Othello Tragedy Essays (311 words) - Othello, English-language Films

Othello Tragedy Shakespeare's trajedy, "Othello" is a play based on passion unchecked. The desire for money, power, and love drive the characters to commit acts that betray any hint of rational thinking. Readers are given a taste of how passionate Othello is in Act Two, Scene Three. "Now, by heaven, My blood begins my safer guides to rule, And passion, having my best judgement collied, Essays to lead the way. 'Swounds, if I stir." Christ's wound's if I stir? Othello knows he is a man capable of terrible destruction. Yet it is love that he is afraid of not mortal men. This emotion is not so powerful that he denies it? No. Instead he attempts to temper his love, yet this seems like a denial of being uxorious. When Othello lands upon the shore of Cyprus and sees his beautiful Desdemona he exclaims, "I cannot speak enough of this content. It stops me here, it is to much joy." This joy of being in love stops his warrior heart. How can he not feel foolishy fond of his precious jewel. After the sword fight in Act Two, Scene Three Othello utters, in line 23, "Cassio, I love thee." Is he not doting upon his handsome leiutenant? He loves these people, but instead of his love becoming his salvation, it is his Achille's heel. That love becomes a serpant that constricts around his heart and breaks it. The belief in alove turned sour is to much for poor Othello. Now he can never love. Othello will never become oversubmissive to his wife because he can only love as much as he sees he will receive in return. The answer to the question then appears to be that he is not uxorious because it is not allowed to bloom. The hateful seeds planted by Iago grow like weeds in Othello's mind and over take it. The gentle fruit of Desdemona and Cassio take to long to bear and are strangled out of existence.

War Fighting and Peacekeeping are not Compatible. essays

War Fighting and Peacekeeping are not Compatible. essays Canadas Peace Enforcement, and ignorance to the true definition of Peacekeeping, has destroyed our true intentions of our missions to keep the peace, as we are so reputable of doing. How have are peacekeeping missions given Canada an identity? Has our recent peace enforcement altered this definition? What would cause our men to lose grip halfway through a mission? Canada has quickly made an international, highly respected, name for itself, and due to ignorance, is quickly losing it. The two definitions of Peacekeeping vs. Peace Enforcement according to humanitarian law are what the men are to abide by and are as follows: The purpose of Peacekeeping operations is to ensure respect for cease-fires and demarcation lines and to conclude troop withdrawal agreements. In the past few years, the scope of operations has been extended to cover other tasks such as the supervision of elections, the forwarding of humanitarian relief, and assistance in the national reconciliation process. The use of force is authorized only in cases of legitimate defence. Such operations take place with the consent of the parties on the ground. Peace-enforcement operations, come under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, and are carried out by UN forces or by States, groups of States or regional organizations, either at the invitation of the State concerned or with the authorization of the UN Security Council. These forces are given a combat mission and are authorized to use coercive measures for carrying out their mandate. The consent of the parties is not necessarily required. The distinction between these two types of operation has become less clear in recent years. The term Peace support operations, has also started to emerge. Two main missions that support the fact that Canadas mission to keep the peace, are those in Somalia and Bosnia where ignorance to the true definition of Peacekeeping...

Interview with Darren Rowse on Building a Better Blog

Interview with Darren Rowse on Building a Better Blog Interview with Darren Rowse on Building a Better Blog Interview with Darren Rowse on Building a Better Blog By Daniel Scocco Last week we published a post about Darren Rowses new ebook, titled 31 Days to Build a Better a Blog. I asked Darren if he was willing to answer to a small interview giving more details about the book to our readers, and he agreed. There are some interesting points, so check it out. 1. Do you believe that any writer can benefit from having a blog? Im always a little hesitant to make sweeping statements and claims about blogging and how its the best tool for every person but I do think that a blog is a fantastic tool that most writers should at least consider. There are a many reasons why I think blogging is a great medium for writers three that immediately spring to mind: 1. Profile, promotion and branding I know in writing my own book with Chris Garrett that having a blog was a big advantage, both in landing the book deal and in promoting the book once it was launched. My blog (and Chriss) built our profiles, credibility and authority on the topic we were writing about. This in turn led to Wiley approaching us with a book deal. It also meant that when we launched the book, we already had an audience ready and waiting to buy it. 2. Idea development one of the things I love most about blogging is that it enables me to grow in my own understanding of the topics that I write about. This happens as I research, develop and write up posts, but also as readers respond to what I write in comments and on their own blogs extending and deepening my ideas. 3. Practice one of the best ways to improve as a writer is to write particularly in a public forum where you know people will be reading and interacting with your ideas. Regularly publishing your writing on a blog is a great way to grow your writing skills. 2. What feedback did you get from the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog project? The reaction to 31DBBB was amazing on a number of levels. Firstly, I was overwhelmed by the numbers of bloggers signing up. Within just a few weeks we had 13,000 participants, which showed me just how many bloggers felt that they needed an injection of fresh ideas and inspiration for their blogs. The main feedback I initially got from participants was simply that they felt energized, inspired and equipped to improve their blogs. However, as the initial 31 day period progressed I began to hear stories of bloggers seeing real and significant improvements in their blogs as they took the tasks seriously. Some reported significant rises in traffic, others reported deepening relationships with readers, others yet reported that the quality of their posts were on the rise. The other two things that I heard time and time again from readers was: 1. The pace of daily tasks wasnt right for everyone. Some wanted to do it faster, some wanted to take their time and slow it down. 2. People wanted it all in one document either on their own computer or to print out. They wanted it all in the one place so they could keep digging back into it over time. It was these last two pieces of feedback that motivated me to develop the content into a workbook. 3. Why do you think most bloggers procrastinate when it comes to improving their blogs? There are a number of reasons. 1. For some it is simply that the blogger doesnt know what to do. They start of with loads of ideas and energy, but in time lose steam, inspiration and ideas. Many bloggers get to a bloggers block, where they simply dont know what to write or how to move their blogs forward. 2. For others it has more to do with discipline. Just like many aspects of life, successful blogs are something that you need to dedicate time to. Getting into a rhythm of blogging can be hard particularly when life is full of other competing interests. 3. The other reason is that many bloggers have one or two particular aspects of blogging that they love and are good at, and which they do to the point of excluding other aspects of building a successful blog. For example, some bloggers love designing their blogs so much that they end up sinking a lot of time into continually tweaking how their blogs look, at the expense of actually writing content. For others the obsession can be SEO, networking with other bloggers, writing a particuar type of post, adding and playing with blog tools. the list goes on. None of these things are bad in and of themselves, but when you obsess over them at the expense of other activities, you can end up being distracted and ignoring some important aspects of your blog. 4. What is your favorite task out of the 31 listed in the workbook? Tough one I actually really enjoyed writing most of them and got quite into doing the tasks for myself over the month. Some of the writing focused tasks were great to watch participants do, but two of my favorites were Day 11 where I share a technique for coming up with 10 (or more) blog post ideas, and Day 18, where participants develop a Sneeze Page for their blogs (a type of page that can drastically increase page views on a blog and increase reader loyalty). 5. Is the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog workbook useful for people who are just getting started with their blogs? The workbook is designed for people who have blogs but who need a kick start for one reason or another. This might be a new blogger who doesnt quite know what to do after setting up their blog, a blogger who has been at it for a few months who loses his way, or a more advanced blogger who simply has run out of steam or has hit the dreaded bloggers block. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the General category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Bare or Bear With Me?Excited ABOUT, not "for" 5 Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Analysis of an Interview with Immigrant Children in Quebec Case Study

Analysis of an Interview with Immigrant Children in Quebec - Case Study Example In a situation where the parents choose to stick with the initial culture then the children’s identity does not change. These children will still identify with the Brazilian culture; however, this is different if the parents decide to completely depart from their indigenous culture. Unfortunately, this cannot be said in the case of a language. Children will by default adopt the language widely used by the larger society, this explains why in the interview the children attested to be slowly forgetting Portuguese but developing their use of French and to some extent English. This observation is best explained by a look at the sociocultural perspective which identifies social context as critical to learning. Further, it stresses the importance of social interaction, communication and instruction to learning not to mention that the social environment is identified as not only a place where learning takes place but one that is critical to the learning process (Johnson & Golombek, 2010). These children perceive language as a mere means of communication. To them, using Portuguese at home or French/English in school does not represent anything but is only an enabling element. The language enables interactions and social contact with their classmates and teachers. This is different from the parents who view language as a source of identity which explains their insistence on the children’s use of Portuguese at home. Perhaps the parents are afraid that failure to use the language will mean losing their identity. Additionally, the children view biliteracy as more of an advantage as it allows them to have a taste of both worlds (Rivera & Huerta-MaciÃŒ as, 2008). This feeling is not shared by the parents as these look at biliteracy as a way of draining the children’s prowess in the indigenous Portuguese language. The children perceive the Portuguese language as a barrier to

An Exploration of the changing attitudes towards female body shape of Dissertation

An Exploration of the changing attitudes towards female body shape of South East Asian young adults immigrates to the UK - Dissertation Example Previous studies conducted with regard to the subject matter at hand were able to show that a person’s body image is a product of their personal experiences, personality as well as various social and cultural forces. It has likewise been stated that a person’s sense of their own physical appearance usually in relation to others and to some cultural ideal, can shape the manner by which they perceive their own bodies (Grogan 2008). In addition thereto, they also maintained that a person’s perception of their appearance can be different from the manner by which others actually see (Kindes 2006). Aside from the aforementioned, studies were also able to show that women tend to be more worried about their body image than their male counterparts (Grogan 2008). Unfortunately, their concern with respect to the same was often times considered to have a negative impact on their health. More often than not, people who have a low body image will try to alter their body in var ious ways such as dieting and going through cosmetic surgery (Kindes 2006; Grogan 2008). It is in relation to what has been previously discussed that this dissertation focuses on body image. More specifically, the researcher focuses on the Western perceptions with respect to body image from that of their Asian counterparts. In addition thereto, this study aims to look into the impact of the Western body image to Asian immigrants, focusing on young women students who came to the United Kingdom of Great Britain in order to study. Previous studies and articles written with respect to body image and the effects thereof on both women and men, tend to underscore the fact that consciousness with respect to body image is a purely Western issue. The Western Society is often perceived to give much emphasis on the so-called model-type bodies. In fact, it is because of this emphasis that eating disorders are prevalent in the Western countries (Lake, Staiger and Glowinski 2000). However, the stu dy of Lake, Staiger and Glowinski (2000) pointed out that these eating disorders are prevalent even amongst non-Western women. Nevertheless, there is still a wide disparity with respect to the manner by which Western women perceive body image as compared with their Asian counterparts. Kristy (2011) supports the study conducted by Lake, Staiger and Glowinski (2000). According to her, body image problems tend to be more prevalent amongst developed countries. The author correlates this to the fact that most children and young adults in developing countries tend to focus on other problems which in turn, gives them little time to worry about their issues with respect to body image (Kristy 2011). Yates (n.d.) supports the previous discussions stating that the Western Culture is responsible for perpetuating an unending and deeply saddening reality – the quest for bodily perfection. According to this author, this quest is fueled by advertising campaigns as well as the manner by which women are portrayed in Hollywood (Yates n.d.). The consequence of this is that 80% of American Women tend to be dissatisfied with their appearance. In relation to the abovementioned, Dixit (2011) discusses the consequences of such standards on South Asian women living in other countries. According to her, with the entire world are influenced by media-defined ideals of beauty through films, magazines and television shows, South Asian women living in other countries feel the pressure to conform to the standards of beauty set forth by Western shows, films,

Employment and its effects on high school and college students’ grade point averages Essay Example for Free

Employment and its effects on high school and college students’ grade point averages Essay Many students, parents, and educators have been seeking the so-called Holy Grail of learning for many decades. One question that has arisen out of this learning model is that of student employment? Many wonder if working a part-time job will affect a student’s grades, and if so, how much? The answer to this seemingly simply question, however, is more complex. A variety of factors must be considered when deciding if and to what extent a student’s grades are affected by his or her employment status. In recent years, the concept of the full-time student seems to be disappearing. From about age sixteen, an overwhelming majority of students, both high school and college, work while they attend school. This average is about 85% for most college students (Bradley, 2006). However, high costs everything from apparel to tuition drives these workers into their part-time jobs which are generally retail and service related businesses for an average of fifteen hours per week (Bradley, 2006). Generally, most studies do identify some differences in academic performance and attitude, but these differences are not as great as people once may have believed. Generally, studies find very few basic differences between working and non-working students, especially in college. However, the intensity of the job and the number of hours worked did seem to affect academic performance in many students at the high school level. Generally longer hours meant more stressors on the individual and had a negative affect on their grades, which translates into about a half of a grade point average(GPA) point lower than not working students or students who work only a few hours, perhaps on the weekends (Weller et al, 2003). Oettinger (1999) also found this to be true, and noted that minority students tended to be more affected by the GPA drop than white students. He noted his drop in GPA to be about . 20 points and to be most obvious in students working more than twenty hours per week. These studies corroborates a study done nearly twelve years earlier in which the researchers found, similarly, that students who put in longer hours at their jobs suffered lower grades, higher absenteeism, and less interest in school in general which was seen in negative behaviors while in school (Perils of Part-time Work for Teens, 1991). At the college level, these differences were less noticeable. Ironically, Bradley (2006) found that the grade point averages were highest for students who did not work AND for students who worked more than twenty hours per week. This seems to contradict the research done on high school students, suggesting that maturity and attitude may also play a part in the employment/grades debate. Research has also been conducted on academic attitude and perception as they relate to grades. In high school, students who worked longer hours did not seem to have much distress about their grades as a result of the employment: â€Å"Those who had jobs displayed no advantage over the others in self-reliance, self-esteem or attitude toward work† (Perils of Part-time Work for Teens, 1991). In addition, students who worked even seemed to report less school stress, possible because they had less interest in school, as mentioned above. Moreover, researchers explain this more blase attitude toward schools by the findings that students who worked were more likely to report avoiding difficult classing, cheating on exams, and copying homework from friends (Weller et al, 2003; Perils of Part-time Work for Teens†, 1991). This was not the case for university students. In college, students who worked perceived that their employment DID affect their grades even when the researchers found little or no interest in grades between non-workers and workers at the college level. Both working and non-working college students showed a high level of interest in their grades and expressed an overall desire to achieve a high level of academic performance. Students who did not work stated that did not do so in order to focus on their studies, and they believed that their studies benefited from this extra time. Again, though, the studies showed no difference in the GPAs of working and non-working college students (Bradley, 2006). Instead many researchers ponder how college students who work so many hours are able to keep similar GPAs to those that do not work. Bradley (2006) suggests that nonworking students may be spending similar time with other activities such as sports, extracurricular clubs, or even caring for dependents at home. He also proposes that the non-working students and the working students may be approaching homework and study in different ways. He notes that non-working students â€Å"may be most likely to adopt a ‘deep’ learning style, characterized by intrinsic interest in the subject content and a desire to maximize understanding of this content† and that working students â€Å"may be more likely to adopt an ‘achieving’ style aimed at maximizing grades through the effective use of space and time. † These learned differences could certainly account for the way different students juggle the demands of work. It is certainly helpful to note when employment can be an effect socialization tool aimed at building strong character and organizational skills and when it can be a definite academic detriment. Research shows that more differences exist for high school students than for college students, and that the majority of the college differences exist only in perception, not in actuality. This gives rise to the possibility of further research which could focus on the characteristics of working students who do keep their GPAs high.

the significance of the lemon law act Essay -- essays research papers

It happens many times. A person finds the car of their dreams. They drive it around for a few weeks when it happens. The car will not start, it makes a funny noise, or the breaks just will not do anything while stepping onto the pedal. Does the person have to pay for the repairs all by themselves? And if so, what happens when the exact same problem happens more than 3 times? It is just not fair to pay all this money on your brand new affordable car. But, one should not worry. There is a solution to all these annoying questions one just does not know how to answer. This is how the Magnuson –Moss warranty act comes into this situation. The â€Å"lemon law† is a subdivision of this act. The Magnuson-Moss warranty act, when tied with the ‘lemon law,’ helps a person of the purchased new car, ensure that they will have the rights to have a properly functioning car. The following will explain what exactly this law is and how it is applied to the state of Nebraska . What exactly is the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act? Cartalk explained that the act can be defined as the following. For any product that has a written warranty, if the product or any part thereof contains a defect after reasonable number of attempts, by the warrantor to repair the defect, the warrantor must either provide a refund for or replacement of the product. Autopedia explained that this is applied to any product that one can buy that does not perform, as it should. They went on to say that the magnuson-moss federal law protects the buyer of any product that costs more than $25 and comes with an express written warranty. This law can be incorporated with cars very easily. When the magnuson-moss warranty act and the lemon law tie together, the results greatly effect the rights of a car buyer. This statement was expressed both by Autopedia and Cartalk. This law guarantees a car buyer that a certain minimum requirements of warranties must be met, and provides for disclaimer of warran ties before purchase, told by Autopedia. The Magnuson-Moss not only plays a role within cars, but other products as well. However, with the cars, it helps a lot when one purchases a deficit car. The lemon law basics set many standards for car owners in Nebraska. The majority of states follow the same basic rules, but when going into detail, states vary in many ways. One major common rule upon all the states is that the manufactu... ... with new cars. People must always think about the warranty and other factors that will help them, if the car is a lemon. With all the information given, one can make the conclusion that a lot of cars are lemons. A lot of times, they are not dealt with properly. With the help of the Magnuson-Moss warranty act, and the lemon laws, people can be ensured that the car they have bought is safe. And if it is not, with a careful statement and good record keeping, one will be dealt with fairly. The consequence from having so many lemon cars and the dealers selling them, is that more and more people can be injured from bad selling. Hopefully, people will be able to get the cars fixed properly. With this, both consumer and manufacturer will lose less money. Bibliography 1. Siegal,Nina. Putting the squeeze on lemon dealers. Regulating the sale of defective automobiles. Vol.62, The Progressive, 2-01-1998, pp36. 2. Author Unknown. Keep Good records if you think that car’s a lemon., The Arizona Republic, 07-31-1999, ppB5. 3.Michael Ferry; Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Some help when buying cars., St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 04-22-1995, pp07D 4. WWW.Cartalk.com 5. WWW.Autopedia.com

Business Environment Essay

Introduction: In this assignment I will be explaining how the two businesses that I have chosen from my previous assignment P3, how they present the organisational structure and how strategic planning helps them achieve its purposes and aims. This assignment will include the following * The aims of Coca- Cola and Nike * How the strategic planning helps them both to achieve these aims * How the organisational structure helps to achieve the aims of both organizations The aims and purposes of Coca Cola: The mains aim of Coca cola is to revive the world in mind, body and soul. Coca Cola Company is to provide to ensure this the company ensure that all employees are working to their highest standards test product that they can to the public, and create customer satisfaction. o create the best product, in the quickest possible time to make sure that there is an ability for quick distribution. The main goals and objectives of Coca-Cola are to be the finest beverage sales and customer Service Company. This means being the first or second brand in every group in which then can contest, being the customers most appreciated supplier and establishing a winning and inclusive culture. They also aim to never let their high standards of quality fail. To do this, there are strict evaluations at each stage of the manufacture of all products at Coca Cola production plants, throughout the day. When distributing any products, Coca Cola arrange with the distribution companies what standards Coca Cola expect from them. This means that the customer will always be to create a value and make a difference- everywhere they engage and to inspire moments of optimism through their brands and actions The aims and purposes of Nike: Nikes main objective is to develop products that help athletes of every level of ability reach their potential, to create business opportunities that set Nike apart from the competition and to provide value for its shareholders. As they are in the private sector the main objective would be to make a profit. However with all organisations this would be surrounded with other aims and objectives that their organisation may have set in place at the beginning of their campaign. For example Nike has an aim to be the largest sporting organisation for the foreseeable future, which they are currently achieving. Other aims and objectives that Nike may set out would be to improve the working conditions of the factories in the Less Economically Developed Countries. How strategic planning helps Coca-Cola achieve its aims: Coca-Cola is a household name the company can control soft drink market. Their success can be attributed to their overall strategy to produce and promote their products. Coca-Cola decided to build global brands to bottlers throughout the world. And a portion of the proceeds goes toward advertising to build and maintain brand awareness. Coca-Cola is responsible for producing and distributing to vending machines, supermarkets, restaurants, and other retail outlets. However, the advertising is left up to Coca-Cola. In addition, they must sign an agreement that prohibits them from distributing competing cola brands. Their strategy is simple, yet dynamic. It forces bottlers to enter into exclusive agreements, which creates a high barrier to entry into the industry. Any potential competitor must create their distribution network rather than use the existing one. And the large amounts of money spent on advertising helps to develop a global brand name and differentiate their products. How strategic planning helps Nike achieve its aims: The strategic plan aims to focus Nikes vision and priorities in response to a changing environment and to ensure that members of the Nike are working towards the same goals. Strategic management harnesses the full potential of an Nike by integrating daily operational decisions into the strategic process. Strategic management is a task for the whole company all the time. It is a way of thinking and a guide to action, and should govern the behaviour of everybody concerned. It enables Nike to think through and document what they are doing, for whom they are doing it, and why. How organisational structure helps Coca-Cola to achieve its aims: The Coca-Cola Company, have built flexible structures which, wherever possible, encourage teamwork. For example, at Coca-Cola Great Britain any new product development (e.g. Coca-Cola Vanilla) brings together teams of employees with different specialisms. At such team meetings, marketing specialists clarify the results of their market research and testing, food technologists describe what changes to a product are feasible, financial expert’s reports on the cost implications of change. How organisational structure helps Nike to achieve its aims: The organizational structure of a Nike helps affect a workplace culture, employee motivation, performance and cooperation. Selecting the correct structure that compliments Nike’s goals and objectives can positively affect employee’s behaviours and attitudes, as well as a lead to more effective teamwork and networking opportunities that build stronger worker relationships throughout the Nike industry’s. Planning and implementing an organizational structure will help determine the necessary workforce talent to build a successful business like Nike. Conclusion: What I have learnt is that how they style of organisation helps them to fulfil their purposes through there aims and purposes for example, They have built flexible structures which encourage great team work for both organisations. Also and through their strategic planning for example Strategic management is a task for the whole company all the time so they need to organise the company in order to a achieve the best successful organised business.

Human Rights in North Korea

DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL POLICIES POLICY DEPARTMENT POLICY BRIEFING Human rights in North Korea Abstract The human rights record in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, or North Korea) has been widely condemned by the international community, including by the EU and the European Parliament. The ascension of the latest ruler of the Kim dynasty, Kim Jong-un, in December 2011 has not brought tangible change. Since the country is practically closed to foreigners, the human rights situation can only be evaluated based on the testimonies of refugees and defectors.Their reports consistently reveal blatant and unrepentant violations of human rights, which aim to elicit the total submission of the country's citizens to the regime and its ideology. While the majority of North Koreans suffer from permanent hunger, those who try to leave the country face harsh punishment upon repatriation. Citizens suspected of being disloyal to the regime and their families are placed, witho ut trial, in prison camps with abhorrent conditions. North Korea is among the countries carrying out the highest numbers of executions in the world.FOR EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT INTERNAL USE ONLY DG EXPO/B/PolDep/Note/2012_265 PE 491. 441 September 2012 EN Policy Department, Directorate-General for External Policies This Policy Briefing was requested by the European Parliament's delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand. AUTHOR: Anete BANDONE Directorate-General for External Policies of the Union Policy Department WIB 06 M 85 rue Wiertz 60 B-1047 Brussels Feedback to anete. [email  protected] europa. eu is welcome. Editorial Assistant: Pia VANNESTE LINGUISTIC VERSION: Original: ENABOUT THE PUBLISHER: Manuscript completed on 17 September 2012.  © European Union, 2012 Printed inBelgium This Policy Briefing is available on the intranet site of the Directorate-General for External Policies, in the Regions and countries or Policy Areas section. To obtain paper copies, please send a request by e-mail to: [email  protected] europa. eu. DISCLAIMER: Any opinions expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament.Reproduction and translation, except for commercial purposes, are authorised, provided the source is acknowledged and provided the publisher is given prior notice and supplied with a copy of the publication. 2 Human rights in North Korea TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Overview Human rights violations International treaties Reactions of the international community Annexes 4 5 10 10 14 3 Policy Department, Directorate-General for External Policies 1. Overview The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is an authoritarian state that emerged after the Second World War and has been ruled by the Kim dynasty ever since.The latest national elections, held in March 2009, were neither free nor fair. North Korea's human rights record is based principally on the testimonies of refugees and defectors. North Korea’s human rights situation is difficult to assess: the access of foreigners to the country is restricted and those who do enter are under close surveillance. North Koreans are not allowed to leave the country, which means that reports are mainly based on the contributions of refugees and defectors.Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) report that North Korea commits blatant human rights violations: arbitrary and indefinite imprisonment, political prison camps, torture, public executions, suppression of workers’ rights, and prohibitions on freedoms of expression, media, movement, association and religion 1 . North Korea's human rights violations have been widely condemned, including by the United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Council, which have adopted several resolutions.Nevertheless, the North Korean government insists that there are no human rights issues in the country, arguing that its system has bee n chosen by the people: ‘The words â€Å"human rights† sound absolutely nonsensical in the DPRK where the dignity and independent rights of the working masses are fully guaranteed legally and institutionally. ‘ 2 No tangible changes have been seen since Kim Jongun assumed power in December 2011. The ascension of Kim Jong-un after the death of his father Kim Jong-il in December 2012 has hardly changed the grim situation, although Kim Jong-un has spoken about improving people's lives.As recently as December 2011 DPRK authorities issued a statement indicating they would ‘annihilate' up to three generations of a family if a family member fled the country during the 100-day period of mourning following the death of Kim Jong-il Border controls were also intensified 3 . 1 2 US State Department Korean Central News Agency 2012 3 ICNK, Kim Jong Un Tightens Grip along Border , 16 January 2012 4 Human rights in North Korea 2. Human rights violations 2. 1. ExecutionsNort h Korea's criminal code foresees the death penalty for more than 20 crimes, including smuggling and dealing narcotics, stealing state property and counterfeiting currency. The code also allows for arbitrary decisions by the authorities, who can determine ‘the gravest cases' or ‘extremely serious cases' 4 . In 2011 North Korea executed 30 or more people, placing the country among the ranks of those carrying out the greatest number of executions in the world, according to Amnesty International 5 . 2. 2. Torture and ill-treatmentPersons who are accused and arrested are often subjected to torture to enforce obedience and obtain bribes or information, despite the fact that North Korea's criminal code prohibits torture or inhuman treatment. According to Human Rights Watch, common forms of torture include sleep deprivation, beatings with iron rods or sticks, kicking and slapping, and enforced sitting or standing for hours. A study conducted in 2010 found that 60 % of previously imprisoned refugee respondents had witnessed a death due to beating or torture 6 . . 3. Some 200 000 people live in prison camps; incarcerated with their families and without trial. Prison camps According to Amnesty International, around 200 000 prisoners (about 0. 85 % of the population) are held in six large political prison camps (gwalliso). People who are suspected of not being loyal to the regime are sent to these camps without a trial, often with three generations of their family — spouses, children and parents — and mostly without any hope of release.The prisoners may have committed ‘crimes' such as not dusting a portrait of the leader or being Christian 7 . North Korea has never recognised 4 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in The Democratic People's Republic of Korea 5 Amnesty International, Death Sentences and Executions 2011 6 Human Rights Watch (HRW) World Report 2012 7 The Economist, The gulag behind the goose-steps, 21 April 2012 8 The Situation of Detainees in Gulag System 5 Policy Department, Directorate-General for External Policies that these camps exist.Conditions in the camps approach those of slavery, with starvation and no medical treatment. Prisoners, including children, are forced to work in conditions approaching slavery, e. g. , mining, logging and farming, seven days a week for twelve hours or more per day. They are frequently subjected to torture and kept on the verge of starvation. A defector has described the daily ration as approximately twenty grains of corn per prisoner. Convicts search through cow dung for undigested grain. No medical treatment is provided in the camp.Pregnant women are subjected to forced abortions or forced to give up their babies upon delivery to be murdered or abandoned. 8 . In 2011, Amnesty International said it believed North Korea's prison camps were expanding. The organisation based its findings on satellite pictures 9 ; prison camps can be seen on Google Earth. 2. 4. Food shortages North Korea has been dependent on food aid since famine in the mid1990s. In March 2011, the UN estimated that more than six million vulnerable persons in North Korea needed immediate international food aid 10 .With food shortages reaching more than one million tonnes, the World Food Programme called it the worst famine in a decade. Among the causes are floods, an extremely harsh winter; discriminatory food policies that favour the elite, and the economic mismanagement of a monetary devaluation scheme in November 2009 that wiped out many peoples’ savings. In his February 2012 report, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Marzuki Darusman called on the DPRK government to allocate more resources to agriculture than to its military sector 11 .At the same time, he emphasised that food ‘should never ne used as an instrument of political and economic pressure' (referring to a 1999 General Comment on the right to food by the UN Committee on E conomic, Social and Cultural Rights) 12 . Nevertheless, the U. S. suspended its plans for food aid to North Korea after the announcement of a new rocket launch in March. In June 2012, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Coordinator in Pyongyang, Jerome Sauvage, reported that one in two children in North Korea is stunted due to malnourishment 13 .The year 2013 could be particularly difficult for North Koreans as the 9 Amnesty International, Amnesty International Report Exposes North Korean Gulags, June 2011 10 HRW World Report 2012 11 Report of the Special Rapporteur 2012 12 Report of the Special Rapporteur 2012 13 Reuters, U. N. optimistic on U. S. aid for North Korea, food still a problem, June 2012 6 Human rights in North Korea country may face a new famine due to losses of up to 13 % of its grain harvest this year, according to a recent report by a South Korean official 14 .Losses result from a drought that followed widespread flooding this summer and that ob liged the country to request immediate food assistance. The regime has announced that it has set a goal for 2012 — the centenary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the first leader of the DPRK — to develop its economy, improve its people's lives and attract foreign investment 15 . In August 2012, the uncle of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, Jang songthaek, met China's President Hu Jintao to explore ways to revive North Korea's decimated economy and advance beyond the Marxist economic model 16 .There are also reports of plans for financial reform 17 . 2. 5. Media and internet Kim Jong-II’s death clearly demonstrated how tight the government's grip remains on the media and information: the news was broadcast on North Korean state television only two days later 18 . All sources of media, such as radio and television, are strictly controlled by the government and heavily censored. The contents of national media almost entirely consist of political propaganda and the pro motion of the leaders' personality cults. Internet use is limited to the political elite.Mobile phone access is limited to an internal network (one million users or 4 % of the inhabitants), and international calls can only be made by foreigners and the political elite 19 . Fines for making an international call can be as high as KPW 1 million (about USD 1 100), coupled with one week of detention 20 . North Korea is ranked second-to-last out of 179 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, before Eritrea 21 . 2. 6. Freedom of expression The government regularly evaluates its citizens' loyalty to the regime with the help of a large network of informants.Persons considered subversive are punished; disloyal inhabitants of Pyongyang are expulsed from the capital 22 . 14 15 Reuters, Destitute North Korea's grain harvest seen falling sharply, 4 September 2012 CIA World Fact Book 16 Reuters, China's Hu gives show of support for North Korea, 17 August 2012 17 ICNK, The Signs of Financial R eform in North Korea, 28 August 2012 18 Reporters Without Borders: North Korea 19 US State Department 20 Reporters Without Borders: North Korea 21 Reporters Without Borders: World Press Freedom Index 22 HRW World Report 2012 Policy Department, Directorate-General for External Policies 2. 7. Freedom of assembly and association The country's 1992 constitution includes provisions for freedom of assembly and association, although this is not respected in practice. All organisations are created by the government 23 . 2. 8. Freedom of religion The DPRK is officially an atheist state. Autonomous religious activities are almost non existent, although the government sponsors some religious groups to create the illusion of religious freedom 24 .The constitution foresees freedom of religion, while specifying that ‘no one may use religion as a means by which to drag in foreign powers or to destroy the state or social order† 25 . In 2009, the South Korean Investigative Commission on Crime Against Humanity reported on the public execution of a Christian woman accused of distributing the Bible. The Bible is banned in the North 26 . 2. 9. Freedom of movement: refugees Leaving the country without state permission is a crime in North Korea.Those who leave — most often to go to China — face harsh punishment if repatriated. Moreover, as mentioned above, DPRK authorities issued a statement in December 2011 indicating that they would ‘annihilate' up to three generations of a family if a family member fled the country during the 100-day period of mourning for the death of Kim Jong-il 27 . Border controls were also intensified last year 28 . Over the years, up to 400 000 North Koreans have fled the country, and many are living in neighbouring China as illegal immigrants.They are routinely repatriated, despite China's obligation to offer protection to refugees under international law, the Refugee Convention of 1951 and the Convention's 1967 Protocol, to which China is a state party 29 . In March 2012, at least 41 North Korean refugees were forcibly repatriated by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the DPRK 30 . In June four of them were executed 31 . Up to 400 000 North Koreans have escaped. Those who are repatriated face harsh punishment. 23 US State Department 2011 Human Rights Reports: Democratic People's Republic of Korea 24 25 CIA World Fact BookMinority Rights Group International: North Korea Overview 26 BBC, North Korea ‘executes Christians' , July 2009 27 European Parliament Resolution, 25 May 2012 28 Report of the Special Rapporteur 2012 29 HRW World Report 2012 30 UN Human Rights Council 31 ICNK, North Korea executes 4 defectors sent back from China 8 Human rights in North Korea 2. 10. Labour rights North Korea is one of the few countries that have not joined the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The ruling Korean Workers’ Party controls the only authorised trade union organisation, the Ge neral Federation of Trade Unions of Korea 32 . 2. 11. Minority rightsThere is no specific provision regarding the protection of minorities in North Korean legislation. North Korea is one of the world's most homogeneous countries in linguistic and ethnic terms: almost all 23 million inhabitants are ethnic Koreans whose ancestors have been living there for thousands of years. There is only one, very small Chinese minority of around 50 000. 33 2. 12. Rights of disabled people Although North Korea participated in the 2012 Paralympics in London, there have been reports in the past of disabled newborns being killed and of disabled people being sent to special camps and banned from the capital 34 .A 2003 law stipulates equal access for disabled persons to public services but has not been implemented. 35 2. 13. Abductions In the past, the DPRK has been involved in the abduction of foreign citizens, mainly South Korean and Japanese individuals. More than 500 persons have reportedly been kidn apped. However, no progress has been made with investigations into such abductions or the release of abductees since 2002, when two Japanese nationals were returned to Japan 36 . The DPRK had promised to reopen the investigation into the cases of suspected abductions of Japanese nationals in 2008 37 . . 14. Rule of law And independent judiciary and individual rights do not exist in North Korea, although, according to the country's constitution, courts are independent 32 33 HRW Report 2012 Minority Rights Group International: North Korea Overview 34 ICNK, Disability, the Paralympics, and Ji Seong Ho, 30 August 2012 35 US State Department 2011 Human Rights Reports: Democratic People's Republic of Korea 36 Report of the Special Rapporteur 2012 37 US State Department 2011 Human Rights Reports: Democratic People's Republic of Korea 9Policy Department, Directorate-General for External Policies and judicial proceedings must strictly follow the law. 3. International treaties North Korea is party to four international human rights treaties: ? ? ? ? the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). 4. Reactions of the international community 4. 1. UNIn March 2012 a UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution expressing concerns about the ‘ grave, widespread and systematic human rights abuses human rights violations' in North Korea. The resolution deplored the refusal of the government to ‘allow [the Special Rapporteur on human rights] access to the country† 38 . For the first time, North Korea’s allies in the Council (including China and Russia) did not call for a vote, but instead allowed the resolution to pass by consensus 39 . This sort of resolution has, in the past, had little impact on North Korea.When a previou s resolution on human rights condemned the situation in the North, the country's state news agency, the Korean Central News Agency, ran the following response: As already reported, the ‘resolution on human rights' against the DPRK was railroaded through the 60th UN General Assembly due to the pressure and the lobbying operation of the U. S. , Britain, Japan and other hostile forces. The â€Å"resolution† is peppered with lies and fabrications defaming the advantageous Korean-style socialist system centred on the popular masses.That was why it failed to get the approval of many member nations at the general assembly as it was a controversial one which clearly indicated the politicization of the human rights issue, selectivity and double standards 40 . In March 2012, a UN resolution about human rights in North Korea was passed by consensus. 38 39 Report of the Human Rights Council on its nineteenth session, unedited version HRW, UN Human Rights Council: North Korea Condem nation Goes Unopposed , 23 March 2012 40 Korean Central News Agency 2005 10 Human rights in North KoreaDespite the efforts of the UN the Secretary-General and the Special Rapporteur, the DPRK ‘continues to be late in reporting to the treaty bodies or uncooperative with the special procedures' 41 . There have, however, been some signs of cooperation with other UN bodies, including the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Health Organisation and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In October 2011, the UN's Emergency Relief Coordinator visited the DPRK to assess the humanitarian situation 42 .In July 2012, a UN mission was granted access to the country to evaluate the damage caused by the floods. 43 In 2013, Special Rapporteur Darusman, is due to report to the Human Rights Council. North Korea will prepare its next periodic review for the same time 44 . There are small signs that the country is beginning to cooperate with some UN bodies. 4. 2. ICNK The International Coalition to Stop Crimes against Humanity in North Korea (ICNK), established in September 2011, is the first international coalition that brings together human rights organisations from around the world 45 .Some 40 organisations have joined the coalition. On April 2012 the ICNK submitted a petition to the special procedures of the United Nation Human Rights Council calling for the UN to help shut down North Korea’s vast gulag system. 46 Delegates of the ICNK met Members of the European Parliament and EU officials in Brussels on 7 June 2012 to persuade them to support the establishment of a UN commission of inquiry into human rights abuses in North Korea. 4. 3. Six-party talksThe ‘six-party talks', which include China, the United States, North and South Korea, Japan and Russia, are aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear program through a negotiating process. Although human rights are not one of the topics of discussion for the talks, the Special Rapporteur believes that progress in these negotiations will assist discussions on other issues, such as the human rights situation 47 . Six-party negotiations have not taken place since December 2008. 41 42Report of the Special Rapporteur 2012 Report of the Special Rapporteur 2012 43 UN to assess North Korea floods as more rain falls 44 Report of the Special Rapporteur 2012 45 The International Coalition to Stop Crimes against Humanity in North Korea (ICNK) 46 ICNK press relase, 3 April 2012 47 Report of the Special Rapporteur 2012 11 Policy Department, Directorate-General for External Policies 4. 4. The EU and its Member States engage in regular political dialogue with North Korea, including through the UN. European Union The EU conducts regular political dialogues with the DPRK.The European Union established diplomatic relations with the DPRK in May 2001, and the majority of EU Member States have diplomatic relations with the DPRK. These contacts provide an opp ortunity to discuss human rights. The EU has also regularly raised the issue of the North Korean human rights situation in discussions at UN bodies. Since 1995, the EU has been involved in various assistance programmes and cooperation activities with the DPRK. Since then, over EUR 366 million in aid has been provided in the form of food aid, medical, water and sanitation assistance and agricultural support 48 .The EU supports, however, the Special Rapporteur's ‘call to rectify flaws in production, distribution and trading systems and to stop the misallocation of resources for military purposes' 49 . A Country Strategy Paper was adopted in March 2002, but its implementation has been suspended. There are currently no plans for a new Country Strategy Paper or for development cooperation, although this remains open for the future 50 . As part of the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur, the EU has encouraged ‘the DPRK’s new eadership to use its next univer sal periodic review in 2014 as an opportunity to enhance its dialogue with the international community and to provide undisclosed information of its criminal code', including subsequent revisions and addendums 51 . The EU is also involved in a number of assistance programmes. EEAS: North Korea EEAS, HRC19 – Interactive dialogues on Syria, Iran, Burma/Myanmar, North Korea , 12 March 2012 50 EEAS: North Korea 51 EEAS, HRC19 – Interactive dialogues on Syria, Iran, Burma/Myanmar, North Korea 49 48 12 Human rights in North Korea 4. . 1 European Parliament The European Parliament has adopted several resolutions on North Korea, the latest in May 2012 concerning the forced repatriation of North Korean refugees in China 52 . In July 2010, the Parliament called on the EU ‘to appoint an EU special representative on the DPRK to ensure persistent attention and coordination' 53 . Following the death of Kim Jong-il, Parliament's former President Jerzy Buzek issued a statement c alling on the North Korean authorities ‘to make concrete and tangible steps towards improving human rights conditions'.He called ‘on the authorities to allow inspection of all types of detention facilities by independent international experts and to allow UN Special Rapporteurs to visit the country'. He also urged the country ‘to engage constructively in human rights dialogues with the EU' 54 . A public hearing organised by the Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights took place in May 2012 with the participation of a former prisoner, the brother of a Japanese abductee and the US Special Envoy Robert King. 52European Parliament resolution of 24 May 2012 on the situation of North Korean refugees 53 European Parliament resolution of 8 July 2010 on North Korea 54 Buzek on the death of Kim Jong-il, 19 December 2011 13 Policy Department, Directorate-General for External Policies 5. Annexes Figure 1: Map of North Korea Source: United Nations Table 1: Data Basic informat ion on North Korea Population Capital Life expectancy 24 589 122 (July 2012 est. ) Pyongyang 66 years for men, 72 years for women (UN) 14

6 Factors in Choosing a Public vs. Private Education

6 Factors in Choosing a Public vs. Private Education What does your child need in order to succeed in attaining the best education for a promising future? This is a personal question that many parents ask themselves when choosing between a public or private education. Whats right for one child or family may not be ideal for another. To help you hone in on the best possible answer, there are generally six factors to consider.   1. What Does the Facility Offer? Many public school facilities are impressive; others are mediocre. The same is true of private schools. Private school facilities reflect the success of the schools development team and that of the school to continue to generate financial support from parents and alumni. Some private K-12 schools have facilities and amenities that surpass those found at many colleges and universities. Hotchkiss and Andover, for example, have libraries and athletic facilities on par with those at Brown and Cornell. They also offer academic and sports programs that make full use of all those resources. It is hard to find comparable facilities in the public sector- they are few and far between. Public schools also reflect the economic realities of their location. Wealthy suburban schools will often have more amenities than inner-city schools, as a rule. If your son is an aspiring football player, then a school with great athletic facilities and coaching staff should be a top priority.   2. How Many Students per Class? According to the National Center for Education Statistics report, Private Schools: A Brief Portrait,  private schools win out on this issue. Why? Most private schools have smaller class sizes, which may be ideal for a student who is easily distracted. One of the key points of private education is individual attention. You need student-to-teacher ratios of 15:1 or better to achieve that goal of individual attention. Many private schools boast class sizes of 10-15 students with 7:1 student-to-teacher ratios. Unlike private schools, a public school system must enroll almost anyone who lives within its boundaries, so generally, there are much larger class sizes- sometimes exceeding 35-40 students at some inner-city schools. However, even a large class can be a suitable learning environment if the students are well-behaved and led by a strong teacher. 3. Can the School Attract the Best Teachers? A schools ability to attract quality teachers is often tied to the salaries the school can afford to pay. Overall, public school teachers are generally better paid and have superior pension programs. Compensation varies widely, however, depending on the local economic situation and school location. For instance, teachers may earn less in Duluth, Minnesota, because its cheaper to live there than in San Francisco. Unfortunately, at some public schools, low starting salaries and small annual salary increases result in low teacher retention. Public sector benefits have historically been excellent; however, health and pension costs have risen so dramatically since the year 2000 that full-time public educators are often being forced to pay a larger share of the cost, while part-time educators may have to pay for it all. While private school compensation tends to be somewhat lower than public- again, much depends on the school and its financial resources- the often free amenities can make up for it. One private school benefit found especially in boarding schools is complimentary housing and meals, which accounts for the lower salary. Private school pension plans vary widely. Many schools use major pension providers such as TIAA. Both public and private schools require their teachers to be credentialed. This usually means a degree and/or  a teaching certificate. Private schools tend to hire teachers with advanced degrees in their subject over teachers who have an education degree. Put another way, a private school hiring a Spanish teacher will want that teacher to have a degree in Spanish language and literature as opposed to an education degree with a minor in Spanish. 4. How Much Will the School Cost You? Since local property taxes support the bulk of public education, the annual school budget exercise is a serious fiscal and political business. In poor communities or communities which have many voters living on fixed incomes, there is precious little room to respond to budget requests within the framework of projected tax revenue. Grants from foundations and the business community are essential to creative funding. Private schools, on the other hand, can raise tuition, and they also can raise significant amounts of money from a variety of development activities, including annual appeals, cultivation of alumni and alumnae, and solicitation of grants from foundations and corporations. The strong allegiance to private schools by their alumni makes the chances of fundraising success a real possibility in most cases. 5. Are There Administrative Issues? The bigger the bureaucracy, the harder it is to get decisions made at all, much less get them made quickly. The public education system is notorious for having antiquated work rules and bloated bureaucracies. This is as a result of union contracts and a host of political considerations. Private schools generally have a lean management structure. Every dollar spent has to come from operating income and endowment income. Those resources are finite. The other difference is that private schools rarely have teachers unions to deal with. 6. What Are the Expectations of Parents? Financial considerations are a major factor in determining if a public or private school is right for your family. However, you need to consider what will be expected in terms of time and commitment from you as well. Most private schools require students to be driven to and from school, and there are significant obligations for students to participate in activities outside of normal school hours. This means a lot of hours and miles for families every week to make it happen. A family needs to weigh the financial costs, time investment, and other factors. Public and private schools have their advantages and disadvantages, but with a little weighing of the pros and cons, you can easily figure out what is best for your child and for your family. Article edited by  Stacy Jagodowski

How Christmas Is Celebrated in Russia

How Christmas Is Celebrated in Russia Christmas is a public holiday in Russia, celebrated by many Christian Russians as one of the most important holidays of the year. While some Russian Christmas traditions are similar to those practiced in the West, others are specific to Russia, reflecting Russias rich history and the traditions associated with the Russian Orthodox Church. Fast Facts: Christmas in Russia In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th.Many Russian Christmas traditions originated with the pagan culture that predated Christianity in Russia. Long-standing Russian Christmas customs include caroling, fortune-telling, and following a strict Nativity Fast for forty days leading up to Christmas Eve. Many of Russias Christmas customs originated with the pagan culture that existed in Russia before the arrival of Christianity. Pagan rituals designed to bring about a good year with a rich harvest were performed from the end of December until around mid-January. When Christianity arrived in Russia, these rituals transformed and merged with the customs of the newly arrived religion, creating a unique mixture of Christmas traditions that are still observed in Russia today. Russian Orthodox Christmas Russian Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, according to the Julian calendar observed by the Russian Orthodox Church. Currently, the difference between the Gregorian calendar and the Julian calendar is 13 days. Starting in 2100, the difference will increase to 14 days, and Russian Christmas will thus be celebrated on January 8th from then onwards, until the next increase. During the Soviet era, Christmas and all other church holidays were banned (though many people continued to celebrate them in secret). Many Christmas traditions were moved to New Years, which has been the most popular holiday in Russia ever since. Nevertheless, a wealth of Christmas traditions remain in Russia, including fortune-telling on Christmas Eve, singing Christmas carols (Ð ºÃ ¾Ã »Ã' Ã ´Ã ºÃ ¸, pronounced kaLYADky), and following a strict fast until the first star appears in the sky on the night of Christmas Eve. Russian Christmas Traditions Traditionally, Russian Christmas celebrations begin on Christmas Eve, called Ð ¡Ã ¾Ã'‡Ð µÃ »Ã'Å'Ð ½Ã ¸Ã º (saCHYELnik). The name Ð ¡Ã ¾Ã'‡Ð µÃ »Ã'Å'Ð ½Ã ¸Ã º comes from the word Ã' Ã ¾Ã'‡Ð ¸Ã ²Ã ¾ (SOHchiva), a special meal made from grains (usually wheat), seeds, nuts, honey, and sometimes dried fruit. This meal, also known as Ð ºÃ'Æ'Ã'‚Ã'Å'Ã'  (kooTYA), signifies the end of the strict Nativity Fast which is held for forty days. The Nativity Fast is observed until the first star is seen in the evening sky on the night of Ð ¡Ã ¾Ã'‡Ð µÃ »Ã'Å'Ð ½Ã ¸Ã º, to symbolize the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem that inspired and led the three wise men to Jesus home in Jerusalem. Russian Christmas is spent with family, and is considered a time of forgiveness and love. Thoughtful gifts are given to loved ones, and homes are decorated with figures of angels, stars, and nativity scenes. Many Russians attend a Christmas mass on Christmas Eve. After dark, once the fast is broken, families sit down for a celebration meal. Traditionally, various pickled items are served, including gherkins, pickled mushrooms, sauerkraut, and pickled apples. Other traditional dishes include pies meat, mushroom, fish, or vegetable fillings. A drink called Ã' Ã ±Ã ¸Ã'‚Ð µÃ ½Ã'Å' (ZBEEtyn), made with spices and honey, is also served. (Ã' Ã ±Ã ¸Ã'‚Ð µÃ ½Ã'Å' was once the most popular drink in Russia, before tea took over.) Today, Russian Christmas meals are eclectic and varied, with some families following tradition and others choosing entirely different dishes. Many Russians do not follow the fast or attend church, but still celebrate Christmas, viewing the holiday as a celebration of love, acceptance, and tolerance. Christmas Fortune-Telling Fortune-telling is a tradition that began in Russias pre-Christianity times (and is not condoned by the Russian Orthodox Church). Traditionally, fortune-telling was performed by young, unmarried women who gathered at a house or a Ð ±Ã °Ã ½Ã'  (BAnya)- a Russian sauna. The women wore only their nightgowns and kept their hair loose. Married women and men were not allowed to take part in fortune-telling rituals. Instead, older women performed Ð ·Ã °Ã ³Ã ¾Ã ²Ã ¾Ã'€Ã'‹ (zagaVOry): word-based rituals designed to bring prosperity to their families. In todays Russia, many fortune-telling rituals involve the whole family. Tarot reading, tea leaf reading and coffee grounds divination are also common. Here are some examples of traditional fortune-telling methods performed at Russian Christmas celebrations: A bowl is filled with rice and a question is asked or a wish is made. When you put your hand into the bowl and then take it back out, you must count the number of grains that have stuck to your hand. An even number means that the wish will come true soon, while an odd number means that it will come true after some time. It can also be seen as a yes or no answer to the question. Gather as many cups or mugs as there are people present. One of the following objects is put in each cup (one object per cup): a ring, a coin, an onion, some salt, a piece of bread, some sugar, and water. Everyone takes turns to choose a cup, keeping their eyes closed. The chosen object represents the near future. A ring means a wedding, a coin means wealth, bread means abundance, sugar means happy times and laughter, an onion means tears, salt means difficult times, and a cup of water means life without changes. Traditionally, on Christmas Eve, young women went outside and asked the first man they saw what his name was. This name was believed to be the name of their future husband. Merry Christmas in Russian The most common Russian Christmas greetings are: Ð ¡ Ð  Ã ¾Ã ¶Ã ´Ã µÃ' Ã'‚Ð ²Ã ¾Ã ¼ Ð ¥Ã'€Ð ¸Ã' Ã'‚Ð ¾Ã ²Ã'‹Ð ¼ (s razhdystVOM khrisTOvym): Merry ChristmasÐ ¡ Ð  Ã ¾Ã ¶Ã ´Ã µÃ' Ã'‚Ð ²Ã ¾Ã ¼ (s razhdystVOM): Merry Christmas (abbreviated)Ð ¡ Ð ¿Ã'€Ð °Ã ·Ã ´Ã ½Ã ¸Ã ºÃ ¾Ã ¼ (s PRAZnikum): Happy holidays

Smoking History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Smoking History - Essay Example This essay provides a brief summary of the author’s position (James Grehan) on the topic of smoking history, that helps to reveal his primary argument in which he states that tobacco changed the cultural pulse of the Islamic nations and brought them into the modern age. James Grehan gives particular attention to the way in which it has affected the culture and society of the people who live here, how they responded to the new product and how it has managed to open up the society to new ideas and developments. Traditionally suspicious of anything new, tobacco could be said to have caused a tidal wave in the natural flow of Islamic life. Because it was a substance not directly addressed within the Qur’an, it could not easily be accepted by those with the power to interpret the laws, neither was it easily rejected when it proved to be a lucrative cash crop in many areas of the Middle East and almost instantly accessible to the rich and poor. The researcher then concluds hi s study that article ends up being very informative regarding the growth and development of the tobacco industry in the Middle East in terms of the use of the product among the people and the evolving stance of the leaders. It does not sufficiently prove that tobacco was the causal element that brought about change within the Islamic cultural group to enable them to step into the modern age with the rest of the world. As a result, the article fails to convincingly prove its point, but remains interesting through its examination of one potentiality.