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Unami

Implementation of laws key to ending torture and building public trust in justice system

OHCHR

Iraq’s legal framework to prevent ill-treatment, developed over several years, now needs to be translated into effective measures to tackle torture in detention centres and prevent further violations, a UN report published on Tuesday highlights.

The report* of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the UN Human Rights Office, entitled “Human Rights in the Administration of Justice in Iraq: legal conditions and procedural safeguards to prevent torture,” describes how although the Iraqi legal framework explicitly criminalises torture and sets out procedural safeguards to prevent it, the practice continues throughout the country.

The report, which covers the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 April 2021, is based on interviews conducted with 235 people deprived of their liberty as well as with prison staff, judges, lawyers, and families of detainees, among others.

“I experienced the worst days of my life. As soon as I arrived, the officers beat me using metal pipes. The following days, they used two exposed electricity wires to electrocute me,” one detainee told UN staff who helped draw up the report.

“I acknowledge some advances achieved by the Iraqi authorities on the legal front to prevent torture,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. “However, the authorities need to effectively implement the provisions written in the law in each and every detention centre. If not, they remain a dead letter.”

“Eradicating torture will be one of the most effective tools to start to build public trust in the state’s ability to deliver justice and uphold the principle of fairness,” she added. “However, when the authorities themselves break the law, it has the opposite effect.”

The report draws on its finding to provide an analysis of the main risk factors…

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Mohegan

Breaking Benjamin Announce 2021 U.S. Tour Dates With Papa Roach + Memphis May Fire

Breaking Benjamin have announced a short run of U.S. tour dates for the fall. Papa Roach will open the majority of the shows while Memphis May Fire will perform on all dates.

The shows will be Breaking Benjamin’s first run of dates since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The gigs will begin on Sept. 11 in Gilford, N.H. and end in Huntington, W.V. on Sept. 22. Breaking Benjamin will also perform at the Blue Ridge Rock Festival on Sept. 9.

Breaking Benjamin Fan Club members will be able to pre-order tickets from Aug. 4 at 10AM local time to Aug. 5 at 10PM local time. The artist pre-sale will take place from Aug. 4 at 2PM local time to Aug. 5 at 10PM local time. Tickets for the general public will go on sale Aug. 6 at 10AM local time. Click here to grab tickets.

Check out the full list of tour dates below.

Breaking Benjamin 2021 U.S. Tour With Papa Roach + Memphis May Fire:

Sept. 11 – Gilford, N.H. @ Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion^
Sept. 12 – Montclair, N.J. @ The Wellmont Theater^
Sept. 14 – Columbus, Ohio @ Express Live!
Sept. 15 – Toledo, Ohio @ Huntington Center
Sept. 17 – Uncasville, Ct. @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Sept. 18 – Scranton, Pa. @ The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
Sept. 21 – Youngstown, Ohio @ Covelli Centre
Sept. 22 – Huntington, W.V @ Mountain Health Arena

^Papa Roach not on this date

These Are the Rock + Metal Bands Touring in 2021

Your guide to rock and metal bands’ return to tours in 2021.

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Nanticoke

A river less paddled: morning on the Upper Nanticoke

Kayaker on Nanticoke River

A paddler enjoys a quiet morning on the Nanticoke River in Delaware. 

Jeffrey Irtenkauf

The ospreys were the first to welcome us to the Nanticoke River.

As we piloted our kayaks out of the still water of the Seaford, DE, marina, their tea-kettle whistles filled the air, bouncing off the fiberglass and gleaming aluminum of the sailboats stationed nearby. Above, four brown and white birds rode thermals in ascending circles, their wings stretched taut as clothesline. Before that morning’s adventure, I had read that the Nanticoke watershed is home to the largest population of bald eagles in the northeastern United States but, that morning, the ospreys seemed to be in charge.

I had read lots of enticing things about the Nanticoke. That it was the most pristine tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, a title it owes to a lack of development along its shores. In fact, 93% of the 530,000-acre watershed has been spared from the region’s relentless chug of growth. Accordingly, the watershed also has some of the largest contiguous tracts of forest left standing on the Delmarva Peninsula, much of them owned and protected by local governments, nonprofits and other conservation outlets. According to the Chesapeake Conservancy, these forests and the adjacent wetlands harbor the highest rate of biodiversity in the Bay watershed. And because tourists — on their way to the peninsula’s popular beach towns and wildlife refuges — have largely overlooked the Nanticoke as a place for recreation, it remains one of the least explored treasures in the area.

Jonathan Offen, owner of the Laurel-based Delmarva Adventure Sports, can attest to this. As he helped my boyfriend, Jeff, and I get our gear situated in the teal and camouflage kayaks he’d delivered for us, Offen said customers looking for…

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Unami

Iraq: Put torture prevention laws into practice, urges Bachelet

While acknowledging legal changes against torture, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that “the authorities need to effectively implement the provisions written in the law in each and every detention centre”.  

“If not, they remain a dead letter”. 

Shocks and beatings 

Covering 1 July 2019 to 30 April this year, the report is based on interviews conducted with 235 detainees, along with prison staff, judges, lawyers and detainees’ families. 

“I experienced the worst days of my life”, one prisoner told UN staff who helped draw up the report. “As soon as I arrived, the officers beat me using metal pipes. The following days, they used two exposed electricity wires to electrocute me”. 

Another detainee said that “they cuffed my hands behind my back and hanged my handcuffs from a hook on a chain from the ceiling…they didn’t really ask me questions, they just kept shouting to confess”. 

The report, Human Rights in the Administration of Justice in Iraq: legal conditions and procedural safeguards to prevent torture, states that legal procedures designed to bring interrogations and detention under judicial control within 24 hours of the initial arrest, are not respected; and access to a lawyer is systematically delayed until after security forces interrogate suspects.  

“Eradicating torture will be one of the most effective tools to start to build public trust in the State’s ability to deliver justice and uphold the principle of fairness”, Ms Bachelet said. “However, when the authorities themselves break the law, it has the opposite effect”. 

Lack of trust 

The report also raises concerns that the authorities ignore signs of torture; complaints procedures appear to be neither fair or effective; and an apparent lack of accountability for these failures.  

“The fact that many detainees choose not to report such treatment due to lack of trust, or fear of reprisals, indicates their lack of trust in the system”, said the UN Human Rights Chief.  

“This needs to be addressed”, she added, pointing out that “specific recommendations on…

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Mohegan

Concert Connection: Don’t miss Chase Rice at Indian Ranch

Country music maverick Chase Rice is set to perform Aug. 14 at Indian Ranch in Webster, Mass. Chase has become one of country music’s most exciting figures since arriving in Nashville, building a loyal fan base across the country through his energetic live shows. He has gained the attention of music critics and industry professionals alike with his edgy, eclectic sound.

The Tar Heel State native released The Album Part II in May 2020. It follows his surprise seven-song set The Album and his sophomore album, Lambs & Lions, which was released in 2017 and featuring two-week chart-topper “Eyes On You” – Rice’s first No. 1 as an artist. Lambs & Lions followed Ignite the Night, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums and No. 3 on the all-genre chart, producing a pair of Top 5 hits; the Platinum-certified “Ready Set Roll” and “Gonna Wanna Tonight.” His latest releases are the most triumphant reflections of Rice’s distinct blend of worldly and American rural experience yet: an exploration of sounds and moods with authentic country roots and bold pop wings. The sexiness and fun fans have come to expect from Rice is still there. He has a way of combining playfulness or even sadness with commitment.

To reserve your seats to see Chase Rice you can call 508-943-3871 or you can visit www.indianranch.com

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Munsee

Berkshire Museum’s newly renovated second floor re-opens

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – After a year of planning and construction, the new and improved second floor of the Berkshire Museum is ready to open. The goal of the extensive renovations was increasing flexibility in the galleries.

“You will never get to say ‘been there, done that,’” said executive director Jeff Rodgers. “You can always expect to see something new, and the way we designed the galleries, nothing is permanent. We want everything to be flexible and adaptable.”

What You Need To Know

  • The newly renovated second floor of the Berkshire Museum is ready to open
  • There are three new exhibitions in the second floor gallery space
  • Each gallery has new floors, lighting, and increased flexibility for exhibits
  • This is only phase two in the museum’s ongoing renovation plans

There are three new exhibitions in the second floor galleries. The first is ‘Objects and Their Stories,’ a rotating display of items from the museum’s permanent collection.

The other two are both temporary: A showcase of local photographers Sally Eagle and Dan Made called ‘The Land of the Thunder Dragon: Bhutan Through the Lens of Mead Eagle Photography,’ and ‘Muh-he-con-ne-ok: The People of the Waters That Are Never Still,’ an exhibition on the Stockbridge-Munsee Native Americans.

“This exhibition takes a look at cultural and historical ideas, going from the deep past right up to the present,” said Rodgers about ‘Muh-he-con-ne-ok. “It runs from historical objects, culturally important objects, right up to oral histories from Stockbridge-Munsee community members today.”

The galleries also feature new floors and a new lighting system, as well as new mobile museum units, which will be brought to schools and community centers throughout the county.

“They are quick fix,” said Rodgers. “I can change the labels on them in no time flat. We…

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Mohican

Robbie Williams cuts son’s hair into matching mohawk so they look identical

Charlie, six, requested the same Mohican hairstyle as his singer dad and he duly obliged with the family clippers

Robbie WilliamsRobbie Williams cuts son’s hair into matching mohawk so they look identical

Robbie Williams’ took matters into his own hands at the weekend when his son wanted to look just like him.

Charlie, six, requested the same Mohican hairstyle as his singer dad and he duly obliged with the family clippers.

In a video filmed by Robbie’s wife, and Charlie’s mum Ayda Field, Robbie set to work giving his son the makeover.

“So what’s happening, daddy?” Ayda asked, to which 47-year-old Robbie responded: “Charlie wants a mohawk.”

Looking like he had done it before, Robbie skillfully shaved his son’s head, as the youngster was seemingly oblivious playing a golf game on his phone.

Clearly proud of his own work, Robbie gave a thumbs up to the camera afterwards.

Charlie asked for the same haircut Robbie Williams can’t contain his excitement after England’s emphatic Euro 2020 win Robbie Williams left completely bald as wife Ayda Field shaves his hair off

Mum-of-four Ayda also shared a close-up look of the cut, and captioned it:
“‘likefatherlifeson.”

The video came after Robbie’s wife Ayda had shaved his head last month leaving him completely bald.

Former Take That star Robbie decided to go for a shortcut after his wife let loose with the clippers, in a hilarious video posted to Instagram.

Robbie obliged to his son’s wishes

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In the clip, the couple posed for a “before” picture…

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Mohegan

Dashboard Confessional bringing “Unplugged 2021 Tour” to Mohegan Sun on Saturday, Nov. 13th

UNCASVILLE, CT (August 2, 2021) – Dashboard Confessional is back in action this fall! Hitting live concert venues for the first time since March 2020, the band’s Unplugged Tour 2021 will feature singer/guitarist Chris Carrabba alongside a stripped-down backing band that includes Dashboard’s longtime guitarist Armon Jay, with Abby Kelly and Dane Poppin. Dashboard Confessional will be performing their tour finale in Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, November 13th at 8:00pm.

Tickets are $29 and $19 and on sale Friday, July 30th at 10:00am via Ticketmaster.com.

Across seven studio albums, Carrabba and Dashboard Confessional have captivated audiences with their cathartic music and soul-baring song lyrics. In January 2020, the band released The Best Ones of the Best Ones, their first-ever career-spanning compilation celebrating their 20th anniversary. Dashboard Confessional also launched The Early Days vinyl reissue series last summer, which spotlighted the band’s formative albums and EPs (including a first-ever pressing of their Platinum-certified live album MTV Unplugged 2.0), in addition to partnering with Mondo to release three EPs—2001’s So Impossible, 2002’s Summers Kiss, and a newly created Spider-Man 2—for the very first time on vinyl.

Hands Down

Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Now and is also consistently ranked top 15 in the world for “All Size Venues.” The award–winning venue was named “#1 Social Media Venue in the World” in 2016 and is a seven–time Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM) national award–winner for “Arena of the Year,” with the most recent recognition coming in 2019.  In 2020, Mohegan Sun Arena remained one of the top venues in the world according to year-end reports by both Pollstar and Venues Now. For more information and updates on Mohegan Sun Arena, call 1.888.226.7711 or visit Mohegan Sun.

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Unami

UN Iraq envoy again calls for implementation of stalled Sinjar Agreement

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The the head of the UN’s Iraq Assistance Mission (UNAMI), on Monday called again for the creation of a unified administration in the disputed district of Sinjar (Shingal) during an online event marking the seventh anniversary of the Yezidi (Ezidi) genocide, in which thousands were brutally murdered, kidnapped, and trafficked at the hands of ISIS.

“Years later, survivors, still face immense challenges, while they urgently need to rebuild their lives, unnecessary obstacles continue (…) on security arrangements, public service provision and unified, administration, and inability of parties and authorities to set aside differences for the greater good,” said Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert during an online event organized by the Yezidi rights organization Yazda and the Zovighian Partnership.

In October 2020, Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced they had reached an agreement, with support from the UN, to restore and normalize the situation in Shingal, where competing armed groups are active.

Read More: KRG and Baghdad reach administrative, security agreement on Sinjar

Notably, the agreement includes a framework to withdraw all armed groups from the area, restore the local administration, and appoint a new mayor. So far, however, these steps have not been taken. 

Despite the agreement’s strong international backing, multiple armed groups remain, making the administrative piece of the agreement, to some degree, a moot point.

After a field visit to SInjar in January, Hennis-Plasschaert called for the stalled deal’s implementation, but there has been little clear progress since.

According to the envoy, Baghdad and Erbil “took an important step in the right direction, laying the groundwork for stability, improved safety and better living conditions,” but “progress has been unacceptably slow in improving governments and unifying administrations. And the harsh reality is that these roadblocks are holding progress hostage with…

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Mohican

Lauren R. Stevens | The View from White Oaks: Establishing — and acknowledging — the truth of this land’s first inhabitants

The prevailing version of history has been that Native Americans didn’t actually live in the Berkshire area prior to the founding of Indiantown (Stockbridge). They were just passing through, for hunting, trade or interacting with other tribes. Well, it’s easy to see how, if colonists of European extraction were appropriating Native American land, that would be a convenient truth.

But a series of archaeological digs and research is amassing evidence that Indigenous people, known as the ancestors to their Mohican descendants, maintained permanent residences here prior to the time of contact. The latest evidence, and perhaps the most convincing, is the discovery of a probable Indigenous dwelling behind the newly discovered first meetinghouse site on Main Street in Stockbridge.

Stockbridge archaeological dig involves community, aims to correct historical interpretation

Joseph Park’s bicentennial history of Pownal, Vt., tends toward semi-permanent winter hunting camps as the extent of Native American presence, yet he also describes the many artifacts collected along the Hoosic River by Alonzo Whipple in the 19th century and the nearly 500 that Gordon Sweeney accumulated in the 20th century. Most of Sweeney’s are at the University of Vermont, although some reside at the Solomon Wright Library in Pownal.

When it came time to relocate a bridge in Pownal in 1979, Peter Thomas of the Vermont Agency of Transportation cited the discovery of those two men that there were arrow and spear points going back to 4000 B.C., concluding an “annual settlement pattern.” There were also tantalizing stories of cornfields, suggesting more permanent residence.

The narrative clarified in 1990 when David W. Parrott, archaeologist with the Mahingan Institute in Monterey, discovered a variety of stone tools and traced the source of the stone not to the west but to an ancient quarry in Monterey. These seemed to indicate a…

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