Freedom variant LCS takes to water

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MARINETTE, Wis., Oct. 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy's seventh Littoral Combat Ship, the future USS Detroit, has been launched by an industry team led by Lockheed Martin.

The ship launched at the Marinette Marine Corporation shipyard into the Menominee River in Wisconsin is a single-hull Freedom variant and is scheduled for delivery to the Navy next year following completion of outfitting and testing.

"It is an honor to continue supporting the U.S. Navy with these capable and flexible warships," said Dale P. Bennett, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems and Training business.

"The Lockheed Martin-led team's LCS design is lethal, survivable, and affordable. These ships will help the Navy achieve its goal to increase forward presence, and can be upgraded or modified quickly to meet future missions."

Freedom variant Littoral Combat Ships are 378 feet in length, 57.4 feet in the beam, have a top speed of about 45 knots and a range of 3,500 nautical miles sailing at 18 knots. Two Freedom variants are already operational with the Navy and The Lockheed Martin team is building four others.

2014 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

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Freedom of County Roscommon for Chris O'Dowd

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Emmy-winning actor and writer Chris O'Dowd has been honoured with the Freedom of County Roscommon at a ceremony in his hometown of Boyle.

The 35-year-old self-confessed 'Rossie' was joined by his wife Dawn O'Porter, parents Denise and Sen and friends for an occasion which he described as hugely meaningful.

The county council decided to honour their most famous son after he put Boyle on the world map through his TV comedy series Moone Boy.

The award-winning show, which is filmed in Boyle, is based on ODowds experiences growing up in the town.

Speaking tonight about his new-found freedom, Chris said: I feel a weight off my shoulders. Its very exciting and a lovely honour.

Asked where it is all going to end after his great success over the last few years, he added: I think thats it. Im probably done now. Im going to sit down and have a cup of tea, look at babies and talk nonsense.

Outlining some of the benefits of the honour, Roscommon Co Council CEO Tommy Hunt joked: "Chris can graze his sheep all over the county."

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Freedom Wars Out Tuesday, Characters & Panopticons Detailed

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Hello again Freedom Wars fans! With less than a week to go until Freedom Wars finally hits North America, I wanted to deliver a few more details regarding our awesome cast of characters and Western Panopticons to our English-speaking Sinners out there.

As youve seen through our various trailers, even throughout the multitude of cooperative and competitive modes, the story of Freedom Wars takes center stage. While contributing to society and steadily decreasing that million-year sentence, youll encounter a myriad of interesting, (and might I add stylish) characters, starting with:

And last but not least, your official Panopticon mascot: Percy Propa! Percy is the voice of the Panopticon his job is to relay messages and issue orders to you, although in a very kind, gentle way. Youll often see him appearing on the various screens throughout your home Panopticon, shouting his favorite phrase: For the Greater Good!

Suffice to say, the characters youll encounter in Freedom Wars will help make your experience a very memorable one theyll join you both on and off the battlefield throughout the story as you uncover the truth about the world and discover what freedom truly is.

I also wanted to take a moment and respond to one of the most frequent questions Ive received from fans across the world: Which Panopticons are included in the Western release of the game? Im happy to announce that the Panopticons populating the Western release represent a very international audience we have over 50 locations from around the world that youre free to swear allegiance to at the start of the game:

Pretty great list, huh? I look forward to seeing all of you online next week, battling for the safety and glory of your home Panopticons. For the greater good!

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Freedom Wars Out Tuesday, Characters & Panopticons Detailed

Fight For Your Real-World City In Freedom Wars

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Freedom Wars is out next week for PlayStation Vita, and Sony has announced the more than 50 international locations to which you can pledge your allegiance. The co-op title will pit you against monsters and rival prisons at the same time.

The 50 Panopticons are a more international sampling than was found in the Japanese release. Heres the entire list:

In Freedom Wars, you play as a prisoner serving a 1 million year sentence. It can be reduced by fighting hulking monsters and rescuing civilians.

The title is designed for four players, but if you happen to find yourself short, youll be able to sub in AI fighters to assist you. Freedom Wars will be out on October 28 for Vita.

[Source: PlayStation Blog]

Our TakeI havent had a chance to demo this yet, but the action looks like a more fast-paced Monster Hunter or Soul Sacrifice. Good Vita exclusives are few and far between, which makes me interested in checking this one out sometime soon.

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Fight For Your Real-World City In Freedom Wars

IAPA says freedom of press is deteriorating in the Americas because of censorship, attacks

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Published October 21, 2014

SANTIAGO, Chile The Inter American Press Association says freedom of the press has sharply deteriorated in the Americas over the last six months.

The advocacy group blamed a significant increase in censorship and physical attacks on journalists for waning press freedom. The group delivered its conclusion on Tuesday at the end of its 70th General Assembly.

The IAPA said 11 journalists were killed in violence "carried out by organized crime, drug traffic hitmen and police-style groups on the orders of several governments of the region."

Journalists also suffered physical violence in almost every country in the region, including in Bolivia, Brazil and Peru during election coverage, and in the U.S. city of Ferguson, Missouri, and the Brazilian cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro while reporting on street protests.

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Eugenics, Information about Eugenics – Internet FAQ …

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Eugenics is a scheme for improving the human race by controlling reproduction. The practice of eugenics reached its height in the period between the latenineteenth century and World War II, when German Nazis carried eugenic principles to the extremes of mass sterilization and genocide. Different forms of eugenics have been practiced around the world and are currently in effect in the People's Republic of China, where reproduction is strictly limited. With the advent of medical research such as the Human Genome Project, society is still trying to resolve the ethical issues raised by eugenic theories.

The general concept of eugenics is first mentioned in Greek records dating back to 368 BC. Plato and Aristotle both refer to the city state's need for healthy citizens to form an elite ruling class and army. In this earliest blueprint for eugenics, men and women were encouraged to reproduce when they were at the peak of their physical and mental powers, in order to conceive the healthiest and most intelligent children. This underlying principle of striving for an ideal society through selective breeding is one that has motivated eugenicists throughout history.

The term eugenics, which from its Greek roots means "good in birth," was coined by Francis Galton in 1883. A wealthy cousin of Charles Darwin, Galton believed society's sympathy for the weak prevented proper evolution. The Industrial Revolution of the late nineteenth century brought with it a fascination with measurement and statistics. In this climate, Darwin proposed his theory ofthe survival of the fittest, and Galton advocated a form of selection that restricted undesirable people from reproducing. Eugenicists and Social Darwinists believed in the idea of superiority of one "race" over another. Invariably, proponents of eugenics saw their own class and race as most deserving of propagation.

The theory of eugenics was very popular with intellectuals and academics suchas H.G. Wells, the young Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw, Alexander Graham Bell, John Maynard Keynes, Theodore Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge.

Galton believed intelligence and other admired traits were inherited apart from environmental influence. With a determination to maximize brilliance and prevent "feeblemindedness," Galton encouraged "good" marriages that would produce highly intelligent males and ultimately assure the stock of the next generation.

Galton's presentation of eugenics came on the heels of Charles Darwin's 1859book, The Origin of Species. Evolutionary theory took precedence as the human race was divided into the "fit" and "unfit," and eugenics became thescientific community's calling as it promoted ways in which, according to Galton, "social control may improve or impair the racial qualities of future generations whether physically or mentally." Darwin quoted Galton repeatedly inhis next book, The Descent of Man. Galton and Darwin agreed that intelligence, courage, and good and bad moods were influenced by family upbringing, while features such as mental illness tended to be inherited.

Social Darwinists saw medical care as giving the "weak" an increased abilityto survive, instead of allowing nature to take its course and eliminate defective people. In Germany, there was a growing fear that medical intervention and welfare policies were enabling weak and impoverished citizens to survive and sap the country's resources. German Social Darwinist Alfred Ploetz introduced the term "racial hygiene" and criticized those who helped the weak survive. Ploetz popularized the argument that racial hygiene benefited all people.

Support for eugenics and racial hygiene increased with the encouragement of Margaret Sanger in the United States. As a leader in the movement for global birth control, Sanger declared, "More children from the fit, less from the unfit-that is the chief issue of birth control," a theory that was readily accepted by the community during this period. Eugenicists began to influence public concern that society was afflicted by the "unfit," and they demanded government action. By 1912, 34 states had passed laws that denied the insane the right to marry, nine states restricted marriage of epileptics, and 15 banned mentally retarded people from marrying one other. Legislatures continued to bemotivated by economic and social considerations and argued that "feebleminded" citizens should not be given the chance to pass undesirable traits on to their children.

Sterilization laws were most popular in the Atlantic region, the Midwest, andCalifornia, with California carrying out, by 1933, more eugenic sterilizations than the rest of the United States combined. In Canada, sterilization efforts were most popular in British Columbia and Alberta. The North American laws focused on the inmates of state institutions for the mentally handicapped and mentally ill. Since wealthier families could afford private care for theirrelatives with mental handicaps and mental illness, the laws tended to discriminate against the poor. Figures gathered from California records show thatbased on their representation in the state's population, African Americans and foreign immigrants were subjected to sterilization at double the rate of other Californians. However, most states did not enforce sterilization laws, and more than a third of American states never passed such laws.

Despite the popularity of eugenic theories, there were opponents, including another of Darwin's cousins, Josiah Wedgewood, who fought to prevent eugenicslaws from being passed before the first world war. Great Britain passed the Mental Deficiency Act in 1913, which authorized eugenic sterilization, over the objections of civil libertarians. Roman Catholics opposed sterilization onreligious grounds, and in North America, Catholics had political grounds as well, as many immigrants were Catholic.

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Ithaca NY Oct 19 Climate Modification Catastrophe 2 -Weather Warfare – Video

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Ithaca NY Oct 19 Climate Modification Catastrophe 2 -Weather Warfare
Make your voice heard now about these crimes against humanity, you may not have the chance for long.our eco system is collapsing right in front of your faces . horses growing full blown winter...

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3 Puerto Rico Resorts For An Eco-Luxe Escape

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As Puerto Ricos luxury-hotel landscape goes ever more upscale, angling to lure travelers from St. Barts and the British Virgin Islands with a new level of cachet and the always-appealing conveniences of American currency and proximity to the U.S. mainland, the islands newest resorts have also become contenders for the best nature-meets-luxury experiences anywhere.

The 28,500-acre El Yunque rain forest, otherworldly bioluminescent bays and a host of tropical fauna (you will know the coqu frogs chorus by day two of your vacation) provide some of the regions most unique natural attractions. A handful of tucked-into-the-palms resorts supply the chic accommodations, excellent cuisine and polished service that are redrawing the map of the Caribbeans top hotels and putting Puerto Rico on high-end travelers radars. To see why the island is one of our favorite hot spots this year, go now and check into one of these three properties that seamlessly blend luxury with nature.

Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserves Positivo Private Cabanas, photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve The luxe factor: Opened in 2012 as the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Americas and the second in the world, Dorado Beachs 114 rooms and suitesand one 8,000-square-foot presidential mansionfeature over-the-top amenities such as private plunge pools and not one, but two rainforest showers (indoors and out). Personal embajadores (ambassadors) take care of every request, making your vacation on this secluded stretch of shoreline feel effortless, from securing reservations at signature restaurant Mi Casa by Jos Andrs to indulging in a massage (using oils infused with herbs grown onsite) at Spa Botnico. We recommend reserving one of two tree house treatment platforms for an elevated hammock massage overlooking the spas five wild acres.

The nature factor: Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve was designed with LEED certification in mind and is keen on connecting guests to the environment. Fittingly for a resort built on land first developed by conservationist Laurance Rockefeller, nature-imbued options abound, including the eponymous 11-mile Rockefeller nature trail. Jean-Michel Cousteaus Ambassadors of the Environment program immerses adults and children in Puerto Ricos natural wonders; the lengthy activity catalog runs from a nighttime snorkeling adventure through coral reefs to an ecochefs class in which kids visit the resorts chefs garden and prepare snacks in a solar oven.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico, photo courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico The luxe factor: A newcomer in 2010, this sprawling St. Regis property offers something for everyone on its verdant grounds. There is the oceanfront Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course and the indoor-outdoor Remde Spa that incorporates local products such as rum, coffee and even gold into its treatments. The celebrity chef whos put down stakes here is Jean-Georges Vongerichten, with Fern restaurant. And guest rooms pay exceptional attention to detail, down to coconut turndown treats (including the delicious coconut kiss cookies) that recall the resorts past life as a coconut plantation. Topping it off are those only-at-St.-Regis celebrationsa daily iced-tea ritual, champagne sabering and koi fish feeding.

The nature factor: The sole St. Regis in the Caribbean is also the regions only Certified Gold Audubon Signature Sanctuary. For a primer, set up a custom bird-watching tour with a resort naturalist or join a scheduled nature or kayak tour; youll learn all about the three onsite islands that double as bird sanctuaries. Beyond beaches, the propertys 438 acres also offer miles of rivers and trails, and a boathouse where you can take out kayaks, sailboats, paddleboards and equipment for catch-and-release fishing. The boathouse also hosts a touch tank for kids as well as the resorts bird-rescue program.

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3 Puerto Rico Resorts For An Eco-Luxe Escape

"Cyborg" Tyga, Nicki Minaj, Young Thug Type Beat (Prod. FingerTipsPro) – Video

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"Cyborg" Tyga, Nicki Minaj, Young Thug Type Beat (Prod. FingerTipsPro)
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LUFF 2014 Workshop / L’OFF Body Noise I Gender Bending I Cyborg Synesthesia – Video

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LUFF 2014 Workshop / L #39;OFF Body Noise I Gender Bending I Cyborg Synesthesia
http://www.quimerarosa.net Ce workshop donn par le collectif catalan Quimera Rosa propose de prendre le corps comme instrument sonore post-gender. En voici le droulement : prsentation...

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Ray Fisher: Meet DC's 'Cyborg'

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Nobody told Ray Fisher the plan. The 27-year-old had no idea he was set to explode into Hollywood movie stardom, top-lining as the title character in a Cyborg movie set for release in 2020. In fact, producers called the New Jersey-born theater actor on Oct. 15 with the heads-up only hours before Warner Bros. publicly revealed its slate of mega-budget superhero movies tied to the DC Cinematic UniverseWonder Woman, The Justice League, Suicide Squad, and Shazam among them.

I didnt know the extent to which DC and WB had planned on taking my character, says Fisher, who was hired in March to cameo as Cyborg in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. When I signed on, I just wanted to be part of this world. But that specific information, I found out then and there. I didnt think Id be getting my own stand-alone film.

Now, Fisher ranks as the first African-American to score a non-ensemble superhero flick since Will Smiths booze-swilling screw-up vigilante Hancock in 2008. Not bad for a classically trained actor and veteran of the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey with precisely zero feature film roles to his credit.

After packing on nearly 20 pounds of muscleswelling from a relatively svelte 193 pounds to a ripped 212to portray Muhammad Ali in the off-Broadway play Fetch Clay, Make Man last year, the 6-foot-4 Fisher began generating industry interest.

Once we were in previews, Ang Lee came to see the show, he says. One of his next projects is a 3-D boxing movie about Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. So hes scouting for people to play Ali in this film. Ang and I meetto talk about his ideas for the project and its all very interesting. Waiting to see where everything goes with that.

Soon, a fleet of managers, agents and Hollywood casting executives were making the trip to downtown Manhattans New York Theatre Workshop to catch Fishers performances. And prior to landing the part of an existentially conflicted half-man/half-machine bristling with high-tech weaponry (Cyborg will also turn up in two Justice League movies), Fisher gained traction as a serious contender to star in Star Wars Episode VII.

Im a long-game player and didnt see any of this happening until at least my 40s, Fisher says. Its a huge honor, but a bit of pressure comes along with it. My mind is just boggled right now.

In July, the actor wrapped shooting his part for Batman v Superman, scheduled for release in March 25, 2016. He remains tight-lipped about plot-points and potential spoilers but confirmed meeting certain super-friends on set: Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Jason Momoa (Aquaman) and Ben Affleck (Batman). Fisher also bonded with fellow New Jersey-ite Jesse Eisenberg, who portrays super villain Lex Luthor in the movie.

I met everyone in the Justice League except Henry Cavill and Ezra Miller, Fisher says of the actors who respectively portray Superman and the Flash within the DC Cinematic Universe. It was surreal. You get this idea of going to work on a Hollywood set as being really stressful and nerve-wracking. But it blew that stereotype away. If they did have stressful times, it wasnt while I was there.

So what can fans expect from Zack Snyder? Hes the director, after all, who famously proclaimed in 2009: Were killing the comic-book movie, were ending it.

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Ray Fisher: Meet DC's 'Cyborg'

Cyborg Actor Ray Fisher Talks Batman V Superman & Justice League

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With the cat thoroughly out of the bag for Warner Bros. and DC Comics upcoming slate of Justice League films, getting their shared universe off the ground in a matter of years, it appears the veil of silence surrounding the actors cast is beginning to lift. Just as Jason Momoa has offered his first comments on playing Aquaman, Ray Fisher long-reported to have landed the role of Vic Stone a.k.a. Cyborg has finally offered some insight into his own casting. Including his impressions from the set of Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.

In an interview with EW, Fisher claims that he was just as surprised as the fans when DC and WB rolled out their full movie schedule. While the actor had jumped at the chance to cameo in Zack Snyders Batman V Superman and cross his fingers for what the future may hold the reveal of not just two Justice League movies but a solo film of his own in 2020 - was news to him:

I didnt know the extent to which DC and WB had planned on taking my character. When I signed on, I just wanted to be part of this world. But that specific information, I found out then and there. I didnt think Id be getting my own stand-alone film.

Im a long-game player and didnt see any of this happening until at least my 40s. Its a huge honor, but a bit of pressure comes along with it. My mind is just boggled right now.

Its not hard to grasp why the young actor (having recently bulked up to portray Muhammad Ali on stage) was taken aback, suddenly playing a pivotal role (if Henry Cavills thoughts on Cyborg are anything to go by) in not just the blockbuster Justice League universe, but meeting with director Ang Lee for another boxing role. But for the foreseeable future, its a role as Cyborg that has the New Jersey-born actor counting his blessings.

Even though Fishers role as Stone in Dawn of Justice has already been completed (having been filmed back in July), it was only days ago that his involvement was made public. But having already worked or met with Zack Snyders Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) and Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), Fishers description of the set should be encouraging for fans:

I met everyone in the Justice League except Henry Cavill and Ezra Miller. It was surreal. You get this idea of going to work on a Hollywood set as being really stressful and nerve-wracking. But it blew that stereotype away. If they did have stressful times, it wasnt while I was there.

Let me tell you, man people are in for a hell of a treat.

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Cyborg Actor Ray Fisher Talks Batman V Superman & Justice League