Do You Have A First Amendment Right To Follow President’s Twitter Account? – CBS Miami

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CBS Miami
Do You Have A First Amendment Right To Follow President's Twitter Account?
CBS Miami
But just as seemingly everything Trump does and says sparks controversy, so too is the president's prolific and unpredictable use of Twitter, as one reporter called it, raising a novel question of constitutional law: Is there a First Amendment right ...
It doesn't take much for Trump to block you on TwitterCNN
First Amendment Group Threatens to Sue Trump for Blocking Twitter TrollsAccuracy In Media (blog)
1st Amendment Lawyers Tell Trump to Un-Block Twitter UsersNBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
AppsforPCdaily -TIME -TIME -Politico
all 624 news articles »

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Do You Have A First Amendment Right To Follow President's Twitter Account? - CBS Miami

Column: Memes, Harvard and the First Amendment – Minnesota Daily

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Last week, Harvard University rescinded the admissions offers of at least ten prospective students upon discovering obscene and explicit memes exchanged by the group in a private Facebook chat. The decision sparked a national debate over such instances involving free speech on college campuses.

Ours is a potentially treacherous age for young people to navigate; the gravity of our online presences and the importance of being a conscientious online citizen are lessons were all still learning. We should conduct ourselves in a way online that we also would in real life, with the added knowledge that nothing on social media is private recalling the old Would you want your grandmother to see this? rule.

The rising ubiquity of social media is coupled with the paradoxical fact that our current culture is often vehement and harsh in its judgment of others based on instances of questionable speech. Outrage and self-righteousness seem to be the name of the game on both sides of the aisle as of late, and college campuses across the country have felt the aftershocks of this polarized political culture.

Though the memes were crude and distasteful, there is the question of giving these students the benefit of the doubt these memes might not be reflective of the students character, but simply of teenagers with transgressive or satirical senses of humor, looking to prove their edgy, comedic sensibilities to each other.

The memes could be argued to be unintended for political or intellectual scrutiny however, the incident is representative of how Harvard feels it is best to deal with instances of offensive speech. Though college campuses, Harvard included, are self-proclaimed institutions in which intellectual challenge and confrontation are to be expected, there is a brand to be maintained, and students are to reflect positively on the culture of the school. It then follows that it is impossible to have a totally free and open forum, knowing that your ideas and tastes may be subject to ferocious indignation, or perhaps even your dismissal from the University.

Ironically, Harvard University President Drew Gilpin Fausts address at Harvards 2017 Commencement focused heavily on defending the right to free speech for all, and implored listeners to enable and nurture environments in which honest and complex thought can thrive.

[We] must remember that limiting some speech opens the dangerous possibility that the speech that is ultimately censored may be our own, she said, looking out over a crowd of future leaders, executives, and policy-makers. If some words are to be treated as equivalent to physical violence and silenced or even prosecuted, who is to decide which words?

During such a politically and, by extent, socially divisive time, we will continue to encounter thoughts and opinions that offend us; this should be an invitation to listen to all ideas, including those which are morally repulsive and offensive, so that we can learn how to better challenge them.

Having our perspectives and morals consistently challenged will require a certain level of courage and resilience; we should, when called for, make judgments, question, and oppose the views of others, but when structures of power alone decide what speech is so offensive that it requires extreme punishment or silencing altogether, our right to free speech rests on a very slippery slope.

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Column: Memes, Harvard and the First Amendment - Minnesota Daily

Secure OS Tails 3.0 Launches With Debian 9 Base, Redesigned Interface – Tom’s Hardware

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New Tails interface

Tails, the read-only Linux-based operating system that routes all internet traffic through the Tor anonymity network, has now reached version 3.0. The new release dropped 32-bit support to increase security and adopted the latest Tor Browser 7.0, and it also comes with a more polished desktop interface.

Tails, the operating system that Edward Snowden used to reveal the NSA documents, is typically run from a DVD or USB stick (the latter is less secure) in a read-only mode so that malware cant be written on the storage. Malware can still be activated in RAM during a Tails session, which is why its important to keep the sessions short and reboot the Tails operating system often. At reboot, you get the same clean image you have on your DVD.

Because of how it works, Tails is not well-suited for everyday computing (Qubes OS would be preferable for that); it's for moments when you most need that increased anonymity. It also means that you need to write a new DVD or install it again on your USB stick every time there are new security patches out, to minimize the risk of hacking.

The new Tails 3.0 dropped 32-bit support because of potential attacks against weak ASLR protection. Support for No Execute (NX) bit is also mandatory, but this feature should already be available on all 64-bit computers. The NX bit separates areas of memory that are used for the storage of processor instructions from areas used for processor data storage, offering increased resistance against hacking.

The Tor Browser 7.0 comes pre-installed, so Tails users can take advantage of an overall faster and more reliable browser due to the new multi-process architecture enabled in Firefox ESR 52, as well as the content sandboxing functionality.

The new Tails 3.0, which is now based on the latest major version of the Debian operating system, brings a new more modern-looking Gnome interface, too. Because Tails focus has been primarily on user anonymity, the interface has been lacking over the years; having a good user experience is key for user adoption, so the new look is an important development.

The Tails Greeter, which is the application that is used to configure Tails at startup, has been completely redesigned for ease of use. Now, all options are available from a single window, including the language and region settings, which should simplify the setup process for international users.

The shutdown experience has also has also been redesigned to make it more reliable, as well as more discrete so that it looks less suspicious.

The Files application has also been redesigned to reduce clutter and make the interface easier to use. The developers also added the ability to rename multiple files at the same time and extract compressed files without a separate application.

The notification area has been improved, as well. It now allows easy access to previous notifications, and the notification pop-ups have been made more noticeable.

Shortcut windows have also been added to help users discover keyboard shortcuts in applications.

Some of the first-party applications have been updated to their latest versions, too, as part of the migration to the latest Debian 9 base:

If you want to maximize your anonymity--when the Tor Browser running on Windows is just not good enough for you--you can now download Tails 3.0 from the projects website. Those who are already using an older version of Tails should also upgrade to patch multiple security bugs.

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How cryptocurrency ethereum looks set to overtake bitcoin in one chart – MarketWatch

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Just as Wall Street is paying more attention to bitcoin, a rival is increasingly threatening to become the top dog among cryptocurrencies.

Ethereums market capitalization is nearing bitcoins, as shown in the chart below from CoinMarketCap.

As of Wednesday, bitcoin BTCUSD, -5.37% (shown in orange on the chart) accounted for 39% of the combined market capitalization for all cryptocurrencies, down sharply from 87% on Feb. 25.

Blame the erosion on ethereum (shown in purple), which now makes up 31% of the total market cap, up from just 5% less than four months ago.

If ethereums market cap overtakes that of bitcoin, then The Flippening will have happened. That is the term that many people are using to refer to that shift, according to a post at the Flippening Watch blog.

Bitcoins market cap on Wednesday was around $45 billion and its price was just below $2,800, according to data from CoinDesk and CoinMarketCap. Ethereums market cap recently stood at $36 billion and its price at around $390.

Read more: Cryptocurrencies top $100 billion in market capitalization

Dont miss: 3 reasons why bitcoins surge may not be a bubble

By some metrics, ethereum already has eaten bitcoins lunch.

It has almost five times as many nodes in its network as bitcoin, meaning more people are using their computers to support it, a Motherboard report notes. Ethereum also has more transactions per day, the report adds.

Check out: Ethereum has soared but is it ready for prime time?

But some traders remain skeptical of ethereum:

In the screenshot in the above tweet, ICO refers to an initial coin offering, a new way to raise money. One startup reportedly raised nearly $150 million this week via an ICO.

As their prices have soared, cryptocurrencies increasingly have attracted the attention of Wall Streets analysts.

A Goldman Sachs technical analyst issued a bearish take on bitcoin earlier this week, leading the Zero Hedge financial blog to quip that probably means that bitcoin is set to make new all-time highs shortly.

Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley analysts have predicted that cryptocurrencies will not rally that much more unless they get governmental acceptance, including more regulations.

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How cryptocurrency ethereum looks set to overtake bitcoin in one chart - MarketWatch

ATB Coin Cryptocurrency ICO Now Underway Across Globe – newsBTC

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ATB Coin offers investors a unique opportunity with its ongoing ICO

With the wildly successful press reception of ATB oins U.S. introductory launch last Thursday, the companys Management Team is reporting over $12 million has been raised within the first fifteen minutes of the cryptocurrencys highly-anticipated ICO.

According to CEO Edward Ng, the companys technologically revolutionary cryptocurrency has already attracted excited investors from the United Stated, Canada, and China. Edward Ng further elaborated the company is pleased with such a high level of interest and optimism from investors; adding that the ICO will be ongoing for the next four weeks, with a targeted amount of $50 million.

ATB oins ambitious plans for global growth are already in place and are moving forward. This cryptocurrency is developed with the worlds most advanced protocols built-in such as SegWit, Lightning Network, and Smart Contracts. Borderless micro payment transactions are recorded in as little as microseconds. Our team is well-positioned to move forward with our intermediate goal of opening offices across the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and Asia, said Herbert W. Hoover III, ATB Coin co-founder.

Crowdfunding of ATB Coin tokens began June 12, 2017, and will continue for the next four consecutive weeks. Potential investors are offered bonuses up to 10%, which will motivate an investor for an additional capital investment. Altogether, the maximum tokens issued will number 333 million, of which 50 million will be assigned to the Crowdfunding ICO.

Information about ATB Coin and ATB Coin ICO can be found on the official website: https://atbcoin.com

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ATB Coin Cryptocurrency ICO Now Underway Across Globe - newsBTC

A cryptocurrency for weed is sending Dennis Rodman back to North Korea – The Verge

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Dennis Rodman is back in North Korea, the former NBA star announced this week, with help from a marijuana cryptocurrency startup. Rodman, who has made several controversial visits to North Korea, tweeted a photo of himself holding an airline ticket for the state-owned Air Koryo on Tuesday. In a subsequent tweet, he thanked PotCoin, a digital currency for buying and selling weed, for sponsoring my mission.

The purpose of Rodmans visit remains unclear, though it comes amid heightened tensions between the US and North Korea over Pyongyangs nuclear program. Four Americans are also currently detained in North Korea.

In a press release announcing the visit, PotCoin said Rodman will provide more details about his historic trip upon returning to the US. The weed startup also described him as having long-time friendships with both President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, the autocratic leader of North Korea. Rodman has previously appeared on the Trump-hosted reality show The Apprentice, and endorsed Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. He also described Kim as a friend for life after visiting North Korea in 2013, and has drawn criticism for his public appearances alongside the dictator.

Speaking to CNN before boarding his flight, Rodman said hopes to do something that's pretty positive during his trip, though he said he did not intend to bring up the detained Americans during any discussions with North Korean leaders. Well that's not my purpose right now... My purpose is to go over there and try to see if I can keep bringing sports to North Korea," the former Chicago Bulls forward told CNN.

Rodman, wearing a PotCoin-branded t-shirt and baseball cap, said in a short video released Tuesday that the trip is all about peace. One of Rodmans previous trips to North Korea was sponsored by an Irish betting company. The value of PotCoin surged following Rodmans announcement early Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Under Secretary of State Thomas Shannon said that the US was aware of Rodmans visit, and that he is traveling as a private citizen. We are aware of his visit. We wish him well, Shannon said, as reported by Reuters. But we have issued travel warnings to Americans and suggested they not travel to North Korea for their own safety.

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A cryptocurrency for weed is sending Dennis Rodman back to North Korea - The Verge

Google Adsense Drops Cryptocurrency Faucet Operators – The Merkle

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Some interesting things are happening in the world of cryptocurrency faucets. Up until a few weeks ago, anyone running a faucet could earn a lot of money by showing Google Adsense advertisements on the website. If the traffic is high enough, this could have been quite a lucrative business. However, it appears Google has made some drastic changes, which makes faucet owners earn a lot less money.

Over the past few years, many people have opted to run a Bitcoin faucet website in the hopes of making some good money for displaying banner advertisements. Since faucets are visited by thousands of people every day, there is a good chance to make decent money from a faucet website. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case, as Googles Adsense program has undergone some big changes regarding what types of sites can display advertisements in the first place.

To be more specific, the Google Adsense program now prevents faucet websites and other platforms not focusing on unique content from showing advertisements. Even if people do so, they will earn a lot less money from doing so. In a way, this chance was only a matter of time. Faucet sites present nothing unique in the world, as they all revolve around letting users click a few buttons to collect small amounts of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.

Any website displaying advertisements without providing quality content should not make as much money from Google Adsense as people who work hard to make their site stand out. That is only the normal way of doing business. Faucets get a lot of visitors, but the traffic itself is quantity-oriented, rather than focusing on quality. Anyone clicking ads on faucet websites has no real interest in the advertisement itself but mainly do so due to a misclick.

It is only normal faucet operators will see their Google Adsense earnings go down dramatically. Google Adsense is a tool designed for content creators and not people who copy-paste an existing faucet script linked to a cheap domain name. Making money with online advertisements requires time, dedication, and effort. None of those traits can be associated with cryptocurrency faucets, even though some operators put a fair amount of work into designing a unique layout.

The bigger question is whether or not there is any intrinsic value to cryptocurrency faucets these days. These platforms used to be quite valuable in the early days of Bitcoin, but their success has tapered off in recent years. Moreover, faucet operators will only pay out small amounts of Bitcoin due to their site earnings being even lower. It is evident something will need to change, and faucet operators will need to start looking for alternative solutions to make money. Adding a news section with unique content to a faucet, for example, could do wonders.

It appears to be only a matter of time until faucet operators will be put out of business entirely. That is, unless their business models evolve accordingly. There are no easy ways to make money these days, and cryptocurrency faucets are slowly losing their appeal. It is good to see Google take such an aggressive measure where their Adsense program is concerned, that much is certain. Rest assured a lot of faucet operators will not be too happy about this decision.

If you liked this article, follow us on Twitter @themerklenews and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and technology news.

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Google Adsense Drops Cryptocurrency Faucet Operators - The Merkle

Proposed Bill Requires Travelers to Declare Bitcoin at US Border – Investopedia

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A controversial new Congressional bill regarding digital currency has just been introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA). The bill would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in order to put forward a "border protection strategy to interdict and detect prepaid access devices, digital currencies, or other similar instruments, at border crossings and other ports of entry for the United States." This bill, if passed, would have significant implications for digital currency holders around the world.

The proposed bill, designated U.S. Bill S.1241, was introduced on May 25 of this year and co-sponsored by Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The bipartisan group of Senators who have put the bill forward hope that it will deter individuals entering the United States from bringing in undetected and undeclared assets in the form of digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

A portion of the bill stipulates that the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency would devise "an assessment of infrastructure needed to carry out the strategy" of blocking these undeclared funds from entering the country. The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection would be required to present their findings to Congress within 18 months of the passage of the bill.

Travelers entering the United States at the border are already obligated to declare any currency holdings of $10,000 or more, regardless of whether or not custom officials might have the means to detect those holdings. While digital currencies occupy a somewhat unusual place in many portions of finance law, a report by Smaulgld suggests that the situation is relatively clear in this case. Because digital currencies technically accompany a holder anywhere that he or she goes, including across a border, that traveler would need to declare his or her entire cryptocurrency portfolio every time he or she enters the United States. This is different from the requirements of travelers who hold bank accounts and/or precious metals valued at more than $10,000 which are stored outside of the country.

How would the federal government develop an infrastructure to detect foreign holdings including digital currencies? It is possible that the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act could be expanded to regulate foreign cryptocurrency exchanges. Alternatively, a global monitoring system could be put in place to watch over blockchain ledgers. Beyond that, there are a number of measures that agencies could take at the border to deter travelers from withholding information, including extreme vetting systems and harsh penalties for nondisclosure. Regardless, it is safe to assume that the cryptocurrency community, famously opposed to central regulation, will have something to say about this bill.

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Proposed Bill Requires Travelers to Declare Bitcoin at US Border - Investopedia

NASA’s NEOWISE mission discovers 97 new asteroids, comets – SpaceFlight Insider

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Laurel Kornfeld

June 13th, 2017

This movie shows the progression of NASAs Near-Earth Object Wide-field Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) investigation for the missions first three years following its restart in December 2013. Image & Caption Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/PSI

During its third year of operation, NASAs Near-Earth Object Wide-field Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) spacecraft discovered 97 hitherto unknown objects in the Solar System, including 28 that are near-Earth objects (NEOs).

Also, according to data released by the NEOWISE mission team, 64 of the 97 newly identified objects are asteroids in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter, while five of them are comets.

In addition to making a plethora of discoveries, NEOWISE also revealed new data about known asteroids and comets.

NEOWISE is not only discovering previously uncharted asteroids and comets, but it is providing excellent data on many of those already in our catalog, said Amy Mainzer, NEOWISE mission principal investigator from NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. It is also proving to be an invaluable tool in the refining and perfecting of techniques for near-Earth Object discovery and characterization by a space-based infrared observatory.

Artists concept of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE spacecraft, in its orbit around Earth. In September 2013, engineers brought the mission out of hibernation to hunt for more asteroids and comets in a project called NEOWISE. Image Credit: IPAC-Caltech

NEOWISE is the second incarnation of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), an infrared space telescope launched in 2009 to image 99 percent of the sky in the infrared.

After being placed in hibernation since completing that mission in 2011, the spacecraft was reactivated in September 2013 as NEOWISE, with the new goal of identifying potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroids and comets as well as determining the sizes and compositions of similar, more distant objects.

Along with the announcement of its latest discoveries, the NEOWISE mission team created and published an animation depicting all findings made during the past year.

The more than 2.6 million infrared images of the sky captured in the missions third year have been added to the total data collected during the spacecrafts first two years of operation, yielding an archive with 7.7 million image sets and over 57.7 billion sources revealed by those images.

Studies of these images have given scientists views of objects rarely seen, such as Comet C/2010 L5 (WISE). Using new computer modeling techniques, the researchers obtained new insights into the behavior of comets especially sudden, brief outbursts that are unpredictable and, therefore, often missed.

One particular new technique, known as tail-fitting, uncovers the behavior history of individual comets by measuring the size and quantity of dust in their regions as well as the time since their ejection from the comets nucleus.

This technique could eventually make it possible for all-sky surveys to study cometary outbursts when they happen and collect important data from these events.

Comets that have abrupt outbursts are not commonly found, but this may be due more to the sudden nature of the activity rather than their inherent rarity. It is great for astronomers to view and collect cometary data when they find an outburst, but since the activity is so short-lived, we may simply miss them most of the time, said Emily Kramer, lead author of a study on the latest NEOWISE results and also a Postdoctoral Program Fellow at JPL.

NEOs, asteroids, and comets that have been pushed into Earths neighborhood through the gravitational influence of planets are of special interest to scientists because of the possibility, however small, that they could impact the Earth.

In its three years of operation, NEOWISE has cataloged 693 NEOs. Out of those discovered in the last year, ten asteroids, based on their orbits and sizes, have been deemed potentially hazardous.

Video courtesy of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Tagged: NASA NEOWISE The Range WISE

Laurel Kornfeld is an amateur astronomer and freelance writer from Highland Park, NJ, who enjoys writing about astronomy and planetary science. She studied journalism at Douglass College, Rutgers University, and earned a Graduate Certificate of Science from Swinburne Universitys Astronomy Online program. Her writings have been published online in The Atlantic, Astronomy magazines guest blog section, the UK Space Conference, the 2009 IAU General Assembly newspaper, The Space Reporter, and newsletters of various astronomy clubs. She is a member of the Cranford, NJ-based Amateur Astronomers, Inc. Especially interested in the outer solar system, Laurel gave a brief presentation at the 2008 Great Planet Debate held at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, MD.

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NASA's NEOWISE mission discovers 97 new asteroids, comets - SpaceFlight Insider

Alien contact? ‘Wow! Signal’ case back open as astronomers rule out comets – Express.co.uk

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The Ohio State University Radio Observatory and the North American AstroPhysical Observatory

On August 15 1977, Jerry R Ehman was working as an astronomer at SETIs Big Ear radio telescope at Ohio University when he picked up on a signal sequence which lasted for 72 seconds stemming from the constellation Sagittarius.

Ehman was so shocked by what he had picked up that he wrote wow! next to the signal on a piece of paper, which is what it has become known as since.

Last week, astronomer Antonio Paris from the St Petersburg College announced that he had believed he had solved the case, attributing it to two comets 266P/Christensen and P/2008 Y2 (Gibbs) that released a hydrogen emission that reached a frequency of 1,420 megahertz.

The two comets past Earth on the same day in August 1977, according to data Prof Paris analysed from Nasa.

GETTY

However, other experts have disputed the claim, including the discoverer of the Wow! Signal, Mr Ehman.

Mr Ehman said that the Big Ear telescope had two feed horns which would have captured two different signals if it were two comets, yet it only recorded one.

He told Live Science: We should have seen the source come through twice in about three minutes: one response lasting 72 seconds and a second response for 72 seconds following within about a minute and a half.

GETTY

He added that the signal was cut off almost immediately, but that a comet could not escape the telescopes feed so quickly.

Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at SETI the search for extraterrestrial intelligence institute that he also believes it was not a comet.

Getty Images

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The Crop Circles are often believed to be created by aliens, as there is no proper explanation behind this phenomenon.

He told Astronomy Now: I dont know of any detection of the 21cm line of neutral hydrogen from a comet, and as I used to study galaxies in the neutral hydrogen line, I probably would have heard of that.

However, Prof Paris is sticking to his guns: Astronomers have not detected hydrogen emission from comets because there has not been much research specifically on this subject.

While there has been a handful of studies, I suspect we are the first to build a ten-metre telescope to specifically look at this type of Solar System body.

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Alien contact? 'Wow! Signal' case back open as astronomers rule out comets - Express.co.uk

Third time’s a charm for Coleman’s softball team, as Comets beat … – Midland Daily News

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GREENVILLE Coleman wouldnt be denied this time.

Playing in the Division 4 softball quarterfinals for a third straight year against their postseason nemesis, and overcoming an unexpected venue change, coach Chad Klopfs Comets posted an emphatic 5-0 victory over Holton on Tuesday afternoon at Greenville High School.

The triumph sends Coleman (35-6) to its first semifinal berth since 2005, when the Comets won the state championship. They will play Ottawa Lake Whiteford on Friday at 12:30 p.m. at Michigan State Universitys Secchia Stadium. Whiteford beat Unionville-Sebewaing 1-0 on Tuesday.

Im not used to smiling after this one, said a beaming Klopf, whose Comets had lost to Holton in the quarterfinals each of the past two seasons.

He had plenty to smile about this time.

Coleman junior pitcher Faith Barden set the tone for the game by striking out the side in the top of the first, and she finished with a three-hitter and nine strikeouts.

Meanwhile, the Comets solved Holton sophomore pitcher Haylee Brant, who had beaten them last year in the quarterfinals. They had 10 hits, including at least one in every inning but the fourth.

It was our turn, said Coleman junior rightfielder Kalie Weidman. Everyone stepped up, and we played great.

Several dozen Coleman fans lined the fences to watch the game, which was originally scheduled to be played closer to home for the Comets at Saginaw Valley State, but was later moved because Greenville was a shorter drive for Holton and the two teams in the adjacent baseball quarterfinal, Portland St. Patrick and Muskegon Catholic Central, which was also moved from SVSU to Greenville.

The girls had a little chip on their shoulders about that, Klopf said. But if hell froze over, we would play (Holton) on the ice.

Coleman got the scoring started in the bottom of the third when senior Liz Dana hit a leadoff double and took third on Jaden Berthumes one-out single. A walk to Barden loaded the bases, and Autumn Tubbs lined an infield single that went off the gloves of the third-baseman and the shortstop to score Dana and make it 1-0.

A double play kept the Comets from scoring more in that inning, and Brant settled down, keeping Coleman off the board for the next two innings.

The Red Devils got runners to second and third with two outs in the fourth, when Kaylie Piper sent a line drive screaming to rightfield. But Weidman snared the ball to end what turned out to be Holtons best scoring threat.

I saw it going down, and I knew I had to step up, Weidman said of Pipers liner. I had to lunge for it.

Kalie made a huge catch in rightfield and had two big hits, Klopf noted.

Holtons Brant had retired nine of the past 10 hitters until Brianna Townsend drove a triple over the rightfielders head with two outs in the sixth. Weidman followed with a soft single to left to bring in Townsend and make it 2-0.

The Comets then gave Barden a good cushion with three more runs in the top of the seventh. Kenzie Miller reached on an error and scored on a double by Berthume, who took third on the throw home. Berthume then beat a throw home on a fielders choice grounder by Barden. Courtesy runner Annabelle Bovee eventually scored with two outs when Townsend reached on an error, making it 5-0.

Barden allowed a one-out infield single in the bottom of the seventh but retired the next two hitters on a strikeout and a popout to finish off the victory and improve to 17-3.

Brant, like Barden, pitched a complete game.

Dana, Colemans only senior, said it was definitely a great feeling to finally beat Holton in the quarterfinals, while adding that her team wasnt intimidated by the Red Devils.

It feels great, she said. There was a little bit of a revenge factor, but we just knew we had to play our best game.

Weve seen pitchers like (Brant) this season, Dana added. We knew we could hit off of her.

Now its on to the final four for Coleman. If the Comets beat Ottawa Lake Whiteford on Friday, they will play the winner of the Kalamazoo Christian/Indian River Inland Lakes semifinal in the championship game on Saturday at 3 p.m.

(I want our players to) have fun, Klopf said. Its the next step. I want them to go down there, enjoy themselves, and keep playing ball.

Its really exciting, Weidman said of advancing to the semifinals. Everyone is pumped and ready for that game.

Dana said the things that define the Coleman team are a feeling of being a family, aggressiveness, and confidence.

We believe in each other, Dana said, adding of Friday, I just hope we play our absolute best game.

The Comets all wore pink ribbons in Tuesdays game in honor of Becky Dennis, who died on Monday after a long battle with illness. She was a paraprofessional at Coleman Elementary School and her daughter, Jordan Dennis, is a good friend of the players on the softball team. They all signed a game ball after Tuesdays win and gave it to Jordan in honor of her mother.

We wanted to dedicate the game to her, Dana said of Becky Dennis. Their whole family will always have a special place in our hearts.

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Third time's a charm for Coleman's softball team, as Comets beat ... - Midland Daily News

MnDOT to post human trafficking awareness messages at rest areas – Valley News Live

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ST. PAUL, Minn. (Valley News Live) A strong message will soon appear in some Minnesota rest areas. The Minnesota Department of Transportation wants to educate people about the signs of human trafficking.

MNDOT will begin installing posters in 41 rest areas across the state this week to educate the traveling public about human trafficking and to encourage them to report suspicious activity.

The posters include guidelines on how to recognize signs of human trafficking and potential victims and a toll-free hotline to report any suspicious activity.

Human trafficking often involves travel, including the transport of victims from a base of operations to locations of exploitation.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Twin Cities is one of the 13 U.S. cities with a particularly high rate of child prostitution, and Minnesota has the third highest number of human trafficking cases in the nation, said MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle.

MnDOTs responsibility for maintaining the quality and safety of multiple modes of transportation, including highways, airports, rail lines, transit systems and commercial vehicles, provides unique opportunities to seeand stophuman trafficking activities..

Zelle, on behalf of MnDOTs nearly 5,000 employees, signed a pledge in January 2017 to join Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking and make fighting human trafficking a MnDOT priority by developing and sharing resources to inform and empower MnDOT employees as well as the traveling public. Nearly 20 million travelers visit Minnesota rest areas each year.

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MnDOT to post human trafficking awareness messages at rest areas - Valley News Live

20 travel destinations the experts say not to miss – CNN

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( CNN ) From pilots to travel photographers, train aficionados to tour guides, these world-wandering experts have seen the world.

Here they share are their favorite destinations, and why they think they shouldn't be missed.

"Wayag has hundreds of thickly forested limestone karsts and islands, resulting in sheltered bays with white sand beaches and coral reefs," he says.

There aren't any villages, let alone tourist accommodation, and guests can only really arrive by boat, adds Travers.

"I'd definitely recommend climbing to the lookout point on the western side of the main Wayag Bay. It's not for the faint of heart (picture a 30-minute ascent through forest and over jagged limestone), but there are the most staggering views of paradise at the end."

"I traveled there at the end of 2015 and it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see these sites with few crowds. For instance, at Abu Simbel, I was in Ramses temple and had it all to myself for a few minutes.

"As I was climbing up the narrow staircase into the center of Cheops Pyramid, there were only a few people that I had to sidestep. It's a very different experience doing that when the crowds (and heat) are at full force," says mKent.

"I suggest visiting the Georgian capital's bath quarter: Tbilisi's Abanotubani," she says.

Situated on the south side of Metekhi Bridge, its low cupolas house baths where water bubbles from the earth at about 90 F (32 C).

"When I went, I sipped on Turkish tea and indulged in a massage by one of the mekise (masseur)."

Wild and eerie: The Namib Desert.

Wild and eerie, this remote desert "seeps into the soul", she says.

"I'll never forget the sight of the Namib Desert sand dunes crashing into the Atlantic Ocean. Flying over the Hoanib River by Cessna, it's easy to spot giraffes and elephants beneath," Jackson recalls.

"Afterwards, I always grab a drink on the beach, where water laps at my feet and there's a shipwreck just behind."

But as most people flock to the bright blue lakes and snow-capped mountains of Banff National Park, she recommends heading to the Northern Territory of Yukon.

It also provides a chance to catch the world's greatest natural light show, the Aurora Borealis.

With scientists predicting 2017 as the last year before the Northern Lights enter a dormant phase, "this really is the year to see them," she says.

It's home to the mining heartland of the country and the financial capital Belo Horizonte.

Yet there's another side to the state where travelers can experience untouched wilderness, a flourishing art scene and delicious cuisine, he says.

"I recommend staying at the restored 18th-century farmhouse Reserva do Ibitipoca.

"From here it's possible to explore the nearby national park on foot or horseback. Keep an eye out for the exceedingly rare wooly spider monkey -- the property's owners have really focused on conserving the Atlantic Forest, the animal's home."

Komodo National Park: Where dolphins chill

"There's nothing quite like sleeping outside on the boat with the sound of the dolphins beneath."

Then there's Tomolol in Misool, where it's possible to swim through cathedral-like caves and stalactites into a blue lagoon with limestone walls, he says.

"Some have century-old paintings while others are coated in orchids and carnivorous pitcher plants."

There was very little online about this coastal country in southern Africa, she says.

"When I traveled there I was blown away by the gorgeous white sand beaches that were mostly free of tourists.

"Each day in Vilanculos, the sand bars appear when the tide goes out. It was great watching fishermen grabbing their catch and locals playing soccer in the sand."

But summers are actually quite pleasant along the coast: rolling hills, green tundra, and wildlife everywhere, he says.

"I'd suggest spending a day walking the ice cap near Kangerlussuaq, go on a wildlife safari, or trek for 10 days across Greenland's Arctic Circle Trail," Karsten adds.

Nosara, Costa Rica: Crowd-free surfing.

The province of Guanacaste on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast is a haven for surfers, according to ExpertVagabond's Matthew Karsten.

Many surf towns can be a bit crowded. "That's what's great about this place -- the small town of Nosara doesn't get as many visitors," he says.

The nearby beach of Playa Guiones boasts enough waves to keep both beginners and experts happy.

For non-surfers, yoga classes and horseback riding are popular activities too.

"I think it's absolutely epic. It summits at over 3,000 feet above sea level in the breathtaking Montenegrin mountains," he says.

"It's also an engineering marvel with 254 tunnels and 435 bridges, including the world's highest railway viaduct," adds Smith.

And it all costs just $22 a ticket.

Even better, it all happens in relative serenity, as the park remains mostly untouched and unknown.

"The roads require four-wheel drives and a driver who knows how to use one, so I'd suggest exploring the area with a tented safari camp such as Kulu Safaris or Leopard Trail," suggests Ponniah.

"Be sure to park off at the banks of a villu (a shallow natural lake filled with rainwater and surrounded by open grassy plains). Then just wait for the animals to come by for a drink."

Take it to the Golden Gate Bridge, on a bike.

Will Swinburn, senior first officer at British Airways, recommends picking up a bike from one of the many friendly cycle shops in San Francisco.

"Cycling past the ferry building and piers along the harbor gives a great feeling of the maritime history of the city," he says.

It's always worth dropping into Pier 39 for a bread bowl of clam chowder and a drink, then heading onwards to the Golden Gate, Swinburn suggests.

"There are many great lookout points en route to take in the bustling bay.

"Cycle down the last bit of the bridge and veer towards the right at the end down the steep hill to Sausalito. This town is beautiful -- and the perfect vista point for fog city itself."

Days can be spent hiking in the mountains with a Rastafarian guide who will take travelers to secret waterfalls or off to explore stunning coffee plantations, he adds.

Vlemmiks recommends staying at Strawberry Hill, where guests can see the city's twinkling lights beyond the mountains while hearing faint reggae beats.

Or head over to Goldeneye to channel James Bond. Ian Fleming used to live where the property is situated and wrote many of the Bond novels there.

The property sits on 50,000 acres of land, run and owned by conservationist Jochen Zeitz.

"The retreat is nothing like I have seen before. It's a place to reflect with nature and solitude, a place where guests learn about the community and Kenya's wildlife," adds Karam.

The focus is on a sustainable way of travel using solar energy, recycling and growing food in-house.

"The property educates farmers how not to overgraze, bringing the wildlife back to life by building man-made waterholes and adding rangers to protect the animals from poaching."

"It's quite the drive and public transit is not an option, so travelers should make sure to rent a car or have a local driver," she says.

"The beach itself is a great spot for surfing. Across the road I'd recommend grabbing some 'bake and shark,' a popular local dish, along with the local brew, Carib."

Depending on the time of year, travelers might even get a glimpse of the baby sea turtles hatching, she says.

One tip: Slang is everywhere, even on on public signs. Spot a sign saying "no liming?" It means no "hanging out" or "chilling" in that spot.

Breakfast among the Buddhas: Borobodur, Indonesia

"I stayed at Aman's Amanjiwo, which I definitely recommend. I woke up at 4 a.m. and climbed the summit for unbelievable views of Kedu as the sun came up over Mount Merapi, a whispering volcano.

"I'd suggest bringing a picnic to eat at the nearby waterfall. My guide (from the hotel) took me there."

"I don't know where all the negativity comes from," says Headley.

For a different take on the country, Headley recommends experiencing a Shakti stay up in the Himalayas where there are fewer hotels, and more nomadic journeys into the Indian mountains where days are spent adventuring and nights are in a series of base camps under the stars.

"I loved trekking trough through beautiful orchards, treading canyons and stopping to take in and admire the Buddhist temples with giant gold statues dotted around the landscape."

She recommends a stay at Sasaab. In addition to game drives, travelers can go quad biking, ride camels and do safari walks.

"I believe the village visit here is the most authentic and genuine experience. Go way out and sleep under the stars at a private fly camp.

"Also keep an eye out for the Samburu Special Five: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, Somali ostrich and beisa oryx," says Brandon. These animals are unique to this region in Kenya.

People don't really think of walking in Hong Kong, but the city's great for it, says Charlie Stewart-Cox, Cathay Pacific general manager for South Asia, Middle East and Africa.

There are fantastic hiking tracks and mountain paths -- both inside and out of the city, says Stewart-Cox.

"I particularly enjoy a soothing walk on Lugard Road, Victoria Peak. Sections of the path are on the cliffside, meaning it offers the best views of the Hong Kong skyline," he says.

The entrance for Lugard Road is adjacent to the Peak Tower.

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20 travel destinations the experts say not to miss - CNN

Instagram romance: Traveling couple goes viral with creatively posed shots from across the world – Fox News

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Ask any couple that's spent a lot of time apart and they'll most likely say doing long distance isn't easy.

Missing a loved one a million miles away isn't exactly fun but one creative couple originally from New York City has found a unique way to pass their time apart-- and still be together in an artistic way.

Meet Becca Siegel and Dan Gold. They first met in the winter of 2015 but just a few months after meeting, Gold received a job opportunity he just couldn't turn down. But it involved traveling 12 months out of the year. Becca is originally from New York but has also spent significant time overseas, so travel has been an integral part of their relationship from the beginning.

CRAZY FOR CARNIVAL CRUISES: COUPLE SETS RECORD WITH 200TH VOYAGE

When they're apart, the globetrotting couple strategically pose for individual pictures then splice the images together, showcasing a similar pose or space seen through their own eyes on opposite sides of the world.

This summer the couple will be able to spend some together in New York City before jetting off to East and South Asia in July.

Fox News caught up with wanderlusters just ahead of their next trip...together.

Fox News: Youve managed to stay together living apart for quite awhile. What are some of the secret tips to making a long distance relationship work?

HalfHalfTravel: The key to making a LDR [long distance relationship] work is understanding and communication. If you don't hear from your boyfriend/girlfriend for half a day, it's because they lost service on a mountain (both guilty) or because their phone died (same for this), and not because they don't miss you.

It's equally important to plan visits/trips and look forward to having new adventures together, counting the days til you next see the other person, knowing that you're both thinking about each other and of course, sending postcards and surprises in the mail!

Fox News: How did the idea for the Instagram account come about?

HalfHalfTravel: After Dan left the U.S. for Europe, Becca wanted a project which they could both work on together, despite the distance. After stitching together a photo of their two cups of coffee (Beccas in Manhattan and Dans in London) and receiving a great response from her friends on her personal Instagram account, the two whipped up a few more images and started @Halfhalftravel.

Fox News: Do you take photos with the idea of the other half in mind or do just go for it then select photos that seem to fit?

HalfHalfTravel: We make the pictures fit together so perfectly after trying many times until we get it right. As we are both photographers, we take our photos from travels while we have been apart and find ones that correspond - a motorbike, sunsets on city horizons, cups of coffee, iPhones, travel guidebooks, building facades, cars and plates of food.

If we are not creating half-half images from past photos, we plan to both take photos of the same thing, such as a US Dollar bill + Mexican peso bill, or both of our eyeglasses. The subjects are simple objects that we have both come across in traveling or everyday life, in various countries and continents. We discuss over Whatsapp calls or email to make the plan.

Fox News: What's your favorite trip that youve taken together?

HalfHalfTravel:Well...maybe we have two. We loved our road trip around Portugal because a) we got to be together for the first time in more than 100 days and b) because Portugal's landscapes are so diverse and constantly surprised us!

The second is our trip to the "zona cafetera" (coffee region) of Colombia, where we met really cool people and hiked the Valle de Cocora, home to the tallest palm trees in the world.

Fox News: Any trips that you wish you could have taken together?

HalfHalfTravel:Dan probably wishes he could have gone on safari in South Africa with Becca. Becca wishes she could have gone hiking in Morocco with Dan, buttheres always next year!

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Fox News: How do you keep in touch when youre on the road?

HalfHalfTravel:To stay connected through the timezones, we chat and call on Whatsapp and GoogleHangouts. We have FaceTimed from Cape Town, South Africa, to Prague, Czech Republic (in the same time zone, in fact!) and from San Francisco, California, to Rabat, Morocco (an 8-hour difference!). Sometimes we send postcards and surprise each other.

Since Dan left the US for Europe on May 17, 2016, we've only seen each other five times - in Portugal, Spain, Colombia, in the U.S. when Dan visited home around holiday-time last winter, and in Argentina this spring.

Fox News: What are some of your favorite posts?

HalfHalfTravel:Our favorites are the ones of us together and with our backs; also the hand - even the wrinkles line up. We also love the shot of the orange, but mainly because we based it on the Spanish saying media naranja, the way to call someone your soulmate in Spanish - it translates to "half an orange" in English!

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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Instagram romance: Traveling couple goes viral with creatively posed shots from across the world - Fox News

Peru’s Andean Explorer: A luxury train journey on the roof of the world – CNN

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( CNN ) Long train journeys are inescapably romantic. They're all about the journey; the destination is irrelevant and distance is an ally.

Crossing the spine of the Peruvian Andes, more than 12,000 feet above sea level, between the cities of Cusco, Puno and Arequipa, three days and 456 miles one way, this is the first ever luxury sleeper train in South America.

It's a New World version of Europe's Orient Express, adventure and Champagne on the roof of the world.

Belmond Andean Explorer: A luxury sleeper train comes to South America.

The train itself, a transplant from a former luxury line in Australia, shipped over and renovated from head to toe, evokes an earlier age of exploration.

The elegant rooms, like miniature Art Deco apartments, range from bijou fold-down sofa booths to opulent suites with double beds and idyllic window nooks to watch the world go by.

Period details are everywhere: polished silver filigree along the walls, a baby grand piano, cast iron railing in the open-sided observation car to lean over and catch the Andean breeze.

So is Latin flair: lampshades the color of Andean lupins, hand-woven textiles in bright Inca patterns, a local three-piece band, which joined us for the last night, and had the entire train dancing salsa as we rattled along under the stars.

As well as the 24 guest rooms, and observation car, the 16-carriage train also features a lounge, bar and two restaurants, overseen by celebrated Peruvian chef Diego Muoz who fuses local recipes with gourmet twists.

"I want you to taste the landscape that we pass through," Muoz says.

Plans are also afoot for a spa carriage later this year too. Now that truly is luxury elevated: back rubs and pedicures at 14,000 feet.

The Colca Valley: A 62-mile fissure of green mountain slopes stepped in terraces and ancient villages.

There are a number of different permutations for the trip. My plan was to board the train on the outskirts of Arequipa, its most southerly station, gradually climbing over a high pass of the Andes before dropping down to Cusco, in the north -- a total journey of three days.

Before I embarked there was one stop that I couldn't resist.

Three hours down a winding mountain road from the city is Colca Canyon -- the second largest gorge in the world, almost 14,000 feet from base to tip at its highest point, nearly twice the height of the Grand Canyon.

It's a spectacular setting: a 62-mile fissure of steep green mountain slopes stepped in terraces and ancient Inca villages. It's also the best place in the world for up-close encounters with condors, the largest flying bird on the planet.

I drove out to a viewpoint the next morning and found half a dozen gliding on the dawn thermals like soaring giants, full of grace, silent and free.

The Incas believed them to be messengers of the gods and it's easy to see why. It was like watching the breeze transformed into a living thing.

Passengers can learn how to make ceviche while watching the sun set over the Lagunillas lagoon.

The next day I embarked from the outskirts of Arequipa, traveling across high barren plains of gold and green, the city's three ice-capped volcanoes looming 18,000 feet above, to the city of Puno 190 miles to the east.

We passed shepherds, wrapped in bright rainbow shawls, herding packs of alpaca, children waving from dry stone villages and caves with 6,000-year-old paintings of shamans and pumas hidden within.

At the Lagunillas lagoon we watched the sunset as chef taught us how to make ceviche on a table overlooking the water's edge.

By sunrise we were 80 miles down the track, on the shore of Lake Titicaca -- at 12,500 feet the highest navigable lake in the world.

We took a boat out later that day to Taquile island, off the northeastern shore, and were welcomed by a traditional Quechua community.

Bright feathered hats, pan pipes and drums and dancing in circles were backdropped by the mountains of Bolivia, 30 miles away on the eastern shore.

Floating islands are the star attractions of a Lake Titicaca excursion.

It's the floating islands that make Lake Titicaca truly unique.

Like an entire city in the middle of the lake, the islands are home to thousands of people living on a series of loosely connected platforms made entirely from totora reeds.

At the island of a family from the lake's Uros community, four straw shacks on a spongy reed bed about the size of a back garden, we learned how each island is alive.

The base is cut from the thick submarine soil where the reeds grow on the lake and then bound together like buoys.

Afterwards a fresh layer of cut reeds is woven on top, which must be replaced every 20 days.

The community has a floating kindergarten and even a football field.

At 14,000 feet, La Raya valley is the highest point of the journey.

We leave Lake Titicaca, rattling in the darkness under bright Andean stars, and wake to another world entirely.

The mountains of the La Raya valley are the highest point of the journey at 14,000 feet. Green foothills rise precipitously to dark ridges of ice and storm.

From there we descended north for 100 miles, past the rarely visited Inca ruins of Raqchi and along the Urubamba River through fertile fields of corn and ripe purple quinoa.

At Cusco we reach the end of the line.

The red rooftops of Cusco's old town.

Before the Spanish arrived in the 1530s Cusco was the capital of the Incas and their genius is everywhere.

There are ancient walls with foundations of smoothed-out jagged stone carved together like an enormous jigsaw puzzle to protect against earthquakes.

Fountains and water channels built by the Incas still run to this day.

A steep climb leads to the Sacsayhuaman citadel.

Made of enormous limestone blocks that circle a grassy mound overlooking the city, it's one of the largest structure of its kind ever built.

Without iron, mortar or the wheel the Incas somehow created such intricate architecture that, 500 years later, a sheet of paper can still not be placed between these stone blocks.

"To recreate that now, we would need computers and a diamond-cutter," says guide Nancy Bautista, a direct descendent of the Incas herself.

No journey to Peru is complete without a visit to Machu Picchu.

Cusco is also the gateway to Machu Picchu and the sacred valley: Inca terraces cut into the mountainside, ruined temples in the jungle, colors everywhere brighter than an Inca shawl.

There were more adventures to be had.

I was about to rush to the next site, but then I remembered: It's all about the journey -- Champagne and adventure on the top of the world.

Perhaps I'd just jump straight back on board.

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Peru's Andean Explorer: A luxury train journey on the roof of the world - CNN

Cox & Kings Wins Big at the 24th Annual World Travel Awards … – eTurboNews

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Cox & Kings Ltd. has yet again emerged victorious at the 24th Annual World Travel Awards. It was conferred with three coveted titles Asias Leading Luxury Tour Operator, Indias Leading Tour Operator and Indias Leading Travel Agency amidst much cheer at the travel industrys most celebrated event of the year. The sparkling red carpet ceremony unfolded at the Grand Kempinski Hotel, Shanghai, where attendees were treated to Chinasfinest traditions and a dazzling line-up of performances.

Mr. Peter Kerkar, Group CEO, Cox & Kings stated, The awards are an endorsement on the innovative and unique travel experiences that we offer. We are as passionate as our discerning clients to explore and create the most splendid journeys. We thank our customers whose support played a key role in us securing these awards.

Cox & Kings has been a consistent winner at the World Travel Awards since years. The title of Asias Leading Luxury Tour Operator was bagged for the 3rd consecutive time this year. It won Indias Leading Tour Operator for the 4th time and Indias Leading Travel Agency for the 5th consecutive time.

World Travel Awards (WTA) was established to seek out and reward the very best travel organisations in the world those brands pushing the boundaries of excellence and implementing ground-breaking ideas. It has been acclaimed as the Oscars of the Travel Industry. Each World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony offers unrivalled networking opportunities to members of the travel and tourism industry.

About Cox & Kings Ltd:

Cox & Kings Ltd. (C&K) is a leading leisure and education travel group with operations in 22 countries across four continents. It is one of the most experienced travel companies in the world, having been in operation since 1758. Headquartered in India, C&K has over the last three decades transformed itself into a diversified, multinational travel conglomerate with a focus on the new-age global consumer. C&K operates in three key verticals; Leisure, Education, Hybrid Hotels.

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Cox & Kings Wins Big at the 24th Annual World Travel Awards ... - eTurboNews

Sun Group’s resort wins World Travel Awards the fourth time in a row – VietNamNet Bridge

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A representative of the resort receives the award at a gala ceremony in Shanghai last week.

The resort received the four prestigious awards at a gala ceremony in Shanghai on 4th June, including the Asia's Leading Luxury Resort 2017, Vietnam's Leading Resort 2017, Asia's Leading Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant 2017: La Maison 1888 Restaurant, and Asia's Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2017: Sun Peninsula Residence Villa.

"This recognition is a result of the thoughtful and world-class services and experiences that we deliver to our guests every day. It also reflects the fantastic vision of our owners who built the most impressive resort in Asia, Mr. Juan Losada, General Manager of the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, said.

The past 5 years have been fantastic for everyone involved and associated with us and we look forward to an even more bright future, Losada added.

These awards reaffirm the resort teams commitment to excellence, which they have demonstrated ever since the first ribbon cutting ceremony was held on 1st June, 2012.

Through the years, the iconic InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort has redefined the definition of luxury in Da Nang as well as Vietnam, and amassed numerous international awards.

The Sun Peninsula Residence Villas have also been recognized as Asias Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2017 for extraordinary design and excellent service.

Nestled in a secluded area for ultimate privacy, each villa spans up to approximately 1,000 square meters and features views of the private bay from all directions.

Each unit includes two private pools and a large reception area as well as a fully equipped kitchen, making it perfect for both relaxation and entertainment.

Each deluxe bedroom comes with an expansive bathroom with two vanity areas, an enormous designer marble bathtub and an outdoor shower with the mythical Monkey Mountain as the backdrop.

The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 to acknowledge excellence in the travel and tourism industry. Currently in its 24th year, it has been heralded as the travel industry's equivalent to the Oscars by The Wall Street Journal. The awards are decided based on votes by the public and travel professionals worldwide.

Some pictures of the resort:

PV

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Sun Group's resort wins World Travel Awards the fourth time in a row - VietNamNet Bridge

A Supercomputer Has Created the Largest Virtual Universe Ever … – Atlas Obscura

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This is just a portion of the unbelievable simulation. University of Zurich/Fair Use

Anyone thats played a modern open-universe video game can attest to how large simulated worlds can get, but theyve got nothing on an incomprehensibly large universe simulation that was recently created by a supercomputer at the University of Zurich.

Calculated using 2 trillion digital particles of information meant to represent dark matter, the simulated universe contains some 25 billion virtual galaxies, making it the largest universal simulation ever. Visually, it looks like an almost impossibly complex and chaotic web.

According to Science Alert, the simulation, which took three years of research to develop and implement, was mapped by the Piz Daint supercomputer at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre. It took the powerhouse computer 80 hours to complete the calculations, which is actually considered pretty fast. The resulting simulation of our universe is both the largest and most accurate view of our universe (and its history) ever created.

The simulation was created for use with the Euclid satellite which is set to launch in 2020. The Euclids six-year-mission will be to look for and study evidence of dark matter and dark energy, those maddeningly hard-to-find forces that are thought to make up the majority of the universe. Using the simulation as a basis of comparison, the satellite will look for variations in the observed light of the universe, hoping to detect evidence of any influence by invisible dark forces.

Before the satellite launches, researchers will also study the simulation to see what they can learn just from their calculations. The mind boggles.

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A Supercomputer Has Created the Largest Virtual Universe Ever ... - Atlas Obscura

The Largest Virtual Universe Ever Created Was Just Simulated in a Supercomputer – Futurism

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In Brief Researchers at the University of Zurich have created the largest virtual universe inside a supercomputer. The simulation will help them explore the nature of dark matter and dark energy to prepare the Euclid satellite for its exploratory travels.

University of Zurich (UZH) researchers have simulated the way our Universe formed by creating the largest virtual universe with a large supercomputer. The team turned 2 trillion digital particles into around 25 billion virtual galaxies that together make up this virtual universe and galaxy catalogue. The catalogue will be used on the Euclid satellite, to be launched in 2020 to explore the nature of dark energy and dark matter, to calibrate the experiments.

The nature of dark energy remains one of the main unsolved puzzles in modern science, UZH professor of computational astrophysics Romain Teyssier said in a press release. Euclid will not be able to view dark matter or dark energy directly; the satellite will instead measure the tiny distortions of light of distant galaxies by invisible mass distributed in the foregrounddark matter. That is comparable to the distortion of light by a somewhat uneven glass pane, UZH Institute for Computational Science researcher Joachim Stadel said in the release.

The precise calculations that have allowed the team to create the virtual universe have also allowed them to simulate small concentrations of matter, dark matter halos, which may be the loci in which galaxies like ours form. The Euclids mission is to explore the dark side of the Universe, so part of the challenge of the virtual universe project was to accurately model galaxies only one-tenth the size of the Milky Way, within a massive volume the size of the observable Universe. The behavior observed in the virtual model will help Euclid know what to look for on its journey.

Euclid will perform a tomographic map of our Universe, tracing back in time more than 10-billion-year of evolution in the cosmos, Stadel said in the release. Researchers hope to learn more about dark energy from the Euclid data, but they are also eager to discover new areas of physics beyond the standard model, such as a new type of particle or a modified version of general relativity. Each bit of evidence along this journey may well take us one step closer to understanding the origins of our galaxy, and perhaps the entire Universe.

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The Largest Virtual Universe Ever Created Was Just Simulated in a Supercomputer - Futurism

Japan is building the fastest supercomputer ever made – CNN

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The supercomputer is expected to run at a speed of 130 petaflops, meaning it is able to perform a mind-boggling 130 quadrillion calculations per second (that's 130 million billion).

Once complete (the target date is April 2018), the AI Bridging Cloud Infrastructure (ABCI) will be the most powerful supercomputer in the world, surpassing the current champion, China's Sunway TaihuLight, currently operating at 93 petaflops.

While the ABCI will not have a mouse or screen, it's not vastly different from a personal computer -- just souped-up, a whole lot faster, and much, much bigger.

"The current supercomputer system is one million times faster than your personal computers," explains Satoshi Sekiguchi, a director general at Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.

Sekiguchi calculates that it would take 3,000 years for a personal computer to achieve what a supercomputer can do in just one day.

In terms of size, Japan's supercomputer will be comparable to a parking lot with space for 30 to 40 cars.

"The supercomputer that is currently under development would take up about 1,000 square meters of floor space," says Sekiguchi.

The ABCI could help Japanese companies develop and improve driverless cars, robotics and medical diagnostics, explains Sekiguchi.

"A supercomputer is an extremely important tool for accelerating the advancement in such fields," he says.

Its supersonic speed will also help Japan develop advances in artificial intelligence technologies, such as "deep learning."

But supercomputers are to thank for smaller everyday inventions too.

"The initial design of paper diapers was actually done using a supercomputer," explains Sekiguchi. "However, mothers continue to use them without knowing that fact."

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will spend 19.5 billion yen ($173m) to build the ABCI and two research centers.

"They [the government] recognize that artificial intelligence will be a key to the future, or the key to the competitiveness of the industry," says Sekiguchi.

Japanese firms often turn to the likes of Amazon, Microsoft and Google when looking to crunch big numbers. But once it's running, Japanese researchers and companies will be able to pay to use the ABCI, rather than renting cycles on public clouds like Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure.

Japan's K computer, which runs at just over 10 petaflops, claimed the title of world's fastest supercomputer for six months in 2011, before it was outperformed by the United States and China.

But for Sekiguchi, it is not about the race to build the fastest supercomputer.

"Before, there was a competition in the computer industry itself, however, from now on, it is going to be more about what you can do with the computers," he said.

"It is no longer about which computer becomes the best in the world, but rather, creating an environment in which these new applications can be used properly."

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Japan is building the fastest supercomputer ever made - CNN