Aleksandra Baengueva, the Award-Winning UX/UI Designer Helping Small Businesses Thrive

Jason Robinson on September 28, 2022

Industries have and will never run out of talented individuals with so much to bring to the table. Armed with an impressive arsenal of skills and commitment to succeed, they will continue to drive sectors forward and be integral in meeting the needs of a demanding and diverse consumer base. In the face of the overwhelming number of visionaries and go-getters that occupy today’s spaces, it could prove challenging for anyone – new entrants and experienced alike – to stand out and rise through the ranks. Despite this daunting problem and amid the competition, Aleksandra Baengueva has managed to do just that, thanks to her undeniable eye for design and a deep-seated passion for helping ventures survive in the current digitized commercial landscape.

With her unwavering drive,, Aleksandra has already snagged numerous recognitions under her belt and received nods from multiple award-giving bodies, with her work involving the non-profit project “Save Baikal” among her most recognized. She not only won gold from Indigo Awards in the Websites for Social Change 2022 category but also bagged a Platinum from the MUSE Awards.

Considering the heights she’s reached so far, it could be easy to jump to the conclusion that she has always set her eyes on carving a path toward the summit of the design industry. However, the product designer and photographer initially chose to explore economics, studying the field back when she was an undergrad at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. Digital design and photography belonged to a list of hobbies that Aleksandra dabbled in from time to time. Eventually, her interest morphed into what would fuel her career switch to UX/UI designing.

Soon afterward, Aleksandra enrolled in grad school in New York City, deepening her understanding of web and multimedia design. She then lent her expertise and talent to G/O Media, a publishing company where she would help multiple brands, including Gizmodo, The Onion, The Root, and Jalopnik, provide a premium user experience to their clients. It did not take long for the promising designer to capture the attention of industry peers and authorities. As a testament to her potential, she caught the eye of Webby awards, receiving a nomination for “Best Website and Mobile Site” for her stellar work with The Root magazine.

Since then, Aleksandra has played a big role in the ability of different ventures to communicate effectively with their customers through aesthetically pleasing, interactive, and friendly interfaces. This year, she is set to continue helping small businesses ensure the functionality of their products and improve customers’ user experience.

Planning to cement her position in the industry even more solidly in the years to come, Aleksandra, who is currently part of the roster of professionals in the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company, Chubb, has no intention of slowing down anytime soon or pivoting toward a new field. On top of many other goals, the multi-talented product and UX/UI designer is aiming to see her name in more highly decorated and awarded projects in the future.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON PAKISTAN

Jason Robinson on September 28, 2022

Compiled By Tanweer Ahmed

The devastating floods in Pakistan are a “wake-up call” to the world on the threats of climate change. In the recent era, the discussion and debates about climate change have gained momentum. Climate change has also heated the political discourses in Pakistan. With the country facing a behemoth flood and millions displaced the catastrophic effects of climate change are real for Pakistan. Further, the country’s fragile economy is also poised to bear the loss of crops yeild in the subsequent months to come. Pakistan has received nearly 190% more rain than its 30-year average from June to August – reaching a total of 390.7mm.

In the ongoing flood in the country to date, more than 1.14 million houses have been damaged and over 765,000 houses have been destroyed across the country, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Over 1,500 deaths and more than 12,800 injuries were recorded since mid-June, including 552 children killed and over 4,000 children injured. More than 5,500 undamaged schools are reportedly being used to shelter people who have been displaced. Another 22,000 schools have reportedly been damaged – over 17,400 in Sindh, over 2,300 in Balochistan, over 1,400 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and some 1,250 in Punjab.

Preliminary estimates based on currently available data indicate that some 7.6 million people may be displaced due to the heavy rains and floods, including some 575,000 people living in relief camps. Humanitarian partners are in the process of planning and rolling out efforts to verify the full extent of displacement in flood-affected areas.

The impact of the heavy rains and floods on production in the agricultural sector as well as on market prices has been severe across Pakistan, even in areas spared by the floods, risking a deterioration in the food security situation across the country. In some parts of the country, the price of a kilogram of rice has reportedly risen by nearly 80 percent since January 2022.

Increased incidences of malaria, dengue, acute watery diarrhea (AWD), and cholera are being reported and are expected to continue to rise in the coming months.

Pakistan has been among the least contributors to the emission of greenhouse gases causing the rise in global temperature. It contributes less than 1% to it. Yet it faces the brunt of climate change far earlier than the nations that are responsible for the natural calamity unfold.

Disasters like floods, droughts, and other calamities are major concerns in Pakistan. The climate change will lead to economic, social, and political implications for Pakistan. Statistics of the 2010 flood reflect that around 20 million people lost their homes, got wounded, and or went missing.

Pakistan has taken some precautionary measures and implemented a climate change policy in 2012. This was indeed a significant step to tackling disasters of Climate change.

However, it is expected that due to Global Warming Himalayas will melt at a faster pace and more flooding is expected in near future. Scientists predict that the average rainfall in the Indian summer monsoon season will increase due to climate change. The availability of fresh water is predicted to decrease. Communities present near the coasts of the Arabian Sea are more expected to be affected by flooding.

Pakistan’s economy is highly dependent on agriculture and due to the risk of agricultural yield; food security is at stake. This will directly impact the livelihood of people. With a population of 220 million people, food shortages can cause instability. A country’s already struggling economy can crash under such circumstances and could lead to widespread chaos.

Climate change is also leading to social inequalities as few are privileged classes that are less impacted by climate change and few are the sufferers.

In a country as diverse as Pakistan, the clash between different ethnicities and groups on resources are already visible. The clash to get a better share in the water of rivers of the Indus basin is evident. further, Pakistan’s eastern neighbor and rival India is itself struggling with water shortage and is at odds with Pakistan on sharing of water resources.

Pakistan faces a major climate change challenge. A concerted effort by the international community, the Pakistani state, and its people are required to mitigate the impact.

A Woman In Atlanta, Ga. Awakes To Find A Wild African Cat On Her Bed

Joe Smith on September 28, 2022

We all have seen movies and TV shows where an animal jumps out of nowhere and scurries across the room. But most people haven’t experienced this phenomenon first-hand, until now. Women in Atlanta, Georgia awoke to find a wild African cat on their bed.

Before you wake up and wonder what the strange animal is on your bed. Check out this article on what to do when you encounter a wild African cat on your bed!

In this article, we discuss how a woman in Atlanta woke up to find a wild African cat on bed. The woman was shocked and delighted to see the cat and couldn’t believe.

What Happens When Cats Walk Through Walls?

When Rachelle was awake from her deep sleep by a wild African cat on her bed. She quickly realized that she couldn’t get up and chase the cat away, so she began to panic. What could she do to make the cat leave her bed?

The first thing Rachelle did was try to talk to the cat. When that didn’t work, she tried to give it some food. Finally, after a few minutes of trying different things, Rachelle realized that she needed to call the police.

She wasn’t the only one who had trouble dealing with this situation. The homeowner next door woke up to find their dog on their porch completely surrounded by cats! The homeowner eventually managed to scare the cats away and their dog was unharmed.

There’s no telling what would have happened if Rachelle hadn’t called the police

This is an example of why it’s important to have a safe environment for both you and your pets. If something like this happens, there’s always someone you can turn to for help.

When I moved to Atlanta, in August, I thought I had finally found the perfect place to live. It was a little noisy and chaotic compared to the peace and serenity of my old home in the Midwest.

Things changed for me on September 12th, when I woke up to find a wild African cat scratching around bedpost.

At first, I thought it was just another one of those pesky neighborhood cats that liked to hang around house. But as I got closer and started to pet it, I realized that this wasn’t your average feline. This cat was big and strong – almost like a lion!

Ever since then, my life has been turned upside down. The police are constantly coming by to ask me about the cat – is it dangerous? Is it tame? What should I do if it comes back?

Honestly, I don’t know what to do. My husband is away at school most of the time, and I’m by myself most of the time… so who’s going to take care of this cat when it needs to be fed or taken care of?

The African Cat

A woman in Atlanta, Ga. woke up to find a wild African cat on her bed. She was not scared but surprised and amused. The cat seemed to be looking for something, and the woman wondered if it might have been lost. In any case, she took some pictures of the strange encounter and posted them to her Facebook page with the caption “This is my new house guest!”

When Sarah woke up on Sunday morning, she found a wild African cat sitting on her bed. She quickly got up to snap a picture and share it on social media, but when she turned around the cat was gone.

This unusual encounter is just one of the many things happening in downtown Atlanta this weekend. The city is hosting the annual Dragonboat Festival, which features races of dragon boats and entertainment from local and international performers.

And in other news, construction on the new section of the Beltline Trail is finally complete. The 1.5-mile trail connects Irwin Street to Piedmont Park, passing through several neighborhoods including Old Fourth Ward and Little Five Points.

A Woman In Atlanta, Ga. Awakes To Find A Wild African Cat On Her Bed

When Allison Sikes woke up Wednesday morning, she found something strange on her bed. She was in Atlanta, Georgia and there was a wild African cat lounging on top of the covers next to her.

Allison quickly snapped some photos of the animal before getting out of bed and trying to capture video of it too. After a few minutes, she realized the cat wasn’t going anywhere so she went to get some breakfast. When she got back to her room, the cat had disappeared!

According to Allison, this isn’t the first time this has happened to her. A few years ago, she woke up to find a similar-looking cat sitting on her bed. She’s not sure what it is or where it comes from, but she’s glad it’s been visiting her lately!

Conclusion

A woman in Atlanta, Ga. woke up on Sunday morning to find a wild African cat perched on her bed. According to reports, the woman was shocked when she saw the feline and immediately called for her roommate. The roommate then brought a pot of water and an empty food bowl to lure the cat away before calling animal control. Thankfully, the cat was not injured and has been returned to its home according to WSB-TV.

the feline had apparently climbed up the woman’s bed while she was asleep and settled down for some peace and quiet. The woman says she is not scared of cats and that she has seen plenty of them during her time living in Georgia, so this particular cat did not bother her. The news report does point out that this is not the first time a wild animal has taken up residence in a home in the city – last year, an alligator was found living inside a home on Reynoldstown Road.

Protests continue in Iran: looking into what happened

Edward Anderson on September 28, 2022

Protests continue to erupt across Iran even as the government cracks down and state media say the protesters have ended their demonstrations.

The trigger

The protests, now on their tenth day, were sparked by the death of a 22-year-old woman named Mahsa Amini.

Amini died in a hospital three days after the Tehran morality police detained her and took her to a “re-education center.”

The reason for the arrest was that Amini violated the rules of the state headscarf.

The protests

Since then, protests have erupted in more than 40 cities, including Tehran.

Dozens were killed in clashes with security forces, and state-sponsored media revealed that at least 1,200 were arrested.

The demonstrations originally began as a call for justice for Amini’s death, but evolved into a broader protest: the unification of factions and social classes calling for the overthrow of the regime.

How are the protests different from the past?

The recent protests are not very different from previous anti-government movements.

However, according to experts, today’s fundamental problems have made the situation more relevant.

Esfandyar Batmangelidj, founder and CEO of London’s Stock Exchange & Bazaar Foundation, said the first waves in 2019, 2021, and earlier this year were driven by economic woes.

He also said this is one of the main reasons the protests have not spread to other sections of society.

“This is different, because what people are really asking for is a more significant kind of political change,” Batmanghelidj explained.

He added that the movement makes it easier to “generate solidarity among different social groups.”

According to Sanam Vakil, the protests also brought together young Iranians with internet access who were unfamiliar with Iran before the Islamic Republic.

Vakil is a Senior Fellow for the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House Think Tank in London.

The Iranian government

Trita Parsi, vice president of the Quincy Institute in Washington, DC, says the Iranian government doesn’t seem to feel any more vulnerable than before.

However, he also says they may misunderstand the situation.

Experts believe that the protests will only grow.

On Sunday, one of the main Iranian teachers’ unions called for a nationwide strike.

Strikes by Iranian workers are more sensitive because they evoke memories of the 1979 revolution, when collective union action proved to be a tactical means of overthrowing the Shah.

“I think it is quite likely that we will see more strikes because the strikes were happening even before this [movement],” said Parsi.

“They may end up being mutually reinforcing.”

Possible end of the conflict

Analysts believe the protests will end with the use of brute force rather than concessions.

The Iranian government has accused the Western media of being behind the protests, especially foreign conspiracies.

According to analysts, this will determine how they will be treated.

“If they see this as a security threat and not as an issue of political expedience, then they are more likely to respond using the tools of their security apparatus,” said Batmanghelidj.

“The government has far more capacity for repression than it does for reform at this stage.”

Vakil said that if the authorities were to make concessions through small reforms, he would raise the question of how young women could put the hijab back on.

He says it would be a face-saving result if the government overthrew the morality police.

Vakil believes that the hijab law is unlikely to be abolished entirely.

He also suggests that a referendum in which Iranians can vote on the hijab issue could help quell the protests, but doubts will arise.

To what extent will the government become vulnerable?

The protests continue without a leader, even as the protests have spread across the country for ten days and the death toll is rising.

The protests’ most vocal and visible figures are living in exile after the government restricted internet access at home.

“This is an indigenous Iranian movement,” said Vakil.

“It is important to stress ordinary Iranians inside the country are the mobilizers of what is happening.”

According to Batmanghelidj, it is necessary to have a leader to negotiate changes with the government and lead the movement.

The protests bear the brunt of several grievances, including compulsory hijab and the brutality of the state security apparatus.

It remains to be seen whether there are members of the Iranian government who understand what is at stake and are prepared to push for a meaningful change in the existing power structure.

Reference:

What you need to know about Iran’s raging protests

Vitalik Buterin hopes Ethereum Merge paves the way for others to follow

Edward Anderson on September 28, 2022

Innovation is important for the success of brands in technology, and Ethereum Merge is one of the best examples to highlight such advancements.

The Merge is an update to the Ethereum blockchain, and its innovation will push the crypto space in a new direction.

Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, believes that other blockchains should also evolve and move to proof-of-stake.

Hoping that other blockchains will follow

Now that the Ethereum Merge is complete, Buttrin thinks other blockchains, including Dogecoin and Zcash, should follow a similar path.

During Friday’s Mainnet Messari conference, he said on video:

“As proof of stake matures, I expect it to just increase in legitimacy more and more over time.”

“I hope that Zcash moves over. I am also very hopeful that Dogecoin is going to evolve over to proof of stake at some point soon.”

The Merge

In early September, Ethereum finally hosted the highly anticipated Merge event.

The Merge moved the core network from the energy-intensive proof-of-work (PoW) model to the more energy-efficient proof-of-stake (PoS) model.

According to Buterin, the high-stakes event went smoothly, although there were bugs with each merge test.

The Mainnet Conference

During the Mainnet Conference, Buterin spoke with Messari CEO Ryan Selkis and Electric Coin Company CEO Zooko Wilcox-O’Hearn.

“You emailed me your plan for Ethereum, and I was like, ‘Holy shit. This is so exciting. And it’ll never work,’” said Wilcox-O’Hearn.

“And then you and the Ethereum [developers] proved me wrong. It totally worked.”

Zooko, best known for his association with the privacy coin PoW Zcash, shared that he initially thought the Ethereum Merge would never work.

Later, however, his feelings about the Merge changed.

“You should be proud of yourselves for the rest of your life,” Zooko said, referring to Buterin and Ethereum developers.

The CEO of Electric Coin Company said he is waiting to see how Ethereum has fared since the upgrade to see if Zcash should hold its own Merge-like event.

“We’ve literally been waiting to see what we can learn from Ethereum,” said Zooko.

“I guess what we’ve learned is that it actually works.”

Buterin and the transition to PoS

As for other channels making the leap to proof-of-stake, Vitalik Buterin is willing to wait, but he thinks some will.

“For the other chains, we’ll see,” he said. “Some of them might; I’m sure at least some of them never will.”

“There might even be some compromise middle ground where some chains end up moving to some kind of hybrid proof of stake.”

The Ethereum co-founder has been relieved of the company’s status for the time being and says it will be better positioned after the Merge.

“A sky that has been cloudy for almost a decade finally cleared,” Buterin described of the Merge.

Reference:

Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin ‘very hopeful’ Dogecoin moves to Proof of Stake

Keanu Reeves set to return for Constantine 2 after 17 years

Claire Peterson on September 28, 2022

After more than a decade, Francis Lawrence’s adaptation of Constantine finally gets its long-awaited sequel, again starring Keanu Reeves.

What do we know?

According to Deadline, Akiva Goldsman will write the script and star in the film with J.J. Abrams and Bad Robot’s Hannah Minghella.

Lorenzo DiBonaventure and Erwin Stoff are also executive producers of the Constantine sequel.

Meanwhile, actor Keanu Reeves has expressed a desire to return for a Constantine sequel for years.

He shared his enthusiasm with many outlets and said he had pitched for the making of the film over the years.

In 2020, Peter Stormare also posted his optimism for a sequel on Instagram, saying a sequel is in the works.

Representatives of Warner Bros. however, did not respond to the message from him.

A Constantine reboot series

In early 2021, Variety reported that HBO Max was launching a Constantine reboot series with J.J. Abrams as an executive producer

Variety later reported that the idea was scrapped and would find its home somewhere else.

Warner Bros. Television and Bad Robot were reported to be “extremely high” in the draft.

The series, titled Chimney, was in development and was set to begin filming in 2023.

The project was looking for a black British actor to bring the character of Vertigo to life and Sope Dirisu was in talks to take on the role.

Since being restructured into HBO Max, the project has been on hold.

Response to the news

Constantine’s reboot of HBO Max has been canceled in favor of the Keanu Reeves sequel.

When the news broke last week, Sope Dirisu responded to the announcement on Twitter.

“Give them hell, king,” he wrote, adding a fanart of an elder Keanu Reeves as Constantine.

While many fans were thrilled with the project, others were not as enthusiastic.

Some shared their disappointment and confusion over the development of the film, saying the sequel came a little later than when the original film came out.

Others question the initial mixed reception following the cancellation of the Batgirl movie.

References:

Constantine 2 in the works, Keanu Reeves to reprise starring role

Constantine reboot actor reacts to HBO Max cancelation

Two Portland businesses continue to feel the effects of vandalisms and break-ins

Claire Peterson on September 28, 2022

Portland has faced several issues over the past few months, and vandalism has been one of the biggest problems for businesses there.

According to business owners, as they faced vandalism and break-ins, the problems only got worse.

Ragan’s Boutique

Ragan VanSise, the owner of Ragan’s Boutique, received a call last Thursday.

Another business called to tell her that the front door of their store had been broken into.

VanSise is not the only victim of such crimes, as other companies have recently faced broken windows.

She is certain that she needs to replace more than just the windows.

“They got away with a whole bunch of denim, jewelry, and handbags,” said VanSise.

“It’s been rough. It’s been a rough week.”

Security cameras caught a man walking around the store shortly after the break-in.

Meanwhile, Ragan VanSise felt the exhaustion of crime.

She said it was her dream to own a boutique like this, but she noted that the past few years in Portland have been tough.

“I’m so tired of this, it’s wearing me down,” she admitted. “I feel sad.”

“I feel like giving up, and I never thought if I got a chance to do this I would give up.”

VanSise also revealed that she sees people taking drugs and going through mental health crises in the streets around her shop.

“I was born and raised here and it’s heartbreaking to me what’s happening – this is the worst it’s ever been,” she said.

“The city needs to figure out a way to help these people.”

Grindhouse Coffee

Meanwhile, a bar in North Portland faced similar problems.

Amanda Horne, owner of Grindhouse Coffee, spoke to KOIN 6 News and said:

“We’ve been seeing a lot of break-ins and unfortunately a lot of vandalism. It’s unfortunate this is happening in Portland right now.”

Horne revealed that despite adding bars to the window and steel doors to prevent burglaries, someone still broke the stained glass.

She said she often reacted to vandalism and at one point found homeless men on the doorstep who were clearly on drugs.

While Horne doesn’t try to take her personally, it’s hard to see past her damage, as her late father made the stained glass windows for her.

Amanda Horne’s father was a stained glass artist and died in February of this year.

Horne’s customers opened a GoFundMe page to help with window replacements.

As for police assistance, Horne did not call the police.

“The vandalisms, I haven’t reported. The last break-in, the cops took four hours to get here,” she explained.

“I know that they’re sparse and they have more important things to do, which is exactly what they told me.”

“I do feel like we need more policing and our streets need to be cleaned up and people who are homeless need a better direction.”

Reference:

‘It’s been rough’: Portland business owners exasperated over constant vandalism, break-ins

Don’t Worry Darling director puts down rumors of Harry Styles spitting on Chris Pine

Nicholas Alexander on September 28, 2022

Weeks earlier, Harry Styles was accused of spitting on his Don’t Worry Darling co-star Chris Pine, raising many questions and accusations.

Even after the accident, speculations continued as to whether it really happened or not.

At a concert in Venice, Styles told the audience to “spit on Chris Pine”, causing people to scratch their heads, wondering whether the singer was joking or not.

Recently, director Olivia Wilde made things clear when she appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Olivia Wilde clears the air

When Olivia Wilde appeared on the show this week, talk show host Stephen Colbert addressed some of the topics that were making the rounds on the internet.

The director of Don’t Worry Darling raised the issue when she discussed the alleged rift between her and actress Florence Pugh.

“The only thing I want to say to that,” she started. “Is that another one of our weird rumors, ‘spit gate,’ which you might have heard about…”

Colbert jumped into the situation, cut her off, and asked her if Styles spat on Pine.

“Why or why not?” He asked her. “Support your answer.”

“No,” Wilde replied, after laughing at the essay-like question. “He did not.”

Complications and agreements

Things would have gotten complicated if Olivia Wilde had thrown her boyfriend Harry Styles under the bus and said he had spit on Pine.

However, everyone involved had come to agree on the situation.

Wilde highlighted the spitting voice as the perfect example of people seeking drama wherever they can.

“Harry did not spit on Chris, in face… he really didn’t, we’ve seen it,” she emphasized.

“That is exactly what I mean though, people will look at a video that shows evidence of someone not spitting on someone else.”

“And they’ll still see what they want to see, and that is the creation of drama… that is clickbait.”

Other remarks

Aside from the “spit gate,” another rumor circulating was the rift between Olivia Wilde and Florence Pugh.

However, Wilde also downplayed the ‘feud’, saying:

“I have nothing but respect for Florence’s talent… I have nothing against her for whatever reason.”

Olivia Wilde also argued that male directors don’t approach casting inquiries the way they do.

However, Stephen Colbert pointed out that even if the rumors were true, it would still be “light fare” compared to other movie scandals.

Reference:

Olivia Wilde clears up the ‘spit gate’ conspiracy between boyfriend Harry Styles and Chris Pine

Tuesday witnessed US and Canadian warships voyage into the Taiwan Strait

Jason Robinson on September 28, 2022

US and Canadian warships passed through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday after US President Joe Biden announced his intention to defend Taiwan.

Defensive aid comes as a precaution in case of an attack from China.

Warships

US Navy spokesman Lt. Mark Langford released a statement saying the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins made a “routine transit through the Taiwan Strait” on Tuesday. .

The US Navy vessel passed by the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate, HMCS Vancouver.

According to Lt. Langford, the two ships passed through a corridor in the strait beyond the territorial sea of a coastal state.

The transit is intended to demonstrate the commitment of the United States and its allies and partners to a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The trip marks the second time in more than three weeks that a U.S. Navy warship has made the trip, as cruisers USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville traveled Aug. 28.

International tensions

When US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan early last month, Chinese military ships and submarines began to proliferate.

Although the transit is “routine”, it came after Biden fueled tensions between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan.

In a speech on CBS 60 Minutes last Sunday, he said he would deploy American troops to defend the island in the event of a Chinese invasion.

Beijing has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan, although the ruling Communist Party has never controlled the island.

They also claim sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the waters of the strait under Chinese law.

But the US Navy says much of the strait is in international waters, citing a United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) definition of territorial waters extending 12 nautical miles from the coast. of a country.

The United States has made several transits and sent warships through the strait in recent years.

60 Minutes

During the 60 Minutes interview, Biden was asked if US forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, to which he said yes.

His comments reiterated a promise he had previously made to defend Taiwan.

On Sunday, however, Biden emphasized that American men and women would be involved in the effort.

Canadian aid

Daniel Le Bouthillier, Canada’s media director, confirmed that Canada joined the transit on Tuesday.

“Following port visits in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Manila, Philippines, HMCS Vancouver sailed through the Taiwan Strait along with the USS Higgins, as this was the most direct navigational route,” said Le Bouthillier.

“This sail was done in full accordance with international law, including high seas navigation rights as outlined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.”

According to the US military, Chinese planes and ships were present as the US and Canadian warships passed.

However, Lt. Langford found interactions with foreign forces to be consistent with international standards and practices.

China responds

As news of Biden’s comments spread, Beijing reiterated its warning that China would take all necessary measures to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

During a briefing on Monday, Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, issued a statement saying:

“The US remarks seriously violate the one-China principle and the provisions of the three US-China joint communiques.”

“It is also a serious violation of the important commitment made by the US side not to support Taiwan independence,” she added.

“It sent a serious wrong signal to the separatist forces of Taiwan independence.”

“China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition, and has made serious representation to the US side.”

The last time American and Canadian warships sailed through the strait together was eleven months ago, when the destroyer USS Dewey and the frigate HMCS Winnipeg made the trip.

After this trip, Senior Col. Shi Yi, spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command, wrote a statement.

He says the United States and Canada have committed “provocations with odious nature” and created problems that have seriously threatened peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said China-Taiwan “reunification” was inevitable and refused to rule out the use of force.

Tensions between Beijing and Taipei have risen in recent decades, and the Chinese military has held major military exercises near the island.

Reference:

US and Canadian warships sail through Taiwan Strait after Biden vows to defend island

Resident Evil the Netflix series gets axed, actor Lance Reddick shares sentiments on Twitter

Claire Peterson on September 28, 2022

Netflix’s Resident Evil series may have premiered this year but was canceled early, leaving the series with only one season left.

The reception

Resident Evil, based on the popular video game franchise, was to be the next big series of the streaming service.

However, once it was released, it became clear that the series wasn’t going to last long.

Fans of the show were hoping it would be a closer adaptation than the Paul W.S. In Anderson’s films, the first episode alone proved that this was not the case.

When the series finally arrived, fans, newcomers, and critics alike couldn’t contain their disappointment.

Why was it canceled?

When Resident Evil went live, viewers quickly took to social media to ridicule the series, especially the dialogue.

Fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the series, and critics are reviewing the series for the story and the actors’ performances.

Although Resident Evil attracted few viewers, it seems the majority dug into the series to see how bad it was.

Another factor could be the timing of the release as Netflix suffered a loss of subscribers, most of whom felt it lacked content quality.

Adaptation problems

Paul W.S. Anderson was the first to adapt Resident Evil, but many thought he didn’t have the same power as the games, especially the characters many have come to love.

Although Albert Wesker appeared in most films, Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine were rarely seen.

The Netflix series focused on Albert Wesker before the release of the T-Virus and the introduction of his daughters, two new original characters who did not appear in the game.

While Lance Reddick’s performance was a highlight for many (apart from his Pornhub monologue), it wasn’t enough to keep the show afloat.

Another big issue was how the series executed the video game elements. The effort was visible, but brought an unsatisfactory result.

The time lapse kept jumping back and forth. While providing background information about the characters is important, many felt let down with the original characters, hoping to see the main protagonists of the video game.

The Netflix series “Resident Evil” provided a clean slate and opportunity for the video game series.

Instead, the showrunners chose a different path, resulting in a confusing and uninteresting story.

Lance Reddick reacts to the news

Lance Reddick as Albert Wesker was undoubtedly one of the few bright spots in the Resident Evil series.

When the news broke last week, the actor looked back on his time on the show and thanked the crew, executive producers, and other cast members.

Reddick also thanked fans who showed their love and support for the show by tweeting:

He posted his feelings about her with a video on Twitter, in which he also berated haters and trolls.

“A special thank you to all the fans who watched #ResidentEvilNetflix, the showrunners, my castmates, executives and more. We worked our asses off and had a great time.”

References:

Netflix’s Resident Evil cancellation was inevitable

Lance Reddick thanks fans following ‘Resident Evil’ cancellation