Daily Archives: December 28, 2023

Understanding Menopause and its Symptoms | Menopause Treatment Options – Medriva

Posted: December 28, 2023 at 11:55 pm

Understanding Menopause and its Symptoms

Menopause, a natural part of aging, marks the end of menstrual cycles in a womans life. Its a normal and inevitable part of the aging process, but its symptoms can be disruptive and distressing. The most common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms can significantly impact a womans quality of life, leading many to seek treatment.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the most common treatment for menopause symptoms. It involves replacing the hormones that the ovaries stop producing after menopause, primarily estrogen and progesterone. HRT can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms, helping to improve the quality of life for many women. However, HRT is not without risks. It can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, and gallbladder disease. Therefore, its crucial to have an informed discussion with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of HRT.

Aside from HRT, there are other prescription medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes that can help manage menopause symptoms. These include:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of psychotherapy that can help manage psychological symptoms associated with menopause, such as anxiety and mood swings. It involves learning to identify and change negative thought patterns that lead to distressing emotions and behaviors.

2. Hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy involves using hypnosis to create a state of focused attention and increased suggestibility. It can help reduce hot flashes and other physical symptoms associated with menopause.

3. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): CAM includes practices such as acupuncture, yoga, and herbal supplements. These therapies can help manage menopause symptoms, but their effectiveness varies from person to person.

Simple lifestyle changes can also make a significant difference in managing menopause symptoms. These include:

1. Quitting Smoking: Smoking can increase the severity and duration of hot flashes and contribute to early menopause.

2. Managing Stress: High levels of stress can exacerbate menopause symptoms. Practicing stress management techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation, can help.

3. Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Being overweight can increase the risk of hot flashes. Regular physical activity and a balanced diet can help maintain a healthy weight.

If you are experiencing disruptive symptoms during menopause or perimenopause (the gradual process leading up to menopause), its important to seek medical advice. A healthcare provider can evaluate your medical history and symptoms and may perform blood tests to measure hormone levels. Together, you can discuss your symptoms and treatment options and develop a plan that best meets your needs and preferences.

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Breast cancer survivor Jayne Pritchard talks alternative therapies over tea – MidlandToday

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'I had no side effects, I was never sick a day. I was super healthy through this whole ordeal,' says Pritchard who used alternative therapies after surgery

Royal Tea store owner Roberta Douglas recently defendedthe bookBreast Cancer After the Diagnosis by Jayne Pritchard at the recent Simcoe Reads championships.

While the book wasn't declared the champion, the two women wanted to do something to show their support for the Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre(GBCSC) in Penetanguishene.

So,Douglas invited Pritchard to Royal Teain Midland earlier this month for a meet and greet for the public and a chance to sell some books with $5 from each copy going to the GBCSC.

"I thought it would be nice for people to meet Jayne and pick up copies of her book," said Douglas, who donated tea and sweets for a donation to GBCSC.

Breast Cancer After the Diagnosis: One's Woman's Story of Overcoming Setbacksdetails Pritchard's personal journey through breast cancer and alternative therapies, important supplements, nutrition tips and how to find the blessings in life.

A news anchor with CTV Barrie for close to 40 years, many in the area have grown up watching her on television. Pritchard has always exuded a positive mental attitude and remains the picture of health. She was diagnosed with cancer in February of 2018.

She took a leave of absence to get surgeries to remove the cancer, but the certified nutritional counsellor and reiki master would not agree to chemotherapy.

"I refused chemotherapy. I blended traditional Western medicine seven surgeries, I needed those unfortunately because I had setbacks with other treatments that buildup the body instead of tearing it down, poisoning myself, and I felt great all that summer," she said.

Pritchard, who was living in Barrie at the time, took all her alternative treatments in Barrie.

"I didn't even have to leave my home town," she said.

She took chelation therapy, specifically vitamin C and another vitamin cocktail intravenously twice a week forsix months. She took acupuncture twice a week from an acupuncturist who was trained in China. Pritchard said treatments cleared painfrom her right breast and spleen. She also saw her homeopathic doctor frequently.

"I talk about those things in the book because doctors don't know about them and, therefore, they don't tell their patients about them. Patients feel they have no options and yet there are options out there," Pritchard explained.

"I had no side effects, I was never sick a day. I was super healthy through this whole ordeal," she said.

Pritchard self-published the book in November, 2021. All the contacts for her alternative health teams are listed at the back.

The book is also a guide for good living. Pritchard shares her top 10 health and wellness tips and she talks aboutimmune boosting supplements.

Pritchard doesn't use the word remission.

"As far as I'm concerned the cancer was gone after the second surgery."

Pritchard returned to Barrie CTV after beating cancer. Sheretired in 2022 and moved to a new home in Tiny Township with her husband.

Pritchard supports the GBCSC through fundraisers. She wasthe guest auctioneer at a fundraiser at the Midland Culture Centre. She signed and sold books at the Georgian Bay Cycle for Hope in August. Pritchard is also a member of Georgian Bay Gals Give. At the fall giving event, the Gals raised $22,000 for the GBCSC(and another $22,000 for the Salvation Army).

Breast Cancer After the Diagnosis is available at Georgian Bay Books at 247 King St. in Midland and on Amazon.

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12 unusual ways Israelis are volunteering during the war – ISRAEL21c

Posted: at 11:55 pm

The Hamas attacks on October 7 unleashed a tsunami of death and destruction on the Israeli people. But it also unleashed a tsunami of volunteering.

Several studies show that about half of Israeli citizens have been giving of their time since the war began, in addition to thousands of foreign volunteers.

Preparing meals for soldiers and displaced families; filling in for high-tech workers on reserve duty; donating blood and breastmilk; and harvesting produce on severely shorthanded farms, are among the needs volunteers are stepping up to fill.

Other volunteers are folding laundry at evacuee hotels, stocking supermarket shelves in the absence of regular workers; cleaning hospital rooms; babysitting for children of reserve soldiers; and giving haircuts and beauty treatments to evacuees.

Here are additional unexpected ways that volunteers are supporting civilians and soldiers during these difficult days.

Thousands of evacuees had no way to retrieve their cars from their destroyed Gaza border communities, which are now closed military zones.

One resident of Kibbutz Nahal Oz contacted motor vehicle retailer Shlomo Group (Shlomo Sixt) asking for help.

In coordination with the IDF, the company recruited volunteer mechanics and logistics coordinators and made two trips to the dangerous region to extract a total of 65 intact vehicles (many cars were burned or demolished). Each operation involved 13 transport trucks and four SUVs.

Each rescued vehicle was thoroughly cleaned and checked out by a volunteer mechanic before it was returned to its owner.

Some of the Israelis who had to run from their homes in the first days of the war are now able to run toward positivity, thanks to Yael Goodman, founder of RUN JLM running tours.

With contributions from individual and business donors including Chanabana, Goodman procured and distributed running apparel and shoes, and organized runs through Jerusalem for dozens of evacuees sheltering in the capital city.

With all their lives packed into one hotel room, running gives these evacuees a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively. Others call it running; we call it therapy, she said.

Donors can contribute to the project through an existing fund set up in memory of Goodmans late brother.

Literary critic Nurith Waisman partnered with the Arad Public Library to set up a free lending library for evacuees housed in Dead Sea hotels.

Located on the top floor of the Zim Dead Sea Mall, the library is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Waisman told The Times of Israel: Its incredible whats going on here. People keep on donating books for children, teenagers and adults with so much love.

Israeli actress, comedian and social-media influencer Maya Wertheimer launched a Singles in Uniform campaign asking her half million Instagram followers to post pictures of unattached soldiers to help them find the love of their lives.

Wertheimer, wed to former Israeli consul-general to New York Asaf Zamir, has shared dozens of photos and short descriptions of soldiers, saying she wants to make sure that no soldier goes lonely.

Wertheimer also visits wounded soldiers in hospitals, encouraging the single ones to let her help them find a partner with whom to build a family. It gives you hope, she said.

Gabi Ohayon, owner of a framing shop in Rishon LeZion, wanted to do something practical to support the families of hostages abducted by Hamas.

Seeing that they were often holding rallies in public spaces, where its not easy to find a restroom, he rented a camper van and parked it wherever the families gathered.

The vehicle, covered with an Israeli flag and a banner of the hostages faces, has a bathroom as well as a couch and a coffee-making station.

When youre not home, how do you do your laundry?

Some of the hotels where evacuees are sheltering have installed washing machines and dryers for their use. There are also volunteers coming from near and far to help wash and fold laundry for these families.

Similarly, residents of communities near army encampments have been picking up soldiers laundry and bringing it back clean and folded. Some went so far as to haul washers and ironing boards to the bases.

Upon learning that a duffel bag full of new size XL army uniforms sent by well-intentioned US donors had arrived at a southern army base, Maaleh Adumim friends Judy Slyper and Lisa Zenilman packed up two sewing machines and an iron, and headed down to alter the uniforms to fit the soldiers.

They gave us a room with electrical outlets and a desk and table, says Slyper. I sewed and Lisa ironed. We finished a bunch of shirts and pants, and then some guys came in with requests. We hemmed pants and shirts, and fixed a backpack, belts and gloves.

About 70 alternative medicine practitioners acupuncturists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, and energy healers in northern Israel have so far given free treatments to approximately 2,500 male and female soldiers, mostly reservists between 25 and 40 years old.

The group, dubbed Chayals Angels (chayal is Hebrew for soldier) have the stated mission of keeping the troops spirits high and physical pain low.

Tasha Cohen, an organizational business manager from Pardes Hanna, founded the initiative and coordinates the sessions in army tents or fields. She says the practitioners are warmly appreciated.

Cohen is soliciting contributions toward the cost of gasoline to drive the volunteer therapists to the bases. After the war, she hopes to open a center where soldiers could come after the war for free intensive treatment.

JLIC Tel Aviv, a grassroots community of immigrants led by Rabbi Joe Wolfson and his wife, Corinne Shmuel, under the aegis of the Orthodox Union, has activated 700 volunteers for a wide range of projects since the start of the war.

We have taken ice cream trucks to hotels where evacuees are housed, we have dug graves, and we have done everything in between, says Wolfson. Theres an enormous pendulum swing of emotions from the most fun to the most horrific.

One JLIC project has so far matched nearly 40 evacuees with relevant employment in Tel Aviv to help them establish a sense of purpose, routine and income until they can return home.

Another JLC project, Adopt-A-Family, gives volunteers a to-do list and small budget to cover an evacuated familys basic needs including meals, laundry and even organizing birthday parties, bar mitzvahs and weddings.

Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM), an Israeli American movement that fashions low-cost inventions for populations in need globally, has helped displaced Israelis with special needs by making dozens of toddler-size wheelchairs and customizable toilet seats for children with severe disabilities.

TOM communities also are developing a portfolio of rehab solutions for people who suffered severe injuries and amputations due to the Hamas attacks and ensuing war.

TOM founder and president Gidi Grinstein said that the instructions to make TOMs creations are documented in English and increasingly in Hebrew and Arabic.

We are committed to our friends and partners in the Arab and Bedouin communities in Israel, as well as on the Palestinian side who are committed to peace even in these very difficult times, he said.

Professional close-up magician Ophir Samson, an Israeli citizen living in California, flew in for two weeks to give free magic lessons and shows to victims of the attacks, families displaced by the attacks, and released child hostages.

The itrek organization helped him organize 17 hour long lessons for displaced communities staying at evacuation hotels in Tel Aviv, Eilat and the Dead Sea.

I taught 200 to 300 kids between five and 11 years old, he tells ISRAEL21c. He gave each child a magic kit to keep.

I wanted to do something because I feel Israel is my home, says Samson, who also works as a private chef specializing in tasting menus of modern Israeli cuisine. At the beginning of the war, he auctioned off dinners, raising $25,000 for Israeli emergency response organizations such as United Hatzalah and Magen David Adom.

But I wanted to do more. Between 2011 and 2014, I ran a school of magic in Israel for disadvantaged Jewish and Arab children. I remembered the joy it brought to the kids and I felt it was something I could do, so I hopped on a plane.

At the start of the war, Beit Shemesh-based chef Etan Ogorek got a few calls from relatives of soldiers asking him for beef jerky a dehydrated strip of spiced meat that provides a portable and shelf-stable high-protein snack as an alternative to the canned tuna provided in IDF battle rations.

The project soon snowballed. One of Ogoreks neighbors, A. Chaim Rutenberg, started covering the cost for local volunteers to make 1,000 pieces of beef jerky per day for soldiers and for ZAKA search-and-rescue volunteers.

Eventually, project leaders raised funds to procure kosher beef, salmon and even portobello mushroom jerky (for vegans) in bulk from suppliers in the United States. Each week, about 140 local volunteers repackage the nourishing snacks individually, affix stickers with blessings and photos, and deliver them to IDF bases.

Rutenberg, a software QA engineer, is leading this effort full time.

We are getting calls around the clock from soldiers saying, You saved our lives, we really needed this. Its not a ceramic helmet, but they need protein, he says.

My goal is for people to see that a regular person can make a difference. And when you join with others, its a multiplier effect.

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Texas A&M Creating A Task Force To Work On Academic Freedom – Navasota News

Posted: at 11:54 pm

December 28, 2023 by Kenny Graves

Since the first week of August, a Texas A and M task force has been working on multiple issues related to academic freedom. Decembers meeting of the A and M faculty senate was dominated by a task force update. One of the task force members, Heather Lench of the faculty affairs office, said one of the outcomes is creating an academic freedom task force.

The elected council could review allegations of what is said or presented by faculty and staff.

The council could also provide advice to the university administration about academic freedom.

In an online message posted by university president Mark Welsh before Christmas break, he wrote that the academic freedom council would be composed of faculty, at least one librarian, and one research scientists.

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H.S. BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Freedom teams advance to Christmas tournament title games – Morganton News Herald

Posted: at 11:54 pm

JUSTIN EPLEY Sports editor

Down 11 points after three quarters, the Freedom girls basketball teams hopes for advancing to the championship game of its home holiday tournament looked slim.

But the Lady Patriots put together a 27-15 fourth quarter to rally past Asheville School 63-62 in Wednesday evenings semifinal game in Morganton, sending FHS into the first-place game versus Concord Academy at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening.

For Freedom (8-4), the comeback started with a Sydnie Demiter 3-pointer just 9 seconds into the fourth quarter and was followed by her 2 for 2 trip to the foul line. Junior Peyton Caldwell then went on a tear for the hosts, scoring the teams next 11 points, including going 5 for 5 at the foul line, to bring the Lady Patriots within 56-52 with 3:45 left to play.

Three straight points from Ava Whitaker, followed by two more free throws from Caldwell, tied the game with 1:43 left to play. Another pair of makes from the stripe by Caldwell gave Freedom a 59-57 lead with 1:21 left, its first lead since late in the second quarter.

The Lady Blues retook the lead, 60-59, with 59 seconds left, but Cheryllana Cunninghams 3 with 51 ticks left on the clock made it 62-60. Another tie came on an Asheville School steal-and-score with 37 seconds left.

Caldwell set the final margin with a free throw with 13 seconds left before both teams proceeded to miss a pair of free throws in the final 9 seconds, and the Lady Blues turned over the ball on an inbound pass with 0.3 seconds left.

Caldwell (25 points) and Demiter (16) led the way for FHS. The rest of the hosts scoring came from Ava Cooke (seven points), Cunningham (five), Whitaker (five), Haven Gladden (four) and Ava Whisnant (one).

Asheville School, which slotted into Thursday afternoons third-place game versus Hibriten, was led by Ryann Hernandez (27 points), Alisha Watkins (15) and Maya Robinson (11).

Both teams encountered foul trouble late as the Lady Blues lost Robinson, Sarah Cutshaw and Carmen Perez Aparicio and Whitaker fouled out for the Lady Patriots.

The Lady Wildcats (4-7) collected their first win of the tournament with a consolation bracket victory in mercy-rule fashion over the Lady Stars on Wednesday morning in Morganton, leading 21-6 after a quarter, 42-14 at halftime and 62-19 after three periods.

A trio of players finished in double figures for Draughn. They included Zoe Rector (18 points), Kenley Berry (16) and Jenna Abernathy (14). The rest of DHS offensive output came from Emilee Cook (seven points), Rylee Woody (six), Ambria Blalock (two) and Jacey Davis (two).

It was Rising Stars Preps first game of the tournament after travel problems caused them to forfeit Tuesday evenings first-round game versus host Freedom. With the loss, the Lady Stars fell into Thursday mornings seventh-place game against T.C. Roberson.

The Patriots (6-6) gradually distanced themselves from the Wildcats (3-8) in Wednesday nights semifinal matchup in Morganton, using a 27-14 third period to pull away for good after leading 15-11 and 31-27 after the first two periods.

The result sent Freedom into Thursday nights championship game versus West Caldwell and Draughn into Thursday evenings third-place game versus T.C. Roberson.

It was still just a five-point lead, 43-38, with 2:15 left in the third before FHS caught fire at the end of the frame. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Braxton King suddenly made it a double-digit game, and a basket by Jaiveon Belin and back-to-back scores by Kris Creekmore made it 55-39. Another 3, this one by Amare Williams, let the Patriots end the quarter with a 58-41 lead.

Williams (two) and King combined for three more 3s in the first three minutes of the fourth frame to put the hosts up 22 points, 67-45, and they maintained things from there.

Kobe Johnson (15 points), who did much of the earlier damage, and King (14) finished in double figures for Freedom. Williams (nine points), Gavin McNaughton (eight), Elijah Davidson (seven), Belin (four), Creekmore (four), King Johnson (four), Jonah Griggs (two), Kayden Lytle (two) and Max Taylor (two) filled out the rest of the scoresheet.

DAndre Moore (26 points) and Eli Tillery (13) led the way for DHS. Also scoring for the Wildcats were Ethan Miller (six points), Blaine Blackwell (two), Connor Houston (two) and Blake McElyea (one).

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Sound Of Freedom: All Updates & Controversies Since It Released – Screen Rant

Posted: at 11:54 pm

Summary

Sound of Freedom premiered in July 2023 and was a surprise hit at the box office. But in the months following its release, the movie, the people behind the making of it, and its inspiration have been at the center of numerous controversies. The 2023 Angel Studios crime thriller film is based on Tim Ballard's work to combat sex trafficking and revolves around one of his missions to save a girl from a trafficking ring in Columbia. However, the truth behind the movie (and Ballard's accounts of his missions) has been questioned by many after its premiere.

The cast of Sound of Freedom featured Jim Caviezel as Tim Ballard, Mira Sorvino as Katherine Ballard, Bill Camp as Vampiro, Eduardo Verstegui as Paulo Delgado, Javier Godino as Jorge, Jos Ziga as Roberto Aguilar, Kurt Fuller as Frost, Gary Basaraba as Earl Buchanan, and Gerardo Taracena as El Alacrn. They came together to adapt Ballard's tale for the big screen with a script written by Alejandro Monteverde (also the director) and Rod Barr. Despite its shocking success (the movie grossed $250.3 million against a $14.5 million budget), there is much debate concerning the story's validity, especially since Ballard and others have been accused of several controversial actions.

Shortly after the release of Sound of Freedom on July 4, 2023, Operation Underground Railroad the Utah-based anti-sex trafficking organization that Tim Ballard founded in 2013 announced that Ballard had left the nonprofit in June 2023. He was the CEO, and given his recent increase in publicity due to the film about his life, it was surprising to learn that Ballard was no longer attached to Operation Underground Railroad. However, in the weeks following the news about his disassociation with the organization, it became clear why Ballard parted ways with the nonprofit (which has also been at the center of controversy regarding its methods, funding, and alleged false claims).

According to Vice, Operation Underground Railroad performed an investigation into sexual misconduct claims from seven women within the organization concerning Ballard's behavior. Following the investigation, Ballard resigned, and Operation Underground Railroad released a statement that read:

"O.U.R. is dedicated to combatting sexual abuse, and does not tolerate sexual harassment or discrimination by anyone in its organization. O.U.R. retained an independent law firm to conduct a comprehensive investigation of all relevant allegations, and O.U.R. continues to assess and improve the governance of the organization and protocols for its operations."

As mentioned above, some experts allege that Sound of Freedom is primarily a work of fiction rather than a true tale of Tim Ballard's mission to save children from sex trafficking in Columbia. They claimed that the 2023 crime thriller's depiction of child sex trafficking and how the government combats it was inaccurate. These statements led to others revisiting investigations into Operation Underground Railroad and how truthful the organization had been when reporting figures concerning how many people its members had saved from sex trafficking. Plus, the nonprofit has been criticized for its methods. As a result, the truthfulness behind the movie has been widely debated.

In the months following the release of Sound of Freedom, NBC News reported that Tim Ballard was "very seriously considering" running for a vacant United States Senate seat in 2024. Mitt Romney, the junior Senator from Utah, previously announced that he would not run for reelection and would retire following the conclusion of his current term in 2025. So, Ballard was interested in running for Romney's Utah seat, but that might change due to recent events.

After the sexual misconduct allegations concerning Tim Ballard's behavior within Operation Underground Railroad became public, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints excommunicated him. It also didn't help that Ballard had previously claimed that M. Russell Ballard, the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Mormon Church until his death in November 2023, approved of his work with his nonprofit. The Church released a personal rebuke of Ballard that stated:

"[We] never endorsed, supported or represented OUR, Tim Ballard or any projects associated with them. Once it became clear Tim Ballard had betrayed their friendship, through the unauthorized use of President Ballard's name for Tim Ballard's personal advantage and activity regarded as morally unacceptable, President Ballard withdrew his association."

In October 2023, five anonymous women filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Tim Ballard that alleged the former CEO of Operation Underground Railroad had manipulated and abused them during undercover missions. The lawsuit also claims that the higher-ups at Operation Underground Railroad were aware of the misconduct and did nothing about it. Quickly after the lawsuit became public, a sixth woman came forward and filed her own lawsuit. The Slate article goes into more detail concerning the troubling allegations, but most of them revolve around Ballard taking advantage of women while they were undercover as sex trafficking victims.

Tim Ballard wasn't the only figure associated with Sound of Freedom who has been the subject of sexual misconduct investigations Paul Hutchinson, a producer and Operation Underground Railroad employee, was caught on camera groping the breasts of an underage girl during a mission in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, according to Newsweek. Hutchinson claimed that the sex trafficking victim was over 18 years old at the time, but the FBI's investigation report suggests otherwise. Nevertheless, Mexican authorities did not press charges against Hutchinson.

Fabian Marta, one of the patrons who donated to Sound of Freedom, was arrested in St. Louis, Missouri, and charged with accessory to child kidnapping a few weeks after the 2023 film's premiere. A few months following his arrest, though, the Missouri Circuit Court dropped the charges and released a statement that revealed there was no sufficient evidence to prove Marta was guilty. Despite his release, the arrest certainly didn't quiet the controversies surrounding the movie.

Following the release of the 2023 crime thriller, Eduardo Verstegui, the executive producer and star of the film, announced he had filed the paperwork to run as an independent candidate for the upcoming presidential race in Mexico. Verstegui played Paulo Delgado, a wealthy man who funded Ballard's mission in the movie, and now he wants to be the President of Mexico. However, he has not been immune to the controversies surrounding Sound of Freedom. Verstegui previously posted a video on social media that seemingly threatened the LGBTQ+ community and climate change activists, which led to much criticism.

Sound of Freedom is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Source: Vice, NBC News, Slate, Newsweek

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Turkish Airlines Hasn’t Applied For Permission to Operate Crucial Fifth-Freedom Flights From Singapore to Australia – paddleyourownkanoo.com

Posted: at 11:54 pm

Turkish Airlines is yet to apply for permission to operate so-called Fifth Freedom flights from Singapore, which are necessary for the airline to launch flights to Australia something that the Istanbul-based carrier wants to do in just over three months time.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has confirmed to the Straits Times that Turkish Airlines is yet to submit an application to operate Fifth Freedom flights and the airline wont be allowed to operate these flights until it has received approval.

Fifth Freedom rights allow a foreign airline to operate an international flight via a third country and sell tickets on both segments. In this case, Turkish Airlines would be allowed to sell tickets for the flight from Istanbul to Singapore, and the flight from Singapore to Australia, as well as the direct service from Istanbul to Australia.

Earlier this month, Turkish Airlines chairman, Ahmet Bolat, made it known that the carrier hoped to launch its eagerly anticipated flights to Australia at some point between March 15 and March 2024 and that the flights would operate via Singapore.

Bolat also said the airline was in advanced talks with Hollywood superstar Margot Robbie to become the celebrity face of Turkish Airlines ahead of the inaugural flight, although few other details are yet to be released.

Turkish Airlines hasnt confirmed which city or cities it plans to fly to in Australia, although the Australian government will initially allow Turkish Airlines to operate up to 21 weekly flights to Sydney and Melbourne, as well as Brisbane and Perth.

From late 2024, capacity will increase to 28 weekly flights and by late 2025, up to 35 weekly flights will be allowed.

The Straits Times attempted to reach out to Turkish Airlines about its plans, but multiple emails went unanswered.

The Australian government is keen to get Turkish Airlines to launch flights to the country in an effort to increase competition on key international routes and drive down airfares.

Transport Minister Catherine Kinghas faced criticism over her decision to reject an application from Qatar Airways to increase its quota of flights to Australia as it is stifling competition.

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New ballot language submitted for proposed changes to Arkansas Freedom of Information Act – Mountain Home Observer

Posted: at 11:54 pm

A nonpartisan group of government transparency advocates has revised its proposal for a citizen-initiated act that would alter the states Freedom of Information Act.

On Thursday, Arkansas Citizens for Transparency again submitted ballot language for the proposed 2024 initiative. Attorney General Tim Griffinrejected a previous iterationof the popular name and ballot title on Monday, saying it lacked enough clarity and parts of it would be unconstitutional.

The revised Arkansas Government Transparency Act did not fulfill Griffins request for more detailed definitions of public meeting and communication between members of a governing body. The proposed definitions are part of ACTs efforts to codify a definition of a public meeting, which has long been unclear and frustrating to members of government and the news media, and broaden the legal definitions of a governing body and communication among members.

The new ballot language did include a definition of government transparency, the governments obligation to share information with citizens. Griffin previously said this term needed a definition in his rejection of both the first proposed act and acompanion amendmentthat would enshrine the right to government transparency into the state Constitution.

ACT disagreed and defended its use of the phrase in its submission to Griffins office Thursday.

As you can see, there is no better word to encompass the breadth of rights we are addressing than transparency, the group said in its email provided to the Arkansas Advocate. The other synonyms do not fully embrace meetings, records, and notice.

Another change to the proposal is the addition of a section that would specify how records custodians must contact requesters and inform them whether the records are disclosable or not.

The proposed act would also:

ACT formed in response to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signing of a law enacted during a special session in September thatshields the security records in questionfrom public access. Sanders advocated forseveral more exemptionsto the FOIA that metbipartisan pushbackand did not advance in the Legislature.

The act would also create the Arkansas Government Transparency Commission to help citizens enforce their right to obtain public records and observe public meetings. The initial proposal sought to put some appointments to the commission in the hands of the Arkansas Supreme Court, but Griffin wrote Monday that requiring justices to appoint commissioners violates the separation of powers clause in the state Constitution.

The revised proposal would instead require the Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Senate Minority Leader, the House Minority Leader and the Lieutenant Governor to each appoint a commissioner.

The act would also put the commission in charge of handling challenges to FOIA requests from records custodians. The previous version of the proposal would have given circuit courts this responsibility, but Griffin said this would have violated Arkansas ConstitutionalAmendment 80, which governs procedural rules of the courts.

ACT submittedfourpossibleballottitles, all worded similarly, to Griffins office with the proposed act. The group did the same thing with itssecond submission of the proposed amendmenton Wednesday.

ACT initially planned to submit only a constitutional amendment but later realized that it would best be able to create enforceable government transparency policy by proposing an act to amend the FOIA and an amendment that would make the Constitution support the law, theytold an audiencein November.

Griffin has until Jan. 8 to approve or reject the new amendment proposal and Jan. 9 to approve or reject the new act proposal.

With Griffins approval, ACT may begin canvassing the state for signatures from registered voters with a deadline of July 5 for the measures to qualify for the ballot. 90,704 signatures are required for proposed constitutional amendments, and 72,563 signatures are required for initiated acts.

Both the act and amendment would go into effect Nov. 6, 2024, the day after the general election.

Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. This article was published with permission from the Arkansas Advocate. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: [emailprotected]. Follow Arkansas Advocate on Facebook and Twitter.

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New ballot language submitted for proposed changes to Arkansas Freedom of Information Act - Mountain Home Observer

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Irene Crcoles releases ‘Closet’, a single that screams freedom – WECB

Posted: at 11:54 pm

Irene Corcoles it show us Closet, his latest single in which he shouts out the freedom of feeling free to love anyone, leaving behind what they will say. The young singer from Alicante releases her fifth single to say goodbye to the year and position herself as one of the emerging artists with the most projection on social networks.

With lyrics in English and a video clip in which she gives off a very good vibe while doing the laundry, Irene exposes how outdated the step of coming out is but that, on many occasions, it is still something necessary for people in the that you surround yourself with, just accept who you are.

The one from Alicante moves between several genres, but above all pop and rock and usually combines Spanish with English. Without a doubt, one of the strong and distinct points of her as an artist is that, despite her youth, she is very clear about the messages and values that she wants to transmit with her music. Among the topics that she usually discusses are, for example, mental health or overcoming personal challenges.

Before ClosetIrene launched 5015in reference to his casting number Operation Triunfo 2023 and that has managed to have a great impact on TikTok, with more than a hundred videos with the audio of the song. In fact, ones own Ruslanacontestant of O.T.created a dance for the social network trend.

140k views on spotify!! THANK YOU #ot2023 #5015irene #otcastingfinal #otgala3 #trend #parati #viral #operaciontriunfo

5015 Irene Crcoles

Irene Corcoles was one of the thousands of people who showed up in the summer for the casting of Triumph operationHowever, she was one of the lucky few who achieved the Prime Pass and made it to the final phases. And in one of the many tests that the contestants have to do, the woman from Alicante was the protagonist of a funny anecdote that went viral on TikTok.

After the performances of several colleagues, it was finally Irenes turn who, before starting to sing, introduced herself with this particular confession: My name is Irene Crcoles. I am from the Pase Prime generation, although today I forgot my neck brace at home. Its just that I got up at six in the morning. Oh, my goodness! But it doesnt matterBut here I am! Lets go for it.

As @NoeGalera says: What an edition awaits us! #OTValencia #OTCasting2023 #MusicaEnTikTok

original sound Operacin Triunfo

What Noemi Galeracasting and Academy director, responded with: Get ready for an incredible edition!

Finally, Irene Corcoles failed to enter Operation Triunfo 2023 but with his recent singles he is showing that he has plenty of talent and that he can go very far with his music.

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Irene Crcoles releases 'Closet', a single that screams freedom - WECB

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FIA consider more freedom in technical regulations – The Judge 13

Posted: at 11:54 pm

Once upon a time a motor mechanic had a wonderful opportunity ahead of him as he pondered designing a racing car. When Formula One was created in 1950, the technical rule book was very simple, such the regulations could have been written on a playing card.

Engine specs set at 1500cc maximum size for engines with acomplressor (supercharger or turbocharger) or 4500cc for naturally aspirated engines. No weight limit either minimum or maximum. Then in 1952 crash helmets were introduced as mandatory but were made from dubious materials and often looked like a soup bowl.

In 1958 commercial petrol became mandatory and alcohol-based racing fuels were banned. The 1960s began in very much the same fashion with a light touch rule book but already huge innovation was taking place.

Cooper built their T51 machine in 1950 where the horse was place behind the cart rather than in front. Rear engines were born. This stopped the drive train having to stretch the length of the car and the weight at the rear created a better balance and more grip for Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss.

Winning five rounds in 59 handed Cooper the constructors title and the enhanced T53 machine won both championships the following year. By 1961 there were no F1 teams running engines placed in the front of the car.

The FIA rule book expanded between 1961 and 1965 to include engine specs amended to a naturally aspirated engine of between 1300cc and 1500cc, no compressors allowed, minimum weight set at 450kg, open wheels mandated, pump fuel only, automatic starter, roll bar required, double braking system mandatory, standardised seatbelt anchorage, fire protection for fuel tanks, fillers and breathers.

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Also safety inspections began to be organised which were previously done by local racing authorities, protective helmet and overalls are now obligatory and a flag signalling code is established.

1962 was another big year for innovation as Colin Chapman built the first monocoque chassis racing car the type 25. Rather than rely on a segmented steel spaceframe, off which components such as the suspension mounting points and fuel tanks could later be hung, he instead created a bathtub-like chassis that incorporated their installation from the off.

The chassis weighed a remarkable 30kg but was much more rigid allowing suspension setups to run more softly and the type 25 was very kind to its tyres.

In the run up to the end of the 1960s, engine power was increased as was weight to 500kg, included were electrical circuit breaker, reverse gear, oil catch tank, a rollbar 5cm above drivers head, two-part extinguisher system and cockpit designed for quick evacuation recommendations were made on seat harnesses, fire-resistant clothing and shatterproof visors. Straw bales were banned from being used as safety barriers in response to Lorenzo Bandinis fatal accident in Monaco in 1967.

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Then in 1968 Colin Chapman nailed it once again and ushered in the new era of Formula One where aerodynamics ruled the roost and the FIA was continually trying to control its use.

Chapman pinched an idea thought to have been pioneered by Texan racer Jim Hall Chaparral 2E and 2F sports car creations. The notion used to lift aeroplanes off the ground was inverted to force the cars to stick to the ground even better.

Entering F1 was front and rear wings and the never engine hunt ever since for more downforce. Chapmans Lotus 49B sprouted a ducktail rear deck for the 1968 Monaco Grand Prix, with driver Graham Hill chalking pole position and the race win.

Brabham and Ferrari returned fire at the Belgium Grand Prix mounting full width wings on struts before Chapman hit back with a rear spoiler sitting atop 4 foot long poles bolt4ed directly to the suspension. However, the extra axis movement stressed the rear setup too much and the wings collapsed at the Spanish Grand Prix leaving Graham Hill and Jochen Rindt relieved to survive two major crashes.

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This was the first time the FIA stepped in and by using the technical regulations they banned all moveable aerodynamic features (thereby banning air brakes) and fixed to a sprung part of the car, maximum bodywork height and width restrictions ban the use of dangerous high wings.

The battle then commenced between the FIA and the teams as they each sought to outmanoeuvre the other. Even during the 2023 season the FIA issued a technical directive aimed at preventing flexing bodywork which found its roots back in Chapmans 1968 innovations.

Formula One is not a spec racing series like IndyCar, where the cars a pretty much all the same. The sport has always been proud of its tradition of innovation and each year teams build prototype racing cars with around 20,000 components.

But the regulations have grown and grown over the years and now make up a lengthy tome and some feel there sport is too restrictive something the FIA is also now considering.

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Nikolas Tombazis who heads up the FIA single seater commission and runs F1 on a day to day basis believes there would be benefits should the FIA move along this pathway.

There is a fine line between too much limitation and clearly this is a technological sport, and has to remain so, he said.

But on that side, with too much freedom, there is then potentially very big gaps between the cars, and thats a very difficult line to follow.

Clearly, if you ask an engineer from a team they will say its too much limitation. Im an engineer myself, I would love it if all cars were a complete technological battle. But we do need to consider that theres other factors at play that are important for the sport.

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Additionally, compared to the older days, when maybe there was a bit more freedom, we have financial regulations and we have to also try to limit some of the activities that take place.

Mercedes decade of dominance was setup by the parent company investing a reported whopping $1bn in the all new hybrid engines for 2014. Their power unit was significantly better than the rest and this advantage remained for a considerable number of years.

Tombazis addresses this state of affairs noting, you could have teams building some advantage through an R&D project of some sort, and then having an advantage for a long, long time to come, with no chance of other teams catching up with restrictive regulations.

So, theres this line between freedom and having a competitive championship, plus the financial regulations put us in a very small spot. So, I dont think theres a perfect answer.

To improve overtaking further, moveable aerodynamic parts are on the agenda for the 2026 regulations though how they will be used, is not clear at present. This will see a regulation set in 1969 changed for the first time since Colin Chapman fitted his silly looking rear wings on 4 foot long poles.

READ MORE: Hamilton skips Mercedes duties and questions Russell

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FIA consider more freedom in technical regulations - The Judge 13

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