Discussion on Cooperation Between the University of Science and Technology and the Kuwaiti Cultural Attaché

Ramtha – Dr. Khaled Al-Salem, President of the Jordan University of Science and Technology, and Dr. Hamoud Al-Qashan, the Kuwaiti Cultural Attaché in Amman, discussed enhancing mutual cooperation between the two sides and addressing the needs of Kuwaiti students studying at the university.اضافة اعلانDuring the meeting, both parties discussed higher education issues, the prospects for developing academic relations, and the status of Kuwaiti students at the university.Dr. Al-Salem emphasized that the university places great importance on providing a comprehensive educational environment that helps students achieve their academic goals.He also highlighted the important role played by the Kuwaiti Cultural Attaché in following up on student affairs and providing necessary support.For his part, Dr. Al-Qashan praised the high educational and research standards at the University of Science and Technology, expressing his appreciation for the efforts made to support Kuwaiti students and enhance their academic experience on campus.

Middle Country Public Library to host Bagels and Books: A Local Author Fair Jan. 25

Middle Country Public Library will welcome more than 75 authors during its Bagels and Books: A Local Author Fair on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m, to 1 p.m., at its Centereach branch located at 101 Eastwood Blvd.
The community is encouraged to visit and meet these talented writers who reside on Long Island. Several different genres will be represented in categories of adult, young adult and children.
Adult authors expected to attend include Edna White of “Publish for Profit: A Journey to Publish and Promote Your Book for Profit” and “The Love Manifesto: The Unstoppable Way to Love Yourself” and “Remnants of A Dark Secret: Poetry Through the Pain.” Others include Effie Kammenou (“Evanthia’s Gift,” “Waiting for Aegina,” and “Chasing Petalouthes”) and Elyse Salpeter (“The Hunt for Xanadu,” “Flying to the Light” and “Nowhere to Run.”)
Krista Legge of “A Real Lion Story” and “The Comfy Spot,” and Paul Rodriguez of “The Sandwich Boy Rescue” and “The Magical Song of Sona and Dora” are among the children’s authors who will be in attendance. Others include Debra Scala Giokas (“Claire: The little girl who climbed to the top and changed the way women dress” and “Ladies, First: Common Threads”) and Jean Derespina (“The Famous Phoebe of Long Island” book series).
Randall Lombardi, who wrote the young adult book, “The Ascension,” will be in there as well.
Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase books and get their books signed. No registration required.
For more information, please call 631-585-9393 x296.

‘Sex and the City’ homeowner — who’s installing a gate to keep out tourists — should be grateful to be part of NYC history

This week in West Village Whining: The owner of Carrie Bradshaw’s “Sex and the City” apartment on posh Perry Street got permission to build a steel-and-cast-iron gate in front of her building, so unfathomably rowdy the tourists have become.

Call it “Sex” and the NIMBY.

In an application to the Landmark Preservation Committee, outraged landlord Barbara Lorber — for whom Manolo Blahnik is a four-letter word — argued that “at any given hour of the day or night, there are groups of visitors in front of the house taking flash photos, engaging in loud chatter, posting on social media, or just celebrating the moment.”

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw appeared on 66 Perry Street’s iconic stairs many times. Getty Images

Imagine. People excitedly talking on the street. In Manhattan. That’s practically a war crime.

Worst of all — are you sitting down? — happy HBOers often sit on the iconic stairs of 66 Perry Street to snap pics pretending to be Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie, defying the owner’s attempt to create a fenced-in subdivision with her existing “no trespassing” chain. 

Sometimes, if fans are a bit buzzed, they’ll even ring the doorbell.

Lock ‘em up!

The building has become a major draw for tourists to NYC. William Farrington

The city approved Lorber’s wildly overdramatic request for a barrier because the five borough’s biggest threat today is free-spending, grown women in tutus.

Sorry, but I’m feeling about as sympathetic as a Soho House desk host.

Stop by Chez Johnny sometime, Barb, for four flights of stairs and a WayFair couch that I could swear was blue once.

Every evening without fail, some schlub is dining on my East Village steps like he’s at an al fresco Denny’s. 

Later on, blotto NYU kids incomprehensibly scream until they’re red in the face at 4 a.m. when the last pubs are padlocked. 

FedEx buzzes me from dawn til dusk to accept absent tenants’ packages. 

The apartment, like it or not, is part of NYC history. Getty Images

When I lived in Washington Heights, junkies regularly made a Holiday Inn of my lobby after breaking the lock. 

Where’s my gate?   

Look, I’m sure it’s extremely irritating to be the real-estate manifestation of why so many young women dream of moving to New York to become columnists, execs and fashionistas. A hardship, truly. 

Now, instead of having a luxe walkup in one of the city’s ritziest nabes, you’re Katz’s Deli, Tom’s Restaurant, the Lincoln Center fountain and the firehouse from “Ghostbusters.” Presumably you were paid for this horrific torment. 

“Not enough!,” I can hear you shouting from across 5th Ave. You’re probably right.

But isn’t it a tiny bit cool to live in an enduring piece of New York City history? Beyond the catchphrases and dresses, that show — and, by extension, your abode — were an essential billboard for NYC after 9/11. “It “Sex and the City” said NYC is still glamorous, fun and defiant.

“Sex and the City” has played a vital role in NYC history. AP

Just accept that we live in one of the most filmed places in the world. Your home is a huge reason people visit here from all across the globe. You should be bragging about getting more sightseers than the “Moonstruck” brownstone in Murray Hill.

How lucky are we to live in such a desirable, famous metropolis with an icon around every corner? Isn’t it flattering that people fly here not to see grand the home of the Queen, the president or the pope, but the reasonably normal apartment of their favorite fictional New Yorker? 

Was it not incredibly moving to watch devastated “Friends” fans mourn the death of Matthew Perry outside that sit-com’s instantly recognizable exterior — in your very own neighborhood?

It was for me.

Actually, hold on. Scratch that.

If your new gate gets “And Just Like That…” canceled, I’m behind you all the way. 

Make the West Village Gate Again!    

‘Sex and the City’ homeowner — who’s installing a gate to keep out tourists — should be grateful to be part of NYC history

This week in West Village Whining: The owner of Carrie Bradshaw’s “Sex and the City” apartment on posh Perry Street got permission to build a steel-and-cast-iron gate in front of her building, so unfathomably rowdy the tourists have become.

Call it “Sex” and the NIMBY.

In an application to the Landmark Preservation Committee, outraged landlord Barbara Lorber — for whom Manolo Blahnik is a four-letter word — argued that “at any given hour of the day or night, there are groups of visitors in front of the house taking flash photos, engaging in loud chatter, posting on social media, or just celebrating the moment.”

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw appeared on 66 Perry Street’s iconic stairs many times. Getty Images

Imagine. People excitedly talking on the street. In Manhattan. That’s practically a war crime.

Worst of all — are you sitting down? — happy HBOers often sit on the iconic stairs of 66 Perry Street to snap pics pretending to be Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie, defying the owner’s attempt to create a fenced-in subdivision with her existing “no trespassing” chain. 

Sometimes, if fans are a bit buzzed, they’ll even ring the doorbell.

Lock ‘em up!

The building has become a major draw for tourists to NYC. William Farrington

The city approved Lorber’s wildly overdramatic request for a barrier because the five borough’s biggest threat today is free-spending, grown women in tutus.

Sorry, but I’m feeling about as sympathetic as a Soho House desk host.

Stop by Chez Johnny sometime, Barb, for four flights of stairs and a WayFair couch that I could swear was blue once.

Every evening without fail, some schlub is dining on my East Village steps like he’s at an al fresco Denny’s. 

Later on, blotto NYU kids incomprehensibly scream until they’re red in the face at 4 a.m. when the last pubs are padlocked. 

FedEx buzzes me from dawn til dusk to accept absent tenants’ packages. 

The apartment, like it or not, is part of NYC history. Getty Images

When I lived in Washington Heights, junkies regularly made a Holiday Inn of my lobby after breaking the lock. 

Where’s my gate?   

Look, I’m sure it’s extremely irritating to be the real-estate manifestation of why so many young women dream of moving to New York to become columnists, execs and fashionistas. A hardship, truly. 

Now, instead of having a luxe walkup in one of the city’s ritziest nabes, you’re Katz’s Deli, Tom’s Restaurant, the Lincoln Center fountain and the firehouse from “Ghostbusters.” Presumably you were paid for this horrific torment. 

“Not enough!,” I can hear you shouting from across 5th Ave. You’re probably right.

But isn’t it a tiny bit cool to live in an enduring piece of New York City history? Beyond the catchphrases and dresses, that show — and, by extension, your abode — were an essential billboard for NYC after 9/11. “It “Sex and the City” said NYC is still glamorous, fun and defiant.

“Sex and the City” has played a vital role in NYC history. AP

Just accept that we live in one of the most filmed places in the world. Your home is a huge reason people visit here from all across the globe. You should be bragging about getting more sightseers than the “Moonstruck” brownstone in Murray Hill.

How lucky are we to live in such a desirable, famous metropolis with an icon around every corner? Isn’t it flattering that people fly here not to see grand the home of the Queen, the president or the pope, but the reasonably normal apartment of their favorite fictional New Yorker? 

Was it not incredibly moving to watch devastated “Friends” fans mourn the death of Matthew Perry outside that sit-com’s instantly recognizable exterior — in your very own neighborhood?

It was for me.

Actually, hold on. Scratch that.

If your new gate gets “And Just Like That…” canceled, I’m behind you all the way. 

Make the West Village Gate Again!    

Man injured in downtown Birmingham shooting; Mayor and business owners express concerns

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Birmingham police are actively investigating a shooting that occurred Thursday evening on 1st Avenue North, which resulted in one man being hospitalized. The incident has prompted city officials and local business owners to voice their concerns regarding public safety in the area.According to reports, the shooting took place around 6:30 p.m. in the 2300 block of 1st Avenue North. Officers responded to multiple shots fired and discovered a man with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. The victim was taken to a local hospital and is expected to survive.Residents and workers in the vicinity expressed their unease following the incident. A resident named Alec noted, “It’s not the first time that it’s happened here downtown.” One woman, who did not wish to give her name, stated, “It’s very unsettling especially since we have to work in this area and we’re walking these streets all the time.”In response to the shooting, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin took to social media to express his concerns about a new nightclub, Privilege, set to open on the same block where previous establishments, Cru Lounge and Casanova Nightclub, were located. “Privilege should not open. Even before they open, I have no confidence that other patrons of existing businesses, future patrons of their business, and most importantly the residents in that block and vicinity will be safe,” Mayor Woodfin stated. Victor King, owner of The Essential, a restaurant on 1st Avenue North, shared his apprehensions. “It’s been relatively quiet since Cru and Casanova left and now here we are, Privilege is about to open and it’s already starting back up.” He added, “It’s just unfortunate that it has to be the same kind of business that is just seeming to draw these kinds of, these issues.”Privilege responded to the mayor’s comments, in a statement saying the following; “The current police force and its level of involvement is not sufficient to contain the challenges the city is facing. The recent shooting in downtown Birmingham underscores a pressing issue the Birmingham Police Department is understaffed, leaving the community vulnerable to brazen criminal acts. “The fact that a shooting occurred during a busy time of day is alarming. It highlights the lack of care for those committing these violent acts, coupled with the City of Birmingham’s lack of sworn police officers to protect its citizens properly. The problem isn’t the business locations; it’s a city-wide issue, with fear spreading beyond just the downtown area. Criminals are emboldened because they do not fear the police, and the city must address this by increasing the number of sworn officers and rebuilding public trust.”The Birmingham Police Department has not confirmed any connection between the shooting and the nightclub. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Bob Copus, executive director of Metro Alabama CrimeStoppers, emphasized that both individuals and businesses can report tips anonymously and may be eligible for rewards. He noted the importance of video evidence in investigations but cautioned that such footage might inadvertently reveal the source.“If we think it’s going to expose the person taking the video, we’ll send them a message back saying we’ll send this to law enforcement but your identity may be compromised and some people don’t care, they want to get that video out there,” Copus explained.Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.Copyright 2025 WBRC. All rights reserved.

How the United States Learned to Love Internet Censorship

Twenty years ago, my day job was researching internet censorship, and my side hustle was advising activist organizations on internet security. I tried to help journalists in China access the unfiltered internet, and helped demonstrators in the Middle East avoid having their online content taken down.Back then, unfiltered internet meant “the internet as accessed from the United States,” and most censorship-circumvention strategies focused on giving someone in a censored country access to a U.S. internet connection. The easiest way to keep sensitive content online—footage of a protest, for instance—was to upload it to a U.S.-based service such as YouTube. In early 2008, I gave a lecture for digital activists called “The Cute Cat Theory.” The theory was that U.S. platforms used for hosting pictures and videos of cat memes were the best tools for activists because if censorious governments blocked activist content, they would alienate their citizens by banning lots of innocuous content as well.That was a simpler time. Elon Musk was a mere millionaire, only a few years removed from reportedly overstaying his U.S. student visa (he has denied working here illegally). Mark Zuckerberg was being mocked for wearing anonymous sweatshirts, not a $900,000 wristwatch. And the U.S. was seen as the home of the free, uncensored internet.That era is now over. When Donald Trump is inaugurated on January 20, videos of his oath of office will flood YouTube and Instagram. But those clips likely won’t circulate on TikTok, at least not any clips posted by U.S. users. In April 2024, President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan bill, the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, designed to force TikTok to sell the Chinese-owned app to a U.S. company or shut down operations in the U.S. by January 19, 2025. Yesterday, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the law. News outlets have reported that Trump is considering issuing an executive order to delay the ban, leading to speculation that Chinese officials might sell the platform to “first buddy” Musk. (Bytedance, the owner of TikTok, has dismissed such speculation.)Whether or not that happens, this is a depressing moment for anyone who cherishes American protections for speech and access to information. In 1965, while the Cold War shaped the U.S. national-security environment, the Supreme Court, in Lamont v. Postmaster General, determined that the post office had to send people publications that the government claimed were “communist political propaganda,” rather than force recipients to first declare in writing that they wanted to receive this mail. The decision was unanimous, and established the idea that Americans had the right to discover whatever they wanted within “a marketplace of ideas.” As lawyers at the Knight First Amendment Center argued in an amicus brief supporting TikTok, the level of speech suppression that the U.S. government is demanding now is far more serious, because it would prevent American citizens from accessing information entirely, not just require them to get permission to access that information.According to the Biden administration and its bipartisan supporters, TikTok is simply too dangerous for impressionable Americans to access. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar’s national-security argument in defense of the ban was that “ByteDance’s ownership and control of TikTok pose an unacceptable threat to national security because that relationship could permit a foreign adversary government to collect intelligence on and manipulate the content received by TikTok’s American users,” though she admitted that “those harms had not yet materialized.” The Supreme Court’s decision explicitly affirms these fears: “Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.”We don’t yet know how TikTok users in the United States will respond to the ban of a platform used by 170 million Americans, but what happened in India might provide some insights.My lab at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst studies content on TikTok and YouTube, and a few months ago, we stumbled on some interesting data. In 2016, videos in Hindi represented less than 1 percent of all videos uploaded that year to YouTube. By 2022, more than 10 percent of new YouTube videos were in Hindi. We believe that this huge increase was due not just to broadband improvement and mobile-phone adoption in India, but to the Indian government’s ban of TikTok in June 2020. As we examined Hindi videos uploaded in 2020, we saw clear evidence of an influx of TikTok refugees onto YouTube. Many of the newly posted videos were exactly 15 seconds long, the limit that TikTok put on video recordings until 2017. Others featured TikTok branding at the beginning or end of the video.Like the U.S., India had cited national-security reasons for the ban, and it had a more defensible justification: India and China were then clashing militarily along their shared border. But TikTok was much more important to India than it is to the United States. We estimate that, when India banned TikTok in mid-2020, more than 5 billion videos had been uploaded to the service by Indian users. (Examining some of these videos, we see evidence that TikTok in South Asia might be used more as a videochat service to stay in touch with family and friends than as a platform for wannabe influencers.) Even now, more than four years after the ban, the only countries with more videos uploaded to TikTok than India are Pakistan, Indonesia, and the United States; we estimate that more than a quarter of TikTok-video uploads are from South Asia, while just over 7 percent are from the United States.When those Indian TikTok creators were forced off the platform, new Indian short-video apps such as Moj and Chingari hoped to capture the wave of users. They were largely unsuccessful—none of these small start-ups has achieved visibility in India to compete with YouTube and Instagram, both well-financed, U.S.-based businesses. In effect, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s TikTok ban was a subsidy to the U.S. companies Google and Meta. It was also correctly seen as evidence of the Modi government’s retreat from global democratic values and toward a less open society.Until recently, I’d expected the TikTok ban to have the same result in the U.S.: effectively creating a nationalist subsidy protecting domestic tech providers (who, oddly enough, have been lining up to donate to inaugural parties for the incoming administration). But American TikTok users are a creative bunch, and in the past week, enough of them have migrated to the Chinese social network Xiaohongshu—often translated as “Red Book” or “Red Note” in English—that the app now tops social-media-download charts on Android and iPhone operating systems. Xiaohongshu, initially created as a video travel guide to Hong Kong for mainland-Chinese tourists, has an interface that’s familiar to TikTok users, and Chinese users are welcoming American newcomers with a charming stream of invitations to teach conversational Mandarin or Chinese cooking, and tips on how to avoid censorship on the network.Chinese and American users aren’t likely to share space on Xiaohongshu for long. The Chinese government has generally required service providers whose tools become popular outside China to bifurcate their product offerings for Chinese and other users. Weixin, the popular messaging and microblogging app in China, is a separate platform—WeChat—in the rest of the world. TikTok itself branched off from the domestic-Chinese network Douyin. And even if Beijing, sensing a great PR opportunity, allows TikTok refugees to remain on Xiaohongshu, the same logic that allowed Congress to ban TikTok would presumably apply to any other Chinese-owned company with potential to “collect intelligence on and manipulate” American users’ content.Although I don’t think this specific rebellion can last, I’m encouraged that American TikTok users realize that banning the popular platform directly contradicts America’s values. If only America’s leaders were so wise.When I advised internet activists on how to avoid censorship in 2008, I included a section in my presentation called “The China Corollary.” Although most nations could not easily censor social-media platforms without antagonizing their citizens, China was big enough to create its own parallel social-media system that met the needs of most users for entertainment while blocking activists. What I could not have anticipated was that Americans would find themselves fleeing their own censorious government for a Chinese video platform with tight content controls.Trump might decide to get around the TikTok ban with an executive order stating that the platform is no longer a national-security threat. Or the Trump administration could elect not to enforce the law. Musk, Zuckerberg, or another Trump friend might purchase the platform. But for millions of Americans, the damage is done: The idea of America as a champion of free speech is forever shattered by this shameful ban.About the AuthorEthan ZuckermanEthan Zuckerman is an associate professor of public policy, information, and communication at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.More StoriesFacebook Is Hiding the Most Important Misinformation DataHey, Facebook, I Made a Metaverse 27 Years AgoExplore More TopicsDonald Trump, India, People’s Republic of China, TikTok, YouTube