An Israeli court jailed an Israeli Arab poet for five months on Tuesday after convicting her of incitement to terrorism for a poem and remarks she posted on social media during a wave of Palestinian street attacks.

Dareen Tatour, 36, posted on Facebook and YouTube a video of herself reading out her poem “Resist, My People, Resist”, as a soundtrack to footage of masked Palestinian youths throwing stones and firebombs at Israeli soldiers.

Tatour published her poem in October 2015 during a spate of deadly Palestinian stabbing, shooting and ramming attacks on Israelis. She was arrested a few days later, and prosecutors said her post was a call for violence. She denied this.

Her case became a cause celebre for freedom of speech advocates in Israel and abroad. It drew attention to the advanced technology used by Israeli security agencies to trawl through social media to identify and arrest users suspected of incitement to violence, or of planning attacks.

Tatour said her poem was misunderstood by the Israeli authorities as it was not a call for violence, rather for non-violent struggle.

U.S.-backed negotiations on a Palestinian state in territory Israel captured in a 1967 war have been stalled since 2014.

Tatour was also charged with supporting a terrorist group. Prosecutors said she had expressed support for the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad’s call for an uprising.

“I wasn’t expecting justice to be done. The case was political from the start, because I am Palestinian and support freedom of speech,” she told reporters at the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court in northern Israel.

Arab minority

Tatour belongs to Israel’s Arab minority, which comprises mainly descendants of the Palestinians who remained on their land after the 1948 Arab-Jewish war that surrounded the creation of the state of Israel. Hundreds of thousands fled or were driven from their homes.

The court added a six-month suspended sentence to Tatour’s jail time, according to the official minutes distributed by the Justice Ministry. Her lawyer, Gaby Lasky, said Tatour would appeal both the verdict and the sentence.

Israel says the string of Palestinian attacks that began in 2015 was fueled by online incitement and it has launched a legal crackdown to curb it.

Indictments for online incitement have tripled in Israel since 2014. Prosecutions by the Israeli military have also increased in the occupied West Bank – most of those charged are young Palestinians.

The campaign against alleged incitement has raised questions about the balance between security and free speech.

On July 18 the Israeli parliament was set to pass legislation that would have empowered the justice system to order Internet providers, such as Facebook and Google, to take down social media posts in Israel deemed as incitement.

But hours before the scheduled vote Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shelved the bill. An adviser to Netanyahu, Jonatan Urich, said the law was open to a too-wide interpretation that could allow cyber-censorship and harm freedom of speech.

 
…

From: MeNeedIt

An Israeli court jailed an Israeli Arab poet for five months on Tuesday after convicting her of incitement to terrorism for a poem and remarks she posted on social media during a wave of Palestinian street attacks.

Dareen Tatour, 36, posted on Facebook and YouTube a video of herself reading out her poem “Resist, My People, Resist”, as a soundtrack to footage of masked Palestinian youths throwing stones and firebombs at Israeli soldiers.

Tatour published her poem in October 2015 during a spate of deadly Palestinian stabbing, shooting and ramming attacks on Israelis. She was arrested a few days later, and prosecutors said her post was a call for violence. She denied this.

Her case became a cause celebre for freedom of speech advocates in Israel and abroad. It drew attention to the advanced technology used by Israeli security agencies to trawl through social media to identify and arrest users suspected of incitement to violence, or of planning attacks.

Tatour said her poem was misunderstood by the Israeli authorities as it was not a call for violence, rather for non-violent struggle.

U.S.-backed negotiations on a Palestinian state in territory Israel captured in a 1967 war have been stalled since 2014.

Tatour was also charged with supporting a terrorist group. Prosecutors said she had expressed support for the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad’s call for an uprising.

“I wasn’t expecting justice to be done. The case was political from the start, because I am Palestinian and support freedom of speech,” she told reporters at the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court in northern Israel.

Arab minority

Tatour belongs to Israel’s Arab minority, which comprises mainly descendants of the Palestinians who remained on their land after the 1948 Arab-Jewish war that surrounded the creation of the state of Israel. Hundreds of thousands fled or were driven from their homes.

The court added a six-month suspended sentence to Tatour’s jail time, according to the official minutes distributed by the Justice Ministry. Her lawyer, Gaby Lasky, said Tatour would appeal both the verdict and the sentence.

Israel says the string of Palestinian attacks that began in 2015 was fueled by online incitement and it has launched a legal crackdown to curb it.

Indictments for online incitement have tripled in Israel since 2014. Prosecutions by the Israeli military have also increased in the occupied West Bank – most of those charged are young Palestinians.

The campaign against alleged incitement has raised questions about the balance between security and free speech.

On July 18 the Israeli parliament was set to pass legislation that would have empowered the justice system to order Internet providers, such as Facebook and Google, to take down social media posts in Israel deemed as incitement.

But hours before the scheduled vote Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shelved the bill. An adviser to Netanyahu, Jonatan Urich, said the law was open to a too-wide interpretation that could allow cyber-censorship and harm freedom of speech.

 
…

From: MeNeedIt

As tech giants expand in San Francisco, homelessness and job displacement for locals continues to rise. Deana Mitchell explores one program, created by a formerly homeless man, that’s helping to merge the two worlds for local job seekers.
…

From: MeNeedIt

As tech giants expand in San Francisco, homelessness and job displacement for locals continues to rise. Deana Mitchell explores one program, created by a formerly homeless man, that’s helping to merge the two worlds for local job seekers.
…

From: MeNeedIt

As tech giants expand in San Francisco, homelessness and job displacement for locals continues to rise. Deana Mitchell explores one program, created by a formerly homeless man, that’s helping to merge the two worlds for local job seekers.
…

From: MeNeedIt

As tech giants expand in San Francisco, homelessness and job displacement for locals continues to rise. Deana Mitchell explores one program, created by a formerly homeless man, that’s helping to merge the two worlds for local job seekers.
…

From: MeNeedIt

Satellites and drones are driving efforts by Indian states to map informal settlements in order to speed up the process of delivering services and land titles, officials said.

The eastern state of Odisha aims to give titles to 200,000 households in urban slums and those on the outskirts of cities by the end of the year.

Officials used drones to map the settlements.

“What may have takes us years to do, we have done in a few months,” G. Mathi Vathanan, the state housing department commissioner, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation last week.

Land records across the country date back to the British colonial era, and most holdings have uncertain ownership, leading to fraud and lengthy disputes that often end in court.

Officials in Mumbai, where about 60 percent of the population lives in informal settlements, are also mapping slums with drones. Maharashtra state, where the city is located, is launching a similar exercise for rural land holdings.

In the southern city of Bengaluru, a seven-year study that recently concluded used satellite imaging and machine learning.

The study recorded about 2,000 informal settlements, compared with fewer than 600 in government records.

“Understanding human settlement patterns in rapidly urbanizing cities is important because of the stress on civic resources and public utilities,” said Nikhil Kaza, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina.

“Geospatial analysis can help identify stress zones, and allow civic authorities to focus their efforts in localized areas,” said Kaza, who analyzed the Bengaluru data.

About a third of the world’s urban population lives in informal settlements, according to United Nations data.

These settlements may account for 30 percent to 60 percent of housing in cities, yet they are generally undercounted, resulting in a lack of essential services, which can exacerbate poverty.

Identifying and monitoring settlements with traditional approaches such as door-to-door surveys is costly and time consuming. As technology gets cheaper, officials from Nairobi to Mumbai are using satellite images and drones instead.

About 65 million people live in India’s slums, according to census data, which activists say is a low estimate.

Lack of data can result in tenure insecurity, as only residents of “notified” slums – or those that are formally recognized – can receive property titles.

Lack of data also leads to poor policy because slums are “not homogenous,” said Anirudh Krishna, a professor at Duke University who led the Bengaluru study.

Some slums “are more likely to need water and sanitation facilities, while better off slums may require skills and entrepreneurship interventions,” he said.

“Lack of information on the nature and diversity of informal settlements is an important limitation in developing appropriate policies aimed at improving the lives of the urban poor.”
…

From: MeNeedIt

Satellites and drones are driving efforts by Indian states to map informal settlements in order to speed up the process of delivering services and land titles, officials said.

The eastern state of Odisha aims to give titles to 200,000 households in urban slums and those on the outskirts of cities by the end of the year.

Officials used drones to map the settlements.

“What may have takes us years to do, we have done in a few months,” G. Mathi Vathanan, the state housing department commissioner, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation last week.

Land records across the country date back to the British colonial era, and most holdings have uncertain ownership, leading to fraud and lengthy disputes that often end in court.

Officials in Mumbai, where about 60 percent of the population lives in informal settlements, are also mapping slums with drones. Maharashtra state, where the city is located, is launching a similar exercise for rural land holdings.

In the southern city of Bengaluru, a seven-year study that recently concluded used satellite imaging and machine learning.

The study recorded about 2,000 informal settlements, compared with fewer than 600 in government records.

“Understanding human settlement patterns in rapidly urbanizing cities is important because of the stress on civic resources and public utilities,” said Nikhil Kaza, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina.

“Geospatial analysis can help identify stress zones, and allow civic authorities to focus their efforts in localized areas,” said Kaza, who analyzed the Bengaluru data.

About a third of the world’s urban population lives in informal settlements, according to United Nations data.

These settlements may account for 30 percent to 60 percent of housing in cities, yet they are generally undercounted, resulting in a lack of essential services, which can exacerbate poverty.

Identifying and monitoring settlements with traditional approaches such as door-to-door surveys is costly and time consuming. As technology gets cheaper, officials from Nairobi to Mumbai are using satellite images and drones instead.

About 65 million people live in India’s slums, according to census data, which activists say is a low estimate.

Lack of data can result in tenure insecurity, as only residents of “notified” slums – or those that are formally recognized – can receive property titles.

Lack of data also leads to poor policy because slums are “not homogenous,” said Anirudh Krishna, a professor at Duke University who led the Bengaluru study.

Some slums “are more likely to need water and sanitation facilities, while better off slums may require skills and entrepreneurship interventions,” he said.

“Lack of information on the nature and diversity of informal settlements is an important limitation in developing appropriate policies aimed at improving the lives of the urban poor.”
…

From: MeNeedIt

The happy shouts of children participating in a summer soccer camp emanate from the Tubman Elementary School playing field in Washington D.C.

Pay-to-play soccer structures can make it challenging for kids from low-income families to play competitive, organized soccer in the United States. DC Scores, a nonprofit organization, tries to help level the playing field by offering free high-quality soccer camps like this one to disadvantaged children.

“DC Scores has given me lots of chances in life,” says Christopher, 10, who has been with DC Scores for three years.

DC Scores provides various opportunities to children from low-income families, serving close to 3,000 kids annually. Its programs can be found in more than 42 designated Title I schools in the Washington area. Schools receive Title I classification when they serve a large number of children from low-income families.

Students between the third and eighth grades can join DC Scores’ after-school programs at their respective elementary and middle schools. In fall and spring, participants practice soccer twice a week and have a game at the end of the school week.

On non-soccer days, kids either write slam poetry or participate in service learning projects such as neighborhood cleanups, awareness campaigns, or raising money for the homeless.

During the summer, camps run for six weeks. DC Scores also offers outside opportunities for its participants to join competitive teams.

Meaningful partnerships

Christopher, who skillfully dribbles down the field, bypassing four players on the opposing team to score a goal, is considered one of the most talented players by coaches, who say the boy has a knack for scoring goals.

“They gave me the chance to practice with D.C. United,” Christopher says when discussing soccer opportunities in the program.

DC Scores has an official partnership with D.C. United, Washington’s professional soccer club, and DC Scores’ participants have attended D.C. United tryouts.

The non-profit also has a partnership with the Stoddert Club, a youth travel and recreational soccer club in the nation’s capital that offers financial assistance to DC Scores kids who wish to play in their league.

These partnerships enable DC Scores participants to pursue soccer more seriously if they choose to. However, the organization’s impact stretches way beyond the soccer field.

Challenging start in life

Some of the Individuals who participate in DC Scores come from unstable homes.

“Twenty percent of kids in the program move houses during the year,” says Bethany Henderson, executive director of DC Scores.

Rob was accepted into the program as an elementary school student. He’s now on the DC Scores coaching staff and expects to join a semi-professional team.

“I grew up in a broken home. DC Scores provided me with a way out…There are lots of drugs in these areas,” he says, adding that, for many kids, this is their first time playing sports in an organized environment.

“To have that little structure, I think the majority of our kids haven’t had that before joining our program,” says Michael Goldstein, director of marketing and communications.

Mentors For life

DC Scores places a strong emphasis on building strong relationships between coaches and players. Every year, coaches receive 17 hours of soccer and youth development training.

“The priority of this training is to ensure DC Scores kids build deep relationships with their coaches,” says Henderson, the DC Scores executive director.

Coach Popsie Lewis stands out among his peers in this regard. In 2016, he was selected as a 2016 MLS WORKS Community MVP for his mentorship efforts.

“Moments like that tell you to keep doing what you are doing,” Lewis says.

A widely popular coach in the program, Lewis is adored by players for his ability to connect with them.

“He has charisma and an ability to make anyone feel comfortable. He’s got that special something that draws people to him,” says Goldstein. “When they go to high school, he continues to keep in touch and serve as a mentor for his kids.”

Shared experiences

“One of my favorite things about DC Scores is being able to make new friends from new teams,” says Christopher, the talented 10-year-old who has been in the program for three years.

In general, there is a strong camaraderie among DC Scores kids.

“DC Scores is like a brotherhood. Once a part of DC Scores, always a part of it,” says Rob.

Henderson isn’t surprised that the children develop a huge attachment to the program.

“By designing a fun and safe space for the kids, DC Scores becomes an important part of kid’s identity,” she says.
…

From: MeNeedIt

The happy shouts of children participating in a summer soccer camp emanate from the Tubman Elementary School playing field in Washington D.C.

Pay-to-play soccer structures can make it challenging for kids from low-income families to play competitive, organized soccer in the United States. DC Scores, a nonprofit organization, tries to help level the playing field by offering free high-quality soccer camps like this one to disadvantaged children.

“DC Scores has given me lots of chances in life,” says Christopher, 10, who has been with DC Scores for three years.

DC Scores provides various opportunities to children from low-income families, serving close to 3,000 kids annually. Its programs can be found in more than 42 designated Title I schools in the Washington area. Schools receive Title I classification when they serve a large number of children from low-income families.

Students between the third and eighth grades can join DC Scores’ after-school programs at their respective elementary and middle schools. In fall and spring, participants practice soccer twice a week and have a game at the end of the school week.

On non-soccer days, kids either write slam poetry or participate in service learning projects such as neighborhood cleanups, awareness campaigns, or raising money for the homeless.

During the summer, camps run for six weeks. DC Scores also offers outside opportunities for its participants to join competitive teams.

Meaningful partnerships

Christopher, who skillfully dribbles down the field, bypassing four players on the opposing team to score a goal, is considered one of the most talented players by coaches, who say the boy has a knack for scoring goals.

“They gave me the chance to practice with D.C. United,” Christopher says when discussing soccer opportunities in the program.

DC Scores has an official partnership with D.C. United, Washington’s professional soccer club, and DC Scores’ participants have attended D.C. United tryouts.

The non-profit also has a partnership with the Stoddert Club, a youth travel and recreational soccer club in the nation’s capital that offers financial assistance to DC Scores kids who wish to play in their league.

These partnerships enable DC Scores participants to pursue soccer more seriously if they choose to. However, the organization’s impact stretches way beyond the soccer field.

Challenging start in life

Some of the Individuals who participate in DC Scores come from unstable homes.

“Twenty percent of kids in the program move houses during the year,” says Bethany Henderson, executive director of DC Scores.

Rob was accepted into the program as an elementary school student. He’s now on the DC Scores coaching staff and expects to join a semi-professional team.

“I grew up in a broken home. DC Scores provided me with a way out…There are lots of drugs in these areas,” he says, adding that, for many kids, this is their first time playing sports in an organized environment.

“To have that little structure, I think the majority of our kids haven’t had that before joining our program,” says Michael Goldstein, director of marketing and communications.

Mentors For life

DC Scores places a strong emphasis on building strong relationships between coaches and players. Every year, coaches receive 17 hours of soccer and youth development training.

“The priority of this training is to ensure DC Scores kids build deep relationships with their coaches,” says Henderson, the DC Scores executive director.

Coach Popsie Lewis stands out among his peers in this regard. In 2016, he was selected as a 2016 MLS WORKS Community MVP for his mentorship efforts.

“Moments like that tell you to keep doing what you are doing,” Lewis says.

A widely popular coach in the program, Lewis is adored by players for his ability to connect with them.

“He has charisma and an ability to make anyone feel comfortable. He’s got that special something that draws people to him,” says Goldstein. “When they go to high school, he continues to keep in touch and serve as a mentor for his kids.”

Shared experiences

“One of my favorite things about DC Scores is being able to make new friends from new teams,” says Christopher, the talented 10-year-old who has been in the program for three years.

In general, there is a strong camaraderie among DC Scores kids.

“DC Scores is like a brotherhood. Once a part of DC Scores, always a part of it,” says Rob.

Henderson isn’t surprised that the children develop a huge attachment to the program.

“By designing a fun and safe space for the kids, DC Scores becomes an important part of kid’s identity,” she says.
…

From: MeNeedIt

It would be easy to imagine yourself in a tropical jungle when you walk into Ed Willis’ store. The room is filled with whistles, chirps and shrieks, made by dozens of bright-colored parrots, from chatty cockatoos to giant macaws to tiny parakeets.

In case you’re still not sure what’s for sale here, the store is called “Parrots, Parrots, Parrots, just Parrots.” Opened in 1988, it is one of just two shops in the D.C. area that specialize exclusively in parrots, which have become the third most popular pet in America.

Ed Willis got his first parrot when he was 18, and never spent another day without one. He says parrots make wonderful pets and get very emotionally attached to people. He calls it a unique partnership. “They are independent, but they are still needy. They are happy to see you when you come home. It’s a really special pet relationship.”

However, not everyone is a good candidate for that relationship. These intelligent, playful and social birds need — and demand — daily interaction and mental stimulation. With a lifespan of 50 years or longer, parrots often outlive their owners. Even if they don’t, many end up abandoned when an owner has to move, gets married and has children, or simply loses interest in the parrot as a pet. Since parrots bond with their owners, they suffer immensely when surrendered to a rescue or put up for sale. Having a parrot is a multi-decade, potentially life-long commitment.

 
…

From: MeNeedIt

It would be easy to imagine yourself in a tropical jungle when you walk into Ed Willis’ store. The room is filled with whistles, chirps and shrieks, made by dozens of bright-colored parrots, from chatty cockatoos to giant macaws to tiny parakeets.

In case you’re still not sure what’s for sale here, the store is called “Parrots, Parrots, Parrots, just Parrots.” Opened in 1988, it is one of just two shops in the D.C. area that specialize exclusively in parrots, which have become the third most popular pet in America.

Ed Willis got his first parrot when he was 18, and never spent another day without one. He says parrots make wonderful pets and get very emotionally attached to people. He calls it a unique partnership. “They are independent, but they are still needy. They are happy to see you when you come home. It’s a really special pet relationship.”

However, not everyone is a good candidate for that relationship. These intelligent, playful and social birds need — and demand — daily interaction and mental stimulation. With a lifespan of 50 years or longer, parrots often outlive their owners. Even if they don’t, many end up abandoned when an owner has to move, gets married and has children, or simply loses interest in the parrot as a pet. Since parrots bond with their owners, they suffer immensely when surrendered to a rescue or put up for sale. Having a parrot is a multi-decade, potentially life-long commitment.

 
…

From: MeNeedIt