7 May
Friday, November 3, 2006
On November 13, Torontonians will be heading to the polls to vote for their ward’s councillor and for mayor. Among Toronto’s ridings is Don Valley West (Ward 25). Three candidates responded to Wikinews’ requests for an interview. This ward’s candidates include John Blair, Robertson Boyle, Tony Dickins, Cliff Jenkins (incumbent), and Peter Kapsalis.
For more information on the election, read Toronto municipal election, 2006.
7 May
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Pembroke Pines, Florida teenager killed himself Wednesday, November 19, while broadcasting on the live video site Justin.tv. After making suicide threats and being encouraged by Justin.tv viewers and Bodybuilding.com forum members, Abraham K. Biggs, 19, committed suicide by taking an overdose of opiates and benzodiazepine, which had been prescribed for his bipolar disorder.
Biggs first began blogging about his planned suicide 12 hours before the actual event. He died after taking pills and lying on the bed in front of the webcam. After the broadcast, viewers who apparently thought it was a hoax posted messages such as “OMG”, “LOL”, and “hahahah”.
Hours later, after being alerted by viewers who had noticed that Biggs had stopped breathing, law enforcement and paramedics arrived, discovered his body, and covered the camera. The Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office has reportedly confirmed Biggs’ death.
According to Montana Miller of the Bowling Green State University, the circumstances of this case were not shocking: “If it’s not recorded or documented, then it doesn’t even seem worthwhile. For today’s generation it might seem, ‘What’s the point of doing it if everyone isn’t going to see it?'”
Biggs’ sister Rosalind was angry that neither the website nor its viewers reacted soon enough to save him. “They got hits, they got viewers, nothing happened for hours,” she said. She described him as “very happy” and “friendly and outgoing.” “On a normal day, you couldn’t really tell that he got as low as he did.” However, he did have relationship problems with his girlfriend, according to a friend.
Mental health professionals have warned about the possibility that other mentally troubled people would copy his actions. According to Dr. David Shaffer of Columbia University, “Any video showing it as heroic or romantic or glamorous could reduce the anxiety people might feel about suicide. It becomes a respectable behavior and lowers the threshold of suicide.” He and other psychiatrists recommend that potentially suicidal teens talk to others and “tell what’s going on.”
7 May
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
On Tuesday, Juventud Rebelde reported that the Central Administration of Cuba is organizing a migration to free and open source software. The announcement was made during a free software workshop organized at the “Convención Internacional Informática 2005” by the director of the state office of information technology, Roberto del Puerto.
The plan is to use the Linux operating system as a base, though the administration currently uses Microsoft Windows. The transition is planned to be slow and involves organizational changes, development and creating a legal framework.
The Linux user base in Cuba is around 1,500 people and has its own Linux distribution. Cuba also has some free software developers and the University of Information Science, with over 6,000 students, has committed one department for the development of programs for Linux which is a good move towards open source
6 May
By Carrie Reeder
Subprime lenders finance high risk groups to enable them to buy a home. While you need to be aware of predatory lending practice, by researching lenders you can find a mortgage loan at a reasonable rate.
Bad Credit Factors
Before you sign up with a subprime lender, be sure that you truly have bad credit. There are five factors that determine your credit score: payment history, credit history, amount owed, types of credit, and new credit. Each of these factors are weighted differently, so a series of late payments on one account may be offset by low debt, no new credit inquires, and other factors.
A FICO score less than 570 will require you to use a subprime lender. However, you may be able to still use a traditional mortgage lender by providing a large down payment, qualifying you for lower interest rates.
Subprime Financing Versus Predatory Lenders
Subprime lenders offer genuine financing so you can purchase your home and repay your loan. Predatory lenders seek to strip your home equity, charge excessive interest rate, and foreclose on your home.
Predatory lenders will often list their site on public forums in an effort to lure unsuspecting victims. They will also make claims that they are the only ones who will lend to you or that they can fix all your credit problems. Also, beware of lenders that insist you work with a particular contractor or real estate agent.
Finding A Good Subprime Lender
To find a good subprime lender, use an online mortgage broker who will give you quotes from several different lenders. Compare rates and fees to see which are the most reasonable. Also ask lenders if they are approved by HUD. With poor credit, you may qualify for government mortgage insurance.
You should also determine what you can afford to pay monthly and not feel pressured to borrow more than that. If you are concerned about monthly payments, look at an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), which offers low interest rates initially. An ARM is also easier to qualify for. However, a fixed rate mortgage offers long term predictability on how much your monthly payments will be.
About the Author: See my recommended Subprime Mortgage Lenders online. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help with loans for people with bad credit.
Source: isnare.com
Permanent Link: isnare.com/?aid=22838&ca=Finances
5 May
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Peace activist Cindy Sheehan, who recently announced her intention to run as the Peace and Freedom Party’s nominee for governor of California in 2014, took some time to answer five questions from Wikinews reporter William S. Saturn.
Sheehan is best known for her active opposition to the War in Iraq following the loss of her son Casey there in 2004. In protest of the war, she set up camp outside President George W. Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas, demanding a pullout of U.S. troops and prosecution of Bush administration officials for war crimes. According to her website, Sheehan also advocates revolutionary socialism, believing it to be key to loosening the “Imperialist/Capitalist two-party stranglehold” on U.S. and world politics.
This campaign is not Sheehan’s first foray into electoral politics. In 2008, she challenged then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for Congress, finishing second in a field of seven candidates. During the campaign, she championed the reduction of U.S. troops abroad, and endorsed economic democracy, bank nationalization, single-payer health care, education subsidies, marijuana decriminalization, alternative fuels, and electoral reform. In 2012, she ran as the vice presidential nominee of the Peace and Freedom Party on a similar platform. The party promotes socialism, feminism, and environmentalism.
Other gubernatorial candidates include Governor Jerry Brown of the Democratic Party, former Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado of the Republican Party, and 2012 Justice Party vice presidential nominee Luis J. Rodriguez of the Green Party.
With Wikinews, Sheehan discusses third party politics and her campaign and governing strategy, and assesses past governors of California, including Brown.
3 May
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Renowned University of Michigan college football coach Bo Schembechler, died Friday at the age of 77.
Schembechler collapsed at the studios of WXYZ-TV after taping a TV show on the eve of the Wolverines’ No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown with perennial rival Ohio State. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he died at 11:42 a.m. “The electrical part of the heart was working fine but the mechanical part was not working,” said Dr. Shukri David, the head of cardiology at Providence Hospital. “The heart was sending signals to the heart muscle to contract. The muscle was not responding.”
Schembechler had a heart attack on the eve of his first Rose Bowl in 1970 and another one in 1987. He had two quadruple heart-bypass operations, and doctors implanted a pacemaker to regulate his heartbeat after he became ill during a taping at WXYZ on Oct. 20.
“This is a tremendous shock and an irreplaceable loss,” University of Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman said at a news conference at Providence Hospital in Southfield, where the coach died.
The seven-time Big Ten coach of the year compiled a 194-48-5 record at Michigan from 1969-89. Schembechler’s record in 26 years of coaching was 234-65-8.
3 May
Itchy Penis Coping Strategies Do s and Don ts of Penis Care
by
John Dugan
In spite of the obvious pleasures that come from having a penis, most men are occasionally bothered by unpleasant problems like chafing, itching, redness, soreness, and general discomfort. An itchy penis is no joke, especially when a twitch in the boxers leaves men with an unbearable urge to scratch or readjust the package at the most inopportune times during a high-stakes interview or in the middle of a steamy date, for example.
Men who are affected by itching on a regular basis may feel frustrated and embarrassed, but in most cases, the cause is simple and easily addressed. Following the right steps to maintain penis skin health can help to relieve the discomfort and irritation.
What causes an itchy penis?
Penis itching can be caused by multiple issues, from dry skin to a coating of sweat and body oils to allergies or infections. Some common causes of itching include hygiene-related issues, overly dry skin related to aggressive masturbation, reactions to a lube or a partner s body fluids, sensitivity to the chemicals in lotions or soaps, or penis allergies to fabrics, environmental materials or latex.
Soothing the itch do s and don ts
When the urge to scratch comes around, there are wrong ways and right ways to deal with it. Following these rules can help to soothe the irritation and prevent further problems from developing.
DON T scratch. While the need to rub and tear at the offending area may be overwhelming, scratching provides only moments of relief, and it can make the problem much worse. Scratching damages the skin, leaving room for infections to take hold, and if contact with an irritant is the problem, scratching tends to spread the material around and increase the itch rather than relieve it.
DO identify the source If sensitivity or a penis allergy to something in the environment is causing the problem, it is important to identify it and avoid contact whenever possible. Some potential culprits include synthetic fabrics, rough clothing, plants such as poison ivy or poison oak, and latex condoms. Latex allergies, in particular, are problematic for many men, even those who have used condoms without incident in the past.
DON T ignore open sores or blisters
If the itching and burning is accompanied by redness, open sores, blisters or other visible blemishes, it is a bad idea to assume that they will go away on their own. Skin lesions and bumps can be symptomatic of an underlying condition that may require medical treatment.
DO see your doctor
Although most men tend to resist the idea of talking to a relative stranger about embarrassing skin problems, doctors have seen and heard it all and are able to view and discuss penis health in a matter-of-fact way. Skin itching and irritation may be caused by an infection or STD that requires medical treatment, so it is essential to get a professional opinion.
DO use a penis health cream as part of the daily care routine
For men who have sensitive skin that is prone to drying, itching and irritation, special attention to penis care can help to alleviate the symptoms when they occur and boost the skin s resistance to future problems.
To start with, keeping the area clean is essential. Washing away built-up dead skin cells, body oils and sweat can help to prevent chafing and irritation, and keeping the area well moisturized leaves skin soft, supple and well-hydrated. Skin that is moisturized is more resistant to irritation and infection. Use of an all-natural penis health cream (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) enriched with vitamins, amino acids and minerals, as well as natural emollients such as shea butter, is an effective way to promote soft, healthy skin.
For additional information on most common
penis health issues
, tips on improving penis sensitivity, and what to do to maintain a healthy penis, visit:
penishealth101.com
. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men’s health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous online web sites.
Article Source:
Itchy Penis Coping Strategies Do s and Don ts of Penis Care
2 May
Monday, February 12, 2007
Cars drove home the big prize last night, from the 34th Annual Annie Awards. The animation industry’s highest honor, ASIFA-Hollywood’s Annies recognise contributions to animation, writing, directing, storyboarding, voice acting, composing, and much more.
As mentioned, Pixar took home the big prize last night, after facing stiff competition from four other Happy Feet, Monster House, Open Season, and Over the Hedge.
But the biggest winner of the night didn’t get a “Best Animated Feature” nod at all. Flushed Away won five feature animation categories including Animated Effects (Scott Cegielski), Character Animation (Gabe Hordos), Production Design (Pierre-Olivier Vincent), Voice Acting (Sir Ian McKellan as Toad), Writing (Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais, Chris Lloyd, Joe Keenan, and Will Davies).
Over The Hedge won awards for Directing (Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick), Storyboarding (Gary Graham), and Character Design (Nicolas Marlet).
Of little surprise, Randy Newman won an Annie for Cars in the “Music in an Animated Feature Production” category. Newman has won many Oscars for his movie music, and has a nomination this year for the song “Our Town”. Newman didn’t attend the Annies, instead picking up a Grammy for “Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media”.
DisneyToon Studios’ Bambi II won “Best Home Entertainment Production”, while “Best Animated Short Subject” went to Blue Sky Studios’ No Time For Nuts, which is based on Ice Age.
“Best Animated Video Game” went to Flushed Away The Game, while a United Airlines ad named “Dragon” won a “Best Animated Television Commercial” Annie for DUCK Studios.
28 Apr
Saturday, December 26, 2009
A metal guard rail slicing into a bus killed ten people today in an overnight crash in Ipoh, Malaysia. Three more were injured with one hospitalised when the double-decker Sani Express struck the rail at 1 a.m. this morning with 48 passengers on board.
The vehicle was en route to the northern destination of Perlis from the central state of Selangor when it crashed in Perak on the North-South Expressway, which runs the length of the country. The victims were on the lower deck when the vehicle skidded, struck and was ripped open on the left-hand side by the rail before swerving across the road to rest against the central divider. Of the ten killed, the youngest was fourteen and the oldest 64. The victim hospitalised has four broken ribs.
The bus driver had prior traffic offense convictions, although the bus had not been in any incidents with the police. Police arrested him, noting he was not drunk or on drugs, and he has been remanded in custody until Wednesday. He admits that he fell asleep just before the crash.
Press photographs showed the left side of the bus had been torn open along the bottom of the lower deck for most of its length, and bodies covered with newspaper lying in front of the vehicle.
Perak saw another major bus crash two years ago on the same highway. 22 people were killed in that crash, which remains the nation’s worst bus accident.
26 Apr
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Recently, Finnish open-source video game developer Perttu Ahola discussed Minetest, his “longest ever project”, with Wikinews.
Started in October 2010, Minetest was an attempt by Ahola to create a sandbox game similar to Minecraft. Minecraft is a multi-platform commercial game, which was in alpha version when Ahola challenged himself to create something similar to it from scratch, he told Wikinews.
Minetest is an open-source game, which is free for anyone to download and play. It is written in the C++ programming language, and the source code is available on code-hosting site GitHub. According to Ahola, Minetest attempts to run on older hardware, with limited graphics, but to be accessible to more people: those who have outdated technology, and making it available for no cost. Minecraft, on the other hand, is a paid game, currently costing USD 26.95 for its computer version. Minecraft is currently owned by Microsoft, and performs poorly on older hardware.
A correspondent from French Wikinews contacted Perttu Ahola via Internet Relay Chat a few weeks ago, discussing Minecraft. This interview is built on top of the previous interview, as we take a deeper dive into knowing more about this free game which is about to turn ten years old in a few months.