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Ways to Get Around Campus

Best Ways to Get Around Campus

The parking situation across many college campuses is a struggle, to say the least. A statistic at the University of Wisconsin showed that there is one available parking spot for every five college students. With the average cost for a student parking permit at about $280 per semester, it’s certainly worth exploring cheaper alternatives for getting to class on time. There are many transportation options and they each have advantages and disadvantages. We share our two cents on the various means of transportation, ranging from skateboards to taking the bus. So how will you cruise to class this semester?

The Madness Of Motorized Transportation

Some may prefer to drive their cars, which offers privacy and comfort by way of temperature control and cushioned seating. However, the price of a car is high when compared to the price of non-motorized means of transportation and the cost of gas is near all-time highs. Some may opt for a moped. Many of the students at the University of Florida find riding to class on a moped to be common and convenient. Regardless, mopeds require fuel, finding space for parking and confidence in your ability to navigate to class safely. Another alternative is public transportation which offers a handful of other options. Trains, buses and ridesharing will all allow students to get to class in a timely manner, but these modes of transportation require the purchase of either individual fares or a pass as a more long-term option.

Traditional Transportation

When boiling down bicycles vs skateboards you should consider the storage and the maintenance required to have your wheels at your disposal. Many class commuters opt for transportation on two wheels. For example, many students in Portland, Oregon choose to bicycle to and from campus because it is a relatively bicycle-friendly city. However, a bicycle requires finding a safe place to lock it up and preparation in the case of a maintenance emergency; meanwhile a longboard or cruiser doesn’t require as much storage for tools, locks or finding a bike rack.

Some of you may be thinking, “Why don’t I just walk?!” If the distance of your commute isn’t far, this is a very valid option. It carries no cost, offers physical exercise, and with proper planning will get you to class on time. It’s an especially attractive choice when the walk to class is a scenic one or offers the opportunity to socialize or network. You don’t even have to search for parking as you might with a car, moped, motorcycle, or bicycle. However, for many students, walking to class isn’t an option because they simply live too far away for it to be reasonable.

Commuting With Style

Skateboarding, in addition to its popularity, is a sensible and effective way to roll to any lecture or study group that may come up. And, after the initial investment, it’s free! It is even cheaper than buying a bicycle or paying for daily public transportation, and on a tight student budget, this carries major clout. It’s an individual pursuit, so skateboarders don’t need to share air with others on a bus or train and risk getting sick.

Let’s break down the difference between longboards and cruisers, shall we? Both longboards and cruisers tend to have larger and softer wheels. Softer wheels make for better movement on rough surfaces like the road or sidewalks. Softer wheels also offer more grip for turning. Larger wheels come in handy when you have a longer commute because they cover more ground which makes for less pushing and more cruising. Lastly, board (deck) size is the biggest deciding factor when comparing longboards and cruisers. A longer board doesn’t maneuver as well as a cruiser when it comes to turning. Imagine how much easier a car can turn a corner compared to a semi-truck. Longboards and cruiser decks are usually at least eight inches wide which makes for a more stable ride at higher speeds. Which will you choose?

Most importantly, skateboarding is a form of transportation that can also introduce one to a rich culture beyond the college campus. Skateboarding, while an individual pastime, offers a community that is global, inclusive, and loads of fun! Skateboarding offers a relaxing outlet that we all need, especially after an all-nighter of studying, while providing a winning method of cross-campus movement.

How do YOU prefer to commute?

SEE ALSO: The Importance of Saying Yes

Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock: How the 2022 Oscars Unfolded

Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock! How the 2022 Oscars Unfolded

“That’s the greatest night in the history of television,” said an astounded Chris Rock moments after he was hit by Will Smith in the face. The is after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, on stage prior to introducing an award.

“Jada, I love you. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,” Rock said. This was an apparent reference to the film G.I. Jane in 1997 where actress Demi Moore has her head shaved. Jada Pinkett Smith has also got shaved hair but this is since she has openly suffered from the condition alopecia which she was diagnosed with in 2018.

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air star initially appeared to enjoy the jokes from Rock however, his attitude quickly changed and then he strolled onto the stage and executed a powerful slap to Rock’s face.

“Oh, wow! Wow! Will Smith just smacked the s*** out of me,” Rock dumbfounded said. Soon after the act of violence on the stage, the audience were stunned however most were unsure if this was part of some sort of pre-planned joke both had agreed to do or if this was real. But it was soon clarified to all that this was not a joke after Smith returned to his seat and said: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth”.

During the U.S. broadcast of the prestigious awards ceremony, ABC managed to cut the sound a few moments after Rock swore.

Clearly staggered after he was unexpectedly hit in the face, Rock lumbered on with revealing the nominees and winner of the documentary award.

Later, the 53-year-old who went on to win his first ever Oscar, as he received the award for best actor in his role as the father of tennis icons Serena and Venus William in King Richard, apologized for his actions.

“I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to my all my fellow nominees,” he said during an emotional acceptance speech.

“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and to be in this world.”

“Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father. But love will make you do crazy things.” He added: “I know to do what we do you got to be able to take abuse. In this business you got to be able to have people disrespect you and smile and pretend like that’s OK.”

“Denzel (Washington) said to me a few minutes ago, he said, ‘At your highest moment, be careful. That’s when the devil comes for you.”

After the ceremony finished, the Los Angeles Police Department released a statement saying: “LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report later, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”

This event heavily overshadowed the rest of the ceremony which saw CODA win best picture, making it the first film with a largely deaf cast to triumph in the category. Sci-fi epic, Dune, won the most awards with six.

Other winners on Sunday included Jessica Chastain who won best actress for her role in The Eyes of Tammy Faye and Tammy Faye who picked up best director for The Power of the Dog. 

Full list of winners at the Oscars 2022:

Best picture: Coda

Best actress: Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)

Best actor: Will Smith (King Richard)

Best supporting actress: Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)

Best supporting actor: Troy Kotsur (Coda)

Best director: Jane Champion (The Power of the Dog)

Best original screenplay: Belfast (Sir Kenneth Branagh)

Best adapted screenplay: Coda (Sian Heder)

Best animated feature: Encato

Best documentary feature: Summer of Soul

Best international feature: Drive My Car (Japan)

Best original song: No Time to Die – No Time to Die (Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell)

Best original score: Dune (Hans Zimmer)

Best cinematography: Dune (Greig Fraser)

Best visual effects: Dune (Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor, Gerd Nefzer)

Best film editing: Dune (Joe Walker)

Best costume design: Cruella (Jenny Beavan)

Best sound: Dune (Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill, and Ron Bartlett)

Best production design: Dune (Patrice Vermette and Zsuzsanna Sipos)

Best make-up and hairstyling: The Eyes of Tammy Faye (Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram, and Justin Raleigh)

Best live action short: The Long Goodbye

Best animated short: The Windshield Wiper

Best documentary short: The Queen of Basketball

SEE ALSO: ‘Black Panther’ Director put into Custody After Being Mistaken for a Bank Robber?

Study Reveals Which Education Startups Reached $1B Valuation the Fastest

Study Reveals Which Education Startups Reached $1B Valuation the Fastest

In the startup world, the race to reach that unicorn status of a $1 billion valuation has become the name of the game. But which of today’s education companies reached their $1B+ valuation status the fastest?

Blitzscaling became the name of the game. This method of “high-impact entrepreneurship” involves growing as big as possible as fast as possible to squash out the competition. With low overheads and a get-big-fast strategy, digital start-ups began hitting billion-dollar valuations long before it made sense to cash in. And, in 2013, investor Aileen Lee christened these ever more common billion-dollar companies: unicorns.

A unicorn birth is when the company hits $1bn rather than when it was founded.

Only the tiniest fraction of start-ups will become unicorns. But today’s unicorns have a lot to teach about “efficiently building a viable company that is designed to attract investors and position you for a solid exit on a timetable that works for you” (according to BOSS Capital CEO Greg Shepard). So, ZenBusiness has identified the 959 companies classified as unicorns at the start of 2022 and analyzed their growth according to speed, industry, and the gender of the founding team.

Key Findings:

  • The fastest unicorn in our study is AI firm Avant, which was founded in November 2012 and got a billion-dollar valuation in just one month and 16 days.
  • French e-commerce start-up Veepee is the eldest continuing unicorn, reaching a billion-dollar valuation in July 2007.
  • Germany is the country with the quickest average period from foundation to billion-dollar valuation (6years, 0months, 9days; not including countries with<2unicorns).
  • Auto & Transportation is the sector with the fastest unicorn births: 5.25 years.
  • In the U.S., the average time from founding to becoming a unicorn is 7 years, 3 months, and 13 days.
Study Reveals Which Education Startups Reached $1B Valuation the Fastest
ZenBusiness
Study Reveals Which Education Startups Reached $1B Valuation the Fastest
ZenBusiness

All the data compiled by ZenBusiness can be found here.

SEE ALSO: 5 DOs and DON’Ts for Landing Your First Job After College

Russia Ukraine war explained

The Russian Invasion of Ukraine EXPLAINED

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is also considered the largest military attack in Europe since World War 2 in a significant escalation to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, does not look like it is stopping. It is reported that 596 civilians have been killed, and around 1,000 people have been injured in the invasion. It has also been reported that numerous buildings have been damaged and destroyed. According to reports, on the 18th day of the invasion, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said he is open to talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin if there is a ceasefire.

Reason for war

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, seeks control over Ukraine and wants to bring down its democratically elected government. Talking to a news channel, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said that he had been threatened and that he was target number one by the enemy and his family is number two.

On the other hand, Russia has said it aims to free Ukraine from oppression and clean it from the Nazis. Vladimir Putin has also said that “those who committed heinous crimes against the civilians” will be brought to the court and denied occupying Ukraine. An anonymous source said he aims to split the country into two parts.

In an editorial report published on February 26th, it was published that the war aims at a new world order where Russia was restoring its pre-1991 soviet unity, gathering the world of Russians, Belarusians, and Ukrainians, also known as little Russians.

In 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote a long piece where he described Russians and Ukrainians as “one nation” and represented the collapse of the Soviet Union as the “dissolution of historical Russia” in December 1991.

In the meantime, Russian leaders are demanding Ukraine to recognize Crimea as a part of Russia and recognize the independence of the separatist-run east to stop the war. Russian leaders are also urging Ukraine to change its constitution and guarantee it will not join NATO and Europe.

But this is not it, and the list of demands from the Russian leaders goes further where it wants NATO to reverse its eastward expansion. This would require NATO to remove its forces and military infrastructure from member states that joined the alliance in 1997 and not deploy ‘strike weapons near Russia’s borders’, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Baltics.

German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, believes that this is beyond NATO according to his world view and that the Russian leaders want to take over Europe. He also stated that Russian President Putin wants a Russian empire.

According to Putin, it was promised by the west in the year 1990 that it would not expand an inch to the east, but this was a lie. This promise was made prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, the promise made to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev only referred to East Germany. He also said later that “the topic of NATO expansion was never discussed.”

Meanwhile, Russia has banned the terms invasion and war and threatened journalists with jail if they do so. This invasion is termed a ‘special military operation’ for the Russian president.

The Russian president has claimed that his goal is to protect the people of Ukraine who are subjected to bullying and genocide. Also, he has aimed for the “demilitarization and de- Nazification” of Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian president denied this and said there is no genocide in Ukraine and stressed that it is a growing economy.

Talks between the two nations

Several rounds of political talks between Russia and Ukraine have so far failed to stop the war. The United States and the European Union have decided to impose some of the most challenging economic sanctions ever on the Russian government. A considerable number of western businesses, manufacturers, retailers, and fast-food chains such as McDonald’s have suspended their operations in Russia.

In the meantime, U.S. and European financial penalties and restrictions are attacking banks and other businesses in Russia, resulting in limiting the Russian government’s ability to utilize its substantial foreign currency reserves. This is obstructing millions of Russians from using their credit cards, accessing their credit cards, and travelling abroad.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is affecting the whole world, which was merely trying to stand on its feet post-COVID 19 pandemic. With Russia being the top fuel supplier, there has been a rise in oil prices, which is a considerable challenge, particularly for the developing economies.

SEE ALSO: Trump Spread a ‘web of lies’: One Year on From Capitol Riots

Oscar-winning actor William Hurt dies at 71 starred in 'Body Heat' and 'Broadcast News'

Oscar-winning Actor William Hurt Dies at 71

William Hurt, the Oscar-winning star of “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “Broadcast News” and “Children of a Lesser God,” has died at the age of 71.

Hurt’s son, Will, said in a statement to The Associated Press that Hurt died Sunday of natural causes. He said that Hurt died peacefully, among relatives. Will Hurt told The Hollywood Reporter that his father died at his home in Portland, Oregon. Hurt was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer that had spread to his bones in 2018.

Hurt, a four-time Oscar-nominated actor, was one of the most acclaimed stars and bankable leading men of the 1980s, playing Vietnam veteran Nick Carlton in the all-star ensemble playing college friends reunited in “The Big Chill.” from 1983.

Hurt earned Oscar nominations three years in a row: for his role as a Brazilian prison inmate in 1985’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” the 1986 drama “Children of a Lesser God” (opposite “CODA” star ” Marlee Matlin) and playing a slick but light-hearted TV host on 1987’s “Broadcast News.”

‘Too young’

‘Too Young To Say Goodbye’: Mark Ruffalo, Stephen King, Albert Brooks Mourn William Hurt

Hurt was also nominated for his supporting role in director David Cronenberg’s 2005 thriller “A History of Violence.” He played ruthless gangster Richie Cusack, who gets about eight minutes of screen time before he is killed by his heroic brother (Viggo Mortensen).

Although his first credited role was on the CBS detective series “Kojak,” Hurt, a Juilliard School actor, made his film debut in 1980 as a psychopathologist studying schizophrenia and experimenting with sensory deprivation in the science thriller fiction “Altered States”.

Hurt’s real breakout came the following year in the thriller “Body Heat,” as small-town attorney Ned Racine, who is seduced into committing murder by Matty Walker played by Kathleen Turner.

In “Children of a Lesser God,” it was his co-star, Matlin, who took home the Oscar for his performance as a janitor at a school for the deaf. Hurt played a speech teacher. Hurt and Matlin’s romance blossomed off-screen as well, but it wasn’t Hurt’s first taste of notoriety.

Life and career

Hurt first married Mary Beth Hurt in 1971. During that 11-year marriage, he began a relationship with Sandra Jennings, whose pregnancy with their son precipitated Hurt’s divorce. In a high-profile court case six years later, Jennings claimed that she had been Hurt’s common-law wife under South Carolina law and was therefore entitled to a portion of his earnings. A New York court ruled in Hurt’s favor, but the actor continued to have a strained relationship with fame.

In her 2009 memoir, Matlin detailed physical abuse and drug abuse during their relationship. Hurt issued an apology, saying, “My own recollection is that we both apologized and we both did a lot to heal our lives.”

To a younger generation, Hurt was known for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Hulk’s nemesis Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. He first appeared in 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk” alongside Edward Norton’s Bruce Banner. He reprized the role in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War” (as Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross), “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Avengers: Endgame,” and 2021’s “Black Widow.”

Hurt starred opposite Billy Bob Thornton in the Amazon legal series “Goliath” from 2016 to 2021 as reclusive attorney Donald Cooperman.

The actor was born in Washington, D.C., on March 20, 1950, the son of a State Department official, and is survived by four children. His acting career began on the stage and his theater career continued, including a 1984 Broadway production of “Hurly Burly,” with a cast that included Christopher Walken, Harvey Keitel, Jerry Stiller, Sigourney Weaver and Cynthia Nixon.

SEE ALSO: Rapper Young Dolph Shot Dead in Memphis

'Black Panther' director put into custody after being mistaken for a bank robber?

‘Black Panther’ Director put into Custody After Being Mistaken for a Bank Robber?

Ryan Coogler is a renowned filmmaker known for his award-winning movies, one of which is Black Panther. Coogler’s movies receive both critical acclaim and commercial success, and in a few years, he has made a mark for himself in Hollywood. He was also included on Time’s list of the 30 people under 30 and has achieved success from a young age.

Recently, Coogler was mistaken as a bank robber and detained by the police in Atlanta, Georgia. The event reportedly occurred at the start of 2022 when Coogler wearing a hat and his face covered with COVID-19 protection mask and sunglasses, approached the Bank of America’s teller bank counter. Here, he handed the teller a withdrawal slip for $12,000 along with a note. The note mentioned that the customer wanted to withdraw the money from their account and wanted the whole transaction to be discreet. When the transaction amount exceeded $10,000, it resulted in an alert from the bank. The entire situation confused the teller, and they thought the person in front of them was a bank robber. Thus, they informed the seniors about the incident, who then called the police. The whole incident resulted from misrepresentation by the bank teller, which occurred even after the actor showed his identification proof.

After the case got solved, the filmmaker told the media that the issue should not have ever happened, but he has worked with the bank on the subject and is satisfied. When the police reached the bank, they found an SUV parked in the front of the bank with two men sitting in it. When the police officer approached these men, they told him they were waiting for a filmmaker named Mr Coogler. The description these men gave of Mr Coogler matched the description of the alleged robber in the bank. As a result, police detained these men. Also, two police officers went inside the bank and detained Coogler and handcuffed him. The filmmaker was not expecting this move as he was innocently standing behind the counter when the police officer approached him with a gun and asked him to put his hands behind his back, which the filmmaker obliged. Coogler was then taken out of the bank while he kept telling the officer that he was innocent and was taking the money out of his account.

After Coogler’s identity was determined and his bank account in the bank verified, it was known that the whole situation was a misunderstanding and Coogler and his colleagues were released. It was determined that there was no fault of the filmmaker. It was reported that Ryan was paying for a medical assistant who was his employee and requested caution over safety worries owing to the cash amount he asked for. Ryan explained that his employee prefers to be paid in cash, and he asked to be discreet as he feels unsafe when such a huge amount is put in front of everyone on the counter. It was also reported that after proving not guilty, Coogler requested the names of the police officers. It was later found that the teller was black like Coogler and was fearful for her safety because of being pregnant. The teller stated that she got suspicious because Ryan kept pointing at the note instead of answering her questions. Moreover, although her manager asked her to talk to the man in front of him, she felt uncomfortable. The filmmaker is currently working on the sequel of his movie Black Panther did not press any charges.

Although this incident ended without any issues as the parties involved were calm and waited to take action till they did not check all the identity proofs, unfortunately, the same cannot be said for all such incidents. If a renowned filmmaker can be made uncomfortable by the police due to mere suspicion, one can only think what would have happened if he was an ordinary man.

There have been many incidents where the police have shot the suspect without even giving them a chance to prove themselves innocent. These shootings are much more common when the suspect is black, as in many cases, some racism is involved. Many such incidents led to the ‘Black Lives Matter movement, which is for people who experience discrimination due to their color. Although the police must protect the citizens and take suitable action even if someone is a suspect, the actions mustn’t be based on someone’s color.

SEE ALSO: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Divorce Saga

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West divorce saga

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Divorce Saga

Kim Kardashian is a media personality who has always been in the news for various reasons ranging from her sex tape leak to her high-profile relationships. Recently the socialite has been in the news because of her messy divorce with singer Kanye West. Due to the Reality star’s show ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’, the audience has a good idea about Kim’s and her family’s glamorous life and now as she is getting divorced and dating again, the general audience it seems is too involved. And why not? With seven years of marriage and four kids, Kim and Kanye were seen as one of the strongest couples in Hollywood. However, the not much shocking break-up saw Kanye washing his dirty linen in public while Kim maintained her dignity and kept silent about the issue. Read on to know how the couple started dating and what led to their unpleasant break-up.

How they met

The couple met for the first time in the early 2000s when Kim was not a household name, and even Kanye did not know much about her. The couple remained distant friends till 2008 and connected when they met on a show called Alligator Boots. Kim and Kanye were friends for an extended period and dated and even married other people in this duration. Kim even married NBA player Kris Humphries in 2011 but divorced him only after just two months of marriage. According to Kim, the divorce led her to Kanye as when she was down and depressed about the divorce, Kanye asked her to come to Paris to see his fashion show. Once she reached Paris, she stayed with Kanye and fell in love with him, her only regret being why didn’t she do it sooner.

Marriage and family

In 2013, the couple’s first child was born, and Kanye was with Kim at every step. He then proposed to Kim in the same year, and the couple tied the knot the following year. From 2014-to 2019, the couple had three more kids and seemed to have a happy life. Due to Kim’s show and Kanye’s music, they were constantly in the limelight.

The relationship going downhill…

In 2020, cracks were visible in the couple’s relationship. Kanye revealed his plan to run for President of the United States and soon unveiled some personal information about his wife, leaving her upset. What followed were a series of Tweets from the rapper where he mentioned how his wife confined him and how he would divorce her. A couple of days later, Kim shared that her husband has bipolar disorder and urged people to show compassion towards him.

The speculations about the divorce

In December 2020, Kim posted a picture in which her engagement ring was missing, which led to the rumors of the couple’s split. There were also reports from sources close to the couple stating that the couple has already separated and only a legal divorce is pending. The couple were reportedly together only for kids and were frustrated with each other. However, Kim showed maturity and wanted to think about her kids. It was speculated that the reason for the rift was that due to her work and kids, and so Kim could not spend a lot of time with Kanye. Kanye was also irritated with the Kardashian family drama and the amount of control Kris Jenner, Kim’s mother, had on their lives. However, sources close to Kanye said that he loved his wife a lot but could not do anything to save the relationship, making him sad and anxious.

The Divorce

A couple of months into 2021, it was confirmed that the couple was taking a divorce. Kim opened up about her divorce on Keeping Up With the Kardashians and stated that although it felt like a failure to be divorced the third time, Kanye deserved someone who would move with him and Kim was not someone who could do that. She said she wanted to be happy and be with someone with whom she would have something in common.

A hope

In July, the West family was seen in the Asian Art Museum, where they were spending time like a typical family. By this time, rumors of Kanye dating Russian model Irina Shayk had also died down, giving hope of reconciliation. However, nothing like this happened.

Kanye’s drama

While there were rumors of Kim dating comedian Pete Davidson, Kanye revealed that he wanted his wife back and wanted to stay married to her. According to him, the divorce was not on the papers, and he wanted to give a complete family to his kids. After this, it was not uncommon for the rapper to profess his love for his estranged wife on TV, which left Kim embarrassed. Kim was not affected by West’s drama and was adamant and moving forward with her divorce.

Things became scary when Kanye’s obsession got to other levels as he purchased a property direly across the mansion he shared with his ex-wife. All this while, Kim tried to keep her calm and kept mum as she wanted things to end on cordial terms. Even after that, when there were many more public allegations from the rapper against Kim, the socialite had no other option than to come out and speak about the toll Kanye’s many media interviews were taking on her and her kids.

With the couple’s marriage officially dissolved, we can only hope that things become better between the two and they learn to co-parent their kids and keep them away from the drama.

SEE ALSO: Paul Rudd Named “Sexiest Man Alive” by People Magazine

Is Modern Life Making Today's Youngsters More Depressed?

Is Modern Life Making Today’s Youngsters More Depressed?

Since 1990 there has only been an increase in the number of youngsters taking their life due to depression. From 2012, there has been an additional spike in teenagers reporting mental distress and depression. With cyberbullying, social media, exams, drug abuse, etc., the pressure on teens is only increasing, and the present time is a difficult time to be a teenager. Read on to know what is depression, its causes and what we can do to fight this disease?

What is depression?

It is usual for people of all ages to get an occasional feeling of sadness, which goes away with time. This sadness can result from fights, breakups, exams, etc. However, if this feeling of sadness does not seem to go away and affects the youngster’s daily life to the extent that they find it challenging to feel motivated, it can be a sign of depression. If depression is not treated on time, it can affect the patient’s well-being, and there are also chances that they may try to commit suicide.

Due to hormonal changes, it is normal for teenagers to feel irritated and get occasional mood swings. However, if these symptoms last for more than 14 days and make it difficult to focus on day-to-day life, it can be a sign of depression. Some signs of depression are nervousness, feelings of worthlessness, change in behaviour, constant exhaustion, bodyweight fluctuation, sadness, drug abuse, suicidal tendency, loss of interest, etc. These symptoms are not always a sign of something serious; however, these signs should never be ignored.

What are the causes of depression in youngsters?

Research shows that today’s teenagers are much more depressed than their forefathers and mothers. Many people believe that it is because we have raised our kids with unrealistic expectations, while others believe that exam pressure and social media have made youngsters depressed. There is only no shortage of people who blame the parents and think that they have made the kids weak and not provided them with enough coping skills to survive in this cruel world. In reality, these and many more factors are responsible for the rise of depression in youngsters.

The present generation is much more stressed than any of the prior generations, and this stress is the biggest reason behind depression and other mental conditions. While lack of exercise, support, unlimited social media are more factors responsible for depression, the effects of genes cannot be ignored when we talk about depression.

Technology and depression

While technology has made life easier for many, a considerable number of teenagers cannot imagine their life without a smartphone. Many youngsters in the present times are so obsessed with social media that it has become difficult for them to differentiate between real life and online life. Not only youngsters, but people of all ages do things to impress their online friends while conveniently forgetting people in their lives. Teenagers’ obsession with social media is to the extent that they feel left out and stressed if they do not check their social media for some time. Moreover, with their innocence, they get easily fooled by things they see on social media and start comparing their lives with their online friends, which puts them in depression. Unmonitored social media also puts teenagers under the threat of cyberbullying, which can take a serious turn if appropriate steps are not taken at the right time. Not only this, but youngsters today are also busy on social media that they do not take time for studying, social life or exercise, which pushes them towards depression.

While technology is a significant reason behind the rise of depression in teens, it is not the only reason. Society’s growing stress on money and fame is also something that has pushed youngsters towards depression. The constant competition and the breakdown of the societal bond have been a reason behind teenagers becoming alone, pushing them towards depression and other mental health-related issues. So, yes, it can be said that modern life is making our youngsters depressed.

Treatment

One cannot stop the advancement of society and technology. However, what we can do is try on our level to ensure that teenagers don’t take stress about unimportant things in life. Youngsters should be encouraged to share their feelings with someone they trust, and they should be heard. Also, there is a need to remove the stigma around mental health and take the kids to a doctor if you think they are suffering from depression. Other than this, parents should also monitor the kids’ time on social media and make them aware of the ill effects of social media. As a society, we all should come forward and lay stress on the emotional well-being of our children, putting stress on their happiness rather than their marks. If all this is done, we will see happy, carefree, compassionate youngsters who will build society.

SEE ALSO: Is Your State Splurge-y Or Stingy?

How US money for protests in Canada could influence US politics

How U.S. Money for Protests in Canada Could Influence U.S. Politics

About 44 percent of the nearly $10 million in contributions to support the protesters originated from US donors, according to an Associated Press analysis of leaked donor files. US Republican elected officials, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, praised the protesters, calling them “heroes” and “patriots.”

Fox News host Sean Hannity told two protest organizers on his show Wednesday that “you have a lot of support from your friends in America. I can tell you that. He added: “We have a movement in the United States that is starting very soon.”

Prime Minister Trudeau and other top Canadian officials have harshly criticized financial support from other countries.

“What this country is facing is a targeted, coordinated and largely foreign-funded attack on critical infrastructure and our democratic institutions,” Bill Blair, the UK’s minister for public safety and emergency preparedness, said earlier this week. Canada.

Ian Reifowitz, a professor of historical studies at the State University of New York, called the protests a “gift” for Republicans in the US, predicting they will use the populist appeal of the rallies to raise money ahead of the election. mid-term in November.

“They constantly need new outrages,” said Reifowitz, author of “The Tribalization of Politics: How Rush Limbaugh’s Racially Harassing Rhetoric on the Obama Presidency Paved the Way for Trump.”

“It’s a big (problem) eight or nine months before the election for them,” he said. “It allows you to deposit money, deposit volunteers, and energize the base, which is what you want to do.”

Protesters in Ottawa have regularly been given fuel and food, and the area around Parliament Hill has at times resembled a spectacular carnival with bouncy castles, gyms, a playground and a concert stage with DJs.

GiveSendGo, a website used to collect donations for Canadian protests, has raised at least $9.58 million, including $4.2 million, or 44%, that originated in the United States, according to a database of donor information posted online by DDoSecrets, a non-profit group.

However, the government in Canada have been working to block protesters’ access to these funds and it is unclear how much of the money was ultimately raised.

Millions of dollars raised through another crowdfunding site, GoFundMe, were blocked after Canadian officials raised objections to the company, which determined the effort violated its terms of service regarding illegal activities.

The GiveSendGo database analyzed by the AP showed more than 109,000 donations as of Friday night to campaigns in support of the protests, with just under 62,000 coming from the US.

The GiveSendGo data listed multiple Americans who donated thousands or tens of thousands of dollars to the protest, with the largest single donation of $90,000 coming from a person who identified himself as Thomas M. Siebel.

Siebel, the billionaire founder of the software company Siebel Systems, did not respond to messages sent to an email associated with a foundation he runs and to his LinkedIn account.

A representative from the Siebel Scholars Foundation, who signed her name only as Jennifer, did not respond to questions about whether she had donated the money. But he said Siebel has a history of supporting various causes, including efforts to “protect individual liberty.”

“These are personal initiatives and have nothing to do with the companies you are associated with,” he wrote.

Siebel has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Republican candidates and organizations over the past 20 years, according to Federal Election Commission records, including a $400,000 contribution in 2019 to a GOP fundraising committee called “Take Back theHouse 2020”.

The GiveSendGo Freedom Convoy campaign was created on January 27 by Tamara Lich. He was previously a member of the far-right Maverick Party, which calls for Western Canada to become independent.

The Canadian government took steps earlier this week to cut off funding for protesters by expanding the scope of the country’s anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regulations to cover crowdfunding platforms such as GiveSendGo.

“We are making these changes because we know that these platforms are being used to support illegal blockades and illegal activities, which is hurting the Canadian economy,” Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said.

Perhaps more important than the financial support is the support protesters in Canada have received from leading conservative American politicians and pundits, like Hannity, who see kindred spirits in their neighbors to the north who oppose vaccine mandates.

The same day that Lich created the GiveSendGo campaign, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn shared a video of the convoy in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

“These truckers are fighting back against nonsense and tyranny, especially from the Canadian government,” wrote Flynn, a former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency who briefly served as national security adviser to former President Donald Trump.

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What are Joro spiders, and how can they help in agriculture?

What are Joro Spiders and How Can They Help in Agriculture?

There have been rumors spreading about a spider called a Joro spider. Joro spiders, also known by their biological name “Trichonephila clavata” first invaded and spotted in Hoschton, Georgia, around 2013 and have been spreading since then across the southeast. They are vivid yellow, blue, and red and can grow 3 inches large with webs nearly 10 feet deep. They’re also completely safe. Joro spiders are native to Japan, but they have also been found in China and Korea. They most likely hitched a ride on cargo containers to the United States. The temperature in much of the United States is comparable to that of Japan, which is one of the reasons why joro spiders could make their way up the East Coast from Georgia. While joro spiders eat (and are likely eaten by) native species, they do not appear to pose a threat to ecosystems or the economy. Because Joros’ eggs can withstand the harsh temperatures of more northern regions, Hoebeke believes the spiders will migrate beyond the Deep South to other parts of the country.

How migration of Joro spiders’ occur?

These spiders can ride on shipping containers, cars, and luggage, but they can also get around on their webs. Joro spiders overwinter as eggs in a silk egg sac made of paper. Spiderlings emerge in Japan in early June and go unseen for the most part. In a method known as ballooning, they fly on a strand of silk. They expand their range by parachuting into new places. It’s how Joro spiders that have just hatched spread. This spread has been noticed tremendously in various parts of the world with significant imaging and proofing.

Are Joro spiders venomous?

There have been arising many questions regarding the venomous properties of Joro spiders. Studies have shown that Joro spiders are technically venomous, but don’t be alarmed unless you’re an insect. According to Axios, they are harmless and their fangs aren’t even big enough to pierce human skin. They will only bite a human or a family pet if they are aggressively restrained. Joro spiders do not pose a hazard, and there is no evidence that they are damaging to the settings in which they have spread. Nonnative invasive species that cause harm are the most problematic, generally due to a lack of predators to keep their populations in check. This appears to be the case with Joro spiders. However, no significant change in the food web or the ecosystem has been noted yet, causing no harm to the environment and its balance.

Recent studies have shown their significant benefits in the fields of agriculture. According to the Associated Press, gardeners were concerned that their webs would harm local spiders and pollinators when they took over north Georgia last year. Joros are likely large enough to take on large pollinators caught in their webs, but those insects may be a minor part of their diet. On the other hand, they could aid native spiders who rely on the Joro’s web for scavenged food. However, there is evidence that they compete with native orb-weaving spiders. Stink bugs, which cause crop damage and swarm in homes, are eaten by these joro spiders assisting in pest management without pesticides. They’re excellent predators. They’ll eat insects like yellow jackets, stink bugs, and mosquitoes that you don’t want around. They also don’t seem to be displacing any local spiders. They might help introduce a better method to protect the crops instead of using insecticides and pesticides.

Joros appears to be a helpful bug as well. Brown marmorated stink bugs, a significant agricultural pest that native spiders won’t eat, are what they’re eating. They are proven effective in protecting the crops and hence enhance yielding. It can act as a natural soldier to the crops protecting them from harmful insects and pests. They might look dangerous in shape and size but can be considered beneficial in various sectors such as agriculture. Researchers are still in line to uncover more of its significance.

For joro spiders, no control techniques have yet been devised. Individual spiders can be manually eliminated if control is wanted, either by hand or by striking them with a stick or other instrument. Before the spiderlings hatch, egg sacs found in the fall and winter can be eliminated. Biocontrol agents have not been researched; however, they are unlikely to be possible due to the risk of affecting related native species. Pesticide control is not advised at this point.

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