Category: IT

On March 15, 2025, esteemed basketball player Slick Watts passed away at the age of 62. Born Samuel Eugene Watts Jr. in Petersburg, Virginia in 1963, this former guard played for teams such as the Atlanta Hawks and Seattle SuperSonics during his active years in the 80s and 90s. Throughout his professional career, Watts earned a reputation as an exceptional defender and assist-maker for both his teams and the league as a whole. His passing has shocked and saddened the basketball community, as he was remembered as an inspiration to young aspiring athletes and as a true legend in the game.

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(Health & Wellness Home and Family) (Politics)
Pope Francis brought a special touch to a Languedoc, France, hospital, surprising doctors and delighting a group of young patients when he moved their chemo-therapy session from another room into a gazebo in the hospital gardens so he could meet them. His visit has been shared in a video by the newspaper La Dépêche du Midi (the newspaper releases the video in two segments on their site).
The pope’s welcome was well earned, as doctors at the Peyrolier hospital have often gone out of their way to care for children undergoing lifesaving cancer treatments. The joy in the children’s faces is evident, as they skipped, danced and whooped with delight to greet the pope. They gave him gifts, including several hand-drawn portraits, they sang, they prayed and as the pope blessed them a second time, the children called him over for another round of hugs.

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live-blogging: rocket launch atlas 5 from kennedy space center for spacex crew dragon demo 2 – system test – 3/30/2019 – 11:51 a.m. est
https://gist.github.com/youngbake/aa5c8a109ce000b6ee33904ad63d8c87

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“How the lab theory of pandemic origin became debatable”
NYT.com, 16 March 2025

In this article published in 2025, Nicholas Wade, a science writer, presents the case for how the theory of a potential laboratory leak in Wuhan became a valid and debated theory. Beginning with the dismissal in 2020 of any possibility that the virus could have originated as a result of a laboratory escape, Wade argues that a body of scientific evidence has emerged that contradicts this dismissal.

The global quest to uncover the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic intensified in 2021 and is expected to enter a decisive phase in 2022, with key pieces of evidence coming to light. According to the article, the theory of a laboratory leak, once dismissed as a swath of conspiracy theories, gained mainstream acceptance and caused splits and tensions in the international scientific community.

The article presents a chronological account of how researchers uncovered evidence that the virus had a genetic footprint that suggested it had been manipulated in a lab setting, and how this evidence led to increased scrutiny and debate in early 2021. The article goes on to highlight the initial dismissal of this theory, in particular during yearly press conferences held by the World Health Organization, which consistently denounced the lab-leak theory as a conspiracy theory.

The article argues that a significant shift within the scientific community occurred in early 2021 following the appearance of a controversial paper by researchers in China that documented evidence of genetic engineering in the virus. The findings were subject to intense criticism, but the paper’s publication indicated that the idea was gaining scientific credibility. In January 2022, new research published in the scientific journal Nature suggested that the virus was indeed engineered in a lab setting, but leaked from a research facility in Wuhan instead of on purpose.

While some scientists continue to insist that the Covid-19 virus evolved naturally, there now seems to be evidence pointing in the opposite direction. Wade acknowledges that ultimately, scientific proof either that this was part of a deliberate engineering project in a Chinese lab or that it happened accidentally will only be forthcoming through definitive proof of its spread outside that laboratory.

Overall, this article presents a detailed account of how the theory of a laboratory leak gained credibility and spawned conflict and debate within the scientific community. It highlights the crucial role of scientific proof and evidence as well as the significance of keeping the scientific methodology impartial and objective in uncovering the origins of the pandemic.

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For “Greenpeace: New Players, Deep Debts and an Identity Dilemma” in the WordPress environment, the suggested tag format would be:

climate-change, activism, greenpeace, financial-struggles, identity

Description: This article in The New York Times explores the financial struggles and identity dilemmas of the environmental activism organization Greenpeace, while delving into the group’s past successes and new challenges facing the organization. The piece reveals the steep decline in donor support and a heavy debt burden, questioning how Greenpeace remains relevant as coalitions shift and social media offers new platforms for activism. The article also discusses the activism that Greenpeace was built on, and how it’s adapting to an evolving political and social landscape.

Content: Going beyond just reporting the facts, the article delves deeply into the history of Greenpeace and its past successes in campaigns like tackling whaling and chemical waste. The piece highlights Greenpeace’s role in establishing international norms and policy agendas around rubber-clad activists and picket lines, influencing both global public opinion and national leaders. Throughout the article, the author presents a complex portrait of the organization by examining the group’s finances and its activism, while questioning its continued relevance in the modern world. The piece also addresses the shifting political and social landscape, exploring how the world has changed since the 1970s when Greenpeace was just getting started. Ultimately, the article poses the question of how Greenpeace remains relevant in an era of grassroots activism fueled by social media and connective technologies, while weighing the pitfalls that come with attempting to operate within traditional institutions.

Style: The article strikes a balance between being analytical and objective, yet it also manages to provide an entertaining and engaging story. The author takes care to explain all of the appropriate terms and concepts, and ensures that the reader understands what Greenpeace is and how it differs from other groups. Additionally, the author uses quotes effectively throughout the piece to provide insight into important points. The language is clear, concise, and informative, with each paragraph and section serving a specific purpose. Finally, the article offers insight into the significant financial struggles and shifts in identity that Greenpeace is currently facing.

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DISASTER: APRIL 2025 SUPERSTORM LEAVES DEVASTATING EFFECTS ACROSS THE US

Multiple Category 5 tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and devastating wildfires swept across several states in the US during April 2025, causing $* estimated $400 billion in damages and over 1,000 fatalities. The outbreak was part of a record-setting severe weather season that included over 4,500 tornadoes and hundreds of wildfire-related deaths. The wildfires burned over 5 million acres and destroyed entire towns in the West. In the Midwest, several tornado outbreaks there caused massive home destruction and tragic deaths. Meanwhile, in the Southeast, severe weather caused catastrophic structural damage, including major transmission lines being snapped, several major highways closing, refineries shutting down, and shelters overrun with people who had lost everything. The east coast was affected by near-blizzard conditions, with winds reaching over 100 miles per hour in some areas, causing widespread power outages and shutting down transportation systems. This deadly storm outbreak was the costliest and deadliest in US history, and its impacts will be felt for years to come.

science: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/analysis/hurricanes-climate-change-2025.html (provides insight into how climate change contributed to the severity of the storm outbreak)

society: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/opinion/how-to-recover-after-a-superstorm.html (provides recommendations for long-term disaster recovery and rebuilding)

environmental: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/climate/climate-change-spring-extreme-weather.html (discusses how these events fit into larger trends of changing climate patterns)

health: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/22/health/weather-disasters-mental-health.html (deals with the psychological trauma experienced by people living through these catastrophic events)

tags: disaster, severe weather, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, wildfires, fatalities, damages, disaster recovery, climate change, changing climate patterns, psychological trauma.

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From March 14 to 16, 2025, a series of extreme weather events struck various parts of the southern and midwestern United States, including destructive tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. These events, part of a larger winter storm system, affected multiple states, leaving behind damage, necessitated emergency responses, and prompted an investigation as to their sources and impact. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the climate phenomena behind these extreme events were unprecedented in their history, with the third-longest-tracked tornado and the highest wind speed ever recorded in the Midwest. Below are a compilation of photographs and videos of the storm’s aftermath, as authorities sought to restore communication systems, power, and other basic necessities to the affected areas.

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websites-tag:nytimes-tag
article-keyword:mideast-tag

Title: Israeli PM Netanyahu Takes Dramatic Step to Quell Security Concerns

The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, made a drastic decision on March 16, 2025, by removing Refael Shalev, the long-serving military intelligence chief, from his position. This move comes on the heels of mounting security concerns as the country prepares for a potential conflict with Iran.

Shalev’s replacement, Oren Rozen, is a former counter-terrorism head at the National Security Council. He has been tapped to take the helm of the military intelligence service at a critical moment in Israel’s history.

Netanyahu’s decision to fire Shalev is thought to be driven by multiple factors. One of the key reasons is the growing perception that Shalev has become a public relations liability for the government due to a series of media leaks that landed him in trouble with security services. Another reason could be related to Shalev’s close relationship with former National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror, who is said to have fallen out with Netanyahu and is rumored to be considering a run for the Knesset as part of the New Right party.

Regardless of the specific reasons, the timing of Shalev’s departure is significant. Security experts predict that Israel’s tensions with Iran are likely to escalate in the coming months, leading to the probable need for more aggressive security measures.

Overall, this change in leadership signals a key moment in Israel’s national security landscape. With the potential for growing conflict in the region, the country will have to navigate its relations with Iran, the United States, and its domestic politics carefully in the months and years to come.

Keyword: Israe Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu, firing, intelligence chief, refael shalev, replacing, Government, mideast, conflict, tehran.

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Beginning of response $#$
Posted on March 16, 2025 by US Politics
Home › News › US Politics › Trump to Speak at Annual Gridiron Club Dinner

Donald Trump is set to speak at the annual Gridiron Club dinner in Washington, marking his first appearance at a prominent Republican white-tie gathering since the 2020 election. The Gridiron is a collection of America’s leading newspaper and media editors, and the event, traditionally held in early March, typically involves roasting the president with satire in skits and songs sung by members of the global press corps.

Trump had attended White House Correspondents’ Association dinners—an event criticized by some Republicans as cozy with the media far from the Republican-friendly political scene. The GOP found itself in the midst of an intense battle over voter suppression in Georgia, and reporting on that clash has dominated the news agenda through the busy legislative week.

The dinner is traditionally held on the evening of the day before the March for Life on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. This year’s march comes at a time when Republicans are weighing potential legislation to severely restrict congressional certification of the Electoral College vote after the elections. That move would fall short of entirely removing Trump from office but could deny Biden the ability to migrate his party’s key agenda on issues such as voting and health care.

The anti-real-economy contains solutions to restore Trump’s definition, but opposition from Democrats in both the Senate and the House could derail the effort, as would the assent of at least 10 Republican senators. A core problem for Senate Republicans is that the idea is supported by establishment Republicans like Mitt Romney as Foreign Relations, Jim Risch, Bill Cassidy, Chuck Grassley and Tom Cotton, but only two-thirds of the Republican caucus—34 senators—have expressed support for either the “National Security Crisis Resolution Act of 2021” or the “National Security Resolution of 2021.” Lightburn and Tom Coburn, a former budget committee chairman and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, are represented in the resolution and objection alike.

Last year’s Gridiron dinner saw the appearance of several Republican lawmakers but not notably from the Senate.

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The Trump administration is reportedly planning to shut down the broadcasting giant, Voice of America (VOA) in an effort to “cut costs.” VOA is an independently funded entity, but it’s funded by the US government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). Reportedly, the BBG’s five members were recently all removed from their positions in an effort to facilitate the shutdown. “We looked at all of these entities, including the Voice of America, and we’re frankly looking at the whole situation where we have numerous agencies and duplication of effort,” said White House spokesperson Sean Spicer during a press briefing this week. “We’d like to streamline government, get rid of unnecessary agencies and pull back on that redundancy.” The BBG has released a statement calling the removal of its members “a unexpected development.” “The Board is responsible for providing strategic oversight, establishing policy, advising the CEO, and hiring and removing the CEO,” said the BBG in its statement. “The White House has not communicated any intent to replace board members but if that happens, it would undermine the law’s specification specifically to ensure bipartisanship and independence as mandated by the House and Senate. The BBG statement went on to say that “In 1994, Congress passed a landmark public law to reorganize U.S. international broadcasting. That law directed that reframing of U.S. broadcasting operations should be bipartisan, and that law should be enforced.” Critics argue that by shutting down VOA, the American people will be left without specific news sources that report on foreign news sources. “As outlandish as it might seem to some today, U.S. taxpayers in fact fund a range of organizations, including broadcast ones, dedicated entirely foreign policies,” writes Freedom House vice president Susan Corke. “Some of these organizations, the most recognizable of which is the Voice of America, specialize in broadcasting to the world in the nation’s interest.” In a statement released on Wednesday, Voice of America’s Director David S. Bitnell called the idea that VOA needs to be shut down “disheartening,” adding that “VOA and its BBG are respected by listeners, respected by employees, respected by congressional leaders.”

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