Daily Archives: December 8, 2019

Host Freedom dominated the Battle of Bethlehem Duals on Saturday.

The Patriots won five duals by 23 points or more to win the event.

Freedom defeated Honesdale 63-12 in the first-place match. The Patriots won their pool with wins over Southern Lehigh (59-15). St. Josephs Prep (66-6), Neshaminy (46-23) and Abington Heights (54-18).

Going 5-0 on the day for Freedom were Chris Horvath (106), Luis Vargas (120), Reinaldo Lebron (126/132), and Mike Gomes (145). Connor Huber (126/132) and Matt Bargardo (220/285) went 4-0.

Southern Lehigh finished seventh at the event and Bangor 10th.

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Freedom wrestling rolls to championship at Battle of Bethlehem - lehighvalleylive.com

According to a new report from the UK-based charity Article 19 (named for one of the clauses in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights), freedom of expression has reached a ten-year low globally, as a result of what the report calls digital authoritarianism and threats against journalists. Governments in a number of countries have been increasing online surveillance and cracking down on content and behavior that indicates dissent, the report says. The survey notes that while there were some improvements in the overall freedom-of-expression environment around the world between 2008 and 2013, these gains were eroded in the five subsequent years. According to Article 19s analysis, more than sixty-five countries with a combined population of over five billion people have seen their freedom of expression decline over the past decade.

The report looked at what it argues are five key metrics of freedom of expression: 1) Civic space, which looks at indicators related to the ability of individuals and civil society organizations to associate and be active; 2) Digital, which measures online censorship and freedom of online discussion and covers internet shutdowns by governments, censorship of social media, and online content moderation; 3) Media, which measures factors such as government censorship and self-censorship, laws that limit online expression, etc.; 4) Protection, which measures threats to the safety of journalists and other communicators and human rights defenders, including murders and imprisonment, as well as judicial harassment; and 5) Transparency, which looks at whether laws are transparent and enforced in a predictable manner and whether there are effective oversight bodies, impartial public administration, and so on.

Legal threats to freedom of expression continue in a number of countries, the report says, from broad and ambiguous national security laws to laws that unduly limit online expression, as well as new frameworks that delegate blocking and removal to online platforms, which often do so without transparency or accountability. That last comment is clearly directed at Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, which have been under fire for some time for their poorly communicated and often haphazard attempts to block hate speech and other bad behavior. According to Article 19, media freedom and digital free expression are both lower than they were a decade ago in every region of the world except the Middle East and North Africa. Executive director Thomas Hughes said that many of the threats are not newstate violence, judicial harassment, etc.but the group has also seen an increase in governments using digital technology to surveill [sic] their citizens, restrict content and shut down communications.

ICYMI:The case of a viral video shows how quickly the press can abandon ethics

The organization said the number of alerts received by the Council of Europe about harassment and violence directed toward journalists has almost doubled every year since 2015, when the Councils alert program was launched. In 2018, ninety-nine journalists were killedtwenty-one more than in 2017. At the end of 2018, more than two hundred and fifty journalists were in prison (also up from the year before) and more than 10 percent of those were being held on false news charges. According to Article 19s analysis, the most alerts about harassment and violence came from Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and France, and more than half of the alerts cited the state as the source of the threat. The report also notes that 2018 saw a clear trend toward verbal abuse and public stigmatisation of the media and individual journalists in many member states, including by elected officials and especially in the run-up to elections.

One of the biggest factors in the decline of free expression and the free press, Article 19 says, is the rise of strongman politics in a number of countries, characterized by old leaders clinging to power and new leaders coming into power by ignoring or altering a countrys constitution, relying on networks of cronyism and corruption, and promoting a muscular form of majoritarian populism, which excludes, polarises, and silences, railing against the speed-bumps of democratic institutions and limits on the exercise of power. Sounds like a number of countries we could name.

Heres more on threats to freedom of expression:

Other notable stories:

ICYMI: A tweet about Kamala Harris that was reposted thousands of times turned out to be false

See original here:

Freedom of expression is at a ten-year low, study says - Columbia Journalism Review

What insanity possessed the Supreme Court to declare burning our flag as Freedom of Speech? By that criteria, the Methodist who objects to Baptist teachings could burn the Baptist Church! Freedom of Speech!

The teetotaler who objects to alcohol could burn the ABC store! Freedom of Speech!

Freedom of Speech as covered by the Constitution is word of mouth or written words. Words, folks! Not actions! Not violence! Words!

Can those so-called justices not comprehend the difference? Total insanity! How long before a hater claims Freedom of Speech as a defense for attacking a gay person, an immigrant or anyone else a hater targets.

Words, people. The Constitution protects a War of Words, not violence against a person, place or thing.

Alsie White

Anniston

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Freedom of Speech protects words, not actions - Anniston Star

Freedom

Coach: Dante Terenzio (2nd year at Freedom, 15-6; 12th overall, 177-89 at Western Wayne and Freedom)

Last years record: 15-6, 6-3 EPC

Classification: 3A

Division: EPC B

Catch them on Twitter? @FHSWrestlingPA

Key wrestlers and approximate weight: So. Connor Bevan (113); Jr. Matt Bogardo (220); Jr. Patrick Carrillo (160); Sr. Ian Connell (182); Jr. Ryan Frantz (285); So. Zamir Hill (285); Sr. Mikey Gomes (145); Fr. CJ Horvath (106); Jr. Thaddeus Howland (138); Sr. Connor Huber (126); So. Chris Jurado (170); So. Reinaldo Lebron (132); Sr. Max Marrero (195); Fr. Rayshawn Nicholas (170-182); So. Chris Nieves (132); Sr. Julious Rios (220); Sr. Shane Storm (152); Sr. Luis Vargas (120).

Top records from 2018-19: Vargas 32-11, Marrero 29-11 Huber 23-18, Bevan 20-12

Wrestler you dont know now, but will by February: Fr. CJ Horvath (106)

Outlook: Year One of the Terenzio era went pretty well, with an improvement in dual-meet wins but, perhaps even more importantly, a different aura around the Pates.The culture has steadily changed since last year at this time, and we will look to continue and upward trend, Terenzio said. With the work ethic weve gotten out of our guys in the offseason and now in season, I believe we can be a top five team in District 11. The kids did the right things in the offseason and will be rewarded soon. Will soon be this season? It could be, even if Freedom has a lot of less experienced or still-improving youngsters who will be counted on in key spots. It doesnt help that senior Jared Jenkins isnt out -- he won 24 matches at 182 as a junior -- so he can concentrate on his future career as a college quarterback, but the Pates may have enough depth up top so hes not dearly missed. Terenzio is excited about his underclassmen and his youth program, and he has good reasons to be, even if the latter wont help 2019-20, of course. In state qualifier Marrero, 77-win veteran Vargas and 20-win talents Bevan and Huber, Freedom has a solid core. With continued improvement from the promising if less proven part of the ladder, the Pates can reach Terenzios goals. We want a better record and better postseason finish than last year, he said. Individually, I feel we can send more wrestlers to regionals than we did last year (3). We should also push multiple wrestlers through to the state tournament, with hopes of finishing on the podium.

Wilsons Wild-Guess Prediction: Freedom always seems just one step away from a massive breakthrough season, and this year seems to fit that pattern. The Pates certainly could be the best of the EPC outside of its perennial ruling class, and could win 17-18 duals if things break right. Marrero and Vargas have state-medal quality, Horvath is one of the better freshmen around and the overall athleticism is very impressive. Terenzio has boosted turnout and convinced athletes to come back out for the sport or try it for the first time, especially up top where Freedom seems very solid. But to achieve Terenzios lofty goals, the middle of the Patriot lineup will have to get a lot stronger, and against the always-rugged EPC slate -- Bethlehem Catholic, Easton, Liberty and Parkland are all in Freedoms division -- there might not be time for patient maturing. The Pates most obvious need is for a state medalist or two. Freedom has not had one since 2016 , and ending that streak is critical to the team realizing both Terenzios goals and reaching the level overall as a program it needs to be at in such a challenging environment. Improving on 15 dual-meet wins may be a stretch, but we do see at least one Patriot on the podium in Hershey, which would make for a nice step towards that breakthrough. With enough hardware-earning Pates it would be the breakthrough.

Brad Wilson may be reached at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradwsports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

Originally posted here:

Freedom wrestling seeking breakthrough year - lehighvalleylive.com

WASHINGTON The release of Princeton University doctoral student Xiyue Wang after more than three years of captivity in Iran was the product of months of negotiations facilitated by the Swiss government, a senior administration official said Saturday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he hoped the release would lead to other U.S captives being freed from Iran.

Wang was released Saturday in exchange for Iranian scientist Massoud Soleimani, who had been arrested by U.S. authorities on charges that he violated sanctions against Tehran. Those charges were dropped.

Were very happy to have our hostage back," President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday, according to pool reports. "The whole Princeton University community is very thrilled. And there was a one-on-one hostage swap.

I think its a great thing for Iran," he said. "It might have been a precursor to what could be done.

The swap ended an ordeal that lasted more than three years after Wang, who had traveled to Iran to conduct academic research, instead was arrested and convicted as a spy.

He is now in Germany, where he will undergo a medical examination before returning to the U.S., the official said.

Wangs wife, Hua Qu of Princeton, had fought for years for her husbands release. They have a son, Shaofan, who has lived more than half his life without his father.

Our family is complete once again," Qu said on Saturday. "Our son Shaofan and I have waited three long years for this day and its hard to express in words how excited we are to be reunited with Xiyue. We are thankful to everyone who helped make this happen.

Trump in an earlier statement thanked the Swiss government for helping to achieve Wangs release.

The highest priority of the United States is the safety and well-being of its citizens, Trump said. Freeing Americans held captive is of vital importance to my administration, and we will continue to work hard to bring home all our citizens wrongfully held captive overseas.

Later, he tweeted: Thank you to Iran on a very fair negotiation. See, we can make a deal together!

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also thanked the Swiss.

The Trump administration worked very aggressively to get him out," said Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., who spoke with Qu on Saturday after her husbands release. It didnt just fall out of the sky. It was negotiated.

Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, earlier had delivered a note from Qu to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to give to Trump.

Wang was studying the Qajar dynasty, rulers from 1785-1925, and learning Farsi in order to access archival material. Though he had traveled to Iran with the governments permission, he was arrested in 2016 and then convicted of espionage and sentenced to 10 years in Evin Prison, where the regime holds political prisoners.

For more than three years Iranian authorities have let him languish and kept his family, including his wife and young son, in anguish over his well-being and eventual return, said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Qu on Saturday spoke with Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Smith earlier delivered a letter from Qu to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to give to Trump.

This has been a horrific ordeal, Smith said.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

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How the U.S. was able to win Princeton University students freedom from Iran - NJ.com

A much-awaited movie at this years IFFK is the national-award-winning Hellaro that ran to a packed house on Sunday when it was screened in the Indian Cinema Now section. Set in the arid Rann of Kutch, it portrays the urge of an unfettered mind to break free from social shackles in this case, treacherous patriarchy. And what helps to set the free spirit soar is the flowing movements of the body tuned to the beats of an ebullient drum in a dance genre that Gujarat has always been proud of garba.

The movie has won many hearts since its release in November this year. The biggest applause came as the National Award for the Best Feature Film and Special Jury award for the 13 women who play the protagonists who live in a nondescript village in Kutch where the norm is that women cannot dance or express their talents in any way. All they are allowed is to walk miles away through dry patches to fetch water.

But their chance meeting with a drummer gives them the spark to express their rebellion and their freedom through dance something only men are allowed to do in the village. The bond between the women in Hellaro reminds us of Ketan Mehtas Mirch Masala where women fight gender bias with spices they prepare for a living.

The movie is Abhishek Shahs first. It competed at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in the best debut film category and even opened the festival. Mr. Shah, who took to theatre when young, got the idea of the movie from real incidents when he felt that freedom of expression, among women especially, remained subdued. He then read it along with a Kutchi folkore in which women get attracted to a drummer who helps them dance in gay abandon.

When he narrated the story to us, we were excited. Everything fell in place from then with veterans like Saumya Joshi helping with the script, lyrics, and dialogue and Sameer Tanna choreographing the beautiful garba dances that fill the frames with a fiery grace. The real hero of the film is garba, says Aayush Patel, one of the producers. He and another from the producer team, Mit Jani, are attending the IFFK.

Even while portraying the dark world of ruthless conventions, the film celebrates the rustic, earthy flavours of Kutch, the richness of its dialect, and the delicate imprints of art that is part of the regions everyday life.

Hellaro in Gujarati means an outburst that gives rise to a wave of change. The film has done exactly that, coming in as a wave of change in Gujarati cinema.

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Dancing their way to freedom - The Hindu

How can you not know how to ride a bicycle? a man once asked me. What kind of a feminist are you? The kind of feminist who takes public transport! I said. I feel freest when I can get about on trains and cabs, by myself.

Many women like that. Maria, a 42-year-old senior analyst from Bengaluru, just moved jobs. People keep saying to her she must be so happy that her commute is down by an hour. Maria isnt. That hour of commute was my me-time between home and work. This leisure is writ large even in the sweaty sardine tin of the Mumbai local ladies compartment. Women chat, play video games, read, eat cheap idlis, buy hair clips, chop veggies, mend clothes, fight for space, are lost in thought or music or texting smiles. Some strategise for the spot near the door where you gaze at the horizon, hair and chunni flying, like Hema Malini, hawa ke saath saath, ghata ke sangh sangh.

I still feel awed that the Delhi Metro lets you come home late, something I never did through college, or tweet your people-watching observations.

That the citys buses allow working class women in a country where womens participation in the workforce has been steadily dropping the possibility of travelling free.

I took the DTC bus to college. I expected to be molested, although not as much as I was one day when six men did not let me get off at my stop and everyone laughed at my terror.

But I did not stop taking the bus or going to college. Those were the available choices.

Most women learned to drive as soon as they could to avoid the bus. They saved for two-wheelers and second-hand cars to resist family pressure to go everywhere accompanied because duniya is kharaab.

Angela, a young woman I knew, gave tuition to put herself through college. She walked everywhere and was always exhausted and late. Finally she saved up enough for a second-hand bicycle, fittingly called Devil.

She compensated for its missing bell by whistling to ask people to make way. Her smile became broader, her dreams bigger. Today she is an FM radio jockey. In my 2002 film Unlimited Girls, I interviewed Kanchan Gawre, Bombays first woman taxi driver. She chose to drive a taxi, to augment the family income, over homebound options of pickle- and papad-making. I love driving fast, she said, as I clutched the dashboard for support.

Look, if you want to go slow, you can take a bus, right? Greta lived on the ground floor of my tenement building, in a cloud of aata dust from dozens of chapatis.

Money from her husband in the Gulf had dwindled so she had begun making dabbas, delivering tiffins on foot.

Finally she saved enough for a moped and zoomed about precariously, vegetables hanging from the handlebar, offering me lifts which I timidly declined. Years later, I ran into her on a scooter, in sparkly gold jewellery.

Dont you look grand! I exclaimed. Yes, sweetheart, Im doing very well, she said. Greta Lambretta, as I think of her, had become Bombays only womens driving instructor for two-wheelers. Her photo album of students included grandmoms, modish teens, ladies in salwar kameez .

The male fantasy of a liberated woman on wheels is always a biker chick, grumbled a writer friend. But in truth, the abiding image of freedom are these women on two-wheelers and little cars. Whether it is the women of Puddukotai bicycling in saris, fetching water, dropping kids, going to work, or Saira Bano in a cherry-print shirt with her girl gang, singing, Main chali main chali, dekho pyaar ki gali, or women at smalltown traffic signals, covered head to toe against pollution and tanning.

Yet, for women, these measured personal freedoms, like the grudging, guilt-laden concessions of private family life and the unpredictable progress and minimisations of public life, are still a topography of watchfulness and inhibition.

In Dorothy Wenners documentary about the Mumbai ladies special train, a woman demonstrates things they must mind when boarding the train. Secure your pallu. Tuck your bag tight under your arm. Put your mangalsutra between your teeth so it cant be snatched in the melee.

I could add, squeeze every last drop of pee out before you leave home. Drink very little water till you have loo access. Wear a scarf to cover your breasts. Keep your elbows close to your body to prevent groping. Dont park in a deserted spot. Dont forget to fill petrol in case you get stranded at night. You get habituated to those wheels constantly turning in your mind, busy wresting the freedom to be a person, forgetting your worst fears.

Then one day some worst fear comes true. A young woman in Unnao is raped and burned to death. A vet in Hyderabad finds her scooter tyre punctured, is abducted, raped and killed. Uber admits it has had thousands of reports of sexual violence. You forget to forget your fear even as you persist with living your life.

Like many women who cannot drive, I frequently dream that I am driving a car or riding a bicycle. In these dreams, I am constantly, predictably, trying to escape from some predicament or save myself from some danger. After all, who else is going to?

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View: Women riding vehicles are busy wrestling their freedom to be a person, forgetting their worst fears - Economic Times