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Native American tribe in Maine buys back island taken 160 years ago

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Native AmericansThe Passamaquoddy’s purchase of Pine Island for $355,000 is the latest in a series of successful ‘land back’ campaigns for indigenous people in the US The advert painted an idyllic picture of White’s Island. For $449,000 you could buy 143 acres of forests with sweeping views of the rugged shoreline of Big Lake in Maine, on the east coast of the United States. “[It’s] a unique property … steeped in history … with only two owners in the last 95 years,” wrote the real estate agent from privateislandsonline. Read More...

The Age of Absurdity: Why Modern Life Makes It Hard to Be Happy by Michael Foley

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The ObserverBooksReviewEverything about modern life conditions you for a life of unhappiness, broken dreams and thwarted ambition. Michael Foley's entertaining, intelligent book may just help you get over yourself, writes Phil HoganMichael Foley won't give a hoot for what I or anyone else thinks about his book. It will have been reward enough to have toiled over its bright wisdoms, its pleasing metaphors, its range of reference (from Gilgamesh to The Wizard of Oz), its laugh-out-loud funny bits. Read More...

The patients who regret laser eye surgery: My lifes stood still since then

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US healthcareSurgeons view Lasik as routine, but patient advocates and some experts say the complication rate is far higher than reported Until last year, Robin Kyle Reeves lived an active life in Laurel Hill, Florida. She made lace gowns for children to wear during baptisms or family portraits. It was intricate work that requires precision, and Reeves’ glasses kept getting in the way. So her doctor recommended Lasik. The procedure, which uses lasers to cut in and reshape a patient’s eye, was billed as simple and quick, usually done in under 30 minutes. Read More...