********** LAW **********
return to top
Columbia Law Professor Smeared by Israel Supporters Could Lose Her Job
Fri, 12 Jul 2024 15:19:34 +0000
“There’s a very good chance that they will fire me,” said Katherine Franke, a tenured professor who has defended students protesting for Gaza.
The post Columbia Law Professor Smeared by Israel Supporters Could Lose Her Job appeared first on The Intercept.
While the court refused to review the 1985 case of Charles McCrory, Sotomayor urged states to pass laws to help exonerate people imprisoned on debunked forensic evidence.
The post There’s a Junk Science Crisis in Criminal Convictions. Sonia Sotomayor Calls It Out in Alabama Bite-Mark Case. appeared first on The Intercept.
The Trump-led 2024 Republican platform instead calls for an American Iron Dome and the largest deportation operation ever.
The post GOP Platform Doesn’t Mention the Word “Climate” Once — Even After Hottest Year on Record appeared first on The Intercept.
Actor’s defense team at Rust film set shooting trial accuses state of concealing ammunition turned over to police
The judge in Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial is considering a motion from the defense to dismiss the case after the actor’s lawyers argued that the state improperly withheld evidence.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the Rust armorer who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year, was initially expected take the stand at Baldwin’s trial on Friday. But the proceedings took a dramatic turn as Baldwin’s defense team accused the state of concealing evidence that would have been favorable to the actor and asked Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer to throw out the case.
Continue reading...Although Cameron and Osborne have been rebranded as Tory moderates, look back to 2010 and you’ll see how much devastation they truly caused
Lest we forget, here is an audit of the state of the country Labour inherits. Pin it up, brand it into public memory so no one can forget the ruination caused primarily by 14 years of crushing, growth-killing, public service-stripping austerity. The purpose of the book I’ve written with David Walker, The Only Way is Up, published today, is to draw a baseline from which to judge all that Labour does from now on: in future, look back on this benchmark to measure how it did.
Curiously, because of the mayhem caused by their riotous successors, a myth has grown that David Cameron and George Osborne were somehow Tory moderates by post-Brexit standards. But Cameron’s nonchalant demeanour, shielded by Nick Clegg’s willing connivance, disguised the extreme nature of an ideological first budget that set the trajectory for all the Tory years. Remember this: only seven weeks into power, Osborne announced a budget in which the balance of spending cuts to tax rises was 77% to 23%. That included £17bn cut from government departments; £11bn cut from benefits; a triple-lock rise for pensioners while freezing child benefit; freezing public sector pay; the lowest-ever real-terms increase in NHS funding; and petty meanness such as ending health in pregnancy grants and cutting maternity grants beyond the first child, while reducing corporation tax and raising the threshold for national insurance paid by employers. It set the tone for the years to come.
Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist
The Only Way is Up: How to Take Britain From Austerity to Prosperity by Polly Toynbee and David Walker is published today. Order your copy at guardianbookshop.com to support the Guardian and Observer
Continue reading...Five arrested in investigation of claims Abin monitored and harassed top public figures and politicians
Brazil’s intelligence agency was illegally weaponised during Jair Bolsonaro’s far-right administration to monitor and harass some of the country’s most important politicians, journalists, judges and environmental officials, federal police have alleged.
Five people were arrested on Thursday as part of a long-running investigation into suspicions that during Bolsonaro’s 2019-22 government the Agência Brasileira de Inteligência (Abin) was used to spy on the president’s political foes.
Continue reading...Family members say justice has been served after Jeremy Skibicki convicted of four murders in Winnipeg
A serial killer who preyed on Indigenous women in Canada will serve decades in prison after a judge determined he was criminally responsible for four “jarring and numbing” murders, in a verdict celebrated by family as “justice being served”.
Justice Glenn Joyal ruled on Thursday that Jeremy Skibicki was guilty of first-degree murder in the killings of Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran and an unidentified woman, who was named Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe (Buffalo Woman) by Indigenous leaders. Joyal rejected an argument from the defence that Skibicki’s mental health had prevented him from understanding his actions.
Continue reading...Judge put limits on the evidence M25 activists could bring on the effects of climate breakdown
The chaotic scenes inside and outside court at the trial of five people accused of conspiring to block traffic on the M25 in 2022 have highlighted restrictions placed on defendants in a number of climate protest trials that people are seeking to challenge, but risk falling foul of the law as they seek to do so. Here the Guardian explains the basis of the restrictions and why they are so contentious.
Continue reading...Several Squad members who were vocal critics of Biden’s handling of Israel’s war on Gaza have voiced support for the president.
The post Even Centrists Are Questioning Biden. But the Squad Is Divided. appeared first on The Intercept.
Trump administration officials and campaign staff helped draft the controversial playbook and appear in its videos.
The post Trump’s Camp Says It Has Nothing to Do With Project 2025 Manifesto — Aside From Writing It appeared first on The Intercept.
Activists who protested Biden’s handling of the war during Democratic primaries say they will maintain pressure no matter the nominee.
The post Whether It’s Biden or Someone Else, Gaza Remains Top Priority for “Uncommitted” Voters appeared first on The Intercept.
As voters look for another option, alternative Democratic leaders poll similarly or even better than Biden — even without name recognition.
The post Every Democrat Other Than Joe Biden Is Unburdened by What Has Been appeared first on The Intercept.
Real estate firms are touring North American cities marketing homes in Israel — and in illegal West Bank settlements.
The post The Companies Making It Easy to Buy in a West Bank Settlement appeared first on The Intercept.
“There’s a very good chance that they will fire me,” said Katherine Franke, a tenured professor who has defended students protesting for Gaza.
The post Columbia Law Professor Smeared by Israel Supporters Could Lose Her Job appeared first on The Intercept.
Author Nathan Thrall’s recent book tells the story of one Palestinian family living under Israel occupation.
The post Understanding Israel’s “System of Domination” appeared first on The Intercept.
Activists plan counter-programming at the Republican convention to warn voters of the dire election stakes
Four years ago, progressives in the crucial battleground state of Wisconsin were energized about the presidential race, feeling ready and eager to elect Joe Biden and end four years of Donald Trump’s chaotic leadership.
This year, the nominees for president remain the same, but much has changed. Before Biden’s damaging debate performance, leaders of progressive groups were already combating disillusionment and disengagement among many of their supporters, who sharply criticized the president’s response to the war in Gaza. Now, with days left before Republicans arrive in Milwaukee to nominate Trump for the third time, the groups’ leaders are confronting a fractured Democratic party wrestling with the question of whether to replace their presumptive nominee.
Continue reading...Victories by the left in France and Britain offer powerful examples for U.S. progressives.
The post Supporting Palestine Helped the Left Win in France and Britain. Will Democrats Learn From It? appeared first on The Intercept.
Several Squad members who were vocal critics of Biden’s handling of Israel’s war on Gaza have voiced support for the president.
The post Even Centrists Are Questioning Biden. But the Squad Is Divided. appeared first on The Intercept.
The Trump-led 2024 Republican platform instead calls for an American Iron Dome and the largest deportation operation ever.
The post GOP Platform Doesn’t Mention the Word “Climate” Once — Even After Hottest Year on Record appeared first on The Intercept.
The battleground state is crucial for a win in November, even as an 18th House Democrat asks him to step aside
Joe Biden was headed for the battleground state of Michigan on Friday, to campaign both for re-election and for his survival as the Democratic presidential nominee.
In Washington, calls for the 81-year-old president to quit continued, while the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives said he had discussed the issue with Biden in private on Thursday night, after the US president’s press conference following the Nato summit.
Continue reading...Prime minister says family ‘very pleased’ to receive letters from former chancellor’s children about life in Downing Street
Jeremy Hunt’s three children left personal notes for Keir Starmer’s teenage son and daughter after last week’s general election, containing advice about living in Downing Street.
The prime minister said his children were “very pleased” to receive the letters from the Hunt’s children, who had lived in the flat above No 11 since their father was appointed chancellor.
Continue reading...Mike Howell makes comment at Heritage Foundation event where implausible post-election scenarios were shared
A major conservative thinktank previewed rightwing efforts to overturn the 2024 election on Thursday, with a top official saying there was a “0% chance of a free and fair election”.
Mike Howell, executive director of the Oversight Project at the Heritage Foundation, made the comments at an event in Washington sharing the results of a hypothetical exercise mapping out several implausible scenarios that could take place after the election. The outlandish scenarios involved Barbara Streisand being kidnapped by Hamas, antifa-BLM protesters taking over a detention facility and the FBI arresting Donald Trump after winning the election.
Continue reading...We can now feel free to get on with our lives without worrying what the halfwits in Westminster might do next
Well, we’re all still here. According to most of the rightwing press, we were in for “Starmergeddon”. Plague, floods and earthquakes would only be the start. Famine would be along shortly thereafter.
But a week on from the Labour landslide and the country already feels in a better place. The grownups are back in charge. The rest of us can get on with our lives without having to keep one eye open for what the halfwits in Westminster might do next.
Continue reading...Back in December Donald Trump said the quiet bit out loud when he announced he wanted to be a dictator – if only on day one. Looking around the world in the 21st century, autocracy is getting a new lease of life – authoritarian regimes are working together, and the danger to democracies like the United States is getting closer to home.
This week, Jonathan Freedland is joined by the political commentator and author Anne Applebaum to look at what the US should be doing to tackle the growing threat of autocracy
Archive: CNN, CSPAN, PBS Newshour, MSNBC, Fox News, AP News, DW News
Continue reading...In text, Kennedy said he had ‘no memory’ of alleged late-1990s assault on nanny who lived in Kennedy family home
Robert F Kennedy Jr, the independent presidential candidate, sent a text apologizing to a woman who had accused him of sexual assault in a Vanity Fair article, it was reported on Friday, just days after the increasingly isolated member of the famous political dynasty tried to brush off the scandal.
Kennedy said in the text that he had “no memory” of the incident but nevertheless apologized in a message his accuser called “arrogant” and an attempt at “damage control”, according to the Washington Post.
Continue reading...In text, Kennedy said he had ‘no memory’ of alleged late-1990s assault on nanny who lived in Kennedy family home
Robert F Kennedy Jr, the independent presidential candidate, sent a text apologizing to a woman who had accused him of sexual assault in a Vanity Fair article, it was reported on Friday, just days after the increasingly isolated member of the famous political dynasty tried to brush off the scandal.
Kennedy said in the text that he had “no memory” of the incident but nevertheless apologized in a message his accuser called “arrogant” and an attempt at “damage control”, according to the Washington Post.
Continue reading...“There’s a very good chance that they will fire me,” said Katherine Franke, a tenured professor who has defended students protesting for Gaza.
The post Columbia Law Professor Smeared by Israel Supporters Could Lose Her Job appeared first on The Intercept.
A new rule would require Fulton county to hand count paper ballots and investigate discrepancies on the spot, possible delaying tabulation
Georgia’s state board of elections has proposed changes to election policy and monitoring requirements that put Fulton county elections officials in their crosshairs and could delay and allow for partisan actors to challenge election results. .
As part of the state board’s reprimand for Fulton county double-counting some ballots in a 2020 recount – an error that did not affect the outcome of the election – Fulton county is required to hire a team of election monitors for the 2024 presidential election. The board also began a process of rule-making this week that will require county elections workers to count the paper ballots cast at each polling place by hand before turning those ballots in to be tabulated after each day of voting, and to investigate discrepancies on the spot.
Continue reading...When we realise that strength is built from below, we can challenge those at the top. Our new movement starts here
Teme Teme Wanga and I used to share an office building in Finsbury Park, north London. In one room was our constituency casework team, helping Islington North residents with the many problems they faced. Next door was the Congolese Community Council, which provided support for Congolese refugees. Our offices worked together to ensure people could get the help they needed. Teme is – and always has been – a pillar of the Islington community, and there are countless people in Islington who owe him a debt of gratitude. I am proud to say that I am one of them.
During the election campaign in Islington North, Teme spoke to hundreds of people to ask them to elect me as their independent MP. He didn’t sign up to our campaign’s “phone-banking” system, which asked volunteers to call up voters who had already expressed their support. He didn’t need to. He had his own contacts book, and called up his friends and neighbours one by one. Teme has dedicated his life to offering advice to his community; no wonder they listened to him when he explained why they should put a cross next to my name.
Jeremy Corbyn is the MP for Islington North
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Continue reading...Without a timetable for the leadership race, the current uneasy truce might hold for a while – but it can’t last
When Tory MPs gathered on Wednesday night to hear Rishi Sunak address them for the first time since their worst election defeat, they were told to be on their best behaviour. The new chairman of the 1922 Committee, Bob Blackman, made clear to colleagues that they ought to behave respectfully – the last thing they needed was more bickering. “The suggestion was if you are angry, this wasn’t the right place to show it,” explains an attender.
In the Q&A session that followed Sunak’s speech apologising over losses, loyalty was the buzzword – particularly in reference to Suella Braverman, the former home secretary. She has been out and about recently, criticising Sunak and the Pride flag, and has not ruled out defecting to the Reform party.
Katy Balls is the Spectator’s political editor
Continue reading...People held before planned removal from UK under Sunak government face disruption and relocation after release
A Syrian asylum seeker who was one of 220 people arrested and detained in preparation for forced removal to Rwanda says he has lost everything after his release.
Critics described the high-profile mass roundups before the local elections in May as a “stunt” that needlessly disrupted the lives of many.
Continue reading...After a brutal defeat, the starting gun has been fired on the Tory leadership battle – but which faction will triumph? Kiran Stacey and Peter Walker report
A week ago they suffered the worst defeat in more than 100 years. But rather than licking their wounds, MPs in the Conservative party have already begun positioning themselves as leadership hopefuls. Suella Braverman has made waves with her speech at a Washington meeting of global conservatives, while Kemi Badenoch shocked some by criticising Rishi Sunak in the first shadow cabinet meeting.
The Guardian’s senior political reporter, Peter Walker, has been at the Popular Conservatism conference, where delegates from the right of the Conservative party have been planning how to keep their views on the party’s agenda. He explains how a bitter battle for control of the party by the right and centre factions has begun.
Continue reading...Sir Keir Starmer has to translate the struggles taking place outside parliament into legislative reform
Sir Keir Starmer’s first week as prime minister ends with Britain feeling a less parochial and more open‑minded place. The Labour leader’s appearance at the Nato summit went off smoothly, and leaks suggest he will downgrade migration as a major topic in talks with European leaders next week. The most common response to the new government, say pollsters, is to feel hopeful and relieved. Labour is set for a summer honeymoon with the public. Sir Keir is a lucky general. If England’s men win Euro 2024, he would be the most charmed politician of the modern age.
The prime minister might be happy that more Britons appear favourable towards him than before the election and that they seem more likely to expect his government to change things for the better than for the worse. This could be a double-edged sword. More than half of those polled think Labour will increase public spending in the next year. Sir Keir has lowered expectations, perhaps so that they can be easily met. But the electorate voted for change, not continuity, which is why Sir Keir ought to revisit his decision not to abolish the two‑child benefit cap that sees families get no extra means‑tested support beyond their second child.
Continue reading...On his US visit, Keir Starmer took advantage of a well-timed chance to meet other Nato leaders – not all natural allies
As Keir Starmer arrived at the Oval Office, Joe Biden was at the door to meet him. “Come on in, man,” the US president told him. The invitation was not simply to enter the heart of the White House, but also the major league of world leaders.
The day before, on the flight to Washington DC for the Nato summit on Tuesday, Starmer admitted that the days since the Labour party had pulled off its landslide election victory had been a bit of a whirlwind.
Continue reading...The wife of the prime minister isn’t shy – and clearly understands politics – but shuns the limelight for her career and family
Last Saturday morning, less than 24 hours after he and his wife, Victoria, walked along Downing Street and into their new life, Keir Starmer held a rare weekend cabinet meeting, followed by his first press conference as prime minister.
For Victoria Starmer, however, it was a very different day. Though doubtless as sleep deprived as her husband after the drama of Thursday night’s election results, she chose not to spend the day recovering – or packing. Instead, she headed to Sandown Park racecourse in Surrey with friends, where she watched the Coral Eclipse horse race.
Continue reading...Marine Tondelier, whose party forms part of the election-winning New Popular Front, says politics must change to regain voters’ trust
The French Green leader, Marine Tondelier, has said the risk of the far right rising to power in France has not disappeared after the snap election, and politics must urgently change to regain voters’ trust.
“It was a warning,” Tondelier said of this month’s election, where a spectacular rush of tactical voting in the final round held back Marine Le Pen’s far-right, anti-immigration National Rally. The RN’s first-round surge had brought it the closest it had ever been to a parliament majority and entering government.
Continue reading...From Mexico to the Mediterranean, rich countries would rather see refugees die than recognize their legal asylum rights.
The post The World War on Asylum appeared first on The Intercept.
Shabana Mahmood says Tories left country threatened with total breakdown of law and order
Rishi Sunak and his former ministers are “the guilty men” who should be held responsible for “the most disgraceful dereliction of duty” by failing to address the prisons crisis, the justice secretary has said.
Speaking as she set out plans to release thousands of inmates early to ease pressure in overcrowded jails, Shabana Mahmood said the Conservatives “had left the country threatened with a total breakdown of law and order”.
Continue reading...We are embarking on the hard graft of making people’s lives better – and we will fight every day to restore hope
Last Friday, I stood on the steps of Downing Street and made a promise to the British people. I said the work of change would begin immediately. And I meant it.
My new cabinet hit the ground running. We’ve lifted the ban on onshore wind. We’ve created a national wealth fund to invest in and grow our economy. We’ve met NHS bosses to get the 40,000 extra NHS appointments we need each week and 700,000 urgent dental appointments up and running as quickly as possible.
Continue reading...Gareth Southgate’s side have made the hardest possible work of this – such is the only script our national psychodrama permits
Light the touchpaper on your flares, because England stands on the threshold of two days of giddy possibility. There is, quite simply, no greater weekend available to an England football supporter than the one leading up to the climax of a major tournament in which the national side has made the final. Truth be told, there is not a whole lot more English than trying to sound insouciantly au fait with that type of weekend. Let’s face it, we barely know what we’re talking about on this front (also very English). The reality is that England have previously made precisely two of those finals in the entire history of the game, and one of those was on a Saturday, not a Sunday. But listen: three of anything makes a trend.
Just as the long buildup to Christmas can be infinitely more joyful and infinitely less stressful than the day itself, so this is a weekend to be intensely savoured before the inevitable tip over into mindless something-or-other when the whistle blows for the end of play on Sunday night. To be clear: I am hoping for mindless euphoria but also preparing for one of the other mindless options available. Expect anything and everything other than mindfulness. With a dedicated breathing coach and movement therapist, there is a definite holistic approach to Gareth Southgate’s team bubble – but it’s fair to say English fandom remains wholly untouched by wellness. Unless you count sticking a flare up your arse – arguably the England fan’s equivalent of Gwyneth Paltrow sticking a jade egg up her vagina.
Marina Hyde is a Guardian columnist
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Continue reading...Colleagues say they value Keir Starmer’s promise to treat us with respect. There is a profound sense of relief: the adults are back in the room
I joined the civil service when Tony Blair was in his pre-Iraq pomp, not long after his “new dawn” speech sent many people’s expectations – after 18 years of increasingly sleaze-spattered Tory rule – soaring. Our boss at the time, the cabinet secretary and head of the civil service Robin (now Lord) Butler, famously said to Blair at his very first cabinet meeting: “Now what?”
Here we are again. Except the stakes are far higher than they were in 1997. Witness the freshly minted chancellor’s claim that the new government has inherited the “worst set of circumstances since the second world war”. This isn’t hyperbole, and Rachel Reeves’s warnings to the public – and to all of us in the public sector – about the “difficult decisions” to come will be repeated far beyond what will be a mercilessly short honeymoon period.
“For the first time in my career, I feel like I can breathe a little, and that I won’t face each day wondering what nasty bit of policy we’ll be told to enact. I’m under no illusions that I’ll personally agree with everything the new government will do – nor would I expect to – but I feel professionally revitalised knowing that the adults are back in charge.”
Continue reading...This blog is now closed
Married couple allegedly intended to hand defence force material to Russia, AFP chief says
Reece Kershaw says the AFP arrested the pair – a married couple – yesterday morning at their Everton Park home in Brisbane.
The counter foreign interference taskforce, which includes AFP, Asio and other commonwealth partners, has dedicated significant resources and capability to Operation Bergazada.
The AFP will allege the individuals worked together to access Australian defence force material that related to Australia’s national security interests.
Continue reading...Although Cameron and Osborne have been rebranded as Tory moderates, look back to 2010 and you’ll see how much devastation they truly caused
Lest we forget, here is an audit of the state of the country Labour inherits. Pin it up, brand it into public memory so no one can forget the ruination caused primarily by 14 years of crushing, growth-killing, public service-stripping austerity. The purpose of the book I’ve written with David Walker, The Only Way is Up, published today, is to draw a baseline from which to judge all that Labour does from now on: in future, look back on this benchmark to measure how it did.
Curiously, because of the mayhem caused by their riotous successors, a myth has grown that David Cameron and George Osborne were somehow Tory moderates by post-Brexit standards. But Cameron’s nonchalant demeanour, shielded by Nick Clegg’s willing connivance, disguised the extreme nature of an ideological first budget that set the trajectory for all the Tory years. Remember this: only seven weeks into power, Osborne announced a budget in which the balance of spending cuts to tax rises was 77% to 23%. That included £17bn cut from government departments; £11bn cut from benefits; a triple-lock rise for pensioners while freezing child benefit; freezing public sector pay; the lowest-ever real-terms increase in NHS funding; and petty meanness such as ending health in pregnancy grants and cutting maternity grants beyond the first child, while reducing corporation tax and raising the threshold for national insurance paid by employers. It set the tone for the years to come.
Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist
The Only Way is Up: How to Take Britain From Austerity to Prosperity by Polly Toynbee and David Walker is published today. Order your copy at guardianbookshop.com to support the Guardian and Observer
Continue reading...Former Trump administration official: “Closeted Furries will be presented to the world for the degenerate perverts they are.”
The post “Gay Furry Hackers” Feud With Heritage Foundation Exec appeared first on The Intercept.
Trump administration officials and campaign staff helped draft the controversial playbook and appear in its videos.
The post Trump’s Camp Says It Has Nothing to Do With Project 2025 Manifesto — Aside From Writing It appeared first on The Intercept.
While the court refused to review the 1985 case of Charles McCrory, Sotomayor urged states to pass laws to help exonerate people imprisoned on debunked forensic evidence.
The post There’s a Junk Science Crisis in Criminal Convictions. Sonia Sotomayor Calls It Out in Alabama Bite-Mark Case. appeared first on The Intercept.
There was stunned silence at the far-right National Rally (RN) party headquarters as the results of France’s legislative elections came in. In stark opposition, ecstatic jubilation rocked Place de La République where leftwing New Popular Front (NFP) supporters had gathered. The leftist alliance unexpectedly took the top spot in the elections, ahead of the far right in a major upset that bars Marine Le Pen's National Rally from getting enough seats to form a government
Continue reading...Punitive entry requirements are making it harder for creativity, as well as people, to flow around the world
Among the sideshows of this year’s Glastonbury festival was an installation designed to give revellers a taste of what British hospitality is really like for those arriving at UK airports. To enter Terminal 1, for interrogation by border police, each spectator had to answer a question from the British citizenship test. Fail, and they could be turned away. The installation was devised and run by artists who are all themselves migrants. In a deeply ironic example of life mimicking art, one of their own curators was unable to attend, having been denied a visa.
The problem of visas for visiting artists has become almost as much part of festival season as festivals themselves. And it is not the preserve of music alone. At last summer’s Shubbak festival of Arab culture in London, a Home Office rejection letter was read out on stage to fill the gap left by the absence of two Tunisian actors, and to explain why they were missing.
Continue reading...Lindsay Hoyle tells BBC that level of intimidation is his main worry and ‘is much greater than anybody can imagine’
The speaker of the Commons has said threats and intimidation against MPs are at a level where he has “never seen anything as bad”.
Lindsay Hoyle, who was re-elected to his Chorley seat unopposed because of his role as speaker, said the levels of abuse were acute.
Continue reading...High court told emergency order banning drugs for young people with gender dysphoria not backed by evidence
A ban on prescribing puberty blockers to children was motivated by the then UK health secretary’s personal view and not backed by evidence, the high court has heard.
The advocacy group TransActual and a young person who cannot be named are challenging the emergency order issued on 29 May that banned the drugs for young people with gender dysphoria in England, Scotland and Wales, which they say has had “a very real human cost” on more than 1,000 under-18s.
Continue reading...At least 56 people survive after early morning rescue involving French coastguard, navy boat and helicopter
Four people died overnight trying to cross the Channel to reach Britain, French officials have said.
A rescue operation took place off Boulogne-sur-Mer on France’s northern coast after reports of people in the sea. Four of those pulled from the sea had drowned.
Continue reading...The England football manager was once derided as ‘woke’ and ‘soft’. But he has succeeded where his predecessors failed
It’s just a game, right? Wrong. You don’t have to be on nodding terms with, let alone a fan of, the beautiful game to see that Sunday’s final of the European Championship – and the fact that England are in it – has a significance that goes beyond sport. It has implications for all the things that usually preoccupy us on these pages: politics, culture wars, race, masculinity, identity and our national story – and, unusually, most of those implications are good.
We can dispense swiftly with the most obvious. Keir Starmer likes to say his favourite Labour leader is Harold Wilson, the man who was in Downing Street the last (and only) time England’s men won a major international football tournament. Wilson milked that 1966 success the same way he capitalised on Beatlemania, and who could blame him? Success in Berlin on Sunday would give a feelgood boost to the country and be one more bit of luck for a new prime minister who, in recent weeks at least, seems to have been gifted with a crateload of magic lamps and a full squad of genies.
Continue reading...Controversial figure will step down from role as Victorian branch secretary after 12 years
The powerful union boss John Setka has resigned as secretary of the Victorian branch of the CFMEU, claiming he had been the target of “ongoing false allegations” which had led to “malicious attacks” on the organisation.
Setka, a controversial figure at the head of the construction union, said in a statement that he would step down from the position he had held for 12 years. His resignation was immediate.
Continue reading...PM says UK is back playing leading role on world stage at conclusion of Nato’s 75th anniversary summit
Continue reading...The U.S. undermines its criticism of Russia’s abuses in Ukraine by making excuses for Israel’s assault on Gaza.
The post Russia Attacks Hospitals in Ukraine. Israel Does the Same in Gaza. The U.S. Response Couldn’t Be More Different. appeared first on The Intercept.
We want to hear from people in the UK hit by the two-child limit on their experiences
The prime minister, Keir Starmer, is facing pressure to abolish the two-child limit on universal credit, with the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, calling the cap “wrong” and urging Starmer to scrap it.
The limit on universal credit or child tax credit for more than two children (with exceptions for children with disabilities or those born before April 2017) impacts around 450,000 families, including 1.6 million children.
Continue reading...Hugh Bayley says NGOs would also benefit as he releases report on impact of UK programme in Afghanistan
The UK should consider restoring its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan to support Afghan women and to help monitor the impact of British aid, a commissioner for the official UK aid watchdog has suggested.
Hugh Bayley, who visited Kabul in May, said he believed Afghan women and NGOs would welcome more western diplomats to represent the opinions of women to the Taliban as he released a report by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) on the effectiveness of the UK programme, which is the second largest operated by Britain.
Continue reading...A top defender makes the case for Biden staying in.
The post Why Biden’s Still In: Insights From Democratic Insider Dmitri Mehlhorn appeared first on The Intercept.
Ukraine has been pushing its western allies to allow use of their weapons further into Russia
Donald Trump will “make peace” in Ukraine, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said after visiting the former president at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Orban posted photos of himself and Trump, who is running for re-election in November, each giving a thumbs up in a room at the resort.
Continue reading...Karamba Diaby’s announcement he wants to spend time with family comes after bullet and arson attacks on his office
The first black African-born MP to enter the German parliament has announced he will not be standing in next year’s federal election, weeks after he revealed the hate mail, including racist slurs and death threats, he and his staff had received.
Karamba Diaby, 62, who entered the Bundestag in 2013 in a moment hailed as historic by equality campaigners, said he wanted to spend more time with his family and to make room for younger politicians.
Continue reading...As voters look for another option, alternative Democratic leaders poll similarly or even better than Biden — even without name recognition.
The post Every Democrat Other Than Joe Biden Is Unburdened by What Has Been appeared first on The Intercept.
The right-wing court is engaged in a radical revolution to upend U.S. democracy.
The post The Supreme Court Wants a Dictator appeared first on The Intercept.
Author Nathan Thrall’s recent book tells the story of one Palestinian family living under Israel occupation.
The post Understanding Israel’s “System of Domination” appeared first on The Intercept.
Donations grew dramatically after Australia’s black summer but animal carers say they didn’t receive enough
Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation faces a landmark vote on Sunday, as members unhappy with the distribution of donations after the black summer bushfires attempt to change its constitution.
The income of the Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (Wires), based in NSW, ballooned from $3m to more than $100m thanks to the success of its fundraising campaign after the catastrophic fires of 2019-20, which burned millions of hectares of land and reportedly killed or displaced 3 billion animals.
Continue reading...The gesture has become racially complicated over the years, sending white progressives into flurries of awkwardness
Last weekend the etiquette of an entire nation was flung into confusion when King Charles fist bumped a cricketer. While hosting the West Indies cricket team at Buckingham Palace last Saturday, the opening batter Mikyle Louis presented a fist to his majesty. In return, the king pounded it like a champ.
So what does this mean? If the monarch is fist bumping all over the place, should we be fist bumping as well? If I have a job interview tomorrow, should I just breeze in and start dapping everyone?
Continue reading...The spread of the avocado is a story of greed, ambition, corruption, water shortages, cartel battles and, in a number of towns and villages, a fierce fightback. By Alexander Sammon
Continue reading...How did Gareth Southgate get the England team to the Euro 2024 final? Barney Ronay reports
England will be playing Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday. Is football coming home?
Barney Ronay, chief sports writer for the Guardian, tells Hannah Moore why this is such a momentous moment for the England manager, Gareth Southgate.
Continue reading...Same-sex sexual behaviours have been reported in a wide variety of species, and a new study suggests that, although animal scientists widely observe it, they seldom publish about same-sex sexual behaviour in primates and other mammals. To find out why and to hear about some of the examples of sexual diversity from the animal kingdom, Ian Sample hears from Josh Davis, a science writer at the Natural History Museum in London and author of the book A Little Gay Natural History
Penguin noises by permission of freesound.org
Read more on animal homosexual behaviour
Continue reading...Hailey Welch, AKA the ‘Hawk Tuah’ girl, is everywhere after her viral street interview. Chanté Joseph talks to the journalists Alaina Demopoulos and Cat Zhang about Welch’s overnight celebrity, the proliferation of street interviews on the platform and what this means for ‘virality’ in 2024
Archive: YouTube (The Joe Rogan Experience, Piers Morgan Uncensored, Tim and Dee TV, Plan Bri Uncut, TheEllenShow, After Midnight, Paramount Pictures), Tik Tok (theharrisalterman, viralinterviews, fortune, salimzwrld, harry.daniels, calebwsimpson, boyroomshow, streetheartsnyc, doseofsociety), Girls Gone Wild: Live from Spring Break (2003)
Continue reading...Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Lars Sivertsen and Mark Langdon as England beat the Netherlands to book a final date with Spain
Follow Football Weekly wherever you get your podcasts and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and email.
On the podcast today: England have done it at the last with Ollie Watkins scoring a 90th-minute winner to beat the Netherlands. Is it time to praise Gareth Southgate’s substitutions?
Continue reading...“The Democratic Party is more invested in trying to maintain control than it is in trying to win an election in November,” said one DNC member.
The post Can Anything Stop the Democratic National Convention From Being a Biden Coronation? appeared first on The Intercept.
Activists who protested Biden’s handling of the war during Democratic primaries say they will maintain pressure no matter the nominee.
The post Whether It’s Biden or Someone Else, Gaza Remains Top Priority for “Uncommitted” Voters appeared first on The Intercept.
Real estate firms are touring North American cities marketing homes in Israel — and in illegal West Bank settlements.
The post The Companies Making It Easy to Buy in a West Bank Settlement appeared first on The Intercept.
The conservative megadonor’s network is plowing money into the Republican primary to support Will Scharf, Trump’s personal attorney.
The post Missouri’s Attorney General Isn’t MAGA Enough for Leonard Leo appeared first on The Intercept.
If you’ve been reading my blog, you’ve noticed that I have written a lot about AI and democracy, mostly with my co-author Nathan Sanders. I am pleased to announce that we’re writing a book on the topic.
This isn’t a book about deep fakes, or misinformation. This is a book about what happens when AI writes laws, adjudicates disputes, audits bureaucratic actions, assists in political strategy, and advises citizens on what candidates and issues to support. It’s a book that tries to look into what an AI-assisted democratic system might look like, and then at how to best ensure that we make use of the good parts while avoiding the bad parts...
Abu Zubaydah’s lawyer told a military review board that an unnamed country could admit the 22-year prisoner and surveil him for perpetuity.
The post Negotiations Are Underway for Guantánamo’s “Forever Prisoner” From Gaza to Be Released appeared first on The Intercept.
In the rapidly advancing landscape of AI technology and innovation, LimeWire emerges as a unique platform in the realm of generative AI tools. This platform not only stands out from the multitude of existing AI tools but also brings a fresh approach to content generation. LimeWire not only empowers users to create AI content but also provides creators with creative ways to share and monetize their creations.
As we explore LimeWire, our aim is to uncover its features, benefits for creators, and the exciting possibilities it offers for AI content generation. This platform presents an opportunity for users to harness the power of AI in image creation, all while enjoying the advantages of a free and accessible service.
Let's unravel the distinctive features that set LimeWire apart in the dynamic landscape of AI-powered tools, understanding how creators can leverage its capabilities to craft unique and engaging AI-generated images.
This revamped LimeWire invites users to register and unleash their creativity by crafting original AI content, which can then be shared and showcased on the LimeWire Studio. Notably, even acclaimed artists and musicians, such as Deadmau5, Soulja Boy, and Sean Kingston, have embraced this platform to publish their content in the form of NFT music, videos, and images.
Beyond providing a space for content creation and sharing, LimeWire introduces monetization models to empower users to earn revenue from their creations. This includes avenues such as earning ad revenue and participating in the burgeoning market of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). As we delve further, we'll explore these monetization strategies in more detail to provide a comprehensive understanding of LimeWire's innovative approach to content creation and distribution.
LimeWire Studio welcomes content creators into its fold, providing a space to craft personalized AI-focused content for sharing with fans and followers. Within this creative hub, every piece of content generated becomes not just a creation but a unique asset—ownable and tradable. Fans have the opportunity to subscribe to creators' pages, immersing themselves in the creative journey and gaining ownership of digital collectibles that hold tradeable value within the LimeWire community. Notably, creators earn a 2.5% royalty each time their content is traded, adding a rewarding element to the creative process.
The platform's flexibility is evident in its content publication options. Creators can choose to share their work freely with the public or opt for a premium subscription model, granting exclusive access to specialized content for subscribers.
As of the present moment, LimeWire focuses on AI Image Generation, offering a spectrum of creative possibilities to its user base. The platform, however, has ambitious plans on the horizon, aiming to broaden its offerings by introducing AI music and video generation tools in the near future. This strategic expansion promises creators even more avenues for expression and engagement with their audience, positioning LimeWire Studio as a dynamic and evolving platform within the realm of AI-powered content creation.
The LimeWire AI image generation tool presents a versatile platform for both the creation and editing of images. Supporting advanced models such as Stable Diffusion 2.1, Stable Diffusion XL, and DALL-E 2, LimeWire offers a sophisticated toolkit for users to delve into the realm of generative AI art.
Much like other tools in the generative AI landscape, LimeWire provides a range of options catering to various levels of complexity in image creation. Users can initiate the creative process with prompts as simple as a few words or opt for more intricate instructions, tailoring the output to their artistic vision.
What sets LimeWire apart is its seamless integration of different AI models and design styles. Users have the flexibility to effortlessly switch between various AI models, exploring diverse design styles such as cinematic, digital art, pixel art, anime, analog film, and more. Each style imparts a distinctive visual identity to the generated AI art, enabling users to explore a broad spectrum of creative possibilities.
The platform also offers additional features, including samplers, allowing users to fine-tune the quality and detail levels of their creations. Customization options and prompt guidance further enhance the user experience, providing a user-friendly interface for both novice and experienced creators.
Excitingly, LimeWire is actively developing its proprietary AI model, signaling ongoing innovation and enhancements to its image generation capabilities. This upcoming addition holds the promise of further expanding the creative horizons for LimeWire users, making it an evolving and dynamic platform within the landscape of AI-driven art and image creation.
Sign Up Now To Get Free Credits
Upon completing your creative endeavor on LimeWire, the platform allows you the option to publish your content. An intriguing feature follows this step: LimeWire automates the process of minting your creation as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT), utilizing either the Polygon or Algorand blockchain. This transformative step imbues your artwork with a unique digital signature, securing its authenticity and ownership in the decentralized realm.
Creators on LimeWire hold the power to decide the accessibility of their NFT creations. By opting for a public release, the content becomes discoverable by anyone, fostering a space for engagement and interaction. Furthermore, this choice opens the avenue for enthusiasts to trade the NFTs, adding a layer of community involvement to the artistic journey.
Alternatively, LimeWire acknowledges the importance of exclusivity. Creators can choose to share their posts exclusively with their premium subscribers. In doing so, the content remains a special offering solely for dedicated fans, creating an intimate and personalized experience within the LimeWire community. This flexibility in sharing options emphasizes LimeWire's commitment to empowering creators with choices in how they connect with their audience and distribute their digital creations.
After creating your content, you can choose to publish the content. It will automatically mint your creation as an NFT on the Polygon or Algorand blockchain. You can also choose whether to make it public or subscriber-only.
If you make it public, anyone can discover your content and even trade the NFTs. If you choose to share the post only with your premium subscribers, it will be exclusive only to your fans.
Additionally, you can earn ad revenue from your content creations as well.
When you publish content on LimeWire, you will receive 70% of all ad revenue from other users who view your images, music, and videos on the platform.
This revenue model will be much more beneficial to designers. You can experiment with the AI image and content generation tools and share your creations while earning a small income on the side.
The revenue you earn from your creations will come in the form of LMWR tokens, LimeWire’s own cryptocurrency.
Your earnings will be paid every month in LMWR, which you can then trade on many popular crypto exchange platforms like Kraken, ByBit, and UniSwap.
You can also use your LMWR tokens to pay for prompts when using LimeWire generative AI tools.
You can sign up to LimeWire to use its AI tools for free. You will receive 10 credits to use and generate up to 20 AI images per day. You will also receive 50% of the ad revenue share. However, you will get more benefits with premium plans.
For $9.99 per month, you will get 1,000 credits per month, up to 2 ,000 image generations, early access to new AI models, and 50% ad revenue share
For $29 per month, you will get 3750 credits per month, up to 7500 image generations, early access to new AI models, and 60% ad revenue share
For $49 per month, you will get 5,000 credits per month, up to 10,000 image generations, early access to new AI models, and 70% ad revenue share
For $99 per month, you will get 11,250 credits per month, up to 2 2,500 image generations, early access to new AI models, and 70% ad revenue share
With all premium plans, you will receive a Pro profile badge, full creation history, faster image generation, and no ads.
Sign Up Now To Get Free Credits
In conclusion, LimeWire emerges as a democratizing force in the creative landscape, providing an inclusive platform where anyone can unleash their artistic potential and effortlessly share their work. With the integration of AI, LimeWire eliminates traditional barriers, empowering designers, musicians, and artists to publish their creations and earn revenue with just a few clicks.
The ongoing commitment of LimeWire to innovation is evident in its plans to enhance generative AI tools with new features and models. The upcoming expansion to include music and video generation tools holds the promise of unlocking even more possibilities for creators. It sparks anticipation about the diverse and innovative ways in which artists will leverage these tools to produce and publish their own unique creations.
For those eager to explore, LimeWire's AI tools are readily accessible for free, providing an opportunity to experiment and delve into the world of generative art. As LimeWire continues to evolve, creators are encouraged to stay tuned for the launch of its forthcoming AI music and video generation tools, promising a future brimming with creative potential and endless artistic exploration
Are you looking for a new graphic design tool? Would you like to read a detailed review of Canva? As it's one of the tools I love using. I am also writing my first ebook using canva and publish it soon on my site you can download it is free. Let's start the review.
Canva has a web version and also a mobile app
Canva is a free graphic design web application that allows you to create invitations, business cards, flyers, lesson plans, banners, and more using professionally designed templates. You can upload your own photos from your computer or from Google Drive, and add them to Canva's templates using a simple drag-and-drop interface. It's like having a basic version of Photoshop that doesn't require Graphic designing knowledge to use. It’s best for nongraphic designers.
Canva is a great tool for small business owners, online entrepreneurs, and marketers who don’t have the time and want to edit quickly.
To create sophisticated graphics, a tool such as Photoshop can is ideal. To use it, you’ll need to learn its hundreds of features, get familiar with the software, and it’s best to have a good background in design, too.
Also running the latest version of Photoshop you need a high-end computer.
So here Canva takes place, with Canva you can do all that with drag-and-drop feature. It’s also easier to use and free. Also an even-more-affordable paid version is available for $12.95 per month.
The product is available in three plans: Free, Pro ($12.99/month per user or $119.99/year for up to 5 people), and Enterprise ($30 per user per month, minimum 25 people).
To get started on Canva, you will need to create an account by providing your email address, Google, Facebook or Apple credentials. You will then choose your account type between student, teacher, small business, large company, non-profit, or personal. Based on your choice of account type, templates will be recommended to you.
You can sign up for a free trial of Canva Pro, or you can start with the free version to get a sense of whether it’s the right graphic design tool for your needs.
When you sign up for an account, Canva will suggest different post types to choose from. Based on the type of account you set up you'll be able to see templates categorized by the following categories: social media posts, documents, presentations, marketing, events, ads, launch your business, build your online brand, etc.
Start by choosing a template for your post or searching for something more specific. Search by social network name to see a list of post types on each network.
Next, you can choose a template. Choose from hundreds of templates that are ready to go, with customizable photos, text, and other elements.
You can start your design by choosing from a variety of ready-made templates, searching for a template matching your needs, or working with a blank template.
Inside the Canva designer, the Elements tab gives you access to lines and shapes, graphics, photos, videos, audio, charts, photo frames, and photo grids.The search box on the Elements tab lets you search everything on Canva.
To begin with, Canva has a large library of elements to choose from. To find them, be specific in your search query. You may also want to search in the following tabs to see various elements separately:
The Photos tab lets you search for and choose from millions of professional stock photos for your templates.
You can replace the photos in our templates to create a new look. This can also make the template more suited to your industry.
You can find photos on other stock photography sites like pexel, pixabay and many more or simply upload your own photos.
When you choose an image, Canva’s photo editing features let you adjust the photo’s settings (brightness, contrast, saturation, etc.), crop, or animate it.
When you subscribe to Canva Pro, you get access to a number of premium features, including the Background Remover. This feature allows you to remove the background from any stock photo in library or any image you upload.
The Text tab lets you add headings, normal text, and graphical text to your design.
When you click on text, you'll see options to adjust the font, font size, color, format, spacing, and text effects (like shadows).
Canva Pro subscribers can choose from a large library of fonts on the Brand Kit or the Styles tab. Enterprise-level controls ensure that visual content remains on-brand, no matter how many people are working on it.
Create an animated image or video by adding audio to capture user’s attention in social news feeds.
If you want to use audio from another stock site or your own audio tracks, you can upload them in the Uploads tab or from the more option.
Want to create your own videos? Choose from thousands of stock video clips. You’ll find videos that range upto 2 minutes
You can upload your own videos as well as videos from other stock sites in the Uploads tab.
Once you have chosen a video, you can use the editing features in Canva to trim the video, flip it, and adjust its transparency.
On the Background tab, you’ll find free stock photos to serve as backgrounds on your designs. Change out the background on a template to give it a more personal touch.
The Styles tab lets you quickly change the look and feel of your template with just a click. And if you have a Canva Pro subscription, you can upload your brand’s custom colors and fonts to ensure designs stay on brand.
If you have a Canva Pro subscription, you’ll have a Logos tab. Here, you can upload variations of your brand logo to use throughout your designs.
With Canva, you can also create your own logos. Note that you cannot trademark a logo with stock content in it.
With Canva, free users can download and share designs to multiple platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Slack and Tumblr.
Canva Pro subscribers can create multiple post formats from one design. For example, you can start by designing an Instagram post, and Canva's Magic Resizer can resize it for other networks, Stories, Reels, and other formats.
Canva Pro subscribers can also use Canva’s Content Planner to post content on eight different accounts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Slack, and Tumblr.
Canva Pro allows you to work with your team on visual content. Designs can be created inside Canva, and then sent to your team members for approval. Everyone can make comments, edits, revisions, and keep track via the version history.
When it comes to printing your designs, Canva has you covered. With an extensive selection of printing options, they can turn your designs into anything from banners and wall art to mugs and t-shirts.
Canva Print is perfect for any business seeking to make a lasting impression. Create inspiring designs people will want to wear, keep, and share. Hand out custom business cards that leave a lasting impression on customers' minds.
The Canva app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The Canva app has earned a 4.9 out of five star rating from over 946.3K Apple users and a 4.5 out of five star rating from over 6,996,708 Google users.
In addition to mobile apps, you can use Canva’s integration with other Internet services to add images and text from sources like Google Maps, Emojis, photos from Google Drive and Dropbox, YouTube videos, Flickr photos, Bitmojis, and other popular visual content elements.
In general, Canva is an excellent tool for those who need simple images for projects. If you are a graphic designer with experience, you will find Canva’s platform lacking in customization and advanced features – particularly vectors. But if you have little design experience, you will find Canva easier to use than advanced graphic design tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator for most projects. If you have any queries let me know in the comments section.
Be the first to see our latest thought-provoking films, bringing you bold and original storytelling from around the world
Discover the stories behind our latest short films, learn more about our international film-makers, and join us for exclusive documentary events. We’ll also share a selection of our favourite films, from our archives and from further afield, for you to enjoy. Sign up below.
Can’t wait for the next newsletter? Start exploring our archive now.
Continue reading...Author Nathan Thrall’s recent book tells the story of one Palestinian family living under Israel occupation.
The post Understanding Israel’s “System of Domination” appeared first on The Intercept.
Dr Clare Bailey says husband ‘would have been gobsmacked’ at reaction from fans of his work
The widow of Michael Mosley has said she wants to “honour his work” and ensure his legacy is to make it “much easier for people to live a healthier life”.
Mosley, whose broadcasting career focused on helping people improve their health, died last month aged 67, while on holiday in Greece.
Continue reading...As voters look for another option, alternative Democratic leaders poll similarly or even better than Biden — even without name recognition.
The post Every Democrat Other Than Joe Biden Is Unburdened by What Has Been appeared first on The Intercept.
Vessels have been rammed, punctured with knives, damaged by water cannon and targeted by military-grade lasers. Now the Philippines’ US ambassador has warned the aggression must be reduced to avoid conflict
Reports of aggressive and dangerous conduct by Chinese vessels in the fiercely contested South China Sea have surged over the past 17 months, as tensions mount in one of Asia’s biggest flashpoints.
Since February 2023, the Philippines has accused China of unsafe behaviour on at least 12 occasions, often within the water of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), according to Philippine government data compiled by the thinktank the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), which tracks incidents as part of its regional Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment.
Continue reading...Four Chinese vessels were ‘transiting in international waters but still inside the US exclusive economic zone’
Multiple Chinese military warships were spotted off the coast of Alaska over the weekend, the US Coast Guard announced.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the US Coast Guard said that it detected three vessels approximately 124 miles (200km) north of the Amchitka Pass in the Aleutian Islands, as well as another vessel approximately 84 miles (135km) north of the Amukta Pass, a strait between the Bering Sea and the north Pacific Ocean.
Continue reading...  | submitted by /u/Wagamaga [link] [comments] |
218 MPs reject bill while 215 vote for draft law that would have decriminalised act of facilitating abortions
Hungary’s presidency of the Council of the EU has already caused damage, the German foreign ministry said today, Reuters reported.
Budapest took over the rotating presidency on July 1. The Hungarian far right prime minister, Viktor Orbán, fuelled controversy over the past days by travelling to Russia and China without backing from his EU counterparts.
Continue reading...App reportedly received a surge in queries this week after newspaper exposed food safety scandal
An app that allows users to track trucks across China has been disabled after a scandal in which reporters discovered that tankers used to transport fuel were also being used to transport cooking oil, without proper cleaning in between.
On Thursday, Chinese media reported that the tracking function on Shipping Help, an app used to track cargos, had been disabled. The app displayed a message saying the service was being “upgraded” and was therefore “temporarily unavailable”.
Continue reading...The $99bn figure comes as data shows exports growing at fastest rate in 15 months while imports fell
China posted a record $99bn (£76.4bn) trade surplus last month amid signs of importers bringing forward orders to beat higher tariffs on goods from the world’s second biggest economy.
The latest official figures from Beijing showed exports growing at their fastest rate in 15 months, while the weakness of China’s domestic economy resulted in falling imports.
Continue reading...Back in December Donald Trump said the quiet bit out loud when he announced he wanted to be a dictator – if only on day one. Looking around the world in the 21st century, autocracy is getting a new lease of life – authoritarian regimes are working together, and the danger to democracies like the United States is getting closer to home.
This week, Jonathan Freedland is joined by the political commentator and author Anne Applebaum to look at what the US should be doing to tackle the growing threat of autocracy
Archive: CNN, CSPAN, PBS Newshour, MSNBC, Fox News, AP News, DW News
Continue reading...Partnership could produce up to 90 icebreaker ships to counter Russian and Chinese inroads into region
Canada, the United States and Finland say a newly announced “Ice Pact” to build a fleet of polar icebreaker ships will challenge China’s control of the market as nations scramble for influence in the Arctic.
The deal, announced during the Nato summit in Washington, could see as many as 90 icebreaker ships produced by the three countries in the coming years.
Continue reading...Communique highlights concerns over Beijing’s nuclear arsenal and space capabilities
Nato leaders have labelled China a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war against Ukraine and called its deepening ties with Moscow a cause of “deep concern”, in what has been seen as the most serious rebuke against Beijing from the alliance.
The final communique, approved by the 32 Nato members at the summit in Washington, also highlights concerns about Beijing’s nuclear arsenal and its capabilities in space.
Continue reading...Country on track reach 1,200GW of installed wind and solar capacity by end of 2024 – six years ahead of Beijing’s target
The amount of wind and solar power under construction in China is now nearly twice as much as the rest of the world combined, a report has found.
Research published on Thursday by Global Energy Monitor (GEM), an NGO, found that China has 180 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale solar power under construction and 159GW of wind power. That brings the total of wind and solar power under construction to 339GW, well ahead of the 40GW under construction in the US.
Continue reading...Heavy rainfall flooded streets and triggered landslides in China’s south-western municipality of Chongqing, the state broadcaster CCTV reported on Wednesday. In Kaizhou district, more than 450 people were displaced as water levels from the Nan and Puli rivers, tributaries of the Yangtze, reached 4 metres. In Badong county in Hubei province, rescuers evacuated residents from buildings and removed vehicles partly submerged in flood water
Continue reading...Guests arrive at the extravagant wedding of power couple Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant
Continue reading...Power couple Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant set to marry in Mumbai with entire spectacle likely to cost upwards of $600m
To many in India, it is hard to remember a time when the Ambani wedding wasn’t taking place.
The marriage of the son of India’s richest man, the billionaire Mukesh Ambani, to the daughter of a millionaire was never going to be a humble affair. The industrialist is worth an estimated $120bn and over the years the Ambani family has not shied away from flashing its cash extravagantly, whether on the world’s most expensive home – a 27-storey skyscraper mansion that towers over Mumbai – or on what was previously India’s most expensive wedding, spending almost $100m on their daughter’s nuptials in 2018 where Beyoncé performed.
Continue reading...From Mexico to the Mediterranean, rich countries would rather see refugees die than recognize their legal asylum rights.
The post The World War on Asylum appeared first on The Intercept.
A new vampire squid species was discovered in the South China Sea.
 | submitted by /u/branstarktreewizard [link] [comments] |
Indian prime minister travelled to Moscow for two-day summit and ‘chit-chat’ amid diplomatic complexities
As India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, landed in Moscow on Monday, it was straight into the warm embrace of Vladimir Putin. Modi said the visit – his first since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – was to cement the “bonds of friendship” between the two countries, and later effusively described Russia as India’s “all-weather friend and trusted ally”.
The India-Russia relationship runs deep, dating back to the cold war, and Russia has long been the largest supplier of arms to India. Since he was elected in 2014, Modi has built up a much-publicised rapport with Putin, the two leaders having had more than 20 meetings.
Continue reading...Sydney man David Fisk, his Philippine-born partner Lucita Cortez and her relative discovered with hands and feet tied at Lake Hotel in Tagaytay
The family of two Australians found dead at a luxury hotel in the Philippines alongside a Filipina relative say they are praying “for answers and the truth in this horrific matter”.
The bodies were discovered with their hands and feet tied in a room at the Lake Hotel in Tagaytay, a resort city south of the nation’s capital.
Continue reading...Trip scheduled for Monday, with Delhi a key trading partner for Putin since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Narendra Modi will visit Russia on 8 and 9 July and hold talks with Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin has said, in the Indian prime minister’s first trip to the country since it invaded Ukraine.
Modi and Putin will discuss “prospects for further development of traditionally friendly Russian-Indian relations, as well as relevant issues on the international and regional agenda,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
Continue reading...If you’ve been reading my blog, you’ve noticed that I have written a lot about AI and democracy, mostly with my co-author Nathan Sanders. I am pleased to announce that we’re writing a book on the topic.
This isn’t a book about deep fakes, or misinformation. This is a book about what happens when AI writes laws, adjudicates disputes, audits bureaucratic actions, assists in political strategy, and advises citizens on what candidates and issues to support. It’s a book that tries to look into what an AI-assisted democratic system might look like, and then at how to best ensure that we make use of the good parts while avoiding the bad parts...
Government opens hundreds of shelters for displaced people as heavy rains cause rivers to burst their banks
The death toll from floods in Bangladesh this week has risen to eight, leaving more than two million affected after heavy rains caused major rivers to burst their banks, officials have confirmed.
The south Asian country of 170 million people, crisscrossed by hundreds of rivers, has experienced more frequent floods in recent decades.
Continue reading...Abu Zubaydah’s lawyer told a military review board that an unnamed country could admit the 22-year prisoner and surveil him for perpetuity.
The post Negotiations Are Underway for Guantánamo’s “Forever Prisoner” From Gaza to Be Released appeared first on The Intercept.
Former Trump administration official: “Closeted Furries will be presented to the world for the degenerate perverts they are.”
The post “Gay Furry Hackers” Feud With Heritage Foundation Exec appeared first on The Intercept.
 |
Imagine a world in which you can do transactions and many other things without having to give your personal information. A world in which you don’t need to rely on banks or governments anymore. Sounds amazing, right? That’s exactly what blockchain technology allows us to do.
It’s like your computer’s hard drive. blockchain is a technology that lets you store data in digital blocks, which are connected together like links in a chain.
Blockchain technology was originally invented in 1991 by two mathematicians, Stuart Haber and W. Scot Stornetta. They first proposed the system to ensure that timestamps could not be tampered with.
A few years later, in 1998, software developer Nick Szabo proposed using a similar kind of technology to secure a digital payments system he called “Bit Gold.” However, this innovation was not adopted until Satoshi Nakamoto claimed to have invented the first Blockchain and Bitcoin.
A blockchain is a distributed database shared between the nodes of a computer network. It saves information in digital format. Many people first heard of blockchain technology when they started to look up information about bitcoin.
Blockchain is used in cryptocurrency systems to ensure secure, decentralized records of transactions.
Blockchain allowed people to guarantee the fidelity and security of a record of data without the need for a third party to ensure accuracy.
To understand how a blockchain works, Consider these basic steps:
Let’s get to know more about the blockchain.
Blockchain records digital information and distributes it across the network without changing it. The information is distributed among many users and stored in an immutable, permanent ledger that can't be changed or destroyed. That's why blockchain is also called "Distributed Ledger Technology" or DLT.
Here’s how it works:
And that’s the beauty of it! The process may seem complicated, but it’s done in minutes with modern technology. And because technology is advancing rapidly, I expect things to move even more quickly than ever.
Even though blockchain is integral to cryptocurrency, it has other applications. For example, blockchain can be used for storing reliable data about transactions. Many people confuse blockchain with cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ethereum.
Blockchain already being adopted by some big-name companies, such as Walmart, AIG, Siemens, Pfizer, and Unilever. For example, IBM's Food Trust uses blockchain to track food's journey before reaching its final destination.
Although some of you may consider this practice excessive, food suppliers and manufacturers adhere to the policy of tracing their products because bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella have been found in packaged foods. In addition, there have been isolated cases where dangerous allergens such as peanuts have accidentally been introduced into certain products.
Tracing and identifying the sources of an outbreak is a challenging task that can take months or years. Thanks to the Blockchain, however, companies now know exactly where their food has been—so they can trace its location and prevent future outbreaks.
Blockchain technology allows systems to react much faster in the event of a hazard. It also has many other uses in the modern world.
Blockchain technology is safe, even if it’s public. People can access the technology using an internet connection.
Have you ever been in a situation where you had all your data stored at one place and that one secure place got compromised? Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to prevent your data from leaking out even when the security of your storage systems is compromised?
Blockchain technology provides a way of avoiding this situation by using multiple computers at different locations to store information about transactions. If one computer experiences problems with a transaction, it will not affect the other nodes.
Instead, other nodes will use the correct information to cross-reference your incorrect node. This is called “Decentralization,” meaning all the information is stored in multiple places.
Blockchain guarantees your data's authenticity—not just its accuracy, but also its irreversibility. It can also be used to store data that are difficult to register, like legal contracts, state identifications, or a company's product inventory.
Blockchain has many advantages and disadvantages.
I’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about blockchain in this section.
Blockchain is not a cryptocurrency but a technology that makes cryptocurrencies possible. It's a digital ledger that records every transaction seamlessly.
Yes, blockchain can be theoretically hacked, but it is a complicated task to be achieved. A network of users constantly reviews it, which makes hacking the blockchain difficult.
Coinbase Global is currently the biggest blockchain company in the world. The company runs a commendable infrastructure, services, and technology for the digital currency economy.
Blockchain is a decentralized technology. It’s a chain of distributed ledgers connected with nodes. Each node can be any electronic device. Thus, one owns blockhain.
Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, which is powered by Blockchain technology while Blockchain is a distributed ledger of cryptocurrency
Generally a database is a collection of data which can be stored and organized using a database management system. The people who have access to the database can view or edit the information stored there. The client-server network architecture is used to implement databases. whereas a blockchain is a growing list of records, called blocks, stored in a distributed system. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, timestamp and transaction information. Modification of data is not allowed due to the design of the blockchain. The technology allows decentralized control and eliminates risks of data modification by other parties.
Blockchain has a wide spectrum of applications and, over the next 5-10 years, we will likely see it being integrated into all sorts of industries. From finance to healthcare, blockchain could revolutionize the way we store and share data. Although there is some hesitation to adopt blockchain systems right now, that won't be the case in 2022-2023 (and even less so in 2026). Once people become more comfortable with the technology and understand how it can work for them, owners, CEOs and entrepreneurs alike will be quick to leverage blockchain technology for their own gain. Hope you like this article if you have any question let me know in the comments section
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are the most popular digital assets today, capturing the attention of cryptocurrency investors, whales and people from around the world. People find it amazing that some users spend thousands or millions of dollars on a single NFT-based image of a monkey or other token, but you can simply take a screenshot for free. So here we share some freuently asked question about NFTs.
NFT stands for non-fungible token, which is a cryptographic token on a blockchain with unique identification codes that distinguish it from other tokens. NFTs are unique and not interchangeable, which means no two NFTs are the same. NFTs can be a unique artwork, GIF, Images, videos, Audio album. in-game items, collectibles etc.
A blockchain is a distributed digital ledger that allows for the secure storage of data. By recording any kind of information—such as bank account transactions, the ownership of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), or Decentralized Finance (DeFi) smart contracts—in one place, and distributing it to many different computers, blockchains ensure that data can’t be manipulated without everyone in the system being aware.
The value of an NFT comes from its ability to be traded freely and securely on the blockchain, which is not possible with other current digital ownership solutionsThe NFT points to its location on the blockchain, but doesn’t necessarily contain the digital property. For example, if you replace one bitcoin with another, you will still have the same thing. If you buy a non-fungible item, such as a movie ticket, it is impossible to replace it with any other movie ticket because each ticket is unique to a specific time and place.
One of the unique characteristics of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is that they can be tokenised to create a digital certificate of ownership that can be bought, sold and traded on the blockchain.
As with crypto-currency, records of who owns what are stored on a ledger that is maintained by thousands of computers around the world. These records can’t be forged because the whole system operates on an open-source network.
NFTs also contain smart contracts—small computer programs that run on the blockchain—that give the artist, for example, a cut of any future sale of the token.
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) aren't cryptocurrencies, but they do use blockchain technology. Many NFTs are based on Ethereum, where the blockchain serves as a ledger for all the transactions related to said NFT and the properties it represents.5) How to make an NFT?
Anyone can create an NFT. All you need is a digital wallet, some ethereum tokens and a connection to an NFT marketplace where you’ll be able to upload and sell your creations
When you purchase a stock in NFT, that purchase is recorded on the blockchain—the bitcoin ledger of transactions—and that entry acts as your proof of ownership.
The value of an NFT varies a lot based on the digital asset up for grabs. People use NFTs to trade and sell digital art, so when creating an NFT, you should consider the popularity of your digital artwork along with historical statistics.
In the year 2021, a digital artist called Pak created an artwork called The Merge. It was sold on the Nifty Gateway NFT market for $91.8 million.
Non-fungible tokens can be used in investment opportunities. One can purchase an NFT and resell it at a profit. Certain NFT marketplaces let sellers of NFTs keep a percentage of the profits from sales of the assets they create.
Many people want to buy NFTs because it lets them support the arts and own something cool from their favorite musicians, brands, and celebrities. NFTs also give artists an opportunity to program in continual royalties if someone buys their work. Galleries see this as a way to reach new buyers interested in art.
There are many places to buy digital assets, like opensea and their policies vary. On top shot, for instance, you sign up for a waitlist that can be thousands of people long. When a digital asset goes on sale, you are occasionally chosen to purchase it.
To mint an NFT token, you must pay some amount of gas fee to process the transaction on the Etherum blockchain, but you can mint your NFT on a different blockchain called Polygon to avoid paying gas fees. This option is available on OpenSea and this simply denotes that your NFT will only be able to trade using Polygon's blockchain and not Etherum's blockchain. Mintable allows you to mint NFTs for free without paying any gas fees.
The answer is no. Non-Fungible Tokens are minted on the blockchain using cryptocurrencies such as Etherum, Solana, Polygon, and so on. Once a Non-Fungible Token is minted, the transaction is recorded on the blockchain and the contract or license is awarded to whoever has that Non-Fungible Token in their wallet.
You can sell your work and creations by attaching a license to it on the blockchain, where its ownership can be transferred. This lets you get exposure without losing full ownership of your work. Some of the most successful projects include Cryptopunks, Bored Ape Yatch Club NFTs, SandBox, World of Women and so on. These NFT projects have gained popularity globally and are owned by celebrities and other successful entrepreneurs. Owning one of these NFTs gives you an automatic ticket to exclusive business meetings and life-changing connections.
That’s a wrap. Hope you guys found this article enlightening. I just answer some question with my limited knowledge about NFTs. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to drop them in the comment section below. Also I have a question for you, Is bitcoin an NFTs? let me know in The comment section below
In the rapidly advancing landscape of AI technology and innovation, LimeWire emerges as a unique platform in the realm of generative AI tools. This platform not only stands out from the multitude of existing AI tools but also brings a fresh approach to content generation. LimeWire not only empowers users to create AI content but also provides creators with creative ways to share and monetize their creations.
As we explore LimeWire, our aim is to uncover its features, benefits for creators, and the exciting possibilities it offers for AI content generation. This platform presents an opportunity for users to harness the power of AI in image creation, all while enjoying the advantages of a free and accessible service.
Let's unravel the distinctive features that set LimeWire apart in the dynamic landscape of AI-powered tools, understanding how creators can leverage its capabilities to craft unique and engaging AI-generated images.
This revamped LimeWire invites users to register and unleash their creativity by crafting original AI content, which can then be shared and showcased on the LimeWire Studio. Notably, even acclaimed artists and musicians, such as Deadmau5, Soulja Boy, and Sean Kingston, have embraced this platform to publish their content in the form of NFT music, videos, and images.
Beyond providing a space for content creation and sharing, LimeWire introduces monetization models to empower users to earn revenue from their creations. This includes avenues such as earning ad revenue and participating in the burgeoning market of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). As we delve further, we'll explore these monetization strategies in more detail to provide a comprehensive understanding of LimeWire's innovative approach to content creation and distribution.
LimeWire Studio welcomes content creators into its fold, providing a space to craft personalized AI-focused content for sharing with fans and followers. Within this creative hub, every piece of content generated becomes not just a creation but a unique asset—ownable and tradable. Fans have the opportunity to subscribe to creators' pages, immersing themselves in the creative journey and gaining ownership of digital collectibles that hold tradeable value within the LimeWire community. Notably, creators earn a 2.5% royalty each time their content is traded, adding a rewarding element to the creative process.
The platform's flexibility is evident in its content publication options. Creators can choose to share their work freely with the public or opt for a premium subscription model, granting exclusive access to specialized content for subscribers.
As of the present moment, LimeWire focuses on AI Image Generation, offering a spectrum of creative possibilities to its user base. The platform, however, has ambitious plans on the horizon, aiming to broaden its offerings by introducing AI music and video generation tools in the near future. This strategic expansion promises creators even more avenues for expression and engagement with their audience, positioning LimeWire Studio as a dynamic and evolving platform within the realm of AI-powered content creation.
The LimeWire AI image generation tool presents a versatile platform for both the creation and editing of images. Supporting advanced models such as Stable Diffusion 2.1, Stable Diffusion XL, and DALL-E 2, LimeWire offers a sophisticated toolkit for users to delve into the realm of generative AI art.
Much like other tools in the generative AI landscape, LimeWire provides a range of options catering to various levels of complexity in image creation. Users can initiate the creative process with prompts as simple as a few words or opt for more intricate instructions, tailoring the output to their artistic vision.
What sets LimeWire apart is its seamless integration of different AI models and design styles. Users have the flexibility to effortlessly switch between various AI models, exploring diverse design styles such as cinematic, digital art, pixel art, anime, analog film, and more. Each style imparts a distinctive visual identity to the generated AI art, enabling users to explore a broad spectrum of creative possibilities.
The platform also offers additional features, including samplers, allowing users to fine-tune the quality and detail levels of their creations. Customization options and prompt guidance further enhance the user experience, providing a user-friendly interface for both novice and experienced creators.
Excitingly, LimeWire is actively developing its proprietary AI model, signaling ongoing innovation and enhancements to its image generation capabilities. This upcoming addition holds the promise of further expanding the creative horizons for LimeWire users, making it an evolving and dynamic platform within the landscape of AI-driven art and image creation.
Sign Up Now To Get Free Credits
Upon completing your creative endeavor on LimeWire, the platform allows you the option to publish your content. An intriguing feature follows this step: LimeWire automates the process of minting your creation as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT), utilizing either the Polygon or Algorand blockchain. This transformative step imbues your artwork with a unique digital signature, securing its authenticity and ownership in the decentralized realm.
Creators on LimeWire hold the power to decide the accessibility of their NFT creations. By opting for a public release, the content becomes discoverable by anyone, fostering a space for engagement and interaction. Furthermore, this choice opens the avenue for enthusiasts to trade the NFTs, adding a layer of community involvement to the artistic journey.
Alternatively, LimeWire acknowledges the importance of exclusivity. Creators can choose to share their posts exclusively with their premium subscribers. In doing so, the content remains a special offering solely for dedicated fans, creating an intimate and personalized experience within the LimeWire community. This flexibility in sharing options emphasizes LimeWire's commitment to empowering creators with choices in how they connect with their audience and distribute their digital creations.
After creating your content, you can choose to publish the content. It will automatically mint your creation as an NFT on the Polygon or Algorand blockchain. You can also choose whether to make it public or subscriber-only.
If you make it public, anyone can discover your content and even trade the NFTs. If you choose to share the post only with your premium subscribers, it will be exclusive only to your fans.
Additionally, you can earn ad revenue from your content creations as well.
When you publish content on LimeWire, you will receive 70% of all ad revenue from other users who view your images, music, and videos on the platform.
This revenue model will be much more beneficial to designers. You can experiment with the AI image and content generation tools and share your creations while earning a small income on the side.
The revenue you earn from your creations will come in the form of LMWR tokens, LimeWire’s own cryptocurrency.
Your earnings will be paid every month in LMWR, which you can then trade on many popular crypto exchange platforms like Kraken, ByBit, and UniSwap.
You can also use your LMWR tokens to pay for prompts when using LimeWire generative AI tools.
You can sign up to LimeWire to use its AI tools for free. You will receive 10 credits to use and generate up to 20 AI images per day. You will also receive 50% of the ad revenue share. However, you will get more benefits with premium plans.
For $9.99 per month, you will get 1,000 credits per month, up to 2 ,000 image generations, early access to new AI models, and 50% ad revenue share
For $29 per month, you will get 3750 credits per month, up to 7500 image generations, early access to new AI models, and 60% ad revenue share
For $49 per month, you will get 5,000 credits per month, up to 10,000 image generations, early access to new AI models, and 70% ad revenue share
For $99 per month, you will get 11,250 credits per month, up to 2 2,500 image generations, early access to new AI models, and 70% ad revenue share
With all premium plans, you will receive a Pro profile badge, full creation history, faster image generation, and no ads.
Sign Up Now To Get Free Credits
In conclusion, LimeWire emerges as a democratizing force in the creative landscape, providing an inclusive platform where anyone can unleash their artistic potential and effortlessly share their work. With the integration of AI, LimeWire eliminates traditional barriers, empowering designers, musicians, and artists to publish their creations and earn revenue with just a few clicks.
The ongoing commitment of LimeWire to innovation is evident in its plans to enhance generative AI tools with new features and models. The upcoming expansion to include music and video generation tools holds the promise of unlocking even more possibilities for creators. It sparks anticipation about the diverse and innovative ways in which artists will leverage these tools to produce and publish their own unique creations.
For those eager to explore, LimeWire's AI tools are readily accessible for free, providing an opportunity to experiment and delve into the world of generative art. As LimeWire continues to evolve, creators are encouraged to stay tuned for the launch of its forthcoming AI music and video generation tools, promising a future brimming with creative potential and endless artistic exploration
Once providing half of Mexico’s revenue, the debt-laden state oil firm has been in decline for years. But government efforts to revive it in pursuit of energy self-sufficiency is stalling the drive for renewables
Read more: Latin America forges ahead on new oil frontier
The coastline of Tabasco, a waterlogged and oil-rich state on the Gulf of Mexico, is a tangle of mangroves and pipelines belonging to Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), the state-owned hydrocarbons company. Its new $17bn (£13bn) Olmeca refinery at Dos Bocas, in President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s home state of Tabasco, symbolises his commitment to reviving Pemex and making the country energy self-sufficient – even if it means going all-in on oil.
But storms, floods and rising sea levels have put Mexico’s coastal life at risk. “With climate change, the floods are getting out of control,” says Lilia Gama, an ecology professor in Tabasco. “They last longer, spread further [and] accumulate in certain places. And this is no longer necessarily enriching the soil as it used to – it is causing the vegetation to rot.”
Continue reading...The Trump-led 2024 Republican platform instead calls for an American Iron Dome and the largest deportation operation ever.
The post GOP Platform Doesn’t Mention the Word “Climate” Once — Even After Hottest Year on Record appeared first on The Intercept.
“There’s a very good chance that they will fire me,” said Katherine Franke, a tenured professor who has defended students protesting for Gaza.
The post Columbia Law Professor Smeared by Israel Supporters Could Lose Her Job appeared first on The Intercept.
 | submitted by /u/Hrmbee [link] [comments] |
(Capitol)
Perry’s solo return is a dated attempt at writing a feminist anthem about how women really can have it all! It’s a song that made me feel stupider every sorry time I listened to it
Hey ladies! I don’t know about you but waking up this morning, I felt different. Changed. Possessed of some kind of ineffable life force. A long-suppressed inclination towards total world domination suddenly blossomed. It was kind of scary, but I knew that I could do anything I wanted with this feeling, like buy stuff or reveal the hitherto untapped complexities that I’ve always kept stashed under a bushel (you’re telling me I could be sexy … and satirical?) or succeed in business or even become some kind of seltzer/shoe/apple cider vinegar mogul. I felt like the strong complex female main character in the strong complex female main character movie of my own life. What was this intoxicating sensation? As I watched Katy Perry’s new video while cleaning my teeth – hey, I prize dental wellness and looking good just 4 me, I thought, sassily waggling my index finger in the slightly smeared mirror – I realised what had happened. I’d just been empowered, baby!
Perry’s clubby missile of a new single, Woman’s World, had affirmed to me that yes, it is a woman’s world – and you’re lucky to be livin’ in it. In her woman’s world, women are nuanced, winners, smart, soft, pretty, prickly, fiery and shiny. As the video demonstrated, you could be a Rosie the Riveter type (but, like, hot) or a businesswoman or a big sexy bionic horse. Women can have it all! Thank god someone finally said it.
Continue reading...Satellite analysis looked at credits sold by Finite Carbon, which runs some of North America’s largest offset projects
This story is co-published with SourceMaterial and Floodlight
Some forest carbon offsets sold by the biggest offsetting company in the US offer little or no benefit to the climate, a satellite analysis has found.
Continue reading...The hacker collective SiegedSec says it infiltrated the conservative think tank to oppose its campaign against trans rights.
The post “Gay Furry Hackers” Claim Credit for Hacking Heritage Foundation Files Over Project 2025 appeared first on The Intercept.
SEMrush and Ahrefs are among
the most popular tools in the SEO industry. Both companies have been in
business for years and have thousands of customers per month.
If you're a professional SEO or trying to do digital
marketing on your own, at some point you'll likely consider using a tool to
help with your efforts. Ahrefs and SEMrush are two names that will likely
appear on your shortlist.
In this guide, I'm going to help you learn more about these SEO tools and how to choose the one that's best for your purposes.
What is SEMrush?
SEMrush is a popular SEO tool with a wide range of
features—it's the leading competitor research service for online marketers.
SEMrush's SEO Keyword Magic tool offers over 20 billion Google-approved
keywords, which are constantly updated and it's the largest keyword database.
The program was developed in 2007 as SeoQuake is a
small Firefox extension
Features
Ahrefs is a leading SEO platform that offers a set of
tools to grow your search traffic, research your competitors, and monitor your
niche. The company was founded in 2010, and it has become a popular choice
among SEO tools. Ahrefs has a keyword index of over 10.3 billion keywords and
offers accurate and extensive backlink data updated every 15-30 minutes and it
is the world's most extensive backlink index database.
Features
Direct Comparisons: Ahrefs vs SEMrush
Now that you know a little more about each tool, let's
take a look at how they compare. I'll analyze each tool to see how they differ
in interfaces, keyword research resources, rank tracking, and competitor
analysis.
User Interface
Ahrefs and SEMrush both offer comprehensive information
and quick metrics regarding your website's SEO performance. However, Ahrefs
takes a bit more of a hands-on approach to getting your account fully set up,
whereas SEMrush's simpler dashboard can give you access to the data you need
quickly.
In this section, we provide a brief overview of the elements
found on each dashboard and highlight the ease with which you can complete
tasks.
AHREFS
The Ahrefs dashboard is less cluttered than that of
SEMrush, and its primary menu is at the very top of the page, with a search bar
designed only for entering URLs.
Additional features of the Ahrefs platform include:
SEMRUSH
When you log into the SEMrush Tool, you will find four
main modules. These include information about your domains, organic keyword
analysis, ad keyword, and site traffic.
You'll also find some other options like
Both Ahrefs and SEMrush have user-friendly dashboards,
but Ahrefs is less cluttered and easier to navigate. On the other hand, SEMrush
offers dozens of extra tools, including access to customer support resources.
When deciding on which dashboard to use, consider what
you value in the user interface, and test out both.
If you're looking to track your website's search engine
ranking, rank tracking features can help. You can also use them to monitor your
competitors.
Let's take a look at Ahrefs vs. SEMrush to see which
tool does a better job.
The Ahrefs Rank Tracker is simpler to use. Just type in
the domain name and keywords you want to analyze, and it spits out a report
showing you the search engine results page (SERP) ranking for each keyword you
enter.
Rank Tracker looks at the ranking performance of
keywords and compares them with the top rankings for those keywords. Ahrefs
also offers:
You'll see metrics that help you understand your
visibility, traffic, average position, and keyword difficulty.
It gives you an idea of whether a keyword would be
profitable to target or not.
SEMRush offers a tool called Position Tracking. This
tool is a project tool—you must set it up as a new project. Below are a few of
the most popular features of the SEMrush Position Tracking tool:
All subscribers are given regular data updates and
mobile search rankings upon subscribing
The platform provides opportunities to track several
SERP features, including Local tracking.
Intuitive reports allow you to track statistics for the
pages on your website, as well as the keywords used in those pages.
Identify pages that may be competing with each other
using the Cannibalization report.
Ahrefs is a more user-friendly option. It takes seconds
to enter a domain name and keywords. From there, you can quickly decide whether
to proceed with that keyword or figure out how to rank better for other
keywords.
SEMrush allows you to check your mobile rankings and
ranking updates daily, which is something Ahrefs does not offer. SEMrush also
offers social media rankings, a tool you won't find within the Ahrefs platform.
Both are good which one do you like let me know in the comment.
Keyword research is closely related to rank tracking,
but it's used for deciding which keywords you plan on using for future content
rather than those you use now.
When it comes to SEO, keyword research is the most
important thing to consider when comparing the two platforms.
The Ahrefs Keyword Explorer provides you with thousands
of keyword ideas and filters search results based on the chosen search engine.
Ahrefs supports several features, including:
SEMrush's Keyword Magic Tool has over 20 billion
keywords for Google. You can type in any keyword you want, and a list of
suggested keywords will appear.
The Keyword Magic Tool also lets you to:
Both of these tools offer keyword research features and
allow users to break down complicated tasks into something that can be
understood by beginners and advanced users alike.
If you're interested in keyword suggestions, SEMrush
appears to have more keyword suggestions than Ahrefs does. It also continues to
add new features, like the Keyword Gap tool and SERP Questions recommendations.
Both platforms offer competitor analysis tools,
eliminating the need to come up with keywords off the top of your head. Each
tool is useful for finding keywords that will be useful for your competition so
you know they will be valuable to you.
Ahrefs' domain comparison tool lets you compare up to five websites (your website and four competitors) side-by-side.it also shows you how your site is ranked against others with metrics such as backlinks, domain ratings, and more.
Use the Competing Domains section to see a list of your
most direct competitors, and explore how many keywords matches your competitors
have.
To find more information about your competitor, you can
look at the Site Explorer and Content Explorer tools and type in their URL
instead of yours.
SEMrush provides a variety of insights into your
competitors' marketing tactics. The platform enables you to research your
competitors effectively. It also offers several resources for competitor
analysis including:
Traffic Analytics helps you identify where your
audience comes from, how they engage with your site, what devices visitors use
to view your site, and how your audiences overlap with other websites.
SEMrush's Organic Research examines your website's
major competitors and shows their organic search rankings, keywords they are
ranking for, and even if they are ranking for any (SERP) features and more.
The Market Explorer search field allows you to type in
a domain and lists websites or articles similar to what you entered. Market
Explorer also allows users to perform in-depth data analytics on These
companies and markets.
SEMrush wins here because it has more tools dedicated to
competitor analysis than Ahrefs. However, Ahrefs offers a lot of functionality
in this area, too. It takes a combination of both tools to gain an advantage
over your competition.
When it comes to keyword data research, you will become
confused about which one to choose.
Consider choosing Ahrefs if you
Consider SEMrush if you:
Both tools are great. Choose the one which meets your
requirements and if you have any experience using either Ahrefs or SEMrush let
me know in the comment section which works well for you.
Deadpool & Wolverine owes much to its characters riffing off a real-life 20-year friendship which, its stars says, is founded on respect – for all its low blows and joviality
The enduring friendship between the actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman was unpacked in irreverent detail in London on Friday, as the pair premiered their new movie, Deadpool & Wolverine.
The stars, who frequently tease one another both in the press and on X, take the leads in Marvel’s latest blockbuster, which sees foul-mouthed superhero Deadpool (Reynolds) exhume and then team-up with the beleaguered Wolverine (Jackman), seven years after his apparent death in 2017’s Logan.
Continue reading...(Capitol)
Perry’s solo return is a dated attempt at writing a feminist anthem about how women really can have it all! It’s a song that made me feel stupider every sorry time I listened to it
Hey ladies! I don’t know about you but waking up this morning, I felt different. Changed. Possessed of some kind of ineffable life force. A long-suppressed inclination towards total world domination suddenly blossomed. It was kind of scary, but I knew that I could do anything I wanted with this feeling, like buy stuff or reveal the hitherto untapped complexities that I’ve always kept stashed under a bushel (you’re telling me I could be sexy … and satirical?) or succeed in business or even become some kind of seltzer/shoe/apple cider vinegar mogul. I felt like the strong complex female main character in the strong complex female main character movie of my own life. What was this intoxicating sensation? As I watched Katy Perry’s new video while cleaning my teeth – hey, I prize dental wellness and looking good just 4 me, I thought, sassily waggling my index finger in the slightly smeared mirror – I realised what had happened. I’d just been empowered, baby!
Perry’s clubby missile of a new single, Woman’s World, had affirmed to me that yes, it is a woman’s world – and you’re lucky to be livin’ in it. In her woman’s world, women are nuanced, winners, smart, soft, pretty, prickly, fiery and shiny. As the video demonstrated, you could be a Rosie the Riveter type (but, like, hot) or a businesswoman or a big sexy bionic horse. Women can have it all! Thank god someone finally said it.
Continue reading...The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world
Continue reading...The most talented US men’s basketball team since the London Olympics is a Marvel-esque crossover event. Their run for a fifth straight gold in Paris will be can’t-miss theater
In the final scene of Spike Lee’s beloved, sports-movie-pantheon-occupying He Got Game, an incarcerated Denzel Washington rockets a basketball over the prison yard wall. The ball magically transcends space and time, landing on the court of Big State and in the hands of his son, played by Ray Allen. The mysticism of the ending remains polarizing, but it beautifully expressed a passing of the torch, a transfer of energy, in a way that few filmmakers have done before or since. Twenty-five years later, in an electric T-Mobile Center on Wednesday evening, I was reminded of this moment as Team USA’s LeBron James collected a defensive rebound, spotted Anthony Edwards running back in transition, and propelled a full-court, quarterback-style pass to him, which Edwards converted with a dunk at the other end: basketball’s present, and soon-to-be past, throwing the ball to its clear future. Two timelines overlapping. It was poetry.
“It was crazy,” Edwards told the Guardian when asked about the transcendent moment. “It’s crazy, man, playing on the court with LeBron and Steph. It’s a dream come true. I remember watching them going against each other in the finals. So being in the room with them, on the bus with them, all of it. I’m just soaking everything up.”
Continue reading...
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are the most popular digital assets today, capturing the attention of cryptocurrency investors, whales and people from around the world. People find it amazing that some users spend thousands or millions of dollars on a single NFT-based image of a monkey or other token, but you can simply take a screenshot for free. So here we share some freuently asked question about NFTs.
NFT stands for non-fungible token, which is a cryptographic token on a blockchain with unique identification codes that distinguish it from other tokens. NFTs are unique and not interchangeable, which means no two NFTs are the same. NFTs can be a unique artwork, GIF, Images, videos, Audio album. in-game items, collectibles etc.
A blockchain is a distributed digital ledger that allows for the secure storage of data. By recording any kind of information—such as bank account transactions, the ownership of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), or Decentralized Finance (DeFi) smart contracts—in one place, and distributing it to many different computers, blockchains ensure that data can’t be manipulated without everyone in the system being aware.
The value of an NFT comes from its ability to be traded freely and securely on the blockchain, which is not possible with other current digital ownership solutionsThe NFT points to its location on the blockchain, but doesn’t necessarily contain the digital property. For example, if you replace one bitcoin with another, you will still have the same thing. If you buy a non-fungible item, such as a movie ticket, it is impossible to replace it with any other movie ticket because each ticket is unique to a specific time and place.
One of the unique characteristics of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is that they can be tokenised to create a digital certificate of ownership that can be bought, sold and traded on the blockchain.
As with crypto-currency, records of who owns what are stored on a ledger that is maintained by thousands of computers around the world. These records can’t be forged because the whole system operates on an open-source network.
NFTs also contain smart contracts—small computer programs that run on the blockchain—that give the artist, for example, a cut of any future sale of the token.
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) aren't cryptocurrencies, but they do use blockchain technology. Many NFTs are based on Ethereum, where the blockchain serves as a ledger for all the transactions related to said NFT and the properties it represents.5) How to make an NFT?
Anyone can create an NFT. All you need is a digital wallet, some ethereum tokens and a connection to an NFT marketplace where you’ll be able to upload and sell your creations
When you purchase a stock in NFT, that purchase is recorded on the blockchain—the bitcoin ledger of transactions—and that entry acts as your proof of ownership.
The value of an NFT varies a lot based on the digital asset up for grabs. People use NFTs to trade and sell digital art, so when creating an NFT, you should consider the popularity of your digital artwork along with historical statistics.
In the year 2021, a digital artist called Pak created an artwork called The Merge. It was sold on the Nifty Gateway NFT market for $91.8 million.
Non-fungible tokens can be used in investment opportunities. One can purchase an NFT and resell it at a profit. Certain NFT marketplaces let sellers of NFTs keep a percentage of the profits from sales of the assets they create.
Many people want to buy NFTs because it lets them support the arts and own something cool from their favorite musicians, brands, and celebrities. NFTs also give artists an opportunity to program in continual royalties if someone buys their work. Galleries see this as a way to reach new buyers interested in art.
There are many places to buy digital assets, like opensea and their policies vary. On top shot, for instance, you sign up for a waitlist that can be thousands of people long. When a digital asset goes on sale, you are occasionally chosen to purchase it.
To mint an NFT token, you must pay some amount of gas fee to process the transaction on the Etherum blockchain, but you can mint your NFT on a different blockchain called Polygon to avoid paying gas fees. This option is available on OpenSea and this simply denotes that your NFT will only be able to trade using Polygon's blockchain and not Etherum's blockchain. Mintable allows you to mint NFTs for free without paying any gas fees.
The answer is no. Non-Fungible Tokens are minted on the blockchain using cryptocurrencies such as Etherum, Solana, Polygon, and so on. Once a Non-Fungible Token is minted, the transaction is recorded on the blockchain and the contract or license is awarded to whoever has that Non-Fungible Token in their wallet.
You can sell your work and creations by attaching a license to it on the blockchain, where its ownership can be transferred. This lets you get exposure without losing full ownership of your work. Some of the most successful projects include Cryptopunks, Bored Ape Yatch Club NFTs, SandBox, World of Women and so on. These NFT projects have gained popularity globally and are owned by celebrities and other successful entrepreneurs. Owning one of these NFTs gives you an automatic ticket to exclusive business meetings and life-changing connections.
That’s a wrap. Hope you guys found this article enlightening. I just answer some question with my limited knowledge about NFTs. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to drop them in the comment section below. Also I have a question for you, Is bitcoin an NFTs? let me know in The comment section below
![Hint: If you ever encounter this puzzle in a crossword app, just [term for someone with a competitive and high-achieving personality].](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/a_crossword_puzzle.png "Hint: If you ever encounter this puzzle in a crossword app, just [term for someone with a competitive and high-achieving personality].")
The striker has at times been reduced to a meme, or worse, but teammates and staff adore their captain
The worst tackle Álvaro Morata has suffered at the Euros came from his own team. At the end of the semi-final, as Spain celebrated, a fan leapt on to the pitch in search of a selfie. When he set off, so did José Santos, the security guard who travels everywhere with them. Slipping, he accidentally went in two-footed, a big man with a beard and bulging biceps crashing into the striker; Morata’s knee twisted inwards, leaving him limping. An ice pack was applied and for a moment there was a fear that he could even miss Sunday’s final. Especially for Santos.
It is his job to look after Spain’s players; now, the Spain captain looked after him. “It’s only a yellow card,” Morata said as he boarded the bus, smiling but still not moving well. Back at the Öschberghof, their residency over the last month, and at the home of little SV Aasen, just across the road and over the fields where they train daily, it was a message the captain kept repeating, cracking jokes to make light of it, reassurance for the man who felt responsible: José, it’s fine. It’s also very like Morata.
Continue reading...Police say inquiries suggest suspect seen on Clifton Suspension Bridge had travelled from London on same day
Human remains found in a pair of suitcases near Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol are believed to be those of two men, the Metropolitan police have said.
Police released an image of a man wanted in connection with the grisly discovery after he was witnessed dumping the suitcases on the bridge before fleeing on foot close to midnight on Wednesday.
Continue reading...218 MPs reject bill while 215 vote for draft law that would have decriminalised act of facilitating abortions
Hungary’s presidency of the Council of the EU has already caused damage, the German foreign ministry said today, Reuters reported.
Budapest took over the rotating presidency on July 1. The Hungarian far right prime minister, Viktor Orbán, fuelled controversy over the past days by travelling to Russia and China without backing from his EU counterparts.
Continue reading...The English fanbase abroad is increasingly removed from the hooligan era but continues to have a unique status
What will be the abiding memory of England fans at this tournament? It’s a difficult one to answer. The size of the support has varied and the mood has fluctuated. There’s been delirium at times and despondency at others. There’s been a ubiquitous echo of “Dancing in the Dark” in the streets before games and, increasingly, a chorus of “Don’t take me home” afterwards. Perhaps it will be something more tangential that sticks, such as the stream of St George’s flags on the banks of the Rhine in Düsseldorf or the trams in Cologne stuffed to bursting and rattling like tambourines to the beat of “Ing-er-land” bashed out on the roofs.
Certainly, with fingers crossed before the biggest overseas match in the history of the men’s national side, there won’t be memories of violence. UK police have been lingering in the background throughout, dressed in giveaway low-key outdoors wear but not required to step into action. The feedback from Cheshire police, who operate the UK football policing unit (UKFPU), has been consistently positive, with the travelling support usually described as “extremely well behaved”.
Continue reading...An iconic air raid shelter in the St Pauli district has been given a new lease of life with the addition of a hotel and rooftop urban park
Chasing every turn and every new angle, I pull my suitcase up the steps impatiently as views of the city unfurl around me. On one side rise mottled grey walls. I move closer to them as the wind picks up and suddenly feel aware of their magnitude. “You didn’t need to walk,” a member of staff says when he spots my luggage. “There’s a lift for hotel guests.” I hadn’t seen it, but I also couldn’t wait to explore the new 560-metre walkway that wraps around the exterior of this former second world war bunker in Hamburg’s St Pauli district.
The concrete colossus has stood here for eight decades, a stark visual reminder of the darkest chapter in Germany’s history. Constructed on the orders of Adolf Hitler, after the air raids on Berlin in 1940, it was one of several flak tower complexes designed to defend cities against aerial attacks and provide above-ground shelter. They were built – using forced labour – in Berlin, Vienna and Hamburg, but this was one of the biggest. At times, there were 25,000 people inside.
Continue reading...Indian prime minister travelled to Moscow for two-day summit and ‘chit-chat’ amid diplomatic complexities
As India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, landed in Moscow on Monday, it was straight into the warm embrace of Vladimir Putin. Modi said the visit – his first since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – was to cement the “bonds of friendship” between the two countries, and later effusively described Russia as India’s “all-weather friend and trusted ally”.
The India-Russia relationship runs deep, dating back to the cold war, and Russia has long been the largest supplier of arms to India. Since he was elected in 2014, Modi has built up a much-publicised rapport with Putin, the two leaders having had more than 20 meetings.
Continue reading...From Mexico to the Mediterranean, rich countries would rather see refugees die than recognize their legal asylum rights.
The post The World War on Asylum appeared first on The Intercept.
Author Nathan Thrall’s recent book tells the story of one Palestinian family living under Israel occupation.
The post Understanding Israel’s “System of Domination” appeared first on The Intercept.
From biking adventures to city breaks, get inspiration for your next break – whether in the UK or further afield – with twice-weekly emails from the Guardian’s travel editors. You’ll also receive handpicked offers from Guardian Holidays.
From biking adventures to city breaks, get inspiration for your next break – whether in the UK or further afield – with twice-weekly emails from the Guardian’s travel editors.
You’ll also receive handpicked offers from Guardian Holidays.
Continue reading...RSS Rabbit links users to publicly available RSS entries.
Vet every link before clicking! The creators accept no responsibility for the contents of these entries.
Relevant
Fresh
Convenient
Agile
We're not prepared to take user feedback yet. Check back soon!
