Big changes in NYC schools. The Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, is making big money changes in the city’s schools. He wants to cut about $550 million from the school budget this year. These changes will affect many different school programs and jobs […]
NewsThe Legacy of Viktor Maslov Viktor Maslov contributions to football extended beyond the 4-4-2 formation. His innovative tactics paved the way for modern collective and creative team play, much like the style of Pep Guardiola, and his approach to pressing defense was the precursor to […]
BiographySam Ratulangi Learning Abroad in a Nutshell So, this dude named Sam Ratulangi from Minahasa decides to fly all the way to the Netherlands to chase some knowledge. Now, he’s got these fancy credentials from the Dutch East Indies, kind of like a high school […]
BiographyBig changes in NYC schools. The Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, is making big money changes in the city’s schools. He wants to cut about $550 million from the school budget this year. These changes will affect many different school programs and jobs […]
NewsBig changes in NYC schools. The Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, is making big money changes in the city’s schools. He wants to cut about $550 million from the school budget this year. These changes will affect many different school programs and jobs that help students.
The changes will happen soon and could affect programs like free preschool and a program called Summer Rising. Some of the savings will come from not hiring new people for some jobs in the schools. This might mean fewer people helping in the offices and supporting the schools.
The city is also trying to spend less money on some staff members. This could save about $86 million, but it’s not clear who exactly this might affect.
The Mayor has asked all city departments, including schools, to spend 5% less money this year. And there might be more cuts in January and in 2024. This could mean that schools will have to cut about $2.1 billion altogether. This is a lot of money, especially because the whole school budget is about $37.5 billion.
In the next school year, there might be $120 million less for a program called Universal Pre-K. This program helps many 3- and 4-year-old kids. There are some empty spots in the program, so they might remove some of those spots.
Some people are worried that these changes might make it harder for kids and families to get the help they need. Some special programs might have less money, like ones that help kids learn computer science or community schools.
A popular program called Summer Rising might have less money too. This could mean shorter days or no programs on Fridays for some kids. Many kids liked this program last year, but it might not be the same this time.
The Mayor thinks these changes are necessary because the city needs to save money. But some people, like teachers, think it’s not a good idea because the city has more money than they expected.
Some groups are worried that kids who need extra help might not get it because of these changes. They are especially worried about kids with special needs or kids who don’t have a permanent home.
These changes are happening when the city won’t get as much extra money from the government as it did before. Some schools already had to give back money because they didn’t have as many students as they thought they would.
The Legacy of Viktor Maslov Viktor Maslov contributions to football extended beyond the 4-4-2 formation. His innovative tactics paved the way for modern collective and creative team play, much like the style of Pep Guardiola, and his approach to pressing defense was the precursor to […]
BiographyViktor Maslov contributions to football extended beyond the 4-4-2 formation. His innovative tactics paved the way for modern collective and creative team play, much like the style of Pep Guardiola, and his approach to pressing defense was the precursor to tactics like Gegenpressing, popularized by Jurgen Klopp. Viktor Maslov remains the father of the 4-4-2 and the progenitor of the Gegenpressing football style.
In the 1950s and early 1960s, the football world witnessed a surge in teams using the 4-2-4 formation. This trend was inspired by the success of the Brazilian National Team under the guidance of Vicente Feola, who dominated the 1958 World Cup with this formation. The 4-2-4 formation was seen as the ideal strategy for winning matches during that era, with two wide wingers making a team’s attacking power formidable.
Teams from all over the world emulated Brazil’s playing style, including the Soviet Union. Gavriil Kachalin, the coach of the Soviet National Team, also adopted the 4-2-4 formation for the 1962 World Cup. Even after Kachalin was replaced by Konstantin Beskov in 1962, the Soviet National Team continued to stick with the 4-2-4 scheme.
While the success of Brazil’s 4-2-4 formation was undeniable, its predictability became a concern as more teams adopted it. Viktor Maslov recognized this and took a bold step by introducing the 4-4-2 formation. Maslov’s innovation involved moving two of the wingers back to the midfield, creating a four-player midfield – the largest in the world at that time, as other teams continued to rely on the 4-2-4 formation.
Maslov’s 4-4-2 formation prioritized the creativity of midfielders. The two central midfielders had distinct roles: one focused on defensive duties to protect the four defenders, while the other played as the playmaker, orchestrating the attack. The two wingers who dropped into the midfield acted similarly to playmakers but from the wing positions. This increased the team’s ball distribution and creative gameplay.
Maslov’s 4-4-2 had exceptional balance in both attacking and defending. He shied away from the traditional zone marking defensive strategy and instructed his players to press their opponents man-to-man when not in possession. This approach was unusual at the time, as most teams relied on a defensive waiting strategy within their own zones.
Recognizing that pressing defense required more physical effort, Maslov employed a fitness coach to ensure his players were well-conditioned. He also paid attention to player nutrition and post-game muscle recovery, which are now standard practices in modern football.
While there is a conspiracy suggesting that 4-4-2 was actually an English creation, attributed to their 1996 World Cup victory under coach Alf Ramsey, this idea emerged due to the tension of the Cold War, where the Soviet Union was seen as an enemy by England. However, Viktor Maslov is recognized as the true pioneer of the 4-4-2 formation. As a modern-era English football journalist said, “4-4-2 was first discovered by Maslov.”
Sam Ratulangi Learning Abroad in a Nutshell So, this dude named Sam Ratulangi from Minahasa decides to fly all the way to the Netherlands to chase some knowledge. Now, he’s got these fancy credentials from the Dutch East Indies, kind of like a high school […]
BiographySo, this dude named Sam Ratulangi from Minahasa decides to fly all the way to the Netherlands to chase some knowledge. Now, he’s got these fancy credentials from the Dutch East Indies, kind of like a high school diploma, you know. But when he hits up Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, they’re like, “Nah, no math degree for you, dude.” Tough break, right? But our man Sam, he’s not one to throw in the towel. A Dutch socialist, a pal of R.A. Kartini, steps in, pulls some strings, and bam! Sam’s on a transfer to Zurich University. Long story short, Sam becomes the first Indonesian with a Ph.D. in math. Beat that!
So, picture this—Sam’s born into this fancy family in Tondano, North Sulawesi. Minahasa, yeah, it’s been rocking since the 18th century. Before that, it was known as Landstreek van Manado. Some deal in 1679 with folks from North Sulawesi, kings, and the Dutch East India Company (VOC) went down to kick out the Spaniards. Guess who won? VOC. Minahasa was basically theirs.
Fast forward to the Dutch East Indies era, and boom! Nationalism’s the new cool thing, especially in Minahasa. Scholars say it’s a mix of everyone getting into Christianity and the Dutch throwing their rules around. From 1831 to 1891, folks in Minahasa are converting to Christianity like it’s a trend, thanks to the Dutch missionary squad known as Nederlandsch Zendeling Genootschaap (NZG). NZG’s all about preaching unity among the Minahasa peeps.
Minahasa, during Dutch rule, wasn’t your average Joe. By 1930, more than half of them could read, doing fancy jobs like clerks, plantation bosses, and even assistant missionaries. The Dutch bigwigs called them “Eurasians in the Indies” because they had it good.
But here’s the twist—this exclusivity vibe was feeding into Minahasa’s own brand of nationalism. Sam and the gang dream of subtly taking over Sulawesi, blending in like pros. Life’s good, but there’s tension bubbling underneath, leading to groups like the Minahasa Union.
Picture 1919. The Minahasa Union throws this Gelijkstelling petition at the Dutch government, yelling for equality. Guess what? It works! The Minahasa Council (Minahasa Raad) is born. 1927 rolls around, and Sam Ratulangi’s like, “Hold my diploma,” as he starts his own party, the Minahasa Unity (Persatuan Minahasa). But it’s like a shooting star; it shines but doesn’t stick around.
Fast forward to 1934-1938. Half of the Minahasa Council is wearing the Minahasa Unity jersey. Things get hazy between local and national movements. In 1939, the Minahasa Unity joins forces with the big shots—the Indonesian Political Federation (GAPI).
Sam Ratulangi brings out the big guns, pushing for federalism to patch things up between Minahasa and Indonesian nationalism. But the Minahasa Unity does a weird dance, rejecting Unity of Indonesian Political Organizations (PPPKI). Why? They’re not vibing with how PPPKI deals with the Dutch government and some nationhood drama.
Even after Sam Ratulangi kicks the bucket in 1949, his ideas linger. The Minahasa Unity throws shade at the idea of putting “Islamic sharia” in Pancasila during talks about Indonesia’s independence. In 2006, there’s talk about Minahasa independence, all about freedom to practice religion without the drama. And guess what? As of May 13, 2017, folks in Minahasa are still throwing a party at the airport, telling a high-ranking dude to hit the road.
Mix in Christianity, Dutch rules, school smarts, and local pride, and you get this wild Minahasa nationalism. They’re like the rebels of Indonesia. Sam Ratulangi’s idea of federalism? It’s like the OG solution. Minahasa’s got this crazy history, still figuring out who they are, and Sam’s legacy? It’s alive and kicking.
Canva is the world’s most valuable female-led startup at $40 billion. The idea occurred to Melanie Perkins in college when she met Cliff Orbecht, her future husband. Born in Perth, Western Australia, on May 13, 1987, Perkins was drawn to design and technology early on. […]
BiographyCanva is the world’s most valuable female-led startup at $40 billion. The idea occurred to Melanie Perkins in college when she met Cliff Orbecht, her future husband. Born in Perth, Western Australia, on May 13, 1987, Perkins was drawn to design and technology early on.
She drew, designed posters, and laid out magazines in her free time. In addition, she was enterprising. She sold scarves to Perth stores and markets at 14.
“I never forget the freedom and excitement of business building. In an Entrepreneur interview, she explained that helped establish Canva.
Her graphic design passion grew in high school. She swiftly learned Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Her graphic design talents improved as she designed for pals. Melanie studied graphic design and communication at the University of Western Australia after high school.
At 19, she worked part-time teaching design to other students on campus in 2006. Students complained about Adobe and Microsoft software’s expense and complexity during this time.
Melanie and Obrecht also sold temporary tattoos and souvenirs at university and neighbourhood festivals. They considered making future design utilisation easy and accessible.
A year later, they created Fusion Books, a yearbook design app for schools and students. Student-friendly drag-and-drop tools were employed.
Melanie made her mother’s living room an office. Fusion Books was Canva’s precursor. Many schools welcomed this move, crowning Melanie as Australia’s most successful young female entrepreneur.
She needed more than Fusion Books. She intended to establish a universal graphic design platform for business cards, logos, invites, posters, presentations, resumes, and other sophisticated projects. Anyone without graphic design skills can access it all.
Canva employs 4,000 people across many offices in Australia, the Philippines, China, and the US. Since 2017, they have been profitable and launched AI to compete with Google, Microsoft, and Adobe.
Investor finance was Melanie’s first challenge while launching Canva. Before receiving investment from top investors, she and Obrecht were denied by over 100 investors.
Convincing users that Canva was a user-friendly graphic creation platform was another challenge. Melanie realised many found graphic design tough and confusing.
She met Silicon Valley investor Bill Tai at a Perth technology conference in 2010. She presented her concept in San Francisco during this gathering.
Many investors doubted Canva’s potential or thought the graphic design market was saturated. Some thought her concept was too risky.
But she persisted. Melanie improved her pitch, strengthened Canva’s value proposition, and met more investors. She succeeded by overcoming rejections with perseverance and using feedback to strengthen her proposal.
Melanie noted, “The sheer number of rejections at the early stage meant I had to try harder and refine my strategy,” in a Blackbird Venture sponsored lecture.
Canva’s early development investors first took notice of her concept in 2012. Matrix Partners, InterWest Partners, 500 Startups, Bill Tai, Lars Rasmussen, and Ken Goldman (CFO Yahoo) invested $3 million.
Technology advisor Lars Rasmussen, a Google Maps founder, helped build a team using this cash. Cameron Adams, who built Google’s interface, joined Canva to improve its technology shortly after.
Canva launched in 2013 and gained over 750,000 users by year’s end.
Canva hired former Apple chief evangelist Guy Kawasaki in 2014. With Canva’s rapid growth, Kawasaki helped it expand abroad. Over 330,000 people created 100,000 new designs per week in the same year.
Canva stands out from other graphic creation platforms with its free access and premium packages for fonts and design elements. Adobe Photoshop costs almost $3,500 for a year, or $314 per month.
Another benefit is that Canva offers thousands of templates and design elements for project collaboration, making creative collaboration easier.
These features have made Canva one of the most popular online graphic design platforms for people of all backgrounds.
Canva, Australia’s first unicorn company, raised $40 million from Sequoia Capital and Blackbird Ventures in 2018.
They originally acquired Zeetings the same year to produce the best presentation product. With a billion designs on its site, it achieved a milestone.
Canva purchased Pexels and Pixabay in 2019–2020 to help users create design content with free pictures during the COVID-19 epidemic.
Investment value reached $60 million in 2020, valuing Canva at $6 billion. Melanie Perkins became Australia’s youngest billionaire with $1.3 billion.
Canva raised $200 million with a $40 billion valuation in 2021 when people worked from home due to the epidemic. Melanie offered $12 billion—30% of the company’s funds—to fight extreme poverty.
Time has called Canva the most influential startup this year for boosting design.
Joseph Stalin: Rise in Russia 70 Years After His Death In Moscow on March 9, 1953, seventy years after his shocking death four days before, Joseph Stalin put to rest. Joseph Stalin, who was known for being cruel, has become more popular in Russia again […]
BiographyIn Moscow on March 9, 1953, seventy years after his shocking death four days before, Joseph Stalin put to rest. Joseph Stalin, who was known for being cruel, has become more popular in Russia again recently. What is the reason for this revival?
After having a stroke, Joseph Stalin died on March 5, 1953. He was 74 years old. There was a four-day national grief time after his state funeral on March 9, 1953, even though it was very cold outside—as low as -18 degrees Celsius. A huge number of people braved the cold to pay their respects.
A lot of Russians still think of him as the “Father of the Nation.” At the moment, President Vladimir Putin is working hard to show that Stalin beat Hitler in World War II.
The cruel rule of Joseph Stalin is a stain on history. It took the Soviet leaders that came after Stalin a few years to break away from the “cult of Stalin’s personality.” It wasn’t until the 1960s that he was publicly named a very bad killer.
The man known as “the steel” was born in Georgia as Iosif Dzhugashvili and took over as leader of the Soviet Union in 1923. Historians say that during Stalin’s 30 years in power, up to 40 million people killed by his reign of evil. For political reasons, people were put to death, put in camps where they had to work, or killed. People were sent away in large groups, and many thinkers, including famous writers, singers, artists, scientists, and directors, were called “enemies of the people” and tortured or killed.
“Maybe it sounds strange, but the death of Stalin is the first thing I remember from my childhood,” says Irina Sherbakova, co-founder of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights group Memorial. The researcher, now 72 years old, recalls vividly learning about Stalin’s demise in 1953: “I was only a toddler at the time.” “I felt like a child, especially when I felt how cold it was and how much fear there was—those last few months of Stalin’s rule were very oppressive.”
At first, Joseph Stalin’s body put in a tomb next to Lenin’s in Moscow’s Red Square after it embalmed. But in 1961, it buried outside the walls of the Kremlin so that no one could see it.
After that, the Soviet Union started a process called “de-Stalinization.” A huge number of statues and shrines to Stalin destroyed, melted down, hidden, or thrown into rivers in the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc country.
It seemed impossible for a long time that Stalin’s cult would come back to life. But this trend has come back, starting with the taking over of Crimea in 2014. “Monuments to Stalin put up since about 2014, when Crimea annexed,” says Irina Rastorgueva, a culture writer and Russian author who lives in Berlin with Sherbakova.
In honor of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Stalingrad, the newest statue to Stalin revealed on February 1, 2023. These statue take a place in Volgograd, which use to be Stalingrad.
They will not let “certain countries today want to erase the memory of the great victory of the Soviet army,” said the mayor of Volgograd during the opening event.
According to Irina Rastorgueva, the new Stalin statue shows how the government “interprets history from the top down.”
Vladimir Putin is trying to recover Joseph Stalin’s reputation as a leader who stood up to Nazi Germany and made the Soviet Union a world power.
Irina Rastorgueva says, “The victory in World War II is the last thing that brings people together; it is Russia’s last propaganda trump card.”
She thinks that neo-Stalinist groups will keep going as long as Vladimir Putin is in charge. She predicts that eventually “Stalinism” and “Putinism” will be cover in Russian textbooks.
However, we must accept blame for the current situation in Ukraine first. If we don’t, we will pay a heavy price. It will cost a lot.
In a recent training exercise gone awry, a Russian fighter jet tragically crashed during what was supposed to be a routine flight. The incident unfolded in the Volgograd region, approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) to the east of the Ukrainian border. While the Russian Ministry […]
NewsIn a recent training exercise gone awry, a Russian fighter jet tragically crashed during what was supposed to be a routine flight. The incident unfolded in the Volgograd region, approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) to the east of the Ukrainian border. While the Russian Ministry of Defense has confirmed the crash, it has remained tight-lipped about the fate of the pilot involved. A rescue helicopter has been swiftly dispatched to the crash site, but the situation remains tense and uncertain.
The ill-fated Su-24 aircraft was engaged in a scheduled training flight over the Volgograd region when the accident occurred. It was a seemingly routine exercise, yet it ended in disaster. The aircraft, reportedly not carrying any weapons, plummeted to the ground in an uninhabited area. The exact cause of the crash is yet to be determined, and investigators will be working diligently to piece together the sequence of events that led to this tragic outcome.
This unfortunate incident is not an isolated one. The Russian military has been grappling with a series of accidents and mishaps, casting a shadow over its operational efficiency and safety protocols. These incidents have coincided with Russia’s heightened military activity in the region, notably its offensive operations in Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
In July of the same year, another training flight ended in tragedy when a pilot lost his life. The accident occurred over the Sea of Azov, not far from Ukraine. The loss of a pilot during a training mission is a sobering reminder of the inherent dangers faced by military personnel, even during routine exercises.
Another dark chapter unfolded in October 2022 when a Su-34 fighter jet crashed into a residential apartment building in the city of Yeysk, Russia. This city is located near the Ukrainian border. The consequences were dire, with 15 individuals losing their lives in the tragic incident. The crash not only highlighted the risks faced by military personnel but also underscored the potential collateral damage that such accidents can inflict on innocent civilians.
As the Russian military grapples with these incidents, a thorough investigation into the Su-24 crash will be essential. The goal is to uncover the root causes, identify any systemic issues, and prevent similar accidents in the future. The Russian Ministry of Defense, along with aviation experts and accident investigators, will meticulously examine the circumstances leading up to the crash.
These accidents serve as a stark reminder of the operational risks and challenges inherent in military activities. Training exercises are an integral part of maintaining readiness and effectiveness, but they also carry inherent dangers, especially when involving high-performance aircraft. The loss of life and equipment in these incidents is deeply tragic and raises questions about the safety measures and protocols in place.
As Russia’s military continues its activities, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, addressing these safety concerns and minimizing risks should remain a top priority. The tragic Su-24 crash and other recent incidents underscore the critical importance of constant vigilance and stringent safety measures to protect the lives of military personnel and civilians alike.
Escalating tensions on the global stage have brought the United States into a critical diplomatic position, issuing warnings to both North Korea and Russia regarding their recent weapons activity. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, these warnings carry significant implications for regional and international stability. North Korea’s […]
NewsEscalating tensions on the global stage have brought the United States into a critical diplomatic position, issuing warnings to both North Korea and Russia regarding their recent weapons activity. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, these warnings carry significant implications for regional and international stability.
North Korea’s recent missile tests have raised concerns among international observers. The United States’ warning emphasizes the need for diplomatic engagement and a peaceful resolution to prevent further destabilization in the region.
The warning to Russia addresses the nation’s aggressive posture in Eastern Europe, particularly its military build-up near Ukraine. The United States is urging Russia to de-escalate tensions and engage in constructive dialogue to prevent further conflict.
In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainties, diplomacy remains a crucial tool for maintaining stability and preventing conflicts from escalating. The United States’ warnings underscore the importance of diplomatic solutions to complex international issues.
The United States’ warnings also reflect the importance of international alliances and cooperation in addressing global challenges. Multilateral efforts are essential to finding peaceful resolutions to complex issues that affect multiple nations.
The warnings to both North Korea and Russia highlight the delicate balancing act required in U.S. foreign policy. Addressing the concerns of multiple nations while promoting peace and stability is a complex task that requires diplomatic finesse.
The repercussions of these warnings extend beyond North Korea and Russia. They signal the United States’ commitment to upholding international norms and addressing threats to global security, setting a precedent for its role in global affairs.
In a world where conflicts can quickly escalate, the United States’ warnings serve as a cautionary measure to prevent further destabilization. They underscore the importance of de-escalation and the pursuit of peaceful solutions to international disputes.
Diplomacy is a critical tool for crisis management in an increasingly interconnected world. The United States’ warnings to North Korea and Russia exemplify the importance of diplomatic channels in addressing complex and potentially volatile situations.
The United States’ warnings to North Korea and Russia underscore the complexity of modern geopolitics and the importance of diplomacy in maintaining international peace and stability. As the world watches these developments, the path forward hinges on diplomatic efforts and multilateral cooperation to address the underlying issues and prevent further escalation.
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