, proposing that publishing photos of those killed in the "shock and awe" attack could have provided a poignant perspective. Unfortunately, U.S. media refrained from such coverage.
Despite Ellsberg's dedication to exposing truths, he expressed pessimism regarding the public's response to war deaths. He noted that Americans exhibit limited concern for the number of casualties, primarily focusing on American lives lost and the perception of success. The media rarely questions the human cost of wars, and even when information surfaces, it rarely leads to significant changes in public opinion.
Ellsberg believed that the American public remains unaware of their role as citizens of an empire, one that believes it has the right to determine the governance of other nations and is willing to engage in regime change to protect corporate interests. Presidents often present Americans as peace-loving people, slow to enter wars, while the reality is that the country has been involved in continuous conflicts. Ellsberg recognized the media's role in deceiving the public, exploiting their desires to believe in American exceptionalism and moral superiority.
Daniel Ellsberg's insights serve as a reminder of the crucial role truthful and transparent reporting plays in shaping public perception. His lifelong commitment to revealing the hidden realities of war encourages us to challenge the narratives presented to us and seek a deeper understanding of the human toll of militarism.
NASA announced that Blue Origin has been awarded a contract to supply a lunar lander for the Artemis V moon mission, scheduled for 2029. This comes two years after Blue Origin lost a bid to build similar vehicles for the Artemis III and IV missions.
Leading a consortium that includes Lockheed Martin and Boeing, Blue Origin will design and build the lander with a funding contribution of $3.4 billion from NASA. According to The New York Times, Blue Origin's VP for lunar transportation also confirmed that their company plans to invest even more than the provided funding for the project.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed enthusiasm, stating, "We are in a golden age of human spaceflight, which is made possible by NASA's commercial and international partnerships. Together, we are making an investment in the infrastructure that will pave the way to land the first astronauts on Mars."
Now, the real work begins. Blue Origin will commence the design, construction, and testing of a new lander that meets NASA's mission requirements. This includes the capability to dock with Gateway, a planned space station that will facilitate crew transfer into lunar orbit. The contract encompasses an uncrewed moon landing demonstration as well as the crewed Artemis V mission set for 2029.
In 2021, Blue Origin and another company lost a contract to supply vehicles for Artemis III and IV to SpaceX, which aims to return humans to the moon's surface after over half a century. SpaceX's proposal was estimated at $2.9 billion, while Blue Origin's reached $6 billion.
Following the unsuccessful bid, Blue Origin filed a lawsuit against NASA, alleging unfair evaluation of their proposal. However, a subsequent 76-page report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) upheld NASA's decision to choose SpaceX's lower-cost contract. The report cited concerns about Blue Origin's proposal lacking proper safeguards for landing in the dark. The GAO stated that NASA was not obliged to include every minute detail, and Blue Origin should have considered the conditions of the moon and space, including darkness.
Despite the legal setback, Blue Origin has apparently revised its proposal process, addressing previous concerns such as landing in the dark. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Blue Origin, acknowledged the court's judgment and wished "full success for NASA and SpaceX on the contract."
In the quest to understand the origins of Western Civilization, Professor Naoíse Sweeney challenges the conventional narrative that has woven itself into our cultural consciousness. In a candid exploration, Sweeney unveils the fallacy surrounding the idea that a continuous golden thread links the ancient Greeks to the modern West.
The prevailing notion of Western Civilization, passed down through generations, is depicted as a linear inheritance from classical antiquity to the present day. Sweeney, a Professor of Classical Archaeology, dismantles this myth, emphasizing the diversity of ancient Greeks and Romans and debunking the idea of a uniquely European cultural genealogy.
The article sheds light on the rich tapestry of Western history, where diverse peoples, cultures, and ideas have interwoven over centuries. Sweeney's research, spanning two decades, reveals that the monks of medieval Europe were not the sole heirs of classical antiquity; merchants in Sudan and Buddhist sculptors in northern India also played crucial roles.
Historical evidence points to Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, as a major center of medieval classical learning, where scholarship transcended geographical and cultural boundaries. The article contends that the traditional narrative of Western Civilization is factually incorrect and limited in its understanding of the complex historical realities.
The roots of the grand narrative, according to Sweeney, trace back to the Renaissance but solidified in the seventeenth century with European imperialism. The concept of the West emerged as a tool to justify colonization, drawing a distinction between those who could be colonized and those who could be colonizers.
The idea of Western Civilization, as it stands today, finds its origins in the eighteenth-century revolutionary North America. The founding fathers, inspired by the classical world, used this concept to reconcile the contradictions inherent in their revolutionary movement, providing a historical justification for practices like Black slavery.
Sweeney argues that Western Civilization is not just a fictional tale but a myth created to legitimize slavery, imperialism, and oppression. The myth served the ideological needs of its time, reflecting the values of the society that invented it.
In the modern West, where values have evolved, Sweeney advocates dismantling the myth of Western Civilization. Instead, she proposes embracing a more inclusive and factually supported narrative rooted in intercultural exchange, aligning with contemporary Western values such as liberal democracy, the rule of law, and equality of human rights.
As Sweeney reflects on her son's innocent belief in the traditional narrative, she contemplates the prospect of turning her insights into a book—an opportunity to challenge and reshape the way we perceive Western history.Source
The allure of swimming pools on Martha's Vineyard has surged in recent years, driven by growing demand from the summer rental market for properties with enhanced amenities. Over the past two decades, Edgartown and Chilmark alone have issued more than 750 pool permits, indicating a significant increase in pool construction.
In Edgartown, the number of pool constructions reached its peak in 2021, with 75 pool permits awarded. The following year, in 2022, 46 pool permits were approved, still marking an almost eightfold rise from 2001 when only six pools received approval.
Similarly, Chilmark experienced a peak in 2021 with 24 pool permits, which decreased to 11 permits in 2022. Back in 2001, only three pools were permitted in Chilmark.
Local officials and activists are grappling with this growing trend and its impact on the Island economy. Pool installation on rental properties is viewed as a wise investment by realtors, as it often doubles the rental cost, making it appealing to investors looking for higher returns.
Private pools have become increasingly desirable for vacationers, transforming vacation homes into hotel-like accommodations with additional amenities.
However, this pool-building trend raises concerns among conservationists and some officials. Critics worry about the impact on the natural beauty of the Island and its resources. Some raise concerns about the use of fossil fuels to heat pools and the potential impact on the Island's aquifer due to the increased water usage.
Efforts to regulate pool constructions often face limitations due to statutory constraints, making it challenging for local officials to enact stricter rules. While some towns like Chilmark have imposed stringent safety requirements for pool construction, others, like Edgartown, have more relaxed regulations.
Despite some fluctuations in the number of pool permits awarded in 2022, the overall trend indicates a continued rise in pool constructions on Martha's Vineyard. This has led to discussions within the community about the direction the Island is taking and whether to implement changes to preserve its unique character and appeal.
In a world dominated by online retail giants, one startup has emerged as a beacon of hope for independent bookstores. Bookshop.org, founded by Andy Hunter, has revolutionized the way small bookshops can thrive in the digital age. This is the story of how a former magazine editor turned entrepreneur created a platform that defied expectations and provided a lifeline for struggling businesses.
It all started with a moment of inspiration during a work trip in 2018. Hunter, the former publisher of Catapult, found himself pondering the idea of ecommerce as an opportunity rather than a threat to independent bookstores. Motivated by a conversation with a board member of the American Booksellers Association, Hunter envisioned a platform that would empower these stores to compete with retail giants like Amazon.
Hunter's vision became a reality with the launch of Bookshop.org in January 2020. The timing couldn't have been more fortuitous, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced many brick-and-mortar stores to close their doors. Bookshop.org offered a lifeline, enabling these businesses to quickly set up digital storefronts and fulfill orders through a partnership with wholesaler Ingram.
The response was astounding. Bookshop.org surpassed all expectations, reaching sales milestones that Hunter never anticipated. The platform became a symbol of hope for struggling bookstores and a way for customers to support local businesses during a time of crisis. Bookshop.org's profit-sharing model further cemented its appeal, as stores received a share of the sales generated through their virtual storefronts.
While Bookshop.org has faced some criticism, with concerns raised about diverting sales away from independent stores, Hunter remains committed to his mission. He sees Bookshop.org as a necessary intermediary, a way to counter the dominance of Amazon while still prioritizing direct purchases from local bookshops. With Bookshop.org's success in the book industry, Hunter envisions expanding the platform to support other small businesses in the future.
As Bookshop.org continues to grow, Hunter aims to introduce new features, such as audiobooks and ebooks. Despite the challenges posed by the dominant players in the market, Hunter's optimism is unwavering. He believes in the power of community and the importance of preserving independent businesses. With each new milestone and success story, Bookshop.org proves that a small startup can make a big difference in the world of ecommerce.
Bookshop.org is not just a platform; it's a symbol of hope for independent bookstores everywhere. Through the dedication and vision of Andy Hunter, this startup has become a force for positive change in the industry, reminding us all of the value of supporting local businesses and fostering a sense of community in the digital age.
The NFL is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to informing and educating individuals associated with the game, from players to followers, about its gambling policy. Ensuring the universal acceptance of fair play during games is crucial for the league's long-term success. However, certain aspects of the policy raise questions, particularly the existence of different rules for players and non-players.
Coaches and staff face a strict prohibition on betting on any sport at any time. There are no exceptions. However, players are allowed to wager on any sport other than their own as long as it is done on their personal time and away from league premises. While there are additional stipulations, such as not sharing inside information or participating in daily fantasy football, players have more freedom when it comes to gambling.
It would be logical to have a single rule applicable to everyone employed by the NFL, especially since there is no obstacle preventing the league from doing so. The gambling policy is not collectively bargained, which means the NFL could establish a one-size-fits-all approach based on its constitution. When asked if the league could impose such working conditions on players, NFL Executive Vice President of Communications, Public Affairs & Policy, Jeff Miller, expressed uncertainty during a recent Zoom call with reporters. He cited the distinction between players and non-players, which has existed for a long time and was influenced by conversations with the players' association. The accessibility of sports betting has changed, with legal options now available on mobile devices, but it remains unclear how this affects the need for two sets of rules.
The existence of two sets of rules raises questions about the league's commitment to game integrity and eliminating gray areas. A straightforward solution would be to implement a policy that prohibits anyone affiliated with the NFL from betting on anything. However, the league has not taken this approach, perhaps to avoid potential conflicts with the players' association. Instead, it has opted for individual punishments when players violate the policy, as evidenced by the April suspension of five players.
Recent suspensions of players like Shaka Toney, Quintez Cephus, and C.J. Moore for betting on league games, and Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill for other gambling policy violations, indicate that more suspensions may be forthcoming. The NFL wants to send a clear message as a deterrent to all individuals involved in the game that it takes gambling seriously. Sabrina Perel, the league's Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, stated during the Zoom call that she does not foresee the policy ever allowing non-players to bet on non-NFL events, even though the outcomes of those events have no impact on NFL games.
If the concern about coaches and staff betting on non-NFL events is significant, the same concern should extend to players. The NFL sometimes finds itself in trouble when it tries to make the nonsensical appear sensible. The logical and fair approach would be to establish the same rules for everyone. However, financial considerations often influence the league's decisions. Partnering with gambling sites can potentially generate billions in revenue, and this aligns with the league's decision to allow sports books inside stadiums while prohibiting players from entering them.
To protect the integrity of the game, the NFL should completely dissociate itself from gambling at all levels. Alternatively, implementing a single set of rules applicable to all individuals associated with the league would alleviate the confusion surrounding the current policy. Uniformity and integrity should be the guiding principles in shaping the NFL's gambling regulations.
In a move that solidifies Asia's lead in securing gas supplies from Qatar's expansive production project, Qatar has signed its second significant gas supply agreement with a Chinese state-controlled company within a year. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and QatarEnergy have entered a 27-year agreement, under which China will purchase 4 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually from Qatar.
As part of the deal, CNPC will also acquire an equity stake in the eastern expansion of Qatar's North Field LNG project, according to QatarEnergy's CEO, Saad al-Kaabi. The stake represents 5% of one LNG train, which has a capacity of 8 million metric tons per year.
Kaabi emphasized the importance of the agreement, stating, "Today we are signing two agreements that will further enhance our strong relations with one of the most important gas markets in the world and a key market for Qatari energy products."
This agreement mirrors a similar deal struck by QatarEnergy with China's Sinopec in November, in which Sinopec committed to purchasing 4 million metric tons of LNG annually for 27 years. Sinopec also acquired a 5% equity stake in one LNG train with a capacity of 8 million metric tons per year.
Asia has emerged as a frontrunner in securing long-term supply agreements, surpassing Europe in the race to secure gas supplies from Qatar's two-phase expansion plan. By 2027, Qatar aims to increase its liquefaction capacity to 126 million metric tons per year, up from the current 77 million.
This latest deal marks QatarEnergy's third agreement to supply LNG from the expansion to an Asian buyer. Additionally, Kaabi revealed that other Asian buyers are in discussions for equity stakes in the expansion.
Qatar, known as the world's leading LNG exporter, has witnessed heightened competition for LNG since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, particularly from Europe, which seeks alternatives to replace Russian pipeline gas that accounted for nearly 40% of its imports.
CNPC's near-finalized deal with QatarEnergy was expected, with earlier reports suggesting a purchase of LNG over nearly 30 years from the North Field expansion project. QatarEnergy had previously expressed its willingness to offer up to 5% stakes in the gas trains associated with the expansion to "value-added partners."
China's Sinopec became the first Asian energy company to become a "value-added" partner in the project in April. QatarEnergy has also formed equity partnerships on the project with international oil companies, while maintaining a 75% stake in the North Field expansion, which is estimated to cost at least $30 billion, including the construction of liquefaction export facilities.
With strained relations between Beijing, the United States, and Australia, which are Qatar's major LNG export rivals, Chinese national energy firms perceive Qatar as a more secure investment destination for resources.
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the country's $445 billion sovereign wealth fund, will manage a significant portion of the revenues generated from the North Field expansion, ensuring the well-being of the Qatari people and residents of Qatar, according to Kaabi.
The latest gas supply agreement between Qatar and China further solidifies Qatar's role as a leading global LNG supplier, while bolstering the Asian market's dominance in securing Qatari gas supplies for the future.
Square Enix's upcoming installment, Final Fantasy 16, aims to revolutionize the mainline Final Fantasy games with a fresh approach. Spearheaded by Naoki Yoshida, renowned for his work on revitalizing Final Fantasy 14, the goal is to expand the series' appeal by transforming it into a modern action-adventure, drawing inspiration from popular fantasy franchises like Game of Thrones and God of War.
While this new direction may concern some fans, fearing the loss of the series' identity, the essence of Final Fantasy remains intact in Final Fantasy 16. The game retains beloved elements such as summons, Chocobos, Moogles, crystals, and Aether. Moreover, it maintains the series' earnestness, grandiosity, a touch of emo flair, and a charming touch of goofiness.
Yoshida emphasizes that Final Fantasy 16 is a labor of love, driven by a desire to reignite excitement for the series. During the opening hours of the game experienced at a London press event, eyebrows were raised due to a scene that showcased characters drenched in gore and using explicit language. However, despite its edginess and departure from the traditional party-based RPG format, Final Fantasy 16 remains unmistakably Final Fantasy.
The game's early stages introduce players to an intricate military and political landscape within its fantasy world. It thrusts them into a complex narrative filled with names, locations, and concepts that may initially feel overwhelming. However, the Active Time Lore system allows players to pause the action and access helpful wikis providing explanations of the characters, locations, and concepts in the scene.
As the game progresses, it settles into a comfortable rhythm, building its characters, world, and gameplay. Players assume the role of Clive Rosfield, an embittered soldier navigating battles and royal family drama. The combat system offers a free-flowing, action-oriented experience, with boss battles being particularly engaging and strategically designed. The game's approach to accessibility and difficulty also provides customization options through "Timely" items, allowing players to tailor their experience.
Final Fantasy 16 takes players on a journey of intricate storytelling and thrilling gameplay. As the plot unfolds, it gradually opens up to offer exploration and side-quests, reminiscent of the PlayStation 2 era's action games and RPGs. The game successfully maintains the essence of Final Fantasy while incorporating elements from the past that fans hold dear.
The true test for Final Fantasy 16 will be whether it can sustain its momentum beyond the initial hours. With its release on PlayStation 5 scheduled for June 22, players eagerly anticipate embarking on a new Final Fantasy adventure that balances modernity with the franchise's enduring spirit.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School have uncovered a novel mechanism behind certain types of breast cancer, offering a new perspective on the disease's development. The study, detailed in the journal Nature, identifies genomic reshuffling, involving the rearrangement of chromosomes, as the trigger for breast cancer in cases that defy the classical model of its development. The research challenges the prevailing belief that the hormone estrogen merely fuels breast cancer growth and reveals that estrogen can directly cause genomic rearrangements, shedding light on previously unexplained cases.
In essence, the study suggests that approximately one-third of breast cancer cases may originate from this newly identified mechanism. While estrogen's role in breast cancer has traditionally been viewed as stimulating the proliferation of breast tissue and contributing to cancer-causing mutations, the research demonstrates that estrogen can also induce genomic rearrangements directly.
The team, led by Professor Peter Park, delved into the genomic data of 780 breast cancer cases. They anticipated the classical chromosomal disarray in most samples but were surprised to find a distinctive pattern in one-third of the tumors. Instead of the anticipated misshapen single chromosome, two chromosomes had fused near "hot spots" where cancer genes are located. This pattern indicated a new mechanism by which a "disfigured" chromosome is generated, subsequently contributing to certain breast cancer cases.
Zooming in on the cancer-gene activation hot spots, researchers noted their proximity to estrogen-binding areas on DNA. This observation prompted further experiments with breast cancer cells, exposing them to estrogen and using CRISPR gene editing to make DNA cuts. The repair process resulted in the same genomic rearrangement observed in the genomic analyses.
These findings suggest a new role for estrogen in breast cancer genesis, indicating that estrogen-suppressing drugs, like tamoxifen, may work more directly by preventing estrogen from initiating cancer-causing genomic rearrangements. The study's insights could lead to improved breast cancer testing, enabling the detection of specific genomic rearrangements associated with disease recurrence.
In conclusion, this research challenges conventional understandings of breast cancer development, highlighting the importance of DNA sequencing and data analysis in deepening our understanding of cancer biology. The study's implications may extend beyond breast cancer, emphasizing the broader value of such investigative approaches in comprehending the complexities of cancer development.
This work received funding from various sources, including the Ludwig Center at Harvard, Cancer Grand Challenges, Cancer Research UK, the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, and the National Institutes of Health.
In the early hours of Friday, Wisconsin Republicans who control the state's Legislature made a controversial decision to end funding for a pandemic-era child care subsidy program. Despite strong objections from Democrats and child care providers, the GOP-controlled Joint Finance Committee voted to terminate funding after a meeting delay of over 10 hours.
The Child Care Counts program, administered by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, distributed nearly $600 million to over 4,900 child care providers between March 2020 and March 2023. This financial support helped struggling providers cover expenses such as rent, utilities, and professional development during a time when many parents were working from home. However, the allocated funds are projected to be depleted by February of next year.
Democratic Governor Tony Evers proposed making the program permanent, utilizing over $300 million in state funds over the next two years. Unfortunately, Republicans rejected this proposal, prompting concerns from Democrats like Senator Kelda Roys. Roys emphasized that the Child Care Counts program played a crucial role in preventing child care centers from closing during the pandemic. She warned that discontinuing the grants would have a devastating impact on both children and the state's economy.
Brooke Skidmore, the owner of The Growing Tree child care center in New Glarus, echoed these sentiments, stating that the loss of Child Care Counts funding would lead to closures and prevent families from being able to work. Skidmore highlighted that the funding had allowed her to increase her employees' wages and address staffing challenges.
Tim Ballard, a parent whose child has been enrolled at The Growing Tree since infancy, emphasized the essential role child care providers play in enabling parents to pursue their careers. He expressed his dismay, questioning how lawmakers could justify denying these vital resources to children in need.
During the budget committee's debate on the plan, Republican members did not address the removal of Child Care Counts funding. However, Representative Jessie Rodriguez, a Republican from Oak Creek, mentioned that Republicans are working on additional legislation to support the opening of more child care centers.
Governor Evers' office issued a statement before the vote, urging Republicans to preserve the program. Evers' spokesperson, Britt Cudaback, criticized the decision and the timing of the vote, accusing Wisconsin Republicans of waiting until working families were asleep before gutting hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to make child care more affordable and accessible statewide.
The termination of the Child Care Counts program raises concerns about the well-being of needy families, the stability of child care providers, and the overall impact on Wisconsin's economy. The decision has ignited a contentious debate between Republicans and Democrats, highlighting the importance of accessible and affordable child care for working parents.