CHAPEL HILL – The second annual conference on Human Rights and the Humanities will take place at the National Humanities Center in Research Triangle Park this Thursday and Friday.

The keynote address on Thursday evening will be from historian, author and Canadian politician Michael Ignatieff. Following this address about human rights, sovereignty and globalization, NHC trustee emerita Jean Bethke Elshtain will respond.

On Friday, the conference continues with speakers from leading universities in Israel, Germany, China, and throughout the United States.

The conference will be free to the public on Thursday evening starting at 7:00. On Friday afternoon, $20 for adults and $10 dollars for students and seniors provides entry to the full conference, including meals.

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Operation Medicine Drop is from 3 to 6 p.m. today, at the Wal-Mart Supercenter at 501 Hampton Pointe Blvd. in Hillsborough.

The Hillsborough Police Department is partnering with Safe Kids North Carolina, Orange Partnership for Alcohol and Drug Free Youth, and Wal-Mart to sponsor the event, which is offering residents a safe and secure way to get rid of old or unneeded prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Almost 4500 people have died from prescription drug poisoning since 1999 in North Carolina, making unintentional poisonings the second leading cause of injury death in the state.

The service is free and anonymous and will help prevent accidental poisonings, drug abuse, and water contamination from flushing medicine.

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The Grand Opening of the 140 West Franklin Plaza and dedication of Exhale, Chapel Hill’s newest public art installation, will take place Friday, April 26.

Exhale was created by the internationally renowned landscape architect Mikyoung Kim, and is an impressive sculpture featuring vivid lighting and fog effects as an interactive component. 140 Franklin Plaza features 26,000 sq. ft of outdoor public space and another 26,000 sq ft of retail space, and is intended to be Chapel Hill’s ultimate gathering place.

The event will feature live music by Jasmé Kelly, who has a unique, blended sound of R&B, rock and soul music. Also, the Studio A DanceArts will perform a dance commissioned by the Town of Chapel Hill to celebrate Exhale. Mikyoung Kim will be present to talk about her artwork and the overall plaza design.

The event is taking place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 26 at 140 Franklin Street Plaza.