Latest news with #Guns
Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
‘Happy families are all alike…': How Tolstoy's iconic opening line gave rise to the Anna Karenina principle—a universal rule for failure
The year was 1873. Leo Tolstoy, already Russia's most celebrated novelist, sat down to write the first line of what would become his masterpiece, Anna Karenina (1877). He began with a devastating truth: 'Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.' It was an observation so precise it felt like a law of nature. And in a way, it was. Before the term 'systems thinking' entered the lexicon and interdisciplinary studies became the academic norm, Tolstoy had unknowingly articulated a principle that would transcend literature—a universal theory of failure. Today, scholars call it the Anna Karenina Principle, and it governs everything from doomed startups to collapsing ecosystems, from broken marriages to extinct species. The 19th century birthed many grand theories— Charles Darwin's natural selection, Karl Marx's class struggle, and Sigmund Freud's unconscious mind. Where other Victorian-era ideas were eventually challenged or refined, the Anna Karenina Principle has only grown more relevant with time. The rule states that success is fragile because it requires everything to go right, while failure is inevitable because it takes only one thing to go wrong. Consider: a marriage thrives only with trust, communication, compatibility, and mutual respect. Remove one, and the relationship crumbles. Similarly, a startup needs product-market fit, strong leadership, funding, and timing. One misstep can lead to collapse. Finally, a species survives only if its environment, food supply, and reproductive cycle align. Disrupt one, and extinction follows. This asymmetry explains why failure is more common than success—and why Tolstoy's insight has been adopted by fields far beyond literature. The principle gained scientific legitimacy in 1997, when Jared Diamond applied it in Guns, Germs, and Steel to explain why so few animals have ever been domesticated. For domestication to succeed, he argued, a species must meet a strict checklist: the right diet, a calm temperament, a useful social hierarchy. Fail just one condition, and domestication fails entirely. The same logic applies to microbiomes (a single imbalance can trigger disease), business ventures (one flawed assumption can sink a company), and personal happiness (a single unresolved trauma can undermine a life). As Aristotle once said, 'To succeed is possible only in one way; to fail is possible in many.' When Anna Karenina was published, Russia was in upheaval—old family structures were fracturing under modernity. Tolstoy's novel doesn't offer a single truly happy family. The eponymous Anna is trapped in a loveless marriage with Alexei Karenin, a high ranking government official. She falls in love with the charming Count Vronsky, ending in a passionate affair that defies societal norms. As the relationship comes to light, Anna faces public scandal and personal turmoil. Parallel to her journey, Konstantin Levin, a landowner, seeks love and meaning in his life, marrying Kitty Shcherbatsky, an aristocrat. Even Levin and Kitty, the closest to an ideal couple, who find happiness within the bonds of family, struggle with doubt and imperfection. This begs the question: does the 'happy family' even exist? The novel dissects infidelity, jealousy, societal pressure, and emotional repression, each a unique path to unhappiness. Meanwhile, happiness, if it exists at all, is easily shattered. One might argue Tolstoy's principle was ahead of its time because the 19th century was obsessed with success—industrial progress, social utopias, imperial expansion. It took the 20th century's catastrophes (world wars, economic collapses, ecological crises) for us to truly appreciate his corollary: that understanding failure's many faces is more urgent than cataloging success's singular path. In an era of precarious careers, fragile relationships, and systemic failures, the Anna Karenina Principle feels more relevant than ever. Few ideas can bridge literature, science, and human experience so seamlessly. There is a reason, after all, that the line which introduces an 800-word Russian novel, remains popular across generations, cultures and continents in an era of reducing attention spans. Tolstoy's opening line, beyond being a truism, was a prophecy: perfection is rare and failure is always waiting. And in that, perhaps, lies its enduring power. ('Drawing a Line' is an eight-column weekly series exploring the stories behind literature's most iconic opening lines. Each column offers interpretation, not definitive analysis—because great lines, like great books, invite many readings.) Aishwarya Khosla is a journalist currently serving as Deputy Copy Editor at The Indian Express. Her writings examine the interplay of culture, identity, and politics. She began her career at the Hindustan Times, where she covered books, theatre, culture, and the Punjabi diaspora. Her editorial expertise spans the Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab and Online desks. She was the recipient of the The Nehru Fellowship in Politics and Elections, where she studied political campaigns, policy research, political strategy and communications for a year. She pens The Indian Express newsletter, Meanwhile, Back Home. Write to her at or You can follow her on Instagram: @ink_and_ideology, and X: @KhoslaAishwarya. ... Read More
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- Toronto Sun
Major gun and drug trafficking bust in GTA leads to 23 arrests: 'Dangerous criminal network'
A number of the accused were under court-ordered release conditions at the time of their arrests and some have already been released York Regional Police Det.-Sgt. Sean Whittaker (at podium), the Officer-in-Charge of the Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit, and Deputy Chief Alvaro Almeida (seated) reveal details of Project Chatter, and display the guns and drugs seized, at a news conference on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Photo by York Regional Police / YouTube (screengrab) A massive gun and drug trafficking bust in the GTA has so far led to 23 arrests and the seizure of dozens of firearms and huge amounts of the deadly opioid fentanyl. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account York Regional Police say officers from their Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit (GGDEU) launched Project Chatter – a complex and extensive investigation into the alleged activities of a man known as Bogdan Butean – in October 2024. 'Intelligence gathered by our investigators indicated that Butean was a key player in the trafficking of controlled substances throughout the GTA,' Det.-Sgt. Sean Whittaker, the Officer-in-Charge of the GGDEU, alleged Wednesday at a news conference where the seized guns and drugs were on display. 'As the investigation progressed, officers uncovered a sophisticated criminal network responsible for distributing large quantities of both raw and street-ready fentanyl, as well as firearms across the region,' he said. 'Recognizing the threat that this posed, an internal task force dubbed Project Chatter was established to aggressively target and dismantle this network.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Whittaker said investigators uncovered a network that was 'highly organized and well equipped.' 'Our investigators identified key suppliers, distribution hubs and locations believed to be cooking, or cutting, fentanyl for street-level sale,' he said. 'These operations were primarily based in the city of Richmond Hill but had reach throughout the GTA.' Whittaker said more than 200 officers from York Regional Police, Peel Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service and other partner agencies executed 'a series of coordinated search warrants' in Richmond Hill, Toronto, Ajax, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga and Niagara Falls on May 4. Read More This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The raids led to the seizure of 32 illegal firearms – 31 handguns and one assault-style rifle – 15 kilograms of fentanyl, two kilograms of cocaine, 12 kilograms of dried cannabis, 247 grams of ketamine, 38 grams of methamphetamine, 86 grams of psilocybin, $136,000 in Canadian currency, $18,000 in U.S. currency, and three Rolex watches. Whittaker said the fentanyl alone, which amounted to 700,000 doses, has a street value of more than $7 million. To date, 23 people have been arrested and charged with a combined total of 330 criminal offences. Charged so far are Bogdan Butean, 31, Evan Taylor Lee, 61, Scott McFarlane, 50, Eric Allison, 34, and Lucia Stellato, 35, all of Richmond Hill, Dwayne Mark Willis, 32, and Reon Richie Alexis, 36, both of Mississauga, Julien Ragganandan, 35, Darryl Yong, 51, Daniel Vargas, 31, Shemar Tomlinson, 29, Jesse Boateng, 30, Chloe Mitchell, 22, Olanzo Renardo Nelson, 26, Darnell Wendel O'Neil Garnes, 29, and Nathan Edward Stewart, 42, all of Toronto, Daniel Salmon, 31, of Brantford, Kijaro Shyheim Kahleil Thomas-Scott, 29, Jayden Williams, 22, Jaeanna Leandra Livingston, 18, Rondell Solomon, 24, all of Ajax, Tyler Hutton, 26, and Kara-Leigh Ewin, 29, both of Niagara Falls. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This operation has not only disrupted a dangerous criminal network, it has undoubtedly prevented future tragedies,' Whittaker said. Deputy Chief Alvaro Almeida said a number of the accused were already under court-ordered release conditions at the time of their arrests – and nine of those arrested have already been released from custody on various conditions. He also said most of the firearms seized are believed to have been smuggled into the country from south of the border. Of the 24 guns police have so far been able to trace, 23 were sourced to the U.S. and only one was sourced to Canada. 'These weapons were not intended only for the trade of this criminal network but also would have ended up in the hands of individuals committing shootings, carjackings and other violent crimes in our region,' Almeida said, adding the GTA is 'safer' in the wake of Project Chatter. cdoucette@ @sundoucette Columnists Celebrity Columnists Crime World
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
I'm The Parent Of A Nonbinary Kid. I'm Terrified What Trump's Plan For Schools Could Mean For Them.
When my 10-year-old nonbinary child began kindergarten at our local public school in 2019, my husband and I worried about how they would be received by teachers and classmates. We live in a progressive neighborhood, at least on the outside. Walking past the historic brownstones on the way to school, we might see rainbow flags and posters with the words, 'It's the Guns!' or simply, 'Fuck Trump!' And yet, when we approached our child's teacher and principal before the start of their kindergarten school year, we were told they were the first nonbinary child at the school. Thankfully, their teacher and school administrators were supportive of our child's gender identity. Their teacher offered to read the books we provided to the school because they didn't have any at the time. They also agreed to share them with the other teachers. One afternoon, when I arrived at pickup, their teacher stopped me at the door. 'I wanted to tell you how great it went today when I introduced one of the books you gave us at story time,' she said. She told me how she had read aloud the pages of the illustrated picture book, 'Who Are You: A Child's Guide to Gender Identity.' 'The kids seemed to just get it,' she added. A few months into the school year, I asked my child how they felt at school if someone referred to them as a boy or a girl. 'Oh, I don't have to say anything,' they told me. 'My friends just tell them.' My child not only felt seen, they felt protected and loved among their peers. It was a great comfort to know we had people (of all ages) in our child's corner. Now, more than ever before, I feel like we were one of the lucky ones. During those incredibly formative elementary school years, we were living under a much different landscape of tolerance for trans and nonbinary youth. The progress and acceptance that have marked my child's school experience are now at risk of disappearing. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive action stating that the U.S. government will now recognize only two sexes, male and female. This was soon followed by an executive order that, among other actions, directs federal agencies and programs to significantly limit access to gender-affirming care for trans and nonbinary youth under the age of 19. As of Feb. 15, the order has been temporarily blocked by two federal judges, but some U.S. health care providers have preemptively stopped offering treatment for young trans patients. In addition, Trump issued an order specifically for America's public schools. The executive order, titled 'Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling,' attempts to uproot 'gender ideology,' which Trump defines as the idea that 'there is a vast spectrum of genders that are disconnected from one's sex.' The order could keep schools that affirm and support students' trans and nonbinary gender identities (for example, by allowing trans kids to participate in school sports) from receiving federal funding — which is especially essential for those in underserved or poor communities. I'm struggling to see what exactly is 'radical' about public school education as it stands. There is currently no prescribed curriculum to teach gender diversity in U.S. public schools. In New York, schools are required to provide HIV/AIDS instruction, but sex education (including on gender identity) is left for individual school districts to decide. In the past, advocates have attempted to pass progressive sex education legislation, but this was brought to an abrupt halt in early 2020 in order to prioritize pandemic relief efforts. The New York City Department of Education currently operates under a set of best practices for supporting transgender and nonbinary students, titled 'Guidelines to Support Transgender and Gender Expansive Students.' These guidelines include directing school staff to use gender-neutral language in all school communications and to provide access to restrooms consistent with a child's gender identity. But the 'curriculum' section of the guidelines is just 180 words and is vague at best. And now, what little support exists for trans and nonbinary kids in America's schools is at risk of being thrown out altogether or becoming grounds for federal retaliation. If federal agencies move forward with implementing Trump's orders to 'file appropriate actions against K-12 teachers and school officials who violate the law,' merely using the term 'nonbinary' to describe a minor could be grounds for legal action. While I'm grateful our child came out at school at a time when doing so was not as dangerous as it is under this new administration, I fear school will become an unwelcoming environment for my child and other students like them. Studies showthat affirmation of one's gender identity by others has major implications for mental health among trans youth. According to the Trevor Project, 42% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth. Affirming environments — such as supportive schools and communities — can reduce suicide risk by up to 50%. Recently, our school distributed a letter from our superintendent and members of our district's school community, reinforcing the district's commitment to 'fostering an inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment for all students.' In the letter, the district states they will continue to follow the 'Guidelines to Support Transgender and Gender Expansive Students' and to offer resources to make students feel affirmed and recognized, such as the 'Hidden Voices' curriculum (which celebrates the contributions of LGBTQ+ and other marginalized individuals). I am heartened by messages like this and hope our community remains steadfast in resisting efforts to limit what schools can teach. For now, I've been protecting both of my children from the horrors of the news within reason. I try to summarize what's going on because I don't want them to live in the dark. When they have specific questions, I answer them clearly and simply, careful not to overexplain or make them feel overwhelmed or unprotected. But both my kids are painfully aware of how much intolerance can truly live in some people's hearts. I'm doing what I can to stay ahead of things, like joining private groups on encrypted platforms with other parents like me. My child is not yet at a stage in development where we might consider puberty blockers, but I'm listening closely to what families with kids who have been receiving gender-affirming care are going through right now and taking detailed notes and screenshots on backup methods of obtaining these prescriptions. Parents like us are even trading ideas about where to move abroad. As the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors who fled their country because of persecution, it is impossible for me not to feel echoes of the past in the attempted limitations planned for trans and nonbinary Americans. For the parents of trans and nonbinary kids, it feels like the world is crashing down around us, and too few are fighting with us or on our behalf. Sadly, among my parent friends, this topic rarely comes up in conversation. Recently, a friend texted me to ask if friends and family members have been checking in with us to see how we are doing in the face of so much hate directed at families like ours. I hadn't thought about it until they asked, but my heart sank when I tallied the numbers and typed back, 'Only 2 people.' We cannot be complacent about the many ways Trump is attacking our children, and especially LGBTQ+ kids. Parents, caregivers and allies need to know just how much is at stake should these actions turn into law. Restricting civil rights is everyone's problem. Today, the target is trans kids and adults, among other marginalized groups. Tomorrow, who knows? We need those who are concerned to reach out to the trans and nonbinary people in your community, to advocate for us in school board meetings, and to contact local representatives. I don't have all the answers, but I know that I — and others like me — cannot do this alone. Do you have a compelling personal story you'd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we're looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@ I Have A Trans 9-Year-Old. I Thought I Knew What It'd Be Like To Parent Him — But I Was Wrong. Our 6-Year-Old Wanted To Use 'They/Them' Pronouns. We Had No Idea What We Were In For. I Spent 32 Years Believing I Was Male. Then A Shocking Phone Call Exploded Everything I Knew.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paulina Gretzky shares photos from dad Wayne's birthday trip to watch the AFC Championship. What to know about Paulina, Trevor & the rest of the Gretzky family
Paulina Gretzky documented her family's luxe trip to Kansas City, Mo., to celebrate her father, Wayne Gretzky's birthday. On Sunday, the model and members of her famous family travelled to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., to watch the Kansas City Chiefs win the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills and secure their spot in the Super Bowl. The eldest Gretzky child shared a video from the family's flight via private jet decked out in balloons and banners in honour of the hockey legend's 64th birthday. She also shared a sweet throwback photo of herself as a toddler and her parents with the caption, "Happy birthday to the best dad. Love you forever. [Love] your Magoo." Paulina's Instagram stories were full of videos and photos from the outing, including several snaps of herself decked out in Buffalo Bills apparel. Gretzky's wife, Janet, also shared a tribute to her husband via social media with the caption: "Happy Birthday to the 'Greatest One' in every way! You continue to be a very 'Special One' to all of us. We all love you." Gretzky reportedly lives in North Palm Beach, Fla., with his wife, Janet Jones Gretzky, who he's been married to since July 16, 1988. Together, the couple have five children: Daughter Paulina, born in 1988, followed by sons Ty in 1990, Trevor in 1992 and Tristan in 2000. Their second daughter and youngest child, Emma, was born in 2003. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Janet Jones Gretzky (@janetgretzky) So, who exactly are Wayne's five kids? Are the rest of the Gretzky family also doing big things? Here's what we know about all of Wayne's five children. The eldest of the five kids, Paulina Mary Jean Gretzky, was born on Dec. 19, 1988. Like her mother, Paulina took up acting, where she starred in films like Fame (2009), Grown Ups 2 (2013) and Guns, Girls and Gambling (2012). On top of a film career, she's spent time modelling and growing a large social media following, boasting more than one million followers on Instagram. Singing and song-writing, however, were always one of her biggest passions. In a 2012 interview with Complex, she shared she studied opera at Michigan's Interlochen Center for the Arts. Paulina also added the music she had been working on at the time was "very pop mainstream," a shift from her original goal of emulating singers like Avril Lavigne and Gwen Stefani. In 2009, Paulina met her now-husband, six-time World Golf Champion Dustin Johnson. The pair only began dating in 2013 and ended up getting engaged seven months later. On Apr. 23, 2022, they tied the knot in Tennessee. The couple have two sons together: Tatum, who was born on Jan. 19, 2015, and River Jones, who was born on Jun. 12, 2017. Last year, Paulina spoke to KIND Magazine about how her parents influenced her relationship with Johnson: "The way he [Wayne] loves my mom and respects her is a huge part of everything and not just for me, but for all of us kids," Paulina told the Canadian lifestyle magazine. "It's the same way my dad is with Dustin and how he is with all his grandkids. Both of my parents set an amazing example and it comes down to paying attention and treating each other kindly." The eldest Gretzky son, Ty, was born on July 9, 1990, and has since kept a relatively low profile compared to his siblings. But, like his dad, hockey became a large part of his life — and it was something the father-son duo bonded over. "He was my hockey guy. He loves hockey," Wayne shared on a 2021 episode of "The Steam Room" podcast. "We do hockey camps all over North America. He is one of my best friends and I love it." In 2014, they both founded The Gretzky Hockey School, which trains youth athletes using the "same foundation and habits implemented by Grandpa Walter teaching Wayne and the kids growing up," according to its website. On Feb. 29, 2020, Ty married his wife, Sara, in a modern Gatsby-style wedding in Brooklyn. The following October, the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Sicily Marie. In May 2023, they welcomed their second daughter, Vienna Leone. Wayne and Jones Gretzky welcomed their second son, Trevor, on Sept. 14, 1992. Like his siblings, he took a liking to sports and eventually signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2011, playing for the baseball team's minor league as well as the Los Angeles Angels. Back then, having a professional athlete as a dad certainly helped with his own career. In 2015, Trevor explained to the Associated Press that his father "knows a lot about baseball" and taught him "pretty much everything I know about the game." In 2016, Trevor decided to opt out of the sports world in exchange for show business. Based in Los Angeles, the actor and producer has worked on films like "Mile 22," "Apex" and "American Siege." Trevor confirmed his engagement to now-wife Ashley in 2023. In April of that year, he shared a video on Instagram of his proposal, where he got down on one knee amongst both of their families. The couple welcomed their daughter, Phoenix Shiloh, that same year on July 28. Wayne retired on Apr. 18, 1999, and less than a year later, on Aug. 2, 2000, he and Jones Gretzky welcomed their third son, Tristan. While his siblings took up sports like hockey and baseball, Tristan opted to become a golfer, where he played on the Pepperdine University men's team while studying at the school. At the time, he said, "My life goal is to be on the PGA Tour," and he was "looking forward to spending the next couple of years grinding" with the school's other players and coaches. However, Tristan eventually transferred to New York University, where he said he picked the school because of the "unlimited opportunities in the city while being able to compete in the sport I love with an amazing golf coach leading the team." Tristan also took up a bit of acting like his mother and older brother Trevor. He starred in the 2006 film "Two Tickets to Paradise," alongside "How I Met Your Mother" actress Ashley Williams and "General Hospital" actor Ryan Paevey. The youngest of the Gretzky siblings, Emma, was born on March 28, 2003. She's currently a student at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where she's part of the school's tennis team. In 2019, Wayne told the Ventura County Star his youngest daughter started the sport a bit late, picking it up at age 12 and a half. However, he noted that was fine since training to become an athlete is "a marathon, not a sprint." "If you enjoy it, and work hard, and continue to progress, good things can happen," he added. "For us, as parents, our goal for Emma is to love it and keep working hard at it, because it's a huge commitment. Tennis is three, four, five hours a day of cardio. It's a little bit different and unique." Emma regularly posts on Instagram, where she boasts more than 24,000 followers. She has also been in a relationship with SMU football player Stone Eby for more than a year. Like her family, she's also dabbled in acting, where she starred in the 2013 thriller "Palo Alto," featuring James Franco and Emma Roberts. While Wayne and Jones Gretzky both share five children together, they're also currently grandparents to five grandchildren. Three of their eldest kids have welcomed their own children into the world, expanding the Gretzky family to include numerous loved ones. Paulina and husband, Dustin Johnson, currently have two sons together, including 10-year-old Tatum and seven-year-old River. Their birthdays are on Jan. 19, 2015, and Jun. 12, 2017, respectively. Wayne and Jones Gretzky's second eldest child, Ty, also shares two daughters with his wife, Sara. They welcomed three-year-old Sicily in October 2021 and one-year-old Vienna in May 2023. Finally, middle child, Trevor, shares one daughter with his wife, Ashley. The couple welcomed Phoenix, who just turned two, on July 28, 2024.
