one of her organs could possibly save thousands of lives “We were elated that we could let her legacy live on,” Sophie’s mother Sophie’s journey began at age three when doctors discovered she had several serious health conditions which led to brain stem damage “She was an incredible child,” said Cari Charcas one of Sophie’s caregivers at AdventHealth for Children Charcas is heavily involved in the GR8 to DON8 5K/8K Run for Organ Donation, an annual organ and tissue awareness event in Central Florida benefiting the OurLegacy Susan Perkins Fund and presented by AdventHealth to take part in the event and discovered a shared bond involving organ donation: Charcas donated a kidney to her own father “They were able to take a part of her pancreas for [diabetes] research,” said Charcas “The amount of lives that she can potentially touch is more than any of us [might ever be able to do.]” “You can make a difference in somebody else’s life with one decision.” In addition to the lives Sophie’s pancreas may help save her family also hopes that her story inspires others to become organ donors at a time when more that 100-thousand people are waiting for lifesaving transplants in the U.S “You can make a difference in somebody else’s life with one decision.” Just like Sophie To see and hear more of organ donor hero Sophie Davis’s story, click HERE or on the video player at the top of this page April is National Donate Life Month. Registering to be an organ donor is simple and can be done in minutes by visiting the website for Donate Life Florida To learn more about AdventHealth Transplant Institute, Central Florida’s only solid-organ transplant program, click HERE Baby Mattie needed a liver transplant but was too sick to even get on the list For the nurses at AdventHealth for Children her organs were shutting down and her little body was fighting a battle that seemed insurmountable AdventHealth is expanding its nursing workforce enhancing hands-on training programs and reinforcing its commitment to exceptional patient care our organization embarked on multiple global mission projects that made a significant impact on the lives of two families in need AdventHealth Carrollwood has been awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group a national nonprofit upholding the standard of excellence in patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory.. Dozens of community members and several organizations came together to help support the AdventHealth Lake Placid and Wauchula Foundations during the 11th annual Clays and Camo fundraiser we honor the extraordinary acts of kindness and compassion demonstrated by our nurses across the region Three remarkable nurses from AdventHealth Avista's surgery center have embarked on.. A local nurse and a CEO were recognized by the Central Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce the new senior executive officer of AdventHealth for Children speaks with Becker's Hospital Review about the future of pediatric care The spring 2025 Leapfrog grades have been released and four AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Region hospitals have achieved top honors for patient safety AdventHealth North Pinellas achieves elite national status as a straight- ‘A’ for patient safety  All AdventHealth hospitals in Pasco County continue to earn straight ‘A’ hospital safety grades from The Leapfrog Group Our website uses cookies. Please review our privacy policy to find out more about the cookies we use Browsing our website means you accept these terms The National Police announced the capture of Elías Enmanuel Díaz accused of being responsible for the shooting attack in which Venezuelan María Issamal Villasmil Atencio died and a man was wounded The incident in which the Venezuelan woman died occurred last March 21 in the sector of Las Charcas The police report indicates that the victims were traveling in a black Mercedes Benz E300 vehicle when they were intercepted by an individual who opened fire without mediating words Police authorities indicated that the suspect was apprehended through intelligence and investigation work with the support of operational units from Santo Domingo the police seized a SIG SPC 2009 9 mm […] Local March 30 the police seized a SIG SPC 2009 9 mm caliber pistol This weapon is registered in the name of another person and would have been used in the crime Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Economy North Coast Bavaro & Punta Cana Local DominicanToday.com - The Dominican Republic News Source in English This web page uses its own cookies and the third-party cookies to collect the information which help us make the service as good as possible By no means is our intention to use it for gathering personal data More information Cookies policy The best time for a swim in ponds and river pools is from the middle of June to the end of August A lot of people enjoy having a walk in the inland of this province and go for a refreshing swim after it It is well-known that M�laga has beaches that are all together almost 180 km long but some years they have jelly-fish and that scares tourists So, where can you go for a swim? You can swim in our rivers or even better clean, pure ponds and pools We invite you to go around M�laga and visit beautiful places at the following rivers' basins: Chillar and the basins in the inland in the Sierra Bermeja as well as the areas for swimming in the rivers T�jar There are plenty of wonderful ponds and river pools that the province of M�laga can boast of Some of them are well-known and easy to access and others a bit more difficult The reason for it is that most of hydrological basins in M�laga have their rivers and streams in the main mountain ranges and because they are short and reach the sea very soon All of these streams and rivers flow into the Mediterranean Sea except of the Montecorto Stream which flows into the Guadalete The same as food lovers can travel with one and only purpose to taste the dishes in prestigious restaurants nature lovers can walk for kilometres along difficult routes just to get to a marvellous pool The vast majority of the ponds in this province have been adapted artificially and have no lifeguards There is also to bear in mind that the conservation of water environment is the most important drop litter nor paint over the parts of the scenery We must always follow the regulations of the use of protected natural sites and the indications given by forest guards and those responsible for protecting the environment The crash killed 29-year-old Reuben Charcas who lives in Pensacola but grew up in Fort Walton Beach Charcas was driving his 2001 Hyundai west on U.S overcorrected and veered across the westbound lanes It was not immediately clear how he died or when the accident occurred it was “raining hard” and “very cold,” according to the first deputy at the scene He told the dispatcher that it appeared Charcas may have tried to walk to shore which sparked an extensive search of the water between the seawall and Marler Park for a second victim Crews also searched Gulf Islands National Seashore Charcas said he was from Fort Walton Beach and attended Choctawhatchee High School said he recently started working as a cook at Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola She mourned the loss of a friend who made every-one laugh and loved to have fun “(He) always lit up the room with his smile big Mohawk and studded leather jackets,” she said “He was the kind of guy that would be friends with anyone “He cared for his friends as if they were family,” Carpenter added The accident scene slowed traffic on the island Daily News Public Safety Reporter Angel McCurdy contributed to this report a sixth grader at Glasgow Middle School in Baton Rouge Won first place in the first Climate Champions Youth Art Contest for the Middle Grades Division an 11th grader at Baton Rouge Magnet High School Charcas won second place in the first Climate Champions Youth Art Contest for the Upper Grades Division Eakin launched the first Climate Champions Art Contest a native of Bunkie and a graduate of Baton Rouge Magnet High now based in Texas works in the entertainment world as well as in green energy endeavors His mother Sue Eakin is an acclaimed historian who dedicated much of her career to proving the truth behind “Twelve Years a Slave," an 1853 book by escaped slave Solomon Northup This famous actor served as a celebrity judge in the first Climate Champions Youth Art Contest Deep red Louisiana is not necessarily where you’d expect someone to try to launch an art contest focused on the perils of climate change a green energy advocate who grew up in Louisiana and is now based in the Houston area saw art as an “ideal channel,” particularly for young people and you can imagine there is some fear,” explained Eakin So was born the Climate Champions Youth Art Contest While he hopes to roll it nationwide over time a trial run recently occurred in Louisiana Eakin’s upbringing also brought him into close contact with another cause: racial injustice His mother, Sue Eakin, who taught history at LSU Alexandria and died in 2009, spent her life working to prove the truth behind Solomon Northup’s “Twelve Years A Slave,” producing annotated editions of that 1853 memoir thereby helping to rescue it from obscurity The Climate Champions Youth Contest’s trial run in Louisiana began in November school-age children composed and submitted visual art addressing their concerns as well as offering possible solutions to climate change State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton agreed to help spreading the word about the contest to libraries across the state She said she viewed it as “something positive that helps everybody and drives people to the library.” who has known Frank Eakin since he participated in a Louisiana Book Festival a few years ago said she’s also a longtime admirer of his mother’s work “I think on many levels he continues her work of being good and kind,” Hamilton said child artists needed only to take a cellphone picture of their work and upload it online The number of those offering submissions ended up only in the “low hundreds,” Eakin said First-, second- and third-place winners were announced Dec. 19 on the contest’s Facebook page There were three sets of winners because students in upper middle and lower grades competed separately as well as a certificate and special T-shirt The winning children live in towns across Louisiana Mary-Avery Rodrigue, a sixth grader at Glasgow Middle School in Baton Rouge, won the middle grades category with her picture Rodrigue shows a pair of hands holding up a deteriorating Earth “It’s about how the beauty of the world is waning away and it’s up to us to maintain it,” explained Rodrigue light on curves and heavy on straight lines Rodrigue said her art teacher at Glasgow, Geeta Dave told her about the contest and helped her develop her ideas She said Dave pushes her art students to enter contests as a way of spreading their work to a wider audience the 16-year-old created an oil-stained beach scene battered boot shaped like the state of Louisiana sits at the water’s edge “Louisiana is one of the (states) most severely affected by climate change and global warming particularly because of coastal erosion,” Charcas explained I felt like it was important to get some of that message across with my sketch.” using one of his dad’s old boots as a model After narrowing the entries down to a set of 30 finalists Eakin called upon a celebrity panel of judges to pick the winners “I selected them because I know they were passionate about climate change,” Eakin explained A 21st-century technology is helping tourists experience a 19th-century tale The 83-year-old Academy Award and Emmy-winning actor has had roles in “Roots,” “An Officer and a Gentleman” and Eakin and Gossett came to know each other in 2013 when Gossett narrated an audiobook of “Twelve Years A Slave,” a tie-in to the film of the same name which went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture that year saying with a laugh that he'd do "anything that Frank wants Gossett, who is active in many social causes said he has long been worried about climate change “We can’t go to another planet to try again,” he said “All of them were good but this one was special,” he said The hands cradling the globe point how collective action is needed “I have the same philosophy about the best way to solve the problems of the planet,” Gossett said Email Charles Lussier at clussier@theadvocate.com and follow him on Twitter Email notifications are only sent once a day News Tips:newstips@theadvocate.com Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Sun Devil Motorsports 16 team overcomes setbacks hits the workshop hard over spring break as national competition rolls closer Editor’s note: This is the latest installation in a yearlong series about ASU's Formula SAEFormula SAE is a student design competition organized by the International Society of Automotive Engineers (now known as SAE International) Find links to previous stories at the end of this article If the story of the Arizona State University student engineers building a race car for a June competition were a movie this would be the part where the broken and bloodied hero lifts his head and knows he’s got a fighting chance Yet in a machine shop in the back of the Psychology North building on the Tempe campus the only sign of a holiday is electronic dance music pulsing in between the whine of metal grinders These are the students of the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers working on a design competition to build a Formula-style race car The concept behind the competition is that a fictional manufacturing company has contracted a design team to develop a small Formula-style race car The prototype is to be evaluated at the competition in Nebraska for its potential as a production item builds and tests a prototype based on a series of rules The ASU team has been struggling for the past three weeks They made a mistake cutting the suspension tabs that hold the A arms “It pulled us back in so many ways,” team manager Troy Buhr said “We didn’t know we weren’t cutting to the exact tolerances so we lost $600,” team chief engineer Wes Kudela said The suspension tabs are curved to fit the chassis tubes and they need to fit to a 32nd of an inch tolerance This week they plan to take advantage of spring break to mount the upper and lower A arms on the chassis “There’ll be activity every day,” said Kudela “I feel like this spring break is going to make me a lot less stressed.” The new hubs are waiting to be machined at the ASU Machine Shop “Then we’ll have a rolling chassis,” said Buhr Doing a pace-car lap at the Indy races at Phoenix International Raceway — an April thrill the team was hoping for — likely isn't going to happen The team would have had to buy a policy with a million dollars in liability Now Buhr is working on getting insurance for a static display of the car at PIR Meeting that April 2 date at the raceway is the new goal “That’s what we’re shooting for,” Kudela said A PitchFunder campaign to raise $10,000 for transportation will kick off March 29 The team needs a U-Haul to take the car to the competition in Lincoln Nebraska; a charter bus for the 30 team members who will be going; and motel rooms for everyone.  1:12 scale rendering of what they believe will be the front of the race car on Feb They will make a larger version for wind-tunnel testing before making the final body from carbon fiber Aerospace engineering senior Kenny Brown sands down the epoxy covering on a medium-size 3-D-printed model of the nose cone with side pods March 5 in the workshop on the Tempe campus The epoxy was used to stiffen the structure for wind-tunnel testing The smaller initial 3-D model is on the table near the grinder Junior William Grant (center) shows aerospace engineering freshman Evin Schmidt the progress he and senior Joe Molina (left) are making on cleaning the brake bearings in the hubs from last year's vehicle March 5 The new hubs are being manufactured and will be delivered in the next week Grant and Molina are mechanical engineering students Mechanical engineering sophomore Alejandra Charcas takes measurements for a metal plate that will be placed between the impact crush foam and the chassis as work continues on the Formula SAE race car on March 5 in a machine shop in the back of the Psychology North building on the Tempe campus Engine team leader Michael Conard (left) and mechanical engineering freshman Michael Kuntz work on connecting electrical wires from the new engine March 5 The wires feed performance data into a laptop and electrical diagnostic equipment allowing the team to fine-tune the engine for optimum performance A computer rendering of the finished Formula SAE race car The to-do list is long as the deadline looms ever closer The team hopes to have a complete car ready for testing on the track well before the June competition in Lincoln Metal shavings pile up as mechanical engineering senior Mike Walker hollows out an extension for the steering rack in the engineering machine shop on March 8 as he and his teammates work on the vehicle during most of spring break Mike Walker uses a progression of drill bits to hollow out the steering-rack extensions March 8 He is drilling out part of the aluminum rod to reduce weight he’ll mill the opposite end to connect to the steering tie rods the steering-rack extension is cut to about 6 inches as liquid keeps the saw blade cool “We’ve always pulled back because of money We have plenty of members putting their heart and soul into the club … (but) we’re not as far ahead as we should be.” a materials company that makes carbon-fiber and composite materials for aerospace donated excess honeycomb material that will be sandwiched between carbon-fiber plates on the nose cone Team members recently had a tour of the Hexcel facilities in Casa Grande “There might be a couple of guys who get jobs there.” About 30 team members also toured the Southwest Airlines maintenance facility at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport “We got to watch them tear down a plane,” Buhr said “Going out and seeing the actual industry is eye-opening.” It needs to be fine-tuned for optimum performance The engine team has it up on a table mount with wires feeding performance data into a laptop and electrical diagnostic equipment team members are drilling holes into a metal tube that will become a pedal mount slowly creating a pilot hole so neither the bit nor the metal heats up too quickly and torques the piece out of shape a senior majoring in mechanical engineering a workshop where an engineering club is building a race car can be a macho environment female students stand out like neon lights The few women in the club say they really enjoy the work drills holes in the pedal assembly as work continues on the Formula SAE race car on March 5 on the Tempe campus MacMillan has been with the club two months “I wanted more hands-on experience,” she said Working in a sea of dudes doesn’t faze her “I’m kind of used to it because of my major,” she said a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering She said she didn’t mind being in the minority either We just needed to get involved to put something on a resume Charcas always liked chemistry and math in high school “I went into civil engineering and just drifted into mechanical engineering,” she said “Mechanical is really broad; you can take it wherever you want.” Oct. 14: Tempe Drift: How an underdog student engineering team is building a race car from the ground up Nov. 4: Racing time and money to build a fast car Dec. 10: Braking bad: Pressure is on for ASU student engineers building race car Dec. 17: No brake: ASU team powers through to edge closer to race car Feb. 1: Coming into the home stretch Vincent Truong is graduating from Arizona State University with dual degrees in psychology and biochemistry (medical chemistry) a minor in disability studies and a drive to return to underserved… carving deep valleys and intricate canyons global giant Applied Materials has been hard at work engineering technology that continues to change how microchips are made.Their products power everything from flat-panel… This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Posted by on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 in DH Projects at Vanderbilt Co-edited by Steven Wernke (Vanderbilt University) and Akira Saito (National Museum of Ethnology LOGAR focuses on the towns established during the mass colonial resettlement program known as the Reducción General de Indios (General Resettlement of Indians) of the Viceroy Francisco de Toledo The Reducción forcibly resettled approximately 1.4 million native Andeans into over 1,000 reducción (literally Reducciones were founded (at least nominally) during the Visita General (Toledo’s tour of inspection and resettlement) between 1570 and 1575 The scope of LOGAR is initially limited to the area under most direct jurisdictional control of Viceroy Toledo—specifically LOGAR is extensible (spatially and temporally) aims to serve as a more general repository and research tool of broad utility to the scholarly community of the Andean region Tags: , , , the road to Wirikuta brims with offerings: lit candles and jícaras (bowls made from the hardened skin of the jícara Other vessels are placed on the ground leading to the sacred site dozens of people leave the Wixárika communities in the state of Jalisco and walk for hours over more than 500 kilometers (about 310 miles) towards the site guided by Tamatsi Kauyumarie — the Blue Stag one of their highest deities — represents a prayer for the wellbeing of nature and all of humanity Wirikuta is not only the birthplace of Wixaritari culture It also contains all the natural elements that sustain it when the communities found out that mining threatened this ecosystem we discovered that Canadian companies wanted it [Wirikuta land] but we felt that this would cause big problems It is an extermination of what is sacred,” says María Concepción Bautista president of the commons for the Tuapurie-Santa Catarina and Cuexcomatitlán communities This concern led to the creation of the Wixárika Regional Council for the Defence of Wirikuta (CRW) in 2011 The CRW is an organisation made up of traditional and civil authorities and members of the Wixaritari communities located in the Sierra Madre Occidental and defend all places sacred to the Indigenous people the Wixárika people started a legal battle — which has now been going on for more than 13 years — against 78 mining licenses granted to extract silver and other precious minerals within the sacred territory of Wirikuta Thanks to an amparo (a legal action to protect individual and constitutional rights) granted in 2011 and a traditional survey conducted in 2012 they achieved the suspension of all activities until the case reaches a conclusion These licenses cover approximately 70% of the 140,212 hectares (about 346,470 acres) the Mexican government formally recognized between 2000 and 2001 as the Protected Natural Area known as the Sacred Natural Site of Wirikuta This area spans the municipalities of Catorce all located in the state of San Luis Potosí The site also includes the Historic Cultural Route of the Wixárika People which stretches 138.78 kilometres (86 miles) across Villa de Ramos UNESCO also recognised Wirikuta as one of the world’s 14 Sacred Natural Sites The communities hope that 2024 will be a deciding year They are waiting for the judiciary to pass a sentence cancelling the Wirikuta licences once and for all “We have faith that the sentence will come out in our favor because we are truly facing a situation in which the intersectional rights of the Wixárika people are being violated It would not be just for a sentence to come out against us,” maintains Santos de la Cruz Carrillo who hails from the community of Bancos de Calitique and is coordinator of the CRW’s legal bureau The Wixaritari ancestor gods lived in darkness Each one took its own route to traverse the five cardinal points Wirikuta was the birthplace of the Sun (Tawexik+a) this place is located in a territory that not only extends across five municipalities but which also encompasses part of the Potosino altiplano and the Chihuahan desert The Wixárika Regional Council for the Defence of Wirikuta warns that mining activity presents a threat to biodiversity in this large region as it is home to numerous species of flora and fauna that are subject to special protection due to their at-risk status or rarity Many are even listed in the Mexican Official Standard for Environmental Protection and recognized by international instruments such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species Known by its scientific name of Lophophora williamsii this cactus is categorized as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List and has been threatened by the destruction of its habitat and its illegal harvesting for trade which forms an integral part of many of their rituals ‘is not for sale,’ asserts Bautista but only as part of certain traditional activities that’s why it’s important that we conserve it,” he explains “Each place that we pass through on the pilgrimage has to be cleansed and our sacred plant must be harvested — which is our older brother peyote or hikuri,” Marí Concepción Bautista tells Mongabay “Our ancestors each took a different path into their own sacred place: Wirikuta is the resting place of the Blue Stag and protect him,” says the Indigenous leader Santos de la Cruz Carrillo explains that the sacred plant hikuri is also a teacher “It brings us knowledge and wisdom,” says the Indigenous leader ‘Thanks to the continued conservation of hikuri That’s why it is important to us to protect the peyote and all the diverse flora and fauna of Wirikuta.” The Protected Natural Area covers part of the Chihuahuan desert and is home to around half its flora species According to San Luis Potosi’s Secretary of Ecology and Environmental Management (Segam) this area is considered essential for conserving and propagating endemic cacti in danger of extinction The Sierra de Catorce — part of the Wirikuta ecological reserve and the Valle del Salado area — contains twelve plant communities This plant coverage is essential for maintaining the water cycle Large perennial plants predominate in Wirikuta The list of vascular plants in the region currently stands at 526 species conserving this sacred space has a positive impact not only on the entire Wixárika population but also on the people using ejidos [communal Indigenous lands] in the region To spoil and destroy the minerals present here is to put an end not only to the Wixárika people but all the others too Mining companies really require a lot of water and groundwater systems already contain very little water That’s why it is turning into a desert One of the reasons the people continue to make their pilgrimage also has to do with our request for an abundance of rain,” says de la Cruz Carrillo Six species of mammals are listed in the region some nesting sites of the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) considered a high-priority species for conservation in the country Ninety-six species of birds have been reported in Wirikuta of which 16 are listed in the Mexican Official Standard for Environmental Protection which is why this Protected Natural Area is of great importance for the conservation of at-risk species the Wixárika Regional Council filed a suit for an indirect amparo with which it asserted the Wixárika people’s rights to consultation and cultural identity against 38 licenses granted to Minera Real Bonanza S.A These are subsidiary companies of First Majestic Silver Corp This Canadian silver mining company operates in Mexico and the United States According to information from the Economic Secretary these licenses would form part of the silver mining project Real De Catorce-La Luz they succeeded in extending the amparo against 40 more licenses granted to at least 17 additional licensees According to the traditional Wixaritari authorities this legal remedy should demonstrate the inviolable link between Wirikuta They are defending a sacred territory that doesn’t form part of their community’s formally recognized land but they are not trying to take material possession of it; they are only obtaining a guarantee of its protection all mining activity in Wirikuta has been suspended so that no company can explore or exploit the territory Among the most recent procedural obstacles impeding the progress of the case — according to a communication from Wixárika Regional Council — is the fact that the hearing has not taken place due to the lack of 11 notices to the responsible authorities “We urge the federal judiciary to guarantee that the constitutional hearing will be held and to proceed with the review and drafting of the amparo ruling,” the CRW said and then we will wait for the draft judgment the sentence should be handed down this year,” says Santos de la Cruz Carrillo who is waiting for the constitutional authority to confirm whether justice will protect the Wixárika people and order the definitive cancellation of the contracts In a statement made by the CRW in April 2024 during a forum to commemorate 13 years of resistance they demanded that “priority be given to the legal case and [it is demanded] that the judge’s decision be in accordance with the international legal framework on the fundamental rights of Indigenous peoples.” the CRW denounced the fact that the Wixárika people’s actions were being monitored by the mining companies and other interested parties who have rolled out a disinformation campaign in favour of the mining operation among the region’s inhabitants there is tension with some ejido groups in the municipality of Catorce who have been filing amparo lawsuits against the declaration of Wirikuta as a Biosphere Reserve and Wirikuta State Reserve “Wirikuta is where the essence of life is founded,” de la Cruz Carrillo concludes To destroy Wirikuta is to destroy our culture and the Mexican State should use legal measures to do so and continue to exist as it is.” Forest enterprise in Mexico attempts to present opportunities for Indigenous communities Latest Mongabay podcast episode: In ‘the century of Africa,’ Mongabay’s new bureau reports its biggest environmental issues and solutions FEEDBACK: Use this form to send a message to the author of this post The “fortress conservation” model is under pressure in East Africa as protected areas become battlegrounds over history and global efforts to halt biodiversity loss Mongabay’s Special Issue goes beyond the region’s world-renowned safaris to examine how rural communities and governments are reckoning with conservation’s colonial origins and trying to forge a path forward […] OKALOOSA ISLAND — Patrick Sims tries to avoid driving across Okaloosa Island when possible but sometimes he is forced to make the commute When driving the stretch between the Brooks and Marler bridges he is always reminded of two close friends who died there He makes sure to tip his hat to each of them on his way through “I get an eerie feeling,” he said with a shiver Both of his friends have roadside memorials One is a large granite cross he helped erect There are nine memorials on the approximately 4.5-mile portion of U.S Each signifies a fraction of the fatalities that have occurred on this dangerous stretch of road — known to many as “Bloody 98.” Since 2012 there have been more than 4,000 crashes on U.S Nearly 900 of them have been alcohol-related according to data from the Florida Highway Patrol with 12 of those attributed to a driver being under the influence of alcohol Some memorials are simple signs erected by the Department of Transportation that read “Drive Safely.” Others are personalized crosses that family and friends still visit and place mementos A wooden cross with Saul Lopez-Perez's name carved on it stands on the eastbound side of the road A rosary hangs over the top and several lights flicker around the memorial when the sun goes down On the opposite side of the highway is the granite cross memorializing Sims' friend Sims and some friends return to the memorial and leave a can of Michelob Ultra in his memory Michael was the first of Sims' friends to die on the island A vehicle hit him while he was walking home to Fort Walton Beach from a night out in Destin on his 33rd birthday two young boys and a large group of family and friends who have a collection of positive memories from their time with him “He never met a stranger,” said Krystal Brewster “I used to joke that he knew the homeless people under the Brooks Bridge Although Michael died almost seven years ago Krystal had a hard time finding the words to adequately describe the “roller coaster” she and her mother have been through since his death The siblings were very close to their mother throughout their life but Michael and their mother had a special bond “I think I kind of just internalized everything," Krystal said "Watching my mother go through what she’s gone through has been very Krystal and her mother were out of state preparing for the funeral of another family member when they got the call about Michael’s accident their mother began avoiding everyone and everything around her and she has started to come to terms with the loss of her son “He lived more of a life while he was here than all of us put together for however long we are here,” Krystal said Sims and a group of friends set up the large granite cross in the spot he was killed Sims lost a second friend on the same stretch of U.S Charcas was only 29 when an Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy discovered his car floating upside down in Choctawhatchee Bay His spirit lives on today with his friends who remember him as a cheerful person who loved music and became friends with everyone he met but didn’t really build a friendship with him until spring break of 2008,” Sims said “That was probably one of my most memorable times.” The pair met at a bar in downtown Fort Walton Beach while Charcas was playing bass for a local band getting them both through some tough times in life “He was one of those people that was friends with everybody — all walks of life bump into Reuben downtown somewhere and he cheered me up.” Sitting at a table in the restaurant he manages It’s been awhile since he’s evoked these memories purposely avoiding the pain they bring with them Charcas was there to sing and laugh with him I remember hearing about (the accident) and finding out later it was Reuben.” A blue Star of David sits by the shoreline of Choctawhatchee Bay near where Charcas was found It’s been nearly two decades since Bruce Penninger died after rear-ending a tractor trailer late one night He was 41 years old and celebrated his birthday the previous day His sister Terri Luciana still has a difficult time talking about the loss of her brother He had a very contagious laugh,” Luciana said “He was my baby brother and my best friend.” He went to live with his dad in South Florida but was lonely there and missed his friends He moved back to Fort Walton Beach and Luciana became his legal guardian Throughout their childhood and into adulthood “We talked just about every day,” Luciana said as she began to cry “It’s been 18 years but I miss him every day.” It’s hard for Luciana to pick specific memories out of their years spent together including going out to eat with mutual friends and traveling together They had plans to celebrate his birthday on April 25 Luciana remembers telling him that she’d “see him tomorrow.” Bruce went out celebrating that night with friends and tried to drive himself home He made it about a third of the way across Okaloosa Island before he slammed into the back of a 16-wheeler Bruce was pronounced dead 14 minutes after the accident occurred a simple Drive Safely marker has stood where Penninger died The family and friends of those who died on this road believe something needs to change to avoid more accidents Now with traffic — especially in the summertime We’ve been talking about it since the 70’s “The tourists and the structures still go up but they don’t account for any of the extra traffic.” Krystal and Luciana all attribute the frequency of accidents to the highway’s lack of adequate lighting at night There are no streetlights along that stretch of U.S “It’s a very dangerous road,” Krystal said but I know it’s not an accurate depiction of the number of deaths or injuries along that stretch.” law enforcement says other issues may be to blame 10 (top) destination in Florida for visitors that come by automobile,” Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Fulghum said “Across the island is one of the only ways While congestion — especially in the summer months — contributes to the number of deadly crashes Fulghum says alcohol may be the main culprit has more licensed alcohol establishments than anywhere else in Okaloosa County,” he said They slow down when they get to congestion in Destin but they get to the island and it’s more open .. AR where his parents were working picking cotton As a teen he often worked with his dad in commercial fishing and assisted him with his hunting and fishing guide business He sat out one year of high school to go and help his uncle on his ranch in Wichita Jim and his siblings often got into mischief One of his greatest joys was to sit around with his siblings and cousins and laugh about their many childhood escapades He moved to Indiana to attend Bible school and met Maxine McClain on a youth leadership trip to Colorado The story is that at Pike’s Peak she fainted from the high altitude and he caught her in his arms and then he fell for her; so He graduated from Union Bible Institute in 1952 He was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in 1957 Early in his ministry Jim often worked a second job to make ends meet In 1979 he began working with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association assisting the evangelist in his telephone counseling ministry Jim lectured on the Holy Spirit for the California Graduate School of Theology in their doctorate program He studied at Olivet Nazarene University in IL and Seattle Pacific University in WA He has published 4 books: Revival Must Come Estelle (An Inspiring Love Story) – a novel based on his mother’s life Jim was the founder and president of Christian Renewal Ministries “A Word on Revival” was heard on various radio stations for many years Jim began devoting himself to speaking in camp meetings pastoral institutes and conducting the School of Prayer helping thousands to improve their spiritual life and develop their prayer ministry He was dedicated to preparing the Church through prayer for the next spiritual awakening Jim laid Maxine in the arms of God in 2006 and made the move from Dothan AL back to Bozeman where he headquartered Christian Renewal Ministries He was lonely and began to pray for a companion They were soon married and serving God all over the country she cared for him with unceasing love and faithfulness and was with him in the Memory Care Center when God called him home He also enjoyed hunting and horseback riding but most often when he wasn’t studying or praying you could find him with his nose in a book – he loved to read and learn Jim is remembered and loved by his wife Shirley Tharp Priscilla (Ron) Larsen and Timothy (Billie Jo) Tharp 12 “bonus” grandchildren and 11 “bonus” great grandchildren who have been a blessing brought into his life through Shirley Jim was preceded in death by his first wife Jim blessed our family and his many friends and colleagues with a legacy of prayer and a commitment to listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit A graveside service will be held on Saturday at Sunset Memorial Gardens on the Frontage Road between Bozeman and Belgrade Reception to follow at River Rock Church of the Nazarene in Belgrade www.dokkennelson.com a brief outline of methodology that will enlist two international-relations models both separate approaches but each useful to facilitating a discussion; second a critique and updating of Halford Mackinder’s original Eurasian heartland thesis meant to make the thesis itself more applicable; third an assertion by the author that North America represents a more suitable fit for Mackinder’s heartland premise the US version possessing more of the appropriate features than does the Eurasian version; and fourth several conclusions will follow relative to this updating of the heartland portrayal (1) Mackinder’s Eurasian heartland simply does not pass the test of logic and history Its central and isolated position has not brought wealth and security; its resources are not sufficient to dominate the World Island; potentially hostile nations encircle it; and most of its rimlands are controlled either by the United States or by American allies and trading partners Nothing remarkable affixes to the Russian core; its importance roughly equals that of the other Great Powers of the continent’s periphery (2) North America provides the only suitable fit for Mackinder’s thesis It more than fulfills all of theoriginal heartland descriptions: an isolated and distant continental center with an area united internally blessed with resources for a vibrant economy and poised for a hegemonic leadership beyond America onto most areas of Eurasia and its periphery the North American heartland plus the entire Eurasian World Island are together pertinent to global stability and prosperity (4) The whole Eurasian continent will continue being a platform for strategic relationships because it holds roughly two/thirds of global lands with the United States intervening yet still aloof as an offshore Eurasian balancer an updated but still correct heartland theory; wrong application – better North America and not Eurasia Outlining Classical Geopolitics and Realism Two separate but intertwining international-relations models compose the interpretive structures for this essay Models are repositories of theories; they do nothing other than hold those theories that fit the specific definitions of the model and they serve as neutral and timeless tools for delving more deeply into understanding events and ideas They come as simple sentences of probability (Kelly 2018); if “A” happens then “B” holds some likelihood of reacting as a result of “A.”For instance holds an advantage for eventual expansion to world empire This and a variety of other theories will be enlisted in the pages that follow to assist the reader in the exploring of strategic heartlands and also of rimlands the marginal lands that encircle the Eurasian lever Classical geopolitics emphasizes placement of a state or resource impacting upon a country’s foreign affairs It draws upon geography or territorial/maritime space for its inspiration specifically upon relative locations and positions of countries perhaps more than for any other international-relations model Central and peripheral placement may affect a nation’s diplomatic and security policies increasing distance to an event might diminish a state’s influence Much of this essay’s portrayal will derive from such spatial premises that will accord to classical geopolitics (Kelly 2016: 83-135 Realism studies the relative power a state may possess and the management of that power for bringing it security states alone are destined to defend themselves since a strong world government does not serve sufficient to protect Stronger countries can be guaranteed against weaker nations but when one state among other states of equal power attempts to expand its defenses this action/reaction called a “security dilemma.” Building my castle walls higher may force my neighbor to build his walls higher causing a contagion of construction but with all suffering less security realists recommend that moderate countries should seek a consensus of trust among them with a collective security design in order to secure their common protection made longer-lasting by isolating or destroying revolutionary and reckless states that may jeopardize such collectivity Statesmen can guide their nations into this moderation and adjustment by maintaining the necessary confidence between associated countries careful diplomacy suits the environment best force should direct against the radical and crusade disturber These concepts and theories characterize the realist: anarchy in 1904 posited that whichever country or alliance came to dominate the interior of Eurasia would hold substantial leverage for attaining global empire Later in 1919 exhibiting a heartland label his premise outlined in four parts:(1) The area’s distance from seacoasts and harsh climate brought security against invaders that central space offered ready access to resources within and beyond the region with an(3) internal unity bolstered by intrusive topography and connecting railroads and with an (4) ability to thrust power outwardly onto peripheral areas of the World island or the whole of the continent plus the Mediterranean Once this expansion proceeded and the heartland possessors could extend onto seacoasts global empire would “be insight.” This heartland claim has proven to be the most important geostrategic theory within the model of classical geopolitics and the bed rock of strategic doctrines of leader-countries including the United States solid evidence for such a feat of enhanced security within or of pivotal leverage beyond those central spaces becomes problematic because the theory cannot be substantiated with certainty via historical evidence This alleged Eurasian fulcrum simply has not provided a good defense or exerted a significant impact outwardly sufficient to substantiate Mackinder’s contention both Napoleon and Hitler invaded this center although neither consolidated his invasion or margins surrounding the continent’s center having been resident to two world wars and a later Cold War where allies sought to contain any territorial threat from the center an expansion probably never strongly attempted nor realized in contemporary events And the United States for the past century has now elevated to global leadership eventually basing its authority on the continental rimlands for its own security and asserting far more economic and military strength than any of the world’s other Great Powers including Russia all of whom cannot rival the present North American hegemony the Eurasian heartland theory appears at first brush to be simplistic being instead a central Eurasian location not likely to succeed to continental or global domination But if little evidence shows for its validity Perhaps the following might point to its continued interest: (1) the premise of it being located in the Earth’s more consequent northern half its temperate lands favored over those of the southern oceans and the North  spawning the civilizations of history noted as well by Mackinder in his earlier essay; (2) the compact shape of Eurasia itself the Russian hinterlands encircled by the Great Nations of Germany states that have prevented the core its penetration seaward; (3) the added fact that Eurasia holds two-thirds of  the world’s lands and wealth; (4)the assumption of inevitable central advantage for eventual leverage outwardly a query examined more fully below; (5) an exaggeration of the interior’s wealth and power making that region greater than it deserves this tied to a historic remembrance and fear of alleged “Asian hordes” invading western Europe Mackinder’s 1904 talk alluded to this latter fear; and (6) a long-held focus on Eurasia by policy elites that has undergirded foreign-affairs and military thinking among the larger countries including that of the United States since its independence If Mackinder and Eurasia remain relevant to policy-makers it should be stated that this essay’s author stays committed to the heartland theory; he recognizes it to be among the more prominent and insightful of theories contained within the classical geopolitical model needs improvement and a North American and not a Eurasian placement the new location also providing more substantial evidence for the heartland thesis’s validity in this second section several areas of Mackinder’s thesis are marked for improvement: (1) Where might a central position lend advantage to states so located and does core placement always award its possessor strength?(2) What might conclude the heartland’s extension beyond the continental center a world “empire” or a global “hegemony?” The terms depart in meaning the latter on leadership.(3) Does a potential but not actual territorial expansion still validate the thesis (4) Mackinder neglected the peripheral areas that encircled the heartland particularly the coastal rimlands on either flank of Eurasia and others have argued such marginal lands should be appended to heartland calculations (5) should one favor continental land-power states as Mackinder did over sea-faring countries as America prefers (6) North America better qualifies as a heartland superior in description to the Eurasian and as a more practical fit If so,(7) how strongly does the United States extend over the power balances of Eurasia How do the Eurasian rimlands figure within this nexus What about relations between the North American heartland and the whole of the Eurasian World Island be they agreeable or hostile or some mixture of both the original theory must welcome an updating and its American application a different stint into global affairs Pivotal advantage from a central location?As per a country’s core position lending advantage one control for broadening the heartland thesis lies in an examination of states’ actual central placements an inner-core residence could present: regional leadership in integration and identity; pivotal location for thrusting authority outwardly; and ability to balance neighbors to profit(Kelly 2016) But disadvantages appear as well: encirclement by hostile and powerful neighbors; more borders more conflict and invasion; and costs of leadership and balancing Amplifying further this examination of central leverage one must give special consideration to the regional environments a heartland may occupy (1) if a centrally-located country is surrounded by other Great Nations of roughly equal power; if that state’s resources are limited and access to needed wealth becomes difficult; if oceans and seas are distant and their access is blocked by coastal nations; and if natural barriers against invasion from seafarers are missing then central placement can be debilitating a pivotal heartland can be an advantage (2) if a centrally-positioned state is surrounded by weaker non-threatening countries; if such a pivotal nation resides distantly from challenging Great Powers; if that state possesses ample unity and resources; and if it is a maritime nation gifted with natural ports and internal waterways represent countries disadvantaged by their centrality The United States alone among the major countries displays a core location advantage a heartland characterization described in Part Three Mackinder’s domination label lacks preciseness because one does not know whether the heartland’s thrust translates to “empire” or instead to “hegemony,” the latter for these two concepts depart significantly a feared German invasion of the Eurasian interior coming later to dominate coastal margins and to extend beyond the adjacent oceans threatening to his England His repeated depiction of empire and dominance exude throughout his heartland illustration – a “westward march of empire;” (1904 31) also with the achievement of “fleet-building” by the heartland’s possessors “the empire of the world would then be in sight;” (1904 43) and “Who rules the World Island commands the World” (1919 150) — among the outstanding examples an empire based upon occupation and armed control seems exaggerated if not outright improbable Would any sort of imperial expansion truly be inevitable or successful when attempted by any contemporary Eurasian or American state “Hegemony” and “balance” better describe the grand strategies currently within the foreign-affairs ambitions of the ruling elites Hegemony translates to “leader-state,” a county advanced in military and industrial technology also in global finance holding a leading currency in trade and investment as well as in a mature citizenry and efficient government in secure frontiers without threats from immediate neighbors and in a projection of power outwardly that will bring a reasonable level of national security A hegemon is not a dictator or bully or threat to other nations; rather it prefers trade over war and domestic welfare over control of others A certain expansion?An inevitable expansion from the Eurasian core seems evident in Mackinder’s premise for the core’s placement and its resources foretold this expansion the author believes the assertion lacks sufficient credence to quality Eurasia for this part of the heartland theory central placement does not necessarily advantage expansion from that core One instead must consider the regional placement of potential challengers to such a territorial extension Russia suffers that resistance encirclement 2) Russia’s reach for an ocean outlet has in all cases never succeeded and rarely been attempted A theory that explains such expansion must show some probability of outcome has yet to prove this theory’s required extension no stronger than its immediate neighbors and weaker than their combined strength for resisting any heartland reach An empire must exhaust its rivals and occupy their lands (4) Were the heartland’s possessor sometime able to extend to ocean fronts this would reflect a substantial military victory against weakened Eurasian neighbors but still not strong proof for the theory’s validity would lack the necessary power to conquer the entire World Island and go on to rule Earth beyond (6) The heartland theory itself might bring some interest to its Eurasian placement the thesis being quite rational in its construction Yet Eurasia lacks the necessary features to render it a good fit for the location many scholars have assumed for it (7) North America possesses amply more ingredients to fit Mackinder’s design and an ability to impact Eurasian balances from afar a century-long global hegemony that has not been approximated by Russia or its great-power neighbors Mackinder’s Eurasian submission should fade instead to a mere label of continental interior It is within these marginal and often maritime lands that are located the strategic dramas of rivalry and alliance and strife brought on by the flanking Eurasians and North Americans 6)portrayed a pull factor for the interior toward the wealthier peoples of the ocean coasts “zones of initiation” attractive to the less-developed continental forces Spykman and Gerace (as Spykman’s interpreter) expanded Mackinder’s original thesis with inclusion of the rimlands but with retaining the interior as well both regions vital to strategic continental balances These outer margins should be appropriate theoretical additions to clarifying the World Island motif because rimlands represent strategic impacts upon the global stage that extend beyond the Eurasian core the whole of the Eurasian World Island with its heartland description left off this revision clarifying to both theory and application Similar but closed rimlands appear in America but only in its middle sector because of (1) the exclusive monopoly of US power over its Caribbean/Central American sphere-of-influence blocking Eurasian involvement as violation to Monroe’s Doctrine; (2) the isolation of South America an independent area  set aside from the northern power balances due to the region’s isolation from distant Eurasia the republics showing little involvement or interest in the machinations of the northern struggles (Kelly 1997); (3) also the absence of competitors in America and others not of the northerner’s strength; and (4) likewise in the inability of any Eurasian state to invite a Latin American alliance against the United States because of the American maritime monopoly configurations threatening of alliances between Eurasia and Latin America against the US Shatter belts represent another concept not imagined by Mackinder but worth our attention pertinent to rimlands these structures locate in marginal regions divided in strife that are exposed to great-power involvement The defining essential for shatter belts is not in the strife itself but in the policy decisions by regional and strategic actors to align with or in opposition to other states within the region (Kelly 1986) The danger within these configurations comes in their potential for serious escalation into widespread violence the two world wars providing good examples the Russians supporting the rebels of the eastern sector the US/Europeans supporting the Kiev government of the western sector (Jalilov and Kelly sea-power offers a common theme in traditional geopolitics states as either sea-faring or land-based in their foreign-affairs orientations Theorists contend over which trait holds advantage the continental proponents arguing that navies require landward ports and thus these can be intercepted by their opponents holding a territorial base the middle areas of continents enjoy security via distance and the ability to leverage onto coastal enclaves gain some advantage in their mobility astride rimlands and food wealth in marginal and distant territories it could be concluded that any merits of sea-power over land-power would depend upon the time and place at hand and not upon a general rule of superiority of one over the other this essay’s author neither favors nor disfavors these places within the Mackinder thesis and its extension Heartlands in their geographic settings could themselves be labeled as either continental or maritime such labels not listed but still not violating Mackinder’s original thesis.His 1943 article outlined a “Midland Ocean” of the north Atlantic basin that could be indicative of an acceptance by Mackinder of a seaward realm as well as the continental 602) describing “two related features of almost equal significance: the Heartland and the basin of the Midland Ocean (North Atlantic) “That admission leads to the next updating North American heartland And finally for the last improvement of the original thesis North America not only holds the essential points to Mackinder’s thesis it likewise offers a wealthier and more powerful portrayal than does the Eurasian of a continental heartland In the North American case: (1) No immediate great-power threats accost the northern continent it being distant and isolated from likely Eurasian challengers mostly as friendly allies to the United States (2) Resources in America contribute abundantly and are well-positioned for a powerful industrial/technological infrastructure (3) Providing a substantial geographic unity the Mississippi and Great Lakes watersheds tie peoples and resources together amid a rich and healthy agricultural base with internal waterways linked by barge transport and a web of common communications not hindered by a harsh topography (4) And drawing out from this compact but extensive territory the United States as a commanding naval power can project a favorable balance over states of Eurasia’s eastern and western rimlands preventing any chance of the possessors of the Eurasian pivot to construct a grand opposition and to expand their impact outwardly in fulfilling Mackinder’s assertion of global dominance and of threats to American independence Why the importance of moving the heartland to North America the Eurasian example confuses because it is not a good fit either for Mackinder’s original thesis or for the updated version submitted in this article portrays an ordinary Great Power but not one more powerful than its immediate Eurasian neighbors it clarifies the various Eurasian balances one might imagine among four great-power Eurasian players the distortion of an exceptional Russia now removed it reveals a more realistic role of the United States a clear global hegemon at the present moment as an outside yet dominant off-shore balancer within the continent The Eurasian example now discarded by the author do other regions rate as justifiable heartland candidates besides North America a continental format poses as an essential requirement and such would include two rather distant additional candidates Lewis Tambs’ suggestion of the Charcas heartland of Bolivia (1965) both merely dwarf the major parts of the North American heartland They do not perform strategically on the global stage and both lack the necessary resources and internal unity fully meant for a heartland a return to another pivotal area within Eurasia might also be considered for this review a suggestion raised by Nick Megoran (2004)and others for Uzbekistan as an updated heartland Other interior sites beyond these examples might be raised as well whether a contemporary Russia or Uzbekistan this essay’s author still holds his contention – North America represents the only suitable casting for Mackinder’s original mold Eurasian World Island and North American heartland as raised in the revisions offered in this essay the primary regions of strategic global interest lie two-fold (1) the North American heartland and (2) the entirety of Eurasia the interior part in addition to the western and eastern margins of Europe and Asia plus the Mediterranean basin of southern Europe “count” as the two most important centers of global strategic importance far outweighing the remaining lands of South America these other territories offering little or no leverage for performing upon the northern zones of balancing Where might be located the most important theater or platform for world stability and competition to play out among the Great Powers within this two-sector global configuration where is the primary place of global strategic alliance and rivalry a United States goal of isolating America from Eurasia navy preventing extension of a Eurasian compact such sectors being too distant and weak to align among the Eurasian powers this strategic theater should remain within the whole of Eurasia itself and the machinations of the Great Powers that live within the continent Global peace and prosperity will originate and play out by what happens within Eurasia Over the years since Mackinder exacted his heartland premise 24-26) cogently summarized a majority of the more negative: 1)Was Mackinder Eurocentric in his approaches his views too antiquated and out-of-sync for today the traditional version of geopolitics not concerned with the contextual Better a focus on the theory itself and not upon the personality or times of Mackinder 2)Could his thesis suffer from being simplistic a “rediscovery of the familiar?”Response: Not so since all theories inherently draw upon simplicity and also upon probability; that is their nature 3)Has the contemporary globalization of expanded trade associations and rapid communication now replaced territorially-based systems of Mackinder’s time Response:  The spatial format of classical geopolitics should hold; geography still counts 4)Have not the elements of air- and cyber-space reduced the isolation of middle continents Response: To some degree the prior isolation has diminished But air and space should be factored into distance and other land and maritime aspects of travel the impact of a continental pivot remaining 5)Has industrial/technological development been sustained in the Eurasian center Response: Post-Soviet Russia still lacks as per the wealth and development of the continental interior imagined by Mackinder 6)Should sea-power and the position of North America be included in heartland considerations George Friedman has noted a special abundance in the resources and position of North America a unique location that has led the United States to global hegemony Although not writing in heartland terminology he has described the United States as “the inevitable empire,” (2011 1) further noting: “the United States has capital food surpluses and physical insulation in excess of every other country in the world by an exceedingly large margin the Americans are not important because of who they are North America].” In this depiction of the riches of this exceptional territory Freedman in his article’s descriptions that are featured below substantiates a main thesis of the present essay that North America fulfills all of the qualities of Mackinder’s heartland designation This essay’s author agrees with his assessment Below are presented eight geopolitical perspectives about the middle part of North America that should provide evidence toward revealing the United States as residing within this essay’s newly-recognized American heartland: (1)The American location enjoys distance far from threatening Eurasian Great Powers posing no danger and Brazil encircled by potential adversaries Shatter belts and checkerboards do not happen in the sector its middle plains holding the largest contiguous area on Earth of rich and well-watered farm land A great majority of the inner continent’s arable territories reside within 200 kilometers of navigable rivers making them available to low-cost barge transport (3)Facing little opposition in its historic expansion from Atlantic to Pacific and firmly settling the middle portion because it emitted wealth the United States rates as the sole two-ocean continental nation safe from Eurasian attack and its navy able favorably to balance states on either flank of Eurasia (4)A rectangular configuration encouraged unity among the country’s regions and left no continental sector exposed Natural frontiers erased land disputes with neighbors; no mountains and jungles impeded continental settlement (5)The Mississippi basin and the intra-coastal waterways hold more navigable internal passages than the rest of the world combined The river affords water traffic in less-costly barge commerce over the middle third of the continent extending to a distance of 3,000 kilometers inland a gallon of fuel allows one ton of cargo to be shipped 180-240 miles by         truck A single 15-barge tow is equivalent to about 225 railroad cars or 870 tractor-trailer trucks If the cargo transported on the inland waterways each year had to be moved by another mode it would take an additional 6.3 million rail cars or 25.2 million trucks to carry the load.” The five Great Lakes also allow ocean-shipping well into the US interior Both systems help to integrate the continental economic and political systems (6)Abundance and adjacent location of energy and mineral resources all relevant to a strong industrial and technological infrastructure and strongest country in these aspects.The above factors have attracted an ample immigration to North America of productive peoples still a fast-growing but relatively youthful population with an average age less than other Great Powers and with the least-density as per usable land a space mastery awareness by the governing elites to these advantages and to the necessities stemming from them of acquiring the Mississippi watershed and the Pacific coastal lands and of stimulating colonization in these additions of connecting national sectors with communication systems of promoting a naval strength for projecting this onto favorable Eurasian balances and of striving for global hegemony rather than empire These eight traits could well be described more fully and other features added But the case for a North American heartland should be convincing – an isolated and secure interior and a leadership that extends beyond America onto Eurasia Analysis of this reality will extend into Part Four ahead further evidence will be offered by way of the above eight features now utilized to describing Mackinder’s alleged heartland of middle Eurasia the comparisons for the most part demonstrating the better fit for the United States and the lack of suitability for the original Eurasian placement (1)The Eurasian interior shows a potentially-dangerous encirclement by the margin’s Great Powers reflective of the perils of central location and Turkey in particular threaten the security of the interior’s position these rival states checkmating any Russian thrust to the open seas never succeeded in adding territory to its empire once the power vacuums of the Second World War had closed Its demise decades later in part could have reflected a bankruptcy for attempted imperial ambitions by straining its resources to keeping pace in global rivalry with a stronger North American heartland and the historic Great Game would add to these dilemmas also helping to contain a core widening its power The region is exposed to harsh and prolonged cold climate for growing with diminished rainfall and infertile soils as well retarding agriculture also with a limited access to key industrial minerals despite abundant oil and natural gas resources erasing the advantages of barge traffic and making road Failure to effectively settle its Siberian Pacific coastlands has hindered Russia from becoming a strong continental nation and a two-ocean naval power exposing it further to maritime blockage and to Chinese invasion into the interior (3)Its rectangular configuration has not provided advantage as well because of the encircling margins of opponents and to the obstacles of checkerboards and shatter belts It would be difficult to imagine a fully-unified continent with such limitations in its interior absence of natural frontiers contributes to fluctuating borders reminiscent of hinterland conquests and of shifting national sovereignties (4)Rivers run northward into the Arctic; none flow longitudinally to offer unity and to less costly transport and communications as exhibited in the Mississippi river basin The waters arriving to the polar Arctic lack commercial importance despite the summer passage openings to the region due to climate warming (5)Abundant energy resources have not brought industrial success the area still lacking necessary ingredients for productivity: a strong agricultural food base and industrial minerals linked to advanced technology (6)A sparse immigration into the region has resulted the lands not attractive to settlement for the reasons presented above and lack of consistent leadership to integrate the Asian end with the European such figures should exhibit sufficient evidence to show that the continental Eurasian core is distinctly not equal in power to rival the American equivalent The World Island instead should be defined as a primary stage for strategic balancing with the unity of an interior region plus surrounding rimlands together being improvements to the traditional ideal Conclusions Relative to the North American Continental Heartland Several consequences spring from this essay’s updated heartland thesis as outlined in Parts Two and Three a World Island of both interior and marginal lands with neither superior over the other appears the more realistic description of this great continent It holds in strategic terms the continental platform for balancing among the area’s Great Powers – China and Japan on the eastward extension with a potential for checkerboards and shatter belts added to the regional and strategic mix role of Eurasian offshore balancing; indeed a successful American leverage could well-stabilize the entire continent in the US role as a hegemonic leader-state The United States holds the greater pivot within the Eurasian balances reflective of its location of distance And third,several scenarios will conclude this final part that rest upon these altered premises How do these transformations color the portrayals of future global foreign affairs The whole of Eurasia as the stage for global strategic balancing Mackinder’s Eurasian interior by itself has never seen steady interest within the security strategies of US policy elites,the prominence of that central region normally being drawn into the continental whole have figured as a prime focus of such planning and billeting of American strength A good example of this is seen in the writings of Zbigniew Brzezinski who emphasized the importance of the “grand chessboard” of Eurasia as a whole by writing: (1997 xiii) “Ever since the continents started interacting politically Eurasia has been the center of world power.” Yet the “world’s central security concern,” (2004 36) has become more diverse and thus more difficult to control its disruptions and the very deliberate deployment of one’s political assets [as] key ingredients of the successful exercise of geostrategic power on the Eurasia chessboard.” (1997 35-36) An “ultimate guarantor of global stability,” (2004 192) the United States must “accommodate” or settle likely challenges of the coming years or suffer “global anarchy,” (1997 195-197) becoming an isolated “garrison state imbued with a siege mentality.” (2004 xiv) “American foreign policy must remain concerned with the geopolitical dimension [that] must apply its influence in Eurasia in a manner that creates a stable continental equilibrium with the United States as the political arbiter It is imperative that no Eurasian challenger emerges capable of dominating Eurasia and thus also of challenging America.” appears commonly within similar grand designs of American statecraft Further examples are expressed by George Kennan (1951 Brzezinski’s Eurasian “grand chessboard” correctly portrays the place of global strategic involvement here reside two/thirds of the Earth’s territories and riches as well as the four leader-states with the United States Eurasia for better or worse occupies the global center; it poises as the strategic reality of international relations Mackinder and the three writers cited being agreed in this assessment The major states of the continent performing on this Eurasian stage to their misfortune cannot unify sufficient for checkmating the American intrusions despite this potential concentration of resources these preventing nations acting in unison or in agreement the great surface identifies also with a potential for checkerboards and shatter belts something not felt so decisively among other regions on the global margins with interior and periphery both strategically active will perform as a continental stage for great-state actors a territory more important than the remaining world regions and a place of global balancing despite a stronger heartland in North America immune from Eurasian pressures but possessing an ability itself to intervene to its favor within the various power balances that might locate upon the Eurasian mainland Earth’s strategic politics must in these cases focus upon Eurasia North America as offshore balancer within Eurasia From its safe haven within the North American heartland the United States enjoys far greater ability to intervene into parts of Eurasia than do the Eurasians into America the American hegemon can balance Eurasian Great Powers from afar and for its advantage its naval superiority able to manipulate the advanced nations upon either of the Eurasian flanks Germany and Russia on the western and China and Japan on the eastern exhibiting little threat of aggrandizement to distract Eurasian allies from associating with the Americans America clearly differs from the other four leader countries in its ability to master the forces upon Eurasia without itself requiring a direct Eurasia residence (Levy and Thompson 2010) in an ideal world the United States as global hegemon naturally would prefer a balancing its interests pointing to trade and to political maturity observed among the other nations that would enhance its overseas investments Additional territories and political control over others and their distant resources would not fit these designs although this scenario admits also to a practical image of greed as well as to altruism North America represents the primary Eurasian stabilizer this role made more effective when the continent itself rests at some level of equilibrium realist theorists debate the duration of a “unipolar moment,” one in which America hails unilaterally as the global leader-state but only for a brief stint Some partisans of the balance-of-power thesis argue that rival challengers naturally will arise to tip the commanding hegemon from its higher pentacle a multipolar pattern inevitably replacing the single pole Rivals will copy the leader’s technologies that country also declining via bankruptcy as such a decline has not yet happened over a span of several decades might that “moment” be extended to a more elongated American leadership And might this wider expanse of time reflect the powerful strategic reach of the American heartland the United States does not suffer rimland encirclement of hostile leader-states Its wealth in resources far exceeds those of the Russian steppes Despite this American advantage of balancing among the Great States of Eurasia in strategic terms the global patterns still could show a variety of outcomes as a consequence of this two-regional structure – a North American heartland and a single but extended Eurasian World Island How might a selection of possible scenarios then be drawn in terms of the available sorts of fluctuating balances within these Eurasian configurations a brief review of several assumptions appears necessary Discussion limits to the five Great Powers and Russia with the United States “dabbling from afar,” all configured within a Eurasian continental balance-of-power that might show some mixtures of unity and rivalry and of stability and disarray The balancing figures to be symmetrical and not asymmetrical the involvement only among the Great Powers and not of less potent countries or of such topics as terrorism (1)A unipolar structure of continued American hegemony and of its ability to offshore balance to its favor among Eurasian states of both interior and margins America is able to contain any countries that threaten a global peace extending the American unipolar moment well into the present decade and probably beyond Such a premise seems the most realistic of our final scenarios assuming American power remains strong and the Eurasian countries stay divided and not overtly hostile To “divide-and-conquer” for its protection well-serves United States security These qualities likewise offer greater possibilities for constructing alliances with Eurasian states in need of protection from aggressive neighbors the remote Americans more trusted than nearby states that could threaten against their independence (2)A still powerful US but with less leverage upon the Eurasian continent Several dramas might play out in this instance One reflects a shift to multi-polarity that foretells the rise in power and possible aggressiveness of some or all of the Eurasian Great States Such a picture might also indicate a relative decline in strength of the United States or of its distaste for Eurasian involvement Christopher Layne (2007) has suggested this potential a shift from post-World War Two US preponderance to an emerging offshore balancing albeit among more serious great -power rivals with a partial American retrenchment from the continental rimlands This outcome could hold a chance for conflict and war across the continent strife that may arouse American intervention in Eurasian places of vital interest (3)Another possibility might introduce a failed Russian state Vladimir Putin’s kleptocratic rule collapsing and his extensive lands reverting to a power vacuum attractive for others to absorb How might this interior void impact upon the rest of Eurasia and its global periphery and Turkey moving into the adjacent frontiers firming up their own securities and economic and political needs by intrusions upon the imperial hinterlands A Russian collapse spells a serious disruption or other state failures could create political voids as well and stir regional tensions and shatter belts US attention to these other failing states may show similar interventions so chaotic as to prevent effective American rimland alliances and the ability to balance for stability One much dreaded by North American leaders this entails collapse of the predominant checkerboard of historic rivalries among the leading states an unbuckling hard to imagine at the present moment the United States might well be forced to isolate from the turmoil its intervention not able to impose stability (5)A pan-region alternative – a walled-off Earth represents another worst-case scenario in which             the five Great Powers align to protect themselves against the global margins suffering destitution and emitting possible Third World threat the world divided into rich and poor nations and gated from one another this reality portrays the United States and the other Great Powers in league for suppressing within their own regional compartments any threat to their prosperities from countries in poverty and for exploiting their sectors for labor and World Islands lose their appeal within these patterns (6)  A weakened or disinterested United States that withdraws and isolates from its tradition of Eurasian offshore balancing a nation restrained in its involvement for reasons of a change in defense policy or of disrupted conditions within the World Island or America itself (7) A United States intent on progressive global leadership could America see advantage in retrenchment without this collapse happening perhaps a political decision to see justice and security in a multipolar configuration of a sharing among the world leader-states to construct a stronger world government and law and to join in a joint searching for solutions to global poverty America could itself decide    assertively to lead the world into such directions taking responsibility for its heritage of richness within the North American heartland this essay now must conclude after repeating the primary argument – –  that Mackinder’s original thesis can be extended and updated to include a more expansive two-part strategic design one containing a complete Eurasian World Island And within that structure one would recognize a wholly-reasonable American heartland located so visibly within the Mississippi River basin MD does not stand behind any specific agenda and arguments to the light and see what remains valid and sound Metrics details Loss of epithelial polarity and gain in invasiveness by carcinoma cells are critical events in the aggressive progression of cancers and depend on phenotypic transition programs such as the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) Many studies have reported the aberrant expression of voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV) in carcinomas and specifically the NaV1.5 isoform in breast cancer cells is associated with increased invasiveness but its participation to the EMT has to be clarified we show that reducing the expression of NaV1.5 in highly aggressive human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells reverted the mesenchymal phenotype reduced cancer cell invasiveness and the expression of the EMT-promoting transcription factor SNAI1 The heterologous expression of NaV1.5 in weakly invasive MCF-7 breast cancer cells induced their expression of both SNAI1 and ZEB1 and increased their invasive capacities In MCF-7 cells the stimulation with the EMT-activator signal TGF-β1 increased the expression of SCN5A the reduction of the salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) expression promoted NaV1.5-dependent invasiveness and expression of EMT-associated transcription factor SNAI1 these results indicated a prominent role of SIK1 in regulating NaV1.5-dependent EMT and invasiveness the participation of NaV channels in the EMT is still elusive This study was aimed to elucidate the role of NaV1.5 in the EMT and its potential regulation by SIK1 we show that NaV1.5 expression promotes EMT in breast cancer cells and is upregulated by TGF-β1 knocking down SIK1 expression induces NaV1.5 expression and is correlated with the increase of cancer cell invasiveness SCN5A/NaV1.5 heterologous expression in poorly aggressive MCF-7 cells increases invasive phenotype (A) Representative micrographs showing MCF-7 cells transfected with NaV1.5-GFP in phase contrast (left) and in epifluorescence (right) (B) Representative whole-cell current recordings obtained in MCF-7 cells transfected with either eGFP pcDNA3.1 (top recordings or from MCF-7 cells transfected with NaV1.5-GFP pcDNA3.1 (bottom in response to depolarizing 30-ms pulses from −95 to +60 mV in 5-mV steps applied every 2 s from a holding potential of ─100 mV Red dotted lines indicate baseline levels (zero current) (C) Representative whole-cell voltage-gated sodium currents recorded at −5 mV from a holding potential of −100 mV in absence (Control presence of TTX (30 µM) and after washing out the toxin with PSS (Washout) (D) Current density-voltage (I-V) relationship for NaV1.5-GFP channels heterologously expressed in MCF-7 cells (n = 7) Peak sodium currents were averaged and plotted as a function of the depolarizing potential (Vm) (E) Conductance-voltage (blue circles) and steady-state inactivation-voltage (red triangles) relationships of peak Na+ currents recorded in MCF-7 cells heterologously expressing NaV1.5-GFP channels Smooth lines are fits to Boltzmann functions and V1/2 values were calculated for each parameter V1/2-activation: −39.5 ± 0.6 mV and V1/2-inactivation: −68.6 ± 1.2 mV (F) Invasiveness of MCF-7 cell transfected with NaV1.5-GFP expressed as a ratio to expression levels in cells transfected with eGFP Data were obtained from 4 independent experiments (G) mRNA expression levels of SNAI1 and ZEB1 genes assessed by RT-qPCR in MCF-7 cells transfected with NaV1.5-GFP and treated with tetrodotoxin (TTX vehicle) and expressed as ratios to expression levels in MCF-7 transfected with eGFP (n = 4 separate experiments TGFβ1 treatment enhances SCN5A expression and invasive phenotype (A) Effect of TGF-β1 (5 ng/mL) on the expression of SCN5A Results were obtained by RT-qPCR from 4 independent experiments and expressed as a ratio to the control condition (vehicle) P values indicate significant differences compared with the control condition at the same time point (Mann-Whitney rank sum test) otherwise there is no statistical difference (B) Effect of TGF-β1 (5 ng/mL for 24 h) on the invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 cells Data were obtained from 3 independent paired experiments and p < 0.001 when comparing TGF-β1 to TGF-β1 + TTX (Mann-Whitney rank sum test) (C) Effect of TGF-β1 (5 ng/mL) on the expression of SCN5A (E) Effect of TGF-β1 (5 ng/mL for 24 h) on the invasiveness MCF-7 cells and P = 0.019 when comparing TGF-β1 to TGF-β1 + TTX (Mann-Whitney rank sum test) These results indicate that EMT-inducing conditions such as the stimulation of cancer cells with TGF-β1 could promote SCN5A expression and NaV1.5-dependent increase in invasive capacities The Salt-inducible Kinase type 1 (SIK1) is downregulated in breast cancer. (A) The expression level of SIK1 in normal breast (normal tissue, n = 114), primary breast tumours (n = 1097) and metastatic tumours (n = 7) is analysed from datasets coming from the “The Cancer Genome Atlas” (http://cancergenome.nih.gov) from the US National Cancer Institute data were log2-transformed and centered to the median P values indicate significant differences (Mann-Whitney rank sum test) as compared to normal tissue (B) The expression level of SIK1 in normal breast (normal tissue n = 114) and in different breast tumour grades: I (n = 125) (C–E) Expression level of SIK1 assessed by RT-qPCR from breast cancer biopsies obtained from the University Hospital of Tours and expressed as –deltaCt using HPRT1 as a reference gene (C) depending on breast cancer subtypes: luminal A (Lum A n = 10) and triple-negative breast tumour (TN (E) depending on the expression of HER2 negative (n = 35) or positive (n = 14) Knocking down SIK1 expression increases NaV1.5-dependent cancer cell invasiveness (A) Effect of silencing SIK1 (siSIK1) in MDA-MB-231 cells on the mRNA expression of SIK1 Results were obtained from 4 independent RT-qPCR experiments and are expressed relatively to the results obtained when transfecting control irrelevant siRNA (siCTL) P values indicate significant differences (Mann-Whitney rank sum test) as compared to siCTL condition (B) Effect of silencing SIK1 (siSIK1) on the invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 shCTL and shNaV1.5 cells Results are coming from 4 independent experiments and are expressed relatively to the effect of the siCTL condition in shCTL cells P values indicate significant differences (Mann-Whitney rank sum test) as compared to siCTL condition in shCTL cells NS stands for “no statistical difference” between siCTL and siSIK1 conditions in shNaV1.5 cells (C) Relative H+ efflux measurements induced by reintroduction of 130 mM NaCl in MDA-MB-231 shCTL cells transfected with either siCTL or siSIK1 after a NH4Cl wash pulse-induced intracellular acidification in a Na+-free solution Results are coming from 5 independent experiments and are expressed relatively to the efflux measured in the siCTL condition P value indicates a significant difference (Mann-Whitney rank sum test) when compared to the siCTL condition (D) Relative H+ efflux measurements induced by reintroduction of 130 mM NaCl in MDA-MB-231 shNaV1.5 cells transfected with either siCTL or siSIK1 NS indicates “no statistical difference” when compared to the siCTL condition (E) Effect of silencing SIK1 (siSIK1) in MCF-7 cells on the mRNA expression of SIK1 Results were obtained from 7 independent RT-qPCR experiments P values indicate significant differences (Mann-Whitney rank sum test) as compared to the siCTL condition (F) Effect of silencing SIK1 (siSIK1) on the invasiveness of MCF-7 cells in the presence of 30 µM tetrodotoxin (TTX) or not (CTL Results are coming from 7 independent experiments and are expressed relatively to the effect of the CTL condition in siCTL cells P values indicate significant differences (Mann-Whitney rank sum test) NS stands for “no statistical difference” between CTL and TTX conditions in siCTL cells these results indicate that the loss of SIK1 participate in promoting breast cancer cell invasiveness through the induction of SCN5A expression and NaV1.5 activity and not the adult splice variant isoform that might be restricted to non-cancer excitable cells Whether this is the case for other types of cancers still has to be investigated The reason why some NaV isoforms are specifically expressed and correlated to some specific cancers MDA-MB-231 cells stably knocked-down for the expression of NaV1.5 (shRNA transduction) did not show any significant reduction in the protein expression from SNAI1 although a tendency for a small reduction could be observed on the western blot shown and no effect on vimentin or SLUG expression A possible explanation for this discrepancy could be the selection of a specific clone expressing the transduced shRNA we cannot exclude the possibility that intracellular NaV1.5 channels might also be involved in the regulation of cancer cell invasiveness Cardiac fibrosis could result from an increased collagen expression and maturation from cardiac fibroblasts or from a decrease in the collagen fibres turnover which is normally regulated by proteolytic enzymes It is of particular interest to notice that a loss-of-function of NaV1.5 in cardiac cells promotes collagen deposit and fibrosis while its gain of function in cancer cells induces extracellular matrix degradation and invasion The fact that in one case TGF-β1 reduces NaV1.5 expression and activity in cardiac cells but increases them in cancer cells might be representative of a complex feedback regulation that might be lost during carcinogenesis we confirmed a reduction of SIK1 expression in breast tumours and further identified that reducing SIK1 expression in breast cancer cells induced SCN5A expression and NaV1.5-dependent invasiveness The loss of SIK1 expression in epithelial-like phenotype MCF-7 cells promoted the expression of SNAI1 but did not significantly modulate its expression in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells already largely engaged in a mesenchymal phenotype these results suggest that loss of SIK1 in cancer cells might be a critical step in tumour progression by inducing NaV1.5 expression and activity triggering the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and the acquisition of pro-metastatic capacities that might be associated with a complete dysregulation of Na+ homeostasis in the cancer The expression level of SIK1 gene in breast cancer tissues was performed using data available from “The Cancer Genome Atlas” for breast invasive carcinoma (TCGA BRCA) by using Cancer Genomics Browser (http://xena.ucsc.edu/) Tetrodotoxin was purchased from Latoxan (France) All other drugs and chemicals were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (France) coming from surgical interventions performed by the gynaecological surgery department of the University-Hospital of Tours were frozen in liquid nitrogen and conserved at the tumour collection (N°DC2008-308) All experiments and methods were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations and approved by the “Comité de Protection des Personnes” (CPP) of Tours hospital Informed consent was obtained from all subjects from MDA-MB-231 cells stably expressing the luciferase gene Briefly these two cell lines were obtained by transduction with a lentiviral vector encoding a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) specifically targeting human SCN5A transcripts (shNaV1.5 cell line) or a null-target shRNA (shCTL cell line) inhibiting the expression of NaV1.5 protein was obtained by DNA polymerase fill-in of two partially complementary primers: 5′-GGATCCCCAAGGCACAAGTGCGTGCGCAATTCAAGAGA-3′ and 5′-AAGCTTAAAAAAAGGCACAAGTGCGTGCGCAATCTCTTGAA-3′ We constructed a lentiviral vector expressing a null-target shRNA (pLenti-shCTL) using the following primers: 5′-GGATCCCCGCCGACCAATTCACGGCCGTTCAAGAGACG-3′ and 5′-AAGCTTAAAAAGCCGACCAATTCACGGCCGTCTCTTGAACG-3′ Tests assessing for mycoplasma contamination were performed once a week MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were transfected with 20 nM small interfering RNA (siRNA France) targeting the expression of SIK1 (siSIK1 SiRNA Transfections were performed with Lipofectamine RNAi max (Invitrogen MCF-7 cells were transfected with a pcDNA3.1 plasmid encoding for human NaV1.5-GFP (generous gift of Dr or alternatively by a pcDNA3.1 plasmid encoding for enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) were transfected with 1 µg cDNA using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen Transfection efficiency was verified by qPCR using an iCycler® system (BioRad Whole-cell currents were recorded, as already described46 under the voltage-clamp mode of the patch-clamp technique using an Axopatch 200B patch clamp amplifier (Axon Instrument Patch pipettes were pulled from borosilicate glass (TW150-3 and sampled at 10 kHz using a 1440 A Digidata converter Cell capacitance and series resistance were electronically compensated by about 60% The P/2 sub-pulse correction of cell leakage and capacitance was used to study Na+ current (INa) Sodium currents were recorded by depolarizing the cells from a holding potential (HP) of –100 mV to a maximal test pulse of –30 mV for 30 ms every 500 ms Sodium current-voltage (INa-V) relationships were determined using the following protocol: the membrane was depolarized from a HP of –100 mV to potentials from –80 to +60 mV Availability-voltage relationships were obtained by applying 50 ms prepulses using the INa-V curve procedure followed by a depolarizing pulse to –5 mV for 50 ms Currents were normalized to the amplitude of the test current without a prepulse Currents amplitudes were normalized to cell capacitance and expressed as current density (pA/pF) The Physiological Saline Solution (PSS) had the following composition (in mM): NaCl 140 The intrapipette solution had the following composition (in mM): KCl 130 The upper chamber of the insert was seeded with 6 × 104 cells in their conventional growing medium (containing 5% FCS) The lower compartment was filled with DMEM supplemented with 10% FCS Cells were let to invade for 24 h at the 37 °C and 5%-CO2 incubator Cells that had invaded and were adherent to the lower side of the insert were stained with DAPI Cells were manually counted on the whole area of the insert membrane Assays were performed in triplicate in each separate experiment Fluorescent probes and conjugated antibodies were purchased from Fisher Scientific (France) An index value of “1.0” indicates a perfect circle while a value approaching “0” corresponds to an increasingly elongated shape Data were displayed as box plots indicating the first quartile whiskers indicating the minimal and maximal values Non-parametric statistical tests were performed (Mann-Whitney rank sum test) using SigmaStat 3.0 software (Systat software 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Methods 25, 402–408, https://doi.org/10.1006/meth.2001.1262 (2001) Na(+)-H+ antiporter activity in relation to membrane fatty acid composition and cell proliferation P2X(7) receptor activation enhances SK3 channels- and cystein cathepsin-dependent cancer cells invasiveness Download references This work was supported by the University of Tours the “Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer – Interrégion Grand-Ouest” the Région Centre-Val de Loire (grant “NaVMetarget”) was recipient of a prize “Prix Ruban Rose Avenir 2017” from the Charity “le Cancer du sein: parlons-en!” We thank Mrs Catherine Le Roy and Mrs Carole Desplanches for secretary and administrative assistance and Mrs Isabelle Domingo for cell culture assistance We thank Mr Julien Gaillard for the assistance with scanning electron microscopy These authors contributed equally: Frédéric Gradek All authors contributed extensively to the work presented in this study performed all electrophysiological and epifluorescence experiments molecular and cellular biology experiments participated to molecular biology experiments performed RT-qPCR from human breast cancer biopsies resected and selected tumours and patients participated to lentiviral particles production and the generation of small hairpin RNA or overexpressing cancer cell lines contributed in discussion and correction of the manuscript analysed the data and wrote the manuscript The authors declare no competing interests Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-55197-5 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. 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Detail from Cerro Rico and the Imperial Municipality of Potosí (1758) He is currently finishing a global history of the great Potosí mint fraud of 1649 Edited bySam Haselby SaveSYNDICATE THIS ESSAYEmailSavePostShareIn 1678 a Chaldean priest from Baghdad reached the Imperial Villa of Potosí the world’s richest silver-mining camp and at the time the world’s highest city at more than 4,000 metres (13,100 feet) above sea level A regional capital in the heart of the Bolivian Andes Potosí remains – more than three and a half centuries later – a mining city today Its baroque church towers stand watch as ore trucks rumble into town hauling zinc and lead ores for export to Asia as he was known – arrived in 17th-century Potosí with permission from Spain’s Queen Regent would stave off the Sunni Ottomans and Shiite Safavids who battled for control of Iraq periodically blasting Baghdad to smithereens with newly scaled-up gunpowder weapons Just as worrisome to Don Elias were fellow Christians The great red Cerro Rico or ‘Rich Hill’ towered over the city of Potosí It had been mined since 1545 by drafted armies of native Andean men fuelled by coca leaves When Don Elias arrived a century and a quarter later the great boom of c1575-1635 – when Potosí alone produced nearly half the world’s silver – was over but the mines were still yielding the precious metal native workers were scarce and the output of the mines dwindling Don Elias marvelled at piles of ‘pieces of eight’ rough-hewn precursors of the American dollar He saw them ‘heaped on the floor and being trampled underfoot like dirt that has no value’ Potosí’s medieval technologies kept producing fortunes indigenous and African women served up maize beer Shops displayed the world’s finest silk and linen fabrics Flemish paintings and bestselling books in a dozen languages Votive African ivories carved by Chinese artisans in Manila were especially coveted by the city’s most pious and wealthy women wealthy women clicked Potosí’s cobbled streets in silver-heeled platform shoes chokers and bracelets studded with Indian diamonds and Burmese rubies Colombian emeralds and Caribbean pearls were almost too common Peninsular Spanish ‘foodies’ could savour imported almonds Black pepper arrived from Sumatra and southwest India cloves from Maluku and nutmeg from the Banda Islands Overloaded galleons spent months transporting these luxuries across the Pacific Plodding mule and llama trains carried them up to the lofty Imperial Villa the lifeblood of trade and sinews of war – and as Don Elias knew the surest means to propagate the Roman Catholic faith the city consumed the world’s top commodities and manufactures Merchants savoured the chance to trade their wares for hard The city’s dozen-plus notaries worked non-stop inventorying silver bars and sacks of pesos loaded onto grumbling mules for the trans-Andean trek to the Pacific port of Arica or for the much longer four- to six-month haul south to Buenos Aires and in the dry season livestock died of thirst between scant watering holes Mule trains returning from the Pacific brought merchandise and mercury the essential ingredient for silver refining Most mercury came from Huancavelica in Peru but the Spanish Habsburgs also tapped mines in Almadén (La Mancha) and Idrija (Slovenia) From Buenos Aires came slavers with captive Africans from Congo and Angola Many of the enslaved were children branded with marks mirroring those but central European mines also flourished after 1450 faltering only before Potosí hit its stride in the 1570s Silver was discovered in Norway in the 1620s exported substantial silver via the port of Nagasaki after 1570 The main exporters of Japanese silver however were the Chinese Yet Mexico’s many mining camps – Zacatecas Real del Monte and the namesake San Luis Potosí – peaked only after 1690 the Mexican peso or ‘pillar dollar’ took the world by storm Even in the Andes of South America there were other silver cities (or towns) besides Potosí including Oruro and Castrovirreyna in Peru But no silver deposit in the world matched the Cerro Rico and no other mining-refining conglomeration grew so large made the pilgrimage to the silver mountain Ottoman artists depicted Potosí as a slice of earthly paradise declared the Cerro Rico the Eighth Wonder of the World An indigenous visitor in 1615 gushed: ‘Thanks to its mines and the king is monarch of the world.’ A 1602 Chinese world map identified the Cerro Rico as Bei Du Xi Shan What Don Elias might not have known in 1678 was that Potosí’s reputation – and with it the Spanish Empire’s – had a generation earlier suffered mightily King Philip IV dispatched a former inquisitor to unravel a massive debasement scheme that had metastasised inside Potosí’s royal mint The plot corrupted nearly every official within 1,000 miles Even Peru’s viceroy was suspected of complicity and before long merchants from Boston to Beijing were rejecting Potosí coins The fountain of fortune had become a poisoned well It took more than a decade to hunt down and punish the great Potosí mint fraud’s culprits and to restore the coinage to proper weight and purity A new design debuted to signal the new coins but winning back global trust in Potosí silver took decades even as Don Elias took donations in exchange for sermons in Syriac Sumatran pepper-growers balked at coins stamped with a ‘P’ Like the Bernard Madoff scandal of the 2000s the Potosí mint fraud of the 1640s tells an interesting if not universal story Nobody wanted to admit that they had been deceived the mint fraud – an inside job – was a world-class embarrassment and a sign of the decline of his empire’s fortunes The global flood of bad coins hurt everyone Gujarati and Chinese bankers suffered ‘haircuts’ merchants worldwide forfeited precious ties of crosscultural trust and soldiers throughout Eurasia saw their pay halved or worse Almost a century before Don Elias visited Potosí Viceroy Francisco de Toledo revolutionised world silver production Toledo was a hard-driving bureaucrat of the Spanish empire – and he more than any single man transformed Potosí from a hardscrabble mining camp into a bona fide city but one suited to the ambitions of King Philip II the first European monarch to rule an empire upon which the sun never set anxious to flip it into the empire’s motor of commerce and war the viceroy had organised a sweeping labour draft launched a ‘high-tech’ mill-building campaign and overseen construction of a web of dams and canals to supply the Imperial Villa with year-round hydraulic power all in the high Andes at the nadir of the Little Ice Age Toledo also oversaw construction of the Potosí mint higher in silver content than they were supposed to be Toledo’s successes came with a steep price hundreds of thousands of Andeans became virtual refugees (those who survived) and colonists denuded hundreds of miles of fragile introduced from Mexico on the viceroy’s orders The city’s smelteries belched lead and zinc-rich smoke guarantees that its children would suffer lifelong stupefaction Environmental hazards multiplied as the city boomed and with these ills came murderous social conflicts political corruption and general criminality Epidemics swept the city every few decades How did people respond to this lawlessness and chaos How could they live in such an iniquitous and foul place In what might be termed the ‘Deadwood paradox’ bonanza brought out the worst in people even as it also provoked startling acts of liberality The Habsburgs had discovered the magic formula for turning silver into stone The Habsburg kings of Spain cared little about Potosí’s social and environmental horrors the Cerro Rico fuelled the world’s first global military-industrial complex granting Spain the means to prosecute decades-long wars on a dozen fronts – on land and at sea No one else could do all this and still afford to lose the promise of silver futures – rendered the Spanish Habsburgs’ otherwise absurd dreams possible large quantities of Potosí silver slipped away siphoned off by the empire’s friends and enemies alike: foreign bankers silver’s abundance stunted other parts of Castile’s internal economy Some joked that the Habsburgs had discovered the magic formula for turning silver into stone fiscal crises and costly building projects all over Europe mostly fuelled commercial and imperial expansion in Asia followed by a few intrepid Italians and Scandinavians jockeyed with each other and with the embattled Spanish and Portuguese for a space at the great Asian table Europeans steered or inflected some of this pan-Asian trade and empire-building Often forgotten were the many thousands of Asian and African merchants and bankers based in Mombasa moved and lent more Potosí silver than all Europeans combined Chinese diasporic trading communities in Southeast Asia alone controlled a large share of this global business ruled tributary states whose size and diversity more than matched the empires of the Iberians Just as the Spanish Habsburgs began squaring off against the French and English the ‘gunpowder’ monarchs of the Middle East and South Asia scooped up satellite kingdoms and principalities but the historic Qing takeover was hardly instantaneous Both Qinqs and Mings spent massively as China’s economy shuddered from war and famine Ming subjects scrambled for slivers of silver to ward off invading soldiers or to buy passage to freedom But it was without qualification a global city a showcase of technological innovation and cultural sophistication most famously Eduardo Galeano in Open Veins of Latin America (1971) held up Potosi as the tragic exemplum of third-world underdevelopment was translated and republished for centuries In the decades before the great mint fraud proclaiming that he (and the world at large) needed them more than vice versa The end came not as spectacular implosion but as irreversible decline Lower taxes and the imposition of a harsher labour regimen lifted silver production in the later 18th century but the mines were deep and mercury expensive Simón Bolívar reached a beaten-down but jubilant Potosí in 1825 but British capitalists – close on the Liberator’s heels – could not revive the mines It was local entrepreneurs and smallscale miners and refiners who kept Potosí alive to the end of the 19th century using archaic but trusted technologies By the time that the American historian Hiram Bingham visited the former Imperial Villa in 1909 Potosí had less than a 10th of the population it had boasted three centuries before A colonial precursor to Bingham’s 1911 ‘discovery’ of Machu Picchu the old Imperial Villa struck the professor as a silent spectre not a typical US ghost town but rather a ‘super-sized’ object lesson in the vanity of Catholic Spain’s global ambitions mineral rushes had helped to produce cities such as San Francisco and Johannesburg but nothing quite compared for sheer audacity with the Imperial Villa of Potosí a neo-medieval mining metropolis perched in the Andes of South America Potosí’s Cerro Rico continues to supply the world with raw metals Half-processed ores wend their way through town and across the mountains and the Altiplano The city has grown considerably in recent decades now surpassing its colonial population (and severely straining its water supply) Has Potosí come full circle or is it stuck in the same rut Will the sale of metallic mud to Asian manufacturers do more for ordinary folks than what was done by the silver-hungry Spanish the Imperial Villa of Potosí was famous not only for its mineral bounty but also for its artistic production the city’s inhabitants gave Don Elias a small fortune in silver to fund his quixotic project in ‘Babylon’ Potosí also remained infamous for its pollution Potosí was a mountain of silver that changed the world even as the world changed it After five centuries of globalisation and exploitation we can look back on this unique city’s history and ask what EmailSavePostShareSYNDICATE THIS ESSAYSaveessay The Norse ravaged much of Europe for centuries. They were also cosmopolitan explorers who followed trade winds into the Far East Like today’s large language models, 16th-century humanists had techniques to automate writing – to the detriment of novelty Saveessay After a murderous kidnapping in Nigeria, I launched a campaign to put a stop to the abductions. Why did no one listen? When AI takes over the practice of science we will likely find the results strange and incomprehensible. Should we worry? In Plato’s Symposium, Socrates shared a theory of love from the teachings of a ‘non-Athenian woman’. Who was she really? Saveessay Condemned to death by firing squad, French resistance fighters put pen to paper. Their dying words can teach us how to live Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Kiwanis -- Kiwanis and Key Club members loading relief supplies for Hurricane Laura victims are spoke to the Baton Rouge Civil War Round Table on Sept East Baton Rouge Parish Republican Women -- At the East Baton Rouge Parish Republican Women's monthly luncheon on Sept Plantation Trace -- Mary and Craig Roussel won September Yard of the Month in Plantation Trace subdivision Phi Beta Sigma -- Omicron Beta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity presented the September Black Owned Business Award to Dwanda Davis The Kiwanis Clubs of Red Stick and Baton Rouge along with the Baton Rouge Magnet High School Key Club loaded hurricane relief supplies for Hurricane Laura victims in Lake Charles BRMHS Key Club members collected nearly $11,000 worth of supplies Participants included Red Stick President Gary LaBauve; Red Stick President-elect Matt Robinson; Red Stick board member Don Wiseman; LAMISSTENN Gov a member of the Downtown club; Downtown member Joy Hammett; Downtown Membership Chair Gary Graham; Downtown members Robert McLaughlin and Mark Heindenthal; BRMHS Key Club sponsor Kim DiVincenti Denson; and Key Clubbers Omar Charcas and Josh Bellan of Division 8A Abigail Peck coordinated the effort spoke about causes for the Civil War besides slavery to the Baton Rouge Civil War Round Table on Sept but the argument that the war was all about slavery is oversimplified He said several Northern states had slaves when the Confederacy began and bankers in the North financed buying slaves in both areas Slave fleets did not headquarter in Southern ports but operated out of Boston President Abraham Lincoln did nothing to stop the slave-related shipping interests because the proceeds stayed mainly in the North political and economic differences between the North and the South that helped set the stage for war Northern corporations promoted high taxes on goods the South imported forcing them to buy cheaper and sometimes inferior goods from the North of which $70 million was paid by the South Immigration before the Civil War caused a political shift that greatly favored the North and Southerners feared the region was destined to be an economic colony of the North if it remained in the Union making secession their only course of action Three Baton Rouge-area individuals and organizations are among nine selected statewide for Champions of Service awards from Volunteer Louisiana Selected for the award were the Silver Hammers a group that repairs homes for the elderly and poor; Shirley Williams Volunteer Louisiana will have a virtual ceremony at noon Friday The Silver Hammers were selected as the Capital Area Champions of Service for their work with Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge The group of retires volunteers every Monday and Wednesday and has worked on over 60 flooded homes and built hundreds of wheelchair ramps Williams is recognized as Senior Corps Champion of Service She serves under AmeriCorps’ Senior Corps and has served as a Senior Corps foster grandparent for 17 years She has provided one-on-one tutoring to students Small is recognized as AmeriCorps Champion of Service in thanks to her service as an AmeriCorps member serving with Teach for America Small is the only fourth-grade teacher for 26 students and teaches all four core subjects at Rosenwald Elementary School The Capital Area United Way Board of Directors corporate and community partners kicked off CAUW’s 96th year during the organization’s Virtual Annual Meeting which was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube on Sept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana; John Everett Southern University Foundation; Kelli Joseph Helena Parish Schools District superintendent; Stan Levy Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System; Jackie McCreary Mental Health Association of Greater Baton Rouge; Allen Pertuit New board officers are: Chair Aaron Stanford Morgan Stanley Wealth Management; board Chair-elect and Community Impact Chair Amanda Stout McGlinchey; Secretary and Community Impact Vice Chair Joseph Britt Westlake Vinyls; Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Glenda Minor community representative; Resource Development Chair Michelle Hardy Turner Industries; Resource Development Chair-elect Dave Luecke ExxonMobil; Communications and Marketing Chair Jolen Stein BASF; past Board Chair Robert Schneckenburger Hancock Whitney Bank; and CAUW President and CEO George Bell Email George Morris at gmorris@theadvocate.com Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University hosted Fête des Fidèles Goes Virtual on Oct 1 and raised $37,722 in support of student scholar… Police agents of the Homicide Investigation Division based in Santiago de los Caballeros through an arduous follow-up and intelligence work captured a man implicated in the homicides of a man and a woman as well as the injuries caused to another person in an incident that occurred on the Guayacanal Highway in the Las Charcas sector of that province who is also identified for his alleged involvement together with Edward de Jesús Pérez Silverio (Carlos) in the death by gunshot wounds of Heidy María Gabriel (a) Miguelina and a man identified as “Tres Pies” (Three Feet) Local April 7 he was driving a Hyundai Sonata Y20 with license plate No which the Public Prosecutor’s Office holds was found lifeless on the road mentioned above and “Tres Pies” were injured being taken to a health center where the latter later died while receiving medical attention Juan Ramon Garcia Pichardo (a) Chachito is hospitalized under police custody; as soon as he is discharged It should be noted that through the investigations carried out by the acting agents Jean Carlos Tavarez Sanchez and Edward de Jesus Perez Silverio are being pointed out in the involvement in the deaths of Sergeant Richard Rafael Solis and Corporal Domingo Antonio Fortunado in an incident registered on November 19 The law enforcement agency is calling Edward de Jesús Pérez Silverio (Carlos) to turn himself in and answer for the case Further case details will be provided as investigations progress James Matthews Elementary in the Dollarway School District honors Students of the Month: front row This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025 audio and/or video material shall not be published rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use The AP will not be held liable for any delays errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing en el museo Casa de Ricardo Rojas se proyectará un ciclo de películas que fueron inspiradas por cuentos del escritor Julio Cortázar La selección de estas cintas estuvo a cargo del Instituto de Investigaciones del recinto cultural emplazado sobre la calle Charcas 2837 Las mismas podrán verse en el horario de las 19 horas con entrada totalmente libre y gratuita que podrá reservarse a partir de una hora antes El primer miércoles se proyectará la película El perseguidor basada en el cuento homónimo y publicada en 1965 Las cintas que también formarán del ciclo serán La cifra impar (22/3) basada en Las babas del diablo y el cierre será con Jogo subterrâneo (5/4) cuya historia se inspiró en Manuscrito encontrado en un bolsillo Quilmes – Bs.AsDirector propietario: Fernando Ariel FerroEd Pariksha Pe Charcha On OTT: Here is how you can watch the much-anticipated episode 2 featuring Deepika Padukone and Prime Minister Narendra Modi the actress discusses about the importance of mental health Pariksha Pe Charca on OTT: The highly anticipated second episode of Pariksha Pe Charcha is finally out and it's a must-watch for everyone This episode features Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone who shares her insights on mental health and offers practical advice on how to overcome depression The students who participated in the program had the opportunity to engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Deepika here is how you can watch Pariksha Pe Charcha Episode 2 on OTT: The second episode of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 is now streaming on various government portals You can catch the episode on the Ministry of Education's YouTube channel it will be broadcast on Doordarshan channels ensuring it reaches a vast majority of the population.  I realized I was suffering from depression.” “Focus on the things that you can control.. You can control whether you are prepared or not talk to your parents the night before exams Identify the cause of your stress and express it to someone you can trust.” #WATCH | 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' | Actress Deepika Padukone interacts with students.While speaking with the students, Deepika Padukone says, "... Focus on the things that you can control... You can control whether you are prepared or not. To manage stress, talk to your parents… pic.twitter.com/tVdMuT53B9 A student from CBSE abroad asked a question to Deepika Padukone ''How can we maintain mental peace and balance amidst the increasing pressures of exams and competitions?'' Replying to the query ''I think competing with each other and making comparisons is a natural part of life it's essential to recognize our strengths and weaknesses focus on our strengths and work on improving our weaknesses.'I believe that as long as you can acknowledge and learn from those you consider as competition 'What can I learn from them?' and 'How can I do things differently?' For me I challenge myself to do it better the next time ALSO READ: Deepika Padukone To Talk About Mental Health On Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025, Thanks PM Modi In New Post| Watch Video Jagran English brings you all the latest and breaking news from India and around the world Follow english.jagran.com to stay updated with the latest English news Bolivia’s Independence Day stands as one of the most cherished holidays in the nation and the reverential honor of the country’s splendid heritage Embark with us on an exploration of the captivating narrative behind Bolivia’s journey to independence and the exuberant festivities that accompany this special day the Bolivian War of Independence commenced as government juntas were established in Sucre and La Paz following the Chuquisaca Revolution and La Paz Revolution These Juntas faced defeat shortly thereafter resulting in the recapture of the cities by the Spanish The viceroy in Buenos Aires was overthrown during the May Revolution of 1810 Buenos Aires dispatched three significant military expeditions led by Juan José Castelli the royalists emerged victorious in each confrontation the conflict transformed into a guerrilla war known as the War of the Republiquetas hindering the royalists’ efforts to strengthen their dominion Following the triumph of Simón Bolívar and Antonio José de Sucre over the royalists in northern South America Sucre spearheaded a campaign that ultimately secured a definitive victory over the royalists in Charcas This was achieved when the last royalist general faced defeat and death at the hands of his own defected forces in the Battle of Tumusla Bolivian independence was officially declared Independence Day in Bolivia unfolds as a grand and jubilant spectacle brimming with fervor and unwavering patriotism The festivities commence in the weeks preceding the 6th of August and extend throughout the month Let us now explore some of the distinguished traditions that infuse this remarkable holiday with its unique charm: As the clock strikes midnight on Independence Day Bolivians gather in town squares and public spaces to participate in the inspiring ceremony known as “El Grito de Libertad.” This symbolic act involves the pealing of bells and passionate chants of “¡Viva Bolivia!” (Long live Bolivia!) and “¡Viva la Patria!” (Long live the homeland!) The echoes of these resounding cries reverberate through the streets and the invincible spirit of the Bolivian people Music and dance form an essential cornerstone of the festivities serving as a poignant reflection of Bolivia’s multicultural heritage such as the captivating “Diablada” and energetic “Caporales,” take center stage with their skillful performances and infectious enthusiasm These captivating displays of artistry and rhythm pay homage to the country’s indigenous roots Bolivia stands renowned for its remarkable cultural tapestry which unfolds in all its splendor during the celebrations of Independence Day The nation’s population encompasses numerous indigenous groups From the vibrant Aymara and Quechua communities to the Afro-Bolivian and Mestizo populations Bolivia embraces and celebrates its multicultural fabric during this national holiday Read More: 6 August in Indian & World History If you plan to visit Bolivia during Independence Day several destinations promise an immersive experience like no other: La Paz radiates vibrant celebrations and an electrifying ambiance during Independence Day The heart of the festivities lies in Plaza Murillo Witnessing the grandeur of La Paz during this time is an unforgettable experience that will leave an indelible mark on your memories Known as the constitutional capital of Bolivia Sucre beckons as another destination of choice for Independence Day revelries boasts colonial architecture that sets a stunning stage for the celebrations The streets burst to life with dance troupes the sky is adorned with mesmerizing fireworks and an infectious sense of jubilation permeates the air Bolivia Independence Day serves as an opportunity for Bolivians worldwide to embrace their shared heritage and honor the diverse cultures that weave together to make Bolivia an unparalleled and truly exceptional country Bolivia celebrates its Independence Day on August 6th commemorating the country’s liberation from Spanish rule in 1825 Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!