​The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will shutter six internationally focused academic centers as part of a broader cost-cutting initiative approved by the UNC Board of Trustees. Nathan Knuffman, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s chief financial officer, said the university plans to reduce $7 million in spending over the next several years, with an expected $3… Source

A conservative UT Austin finance professor has petitioned the Supreme Court to review his lawsuit, arguing that administrative threats that suppressed his free speech activity constitute unconstitutional retaliation — even though he has not been demoted or officially censured. The petition for review describes Professor Richard Lowery as “an outspoken professor” who “has a history of… Source

Iranian university students for the last two days have engaged in a new wave of anti-government demonstrations across the country, marking the first major rallies since a violent state crackdown in January. The protests have reportedly taken place on at least seven campuses as students demand increased political freedom, leading to confrontations with government loyalists… Source

India is hosting a four-day AI Summit this week that will be attended by executives from major AI labs and Big Tech, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia, Microsoft, Google, and Cloudflare, as well as heads of state.

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With additional help from a 1960s cartoon. The post The obscure Aussie advert that helped inspire an AC/DC classic first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

An unlikely pairing. The post The pop song Debbie Harry called the perfect parallel to Blondie first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

What if Buddy Holly hadn’t died in a plane crash? What if he had taken the bus instead? Then, in the mid-60s, with an urge to try something new, teamed up with a post-electric Bob Dylan. What would that have sounded like? The answer: Elvis Costello. Liverpool born Declan Patrick McManus started writing songs and playing guitar when he was fifteen. He came from a musical family. After seeing Nick Lowe perform, Costello decided to start his own group, Flip City. He still kept his day job as a computer operator at Elizabeth Arden cosmetics. Some demos arrived at Stiff Records but they wanted McManus as a single. And a “single” he became. Also, in an effort to create his own identity, he became Elvis (the origin of that name is pretty obvious) Costello (his grandmother’s maiden name). Nick Lowe (small world) produced Costello early recordings. His first single, “Less Than Zero,” was an all-out attack on British right wing leader Oswald Mosley. But it was “Radio, Radio” that caused a stir. When Costello & The Attractions appeared on Saturday Night Live, as a substitute for the Sex Pistols who couldn’t get visas to enter the U.S., Costello was told not to play “Radio, Radio” which criticized the broadcast industry. After a couple of measures of “Less Than Zero,” the group launched into “Radio, Radio.” Like nobody would notice. Costello didn’t return to the show for 12 years, leading many to incorrectly believe he was banned from the sketch comedy series.  Costello’s second single was the more accessible ballad “Alison (“my aim is true”).” Less Than Zero “Less Than Zero” was a song I had written after seeing the despicable Oswald Mosley being interviewed on BBC television,” stated Costello. Alison Watching The Detective July ’77 was a great time for Elvis. First, he quit his day job and second, he organized his backing group, The Attractions – Steve Nieve (keyboards), Pete Thomas (drums) and Bruce Thomas (bass). Costello hit his peak in the late ’70s and early ’80s. The album “My Aim Is True” (“Alison” and the bopping “Watching The Detectives”) was followed by “This Year’s Model” (Costello’s first with the Attractions). “Armed Forces” (“Accidents Will Happen” and the humorously satirical “Oliver’s Army”) and “Get Happy!!” showed Costello at his songwriting and performing peak. His had a freshness and unique spin with a casual vocal style, as if sharing a piece of news with friends. Still, he ranged from intense passion and commitment to almost Woody Allen style comic whining. Accidents Will Happen Oliver’s Army The song was lyrically inspired by “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland and is critical of the socio-economic components of war.  Though he never got much credit for it Costello was also one of the first “New Wave” artists to successfully incorporate reggae and other musical styles without sounding forced or condescending. Ultimately though, his songs are his calling card. Insightful and challenging, Costello covers politics, social mores and relationships with wit, bite and satire. Those songs along with some great jangling guitar Rock are the reasons Elvis Costello and the Attractions are vital. Late in his career Elvis Costello recorded with Tony Bennett, Paul McCartney and Burt Bacharach. Perhaps it was due to his father being a bandleader. But there was a time when Costello was the cleverest, most interesting and compelling singer/songwriters around. ### The post Elvis Costello appeared first on RockinTown.

by Thomas Ertl, The Unz Review: When it comes to political opinions and commentary, there are times where one must review past analysis with honesty and self-criticism, admitting errors. Admitting mistakes can clean the slate and give the commentator a new start. Thus, this article is my attempt to redeem my former assessments. In the […]