Category Archives: Progress

McClatchy Washington Bureau

Thai police say they made progress in ivory trade crackdown McClatchy Washington Bureau Efforts by Thailand's government to curb sales of ivory have been successful following criticism of widespread trafficking in the country, police and conservationists said. Police announced Friday that since January, officials have seized two elephant ... and more »

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Thai police say they made progress in ivory trade crackdown - McClatchy Washington Bureau

What:University of Minnesota Board of Regents meeting When:9 a.m., Wednesday, July 12, 2017 Where:Sixth floor, McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. S.E., Minneapolis

Throughout the 2016-17 academic year, the University of Minnesota system continued to make positive gains toward the vast majority of measures in the University Progress Card, a robust tool used to track progress on high-level institutional goals.

Regents will receive the second annual update on Progress Card focus areas, adopted in October 2015, at their meeting next week.

The Progress Card outlines strategically measurable goals called Gold measures that establish an at-a-glance road map for the future. It also provides insights into important trends called Maroon measures that are a signal of institutional strength, but the University does not solely influence their progress.

While multi-year trends will develop as tracking continues, several Gold measures had year over year gains. These include, among others:

Among the Maroon measures with positive trends are the 3-year graduation rate for Twin Cities campus transfer students (62.4%), lowering of the median undergraduate debt at graduation for students system-wide by .5 percent or $131, and 17 percent more Minnesota Innovation (MN-IP) agreements (81).

Were encouraged that the great majority of Progress Card measures are moving in the right direction, said President Eric Kaler. Tracking our progress in this way makes a meaningful difference and it helps document the undeniable upward trajectory of the University toward increased excellence.

More alumni, more engagement With 571,000 alumni system-wide, the Universitys Alumni Association (UMAA) serves as a key connector between graduates and their alma mater.

In their annual update to the Board, UMAA leaders will outline how alumni engage with the U of M through a variety of experiences, including the growing corporate alumni networks. Presenters will also highlight the positive effect alumni have on the Universitys mission, and discuss plans to further strengthen engagement in the coming year.

The Board will also: Receive an annual update on Gopher Athletics. Among the areas Athletics Director Mark Coyle will highlight are student-athlete academic success, athletic accomplishments, the departments budget, facilities and fundraising. Discuss UMore Park. Regents will consider the first planned sale of land for residential development, including the parcel size and general timeline to complete the sale, among other updates. Recognize retiring Rochester campus Chancellor Stephen Lehmkuhle and introduce new University leaders, including Crookston campus Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause, Vice President of Information Technology and CIO Bernard Gulacheck and Humphrey School of Public Affairs Dean Laura Bloomberg.

The full Board meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Regents will hold their summer retreat immediately following. More information, including meeting times and locations, can be found on the Regents website.

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U of M continues progress toward key goals - UMN News

Named one of the best books of the year by The Economist

"Persuasive." The Wall Street Journal

"His unfailing optimism and well-argued points generate powerful good-news vibes." Esquire(UK)

"Norberg has a strong case and he makes it with energy and charm. A pertinent book for grumpy times." Sunday Times (UK)

"Johan Norberg chronicles the still largely unknown fact that humanity is now healthier, happier, cleaner, cleverer, freer and more peaceful than ever before. He also explains why in this superb book." Matt Ridley, author of The Evolution of Everything

"At a time of profound pessimism, Johan Norberg is refreshingly, but not glibly, optimistic. His excellent book documents the dramatic improvements in peoples lives and reminds us of the huge potential for further progress provided we are open to it." Philippe Legrain, author of European Spring

"An exhilarating book. With the combination of arresting stories and striking data, Progress will change your understanding about where weve come from and where we may be heading." Steven Pinker, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature

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Progress: Ten Reasons to Look Forward to the Future - amazon.com

"Asian actors want to play the lead, the romantic character, the hero, just like everyone else," Tan told CNN.

And like most Asian and Asian American actors, Tan has had to battle stereotypes.

"We're cast as ninjas, monks, nerds, the third, fourth, fifth best friend who is a nerd, killers, doctors and for women, the sexy Asian woman who's dating a white guy," Tan quipped.

The actor, who is of Chinese, Singaporean and British descent, most recently starred as Zhou Cheng in the Netflix series "Iron Fist."

The action-packed show follows the adventures of a martial artist who possesses a mystical force.

Yet the central role went to white actor, Finn Jones, to the dismay of some viewers who wanted to see Tan in the part even though the character in the comic "Iron Fist" isn't Asian.

Regardless, Tan considers his role on the show a win.

"It's an exciting time in a lot of ways because things are opening up," Tan said. "There was a time when things weren't as open for [Asian actors], so it's exciting for me to see actors being booked and called in for roles."

To date, the call for increased diversity in the film and television industry has primarily focused on opportunities for African American, Latino and LGBT creatives, with artists of Asian descent somewhat ignored.

That felt evident to some at the 2016 Academy Awards.

Even as #OscarsSoWhite took center stage, host Chris Rock made a joke using three Asian child actors that resulted in two dozen Asian members of the Academy crafting an open letter demanding an apology.

There has been some notable progress with portrayals in Aziz Ansari's critically acclaimed Netflix series "Master of None" and ABC's sitcom-hit "Fresh Off The Boat," but other projects showcase the challenges many Asian performers still face.

Actors Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park departed the CBS drama "Hawaii Five-0" last week over a reported pay disparity between the actors and their white co-stars.

"The path to equality is rarely easy," Kim wrote in a Facebook post about leaving the show. "But I hope you can be excited for the future. I am."

"As an Asian American actor, I know first-hand how difficult it is to find opportunities at all, let alone play a well developed, three dimensional character like Chin Ho," he also said. "I will miss him sincerely."

Tan, who spoke to CNN prior to Kim and Park leaving their show, said while he'd like to see even more opportunities for actors of Asian descent, he applauds the inclusion of people of color period.

"I want to see everyone rise," he said. "I think we all will have our time, if we push it, if we do the work and if we make our voices heard."

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Beyond 'nerds' and 'ninjas,' slow progress for Asian actors in ... - CNN

Since April, DeKalb County has reviewed and released8,000 water bills it identified as inaccurate last fall. Only 20 bills have been disputed - progress for a county trying to resolve a problema decade in the making, CEO Michael Thurmond said at a meeting with county commissioners on Thursday.

Homeowners received incorrect bills for thousands of dollars.

Some of those disputes are the result ofstartlingly high bills, but Thurmond reassured customers that they will not be penalized for any errors DeKalb made in billing.

The county is focusing on billing for only the most current billing period as they await an official solution for backbilling. Our goal is to have our 184,000 customers receiving regular bills monthly or bimonthly. No decision has been made by administration about backbilling, Thurmond said.

>> Subscribers can read more about the updates inDeKalb water billing crisis at myajc.com

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DeKalb County makes progress in water billing crisis - AJC.com - Atlanta Journal Constitution

WASHINGTON ( The Borowitz Report )Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is being dispatched to Pyongyang in what the White House is calling a high-stakes mission to reverse North Koreas years of progress in math and science.

DeVos, who is expected to arrive in Pyongyang later this week, plans to throw a monkey wrench in North Koreas swiftly advancing nuclear program by replacing its current system of training scientists with a dizzying array of vouchers, sources said.

According to the White House, it is hoped that, after a few weeks in North Korea, DeVos will succeed in returning that nations nuclear program to pre-1970 levels.

At a press briefing announcing the mission, the White House deputy press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, called DeVos our nations best bet to stop North Korea.

If anyone can get North Koreas missiles to start blowing up on the launchpad again, its Betsy, Sanders said.

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Betsy DeVos Heads to North Korea to Reverse Its Progress in Math and Science - The New Yorker (satire)

ST. PAUL, Minn. Family and friends of Philando Castile on Thursday marked the one-year anniversary of his fatal shooting during a routine traffic stop, organizing vigils and celebrations and pushing to name a new police training fund in his memory.

Castile, a 32-year-old school cafeteria worker, was shot to death by St. Anthony police Officer Jeronimo Yanez last July 6, seconds after informing Yanez that he was carrying a gun. Castile had a gun permit. Yanez was acquitted of manslaughter last month after testifying that Castile ignored his commands not to pull out the gun.

It was the second, high-profile fatal shooting of a Black man by Minnesota police officers in less than a year, exacerbating divides between law enforcement and the black community. It followed the November 2015 death of 24-year-old Jamar Clark, who was shot and killed by Minneapolis police officers after what onlookers described as a struggle.

The officers involved in that shooting were not charged. Castiles shooting drew immediate attention because his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, livestreamed the aftermath on Facebook. She was in the car with her then-4-year-old daughter.

Castiles mother, uncle and other family members gathered with Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton at the Capitol Thursday as they encouraged the states police training board to name the recently created $12 million training fund after Castile. His family members sounded both somber about his death and hopeful that such shootings can be prevented in the future.

This is not about my son anymore, said Valerie Castile, his mother. This is about the next generation of children.

Minnesotas Legislature set aside $12 million this year to help better train police officers in diverse communities, though its up to the states Peace Officer Standards and Training Board to formally name that fund. The specifics of the training would be also be worked out by the board itself, in conjunction with individual departments. Castiles family will have a say because Dayton appointed Clarence Castile, Philando Castiles uncle, to the 15-member board.

Dayton, who drew criticism last year for quickly suggesting Castiles race was a primary factor in his death, called it among the most traumatic events he has dealt with in his nearly seven years in office.

I believe this is a very positive step forward to begin healing, Dayton said Thursday. We have a responsibility, all of us who are in public service, to bring Minnesotans together.

Castiles family members planned to gather Thursday evening in Falcon Heights, the suburb where he was shot, for whats billed as a day of love and healing. It includes a candlelight vigil near the shooting scene. The family also plans a lantern release Friday night.

Castiles girlfriend is hosting an event Thursday afternoon in St. Paul. (AP)

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Vigils note progress a year after Castile shooting - The Philadelphia Tribune

By Aiofe White and Stephanie Bodoni

Google could see more fines from European Union antitrust regulators this year as probes into its AdSense advertising service and Android mobile-phone software near their end, three people familiar with the cases said just a week after the company was hit with a record penalty for its shopping-search services.

Both are at advanced stages, though the Android case may not be concluded until later this year, according to one of the people, who all spoke on condition of anonymity.

Alphabets Google is the EUs highest-profile antitrust target, with probes on three fronts occupying regulators for as long as seven years. EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has called 2017 her G year during which she would seek to nail decisions against the search-engine giant. European politicians have urged the EU to sanction Google or even break it up while U.S. critics claim regulators are unfairly targeting successful American firms.

Reuters reported earlier that regulators are seeking expert advice in the Android investigation to check their case, a sign that they may be trying to test possible flaws in the case before moving toward a final decision.

The European Commission and Google both declined to comment.

High Stakes

Vestager has set high stakes for Google to comply with an EU order accompanying last months 2.4 billion-euro ($2.7 billion) penalty. Shes warned of additional fines if it wont stop systematically favoring its own price-comparison-shopping service in its general search results. Google has until late August to make changes that satisfy the EU. Shes also threatened further probes on travel or map services.

Google has strongly criticized the Android case, saying the EU is putting at risk its strategy of giving away mobile-phone software which lowers costs for customers. The company says the strict conditions it sets on apps ensure that Android phones and software work smoothly together. The EU said last year that Googles restrictive contracts unfairly require phone makers to install Google apps. Regulators also raised concerns about how telecom operators are paid to put Google search on devices.

The company was also accused last year of hindering competition for online ads over its AdSense for Search Product. The EU criticized unfair restrictions in contracts for placing ads on websites including retailers, telecommunications operators and newspapers. The company prevented customers from accepting rival search ads from 2006 and maintained restrictions on how competitors ads were displayed when it altered contracts in 2009.

Fines arent inevitable. Companies can placate regulators by offering changes that resolve antitrust issues. Google attempted to strike such a settlement for the shopping search case in 2012 but ran into opposition from rivals who protested at paying to appear in Googles promoted shopping ads at the top of the search screen.

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Google's fine said to be only the start as EU probes progress - The Mercury News

Censor, directed and produced by Peter Kerekes, and written by Ivan Ostrochovsky, has won the 14th edition of the Karlovy Vary Film Festivals Works in Progress competition, which is open to projects from Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Turkey, Greece and former Soviet territories.

The jury, which consisted of Iole Maria Giannattasio, directorate general for cinema at the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Activities and Tourism (MiBACT), producer Cedomir Kolar from A.S.A.P. Films, and Susana Santos Rodrigues, a film programmer, distributor, producer and co-founder of Vaivem, awarded the prize to the Slovak film for its original and vivid human portrait of a lonely woman.

The film centers on Irina, who works as a censor in a prison in Odessa, Ukraine. She spends eight hours a day in her office reading love letters. Through her, we follow various love affairs that only she can observe, according to a statement. Although she sees how women being used, and how the relationships end in disaster for them, she cannot take any action. She is a single woman and after 12 years of reading love letters full of the lies men tell, she is not capable of any relationship. If a guy on a date says, You are special, she feels sick. But, of course, even she dreams of love.

Eight projects competed and one was selected out-of-competition from 77 projects submitted. The award, which has a total value of Euros 100,000 ($114,000), includes post-production services at UPP and Soundsquare, as well as a Euros 10,000 ($11,400) cash award from Barrandov Studio.

The Stand-In, directed and written by Ra di Martino and produced by Marco Alessi, won the Eurimages Lab Project Award. The prize is for projects that are in production or post-production, and are being made outside the traditional filmmaking framework, and involve international co-operation. Eight projects were considered, selected from 45 submissions from Eurimages countries. The winning project, which received an award of Euros 50,000 ($56,800), was awarded for its ironic visual experimental approach to innovative narrative, and for being an intersection of art and film. The film is a co-production from Italy, France and Morocco.

In the movie a small film crew travel around Marrakech and the surrounding area looking for swimming-pool locations for a remake of an American movie in which a man crosses the county, pool by pool, to reach his home (presumably 1968s The Swimmer, starring Burt Lancaster). The filmmakers rehearse the shots with a stand-in to find the path through the city and the pools that the main actor will run and swim through. As we watch his struggles to become more than just a stand-in, the real actors and film crew burst onto the scene on a set where nobody seems to be in the right place, according to a statement. [It is] a film in search of itself, looking for where the real film is.

Ra di Martinos The Stand-In deconstructs the cinematic boundaries between stand-ins and actors, according to producer Marco Alessi (Photo courtesy of Dugong)

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Peter Kerekes' 'Censor' Wins Karlovy Vary's Works in Progress Contest - Variety

MINNEAPOLIS Talk about a response. Talk aboutprogress.

Columbus Crew SC were able to keep their first clean sheet since late May on Tuesday, beating Minnesota United, 1-0, at TCF Bank Stadium. For Crew SCcoach Gregg Berhalter, the close affair followed his desired script.

We had an objective to make it difficult for Minnesota, Berhalter said. In the first half, we had a goal to get to 0-0at the half, and we did that. We werent pleased with our counterattacking in the first half. We had an opportunity to score two or three goals.

With each team starting with a variation of a five-man back line, midfield possession was scarce. This left the two teams to focus on building through quick transitions. Columbus wereable to capitalize on one such chance in the second half, as Kekuta Manneh struck in the 58th minute on a well-taken low shot from distance.

Manneh's contributions and those of the other Crew SC attackers were not simply in the attack. They also chipped in to the overall solid defensive effort on the day by pressuring Minnesota.

Kekuta, Ola [Kamara], and Ethan [Finlay]did well to close down, Berhalter said. They worked to make it hard on defenders. You can understand why there were times that they didnt have energy for the counterattack.

The focus on the wings and counters madefor an interesting development in Columbus' midfield, which did not allow much up the middle against Minnesota en route to surrendering just one shot on target on the day.

Today was a great testament to our collective work, said Columbus captain Wil Trapp. We had a new lineup, a lot of guys who didnt start. We stayed as cohesive as possible, and thats a lot of work that we put in the training field. Its a mentality, to communicate and have the guynext to yours back.

Among the new pieces in the lineup were Lalas Abubakar, who madehis MLS debut. The rookiewas alongside Nicolai Naess and Alex Crognale, and they all did well to keep the clean sheet despite not having veteran presenceJonathan Mensahto leadthe way.

I think its good, Berhalter said of holding Minnesota scoreless. The thing about us is that we play a certain way that will concede some chances at times. We dont want to give upsilly goals. A lot of the times were the aggressor, looking to stretch the opponent, and sometimes that leaves you vulnerable.

"Tonight, the effort from guys like Abubakar, Crognale, and [Josh] Williams made it a collective effort.

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Columbus Crew SC make defensive progress in win over Minnesota United - MLSsoccer.com