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Questions For The '90s: Should Robots Pay Taxes? Can Africa Be Saved?
Matt Novak
Oct 11, 2014, 11:30pm
The March-April 1986 issue of The Futurist magazine looked at the far off, futuristic decade of the 1990s. In an article titled "Issues for the 1990s", Edith Weiner and Arnold Brown examined what they saw as the emerging concerns of the world. Well, the world as seen from 1980s America.
Rising health care costs? Potential trouble China? Climate change? It all sounds pretty familiar to those of us here in the early 21st century, as we still grapple with many of these issues today.
China as a world economic force
Back in 1986, many Americans were beginning to look to China as a slowly emerging force on the world economic stage. Some thought that Japan was the single biggest threat to the dominance of the United States as an economic superpower. DARPA even developed entire programs around fighting Japan's computational prowess. But others looked to China as the sleeper candidate.
"China may well be the world's single most important economic factor by the end of the twentieth century," they wrote. And in many ways they weren't wrong. That being said, most Americans have no idea that even in 2014 China isn't our largest trading partner. It's Canada.
Controlling health care costs
Back in the 1990s, universal health care coverage was a hot-button topic in the U.S. But it proved an impossible task politically. As Weiner and Brown note in their article, health care costs were roughly 11 per cent of GDP in the mid 1980s. Today, it's about 18 per cent. So while controlling health care costs have certainly been a part of the national conversation (or should we call it national shouting match?) we've really done a poor job of keeping costs under control.
Campus unrest
The anti-apartheid protests, eco-activism events, and the anti-nuke campaigns on college campuses of the 1980s reminded many Americans of the activism taking place two decades earlier. "Campus activism is re-emerging in the United States with protests against investments in U.S. companies doing business in South Africa," they wrote.
Little did they anticipate the OK Soda generation. Mainstream memory of college campuses in the 1990s is defined by Gen X slackers and half-hearted save the whales parodies.
The 1996 Simpsons episode Homerpalooza perhaps summed up the ironic distance of 90s activists in the popular imagination. A concert-goer says "Oh, here comes that cannonball guy. He's cool." To which his friend replies, "Are you being sarcastic, dude?" The nose-ringed slacker replies, "I don't even know anymore."
"This will be the environmental and occupational health and safety issue of the 1990s," they wrote. The authors of the piece noted that baby boomers had a tendency to be quite litigious and would be wary of environmental hazards that may affect pregnancy. In other words, the people having kids in the 1980s were going to be sure that their little angels were perfect in every way — and barring that, sue anybody who might stand in their way.
Saving Africa
For those too young to remember, Live Aid was a concert event broadcast in July of 1985 to an audience of about 1.9 billion people around the world. Organised by Bob Geldof, it featured some of the biggest acts of the 1980s. And it was all about "saving Africa."
"The ability of African countries to feed their own people will continue to decline, and the desert will continue its seemingly unstoppable march across the continent," they wrote. "Can or will the rest of the world cooperate to slow or reverse the slide to destruction?"
Distribution of wealth created by machines
"As robots and computers do more and more work, displacing people in the process, society must come to grips with the matter of the wealth these machines create," they wrote.
This, of course, has been the great fear of nearly every generation of the 20th century. What Weiner and Brown proposed was the idea that maybe companies should be paying taxes for the robots they employ to help offset the jobs lost to automation.
Individual lifestyle excesses vs. community rights
Want to smoke or drink or do all the drugs? You better think twice, since we all have to pay. At least that was the argument the authors made within the context of things like health insurance.
"This is not a return to either prohibition or Victorian morality," they write. "The new moralists are saying, in effect, 'If you choose to smoke or drink, that's your right; but the community has an equal right to be protected, and you will be held responsible for the consequences of your actions.'"
"The 'ecology ethic' has given us the view of Spaceship Earth, a finite planet with perceivable (and perhaps already reached) limits," they wrote. How humanity chooses to use its land in the future is going to be vital for sustaining not only a healthy economy, but healthy humans.
"In the United States, for example, questions are raised about growing tobacco instead of food, particularly because tobacco is seen as a harmful product," the authors wrote. Indeed, how best to use land is still debated today, though more commonly in debates about food vs fuel — as in the case of how to use all that corn we grow.
The role of foreign capital in the United States
"Foreign money has been pouring into the United States at an unprecedented rate," they wrote. "While this is flattering testimony to the nation's economic strength and political stability, there are concerns about the extent to which foreigners own US companies, real estate and farmland and the manner in which this control is exercised."
Again, the concern here in the 1980s was that too much money from Japan (and a much lesser extent China) would compromise control of the U.S. in any number of ways.
Regulation of information transfer
The article's ideas about the future of information and government interest in protecting it may have proven the most prescient, even if the 1990s didn't see those issues raised quite so quickly.
"Governments are increasingly aware that control of information means preservation of power — both political and economic," the authors wrote. "As a result, perceived national interests dominate transborder information flows. It may be that, in the next decade, information protectionism will replace product protectionism."
Role of the computer in education
"Computers will affect how children learn to thin, how teachers teach, the development of creativity, and many other areas," they explained. Over the last hundred years, education has been one area where techno-utopians have felt that technology could do the most good. As you can imagine, those visions of the future have arrived with mixed results.
As the authors of the article explained, companies were currently pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and that "the buildup of these is resulting in a gradual but appreciable rise in the earth's temperature."
"Climatologists are beginning to see and understand long-range climate patterns, and there are indications that major changes may be under way." Boy, were they right.
The right to quiet
People have been complaining about cities being too noisy since forever. But it wasn't until the 1960s that some futurists imagined that the right to a peaceful environment might actually be considered a human right. The article called out obvious "invasive noise sources" in the modern world that might be regulated like boom boxes and snowmobiles. But they also saw the rise of "beepers, cellular telephones, computer printers, and other instruments that intrude" as potential disturbances.
Fringe benefits for those not employed full-time
And here we get into some really depressing aspects of predictions from the second half of the 20th century. Weiner and Brown predicted that of course part-timers would be provided with health insurance and other employee benefits, since they would become such an enormous part of the American workforce. Sadly, that hasn't been the case. We've gotten the rise of the freelancer economy. But that safety net has yet to arrive for most part-timers.
Human language/computer language
Should everybody learn to code? This is obviously not a new question. And the article touched on it from the perspective of 1986. In fact, the authors of the piece seemed more concerned that children would learn how to talk the language of computers before they learned "proper" English.
"We are already seeing a backlash to the computer hype of recent years," they wrote. "Reacting to the rush to attain computer literacy, some observers are beginning to express concern about the impact of computers on language skills. It is one thing for people who have already learned a language such as English to adapt to communicating with computers; it is quite another for young children whose language skills are still rudimentary to learn English on the basis of 'computer literacy.'"
Quick! Hide your children from the computer before they talk in nothing but ones and zeroes!
International regulation of financial markets
And to finish the article off, Weiner and Brown touched on an incredibly controversial idea: the regulation of financial markets by world bodies.
"Finance has become internationalized to a degree no one would have predicted just a few years ago," they wrote. "Consequently, there is increasing pressure to establish and adopt standards for the protection of investors and the encouragement of further internationalization of investment. Who will set these standards, and who will enforce them? Debate is likely to go on through the 1990s."
Debate is likely to go on, indeed.
Picture: 1973 robot via the Associated Press
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Home / 2k / 2k19 / esports / game / nba / nintendo switch / pc / playstation / xbox / NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 now available.
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 now available.
Gotchie October 17, 2018 2k, 2k19, esports, game, nba, nintendo switch, pc, playstation, xbox
2K officially announced the launch of NBA 2K Playgrounds 2. This all-new two-on-two arcade basketball game from developer Saber Interactive and 2K is now available worldwide on the PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™ and Windows PC.
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 features tons of ways to play on your own, with friends or against the world. Playgrounds Championship mode introduces a worldwide ranked league with multiple competitive solo and co-op ladders, while the new single-player Season mode recreates the experience of leading a team through the regular season and playoffs. There are also four-player online matches, co-op matches against AI, enhanced matchmaking with dedicated servers, three-point contests, off-the-wall power-ups, custom matches and more!
Putting the sport’s biggest legends front and center, NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 steps up the energy and attitude with new players, playgrounds and more, starting with cover athletes such as Dr. J, KG, Anthony Towns and Jayson Tatum.
The game is packed with over 300 players at launch – including all-time greats like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant – with nearly 200 additional players arriving in updates after release, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. There are ten exciting new playgrounds to ball on from around the world, including Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Seoul and Australia, with even more courts planned for after launch.
In addition, the game boasts well over 100 signature moves, including showstoppers like Michael Jordan’s free throw line dunk, George Gervin’s Iceman finger roll and LeBron James’ self alley-oop. There are also new customization items like jackets, shirts, pants, shorts and shoes. And, NBA 2K Playgrounds 2’s soundtrack features licensed tracks from hit artists like Run The Jewels, Oddisee and DJ Premier.
The NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is now available in PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch at Php 1,650. For the latest updates from NBA 2K Playgrounds 2, visit nba.2k.com/playgrounds.
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 now available. Reviewed by Gotchie on October 17, 2018 Rating: 5
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A Peek into the Horrific Findings of the UN Report on Israel’s Massacre of Gaza Protesters
The commission found serious human rights violations that may constitute crimes against humanity and called on Israel to “Lift the blockade on Gaza with immediate effect.
By Robert Inlakesh
Global Research, March 10, 2019
MintPress News 8 March 2019
Region: Middle East & North Africa
Theme: Law and Justice, Police State & Civil Rights, United Nations
In-depth Report: PALESTINE
The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council have released a powerful report, on the Gaza ‘Great Return March’ demonstrations, stating that they have grounds to believe Israel committed International War Crimes against demonstrators during “large-scale civilian protests”.
The 22-page document has been condemned by the Israeli government, as there is talk of Israel being brought to the International Court of Justice and tried for war crimes and violations of International Law against demonstrations that “were civilian in nature”.
The commission conducted 325 interviews and meetings with victims, witnesses, government officials and members of civil society, from all sides, and gathered more than 8,000 documents, including affidavits, medical reports, open source reports, social media content, written submissions and expert legal opinions, video and drone footage, and photographs.”
Razan al-Najjar, the 21 year old Gaza medic killed by an Israeli sniper on June 1, treating an injured man, undated photo from Palestine Live on twitter.
Here are the most important points concluded in the report:
The commission found in the killings of 189 demonstrators between 30 March and 31 December 2018, 183 were killed with live ammunition, including 35 children, 3 health workers and 2 members of the Press. Only 29 of those killed were members of Palestinian armed groups.
Only 4 Israeli snipers were lightly injured, none were killed by demonstrators.
23,313 Palestinian demonstrators were injured during the 2018 demonstrations, 6106 with live ammunition, “contributing to the highest toll of injuries recorded in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 2005.
On the killing of child demonstrators, the commission found “reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli snipers shot them intentionally, knowing that they were children”.
On the killing of health workers, “the commission found reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli snipers intentionally shot health workers, despite seeing that they were clearly marked as such”.
On the killings of journalists, “the commission found reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli snipers shot journalists intentionally, despite seeing that they were clearly marked as such”.
The commission found that both male and female protestors were shot in the groin. The female victims told the commission they are now “unlikely to be able to have children”.
The policy of the Israeli Minister of Defense, was to deny passage to any person injured during demonstrations, causing unnecessary deaths and life changing injuries.
According to the commission, except in two possible cases, “the use of live ammunition by Israeli security forces against demonstrators was unlawful”.
Israel used a “disproportionate use of force”.
The “demonstrators were shot in violation of their right to life or of the principle of distinction under international humanitarian law”.
The commission found “reasonable grounds to believe that the excessive use of force by Israeli security forces violated the rights” of thousands of demonstrators who were peaceful.
The commission found “reasonable grounds” to believe that Israel violated “The Convention on the Rights of the Child”.
“Violations of international law, such as those committed by Israeli security forces and set out in this report, give rise to State responsibility…”.
The often repeated Israeli claims of the protests being inspired and organized by “Hamas terrorists”, were also addressed in the report, which stated that the demonstrations were inspired by the internet posts of 34-year-old Palestinian poet and journalist, Ahmed Abu Artema, with the demonstrations being organized by “A higher national committee and 12 subcommittees.”
The report went on to say, that
“while the members of the committee held diverse political views, they stated that their unifying element was the principle that the march was to be “fully peaceful from beginning to end” and demonstrators would be unarmed”.
Activities such as the use of incendiary kites, cutting barbed wire or tire burning were organized by “self-declared” units. The report further states “the commission found no evidence to suggest that they were directed or coordinated by armed groups”.
The commission interviewed what it called an international journalist who said,
“I have covered wars in Syria, Yemen, Libya. I have never seen anything like this. The slow methodical shooting. It was just shocking…”
The commission also noted that Israel refused to assist with the UN investigation and did not “cooperate or provide information.”
The following is a sample of the cases investigated by the commission.
March 30 demonstrations
Injury of 17 Mohammed Ajouri (17 years old)
“Israeli forces shot Mohammad, a student-athlete, in the back of his right leg as he gave onions to demonstrators to relieve tear-gas symptoms, approximately 300 m from the fence. His leg had to be amputated.”
The murder of Abdel Fatah Nabi (18 years old)
“Israeli forces killed Abed, from Beit Lahia, when they shot him in the back of the head as he ran, carrying a tyre, away from and about 400 m from the separation fence.”
The murder of Bader Sabagh (19 years old)
“Bader, from Jabaliya, was killed by Israeli forces when they shot him in the head as he stood smoking a cigarette 300 m from the separation fence.”
Injury and murder of schoolgirl (13 years old) and Marwan Qudieh (45 years old)
“Israeli forces injured a schoolgirl with bullet fragmentation. As she lay on the ground, four men attempted to evacuate her. The forces shot three of them, killing Marwan Qudieh (45) from Khuzaa village and injuring a potato seller and another man in the legs. One of the rescuers had to have a leg amputated.”
Injury of Alaa Dali (21 years old)
“Alaa, a member of the Palestinian cycling team, was shot by Israeli forces in the leg as he stood holding his bicycle, wearing his cycling kit, watching the demonstrations, approximately 300 m from the separation fence. His right leg had to be amputated, ending his cycling career.”
May 14 demonstration, seven children killed
“On 14 May, Israeli security forces shot and killed seven children: a girl, Wisal Khalil (14), and six boys: Izzedine al-Samak (13); Said al-Kheir (15); Ahmad al-Sha’ar (15); Talal Matar (15); Saadi Abu Salah (16); and Ibrahim al-Zarqa (17).”
The murder of Mohammad Najar (33 years old)
“Israeli forces shot Mohammad, a naval police officer, in the chest, killing him, as he sat on a hill with a friend, around 500 m from the separation fence.”
The murder of Yasser Abu Naja (11 years old)
“On 29 June, Israeli forces killed Yasser from Khan Younis with a shot to the head as he was hiding with two friends behind a bin, approximately 200 m from the separation fence. The children had been chanting national slogans at Israeli forces.”
The murder of Nasser Mosabeh (11 years old)
“Nasser was from Khan Younis. On 28 September, Israeli forces shot him in the back of the head as he stood 250 m from the separation fence. He died the same day.”
The murder of Razan Al-Najar (20 years old)
“On 1 June, an Israeli sniper bullet hit Razan, of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society and who at the time was wearing a white paramedic vest and standing with other volunteer paramedics approximately 110 m from the separation fence, in the chest at the Khuzaa site, east of Khan Younis. She died in hospital.”
The murder of Yasser Murtaja (30 years old)
“On 6 April, Yasser, a journalist from Gaza City, was shot in the lower abdomen by Israeli forces at the Khan Younis site while he was filming the demonstrations for a documentary. He was wearing a blue helmet and a dark blue bulletproof vest clearly marked “Press”. He died the following day.”
Amputation of Abed Nofal (11 years old)
“On 17 April, Abed, a schoolboy from the Bureij refugee camp, was shot by Israeli forces while he was playing football near the separation fence. His leg had to be amputated.”
The extended version of the report is set to be released on March 18, 2019. The commission recommended that UN members consider imposing individual sanctions, such as travel bans or an asset freezes on those responsible.
Robert Inlakesh is a journalist, political analyst and human rights activist who specializes in delivering insight into the geopolitical scene of the Middle East, specializing in the political and humanitarian situation in Palestine.
Featured image is from Ma’an News agency
The original source of this article is MintPress News
Copyright © Robert Inlakesh, MintPress News, 2019
Articles by: Robert Inlakesh
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Elite and Media Support for NATO, Increasing Threat of War with Russia
By Shane Quinn
Global Research, April 10, 2019
Region: Russia and FSU, USA
Theme: US NATO War Agenda
Eleven years ago at NATO’s April 2008 summit in Bucharest, it was agreed the former Soviet states of Georgia and the Ukraine “will become members of NATO”. Early that same month, America’s increasingly unpopular president George W. Bush was also present in the Romanian capital, so as to reaffirm his nation’s desire to “welcome Georgia and Ukraine” into NATO.
A few weeks later in June 2008 Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, remarked that should Georgia accede to the United States-run organization it “would lead to another stage of confrontation”.
Following extensive skirmishes in summer 2008 along Russia’s southern frontier, on 7 August of that year Moscow-led forces launched an intervention into Georgian territory – a military incursion that experienced Russian expert Richard Sakwa, of the University of Kent, described as “a response to the threat of NATO enlargement” and also “in effect the first of the ‘wars to stop NATO enlargement'”.
It may be important to briefly recall the modern history of Georgia, a country which shares a 700 kilometre border with Russia along the vast Caucasus region: Georgia comprised part of the Russian empire for well over a century until 1918, and was subsequently under the USSR’s sphere for seven decades before the latter dissolved in 1991. Georgia has an ingrained association with Russia which cannot be erased by Western flattering and assurances.
By 13 August 2008, after a week of fighting Russian troops captured Gori in central Georgia, a small and seemingly inconsequential city comprising about 50,000 people. Though the significance of taking Gori may have been lost on many westerners, that town was the birthplace of Joseph Stalin in December 1878. Stalin remains the longest serving head of state in Russian history, having ruled under a dictatorship for almost three decades until his death in March 1953, aged 74.
As is well documented, Stalin was a despot responsible for terrible massacres like the Great Purge. Yet his name is still a prominent one today in both Russia and Georgia. The principal reason behind this is that Stalin presided over the victory against Hitler’s Reich, which stands as the bloodiest battle in world history costing more than 25 million Soviet lives.
Despite the impending danger to Moscow in late autumn 1941, which Hitler planned to completely destroy, Stalin did not flee eastwards but remained put in the Kremlin. Though the Soviet dictator merits justified condemnation for his crimes, he could not be accused of cowardice in the face of Hitler’s attack.
Meanwhile, the Russian assault on Gori and destruction of Georgian military bases in and around the vicinity, was a psychological blow inflicted upon the country’s then Western-backed figures – such as Mikheil Saakashvili, the Georgian president who received part of his education in private universities in New York and Washington. Saakashvili later described American senator John McCain as “the world’s greatest statesman”, while long after the US invasion of Iraq he praised president Bush II for being “a decisive and visionary leader”.
During the conflict in Georgia, by mid-August 2008 Russian units had advanced to within 25 miles of the capital Tbilisi in the south-east; just at that point, they were ordered to cease advancing and turn about northwards. The war’s conclusion bore witness to Russia’s recognition of the Caucasus territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia while installing army bases there, through which thousands of Russian soldiers remain.
A few days ago, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg highlighted in a speech to Congress in Washington that America is the “backbone of our alliance”, and there would not be a peaceful Europe “without the sacrifice and commitment of the United States”. Stoltenberg made no reference to the illegal US-NATO invasion of Yugoslavia 20 years ago, that killed thousands of people through which various war crimes were committed, while destabilizing much of the Balkans region.
Last month, Stoltenberg stated unequivocally during a trip to Tbilisi “that Georgia will become a member of NATO”. In recent weeks, ending on 29 March, there were “NATO-Georgia military exercises” near Tbilisi which represented another clear provocation of Moscow. It is not too dissimilar to the US patrols in South Korea which have driven the North Koreans to distraction, as one can appreciate.
Should Georgia move towards NATO integration, another intervention from the north may well ensue. On this occasion, Russian forces would be likely to advance as far as Tbilisi to occupy the Georgian heartland. One can only ponder how the Americans would react in such a case.
Last August, Russia’s prime minister Dmitry Medvedev warned that Washington’s coercing of Georgia to join NATO “could provoke a terrible conflict. I don’t understand what they are doing this for”. NATO’s ongoing efforts to entice more states bordering Russia to accede (after Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), are further increasing the risk of a devastating nuclear war between the US and Russia. This is openly recognized by scholars and non-profit organizations such as the bulletin of atomic scientists.
Little reported by commercial media, is the presence of dozens of US nuclear weapons in the military bases of four EU countries: Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands; while to the south NATO member Turkey also holds American nuclear devices. These states are, in actual fact, five de facto nuclear nations.
Russia has herself constituted the status of nuclear superpower for decades, and there is consequently little doubt that NATO’s march eastwards has become an existential threat to humanity.
It is remarkable to witness the strong support that NATO retains from famous institutions and elite figures who are, as a result, actively encouraging a nuclear conflict.
The New York Times, on 14 January 2019, outlined under a heading of “new concerns over Russia” that NATO is a “military alliance among the United States, Europe and Canada that has deterred Soviet and Russian aggression for 70 years” while the Ukraine and Georgia are “two non-NATO members with aspirations to join the alliance”.
There is no mention in the New York Times’ analysis pertaining to NATO’s rapid growth following Soviet disintegration, and the grave danger to our world should the Ukraine and Georgia merge to the organization. Nor does the New York Times’ evaluation discuss NATO aggression directed at Afghanistan, Libya, etc.
NATO leaders, in reality Washington, have sought policies that George Kennan, former US ambassador and diplomat, lamented “would make the Founding Fathers of this country turn over in their graves”. Over the past generation, NATO has degenerated into what is a criminal and far-reaching branch of US imperialism.
In relation to Russia, readers of mass media will also have to do much digging upon discovering that the country has repeatedly been attacked in modern history. Huge invasions of Russia occurred across consecutive centuries, firstly by Charles XII of the Swedish Empire (in 1708), just over a hundred years later through Napoleon Bonaparte of the French colonial empire (in 1812), and lastly by Hitler of the Third Reich (in 1941). These assaults were eventually repelled, but not before the Russian state endured some of the most staggering losses ever seen.
In the meantime, the Daily Telegraph assures its readers that NATO has been a “cornerstone of the continent’s security” and bolstered “by the fact that America possesses the second biggest arsenal of nuclear weapons in the world”. However, the Telegraph complains that “the ambitions of Vladimir Putin’s Russia have changed the picture” as “Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine” and “then invaded eastern Ukraine”.
As with the New York Times, there is not a word expounded in the Telegraph account of NATO itself having “changed the picture” with its march to Russia’s very boundaries. In mainstream accounts, there is quite often a most glaring lack of historical understanding and perspective on display, along with a presumably deliberate omission of important facts.
The core issue regarding Russia’s “seizure of Crimea” is seldom ever addressed amid the reams of press coverage rebuking the Kremlin on this subject. Moscow’s March 2014 takeover of the Crimea came as a riposte to the February 2014 US-sponsored coup in the Ukraine –which has continuously been described in shoddy press reports as “a pro-democracy revolution” which “turned it [the Ukraine] away from Russia and towards the West”.
In reality the “pro-democracy revolution” was an illegitimate putsch involving firm American backing, as let slip by president Barack Obama on CNN in February 2015; which overthrew a democratically elected president and established an elite rabble, that further contained far-right individuals like Andriy Parubiy, Dmytro Yarosh and Oleh Makhnitskyi. The Western public are routinely spared such unpalatable details, nor are they informed that 30% of Ukrainians speak Russian as their first tongue, much of whom reside in eastern Ukraine.
The Crimea itself, a strategically vital peninsula located on the Black Sea, comprised part of Russia’s empire from 1783 to 1917, and was subsequently under Soviet domain for 70 years. The Crimea’s two million inhabitants are made up of two thirds ethnic Russians. Over 80% of Crimeans profess their native lingo to be Russian, in comparison to less than 5% of the populace who speak Ukrainian as a first language.
Russia has inevitably influenced some of the fighting in eastern Ukraine, a nation it shares a 1,000 kilometre western border with. Moscow may further intervene militarily in the Ukraine, should NATO forge ahead with plans to absorb that country, and it could again lead to nuclear weapon engagement between the US and Russia. One can imagine how America would react, were a Russian-backed coup to oust Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.
In the Guardian, a recently retired British senior diplomat wrote last week of his view that, “After two decades of discretionary wars, NATO has come back home, giving top priority to the security of allies in the face of Russia’s aggressive military posture and reckless behaviour”.
The comment relating to NATO’s “discretionary wars”, such as the illegal invasions of Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Libya, provides another useful insight into the disregard that Britain’s elites hold for international law. In the post-1945 era, British author Mark Curtis outlines in his books – with much supporting evidence – that Britain has been the world’s second biggest outlaw state (with America in poll position). The USSR or Russia do not enter the fray.
British governments, both Conservative and Labour, have in the post-World War II years reverted to a long list of illicit measures, in order to cling on to vestiges of her evaporating empire; they have partly instituted or supported a range of dictatorships in South America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, while backing flagrant neo-Nazi regimes in the likes of Chile and South Africa.
The typical British elite has much preferred to support a dictator that will promise the UK access to mineral riches, rather than provide backing to a president legitimately elected by popular vote. Should the despot start killing his own people, be it Suharto of Indonesia or Pinochet of Chile, it has not unduly concerned influential Britons. Indeed, London has sometimes paved the way by supplying arms and material assistance to the death squads.
Margaret Thatcher, prime minister for over a decade until November 1990, described the brutal mass murderer General Suharto as “One of our very best and most valuable friends”. Along with US president Ronald Reagan, Thatcher furnished much military aid to Suharto, and the tyrant received separate invitations to London, including a trip to Buckingham Palace in 1979.
Other dictators like the Shah of Iran have been distinguished too with state visits to the English capital, also enjoying outings to mingle with Britain’s royalty. Propped up by America and Britain, the Shah ruled Iran for a quarter of a century until 1979, compiling a deplorable human rights record. Unperturbed, the Shah was a friend to the West throughout, with Thatcher heralding him in 1978 as “one of the world’s most far-sighted statesmen, whose experience is unrivalled. No other leader has given his country more dynamic leadership”. So it continues.
Under another decade of appalling premiership with Tony Blair until June 2007, the historian Curtis noted that during his tenure, “the Blair government is seriously out of control – an outlaw state, undertaking its foreign policy in open contempt for international ethical standards, including riding roughshod over the United Nations… but it has been obscured by a web of government propaganda and media and parliament’s failure to disclose the reality of state policy”. Due to such factors as these, the grim truth often underlining state power is largely shielded from public scrutiny.
Shane Quinn obtained an honors journalism degree. He is interested in writing primarily on foreign affairs, having been inspired by authors like Noam Chomsky. He is a frequent contributor to Global Research.
Copyright © Shane Quinn, Global Research, 2019
Articles by: Shane Quinn
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Video: Chinese Naval Expansion Hits High Gear
By South Front
South Front 25 August 2018
Theme: Intelligence, Militarization and WMD
While there was much fanfare and attention given to the July 3rd launch of two Type 055 guided missile destroyers at the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. (DISC) shipyard in Dalian, very little mention has been made of the many other warships that the PLAN has launched or commissioned since the beginning of the year.
Although the Type 055 DDG is the PLAN’s most powerful surface combatant, and the largest such vessel constructed by an Asian nation since World War II, they are one component in a steadily growing naval force structure. While the addition of three Type 055 DDGs this year, added to the first vessel in class which rolled into the water from Dalian just over a year ago in June of 2017, showcase China’s growing capabilities not only in producing powerful and modern warships, they also illustrate the maturity and stunning capacity of the Chinese ship building industry. This industry has launched and/or commissioned 15 modern warships in just the first seven months of 2018.
Three More Type 055 Destroyers
This year is proving to be a big year for the PLAN. Of the fifteen vessels built so far in 2018, three have been the newest and most powerful surface warfare vessel in the Chinese arsenal, the Type 055 DDG. The world was stunned when China was able to complete the first of this new class in June of 2017. Sections of a second in this class were clearly visible in satellite imagery at the time. That vessel was launched in May of this year, but two more Type 055 destroyers were launched simultaneously on July 3rd, just two months later. The 5th and 6th vessels in class are already in varying stages of construction.
Although initial reports had suggested that a total of six vessels had been ordered, it has been hinted that this number has been increased to eight. This number will most likely grow to at least 12 vessels by 2025, when the PLAN will be looking to expand its aircraft carrier program with the introduction of at least one carrier of the Type 002 class. It has yet to be determined if this new carrier (CV-18) will employ steam or electromagnetic catapults, but it will definitely be a CATOBAR carrier. PLAN aviators continue to practice CATOBAR take-off and landings at the Huangdicun Airbase in southern China. Chinese naval engineers have had a great deal of success in developing an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System (EMALS) that requires much less energy than the system currently utilized aboard the U.S. Navy’s Gerald Ford Class carrier. It remains to be decided if the Type 002 will be conventionally powered, or will make use of a nuclear reactor.
Regardless of the next generation carrier’s specific design specifications and capabilities, powerful surface warfare ships will be required to escort them in a larger aircraft carrier battle group formation. The Type 055 DDG will likely serve a similar role as the Ticonderoga Class CG of the U.S. Navy within the carrier strike groups (CSG), and will also be utilized as a command ship or heavy AAW and ASW platform in PLAN naval task forces or while supporting amphibious ready groups (ARG). The Type 055’s significant weapons payload, multifaceted offensive and defensive capabilities, and great range and endurance will aid Chinese efforts to protect and expand its maritime territories, protect its shipping lanes, and maintain its naval lines of communication.
Type 052D DDG Continued Growth
A number of photos that appeared both online and in the print media exhibiting the two newest Type 055 DDGs to be launched at the DISC shipyard in Dalian failed to mention that three brand new Type 052D destroyers also appeared in these same images. The Type 052D is a powerful guided missile destroyer in its own right, rivaling the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke Class DDG. China launched the first Type 052D, the Kunming DDG-172 in 2014. There are currently 9 ships of the class in service, 2 undergoing sea trials, and a further two being fitted out. Three Type 052D DDGs have been commissioned in the first half of this year.
No less than five destroyers in various stages of fitting out are docked at the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. (DISC) shipyard on July 3rd; three Type 052D and two Type 055 DDGs.
Although original rumors had hinted at 16 vessels being ordered, some inside sources now claim that the number has been increased significantly. It would seem reasonable that a total of 18 to 26 vessels may end up being built, dependent upon how ambitious the PLAN aircraft carrier program becomes. IHS Janes Defense Weekly reported on May 2nd of this year that satellite imagery appeared to show a Type 052D under construction at the Jiangnan Changxingdao shipyard in Shanghai that had approximately 4 meters (13.1ft) added to its LOA. The after flight deck may have been lengthened to accommodate larger helicopters which would aid the vessel in its ASW role.
It remains to be seen if the above mentioned modification will enter serial production under a different designation, or will prove to be a concept testbed for fielding larger rotary wing assets at sea. It is important to note that China produced six Type052C Class DDGs from 2004 to 2015, and has produced thirteen of the much improved Type 052D Class DDGs in just four years, a six fold increase in annual production.
A Type 055D DDG docking with the aid of a tug at a PLAN naval base. The deck gun and forward 32 cell VLS are clearly visible. Although bearing some similarity to the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke Class DDG, the Type 052D is more streamlined and esthetically pleasing. Its good looks likely equate to a much smaller radar signature.
More Frigates and Corvettes
While smaller warships do not enjoy the limelight of their larger peers, they can teach the observer a great deal about a nation’s maritime defense posture and priorities. While the Chinese shipbuilding industry has constructed and launched nineteen Type 052 DDGs of both variants, and four Type 055 DDGs from 2014 to the present, they have also turned out fourteen Type 054A Class guided missile frigates (total of 32 of all variants) and a no less than twenty Type 056A Class corvettes (total of 42 in class of all variants) over the same period of time.
The smaller warships traditionally perform a number of different roles in naval warfare. Firstly, they serve as coastal patrol craft. They are nimble and fast, heavily armed for their diminutive size, and are outfitted to be flexible enough to perform a multitude of different missions. Their small size equates to limited firepower and shorter range, but they are well suited to serve as picket ships and screening forces to task forces fielding larger and more powerful vessels when those fleets are operating within close range of home ports and naval facilities.
Three Type 056A Class corvettes tied-up alongside one another. The vessel in the middle is conducting a crew muster on the aft flight deck. Approximately half of the 42 vessels in the Type 056 class are of the upgraded Type 056A variant.
The Type 056A Class corvette is ideally suited to patrol China’s coasts, the maritime territories within China’s EEZ, as well as the island archipelagos of the Paracel and Spratly Islands. They will most likely begin patrol operations from the key island bases at Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef, and Mischief Reef as the maritime logistics facilities on these islands are improved.
The Type 054A frigate is a well balance and powerful naval surface combatant for its size, and carries an ample arsenal of anti-aircraft, anti-ship, and anti-submarine weapons. It is an ideal escort vessel with a range of over 8,000 nautical miles. It is a traditional multi-purpose frigate, possessing the inherent ability to attack other surface ships, engage aircraft, and track and destroy submarines. It is this class of warship that the PLAN first sent to the Gulf of Aden in 2009 to serve in international anti-piracy duties. Eleven Type 05A frigates have served on anti-piracy duties in this region since that time.
The Type 054A Class Frigate is a flexible, yet powerful surface warfare asset that possesses significant range and the ability to engage in a multitude of operations. It is equipped with an aft hangar and flight deck, and carries either a Ka-28 or Harbin Z-9 helicopter depending on mission requirements. Type 054A FFGs will likely be deployed as part of naval flotillas stationed on a rotational basis at the PLAN naval base in Djibouti, and eventually at Gwadar, Pakistan. They will also be used to police the long maritime supply lines to and from China to strategic waterways near the Horn of Africa and the Straits of Hormuz, as well as continuing patrols in the South China and East China Seas.
Type 054A Yiyang, FFG-548. This vessel was constructed in 2010 and was the seventh vessel in class to be built. Note the 32 cell VLS forward of the superstructure, 76mm dual-purpose deck gun, and Type 87 anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) launchers just forward of the deck gun. Amidships are the twin 4 cell launchers for the C-803 anti-ship/land attack cruise missiles.
New Nuclear Submarines
Without a doubt one of the segments of Chinese defense strategy most shrouded in mystery are the attack submarines and ballistic missile submarines of the PLAN. They are very rarely a topic of discussion by government officials, either on or off the record. What is known is that the PLAN has a newer SSN and SSBN in service. China’s submarine technology has run behind that of both the United States and Russia for decades, but China has been rapidly closing the gap in recent years. It is no secret that Chinese espionage efforts to acquire U.S. submarine warfare technology have been very active, and quite successful over the past decade in particular.
The most capable nuclear attack submarine (SSN) in service with the PLAN is the Type 093B. A notable improvement over the Type 093, it has the capability to fire submarine launched cruise missiles (SLCM) while submerged via a dorsal mounted VLS. Like its predecessor, the Type 093, it retains the ability to fire SLCMs from its bow torpedo tubes. This is accomplished by using a specifically designed torpedo tube missile canister. It is not known how many Type 093B SSNs are currently in service, but most analysts, including those at the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence, put the number at six. Of greater interest is the newer SSN that is either currently being fitted out or is undergoing sea trials later this year, the Type 095.
A pair of Type 093B SSNs. Of particular interest in this image are the improved hydrodynamics of the conning tower and the slight dorsal hump denoting the presence of a VLS for launching anti-ship and land attack cruise missiles.
The Type 095 is an SSN, but reportedly has a sizeable VLS (12-16 cells) which can fire a multitude of PLAN missiles including anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) and land attack cruise missiles (LACM). The U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence has classified the Type 095 as a nuclear attack guided missile submarine (SSGN) due to its large missile capacity. The Type 095 is thought to utilize pump-jet propulsion, make use of noise reducing technologies, and a hybrid pressure hull design.
The Type 095 is being constructed at the new Bohai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Company (BSHIC) submarine manufacturing facility located in Huludao, in the Liaoning province. It is the largest submarine manufacturing facility in the world, with an assembly building measuring some 430,000 square feet (39,948 sq. meters). Completed in 2017, the main assembly hall can accommodate four submarines at any given time. The facility is totally enclosed, and operations cannot be viewed from the air or via satellite surveillance. This also allows manufacturing operations to continue year round regardless of weather conditions. The facility will be used to build all Type 095 SSN and Type 096 SSBN class submarines.
A satellite image of the BSHIC submarine manufacturing facility in Huludao in the province of Liaoning, China.
The Type 094 Jin Class nuclear ballistic missile submarine has also undergone a noticeable transformation, resulting in what has been renamed the Type 094A. Improvements to the new variant include a larger VLS aft of the conning tower, a more streamlined shape which produces less noise and cavitation while submerged, likely greater speed submerged (less hydrodynamic drag), and a new ballistic missile armament. The Type 094A is most likely equipped with the next generation JL-2A submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM). The JL-2A is based on the DF-31, and has an estimated maximum range of 11,200 kilometers (6,960 miles). The JL-2A is likely equipped with a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) warhead. The PLAN likely has between four and six Type 094/094A class SSBNs in service. These SSBNs serve as the third leg of the nuclear deterrent triad that China lacked for so many years, and the 094A offers China a viable second strike capability. The Type 096 SSBN currently being designed will offer notable improvements over the 094A SSBN, yet little is known about the project.
This rare image shows not only a Type 094A Class SSBN in the foreground, but also a Type 093B Class SSN in the background. The improved hydrodynamics of both vessels can be seen, especially in the conning towers that now lack windows. The large dorsal hump of the Type 094A houses the powerful JL-2A submarine launched ballistic missiles that have a range in excess of 11,200 kilometers.
The Sixth and Final Type 071 LPD?
The final Type 071 Class LPD of the original order of six vessels was launched at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard on January 20th of this year. The fifth vessel was launched just 7 months prior. It remains unknown if the PLAN will decide to order additional LPDs of this class, or will concentrate instead on the larger Type 075 LHDs currently under construction at the same shipyard which constructed all six Type 071 LPDs.
It is logical to conclude that China may decide to build additional Type 071 LPDs, but this will depend perhaps on how long it takes to construct, launch and commission the first of the new class of LHDs. With six LPDs in service, after the final two vessels are finally commissioned, the PLAN will always have at least two of them ready to deploy as the backbone of a small Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). A PLAN ARG would likely consist of at least one Type 071 LPD, 2 Type 072 LSTs and a surface warfare escort of a mix of DDGs and FFGs.
These smaller amphibious warfare vessels lack the size and capability of bringing their own aviation strike element with them. The Type 071 can accommodate two helicopters on its large aft flight deck, and is equipped to house four helicopters in the adjacent hangar. The Type 072 LST can also accommodate one helicopter on its after flight deck. Lacking a VSTOL attack aircraft, the PLAN will most likely modify the Z-10 attack helicopter for naval use, with it serving a similar purpose as the U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper and Russian Ka-52k naval attack helicopters. China has already conducted take-off and landing tests with Z-10s on both the Type 071 LPD and 072A LST. The Type 075 LHD will undoubtedly have an attack element of at least eight to ten modified Z-10s.
It is clear that a larger amphibious warfare platform is a requirement for the PLAN in the immediate future. If the time it took China to design, build, launch and fit-out its first indigenous aircraft carrier is an indicator, we are likely looking at the first Type 075 to be launched sometime in 2020. Fitting out and sea trails will take an additional two years before the first vessel is commissioned. The LHD is without a doubt the most flexible and capable of all amphibious warfare platforms and the PLAN will need these vessels to be able to field viable ARGs to respond to challenges within its maritime territories and to project power at greater ranges along the full length and breadth of the Maritime Silk Road.
The All Important Support Vessels
China signaled to the world that it fully intended to field aircraft carrier battle groups (CBG) in the near future when it launched the first Type 901 Fast Combat Support Ship in December of 2015. Built by Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Ltd. (GSI), the first vessel in this class Hulun Hu (hull # 965), commissioned in September of 2017 after successful sea trials and UNREP trails, bears the distinction of being the only fast combat support ship fielded by a nation other than the United States, which operates the Sacramento and Supply Class vessels. These massive underway replenishment ships are designed to be able to meet the logistics needs of fast moving carrier battle/strike groups.
The Type 901 is a massive vessel, with a fully loaded displacement of 48,000 tons. It is equipped with five liquid bulk cargo transfer stations, three on the port side and two on the starboard side, and is also equipped for liquid transfers astern. They can refuel an aircraft carrier with fuel oil and aviation fuel to starboard while supplying fuel oil to surface warfare escorts to port. The disclosed cruising speed is in excess of 25 knots, which is likely understated. It is equipped with a large aircraft hangar and flight deck that can accommodate large Z-8 heavy transport helicopters which are well suited to aerial replenishment duties. A second Type 901 is currently in an advanced state of construction.
The massive size of the Type 901 is clearly on display in this image. The vessel tied up alongside Hulun Hu is a Type 640 Class auxiliary tanker.
The PLAN also operates the Type 903 and Type 903A Class fleet replenishment vessels. The Type 903 was greatly improved and took on the designation Type 903A with the first two examples commissioned in the summer of 2013. There are six Type 903A replenishment ships on active service, and a seventh currently in an advanced state of construction. These vessels have a fully loaded displacement of approximately 24,000 tons and can carry 10,500 tons of bunkers (fuel), 250 tons of potable water, and roughly 700 tons of dry cargo.
Type 903A Honghu, commissioned in July of 2016. The PLAN should take delivery of the seventh such vessel sometime in the middle of 2019. The PLAN increased production of this class of vessel since the first was commissioned in 2013. Four were commissioned in a span of just 8 months from December 2015 to July 2016.
Fleet replenishment vessels are a vital component of a blue water navy. They allow fleet task forces, carrier battle groups and amphibious ready groups to engage in complex missions thousands of miles from home ports and over extended periods of duration. They replenish fuel, food stores, fresh water and munitions to warships while underway, and can provide a rapid logistics solution to both naval and land forces deployed to far flung bases and garrisons. These vessels are indispensable to aircraft carrier battle groups engaged in long deployments.
The Big Picture, PLAN 2025
The rapid pace of warship construction by China is impressive from an engineering and manufacturing standpoint, but of greater interest is in understanding the motivation behind such an ambitious program. Why has the Chinese leadership decided that the PLAN must expand and acquire a full spectrum of naval warfare capabilities that it has previously lacked, and in such a short space of time? The answer to this question becomes clear after a short analysis of China’s geopolitical, economic and national security goals in the twenty-first century.
In many ways, China is engaged in a concerted effort to redefine the economic realities that have established the way the world exchanges goods and services, and distributes the product of human endeavors globally. The New Silk Road/Maritime Silk Road project seeks to once again make China the center of the economic world. China is already the largest economy in the world in terms of economic production, and is on pace to usurp the U.S. as the world’s largest economic consumer as well. Continued growth and prosperity depend upon cheap and efficient movement of energy resources and raw materials to China, and the cheap and efficient movement of finished goods from China. The overwhelming majority of these influxes and outflows transit the international waterways of the world. Continued prosperity and stability depend upon the security of these maritime lanes of trade. In strategic terms, these naval lines of communication must remain open. In times of strife and natural or man-made disaster, China must have the capacity to secure these lines of communication and to keep them open. The great naval strategist Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, writing in 1893, then just a Captain, stated this concept very succinctly:
“Let us start from the fundamental truth, warranted by history, that the control of the seas, and especially along the great lines drawn by national interest or national commerce, is the chief among the merely material elements in the power and prosperity of nations. It is so because the sea is the world’s great medium of circulation. From this necessarily follows the principal that, as subsidiary to such control, it is imperative to take possession, when it can be done righteously, of such maritime positions as contribute to secure command.”
Although China has been the first and most determined nation to move in this direction, it is not alone. As China moves to build a new logistics system that aims to redirect the movement of information, energy, and economic goods that competes with the current established system dominated by the United States, the United States and its allies are determined to maintain the status quo. Some of these allies, such as India, are allies of necessity and are also attempting to maintain their independence. China has accepted the wisdom of long standing naval strategy, and has proven the most decisive in embracing these centuries old concepts.
This map illustrates established and potential naval bases of rivals in the Indian Ocean, South China Sea and Asia Pacific regions. The U.S. bases were established through imperialist expansion, war and the long running U.S.-U.K. alliance. India has moved to leverage its own cooperative relationship with the U.S.-U.K. alliance and also maintain a level of independence. China has moved to secure the maritime lines of communication to and from Africa and the Middle East. Bases in Gwadar and Kyaukpyu will prove indispensable if either the Straits of Malacca or Aden become impassable.
If China does not alter its current building projects by increasing or reducing orders, the PLAN will still be a highly transformed fighting force by 2025. The year 2025 will prove to be a milestone for the PLAN for many reasons. By 2025, China will likely be declaring its first Type 002 Class aircraft carrier operational. The Type 002 will be an EMALs assisted CATOBAR capable carrier that may likely be nuclear powered. At the same time, two other aircraft carriers, although recognized as developmental steps along the way to the Type 002, will also be in service. Based on the pace of pilot training and the procurement of aircraft over the past decade, the PLAN will have at least one more regiment of carrier strike aircraft in service, bringing the total to two regiments. China is already seeking to develop and field a carrier borne strike aircraft superior to the J-15, even though many of the J-15’s shortcoming will be rectified by the improved CATOBAR system of the new Type 002 carrier.
Liaoning CV-16 with its air wing of J-15s and rotary wing ASW and support aircraft, and a Type 054A frigate escort. A modest yet impressive start in carrier borne naval aviation, and definitely just the beginning.
The Plan will have 30 Type 054A Frigates, 18 Type 052D and 8 or more Type 055 Destroyers in service. Improvements upon the destroyers will likely occur in the intervening years. A total of 50 Type 056 Corvettes (28 of the Type 056A improved variant) will be policing the coastal waterways of China and its outlying island territories. These modern and capable surface warfare vessels will be supplemented by older vessels that China has been actively modernizing.
The PLAN will be able to transport an enlarged PLA Marine Corps to battle in its first Amphibious Ready Group, albeit with limited capabilities. The First Type 075 LHD will be undergoing operational training to test the capabilities of the vessel and familiarize sailors, marines and airmen with amphibious and air assault missions from such a complex and powerful platform. There will be six Type 071 LPDs in service, as well as 15 Type 072A LSTs. The majority of an additional 17 Type 072 LSTs of an earlier, yet sound design will still be in service. The recently expanded PLAMC, numbering approximately 100,000 men, a five-fold increase from 2017, will finally have the modern amphibious sealift capacity that it currently lacks. PLAMC marines will serve in duties deployed at sea and stationed at a growing number of Chinese sovereign island bases, or abroad at naval bases in foreign countries such as Pakistan and Djibouti.
By 2025, the PLAN will have a robust naval logistics arm available to support naval operations across the length and breadth of the Maritime Silk Road. Two Type 901 fast combat supports ships, and 9 Type 903A replenishment ships will be available at a minimum. Four Type 904 general stores issue vessels are currently in service to resupply island garrisons and offshore bases. This number may be increased in the intervening years.
Of equal interest is the question of just how the U.S. Navy will look in 2025. It will still be the largest and most powerful navy in terms of global reach and power projection; however, it is a military branch that seems to be without focus or direction. The PLAN has increasingly invested in high tech, powerful and flexible conventional warships that are also cost effective when compared to the new designs pursued by the U.S. Navy. Even the Type 002 aircraft carrier is a conservative design, with a limited mission foreseen for it, one which will minimize its weaknesses and make use of its strengths. It is telling that China has built the largest surface warfare ship since the U.S. commissioned the last Ticonderoga Class cruiser Port Royal CG-73 in 1994. The U.S. has no plans to replace the 22 Ticonderoga Class cruisers anytime soon, nor is there a replacement design to consider. The Gerald R. FordClass CVN-78 has proven to be a costly and disappointing investment so far. It will use the F-35 JSF and F-18 Super Hornet which lack the range to be a threat to peer adversaries. The Zumwalt Class DDG is a dead end failure and the troubled LCS program has proven to be less capable than the traditional multi-purpose frigate designs of other major navies.
Ticonderoga Class cruiser USS Lake Champlain CG-57. Decommissioning of these vessels will begin in 2019, with no viable replacement. The U.S. Navy command has proposed keeping half of the 22 vessels in service. Despite the largest defense budget of any nation in the world, and larger than that of Russia and China combined, the U.S. Navy cited budget constraints as a key factor in being unable of replacing the vessels.
While the U.S. has wasted its great wealth on failed designs, whose sole aim is to earn profits for a defense industry more interested in profit-generating waste than in producing weapons systems that balance capability, efficiency and cost effectiveness, China has done something quite different. China has produced cutting edge warships and aircraft for its navy that are largely improvements upon proven designs and technology. China has made major progress in missile technology, surpassing the U.S. in many respects. It has also reaped rewards from years of investment in research and development of advanced radar and even photon detection technologies. There is no doubt that China has gotten far more return on its investments in terms of its defense industry in comparison to the United States. For the military defense complex that rules the United States the goal is profit, not the defense and security of the nation.
From 2001 to the present, the United States military has morphed into a force obsessed with counterinsurgency and occupation, leaving it woefully unprepared for a conventional conflict with peer adversaries, such as Russia or China. The U.S. Navy has transformed into a global police force meant to be used as a stick to bludgeon any small nation that dares to disobey the diktats of Washington. Its powerful aircraft carrier strike groups (CSG) lack the air wing capable of striking the shores of powerful adversaries, rendering these great symbols of U.S. power impotent against any capable foe in a major conflict. The U.S. Navy is powerless to change the strategic situation in the South China Sea through military means, as China has already “crossed the Rubicon”. Imperial hubris, corruption and arrogance have done greater damage to the U.S. military than any foreign adversary has over the past 17 years.
The year 2025 will witness a PLAN in ascent and a U.S. Navy in decline. This is not to say that the U.S. Navy will not still be the preeminent naval power globally, but it will continue to be mired in a lack of strategic direction, focus and budgetary crisis. The PLAN will be guided by a clear strategic focus, increasing capabilities, and a robust shipbuilding and weapons acquisition program. There is no doubt that the PLAN will emerge as the second most powerful navy in the world, and will exert significant influence in both military and geostrategic terms.
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The original source of this article is South Front
Copyright © South Front, South Front, 2018
Articles by: South Front
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CONCACAF Nations League Qualification
England boss Neville slams Cameroon behaviour in controversial World Cup clash
Jack McGraghan
England v Cameroon
The Lionesses progressed to the quarter-finals in France with a 3-0 win, but VAR stole the headlines as the African side disputed a number of calls
England manager Phil Neville has condemned the behaviour of Cameroon’s players after his side’s 3-0 last-16 win at the Women’s World Cup was shrouded in controversy.
Goals from Steph Houghton, Ellen White and Alex Greenwood were enough to send the Lionesses through to the quarter-finals of the competition, but the headlines were stolen on a day where VAR’s presence was certainly felt.
England’s second goal was initially ruled out for offside against White, before VAR overturned the decision, causing furore among the Cameroon players and officials.
Cameroon would then see a goal of their own ruled out for offside early in the second-half with the game hanging in the balance at 2-0, with goalscorer Ajara Nchout reduced to tears on the field as a result.
In his post-match interview with BBC Sport, Neville feared that England’s opponents had set a bad example in front of a global audience, saying: “It wasn't a World Cup last-16 game in terms of the behaviour that I want to see from footballers.
“This is going out worldwide and I can’t stand here and say that I particularly enjoyed it, my players didn't enjoy it.
“Young girls all over the world were seeing that behaviour, for me it’s not right and I can’t stand here and say it’s fantastic or it’s brilliant that we’re into the quarter-final because there’s a bigger picture here.
“The behaviour was wrong because it’s the image of women’s football, and it’s going out worldwide about a team that comes to the side and start refusing to play.
“There is a certain standard of behaviour that you’ve got to do, my players did that and I’m proud.”
England held their nerve after the unprecedented scenes in Valenciennes to march to a 3-0 victory, and Neville went on to add that Cameroon were lucky not to be on the receiving end of a five or six-goal defeat.
“Sympathy? None,” he added.
“Ellen White was onside, deal with it. We know the rules, we've been spoken to by referees 350,000 times in the last three weeks and she got every decision right.
“In fact, I think at the end she took pity on them because I thought we should have had a penalty and a sending off [for Cameroon].
“In the end they should actually count their lucky stars it wasn't five or six.”
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Japan clash a reminder of England's progress - not a revenge-fuelled rematch
Ameé Ruszkai
Reporting in Nice
Getty/Goal
Japan v England
Features & Opinions
The Asian nation knocked the Lionesses out in the last four of the 2015 Women's World Cup, but a lot has changed in the four years since
Four years is a long time in football.
Before England faced Japan in the semi-finals of the 2015 Women’s World Cup, then-manager Mark Sampson said: “If you offered me any win against Japan, however it comes, I’d bite your arm off and your two legs.”
The Nadeshiko were the reigning champions, having beaten the United States on penalties at the 2011 World Cup in Germany in their first escapade beyond the competition’s quarter-final stage.
With the likes of Aya Miyama and Nahomi Kawasumi at the peak of their powers, they won every game on their road to the final – where they were eventually upended by a Carli Lloyd masterclass.
Fast forward to 2019 and, as these two prepare to meet in their final group game of this summer’s World Cup, Phil Neville saying something similar is almost unthinkable – but he does.
“I’ve got to be honest, I’d bite your legs off to win tomorrow night!” he says when the quote is presented to him, but there’s a difference.
While he is keen not to play down the achievements by Sampson’s team in Canada, stressing that they deserve the utmost respect for getting where they did, the consensus in the camp is that, this time around, they can do that, and they can do it their way.
“When we went into that World Cup, we weren’t just happy to be there obviously, we wanted to win, but we knew the expectation wasn’t there as much,” Lucy Bronze said.
“We didn’t have as much belief, we hadn’t beaten a lot of the top teams, ever. We come into this World Cup having beaten the likes of the USA, France and Germany now.
“That’s why we’re going into this game tomorrow saying we want to beat [Japan] fair and square, we want to play our game, the way we want to play it, the way we want to win.”
Toni Duggan reiterated that mentality earlier this week.
“The players prefer this new style,” she said.
“We want to be on the ball, passing and being confident and brave.”
To receive praise and respect from Japan is up there with the highest, given their attractive style of play and back-to-back World Cup finals.
Asked which England players she fears tomorrow, coach Asako Takakura said: “All of them."
She continued: “Seriously, England’s squad is full of excellent players.
“Without us giving everything that we’ve got, we won’t be able to win the game.”
The progress of the FA Women’s Super League is another factor in the growth of the national team. Bronze admitted that, despite her move to Lyon, she “can see why players wouldn’t want to leave” England, while Takakura “hope[s] the Japanese players can have that environment” someday.
It’s these developments that allowed Neville to snap back at a French journalist, who suggested England’s league was weak and that British football is ‘kick and rush’, before the game against Scotland.
It’s these developments that make England anything but underdogs this time around, like they were when the two met four years ago.
And it’s these developments that, whether you consider England favourites or not, make considering the game a revenge mission for their 2015 semi-final defeat, quite frankly, lazy.
Instead, it’s fuel for the fire in the Lionesses’ bellies, as Bronze perfectly explains.
“That’s something that we’ve got over most of the teams in this tournament,” she said.
“We got knocked out in the semi-final of a World Cup, and we got knocked out in the semi-final of the Euros. I don’t think there’s many other teams that are in the same position as us and are that hungry to get to a final because of those situations that we’ve been through.
“That’s an extra motivation that’s been added to this team.”
While there is admittedly more expectation on England as they come up against the Nadeshiko, it is pressure they have handled just fine so far.
They did so in stylish fashion in the Battle of Britain when they overcame Scotland, they did so in a patient manner against a more defensive Argentina, and they will expect – and believe – they can do so again against Japan.
This opponent presents a different challenge all together – something that prompted winger Emi Nakajima to say it will be “easy [for Japan] to create gaps” in England’s team.
But, four years on, the Lionesses are a lot more mature and comfortable among the world’s best to get caught up in a pursuit of vengeance.
Neymar names Sergio Ramos as best player he's ever faced
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Over Yonder Restaurant Brings Pop-Up Dining Series, First Event on Wednesday
Published Monday, January 30, 2017 at 11:32 am
By Katie Benfield
Over Yonder, a destination restaurant and bar in Valle Crucis, presents the Rising Chefs of Appalachia Pop-Up Series, starting with their first ever featured chef this Wednesday, February 1 at 6:30 p.m. Over Yonder is offering its restaurant and kitchen to these chefs in order to provide them with experience and a venue through which they can put their talents to great use.
“They plan their own menu, choose their style, pick out their plate ware and décor,” Executive Chef Andrew Long of Over Yonder said. “It’s a chance for them to get experience doing this kind of thing and get their name out there.”
It also benefits Over Yonder, which strives to bring attention to the historic Appalachian cuisine, while also bringing the community together.
“The set-up is very much going to be a community style dinner,” Chef Long said. “Since Over Yonder only has four rooms for everyone to be seated to eat, it’s going to definitely be family style and bring the community in together, and that’s kind of the whole point.”
Over Yonder is offering discounts to those who are involved in the food and beverage industry, which has gotten a lot of positive feedback, so quite a few people are expected to be there.
Wednesday’s chef, Chef Thomas Butler of the New Public House, brings a unique, vegetarian menu to the first event in the series.
“He told me that he wanted to start eating healthier, so he suggested a vegetarian-themed menu,” Chef Long said. “So, we found what vegetables we could get locally in the winter, and he built the menu from that.”
Chef Butler’s menu consists of three main courses and a couple of other samplings, all gluten-free, ranging from loaded potato bites to cherry flourless tortes. However, writing a delicious menu isn’t the only thing that Chef Butler had to focus on.
“It’s way more than just writing a good menu,” Chef Long said. “It’s about learning. You have to come up with a plan, a shopping list, pricing, and it will all help him later on down the road.”
When Chef Long chooses a featured chef for the series, he has a couple of conditions. The first one is that the chefs featured are not in charge of their own kitchens elsewhere, so that this can be a learning experience for them. The second is that they come up with a themed dinner menu.
“Themed dinner menus just play better,” Chef Long said, “And that’s what they’re definitely going to be doing.”
The events in the series will, as Chef Long hopes, be happening at least a couple of times a month, although the schedule is up in the air currently.
“We are going to try and do it every Wednesday, or every other Wednesday,” Chef Long said. “We aren’t going to do it every week, so I’m not sure it’s going to be an exact regular schedule.”
However, this Wednesday and the Wednesday following, the community can expect featured chefs at Over Yonder, and the programming seems to be exactly what is needed to promote and bring the community together.
When one arrives for the event, they will be greeted with snacks and drinks and then will be seated for the dinner. Chef Long will come out and explain the menu to the guests, so they will know what to expect. Once dinner is over, the featured chef will come out and tell the guests what his or her thought process was when building the menu and the style of the dinner.
“Each one of these dinners is going to be very different from one another and different from what we do at Over Yonder,” Chef Long said. “I’m very excited. I don’t know if I’m going to eat or work. I just haven’t decided yet.”
The price for the dinner is $45 for the general public and $30 for folks who work in the food and beverage industry.
For more information about the menu for Wednesday, Feb. 1, please see it on the website.
For more information about the event or other general questions, please call 828-963-6301.
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Turkey's leader opens new Istanbul Airport as global hub
Turkey's l...
ISTANBUL (AP) - Turkey's president inaugurated a gleaming new aviation hub in Istanbul on Monday, a megaproject that he has pushed to fulfill his dream of making Turkey a global player.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Istanbul Airport was open for operations on a special day - the 95th anniversary of Turkey's establishment as a republic following its war of independence.
With the sprawling new airport on shores of the Black Sea, Erdogan declared that Turkey has become the "most important transit location on the north-south, east-west axes, connecting 60 countries and $20 trillion economies."
"With this airport, we are furthering our country's key role in the integration of global economies," he said.
It was a symbolic opening, with only a few flights scheduled this week. But by the end of the year, the massive airport will replace Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport, named after Turkey's founder.
Istanbul Airport is expected to host 90 million passengers per year in its first phase, and in 10 years handle 200 million travelers on six runways. That's almost double the traffic at the world's current busiest airport, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson.
In a reversal, Erdogan said the old airport would remain open for non-commercial flights, aviation fairs and other activities. Some of its grounds will be turned into a park.
Turkish Airlines will launch its first flights out of the new airport to three local destinations: Ankara, Antalya and Izmir. It will also fly to Baku and Ercan in northern Cyprus.
Erdogan slammed critics who doubted that the megaproject could be completed safely on time. The 5-company consortium Istanbul Grand Airport, which built the airport and will run it for 25 years, said 36,000 workers completed the first phase of the project in 42 months.
But labor issues have also tarnished the airport's image.
"The prestige project has been marred
"The prestige project has been marred by reports of accidents and arrests of protesting workers," said Emma Sinclair-Webb of Human Rights Watch, which cited at least 38 workplace deaths over the past three years.
Hundreds of workers were detained in September after a strike against poor working conditions, including unpaid salaries, bedbugs, unsafe food and inadequate transport to the site. Human Rights Watch said some protesters were fired and at least 31 people, including a union leader, were arrested.
Posters of Erdogan in the shiny terminal read "This is not just an airport. This is a monument to victory."
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Istanbul's new airport ahead of its opening, Monday Oct. 29, 2018. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to inaugurate Istanbul's new airport, slated to be the world's biggest, a megaproject that he has pushed to meet its symbolic deadline. The airport will start operations on the 95th anniversary of Turkey's establishment as a republic Monday but will initially only serve limited destinations. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) - The Associated Press
Backdropped by posters of modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, left, and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, airlines employees stand in Istanbul's new airport ahead of its opening, Monday Oct. 29, 2018. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to inaugurate Istanbul's new airport, slated to be the world's biggest, a megaproject that he has pushed to meet its symbolic deadline. The airport will start operations on the 95th anniversary of Turkey's establishment as a republic Monday but will initially only serve limited destinations. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) - The Associated Press
Airlines employees stand in Istanbul's new airport ahead of its opening, Monday Oct. 29, 2018. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to inaugurate Istanbul's new airport, slated to be the world's biggest, a megaproject that he has pushed to meet its symbolic deadline. The airport will start operations on the 95th anniversary of Turkey's establishment as a republic Monday but will initially only serve limited destinations. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) - The Associated Press
An airline employee stands in Istanbul's new airport ahead of its opening, Monday Oct. 29, 2018. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to inaugurate Istanbul's new airport, slated to be the world's biggest, a megaproject that he has pushed to meet its symbolic deadline. The airport will start operations on the 95th anniversary of Turkey's establishment as a republic Monday but will initially only serve limited destinations. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) - The Associated Press
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James McGill
James served as a Guardsman in the Army before being discharged in 2014. He has a musculoskeletal injury and nerve damage. James competed at Orlando 2016 and this year has been selected in athletics (100 metres, 200 metres and discus), golf and rowing. He hopes sport will continue to be a big part of his life as he moves forward in his recovery: “It enables me to reclaim my identity. I utilise it as a means of wellbeing and maintaining links with like-minded people who have shared similar issues, and help each other through tough periods of recovery.”
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Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 94F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..
A few clouds from time to time. Low 77F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Owners Jennifer and Mike Stone handle orders Tuesday at The Early Bird Eatery.
Photos by Don Campbell / HP staff
Chef and owner Mike Stone checks an order Tuesday at The Early Bird Eatery, located in Bridgman.
The Stones returned to Southwest Michigan to open The Early Bird Eatery, located in Bridgman.
Don Campbell / HP staff
The Early Bird Eatery, located in Bridgman, is open daily from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and closed on Wednesdays.
Breakfast dishes such as eggs and potatoes and eggs Benedict are popular choices at The Early Bird Eatery.
New restaurant fills void created after closure of the Olympus in Bridgman
By MICHAEL ELIASOHN - HP Correspondent
BRIDGMAN — Mike and Jennifer Stone are the perfect combination to own and operate a restaurant.
He’s a chef by training and work experience and she has a background in small business development and process improvement.
The result is The Early Bird Eatery, which opened June 1 at 9735 Red Arrow Highway, a short distance south of the stoplight in Bridgman.
The Stones are parents of children ages 21/2 and 4, which determined their hours. The restaurant is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day except Wednesday.
“We knew we didn’t want to work nights,” Mike said.
The Stones lease the space that housed the Olympus Restaurant from 1975 until it closed in April when owners Anastasia and Chris Lepeniotis retired. The Stones got possession by mid-May, Mike said, then came a lot of cleaning and renovation before opening.
As for the menu, Mike said, “I’m trying to enjoy what I do and make something delicious.” He said he and the kitchen staff make everything from scratch except for bread. They even make the biscuits.
Breakfast choices include strawberry shortcake French toast, coffee cake pancakes, eggs Benedict (as well as “eggs any way”) and gluten free shakshuka, defined as “two eggs soft poached in a tomato and red bell pepper sauce, spiced with cumin and saffron, topped with feta cheese, cilantro, and choice of toast.”
The lunch menu includes Kentucky hot brown (open face sandwich with boule bread, roasted turkey breast, bacon, oven-roasted tomatoes and Mornay cheese sauce), chicken pesto, shaved ribeye, bulgar chickpea burger, bagel and lox and shrimp and grits. Salads are also offered.
“We’re a little unique with the type of menu we’re doing,” Jennifer said. The restaurant’s complete menu can be seen at www.theearlybirdeatery.com.
Catering is also offered, starting with a holiday menu for those planning Christmas gatherings, but don’t want to cook. The menu, which includes a choice of three main dishes, is on the website. Dec. 20 is the last day to order and orders have to be picked up between 4 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 24.
Jennifer said they might next try catering corporate events and graduation parties.
She and and Mike, both 37, said they have known each other since they were in third grade at Brown Elementary School. Both graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1999. But they didn’t start dating until 2011, and were married in 2013.
When Mike was in high school, he worked at the Grande Mere Inn in Stevensville. He earned a culinary arts degree from the International Culinary School at the Art Institutes in Denver.
The Stones moved to Lansing in 2015, where Mike worked at the Walnut Hills Country Club, until it permanently closed in fall of 2017. Prior to moving, Jennifer worked in small business development at Cornerstone Alliance. In Lansing, she worked in process improvement for the Michigan Department of of Technology, Management and Budget.
But they wanted to return home and learned about the space to open their restaurant where the Olympus was from Mike’s friend, Joe Koehneke, who is the stepson of Marty Mason. Mason is the owner of MTM Group, which owns the Monogram Centre Project – the building that now houses The Early Bird.
“We got an opportunity to take this on,” Mike said, and, “it seemed like this was the right time,” Jennifer said, finishing the sentence.
While Mike is in the kitchen, Jennifer’s duties include being general manager and overseeing dining room operations. She said her prior experience in business development and process improvement was beneficial in getting The Early Bird started. “I felt I had a good handle on what needed to be done.”
The Stones’ children both attend preschool, but when they need to picked up or watched over, their grandparents are available when Mom and Dad are working. “We couldn’t do this without both sets of parents here,” Jennifer said.
Also, the Stones say they couldn’t operate without what she calls “a great team of employees,” some of whom worked at the Olympus. The staff is composed of about a dozen people, including three in the kitchen. Some servers work only one day a week.
During the busier summer season, they expect to have 16 employees.
Although business is obviously slower during the cold weather months, The Early Bird has been attracting customers from such places as St. Joseph, Three Oaks and Sawyer, as well as closer-by, “who really like our food,” Jennifer said.
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Austria Tabak logo
Austria Tabak GmbH | The JTI Tobacco Collection Vienna
JTI refers to the international tobacco sector of Japan Tobacco Inc., the third-largest tobacco company in the world. It headquarters is in Geneva and it operates 80 offices worldwide, selling its brands in more than 120 countries and running around 30 factories. The JTI Region Central Europe has Vienna as its headquarters supervising 18 markets: Austria, Germany, Poland, Greece, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia and also Malta and Cyprus. Austria Tabak has belonged to the JTI group since 2007 and is at present represented with around 70 cigarette brands. The portfolio includes such Austrian classics as “Memphis”, “Smart” and “Meine Sorte”, also international top brands like “Winston”, “Camel” and “Benson & Hedges”, to name just a few. The JTI Tobacco Collection Vienna was founded in 1873 and is the largest tobacco history collection in Europe. The holdings encompass 9300 inventoried items and range from pre-Columbian pipes to contemporary cigarette packets.
Koppstraße 116
+43-1-313 42-1927
http://www.jti.com/
ccallgemein@jti.com
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-- Select Category -- View All Articles FAQs News
-- Select Sub Category -- Accounting General HMRC Tax
HMRC Targeting Restaurants and Takeaways as Part of Tax Evasion Crackdown
HMRC has been paying particular attention to the activities of restaurants and takeaway food businesses around the country as part of its crackdown on tax evasion. That’s according to a new set of figures compiled by the accountancy firm BDO, which says that 26 per cent of all the companies ‘named and shamed’ as tax evaders recently were restaurant or takeaway operators. In terms of the raw …
Welsh Workers Charged Scottish Income Taxes after HMRC Mix Up
People in Wales have been paying their taxes at the wrong rates in recent weeks thanks to a mix-up with their tax codes and HMRC’s filing processes. The problem has been that an unspecified number of Welsh taxpayers have had Scottish tax codes applied to them in error. Taxpayers in Wales were assigned a ‘C’ prefix for their tax codes as of April 2019 but, in some cases, their employers have …
HMRC Crackdown Brings in £5 Million from Black Market Dog Breeders
A crackdown on the tax evading activities of dog breeders across the UK has seen £5 million added to the country’s coffers. HMRC set up a taskforce in 2015 to target dog breeders who illicitly sell puppies on the black market and don’t pay any taxes on the proceeds. A total of 257 cases have now been investigated by representatives of HMRC, with some £5,393,035 having been recouped as a cons…
HMRC to Make Complaints Process Digital for the First Time
Individuals and businesses throughout the UK will soon be able to make complaints about issues relating to HMRC and their tax affairs online for the first time.
HMRC Pursuing Its Own Staff in ‘Disguised Remuneration’ Crackdown
HMRC is pursuing its own staff, along with many thousands of other contractors, for money now regarded as being tax amounts that are owed and haven’t yet been settled. The tax authorities are cracking down on forms of avoidance involving so-called ‘disguised remuneration’ schemes and tax-free loans paid from offshore trusts, which were, until recently, relatively commonplace as a means of ma…
HMRC Delays Sending Late Filing Penalty Notices to Focus on Brexit
HMRC is delaying the process of sending out late penalty fine notices to people who were tardy with their self-assessment tax returns this year in order to focus instead on dealing with issues relating to Brexit. Almost 750,000 people are believed to have missed the January 31st online tax return deadline and should therefore expect to receive an automatic £100 fine. However, while HMRC staff wou…
HMRC Glitch Putting Self-Employed at Risk of Underpaying Taxes
Problems with HMRC’s computer systems have seen self-employed people around the country given incorrect information regarding their tax liabilities. According to TaxAssist Accountants, taxpayers who have already filed their tax returns for 2017/18 are sometimes being sent inaccurate tax bills. The issues are generally believed to stem from the omission of details about ‘payments on account’ …
VAT Values Up 60% in 10 Years to Reach Record High
The scale of HMRC’s VAT intake has risen by as much as 60 per cent over the course of the past decade and now stands at a record high level. That’s according to the accounting firm UHY Hacker Young, which has revealed that VAT represents around 21 per cent of the UK’s overall tax intake on an annual basis, up from around 18 per cent as of 2008/9. A decade ago, there was roughly £78 billion …
HMRC Sees 62% Increase in Tax Gathered via Mediation
HMRC collected 62 per cent more money through mediation processes in the year to the end of March 2018 than it did during the previous 12-month period.
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Eleanor And Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady
Biography and Memoir > Lesbian & Bi Biography and Memoir
Author: Susan Quinn
A warm, intimate account of the love between Eleanor Roosevelt and reporter Lorena Hickok--a relationship that, over more than three decades, transformed both women's lives and empowered them to play significant roles in one of the most tumultuous periods in American history
In 1932, as her husband assumed the presidency, Eleanor Roosevelt entered the claustrophobic, duty-bound existence of the First Lady with dread. By that time, she had put her deep disappointment in her marriage behind her and developed an independent life--now threatened by the public role she would be forced to play. A lifeline came to her in the form of a feisty campaign reporter for the Associated Press: Lorena Hickok. Over the next thirty years, until Eleanor's death, the two women carried on an extraordinary relationship: They were, at different points, lovers, confidantes, professional advisors, and caring friends.
They couldn't have been more different. Eleanor had been raised in one of the nation's most powerful political families and was introduced to society as a debutante before marrying her distant cousin, Franklin. Hick, as she was known, had grown up poor in rural South Dakota and worked as a servant girl after she escaped an abusive home, eventually becoming one of the most respected reporters at the AP. Her admiration drew the buttoned-up Eleanor out of her shell, and the two quickly fell in love. For the next thirteen years, Hick had her own room at the White House, next door to the First Lady.
These fiercely compassionate women inspired each other to right the wrongs of the turbulent era in which they lived. During the Depression, Hick reported from the nation's poorest areas for the WPA, and Eleanor used these reports to lobby her husband for New Deal programs. Hick encouraged Eleanor to turn their frequent letters into her popular and long-lasting syndicated column "My Day," and to befriend the female journalists who became her champions. When Eleanor's tenure as First Lady ended with FDR's death, Hick pushed her to continue to use her popularity for good--advice Eleanor took by leading the UN's postwar Human Rights Commission. At every turn, the bond these women shared was grounded in their determination to better their troubled world.
Deeply researched and told with great warmth, Eleanor and Hick is a vivid portrait of love and a revealing look at how an unlikely romance influenced some of the most consequential years in American history.
"The love affair between first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and journalist Lorena "Hick" Hickok has never been treated with as much care or attention as in Susan Quinn's Eleanor and Hick. Here, Quinn deftly traces the dissimilar but converging paths of these two complex women and gives new life to their intimate, dynamic relationship, against a backdrop of tremendous social upheaval."-- NPR.org, Best Books of 2016 "Fascinating."--Susan Dunn, The New York Review of Books "Making sense of this famous relationship has been complicated for historians, and Quinn concedes the impossibility of knowing what, exactly, happened between the two women physically. But, drawing extensively on their letters, she makes a strong case that the bond they shared was indeed romantic. . . .The abiding impression of this book is the intricacy of Roosevelt's intimate life."--The New Yorker "A poignant account of a love affair doomed by circumstance and conflicting needs. Combining exhaustive research with emotional nuance, Quinn dives deep to convey the differing characters of president and first lady."--Richard Norton Smith, The Wall Street Journal "Captivating...In prose that reads as fluidly and mesmerizingly as fiction, Quinn tells the story of the First Lady's marital discontent and determination to live an independent life despite her prominent position in the public eye, and of the 30-year-long partnership and love that unfolded between Roosevelt and Hickok...Beyond just a compelling love story, Eleanor and Hick brings to light a different side of the early-20th century White House, revealing the significant impact of this unconventional relationship on American political and cultural history." --Harper's Bazaar, Best Books of 2016 "An engrossing double biography. . . . Quinn brings new depth to their epic, three-decade-long love story."-- New York Post "Quinn writes about both women with great sensitivity, from the childhood wounds they both bore to their influence on one another as writers and social activists. Meticulously researched, engagingly written, and emotionally resonant, this is a welcome addition to the Roosevelt book shelf."-- The Boston Globe "A brisk, readable account of the intersection between these two women."-- New York Times Book Review "Quinn sorts through the over three thousand letters the two sent to each other -- honest, passionate and principled correspondence -- to create a fascinating picture of the power and joy of the women's "subversive act" and its beneficial impact on the country at large."-- Brit & Co. "Quinn has produced an intimate book, tender and wise."--Stacy Schiff, The Washington Post "Fascinating."--People "A delightful account."--1843 (The Economist) "Apart from chronicling a beautiful and complex friendship, Quinn also makes a strong case here that Eleanor Roosevelt was the most politically significant first lady America has ever had."-- Bookpage "Eleanor and Hick marvelously weaves the lives of these two women together, showing their fierce independence and yet continual dependence on each other. The book also reflects a refreshing change in cultural opinion, most likely one that will usher in books on other historical homosexual relationships just as well-researched and kind."-- St. Louis Post-Dispatch "Quinn tells Eleanor's always astonishing story from a freshly illuminating perspective and brings forward to resounding effect intrepid, eloquent, compassionate, and tough Hick. With episodes hilarious, stunning and heartbreaking, Quinn's compellingly intimate chronicle tells the long-camouflaged story of a morally and intellectually spirited, taboo-transcending, and world-bettering love."--Booklist "A well-researched dual biography. . . . Fast paced and engaging, this work will enthrall readers of presidential biographies and LGBTQ studies." --Library Journal "Quinn deftly explores how the unlikely relationship evolved, relying on correspondence between the women, oral histories in archives, various government documents, and numerous other sources that allow readers to learn a great deal about normally private affairs.... A relentlessly captivating study of two remarkable individuals who helped extend the roles of American women in the public policy realm."--Kirkus Reviews (starred) "Susan Quinn's tender book of love and loyalty--set during the most tumultuous time of the twentieth century--reads like a whispered confidence. The forbidden relationship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and hardscrabble journalist Lorena Hickok is one of the great love affairs in history, and yet it has remained largely untold. Thanks to Quinn, their beautiful and courageous story is a secret no longer."--Mary Gabriel, author of Love and Capital: Karl and Jenny Marx and the Birth of a Revolution, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award "In telling with vivid detail the story of a remarkable relationship between two strong women, Susan Quinn has provided a new way to look at some of the most momentous events of the twentieth century. Eleanor and Hick is delightful, moving, penetrating history."--David Maraniss, author of Barack Obama: The Story "Eleanor Roosevelt's love affair with ace AP reporter Lorena Hickok, carried on just outside public view during the most public years of their lives, fascinates and inspires in Susan Quinn's irresistible telling. Eleanor and Hick is a powerfully moving and vital story that could not have been told in its day, and alters radically what we thought we knew about America's most influential and best-loved First Lady."--Megan Marshall, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Margaret Fuller: A New American Life "This is an important and probably unique biography in the history of the U.S. presidency. The special virtue of Eleanor and Hick is that Susan Quinn permits us to see how Eleanor Roosevelt's long, intimate relationship with Lorena Hickok helped her become not just a First Lady but a great one: courageous, committed, compassionate--and complicated. A triumph." --Nigel Hamilton, author of The Mantle of Command
Susan Quinn is the author of Furious Improvisation: How the WPA and a Cast of Thousands Made High Art Out of Desperate Times and Marie Curie: A Life, among other books. Her work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, the Atlantic, and other publications. She is the former president of PEN New England and lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts. From the Hardcover edition.
Publisher : Penguin Publishing Group
Imprint : Penguin Publishing Group
Availability date : January 2018
Dewey classification : 973.9170924
Author : Susan Quinn
Illustrations : 8 Illustrations, unspecified
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Home » Tudor England » Wales and Tudor England
Wales and Tudor England
Citation: C N Trueman "Wales and Tudor England"
Tudor England effectively absorbed Wales into it – and Wales had no choice but to join England.
Edward I had conquered Wales by 1283. The most rebellious part of Wales was Snowdonia and Edward built a number of large and formidable concentric castles around Snowdonia that were meant to terrorise the people of North Wales into submission.
After 1283, the land of Wales that was under the control of the King was called “The Principality”. This area, about a third of Wales, was ruled as if it was part of England. As in England, the Principality was divided into shires which were governed by men appointed by the king. The more important towns in the principality were Aberystwyth, Harlech, Caernarvon and Conway. Two-thirds of Wales was still governed by what were called the “Marcher Lords”. This was land that had been conquered by the Norman’s during the 11th and 12th centuries.
In 1485, Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth. Henry was a Welshman and the involvement of Welsh soldiers at Bosworth played a significant part in Henry’s victory. After he became king, Henry rewarded many Welsh men with government posts in London.
In 1509, Henry VIII succeeded his father to the throne. Henry did not have the same feel for Wales that his father had. Henry VII had a Welsh dragon and a wolfhound on his heraldic insignia. Henry VIII dropped the wolfhound and replaced it with a lion, thus making the royal insignia less Welsh.
Henry VIII was concerned by the way the Marcher Lords governed their lands. Henry became convinced that they were not stamping down on criminals who operated seemingly at will along the Welsh and English border. It was also a simple fact that criminals were committing offences in England, near the Welsh border, and then crossing over to Wales thus all but escaping justice. It was reported that one Marcher lord received payment from twenty-three murderers and twenty-five robbers in return for being protected from English justice.
Henry’s concerns over Wales heightened after his clash with the Roman Catholic Church after his divorce from Catherine of Aragon. Many Marcher lords were Roman Catholic and Henry was not confident that they would prove loyal after his clash with the pope. He was also concerned that parts of Wales – especially the south-west corner – were open to landings from either French or Spanish forces. The coast of Wales was poorly defended. Because Henry could not guarantee the loyalty of the Marcher lands, he decided to take full control of Wales and remove the power of the Marcher lords.
Between 1536 and 1543, a compliant English Parliament passed a series of laws that together became known as the Acts of Union. Wales became a united entity and the Principality lands and the Marcher lands both disappeared. The whole of Wales was divided into shires (counties) and each one had a Justice of the Peace – appointed in England.
Under the terms of the Acts of Union, Wales was represented in Parliament but there was an attempt to remove a national identity from Wales. Welsh MP’s were not truly representative of the people in their constituencies and Welsh was not spoken in Parliament. The rich Welsh families who sent their sons to London in an effort to advance themselves, ensured that they only spoke English. The law courts in Wales only conducted their affairs in English. By doing this, Henry was attempting to ‘make’ all Welsh people English and thus tie them to London in terms of loyalty. If you wanted to make your way in London either politically or socially, as a young Welshman you had to drop any pretence of being Welsh.
How did the Welsh react to this? The evidence seems to suggest that they took it as a fait accompli. With such a massively powerful neighbour, what else could they do? The example of what Edward I did to Wales was still something the Welsh could not forget and the symbols of English dominance were very plain to see. Also, English control of Wales meant that the border area was no longer the dangerous zone that it had been – which benefited the Welsh as well as the English . The union also allowed Wales to join in the prosperity that England seemed to be going through under Henry’s sovereignty. However, which ever way it was looked at, what Henry did was crude and done in such a way that the Welsh could not openly complain even if they wanted to.
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Kohlberg & Company acquire Nelipak® Healthcare Packaging
Nelipak® Corporation, Inc. (“Nelipak”), the leading provider of custom designed rigid packaging for the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, announced today that it has been acquired by Kohlberg & Company, L.L.C. (Kohlberg), a private equity firm headquartered in Mount Kisco, NY., from Mason Wells. The business will continue to operate under the name of Nelipak® Healthcare Packaging.
Headquartered in Cranston, Rhode Island, Nelipak is the leading global manufacturer of custom-designed rigid healthcare packaging used for Class II and Class III medical devices, and pharma drug delivery products. The company operates strategically located cleanroom facilities meeting customers’ most stringent packaging requirements. Nelipaks’ experienced in-house design, development, prototyping, manufacturing and quality teams offer medical trays and blisters, surgical procedure trays, pharmaceutical handling trays, custom built sealing machines and other value-added services. With a staff of over 800, the company operates from seven production facilities, five in the Americas – located in Cranston, RI.; Whitehall, PA; Phoenix, AZ.; Humacao, Puerto Rico, San Jose, Costa Rica; two in Europe - located in Venray, the Netherlands and Galway, Ireland.
“We have accomplished a lot at Nelipak during the past six years, and we are very grateful for the support given to us by Mason Wells. Our future is very bright with Kohlberg,” said Mike Kelly, President and CEO of Nelipak. “Kohlberg is committed to investing in Nelipak to make us an even stronger organization with additional capabilities to offer our customers around the world. With our global locations, world class design team, modern cleanroom manufacturing, strong sales organization and experienced management team, Nelipak is well positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities in the market.”
“Nelipak has successfully transformed itself into a leading global player in healthcare packaging and an ideal platform for further industry consolidation,” commented Seth H. Hollander, Partner of Kohlberg. “Our plans include leveraging Mike and his team, and their customer relationships, with sizeable, global acquisitions.” Roger Prevot, Operating Partner of Kohlberg, added, “A business with Nelipak’s global market position represents a unique investment opportunity. We look forward to supporting Mike and his team as they continue to execute their plan for organic and M&A-driven growth, while continuing to provide their customers with best-in-class service.”
About Nelipak® Healthcare Packaging
With facilities in Cranston, RI; Whitehall, PA; Phoenix, AZ; Venray, the Netherlands; Galway, Ireland; Humacao, Puerto Rico; and San Jose, Costa Rica, Nelipak® Healthcare Packaging designs, develops and manufactures custom thermoformed packaging products that provide superior protection for medical devices and pharmaceuticals. The company offers medical trays and blisters, surgical procedure trays, pharmaceutical handling trays, custom built sealing machines and other value-added services. Nelipak® Healthcare Packaging customers consist of some of the largest and most reputable medical device and pharmaceutical companies in the world. With over 800 employees worldwide, Nelipak® is focused on delivering superior quality and customer experience through world class manufacturing at each of its locations.
Nelipak® Healthcare Packaging is a trade name of Nelipak Corporation
About Kohlberg & Company, LLC
Kohlberg & Company, LLC (“Kohlberg”) is a leading private equity firm headquartered in Mount Kisco, New York. Since its inception in 1987, Kohlberg has organized eight private equity funds, through which it has raised over $7.5 billion of committed equity capital. Over its 32-year history, Kohlberg has completed 76 platform investments and nearly 200 add-on acquisitions, with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $15 billion. For more information, please visit www.kohlberg.com.
Seán Egan, Nelipak® Healthcare Packaging
Tel: 00 353 (0)91 709 163
Source: globenewswire.com
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By Adel Zakout
Top 10 Banks Embracing Architecture of Their Age
Banking in the modern sense of the word can be traced to medieval and early Renaissance Italy, to the rich cities in the north like Florence, Venice and Genoa. Given these origins and the fact that banks are an institution in charge of the world's most important asset, it is no wonder—from an architectural point of view—that even nowadays newly designed bank buildings could still opt for the neo-neo-classical look. Why? Because stylistically it is still considered evocative of reliability, state-authority level of importance and a deeply rooted tradition of good practice.
In today's business environment, however, a company's office design is critical for gaining a competitive edge. And, apart from credibility, popularity and interaction with society have become just as definitive of a company's—even a bank's—level of success.
To architects, banks almost sound like the perfect clients of means and social status. But up until a certain point in time, while the pre-conceived notions of what architecture projected an image of success still dominated, there was hardly any dynamic in the relationship. Banks failed to recognize the power of architecture as a social tool that could bring them closer to their clients—instead of didactically positioning them up above.
Image: alexhudson on travelpod.com
But just like—under the conditions of present-day economic stagnation—architects have learned to work with money, and to recognize the importance of motivating our designs economically as well as conceptually and socially, so did banks some time in the '80s embrace architecture. Some of the early examples of this new impetus are rather whimsical but very clear in the intent to manifest a change and a new desire for mass appeal.The Bank of Asia building (pictured above), for example, is very famous in Bangkok. It was designed way back in 1985 by Thai architect Sumet Jumsai, and its robotic appearance is just a symbol of the modernization of banking.
Story continues after slideshow.
Top 10 Banks from an Architectural Point of View
At one point, when all the excitement in high-profile architecture of the day lay with the high-rise race, we can see some of the first examples of banks liberating themselves from the grounded conventional office buildings and rocketing up into architectural stardom - to an extent when their names are remembered thanks to their buildings - it is the Bilbao effect long before Bilbao Museum by Frank Gehry and spread all over the world too. Whether that was pre-planned publicity or not, the world still smiles at the urban legends of the first skyscraper by a European architect - Norman Foster - built in Asia with the involvement of a Feng Shui geomancer and, just as curiously, the first skyscraper in Asia built by an Asian architect that did not in fact comply with Feng Shui beliefs and is therefore up to this day frowned upon. Negative or positive, these stories have become as much a part of architectural pop-talk as the Beaux Arts Ball of 1931, in which famous architects came dressed up as their own buildings. And it is a fact worth noting, that iconic architecture was not the only new concept banks had embraced - ever since quite a long ago back in the days the ground floor of the proverbially famous Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank by Foster + Partners has been serving as a sort of a covered social plaza where people can gather, have lunch and a conversation; banks' support for the arts and for social causes also established itself as a standard around that time.
Nowadays, when the focus of architecture has ostensibly shifted from show-off grandiose symbolism to show-social awareness and environmental responsibility; and also when corporate culture has started arriving at a certain enlightened state of its own, it is great to observe the new human scale condition many banks have been sensitive enough to enter. The new age bank buildings are marked by many environmentally sustainable initiatives, social benefits for local communities like provision of public spaces, public art exhibitions, informal inviting designs with artistic and architectural value of their own and very far from dry old-time corporate aesthetics. And, yes, clients enjoy all of that and feedback is positive.
So whether all of these changes in banks' appearance and social conduct have been brought about by a popularity and trust - gaining strategy or by a relatively sincere urge to be politically correct, should we mind, when the results are rather satisfactory?
Architecture Art Robot Building Banks
Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Headquarters by Foster + Partners
Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Headquarters by Foster + Partners. See more <a href="http://openbuildings.com/buildings/hongkong-and-shanghai-bank-headquarters-profile-39357" target="_hplink">HERE</a>. Image: Ian Lambot First skyscraper by a European architect built in Asia, the project involved a curious interaction with a Feng Shui geomancer.
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Why People Like To Stay In Places Where Celebrities Have Died
Inside the world of dark tourism.
ByCaroline Bologna
01/17/2018 04:02pm EST | Updated January 18, 2018
Courtesy of The Villa Casa Casuarina
Gianni Versace's mansion is now a boutique hotel.
On the morning of July 15, 1997, Gianni Versace left his mansion on Miami’s Ocean Drive and walked to a nearby cafe to buy a coffee and magazines. Upon returning, he climbed the marble steps in front of his house and started to unlock the front gate when a serial killer named Andrew Cunanan shot him twice in the head, execution style. Versace died immediately.
Versace’s murder ― and the mystery surrounding the killer’s motive ― is the subject of the next installment in FX’s anthology series, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” which premieres on Wednesday.
The show was filmed at the actual site of Versace’s killing ― Casa Casuarina, aka the Versace Mansion, the fashion designer’s home from 1992 until his death. The house is now The Villa Casa Casuarina, a luxury boutique hotel with 10 suites, a handful of event spaces and a restaurant called Gianni’s.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT via Getty Images
Fans left flowers and notes on the steps where Gianni Versace was fatally shot.
“The design of the villa has remained from when Gianni Versace had it as his personal home,” the hotel’s general manager, Chauncey Copeland, told HuffPost, noting that they’d only made minor additions in the suites to give guests some of the modern conveniences people expect at a hotel.
The history of the hotel is a major draw for guests. “Some guests are really Versace-philes wearing Versace head to toe,” Copeland said, adding that notable visitors have included a man who knew Versace and stayed at his house in the ’90s, and a famous football player who is “enamored with Versace” and drove a car designed by Versace.
For most who stay at The Villa Casa Casuarina, it’s an opportunity to experience the place where Versace lived. But it’s also a chance to visit the place where he died. Indeed, hundreds of people stop by daily to take photos outside the gates and sometimes place flowers on the infamous front steps.
For many tourists, famous death sites are major attractions. When Whitney Houston died at the Beverly Hilton in 2012, fans flocked to the hotel in search of her room. The hotel rooms where Janis Joplin and Gram Parsons died still draw tourists from around the world. While it might seem morbid to some, it’s a dream vacation for others.
Dark Tourism
Scott Michaels is someone who’s drawn to these types of spots. Michaels is the owner of Dearly Departed Tours, a Los Angeles-based company that offers tours focused on “Hollywood’s most notorious deaths and scandals.” He previously ran a similar company called Grave Line Tours, which carted tourists around LA in Cadillac hearses. In 1996, he left the company to live in England with his then-boyfriend, Irish comedian and TV personality Graham Norton, before returning to LA in 2002.
ROBYN BECK/Getty Images
Scott Michaels is the owner of Dearly Departed Tours, a company that gives tours focused on famous deaths and scandals in the Los Angeles area.
Michaels is also the creator of FindADeath.com, a website he started in 1999 to document the stories of notable deaths, beginning with Princess Diana’s.
“I’ve always gravitated toward the things that most people have aversions to,” Michaels told HuffPost. He said he became “desensitized” to morbid realities growing up in Detroit, where he lived near a common car crash site and also “knew a few people that had been murdered.”
Michaels is clearly not alone in his interests. FindADeath.com’s forum has more than 10,000 registered users. Dearly Departed Tours, which now boasts seven employees, offers one daily 15-person tour on weekdays and five to seven tours on Saturdays and Sundays.
“People who don’t understand it just assume what we do is rather ghoulish, and that’s all fine. I’m not trying to win them over.”
- Scott Michaels, Dearly Departed Tours
The main tour, called “The Tragical History Tour,” covers about 70 different locations across 25 miles. Attractions include the houses of old Hollywood icons like Mae West and Bela Lugosi, hotels where modern celebrities like John Belushi and Whitney Houston died and places associated with famous scandals like Hugh Grant’s 1995 arrest with a sex worker.
“We’re sort of just taking people to the news,” said Michaels, who also leads the weekend “Helter Skelter Tour” dedicated to the Tate-LaBianca murders and an annual February tour on the anniversary of Karen Carpenter’s death ― “The CarpenTour.”
“It’s all done really with love. People come because they’re big fans. We’ll go for a cheap joke, but we do love these people,” Michaels explained. “People who don’t understand it just assume what we do is rather ghoulish, and that’s all fine. I’m not trying to win them over.”
Via Dearly Departed Tours And Museum/Photo by Brian Donnelly
Michaels opened a Dearly Departed shop and museum in 2012. In 2017, he moved to a bigger space across from Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
In addition to the tours, Dearly Departed also has an artifacts museum with items such as Mae West’s dentures, a tile from the pool where Brian Jones drowned, a piece of fireplace from Sharon Tate’s house and the car Jayne Mansfield was killed in. It’s all part of the phenomenon some people call “dark tourism” or “necro-tourism.”
Dearly Departed Tours attracts a mostly American, British and Australian demographic. “I would say it’s mostly women between 30 and 50 and gay men,” said Michaels. “Of course, there are exceptions. I’ve had 80th birthday parties. Teenagers who are terminally ill and people who’ve come back from cancer or have cancer and only have a few months to live ― they’ve taken my tour. It’s interesting, I’ve found that people who’ve had experiences with death don’t mind this stuff. It’s the people who are freaked out by it that do.”
What’s The Attraction?
Michaels believes the fascination with famous people’s deaths and the locations where they died is part of the general interest in their lives and careers. “These people were celebrities, and it’s just another facet of their life,” he said. “With regards to Versace, if I went to Miami, I’d go to the coffee shop and buy a newspaper and walk to his steps just like he did. It’s sort of like walking in the steps of these people but also giving you a perspective on them that people don’t generally have. It becomes part of the weird tapestry of their careers.”
But there’s more to it, he added. “People feel like they have an emotional connection to these people, their celebrities,” said Michaels. “I’ve stayed in room 105 at Highland Gardens Hotel where Janis Joplin died. For me, going to her hotel room and sitting where she died and listening to her music, there’s a real emotional trigger in there. That’s one of the things I like.”
Jason Andrew via Getty Images
The Chateau Marmont's Bungalow 3, where John Belushi died of a drug overdose in 1982.
“I live across the street from Paramount Studios, and sometimes I’ll take my portable DVD player and watch ‘Sunset Boulevard’ standing right where it happened,” said Michaels. “It’s a matter of immersing yourself into these locations in a weird way. These things have something you’ve always read about or have seen on television, but seeing them in real life, you get to become part of the story in a weird way.”
Michaels has visited the Chateau Marmont bungalow where John Belushi died and stayed in the room at the Cecil Hotel that housed Elisa Lam, the Canadian student who was found dead in the hotel’s water tower in 2013.
“There’s certainly a haunting feeling in those places,” Michaels said, adding that he’s never had any supernatural experiences in hotel rooms where people have died. “You’re there kind of just taking it in.”
The case of Lam’s hotel room represents another facet of so-called dark tourism, in which people visit places where noncelebrities have died or suffered. This can include one-off crime scenes and sites of massacres, wars and genocides.
What Psychologists Say
Psychologists have multiple explanations for the fascination with celebrity deaths and famous death sites.
“One motivation is to get a sort of intimate feeling of being close to the place where this person was probably at the rawest edges of experience,” Katherine Ramsland, a professor of forensic psychology at DeSales University, told HuffPost. “The sense is that something lingers there, not necessarily a ghost but some aura of the person is imprinted in the space. So if you go there to imbibe that, it’s because you’re trying to get this really intimate sense of a person that you admire and appreciate or want to be close with.”
“Celebrities are already larger than life types of people, so there’s a sense that their deaths are more significant in a way than an ordinary person’s.”
- Katherine Ramsland, DeSales University
The other aspect is simply getting close to death, said Ramsland.
“Celebrities are already larger-than-life types of people, so there’s a sense that their deaths are more significant in a way than an ordinary person’s,” she explained. “They might think that the death of the celebrity in that place will linger enough for the fan to access the spirit or aura of that person and the feeling of what’s on the other side. It’s almost a primitive belief, a superstition, that if you go to one of these places, that somehow you’ll gain more knowledge or a deepening of your own experience of death.“
Ramsland has herself visited notorious murder sites, including the Lizzie Borden House and the Chelsea Hotel, where Sid Vicious was suspected to have murdered his girlfriend Nancy Spungen.
“It doesn’t matter what you believe or don’t believe, there is a sense that this is a significant place; I remember with the Sid Vicious one, there were a lot of rooms in the hotel, but there was distinctly something about it,” she recalled. “It’s all about perception. Obviously, there’s nothing objectively different once the rooms are cleaned out and celebrities’ bodies are removed. But there’s something different in the way we perceive it.”
Images Press via Getty Images
Sid Vicious' girlfriend Nancy Spungen was killed at the Chelsea Hotel in room 100.
This applies to the Versace villa as well, Ramsland said. “I’ve been down there and seen the steps. And they’re just ordinary steps, nothing unusual. The blood’s not there anymore. But there’s this sense that somehow I’ll be able to envision the blood still there, that it left an imprint. That was a violent horrible death that lingers for us, and even this many years later, they’re making a miniseries about it.”
Ramsland noted that the interest in the Versace story stems in part from the lack of understanding as to why Cunanan shot him. “But partly it’s also that a person who had it all could be taken down so fast,” she said. “People really resist the idea that a celebrity can so easily succumb to ordinary things like being shot or overdosing on drugs or dying by suicide. I think we really resist that because we’ve made celebrities into immortals or gods in a way.”
For obsessed superfans, there’s also a sense that they have an ownership stake in celebrities’ lives and deaths, Ramsland added.
“Celebrities can be kind of a higher power to some people. And what’s more intimate than a person’s death? Being part of that in some way makes people feel special.”
- Toronto-based psychologist Oren Amitay
Toronto-based psychologist Oren Amitay believes that the motivation to stay in a place where a celebrity died stems from humans’ natural fascination with death and need to feel connected to something greater than ourselves. “Celebrities can be kind of a higher power to some people,” he told HuffPost. “And what’s more intimate than a person’s death? Being part of that in some way makes people feel special.”
It’s all an illusion, however, Amitay said. “To put that much stock into someone you don’t even know, to feel that you can be touched or made greater just by connecting to them on this illusory level, that’s somewhat sad,” he remarked.
Amitay said there are similarities and differences in the process of mourning or honoring a celebrity versus an actual friend or family member.
GABRIEL BOUYS via Getty Images
Celebrity-focused tours in Los Angeles often drive past Michael Jackson's home, where he died.
“When it’s someone you know, you’re honoring the shared memory and the face-to-face impact they had on you,” Amitay explained. “However, when you think of celebrities, Michael Jackson, for example, had an impact on people by singing the soundtrack to their teenager years and things like that. It’s a different sort of impact but an impact nonetheless. Paying tribute is almost like saying thank you.”
Still, mourning ― whether it’s a loved one or a stranger ― is a self-interested process, Amitay, added. “People are doing it for their own healing. They’re certainly not helping the person who’s passed. They’re finding a way to process their own grief, which might mean going to the place where they passed or playing their famous song 302 times because that was their favorite number.”
Of course, celebrities who have died have also left behind loved ones. Shortly after Whitney Houston’s death, her mother reportedly wanted to visit the hotel room where she died as a way to find closure and make a spiritual connection with her daughter. Later reports, however, suggested she did not want to sleep at the Beverly Hilton.
Is It Healthy?
Amitay said the interest in staying in a place where a famous person died isn’t necessarily unhealthy.
“Most things in life exist on a spectrum. It’s about moderation,” said Amitay. “If you’re on the extremes and feel your life is empty and lacking purpose without that, then you’ve got a problem,” he said. “But if you just have a passing interest or think, ‘Hey, this is kind of cool,’ there’s nothing wrong with it.”
Ramsland said that harboring a strong obsession is always unhealthy, but having so-called ‘morbid curiosity’ is not necessarily so. In fact, she takes issue with calling interest in darker things “morbid.”
“I don’t think it’s really necessary morbid to be curious about death. It’s something we all have to face. I think it’s just curiosity with the unknown,” she said.
“I’ve found that people who’ve had experiences with death don’t mind this stuff. It’s the people who are freaked out by it that do.””
Michaels told HuffPost many people have accused him of being “sick.” He has an email file called his “Vile File,” where he archives the death threats and calls for him to be investigated. “People who understand understand,” he said. “People that don’t never will.”
In response to these messages, Michaels often points to his company’s more philanthropic deeds, like raising money to mark graves for famous people who were placed in unmarked plots, sometimes because their loved ones didn’t have the means to buy gravestones.
“I like to say to these people, ‘How much money have you donated to Justice for Homicide Victims, or how many graves have you marked?’ That’ll shut them up. I like to think we’re making it good karmically by doing these other things. We’re not doing it because we feel like we should. I feel like it’s just a nice thing to do.”
“When I was doing Grave Line back in the ’90s, we’d pass Jimmy Stewart’s house, and he came out and poked his head in the hearse more than once and said hello to people,” Michaels recalled. “The day Jimmy Stewart died, we were passing his house like we did every day. But the press was there this time, and we got labeled these evil sickos. But Mr. Stewart used to really like us.”
“Now the world has sort of jumped on the bandwagon,” he added. “There’s not a single tour company that doesn’t pass Michael Jackson’s house where he died.”
The Hotelier’s Perspective
While some hotels where celebrities have died embrace interested fans like Michaels, others reject being associated with famous deaths.
“The hotel where Janis Joplin died is not a dive. It’s a cool little hotel. If you say ‘I want Janis’ room,’ they’ll be happy to rent it to you and talk about her,” said Michaels. “If you go to the Chateau Marmont and say you want John Belushi’s bungalow, they might quiz you, but if you’ve got the money, they’ll rent it to you.”
Barry King via Getty Images
Fans paid tribute to Whitney Houston outside the Beverly Hilton, and some went searching for her room.
“Some people are a bit more precious about it, but it’s down to money more than anything else,” he continued. “If you go to the Beverly Hilton where Whitney Houston died, they’ll brush you off. They don’t want that kind of stigma.”
A spokeswoman for the Beverly Hilton told HuffPost that “out of respect for the family and fans of Whitney,” all original contents and furnishings of the room where she stayed have been removed and the space “thoroughly refreshed.”
“The Beverly Hilton will remember Whitney Houston for the joy she brought to her many fans,” she added. The room is reportedly back in circulation with a different number.
Still, Michaels said it’s easy to figure out which room was Houston’s, based on the other hotel floors. “Same with Chris Cornell when he died in a casino in Detroit,” he said. “It’s really easy to find it, but they don’t want to be associated with that.”
In the case of the Versace villa, Copeland told HuffPost that people are generally aware that it’s the location of Versace’s death. “We do get people who make inquiries, but that’s not as often. People are more interested in his legacy as a designer and his home,” he said. “We don’t get too many people who are focused on it being a place where he was killed.”
The most popular room requests are Gianni Versace’s suite and his sister Donatella Versace’s preferred suite, the Venus suite. Copeland said one or two people have suggested the property might be haunted, but the hotel has received no reports of fantastic phenomena.
Gianni Versace's bedroom, the Villa Suite. “Luckily, because the hotel is so similar to how it was when Gianni Versace had it, the production crew didn’t have to make many changes. It’s so faithfully kept,” said Copeland.
The Venus suite, Donatella Versace's preferred suite.
“I know there’s that whole subculture where people like to go to places of famous murders, but we really haven’t seen that. If we’ve had someone like that, they’ve really kept it to themselves for the most part,” he said. “Maybe after the show, we will.”
Michaels believes more people have felt comfortable embracing the weird and morbid parts of popular culture over time, thanks in part to the internet.
“Thirty years ago, people were buying these True Detective magazines and slipping them into their grocery carts because they didn’t want anyone to see that they were interested. When Elvis’ dead body was on the National Enquirer in 1977, people would buy it, but they’d hide it,” he said. “Nowadays there are TV networks and primetime movies devoted to deaths and murders. It’s become really mainstream.”
He also hopes that people will continue to change their attitudes toward those who are interested in the darker side of tourism and celebrity culture.
“We’re not ghouls. I won’t say there’s not a ghoulish element to it ― there can be. But we’re not goths; at least I’m not. The people who take my tour aren’t doing it to say, ’Ooh, aren’t I dangerous” or impress anybody. They’re doing it because it’s their own interest.”
Michaels added, “I don’t understand stamp collecting. This is my thing. I don’t get what makes other people nerdy. But this is what makes me nerdy.”
travelTravel and TourismDeathhotelsOrganized Tours
Caroline Bologna
Culture & Parenting Reporter, HuffPost
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Lauri Lyons, Contributor
Founder of NOMADS Magazine, Photographer, Author
Women in Hip-Hop: The B-girl Be Festival
In the context of popular culture the history of Hip-Hop has been recited and mythologized many times over. Born in the 1970's South Bronx, from a foundation of Jamaican DJ techniques and verbal delivery, African-American soul music, Brazilian capoeira inspired breakdance moves, and technicolor aerosol paint, grew the international phenomena known as Hip-Hop. The one element of Hip-Hop that has never been fully acknowledged is the role of women in the spotlight and behind the scenes.
In 1979 Sugar Hill Records became the first record label to produce and distribute a rap record. The company's first single, Rapper's Delight became a national sensation and is considered to be a hip-hop classic. The co-founder of Sugar Hill Records was Sylvia Robinson. In 1981 Tommy Boy Records, released Planet Rock by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force. Tommy Boy Records was also co-founded by a woman, Monica Lynch.
Once again women were at the forefront when the female trio, The Sequence (featuring a young Angie Stone) released the hit Funk You Right On Up. The 1979 single is considered to be the first female rap record. Soon afterwards female MC's such as Salt -n- Pepa, MC Lyte and many others became forces to be reckoned with. For rhythmic backup women employed female dj's such as Spinderella and Jazzy Joyce for beats and rhymes. When the male MC's hit you with machismo, the women counterpunched with sass and class.
On the graffiti wall of fame you can most certainly see the name Lady Pink. Lady Pink is considered to be a female graffiti artist and muralist with artistic skills as strong as, if not better than her male peers. She painted nyc subway trains from 1979-1985 and now her work is collected by major art museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Lady Pink also had starring roles in Wild Style and Bomb It, classic films about Hip-Hop culture.
In everyday life women are natural multi-taskers, and in hip-hop the fact remains the same.
Female artists that developed their artistic and entrepreneurial skills have taken the art form to another level. In the early '90's Dee Barnes, a former MC and radio host became the first woman to host a syndicated hip-hop television show, Pump It Up! Queen Latifah quickly followed in her footsteps with a very successful recording career, the TV sitcom Living Single, a talk show, major cosmetic campaigns and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Eve, has also done well for herself . Her empire has encompassed records, a sitcom, and a clothing line.
Wendy Williams (the original DJ Spinderella for Salt-n-Pepa) was a wildly popular radio host, and now has one of the most highly rated talk shows on television. DJ Beverly Bond is using hip-hop as an educational tool to reach the youth. She is the founder of Black Girls Rock Inc! Black Girls Rock! is a mentoring program focused on helping young black women interested in careers in music obtain the skills and guidance necessary to be successful in the business.
For every woman in the spotlight there are hundreds more behind the scenes. Women are the people primarily working as artist's publicists, sylists and choreographers in the hip-hop world. If you liked the designs worn by Missy Elliot and Busta Rhymes, you can thank stylist June Ambrose. If you are familiar with the many hip-hop album covers shot in the last ten years, you were probably looking at the work of photographer Sarah A. Friedman. When it comes to choreographers who got their start in hip-hop, think of In Living Color's Fly Girls alumni Rosie Perez, Jennifer Lopez, and Laurie Ann Gibson. All of whom have choreographed too many television shows, videos, movies, and concerts to mention.
Today the future is brewing in Minnesota and there are many women's names about to be known. Intermedia Arts, located in Minneapolis, has unleashed the mother of all hip-hop festivals; B-girl Be. The B-girl Be festival is the only arts festival in the world solely dedicated to the contributions of women in hip-hop. The mission of B-Girl Be is to influence and inspire leadership to change the perceptions and roles of women in hip-hop for current and future generations. The fourth annul event is curated by Michele Spaise and Theresa Sweetland.
This year's festival features Mama Said Knock U Out! an international visual art exhibition showcasing 28 female artists from around the world who use their art to empower, inform and organize. These women are employing hip-hop culture as a means of expression, connection, education and global social activism. Mama Said Knock U Out! will include work in video, photography, painting, sculpture, film, and textiles. I am this year's featured artist. I was commissioned to produce my first sculpture and sound installation, in the main gallery. Past participants have included Lady Pink, Martha Cooper, Faith47 and Roxanne Shante.
On Saturday, September 19th, Intermedia Arts takes it back to the streets with the B-Girl Be Block Party, an all-day festival that brings together women from Minneapolis and all over the world to celebrate hip-hop's girl power. The B-girl Be Block Party will showcase dance, live mural painting, film, a spoken world slam and an art marketplace.
This year the B-girl Be organizers will have the power to literally choose the belle of the ball.
The McNally Smith College of Music has donated a $10,000 scholarship to a B-girl participant for the McNally Smith's Diploma program in Hip-Hop Studies. The program is for prospective students who want to explore and develop in a cross-departmental curriculum that covers music, recording technology, language, music history, and music business.
When it comes to women in hip-hop, don't call it a comeback. Women have been here for years.
Purchase tickets online for the B-girl Be Block Party. The Mama Said Knock U Out! exhibition will be on view until October 23.
Lauri Lyons is a photographer, artist and author. Her books include Flag: An American Story and Flag International.
Pop of Culture Money and Kids Wendy Williams Jennifer Lopez Movies
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Living By Drew Mackie | Tue Apr 21, 2009 | 6:00am
$26 Million Pot Grow Discovered in Los Padres
Campers Allegedly Chased by Gun-Toting Weed Farmers
Following the raid of a marijuana growing operation in Los Padres National Forest on Friday, two men are being held in Santa Maria jail and two campers are likely breathing sighs of relief following a run-in with allegedly armed pot farmers. In the end, the Santa Barbara Sheriff and the U.S. Forest Service confiscated around 13,300 marijuana plants, the collective street value of which was estimated around $26 million.
The incident began when two campers, who had been staying at the Aliso Park area west of New Cuyama, stumbled upon the illegal plants. According to a report by Sheriff’s spokesperson Andrew Sugars, the campers were then approached by two Hispanic men who requested that the campers not leave until the arrival of their boss, who spoke English. Becoming suspicious of the situation, the campers packed up their gear and attempted to leave. On the way out, they passed a truck headed in the opposite direction. The truck stopped and a man waved to the fleeing campers. When the campers did not stop, the driver returned to his vehicle and began pursuing, at times coming “dangerously close to the campers’ vehicle,” Sugars noted.
The campers nonetheless made it to safety and contacted law enforcement. Shortly thereafter, an officer from the Taft Police Department spotted a truck matching the description of the one the campers described, stopped the vehicle, and took the two occupants into custody. The campers positively identified the two as the men who chased them. Officers consequently arrested Javier Barragan, 40, of Maywood, California, and Jose Lopez, 38, of Paramount, California. A search of their car revealed five high-powered rifles equipped with rifle scopes as well as ammunition. Barragan and Lopez were booked into jail on charges of marijuana cultivation with such charges as false imprisonment and possession of weapons pending further investigation.
The U.S. Forest Service and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff eradicated the marijuana plants. They also warn those recreating in Los Padres National Park and other wooded areas to be wary of such marijuana growing operations. Sugars said they are typically tended by Mexican nationals who are often armed. Thus, they should be avoided. Suspicious activity should be reported to the U.S. Forest Service.
Betty Fussell Is Fierce, Funny, and Frank
Goleta Man Completes 750-Mile Boat Race Without a Motor
Mama Luma Launches Abu Dhabi Franchise
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Name : Dr. S. K. Srivastav
Designation : Scientist/Engineer- G, Dean (Academics)
Email : sksrivastav[At]iirs[dot]gov[dot]in
Field of Expertise : Geologic Remote Sensing, Ground Water Hydrology
Fax : +91-135-2741987, +91-135-2748041
Designation : Scientist/ Engineer "G" and Group Director, Geospatial Technology and Outreach Programme (GT&OP) Group
Mail Address : Geospatial Technology and Outreach Programme (GT&OP) Group
Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Department of Space, Government of India
4-Kalidas Road
Dehradun - 248001 (India)
Dr. S. K. Srivastav started his professional career with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Hyderabad (India) as Scientist in June, 1990. He is currently working as Scientist 'G' and Group Director, Geospatial Technology and Outreach Programme (GT&OP) Group at Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), ISRO, Dehradun. He is also the Lead, Working Group on Capacity Building of ISRO/DOS; Dy. Project Director (Training), ASEAN-India Space Cooperation Programme; Associate Programme Director, Programme Steering Group on Capacity Building: Human Resource & Academia Interface of ISRO/DOS; Co-Chair, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) Working Group V/6: Distance Learning - Education and Training Services.
His research interests are in the fields of geologic remote sensing, groundwater hydrology, land-use and land-cover change analysis and modeling, and satellite-based nightlight data analysis. He has executed and is associated with a number of research and operational projects and programmes on remote sensing applications. A few important national mission projects in which he has contributed include: Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission, National Geomorphological and Lineament Mapping, Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics in Indian River Basins, National Urban Information System. His contribution as a founding core team member of the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission towards developing and designing the methodology for preparation of ground water prospects maps is noteworthy. After moving to IIRS in 2001, he has also contributed significantly towards building human capacity in the area of geospatial technology and its applications.
He has over 55 scientific publications in journals and proceedings and many technical reports to his credit. He has also supervised the dissertation of many students at Masters and PhD level. He is the recipient of P.R. Pisharoty Memorial Award from Indian Society of Remote Sensing, and four ISRO Team Excellence Awards for his contribution in Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission, National Geomorphological and Lineament Mapping Mission, National Urban Information System, and Space based Information Support for Decentralised Planning.
Dr. Srivastav holds Doctorate degree in Geology. He is the life member of Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Indian Society of Geomatics, and Indian Meteorological Society.
Current Functional Responsibilities
Group Director, Geospatial Technology & Outreach Programme (GT&OP) Group of IIRS (January, 2017 onwards)
Associate Programme Director, Programme Steering Group on Capacity Building: Human Resource & Academia Interface (PSG-CD:HR&AI) of ISRO/DOS (February, 2017 onwards)
Co-Chair, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) Working Group V/6: Distance Learning - Education and Training Services (2016-2020)
Lead, Working Group on Capacity Building of ISRO/DOS (November, 2015 onwards)
Dy. Project Director (Training), ASEAN-India Space Cooperation Programme (April, 2015 onwards)
Coordination and faculty for different national & international capacity building programmes conducted by IIRS
Chairman/ Convener/ Member of various institutional and inter-centre committees
Research Expertise and Interests
Remote sensing data analysis for geological applications
Remote sensing & GIS applications in hydrogeology and ground water modeling
Land-use/land-cover change analysis and modeling
Satellite-based nightlight data analysis
Life Member, Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Life Member, Indian Society of Geomatics
Life Member, Indian Meteorological Society
Doctor of Philosophy in Geology (Thesis in Hydrogeology), 2009, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal), India
M.Tech. in Civil Engg. (Thesis in Remote Sensing, Stream-Engg. Geology), 1989, IIT-Kanpur, India
M.Sc. in Geology, 1987, University of Lucknow, India
On-the-job Professional Courses/ Training Programmes Attended
ISRO-STP Course on ‘Planetary Exploration,’ January 27-30, 2015, PRL, Ahmedabad
ISRO-STP Course on ‘Satellite Based Navigation & Application,’ ISAC, Bengaluru, Jan 27 – Feb 1, 2013
IIRS-FAO training course on ‘Global Land Cover Network (GLCN) – Land Cover Classification System (LCCS),’ December 19-23, 2005, IIRS, Dehradun
Two courses (3-weeks each) on ‘Groundwater Modeling’ and ‘Hydrologic and Environmental Monitoring’ and one course (1-week) on ‘Scientific Writing,’ March-April, 2004, ITC, The Netherlands (as a part of inverse sandwich Ph.D. programme)
‘Geological Mapping of Himalayan Collision Zone,’ DST-SERC School, organised by GSI Lucknow and IIT Roorkee, Sep 16 – Oct 6, 2002, Roorkee
‘Geomagnetism and Earth’s Interior – Geopotentials,’ DST-SERC School, March 23 – April 11, 1992, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam
‘Concepts of Photogrammetric Mapping and Demonstration on Advanced Systems,’ May 27 – June 1, 1991, IRS, Anna University, Chennai
‘Techniques in Applied Geomorphology,’ January 14–25, 1991, IIT-Bombay
Scientist/Engineer ‘G’ at IIRS (May 2016 onwards)
Group Director, Geospatial Technology & Outreach Programme (GT&OP) Group (Jan 2017 onwards)
Group Head, Remote Sensing & Geoinformatics Group (May 2016 – Jan 2017)
Scientist/Engineer ‘SG’ at IIRS (2011-2016)
Group Head, Remote Sensing & Geoinformatics Group (Apr 2015 – May 2016)
Head, Geoinformatics Dept. (Nov 2011 – Apr 2015)
Scientist/Engineer ‘SF’ at IIRS (2006-2010)
Scientist/Engineer ‘SE’ at NRSC/IIRS (2000-2005)
Scientist/Engineer ‘SD’ at NRSC (1995-2000)
Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ at NRSC (1991-1995)
Scientist/Engineer ‘SB’ at NRSC (1990-1991)
"Best Paper (Poster) Award" by Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS) in its Annual Convention & National Symposium, 2016, Dehradun (co-author, presentation made by Minakshi Kumar).
"S.C. Puranik Award" by Association of Hydrologists of India (AHI) for best paper in the AHI National Seminar, 2015, Visakhapatnam (co-author, presentation made by A. Swathi Lakshmi).
"ISRO Team Excellence Award" for the year 2015 in recognition of the contribution in "Space based Information Support for Decentralised Planning (SIS-DP) Project."
"ISRO Team Excellence Award" for the year 2012 in recognition of the contribution in "National Geomorphological & Lineament Mapping Project."
"P. R. Pisharoty Memorial Award" (earlier called as Indian National Remote Sensing Award) for the year 2011 by Indian Society of Remote Sensing in recognition of the contribution in the field of Geologic Remote Sensing.
"ISRO Team Excellence Award" for 2011 in recognition of the contributions in "National Urban Information System project."
"ISRO Team Excellence Award" for 2007 in recognition of the contributions in "Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission."
GATE Fellowship (July 1987 - Dec 1988).
Associate Guest Editor, Special Issue on Remote Sensing in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences - Physical Sciences (2017).
Associate Guest Editor, Special Issue on Advances in Remote Sensing & GIS with Special Emphasis on Mountain Ecosystem in the Journal of Indian Society of Remote Sensing (2017).
Reviewer for various National and International Journals (Advances in Space Research, International Journal of Remote Sensing, Geocarto International, International Journal of Digital Earth, Geomorphology, Hydrological Sciences Journal, Natural Hazards, Journal of Spatial Hydrology, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - Physical Sciences, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Current Science, Journal of Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Journal of Geological Society of India).
Reviewer for Research Proposals from different Departments in India (DST, MoES, PRL, CGWB, CSIR, CST, etc.).
Examiner (thesis evaluation/ viva voce) for Ph.D. and Master degree (M.S./ M.Sc./M.Phil.) for different Universities (viz. IIT Roorkee, Anna University, JNU, Jammu University, APS University Rewa, Chitrakoot University).
Co-Chair, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) Working Group V/6: Distance Learning - Education and Training Services (2016-2020).
Organising Secretary, National Symposium on Recent Advances in Remote Sensing & GIS with Special Emphasis on Mountain Ecosystems and Annual Conventions of Indian Society of Remote Sensing & Indian Society of Geoinformatics, December 7-9, 2016 at Dehradun (India).
Secretary, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) Working Group VI/2 (2012-2016).
Special Invitee, Ground Water Estimation Committee, constituted by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Govt. of India, to "Review and revise the Ground Water Estimation Methodology (GEC-97)," (2015 - 2017).
Invited as Judge in 27th Young Scientist Congress at Bhopal, 2012.
Member of Expert Panel (Remote Sensing and GIS), Indian National Committee on Ground Water, constituted by the Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India, 2009.
Co-opted Member of a Group constituted by the Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India, for suggesting “New and alternate methods of ground water resources assessment,” 2009.
Member, Board of Studies, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, for RS & GIS courses at postgraduate level, 2009.
Symposia - Best Paper/ Poster Awards
"Best Paper (Poster) Award" by Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS) in the National Symposium on Recent Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS with Special Emphasis on Mountain Ecosystems, December 7-9, 2016, Dehradun, for the paper on "A Spectral Structural Approach to Image Segmentation for Building Extraction from High Resolution Images" by Minakshi Kumar, P.K. Garg and S.K. Srivastav (presented by Minakshi Kumar).
"S.C. Puranik Award" by Association of Hydrologists of India (AHI) for the best paper in the AHI National Seminar on Water Resources, July 10-11, 2015, Visakhapatnam, for the paper on "Geospatial modelling approach for interlinking of rivers: a case study of Vamsadhara and Nagavali river systems in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh" by A. Swathi Lakshmi, Sameer Saran, S.K. Srivastav and Y.V.N Krishna Murthy (presented by A. Swathi Lakshmi)
Garg, V., Aggarwal, S.P., Gupta, P.K., Nikam, B.R., Thakur, P.K., Srivastav, S.K. and Kumar, A.S. (2017). Hydrological impacts of land use land cover change over a large basin. Environmental Earth Sciences (revised manuscript submitted).
Das, P., Behera, M.D., Patidar, N., Sahoo, B., Tripathi, P., Behera, P. R., Srivastav, S.K., Roy, P.S., Thakur, P., Agarwal, S., Krishnamurthy, Y.V.N. (2017). Impact of LULC change on the runoff, baseflow and evapotranspiration dynamics in eastern Indian river basins during 1985-2005 using Variable Infiltration Capacity approach. Journal of Earth System Science (in press).
Bansal, S., Srivastav, S.K., Roy, P.S., Krishnamurthy, Y.V.N. (2016). An analysis of land use and land cover dynamics and causative drivers in a thickly populated Yamuna river basin of India. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, Vol. 14, Issue 3, pp 773-792. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1403_773792
Koottiyaniyil, J.T., Dhote, P. and Srivastav, S.K. (2016). High Resolution Groundwater Prospect Mapping of Raichur, Karnataka Using Remote Sensing & GIS. Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR), Vol. 2, Issue 8, ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in.
Kale, M.P., Chavan, M., Pardeshi, S., Joshi, C., Verma, P.A., Roy, P.S., Srivastav, S.K., Srivastava, V.K., Jha, A.K., Chaudhari, S., Giri, Y. and Krishna Murthy, Y.V.N. (2016). Land-use and land-cover change in Western Ghats of India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 188: 387. doi:10.1007/s10661-016-5369-1-317.
Kiran Raj, S., Ahmed, S.A., Srivastav, S.K. and Gupta, P.K. (2015). Iron Oxides Mapping from EO-1 Hyperion Data. Journal of Geological Society of India, Vol. 86, Issue 6, pp 717-725.
Singh, A., Srivastav, S.K., Kumar, S. and Chakrapani, G.J. (2015). A modified-DRASTIC model (DRASTICA) for assessment of groundwater vulnerability to pollution in an urbanized environment in Lucknow, India. Environmental Earth Sciences, DOI: 10.1007/s12665-015-4558-5.
Saran, S., Wate, P., Srivastav, S.K. and Krishna Murthy, Y.V.N. (2015). CityGML at semantic level for urban energy conservation strategies. Annals of GIS, 21(1), 27-41, DOI: 10.1080/19475683.2014.992370.
Roy, P. S., Roy, A., Joshi, P. K., Kale, M.P., Srivastava, V. K., Srivastav, S.K., Dwevidi, R. S., Joshi, C., Behera, M.D. et al. (2015). Development of decadal (1985–1995–2005) land use and land cover database for India. Remote Sensing, 7(3), 2401-2430, DOI: 10.3390/rs70302401.
Blahwar, B., Srivastav, S.K. and de Smeth, B. (2012). Use of high-resolution satellite imagery for investigating acid mine drainage from artisanal coal mining in North-Eastern India. Geocarto International, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp 231–247. DOI: 10.1080/10106049.2011.628761.
Bhakar, R., Srivastav, S.K., Garg, R.D. and Jetten, V. (2012). Upscaling soil-hydrologic parameters in sandy desert landscape – an input for distributed hydrological modelling. Asian Journal of Geoinformatics, Vol. 12, No. 1 (http://www.geoinfo.ait.ac.th/ajg/index.php/ journal/article/view/38).
Beg, M.K., Srivastav, S.K., Carranza, E.J.M. and de Smeth, J.B. (2011). High fluoride incidence in groundwater and its potential health effects in parts of Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh, India. Current Science, Vol. 100, No. 5, pp 750–754.
Rao, P.J., Sulthana, S.K.R., Srivastav, S.K., Samyuktha, N. and Venugopalanaidu, Ch. (2011). Role of drainage characteristics on silt deposition in Meghadrigedda reservoir, Visakhapatnam – a spatial technology approach. Int. Jour. Earth Sciences & Engg., Vol. 4, No. 8, pp 46–55.
Machiwal, D., Srivastav, S.K. and Jain, S. (2011). Estimation of sediment yield and selection of suitable sites for soil conservation measures in Ahar River basin of Udaipur, Rajasthan using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Jour. Ind. Soc. Rem. Sensing (JISRS), Vol. 38, No. 4, pp 696–707. DOI: 10.1007/s12524-011-0081-7.
Bhakar, R., Srivastav, S.K. and Punia, M. (2010). Assessment of relative accuracy of ASTER and SRTM digital elevation models along irrigation channel banks of India Gandhi canal project area, Rajasthan. Jour. Water and Land Use Managements, Vol. 10, No. 1&2, pp 36–48.
Rao, P.J., Harikrishna, P., Srivastav, S.K., Satyanarayana, P.V.V. and Rao, B.V.D. (2009). Selection of groundwater potential zones in and around Madhurawada Dome, Visakhapatnam District. Jour. Ind. Geophysical Union, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp 191–200.
Gopal Krishan, Srivastav, S.K., Suresh Kumar, Saha, S.K. and Dadhwal, V.K. (2009). Quantifying the underestimation of soil organic carbon by the Walkley and Black technique – examples from Himalayan and Central Indian soils. Current Science, Vol. 96, No. 8, pp 1133–1136.
Bhakar, R., Sharma, H.S., Srivastav, S.K. and Jetten, V. (2008). Delineating spatio-temporal distribution of groundwater recharge zones using remote sensing in irrigated landscape of Thar Desert, India. Trans. Inst. Indian Geographers, Vol. 30, No. 2, pp 137–156.
Bhakar, R., Jetten V. and Srivastav, S.K. (2008). Integrating geospatial technologies with conventional methods for estimating depth to hydrologic barrier in an irrigated arid landscape. Annals of Rajasthan Geographers Association (RGA), Vol. 24, pp 1–10.
Srivastav, S.K., Lubczynski, M.W. and Biyani, A.K. (2007). Upscaling of transmissivity, derived from specific capacity: a hydrogeomorphological approach applied to the Doon Valley aquifer system in India. Hydrogeology Journal, Vol. 15, pp 1251–1264.
Srivastav, S.K., Lubczynski, M.W. and Biyani, A.K. (2006). Aquifer properties, ground water abstraction structures and recharge in Doon Valley, Uttarakhand. Bhu-Jal News (A Quarterly Journal of Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India), Vol. 21, No. 1-4, pp 21–30.
Sreemal, P.S., Champati ray, P.K. and Srivastav, S.K. (2003). Remote sensing and GIS based method and software customization for Landslide hazard assessment along Silchar-Shillong Highway, Northeast India, Tropical Agricultural Research, Vol. 15, pp 316-326.
Srivastav, S.K., Bhattacharya, A., Kamaraju, M.V.V., Reddy, G.S., Shrimal, A.K., Mehta, D.S., List, F.K. and Burger, H. (2000). Remote sensing and GIS for locating favourable zones of lead-zinc-copper mineralisation in Rajpura-Dariba area, Rajasthan, India. Int. Jour. Rem. Sensing (IJRS), Vol. 21, No. 17, 3253-3267.
Obi Reddy, G.P., Chandra Mouli, K., Srivastav, S.K., Srinivas, C.V. and Maji, A.K. (2000). Evaluation of ground water potential zones using remote sensing data – a case study of Gaimukh watershed, Bhandara district, Maharashtra. Jour. Ind. Soc. Rem. Sensing (JISRS), Vol. 28, No. 1, 19-32.
Srivastav, S.K., Reddy, C.S.S., Bhattacharya, A. and Reddy, P.R. (1998). Monitoring of ONGC oil well fire at Pasarlapudi, A.P. Int. Jour. Rem. Sensing (IJRS), Vol. 19, No. 18, 3515-3517.
Srivastav, S.K., Dangwal, M., Bhattacharya, A. and Reddy, P.R. (1997). Satellite data reveals pre-earthquake thermal anomalies in Killari area, Maharashtra. Current Science, Vol. 72, No. 11, pp 880-884.
Reddy, P.R., Srivastav, S.K., Reddy, G.S., Seshadri, K. and Rao, D.P. (1995). Remote sensing based study of earthquake affected areas, Latur and Osmanabad districts, Maharashtra. Geological Surv. of India Special Pub No. 27, pp 187-196.
Bhattacharya, A., Reddy, C.S.S. and Srivastav, S.K. (1993). Remote sensing for active volcano monitoring in Barren Island, India. Photogram. Engg. & Rem. Sensing (PERS), Vol. 59, No. 8, pp 1293-1297.
Reddy, C.S.S., Bhattacharya, A. and Srivastav, S.K. (1993). Nighttime TM short wavelength infrared data analysis of Barren Island volcano, South Andaman, India. Int. Jour. Rem. Sensing (IJRS), Vol. 14, No. 4, pp 783-787.
Reddy, C.S.S., Srivastav, S.K. and Bhattacharya, A. (1993). Application of Thematic Mapper short infrared data for the detection and monitoring of high temperature related geoenvironmental features. Int. Jour. Rem. Sensing (IJRS), Vol. 14, No. 17, pp 3125-3132.
Singh, R.P., Kumar, V. and Srivastav, S.K. (1990). Use of microwave remote sensing in salinity estimation. Int. Jour. Rem. Sensing (IJRS), Vol. 11, No. 2, pp 327-330.
Srivastav, S.K. (2016). Ground Water Resources. In: Geospatial Technology For Integrated Natural Resources Management, Eds. R.S. Dwivedi and P.S. Roy. Yes Dee Publishing Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Reddy, P.R., Srivastav, S.K. and Seshadri, K. (1998). Ground water budgeting using satellite data. In: Remote Sensing for Geosciences, Eds. N. Tripathi & V.N. Bajpai, Anmol Publications, New Delhi, India.
Srivastav, S.K. and Bhattacharya, A. (1995). Remote sensing for lithological discrimination and geological mapping. In: Remote Sensing for Earth Resources, Ed. D.P. Rao. A publication of Association of Exploration Geophysicist, India.
Bansal, S., Srivastav, S.K., Jha A.K. (2016). Projecting future patterns of land-use land-cover in Yamuna river basin (India) using spatially explicit models. Proc. ISRS-ISG Symposium, Dec 7-9, 2016, Dehradun (under publication).
Tiwari, P.S., Vishwakarma, J., Mahadevaswamy, M., Kavitha, N., Pandey, K., Karnatak, H.C., Srivastav, S. K., Kumar, A.S. (2016). An innovative approach for capacity building in geospatial technology and its application at mass scale in India. Proc. ISRS-ISG Symposium, Dec 7-9, 2016, Dehradun (under publication).
Swathi Lakshmi, A. Saran, S., Srivastav, S.K. and Krishna Murthy, Y.V.N. (2014). Geospatial modeling approach for interlinking of rivers: a case study of Vamshadhara and Nagavali river systems. Proc. Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XL-8, 127-132 (ISPRS Technical Commission VIII Symposium, December 9-12, Hyderabad, India).
Karnatak, H., Raju, P.L.N., Krishna Murthy, Y.V.N., Srivastav, S.K., Gupta, P.K. (2014). E-learning based distance education programme on remote sensing and geoinformation science – an initiative of IIRS. Proc. Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XL-8, 1237-1241 (ISPRS Technical Commission VIII Symposium, December 9-12, Hyderabad, India).
Krishna Murthy, Y.V.N., Raju, P.L.N., Srivastav, S.K., Karnatak, H. and Gupta, P.K. (2014). Reach the unreached – IIRS outreach program for enhanced learning to all. Proc. Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XL-8, 1243-1247 (ISPRS Technical Commission VIII Symposium, December 9-12, Hyderabad, India (ISPRS Technical Commission VIII Symposium, December 9-12, Hyderabad, India).
Krishna Murthy, Y.V.N., Raju, P.L.N., Srivastav, S.K., Kumar, P., Karnatak, H., Saran, S., Pandey, K., Oberai, K., Reddy, K.S., Gupta, K., Mahadevaswamy, M., Deshmukh, A. et al. (2014). Capacity Building for collecting primary data through Crowdsourcing – An Example of Disaster affected Uttarakhand State (India). Proc. Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XL-8, 1249-1252 (ISPRS Technical Commission VIII Symposium, December 9-12, Hyderabad, India).
Wate, P., Saran, S., Srivastav, S.K. and Krishna Murthy, Y.V.N. (2013). Formulation of Hierarchical framework for 3D-GIS data acquisition techniques in context of level-of-detail (LoD). Proc. IEEE Second International Conference on Image Information Processing 2013 (IEEE ICIIP 2013), IEEE Catalog No. CFP1369N-POD, ISBN: 978-1-4673-6102-6, Paper ID: 1569826085, pp. 154-159, December 9-11, 2013, Shimla, India.
Team IIRS (2013). Capacity Building in Earth Observation technology and applications: achievements and future challenges, NNRMS Bulletin, B–37, pp. 146-156 (manuscript primarily prepared by undersigned).
Salaj S.S., Sharma Upadhyay, R., Srivastav, S.K., Prabhakaran (2012). Mineral abundance mapping using Hyperion dataset in Udaipur, India. Geospatial World, Vol. 8, Issue: 11 (http://geospatialworld.net/Paper/Application/ArticleView.aspx? aid=24237).
Champati Ray, P.K., Lakhera, R.C., Chatterjee, R.S., Srivastav, S.K., Sarkar, S., Kanungo, D.P., Singh, M.S. and Bhusan, K. (2011). Landslide Hazard Zonation in Northeast India. Proc. National Conference on Landslide Hazards – Consequences & Challenges, 10-12 February 2011, Roorkee.
Srivastav, S.K. and Biyani, A.K. (2010). Estimation of ground water recharge using stream baseflow method – A case study of Western Doon Valley (Uttarakhand). Proc. Workshop on Ground Water Resources Estimation, Feb 23-24, 2010, New Delhi, pp 60–65.
Kishore, S., Srivastav, S.K. and Jugran, D.K. (2006). Ground water prospects zonation using remote sensing and GIS - A case study of Bata valley, Sirmaur district, H.P. Proc. IAPRS & SIS, Vol. 36, Part 4, “Geospatial Databases for Sustainable Development,” Goa, India, September 27-30, 2006.
Kuk-Hun, Ri, Srivastav, S.K., Lakhera, R.C. and Jugran, D.K. (2002). Application of remote sensing and GIS techniques for mineral exploration in Pur-Banera area, Rajasthan, India. Proc. IAPRS & SIS, Vol. 34, Part 7, “Resource and Environmental Monitoring,” Hyderabad, India, December 3-6, 2002.
Srivastav, S.K., Srivastav, J.B., Chandra, P.C. and Chaturvedi, P.C. (2002). Mapping of recharge zones and identification of favourable areas for ground water development in deep aquifers in northern parts of Ganga Basin of Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh. Proc. IAPRS & SIS, Vol. 34, Part 7, “Resource and Environmental Monitoring,Vol. 34, Part 7, “Resource and Environmental Monitoring,” Hyderabad, India, December 3-6, 2002, pp. 70-74.
Srivastav, S.K., Bhattacharya, A., Kamaraju, M.V.V., Reddy, G.S., Shrimal, A.K., Mehta, D.S., List, F.K. and Burger, H. (1997). Remote sensing and GIS for locating favourable zones of lead-zinc-copper mineralisation in Rajpura-Dariba area, Rajasthan, India. Proc. Int. Conf. on Rem. Sensing & GIS (ICORG), 18-21 June, 1997, Hyderabad, India.
Reddy, C.S.S., Srivastav, S.K., Dangwal, M. and Bhattacharya, A. (1997). Effect of wavelength and spatial resolution on detectability of thermal anomalies. Proc. Int. Conf. on Rem. Sensing & GIS (ICORG), 18-21 June, 1997, Hyderabad, India.
Srivastav, S.K., Dangwal, M., Bhattacharya, A. and Reddy, P.R. (1996). Study of pre-earthquake thermal anomalies in Killari area through satellite data. Proc. 2nd International Sem. & Exhibition on Geophysics Beyond 2000, organised by Association of Exploration Geophysicist, 18-20 Nov., 1996, Hyderabad, India.
Bhattacharya, A., Reddy, C.S.S. and Srivastav, S.K. (1993). Remote sensing for active volcano monitoring in Barren Island, India. Proc. Ninth Thematic Conf. on Geologic Rem. Sensing, 8-11 February, 1993, Pasadena, USA.
Reddy, C.S.S., Srivastav, S.K. and Bhattacharya, A. (1993). Use of Thematic Mapper short infrared data for the detection and monitoring of high temperature related geoenvironmental features. Proc. Int. Conf. on Rem. Sensing & GIS (ICORG), 26-28 February, 1992, Hyderabad, India.
Srivastav, S.K., Seshadri K., Bhattacharya, A. and Reddy, P.R. (1992). Evaluation of ground water quality for environmental management planning in Karanpura coalfield, Bihar. Proc. Nat. Symposium on Environment, 3-5 February, 1992, BAARC, Bombay, India.
Bhattacharya, A., Reddy, P.R., Reddy, C.S.S. and Srivastav, S.K. (1991). Remote sensing – a general perspective. Proc. Nat. Workshop on Role & Status of Remote Sensing in Ground Water Prospecting, 4-5 September, 1991, Hyderabad, India.
Tangri, A.K. and Srivastav, S.K. (1990). Drainage morphometric analysis of Alaknanda and Saraswati river basins around Badrinath in Chamoli district of Uttar Pradesh. Proc. All India Sem. on GWIMGT, 11-12 Dec., 1990, Lucknow, India.
Tangri, A.K. and Srivastav, S.K. (1989). Assessment of the dynamics of spatial and temporal distribution of glaciers around Badrinath using satellite remote sensing technique. Proc. First National Meet on Himalayan Glaciology, June 5, 1989, New Delhi, India.
Editor, CONTACT (IIRS Publication), Vol.18, No. 1, June 2016.
Various course reports and articles in CONTACT (IIRS Publication).
Srivastav, S.K., Bhattacharya, A., Reddy, P.R., Bhan, S.K. and Rao, D.P. (1998). Satellite data show Malpa and Okhimath landslides in Uttar Pradesh. Interface (A publication of NRSC, Hyderabad), Vol. 9, No. 3, pp 5-6.
Reddy, C.S.S., Srivastav, S.K. and Bhattacharya, A. (1992). Nighttime short wavelength infrared data analysis of active volcano in Barren Island, South Andaman, India. Interface (A Publication of NRSC, Hyderabad), Vol. 3, No. 1, pp 1.
Reports/ Concept Papers:
ISRO (2017). Capacity building in Geospatial Technology and Applications: Strategy and Implementation Plan. Report submitted to Chairman, ISRO.
MoWR, RD & GR (2017). Report of the Ground Water Resource Estimation Committee: Methodology. Report of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India, May 2017. (Co-author).
IIRS (2017). Training of Trainers Programme for Capacity Building of Faculty Members of ATI ad CTI on Space Technology Applications in Governance and Development. Report submitted by Indian Institute of Remote Sensing to ISRO Headquarters. (Co-author)
IIRS (2016). Capacity Building of PG Teachers of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and CBSE Affiliated Schools on Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System. Phase-I Completion Report submitted by Indian Institute of Remote Sensing to ISRO Headquarters. (Co-author).
ISPRS (2016). A Brief Report on ISPRS Summer School, July 6-10, 2015, Dehradun (India). ISPRS e-Bulletin, Issue No. 1 (http://www.isprs.org/news/newsletter/ 2016-01/Report_ISPRS_Summer_School_India_2015.pdf).
DST (2015). Map the Neighbourhood in Uttarakhand (MANU) – Uttarakhand Disaster 2013. Technical Report of Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India, April 2015. (Co-author).
IIRS (2013). Satellite based monitoring of night-time lights over India and neighbouring countries: preliminary results. Submitted to Planning Commission, Govt. of India. (Co-author).
IIRS (2013). Concept paper on Creating a facility for disaster risk reduction and sustainable development in the Indian Himalayan region. Submitted to Planning Commission, Govt. of India. (Compiled by undersigned).
IIRS (2013). Uttarakhand disaster 2013: a concept note for reconstruction and rehabilitation activities. Submitted to Planning Commission, Govt. of India. (Compiled by undersigned).
CGWB (2013). Report on collaborative studies around Tehri reservoir with the help of remote sensing and geographic information system. Technical Report of Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) (Co-author).
IIRS and NRSC (2012). ISRO-GBP Project: Land use and land cover dynamics and impact of human dimensions in Indian river basins – Simulating land use/ land cover change. Technical Report of IIRS and NRSC. (Co-author).
GSI and ISRO (2010). Manual for National Geomorphological and Lineament Mapping on 1:50,000 Scale – A Project under National (Natural) Resources Census (NRC). Document No. NRSC-RS&GISA;-ERG-G&GD;-FEB10-TR149 dated 18.02.2010 (Co-author).
IIRS (2010). NCP-Soil & Vegetation-Atmosphere Carbon Fluxes: Status Report. Document No. ISRO-GBP/NCP-SVF/SR/06/March 2010 (Co-author).
CGWB (2009). Report of the Group for Suggesting New and Alternate Methods of Ground Water Resources Assessment. Report, Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India, October 2009 (Co-author).
IIRS (2009). National Carbon Project: Status Report - 06 June 2009. Document No. NCP/STATREP/ JUNE09/02 (Co-author).
IIRS (2009). Landslide hazard zonation mapping along Shillong-Silchar-Aizawl highway corridor in Northeastern Region of India. Document No. IIRS/TECH. REPORT/GSD/ NELHZ/2009/19 (Co-author).
NRSA (2008). Ground Water Prospects Mapping – Manual for Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission. Document No. NRSA/RS&GIS-AA/ERG/HGD/TECHMAN/JAN08 (Co-author).
IIRS (2006). FAO-GLCN Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) applications. Report on studies implemented in the framework of agreement between FAO and IIRS for LCCS testing in India (Co-author).
IIRS (2004). State of natural resources, Dehra Dun district, Uttaranchal State- proto type study (1997-2002). Report of Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), 2004, Dehra Dun, India (Co-author).
NRSA (2001). Study of earthquake affected areas around Bhuj, Gujarat. Internal Report of Geosciences Group, NRSA, Submitted to Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary, DOS (Co-author).
NRSA (2000). Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission - Guidelines for digitization of ground water prospects maps. NRSA Technical Report No. NRSA/AD/GG/GD/TR-3.1/2000 (Co-author).
NRSA (2000). Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission - Guidelines for quality checking of ground water prospects. NRSA Technical Report No. NRSA/AD/GG/GD/TR-2/2000 and NRSA Technical Report No. NRSA/AD/GG/GD/TR-1/2000 (Co-author).
NRSA (1999). Study of earthquake affected areas around Chamoli, Uttar Pradesh using IRS data. Internal Report of Geosciences Group, NRSA, Submitted to Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary, DOS (Co-author).
UPRSAC (1999). Mapping of recharge zones and identification of favourable areas for ground water development in deep aquifers in northern parts of Ganga basin, Uttar Pradesh. UPRSAC Technical Report (submitted to Central Ground Water Board – Northern Region) (Co-author).
NRSA (1998). Report on study of landslides in Malpa and Okhimath areas of U.P. Himalayas. Internal Report of Geosciences Group, NRSA, Submitted to Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary DOS (Co-author).
NRSA (1998). Structural interpretation of Ajmer area, Rajasthan using IRS-1C data. NRSA Technical Report No. NRSA-AD-GD-TR-2/98 (Co-author).
NRSA (1997). Application of remote sensing, mathematical modeling and GIS in mineral exploration studies. NRSA Technical Report No. NRSA-AD-GG-TR-2/97 (Co-author).
NRSA (1996). Ground water potential evaluation for petroleum refinery, Visakhapatnam district, A.P. NRSA Technical Report No. NRSA-AD-GG-TR-2/96 (Co-author).
NRSA (1995). Monitoring of ONGC oil well fire, East Godavari district, A.P. Internal Report of Geosciences Group, NRSA, 1995 (Co-author).
NRSA (1995). Synergistic study of ERS-1 SAR and satellite optical data for geological and geomorphological studies. Internal Report of Geosciences Group, NRSA (Co-author).
NRSA (1994). Oil pipeline route planning in Paradwip-Daiteri sector, Orissa using IRS LISS-II imagery. NRSA Technical Report No. NRSA-AD-GD-TR-3/94 (Co-author).
NRSA (1994). Thematic mapping of Karanpura coalfield, Bihar through remote sensing for geoenvironmental management planning. NRSA Technical Report No. NRSA-AD-GG-TR-2/94 (Co-author).
NRSA (1993). Study of earthquake affected areas, Latur and Osmanabad districts, Maharashtra. NRSA Technical Report No. NRSA-AD-GG-TR-4/93 (Co-author).
NRSA (1992). Active volcano monitoring in Barren Island, South Andaman, India using short wavelength infrared satellite data. NRSA Technical Report No. NRSA-AD-GD-TR-1/92 (Co-author).
Abstracts/ Extended Abstracts in Conferences:
Gupta, P.K., Srivastav, S.K., Sesha Sai, M.V.R., Gharai, B., Kumar, A.S. and Krishnamurthy, Y.V.N. (2017). Analysis of SNPP-VIIRS-DNB derived nightlights over India. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Mukerjee, S., Srivastav, S.K., Gupta, P.K., Hamm, N.A.S. and Tolpekin, V.A. (2017). Radiometric normalization of DMSP-OLS nightlight images using semi-automated pseudo-invariant region selection method. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Vignesh, K.S., Gupta, P.K., Srivastav, S.K. and Suresh M. (2017). Studying the effect of forest fires on night-time lights using SNPP-VIIRS-DNB and MODIS products. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Walia, Y., Gupta, P.K., Srivastav, S.K., Gulzat, A. and Saha, S.K. (2017). Cloud based geo-processing platform for analyzing large volume temporal satellite data: a study in part of Ghaghara river basin (India) for surface water spread analysis. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Akash, Kumar, S., Srivastav, S.K. (2017). Investigating the scattering mechanism in low calcium pyroxene zones over the Bullialdus crater on Moon using M3 and Mini-RF data. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Pande, H., Verma, A., Tiwari, P.S. and Srivastav, S.K. (2017). Possibilities of Using Inexpensive Digital Cameras for Vehicle Damage Assessment using Close-Range Photogrammetry. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Tiwari, P.S., Pande, H., Raghavendra, S., Verma, A. and Srivastav, S.K. (2017). Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Digital Documentation and Damage Assessment of Cultural Heritage. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Tiwari, P.S., Pande, H., Raghavendra, S., Verma, A. and Srivastav, S.K. (2017). Evaluating the quality of free and open source softwares for Digital Photogrammetric Reconstruction of Buildings. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Nikam, B.R., Garg, V., Thakur, P.K., Gupta, P.K., Chouksey, A., Dhote, P., Aggarwal, S.P., Srivastav, S.K. and Kumar, A.S. (2017). Impact of climate change on water availability and hydrological extremes in Krishna basin. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Behera, M.D., Tripathi, P., Das, P., Srivastav, S.K., Roy, P.S., Joshi, C., Behera, P.R., Deka, J., Kumar, P., Khan, M.L., Tripathi, O.P., Dash, T. and Krishnamurthy, Y.V.N. (2017). A rear and front view of land use and land cover dynamics of two Indian River basins during 1985 and 2025 using Remote Sensing and modelling. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Das, P., Behera, M.D., Patidar, N., Sahoo, B., Tripathi, P., Behera, P.R., Srivastav, S.K., Roy, P.S., Thakur, P.K. and Agrawal, S.P. (2017). Changes in evapotranspiration, runoff and baseflow with LULC over eastern Indian River basins using Variable Infiltration Capacity Approach. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Karnatak, H.C., Srivastav, S.K., Tiwari, P.S., Kumar, A.S., Vishwakarma, J., Kavitha, N., Ghildiyal, A. and Pandey, K. (2017). An innovative approach for mass level capacity building in Geospatial technology and its applications using online active learning platforms. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Kumar, M., Srivastav, S.K. and Garg, P.K. (2017). An Open Source Image Segmentation Tool for Remote Sensing Images. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Kumar, M., Garg, P.K. and Srivastav, S.K. (2017). A Support Vector Machine Approach on Object Based Image Analysis for Feature Extraction from High Resolution Images. Abstract accepted for presentation in Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Oct 23-27, 2017, New Delhi.
Gupta, P.K., Korde, S., Saran, S. Srivastav, S. K. (2016). Visualizing crowdsourced geotagged information. Abstract, ISRS-ISG Symposium, Dec 7-9, 2016, Dehradun.
Jha, A.K., Thakur, P.K., Dhote,P., Saran, S., Aggarwal, S.P., Srivastav, S.K., Kumar, A.S. (2016). Automation for rainfall prediction for medium range forecast for the year 2016 in North Western Himalaya. Abstract, ISRS-ISG Symposium, Dec 7-9, 2016, Dehradun.
Kumar, M., Garg, P.K., Srivastav, S.K. (2016). A spectral structural approach to image segmentation for building extraction from high resolution images. Abstract, ISRS-ISG Symposium, Dec 7-9, 2016, Dehradun. (Best paper award in poster category).
Nikam, B.R., Srivastav, S.K., Gupta, P.K., Bajpai, K., Aggarwal, S. P. (2016). Impact of urbanisation on water resources of Doon Valley, Uttarakhand (India). Abstract, ISRS-ISG Symposium, Dec 7-9, 2016, Dehradun.
Nikam, B.R., Garg, V., Gupta, P.K., Aggarwal, S.P., Srivastav, S.K. (2016). Impacts of future climatic and land use land cover changes on the hydrological regime of the Krishna River Basin. Abstract, ISRS-ISG Symposium, Dec 7-9, 2016, Dehradun.
Singh, V.K., Jha, A.K., Gupta, K., Srivastav, S.K. (2016). Improving performance of cellular automata model using socio economic agents for intra city growth modeling. Abstract, ISRS-ISG Symposium, Dec 7-9, 2016, Dehradun.
Srivastav, S.K., Kumar, A., Pandey, A., Mahadevaswamy, M., Oberai, K., Verma, P.A., Barange, S., Gangwal, N., Bhardwaj, A., Senthil Kumar, A. and Krishna Murthy, Y.V.N. (2015). Evaluation of GAGAN and IRNSS Data in Himalayan Terrain. Extended Abstract, Proc. GNSS (GAGAN & IRNSS) User Meet 2015 on ‘Towards Self Reliance in Navigation,’ October 8, 2015, Bengaluru, India.
Swathi Lakshmi, A., Saran, S., Srivastav, S.K. and Krishna Murthy, Y.V.N. (2015). Geospatial modelling approach for interlinking of rivers: a case study of Vamsadhara and Nagavali river systems in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. Abstract, National Seminar on Water Resources organized by Association of Hydrologists of India (AHI), July 10-11, 2015, Visakhapatnam, India. “S.C. Puranik Award” by Association of Hydrologists of India (AHI) in the best paper category.
Jha, A.K., Srivastav, S.K., Krishna Murthy, Y.V.N. and Roy, P.S. (2015). Development of a Land Change Modeling Platform using Open Source Tools and Technologies. Abstract, Second National Conference on Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial (FOSS4G-India 2015), June 9-10, 2015, Dehradun, India.
Beg, M.K., Srivastav, S.K., Carranza, E.J.M., de Smeth and J.B. (2014). Hydrogeochemical investigations with emphasis on fluoride incidence in groundwater – a study in part of Raigarh District, Chhattisgarh (India). Abstract, Workshop on Groundwater Management for Food Security, organized by Central Ground water Board, 25 March, Dehradun, India.
Mukhopadhyay, S., Gupta, P.K. and Srivastav, S.K. (2014). Spatio-temporal dynamics and trend of nighttime stable light over North-East India using DMSP-OLS through inter-calibration and its relation with demographic and socio-economic indices. Extended Abstract, International Geographical Union (IGU) Commission Conference, organized by Department of Geography and Regional Development, June 4-5, 2014, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
Palanichamy, R.B., Gupta, P.K., Srivastav, S.K., Zurita-Milla, R. (2014). Analysis of Space-based Data for Understanding the Effect of Urbanisation on Groundwater Resources. Extended Abstract, Workshop on Groundwater Management for Food Security, organized by Central Ground water Board, 25 March, Dehradun, India.
Saran, S., Wate, P., Sethi, M., Srivastav, S.K. and Krishna Murthy, Y.V.N. (2013). Building 3D GIS model using CityGML at semantic level for energy conservation studies in an urban segment. Abstract, ISG-ISRS National Symposium on Remote Sensing and GIS for Environment with special emphasis on Marine and Coastal Dynamics, December 4-6, 2013, Vishakaptanam, India.
Kumar, D., Srivastav, S.K., Bagchi D. and Ravikalyan Bussa (2012). Ground water prospects and water quality studies using remote sensing and GIS around Tehri dam, District Tehri Garhwal (Uttarakhand). Abstract, National Conference on Issues and Challenges in River Ganga Basin Management, January 9-11, 2012, BHU, Varanasi, India.
Gowtham, B., Upadhyay, R., Srivastav, S. K. and Roy, P.S. (2011). Hyperspectral data analysis for delineating favourable zones of vermiculite occurrence around Sevattur, Tamil Nadu. Abstract, National Symposium on Empowering Rural India through Space Technology and Annual Convention of ISRS, November 9-11, 2011, Bhopal, India.
Srivastav, S.K., Chatterjee, R.S., Priya, Jally, S.K. and Joshi, C. (2011). Intra-annual and inter-annual variability in terrestrial water storage in North-west India and Major Indian river basins – some preliminary observations from GRACE Data. Abstract, National Seminar on Remote Sensing and GIS and its Application in Water Resources Management (organised by CGWB), March 15-16, 2011, Dehradun, India.
Srivastav, S.K., Singh, R.P., Ravikalyan Bussa, Bagchi, D. and Bhati, S. (2011). Abstract, National Seminar on Remote Sensing and GIS and its Application in Water Resources Management (organised by CGWB), March 15-16, 2011, Dehradun, India.
Thakur, P.K., Aggarwal, S.P., Nagarajan, K., Shiva Kumar, B.V. and Srivastav, S.K. (2011). Mapping and monitoring surface water spread using remote sensing – an input towards ground water resource estimation. Abstract, National Seminar on Remote Sensing and GIS and its Application in Water Resources Management (organised by CGWB), March 15-16, 2011, Dehradun, India.
Blahwar, B., Srivastav, S.K. and de Smeth, J.B. (2010). Investigating presence of acid mine drainage from artisanal rat-hole type coal mines in the Northeastern Himalaya: an example from Jaintia Hills. Abstract, Workshop on Water Management and Hydrochemistry in Uttarakhand (oganised by CGWB), 18-19 February 2010, Dehradun.
Than Zaw and Srivastav, S.K. (2010). Preliminary Ground Water Investigations in Solani Watershed (Uttarakhand) using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques. Abstract, Workshop on Water Management and Hydrochemistry in Uttarakhand (organised by CGWB), 18-19 February 2010, Dehradun.
Srivastav, S.K. Lubczynski, M.W. and Biyani, A.K. (2008). Modeling groundwater recharge in Doon Valley, India. Abstract, International Symposium on Agrometeorology and Food Security, 18–21 February 2008, Hyderabad.
Sharma, M., Kumar, S. and Srivastav, S.K. (2008). Status and dynamics of salt-affected soils and waterlogged areas in an irrigation command of semi-arid region. Abstract, International Symposium on Agrometeorology and Food Security, 18–21 February 2008, Hyderabad, pp. 79.
Bhakar, R., Srivastav, S.K. and Jetten, V. (2007). Remote sensing approach for point data regionalisation: an example of extrapolation of soil-hydrologic parameters in an Irrigated Tract of Thar Desert. Abstract, National Conf. on Remote Sensing, Lucknow, 10-11 March, 2007.
Champati ray, P.K., Sarkar, S., Kanungo, D.P., Singh, S., Bhusan, K., Chatterjee, R.S., Srivastav, S.K. and Lakhera, R.C. (2007). Parameter characterization and landslide hazard assessment in Northeast India. Abstract, National Conf. on Remote Sensing, Lucknow, 10-11 March, 2007.
Srivastav, S.K. (2006). Application of remote sensing and GIS in ground water prospects mapping with special reference to mountainous terrain. Extended Abstract, Seminar on Emerging Issues in Uttaranchal for the Development of Water Resources, Wadia Institite of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, June 29, 2006.
Srivastav, S.K., Reddy, P.R. and Bhattacharya, A. (1997). Comparative study of ERS-1 SAR and IRS LISS-II / Landsat TM data for geological and geomorphological studies. Abstract, 12th Thematic Conf. of Rem. Sensing, 17-19 November, 1997, Denver, Colarado, USA.
Reddy, P.R., Srivastav, S.K., Reddy, G.S., Seshadri, K. and Rao, D.P. (1995). Remote sensing based study of earthquake affected areas, Latur and Osmanabad districts, Maharashtra. Abstract, 30th Annual Convention & Seminar on Space Applications in Earth System Sciences, 21-23 December, 1993, NGRI, Hyderabad, India.
Involvement in Projects:
Operational Projects/ Studies:
Map the Neighbourhood in Uttarakhand (MANU) Programme: Kedarnath 2013 Disaster. (DST-ISRO project).
DMSP-OLS Stable Nightlights Data Analysis over India and Neighbouring Countries (for Planning Commission).
National Geomorphological and Lineament Mapping (NGLM) Project for four States, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and U.P. (GSI–ISRO Collaborative Project under NRC Programme of ISRO).
Space Based Information Support for Decentralized Planning (SIS-DP) Project (2010-2015).
National Urban Information System (NUIS) Project - Geological, geomorphological and structural database preparation in parts of Himachal Pradesh (Nahan, Solan and Shimla). (ISRO-MoUD Project).
Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission (RGNDWM) Project for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand (User Project, sponsored by Dept. of Drinking Water Supply, Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India).
Landslide mapping in Uttarakhand (National Land Degradation Project under NRC Programme of ISRO)
Geological, geomorphological and structural database preparation in parts of South Andamans (NRIS Project of ISRO).
Natural resources database preparation for East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya (NRIS Project of ISRO).
Geomorphological mapping in Dehradun District (Proto-type study under NRC Programme of ISRO).
Landslide Hazard Zonation along Shillong-Silchar-Aizawl Highway Corridor (under DMS programme of ISRO)
Ground water potential evaluation for petroleum refinery in parts of Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh (User Project for Jindal Group).
Delineation of ground water prospective zones in Chautuppal area, Andhra Pradesh (User Project for Golden Forests Group).
Oil pipeline route planning in Paradwip-Daiteri sector, Orissa. (User Project for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.).
Thematic Mapping for geoenvironmental management planning in Karanpura coalfield, Bihar. (User Project for Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Ltd., CMPDIL).
Research Projects & In-house R&D Studies:
Studying the effects of temporal granularity in climatic forcing, vegetation index and gravity data over India (TDP).
Land use and land cover dynamics and impact of human dimensions in Indian river basins (ISRO-GBP Project).
Hydrogeological studies in Doon valley and Ganga Plain (in-house research)
Hydrogeochemistry of surface and ground waters, erosion rates and carbon-nitrogen fluxes in riverine environment of Sub-Himalayan and Lesser Himalayan catchment (ISRO-GBP project, later became a part of National Carbon Project under ISRO-GBP).
Evaluation of MODIS data for geological applications (EOAM Project of ISRO).
Testing FAO-GLCN Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) in Indian conditions: a case study in Solani watershed, parts of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh (In-house Study jointly with UN-FAO).
Mapping of recharge zones and identification of favourable areas for ground water development in deep aquifers in northern parts of Ganga basin, Uttar Pradesh (In-house Study for CGWB-Northern Region).
Evaluation of ERS-1 SAR and satellite optical data for geological and geomorphological studies (EOAM Project of ISRO).
Pre- and post-earthquake study of Killari area in Maharashtra and Chamoli area in Uttarakhand (In-house Studies at NRSC)
Estimation of high temperatures related to coal fires, volcanoes, oil fires and industrial fires using Thematic Mapper short wavelength infrared (SWIR) and thermal infrared data (In-house Study at NRSC).
Monitoring of Barren Island volcanic activity, Andaman & Nicobar Islands (In-house Study at NRSC).
International (Indo-German) Projects:
Application of remote sensing, mathematical modeling and GIS for base metal mineralization study in Rajpura-Dariba area, Rajasthan. Collaborating Agencies: (1) Directorate of Mines & Geology, Govt. of Rajasthan and (2) Freie University, Berlin.
Application of remote sensing and GIS for coal exploration in Godavari valley coalfield, Andhra Pradesh. Collaborating Agencies: (1) Singareni Collieries Co. Ltd., Kothagudem and (2) Freie University, Berlin.
Visits Abroad:
UN-ESCAP, Bangkok, to attend Expert Group Meeting on Geo-reference disaster risk management information system in Asia-Pacific region, 15-17 February, 2012.
ITC, The Netherlands, during February – December 2004 under the inverse sandwich Ph.D. programme.
Freie University, Berlin (Department of Geology, Geophysics and Geoinformatics) during February – April 1993 in connection with Indo-German collaborative project on mineral exploration using GIS-based integration of geological/ geophysical/ geochemical datasets.
Supervision of Dissertations/ Pilot Projects:
05 (2 completed, 3 ongoing)
M.Tech./M.Sc.
IASc Research Fellows/Visiting Scientists
PG Diploma & Certificate courses
Ph.D. Research:
Anjali Singh (2015). Effect of Urbanisation on groundwater in Lucknow Area, India. Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Earth Sciences, IIT, Rookee. Supervisors: Dr. G. J. Chakrapani and Dr. S. K. Srivastav.
Etishree Agarwal (2015). Assessment of Groundwater Regime Using Geospatial and Flow Modeling Techniques. Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT, Rookee. Supervisors: Dr. R. D. Garg and Dr. S. K. Srivastav.
Sarita Bansal (ongoing). Understanding the land-use/ land-cover change processes and predicting future scenario in Yamuna Basin, India. Registered at FRI University, Dehradun. Supervisor: Dr. S. K. Srivastav.
Minakshi Kumar (ongoing). Feature extraction using high resolution satellite images. Registered at Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehradun. Supervisors: Dr. P.K. Garg and Dr. S. K. Srivastav.
Chitiz Joshi (ongoing). Modelling and projecting land-use/ land-cover change processes in Lower Ganga basin. Registered at H. N. B. Garhwal University, Srinagar. Supervisor: Dr. S. K. Srivastav.
M.Tech./ M.Sc. Research:
Mukherjee, S. (2017). Quality analysis of inter-calibration of DMSP-OLS night-time images. M.Sc. Thesis in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, The Netherlands (IIRS-ITC/UT Joint MSc Programme). Supervisors: Shri P. K. Gupta, Dr. S. K. Srivastav and Dr. V. Tolpekin.
Gupta, P. K. (2015). Temporal granularity in land surface parameters and gravity anomalies and their relation with land-use/ land-cover and climate over India. M.Tech. thesis in Remote Sensing and GIS, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (IIRS M.Tech. programme). Supervisor: Dr. S. K. Srivastav
Yadav, P. (2015). Automated generalization of land-use/ land-cover. M.Sc. Thesis in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, The Netherlands (IIRS-ITC/UT Joint MSc Programme). Supervisors: Shri P. K. Gupta, S. K. Srivastav and Dr. A. Stein.
Jayant Tyagi (2015). Coal fire Mapping & Web GIS framework for Raniganj Coalfield. M.Sc. Thesis in Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing, Amity University, Noida. Supervisors: Dr. S. K. Srivastav and Dr. H. C. Karnatak.
Palanichamy, R. B. (2014). Studying the spatio-temporal trends in space based gravity observations and exploring the relation with precipitation and biophysical parameters over India. M.Sc. Thesis in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, The Netherlands (IIRS-ITC/UT Joint MSc Programme). Supervisors: Shri P. K. Gupta S. K. Srivastav and Dr. R. Zurita-Milla.
Benthungomurry, Y. (2013). Geospatial modeling for assessing ground water resources: a study in Dimapur area, NE India. M.Tech. thesis in Remote Sensing and GIS, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (IIRS M.Tech. programme). Supervisor: Dr. S. K. Srivastav and Shri P. K. Gupta.
Salaj, S. S. (2012). Mineral abundance mapping using hyperion dataset in part of Udaipur District, Rajasthan, India. M.Tech. Thesis in Remote Sensing, PSNA College of Engg. & Technology, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. Supervisors: Ms. Richa Upadhyay and Dr. S. K. Srivastav.
Jagadeeswara Rao, P. (2011). A spatial technology based study on identification of erosion zones and estimation of silt/ sediment deposition in Meghadrigedda reservoir, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. M.Tech. thesis in Remote Sensing and GIS, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (CSSTEAP programme). Supervisor: Prof. K. Nageswara Rao and Dr. S. K. Srivastav.
Than Zaw (2010). Understanding hydrogeologic framework and assessing ground water quality and resources around Ayadaw township (Mu watershed) in Myanmar using geospatial technology. M.Tech. (RS & GIS) Thesis, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. Supervisor: Dr. S.K. Srivastav.
Bantehsonglang Blahwar (2010). Identification of the extent of artisanal coal mining and related acid mine water hazards using remote sensing and field sampling: a case study in Jaiñtia Hills of North-eastern India. M.Sc. (Geohazards) Thesis, ITC, The Netherlands. Supervisors: Dr. S.K. Srivastav and Drs. J.B. de Smeth.
Singh, M. (2009). Hydrogeochemistry of surface and ground waters and carbon fluxes in riverine environment of Doon Valley. M.Tech. (RS & GIS) Thesis, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. Supervisor: Dr. S.K. Srivastav.
Beg, M.K. (2009). Geospatial analysis of fluoride contamination in groundwater of Tamnar area, Raigarh District, Chhattisgarh State. M.Sc. (Geohazards) Thesis, ITC, The Netherlands. Supervisors: Dr. S.K. Srivastav, E.J.M. Carranza and Drs. B. de Smeth.
Rajesh Bhakar (2007). Analysis of hydrogeological system and land cover for assessment of risks to irrigated agriculture in Thar desert: Charanwala system of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project. M.Sc. (Geohazards) Thesis, ITC, The Netherlands. Supervisors: Dr. S.K. Srivastav from IIRS and Prof. Victor Jetten.
Kishore, S. (2005). Terrain and aquifer characterization for ground water potential evaluation in Bata watershed (H.P.) using remote sensing and GIS techniques. M.Tech. Thesis, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. Supervisor: Dr. S.K. Srivastav.
Ravi P. Patidar (2004). Ground Water Prospects Mapping in Eastern Doon Valley: A Remote Sensing and GIS Approach. M.Tech. Thesis, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. Supervisors: Dr. S.K. Srivastav and Prof. D.K. Jugran.
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Accueil Node Entering the Prize
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Soumis par admin le lun 01/01/2018 - 00:00
Entering the Prize
The Prize jury at the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers adhere to the rules shown below. Please follow these rules if you wish to enter a publication for a future prize.
The Prize jury at the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers adhers to the rules shown below.
Please follow these rules if you wish to enter a publication for a future prize.
The jury, consisting of three antiquarian booksellers and three senior librarians, takes great care to follow this process before nominating the winner of this prestigious prize.
Article 1 - The International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, an international association bringing together national associations of antiquarian booksellers, awards a US$10,000 prize every four years to the author of the best work, published or unpublished, of learned bibliography, of research into the history of the book or of typography, or books of general interest on the subject.
Article 2 - The competition is open, without restriction, but only entries submitted in accordance with these conditions will be considered.
Article 3 - Entries must be submitted in a language which is universally used.
Article 4 - A work already published is eligible only if its publication occurred within the four years immediately preceding the closing date for submission, or if it has an imprint bearing a date within those four years.
Article 5 - Entries in the form of a specialized catalogue of one or more books destined for sale are not eligible, nor are periodicals or public library catalogues.
Article 6 - The Judges:
A. The judges will be composed of: 1) the President of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers; 2) the Secretary of the Quadrennial Prize; 3) a member nominated from the League Committee; 4) three persons whose bibliographical knowledge is generally recognized. These last three, chosen from countries speaking different languages, will be helped by specialists, appointed as necessary.
B. The judges reserve the right to withhold the award if they consider that the entries do not reach a sufficiently high standard.
C. The final decision must be approved by the ILAB Committee
D. In the case of a tie an unpublished work will have the advantage over a published one.
Article 7 - Two copies of each work whether published or unpublished must be deposited at the office of the secretary of the Prize, at the very latest sixteen months before date of award.
Article 8 - Works which are unpublished but are not awarded the prize will be returned to their authors during the two months following the announcement of the award. Works which have been published but not awarded the prize will remain the property of the ILAB, except by special arrangement made between the competitor and the Prize Secretary, before the final date for submitting entries.
Article 9 - The ILAB is not committed to publish unpublished prize works. Nevertheless it does not dismiss the possibility of such publications.
Article 10 - The Prize winner will retain all rights of publication.
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Breslauer Article
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The most famous road in the world first came into being in 1926 as part of the new numbered highway system and Chicago is where Route 66 begins
The United States Department of Transportation has designated certain US roads as National Scenic Byways because of their special significance to the American people. Route 66 in Illinois received that recognition in 2005. Our non-profit organization has the responsibility for the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway and it is our mission to…”enhance and promote economic opportunities for each Illinois Route 66 community by preserving Illinois Route 66 Heritage and by sustaining and increasing heritage and cultural tourism…” We serve 90 communities in Illinois; from Chicago to the Chain of Rocks Bridge near Madison, IL. Most have a population of only 2,500 or less. We help attractions, small businesses, and communities take full advantage of their Route 66 resources to provide the best possible experience for visitors from around the world. We also provide information to travelers to help them plan their adventure down Route 66.
Whether it is helping a “mom & pop” restaurant get new tuck pointing for their restaurant, aiding a small business with one employee in setting up free Google Services, or helping a traveler on Route 66 to find the best milkshake in Illinois, we are there to find a solution.
Our website, www.illinoisroute66.org, does not collect personal information from public users, with the exceptions of the established and trusted third party services listed on this page. We do not utilize contact forms. We do not allow public users to login to our website or to make public comments on our website. We do not store information from users with the exception of the services described below:
Our website utilizes Google Analytics® and Google Translate®. ©2018 Google LLC All rights reserved. Google and the Google Logo are registered trademarks of Google LLC. The latest Google® privacy policy can be viewed here: https://www.gstatic.com/policies/privacy/pdf/20180525/853e41a3/google_privacy_policy_en.pdf
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Summer Arts Preview
Supernova World
A Q&A with the Museum of Fine Arts' Frederick Ilchman
By Sarah Hagman | May 18, 2018
A European getaway is not out of reach this summer, when the Museum of Fine Arts debuts Casanova’s Europe: Art, Pleasure and Power in the 18th Century on July 8. Chair of Art of Europe Frederick Ilchman took us on a whirlwind tour of the 250 paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, furniture and costumes—the outfits are presented in three animated tableaux—curated through the eyes of renowned womanizer and intellectual Giacomo Casanova and his 12-volume autobiography.
Which artists and cultural figures did Casanova cross paths with that we’d recognize? It’s interesting because Casanova’s name is in the title of the exhibition, but he’s not an artist and he’s not a collector. He mentions art from time to time in his memoirs, but he’s really more of a connoisseur, let’s say, of gossip, social habits, personalities, witty comments. The thing about him though is that he would have been a very discerning observer. Casanova was exactly the kind of person that a mid-18th-century arts patron or statesmen or wealthy society figure would want to impress. He was the ideal audience, the kind of person who would then go to the next place and say, ‘Oh, you can’t believe the Duke so-and-so’s palace. It was so gorgeous. That guy really has taste.’ Casanova understood that part of his currency was being well-known, traveling to other places, charming new people. In social media terms, he had an enormous number of likes or friends. Part of his influence was his popularity. … He does meet a number of artists, but where he does extremely well is his remarkable roster of acquaintances with writers and statesmen and political figures. He meets several popes, the king and queen of England, Madame de Pompadour in Paris, Empress Catherine the Great in Russia, Benjamin Franklin, the American inventor and statesmen. And the last room of the exhibition is going to include portraits by many artists of great figures. What binds all these people together is they all knew Casanova. … One of our taglines is: “He went everywhere, met everyone and wrote it all down.”
How do you think contemporary audiences will relate to mid-18th-century life? His memoir, The History of My Life, is one of the world’s longest autobiographies. It is unprecedented in detail of the 18th century and often is used to study the period. People use this autobiography because it just tells so much about who was who, what was important, the settings of places, how people dined and traveled and got around, gossip. But at the same time, he was really writing this for himself. He didn’t get it published during his lifetime. He never finished it; it kind of ends mid-paragraph. But he discloses absolutely everything. It can be humiliating. It’s very personal. And this is a new thing, this idea of self-disclosure, self-revelation, candor. This is very different from earlier ways for people—you know, they make a fake family tree to show they descended from Achilles or Hector. This is really talking as he saw everything. And as he said, he allowed others to judge him. And that’s his attitude. So there are a lot of connections there. I think the sense of humor will come across.
What’s one of your can’t-miss pieces? One that I really love is from the National Portrait Gallery in London by Nathaniel Hone. Kitty Fisher was the number one courtesan in London in the 1760s. This painting was done just after Casanova was there. Casanova figured out this woman’s price—at that time, he had a reasonable amount of money that he could pay to spend the night with her. But when he realized that she didn’t speak Italian or French and he didn’t really speak English, he thought, “What’s the point?” If you’re going to spend the night with someone, you want to be able to say sweet nothings and witty jokes and have a lot of verbal play going on—to him that was the whole point of romance, or much of the point. But this painting I’m really excited about because there’s a wonderful pun in the bottom right corner. You can see the window in the room reflected on the fishbowl and the cat is assiduously fishing goldfish.
Francesco Guardi’s The Ridotto in Venice, about 1750 / Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
SUMMER ARTS PREVIEW 2018: DANCE | VISUAL ARTS | BOOKS | PERFORMING ARTS | COMEDY | MUSIC
Frederick Ilchman
Tall Story
Architect Gary Johnson talks about working on One Dalton's design with Pei Cobb Freed...
Horse Play
Actress Lauren Lapkus chats about life-changing improv classes and sharing the stage...
Keith Hamilton Cobb is back for the second tour of 'American Moor.'...
Keith Hamilton Cobb
Tides ’n’ Time
The Peabody Essex Museum's curator chats about a futuristic Boston divided by rising sea levels...
Trevor Smith
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What Is the World Bank?
By Mary Hall
The World Bank Group (WBG) was established in 1944 to rebuild post-World War II Europe under the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). It is one of a variety of organizations seeking to shape the world economy.
Today, the World Bank functions as an international organization that fights poverty by offering developmental assistance to middle-income and low-income countries. By giving loans and offering advice and training in both the private and public sectors, the World Bank aims to eliminate poverty by helping people help themselves. Under the World Bank Group (WBG), there are complementary institutions that aid in its goals to provide assistance.
The World Bank is an international organization that offers developmental assistance to middle-income and low-income countries.
Founded in 1944, the World Back has 189 member nations and aims to reduce poverty in the developing world.
While WBG strives to create a poverty-free world, there are groups that are passionately opposed to the international patron as critics feel that its efforts actually make things worse.
Membership in the World Bank
There are 189 member countries that are shareholders in the IBRD, the primary arm of the WBG. To become a member, however, a country must first join the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The size of the World Bank's shareholders, like that of the IMF's shareholders, depends on the size of a country's economy. Thus, the cost of a subscription to the World Bank is a factor of the quota paid to the IMF.
Joining the IMF comes with a variety of responsibilities that help it carry out its functions. There is an obligatory subscription fee, which is equivalent to 88.29% of the quota that a country has to pay to the IMF. In addition, a country is obligated to buy 195 World Bank shares (US$120,635 per share, reflecting a capital increase made in 1988). Of these 195 shares, 0.60% must be paid in cash in U.S. dollars, while 5.40% can be paid in a country's local currency, in U.S. dollars, or in non-negotiable non-interest bearing notes. The balance of the 195 shares is left as "callable capital," meaning the World Bank reserves the right to ask for the monetary value of these shares when and if necessary. A country can subscribe a further 250 shares, which do not require payment at the time of membership but are left as "callable capital."
The president of the World Bank comes from the largest shareholder, which is the United States, and members are represented by a board of governors. Throughout the year, however, powers are delegated to a board of 24 executive directors (EDs). The five largest shareholders—the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and Japan—each have an individual ED, and the additional 19 EDs represent the rest of the member states as groups of constituencies. Of these 19, however, China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia have opted to be single-country constituencies, which means that they each have one representative within the 19 EDs. This decision is based on the fact that these countries have large, influential economies, requiring that their interests be voiced individually rather than diluted within a group. The World Bank gets its funding from rich countries, as well as from the issuance of bonds on the world's capital markets.
The World Bank serves two mandates:
To end extreme poverty, by reducing the share of the global population that lives in extreme poverty to 3% by 2030.
To promote shared prosperity, by increasing the incomes of the poorest 40% of people in every country.
The Parts That Make Up the Whole
The IBRD offers assistance to middle-income and poor, but creditworthy, countries. It also works as an umbrella for more specialized bodies under the World Bank. The IBRD was the original arm of the World Bank that was responsible for the reconstruction of post-war Europe. Before gaining membership in the WBG's affiliates (the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes), a country must be a member of the IBRD.
The International Development Association offers loans to the world's poorest countries. These loans come in the form of "credits" and are essentially interest-free. They offer a 10-year grace period and hold a maturity of 35 years to 40 years.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) works to promote private sector investments by both foreign and local investors. It provides advice to investors and businesses, and it offers normalized financial market information through its publications, which can be used to compare across markets. The IFC also acts as an investor in capital markets and will help governments privatize inefficient public enterprises.
The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) supports direct foreign investment into a country by offering security against the investment in the event of political turmoil. These guarantees come in the form of political risk insurance, meaning that MIGA offers insurance against the political risk that an investment in a developing country may bear.
Finally, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes facilitates and works toward a settlement in the event of a dispute between a foreign investor and a local country.
Adapting to the Times
As mentioned earlier, the main function of the WBG is to eliminate poverty and to provide assistance to the poor by offering loans, policy advice, and technical assistance. As such, the countries receiving aid are learning new ways to function. Over time, however, it has been realized that sometimes as a nation develops, it requires more aid to work its way through the development process. This has resulted in some countries accumulating so much debt and debt service that payments become impossible to meet. Many of the poorest countries can receive accelerated debt relief through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries scheme, which reduces debt and debt-service payments while encouraging social expenditure.
Another issue on which the Bank has recently been focusing has presented itself as an endangerment to a country's livelihood: support programs for HIV/AIDS. The WBG has also been focusing on reducing the risk of projects by means of better appraisal and supervision mechanisms, as well as a multidimensional approach to overall development. (This includes not only lending but also support for legal reform, educational programs, environmental safety, anti-corruption measures, and other types of social development.)
The Bank encourages all its clients to implement policies that promote sustainable growth, health, education, social development programs focusing on governance and poverty reduction mechanisms, the environment, private business, and macroeconomic reform.
Opposition to the Bank
While WBG strives to create a poverty-free world, there are groups that are passionately opposed to the international patron. These opponents believe that the fundamental structure of the Bank only exacerbates the already existing imbalance between the world's rich and poor. The system allows the largest shareholders to dominate the vote, resulting in WBG policies being decided by the rich, but implemented by the poor.
This can result in policies that are not in the best interests of the developing country receiving assistance, whose political, social, and economic policies will often have to be molded around WBG resolutions. Moreover, even though the Bank provides training, assistance, information, and other means that may lead to sustainable development, opponents have observed that developing countries often have to put health, education, and other social programs on hold in order to pay back their loans.
Opposition groups have protested by boycotting World Bank bonds. These are the bonds that the WBG sells on global capital markets to raise money for some of its activities. These opposition groups also call for an end to all practices that require a country to implement structural adjustment programs (including privatization and government austerity measures), an end to the debt owed by the poorest of the poor, and an end to environmentally damaging projects such as mining or building dams.
It is not surprising that there is a clash of opinion over how aid is given. Indeed, those that offer assistance are going to want to have a say in how the loans are used and what kind of economic policies are fostered in a country's developmental process. Many developing and poor nations, however, are stuck in a quagmire of debt and impoverishment, no matter how much assistance they receive. Given this, we may need to remember that the process of aid is also a developing state, in which both the giver and the receiver should be helping each other reach a poverty-free world.
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International Monetary Fund (IMF) vs. the World Bank: What's the Difference?
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An Introduction To The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Top 25 Developed and Developing Countries
Can The IMF Solve Global Economic Problems?
Government & Policy
What Are the Different Types of Foreign Aid?
The World Bank is an international organization dedicated to providing financing, advice, and research to developing nations to aid economic advancement.
The World Bank Group is the world's most prominent development bank.
International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
The International Bank of Reconstruction and Development is one half of the World Bank.
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency is an organization that encourages investment in developing countries by offering risk insurance.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) aims to promote global financial stability, encourage international trade, and reduce poverty.
Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is a multilateral financial institution dedicated to assisting Caribbean nations in economic growth and development.
Investopedia is part of the Dotdash publishing family.
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photo by Paul Stack
Jan Boydol is Calgary based photographer/ mixed media artist/ professional writer whose passion for visual imagery, story and travel has taken her to many exotic parts of the world in her 35 years as a visual story teller.
Jan worked as an Emergency Nurse for two decades before launching a successful career in the oil industry. She has pursued her passion for art and creative writing through studies at the University of Calgary and Alberta College of Art and Design, as well as private instruction/workshops in photography from several internationally known US / Canadian photographers, including Paul Caponigro, Joe Englander. Bruce Barnbaum, Jay Dusard, Sherman Hines, Courtney Milne, Roy Andersen and Stephen Murphy.
In addition to her thriving art career, Jan is the founder of the Valkyrie Center for Creative Wellness, a founding member of the Creative Arts/Integrative Therapies in Health Group (CAIT) at the University of Calgary, and an instructor in Creative Journal Expressive Arts.
Jan’s images have been exhibited in galleries in Alberta and US. Her work can be found in numerous private and corporate collections. Jan’s poetry has been published in several Alberta literary magazines, a University of Calgary anthology called “ Writing the Terrain” and a chapbook called “Toward The Light” a journal of Reflective Word & Image.Current projects include a series of portfolio chapbooks which combine images and poetry.
The Federation of Canadian Artists
The Writer’s Guild of Alberta
www.janboydolphotography.com
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Towson University Refutes Allegations of an Unsafe Campus for White Students
Filed in Campus Racial Incidents on March 29, 2013
A group calling itself the White Student Union has vowed to start unarmed patrols on the campus of Towson University in Maryland to combat “black on white” crime.
In a statement, Deb Moriarty, vice president for student affairs, and Bernie Gerst, associate vice president in the Office of Public Safety, said, “There is no established or recognized ‘White Student Union’ (WSU) on Towson University’s campus. While a Towson University student attempted to form a recognized group in the fall, it failed to meet the university’s requirements for gaining recognition. It should also be mentioned that another individual, who was quoted in recent media reports as a member of the WSU, is not now nor has ever been enrolled as a student at Towson University.”
The university also stated that it had the lowest crime rate of any campus in the University System of Maryland.
Related: Towson University
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Geography of Kanpur
Kanpur is a major industrial centre of Uttar Pradesh. The city is popularly known as Leather City of India as it is home to numerous tanneries which produce quality leather products. The city is located on the banks of River Ganges and has an approximate area of 605 square km.
The city is located 126 meters above mean sea level. Kanpur lies in close vicinity of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh and is 74 km from Lucknow. Another important city of Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad is situated at a distance of 254 km from Kanpur.
Population of Kanpur
As per the statistics released by census department, the population of Kanpur as per 2011 census is 2,767,031. The male and female population is 1,502,370 and 1,264,661 respectively. Kanpur has a sex ratio of 842 female for a population of 1000 male. Child sex ratio in comparison is 853 girls for every 1000 boys. As per the figures released by the census department, the child population within the age group of 0-6 is 251,127. The population of boys as per the 2011 census figure is 135,498 while the population of girls is 115,629.
Majority of the population in Kanpur comprises of people who have come over from western and central parts of Uttar Pradesh. This has led to creation of an ambient atmosphere in the city and one can get a glimpse of cultural richness of the state in Kanpur.
Climate of Kanpur
Kanpur has a subtropical climate and the same is unlike the typical subtropical climate which one witnesses in other cities having similar climate. While the summer months in Kanpur are hot and dry and longer the city witnesses short and mild winter conditions. Strong dust storms blow during the summer months in Kanpur. Winters are typically cold in the region and severe fog conditions exist, especially during the months of December and January.
However, Kanpur has never witnessed floods at the city is situated on right banks of River Ganges and is situated at a higher bank. The city records an average rainfall of 885 mm.
Soil Profile of Kanpur
Kanpur city typically has alluvial and sandy soil. The region typically falls in the Indo-Gangetic plains and major part of the Kanpur district has ordinary soil which is known as Bhur in local language.
Flora and Fauna of Kanpur
You can expect to see numerous migratory birds in Kanpur. These birds frequently inhabit the areas surrounding Bithoor, Ganges Canal and the vicinity of IIT campus. Peacocks and nilgai can be seen in large numbers in these areas of the city.
Allen Forest Zoo located in a natural expanse of the forest is a worthwhile place to visit for any nature enthusiast as the area as rich floral collection on virtue of the region being a natural forest and wide range of faunal species as the Allen Forest Zoo is located in this forested area.
Facts and Figures about Kanpur
Geographical Area: 1605 sq.km
Altitude: 126 m
Latitude: 26°27’ 39’’N
Longitude: 80°20’00’’E
Average Rainfall: 885 mm
Languages: Hindi, Bhojpuri, English
Religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism
STD Code: 0512
Comments / Discussion Board - Geography of Kanpur
Payal from Etawah 1506 Days ago
can you please suggest me some popular local areas of kanpur city?
kanpuronline.in Expertfrom 1220 Days ago
Hi! Civil Lines, Lal Bangla, Kalyanpur are some of the major localities of Kanpur. Go through the page to know in detail about other famous areas of Kanpur.
http://www.kanpuronline.in/city-guide/localities-in-kanpur
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SEARCH KENT STATE
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Salem Alum to Address Columbiana County Grads
Dr. David Dees, interim dean of Kent State University Columbiana County campuses, announced that this year’s commencement speaker is former Salem resident, Robert Conrad, who will address graduates at a combined commencement ceremony on May 11 at the Crestview High School Performing Arts Center.
A reception for graduates, families and friends will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by graduation ceremonies that begin at 6:30 p.m.
Diplomas will be presented to graduates from the summer 2017, fall 2017 and spring 2018 semesters on the East Liverpool and Salem campuses.
Conrad grew up in Salem and learned about service to others from his parents George Leonard and Helen Prutton Conrad.
After high school, he entered service to his country as a United States Marine and used the GI Bill to attend college in 1973. In 1974, Conrad earned two associate degrees from Kent State University at Salem, one in general studies and one in criminal justice. He transferred to the Kent campus to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in law enforcement administration in 1975; and a Masters of Arts in political science in 1976.
After completing his degrees, Conrad worked in law enforcement as a probation and parole officer, before joining the U.S. Department of State in 1980 as a Foreign Service officer, working for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
This entailed him being posted in six countries and traveling the world with his wife, Dr. Susan Conrad, whom he had met years earlier in Iran during his assignment as a Marine security guard at the American Embassy. She worked as a teacher and administrator at the different postings, and also created two U.S. Department of State schools in Africa, one in Chad and the other in Mozambique.
In 2004, Conrad received the Secretary's Career Achievement Award recognizing his dedicated service to the U.S. government, including service as a U.S. Marine security guard and as a special agent with the Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service at U.S. Embassies in El Salvador, Chad, Australia, Mozambique, Yemen and Mongolia, as well as with the Washington Field Office, Secretary's Detail, Physical Security Division, Dignitary Protection, and Domestic Facilities Protection.”
The Conrads both retired in 2012 and relocated from Virginia to Hudson, Ohio, to be near family. They are active supporters of Kent State University and patrons of the arts, including Kent Blossom Music Festival and the Piano Institute.
Photo: Dr. Robert Conrad
POSTED: Monday, May 7, 2018 - 4:16pm
UPDATED: Monday, May 7, 2018 - 4:38pm
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KEXP Live at Iceland Airwaves 2018, Day 1: Bára Gísladóttir & Skúli Sverrisson
Dusty Henry
all photos by Jim Bennett (view set)
Our second performance of the day here at the KEX Hostel in Reykjavik, Iceland was yet another thrilling debut of a collaboration between two renowned Icelandic artists – Bára Gísladóttir and Skúli Sverrisson. But before we get into the performance, a little bit of background is due for these exceptional artists and their musical pedigree.
Gísladóttir is a phenom in the Icelandic classical music community with her reputation and works extending internationally. The 28-year-old composer got her start early, studying violin as a child and eventually studying composition at the prestigious Iceland Academy of the Arts. She’s still studying composition, currently at the Danish Academy. Still, at the ascent of her career, she boasts performances with The Danish National Symphony Orchestra, The Danish National Vocal Ensemble, Duo Harpverk, Elektra Ensemble, and numerous others.
Sverrisson has long established himself as a master of his craft. The composer and bassist is a go-to collaborator for the likes of Lou Reed, Blonde Redhead, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Laurie Anderson, and his late Icelandic composing peer Jóhann Jóhannsson, among many others. He’s scored dances and films, produced his own albums, and seems to be in constant pursuit of new artists to work with. His upcoming project with Gísladóttir is a testament to his still growing desire to seek out new talents and sounds. This isn’t Sverrisson’s first time performing for KEXP either, check out the dreamy acoustic performance he fronted way back in 2009 below.
Recordings of Gísladóttir and Sverrisson’s collaborative works have yet to materialize, making their performance at KEX a special treat. Their set was completely improvisational, creating their cacophonous sounds right before our eyes. The two hardly ever connected their eyes while they played, but never did they feel out of sync. What's even more astounding is how the two blended so well while taking drastically different approaches with their instruments. Gísladóttir's playing is immensely physical, gripping her double bass with icy intensity. In her hands, the instrument screeches, twists, and contorts and fills the room with its powerful bombast. Her eyebrows flicker when she hits a particularly gnarly note. Or notes, as is often the case. The chords she'd manifest are harsh and unfamiliar, a delightfully alien sound. Her movements with the bow felt like a saw, grinding against the strings as if to cut through the strings.
In contrast, Sverrisson's playing was almost tender – although still decidedly ominous. Playing a six-string electric bass, he'd steadily pluck the strings and create a wondrous rumble. His notes would bellow in the room, echoing at a tone that hit your body like a bad feeling in your gut. It was like a premonition of danger, the parts in a film score that warn you that things are about to get dicey in the coming scene. The contrast of him moving so effortlessly with his fingers on the strings and frets – soft and fluid, never strenuous – to the ominous sounds he was creating was striking, to say the least.
KEXP Live at Iceland Airwaves 2018, Day 1: Les Aventures de President Bongo (President Bongo & Óttar Sæmundsen)
KEXP kicks off our Iceland Airwaves broadcast with a debut of new music from former GusGus member Stephan Stephensen and Icelandic composer Óttar Sæmundsen.
Video Roundup: Iceland Airwaves Music Festival 2018
Check out a video playlist featuring some of the artists performing at the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival, happening Wednesday, November 7 through Saturday, November 10 in Reykjavik, and find out how you could win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to attend!
Iceland Airwaves Music Festival Line-Up Announce: Second Wave
Iceland Airwaves Music Festival share the first wave of their line-up, including international acts like Blood Orange and Snail Mail, as well as Icelandic acts Mammút, Hatari, and more.
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How the partial government shutdown is playing out and what to expect as it continues
Posted: 1:54 PM, Dec 23, 2018
A partial government shutdown remains in effect after funding expired for roughly a quarter of the federal government when the clock struck midnight on Saturday — and it is not clear when it will end.
Negotiations between congressional Democrats and the Trump administration over the President's demands for a border wall have so far not yielded an agreement, making it likely that the shutdown will continue until after Christmas. It is even possible that it could still be underway when the new Congress starts in early January.
Here's a look at the latest on negotiations and the outlook for the partial shutdown:
How long is the shutdown expected to last?
The President's incoming acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said Sunday that "it is very possible that the shutdown will go beyond the 28th and into the new Congress" during an interview on "Fox News Sunday."
The Senate adjourned Saturday afternoon with no deal to re-open the government, and while there will be a pro forma Senate session on Monday, the next actual session is not scheduled until Thursday.
Lawmakers can travel home for Christmas and won't have to worry about being called back to vote until a deal can be reached, but GOP leaders told senators that if there is no deal by Thursday, they would not have to return for that session, sources have told CNN.
What are the next possible steps?
There is a remote possibility that a deal could come together sooner, and in the unlikely event a deal is reached by Monday, the pro forma session could be used to pass it by unanimous consent or voice vote, something that would only require one senator to be in attendance.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer have said that the new Democratic-controlled House of Representatives will pass a bill to stop the shutdown if it lasts into the new Congress.
"If President Trump and Republicans choose to continue this Trump Shutdown, the new House Democratic majority will swiftly pass legislation to re-open government in January," the Democratic leaders said in a joint statement after the shutdown started.
Where do negotiations stand between the President and Democrats?
The key sticking point in the spending standoff is President Donald Trump's demand for $5 billion for a border wall. And so far, there is still no agreement to resolve the standoff and re-open the government.
House Republicans passed a spending bill that included an additional $5 billion for the wall last week, but the legislation is considered dead on arrival in the Senate where Democrats have said they would not support it. Any spending bill needs at least some Democratic votes to pass in the Senate.
Vice President Mike Pence proposed spending $2.5 billion on border security, including the wall, in a stopgap spending bill during meetings on Friday night and Saturday afternoon with Schumer, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
Several of the sources said there were policy additions and restrictions included in the proposal to try to bridge the gap. But Democrats said the number and the details tied to it aren't acceptable.
Following the Saturday meeting, a Schumer spokesman said, "The Vice President came in for a discussion and made an offer. Unfortunately, we're still very far apart."
Which parts of the government are affected?
Key parts of the federal government have been impacted by the shutdown, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department, the Interior Department, the State Department and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
But just because a federal department is subject to a lapse in funding, that doesn't mean that all of its activities immediately stop.
Typically in the event of a shutdown, some federal employees deemed essential continue to work, but their pay is withheld until the shutdown is over, while other federal employees are placed on furlough, meaning they are effectively put on a leave of absence without pay. Congress can move to order that furloughed employees be paid retroactively after a shutdown is over, though that is not guaranteed.
Some affected departments have put out information to explain how the shutdown will play out.
The Agriculture Department said on Twitter that "we will be providing as many of our core services as we can using existing resources." A press release issued by the department specified that some of the activities that will not stop at least in the short-term include Forest Service law enforcement and emergency and natural disaster response.
An administration official told CNN prior to the shutdown began that "a majority of DHS activities would continue" if there were a lapse in appropriations.
"For instance, those protecting our borders with the Customs and Border Patrol will continue to do so," the official said.
And despite the fact that the Justice Department will be impacted, special counsel Robert Mueller's office will be able to continue working.
Mueller's office "is funded from a permanent indefinite appropriation and would be unaffected in the event of a shutdown," a Justice Department spokesperson told CNN previously.
Will the shutdown impact holiday travel?
The Transportation Security Administration will be on the job to screen passengers, and Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers will be directing planes.
The FAA released a statement saying that "air traffic control is fully operational and there is no impact to safety or FAA oversight for travelers."
Amtrak, a federally owned corporation rather than a government agency, will be open. Federal Railroad Administration inspectors will also continue to work.
US Customs and Border Protection checkpoints will remain open for international travelers, and the State Department will also continue processing passports.
How many federal workers will be impacted?
An estimated 800,000 federal employees may be impacted by the partial shutdown, either by having to work during it while their pay is withheld until it ends or by being furloughed.
More than 420,000 government workers are expected to work without pay in a partial shutdown, according to a fact sheet released by the Democratic staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
That estimate includes more than 41,000 federal law enforcement and correctional officers. In addition, more than 380,000 federal employees would be placed on furlough, according to the fact sheet.
Before adjourning on Friday, the Senate passed a bill to ensure federal employees who are furloughed get back pay. It was passed by unanimous consent, but still will need to pass the House. The measure was brought up by Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, who represent Maryland, where many DC-area federal employees live.
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SC African American History Calendar - February Honoree: David "Dave the Potter" Drake
David Drake, also known as “Dave the Potter” and “Dave the Slave,” (c.1801-c.1870) was an American potter who lived in Edgefield, S.C. Dave produced alkaline-glazed stoneware jugs between the 1820s and 1860s. As an enslaved African, he often signed his works “Dave,” and is recognized as the first enslaved potter to inscribe his work.
Dave is thought to be born around 1801 on a plantation in N.C. and was owned by Harvey Drake. Dave’s first legal record is from June 13, 1818. It describes him as, “a boy about 17 years old, country born” who was, “mortgaged to” Eldrid Simkins by Harvey Drake. The term “country born” refers to enslaved Africans born in the U.S. rather than their home country in Africa.
During a time when most slaves were illiterate and forbidden from becoming literate, Dave included poetry and often wrote rhyming couplets on his work, in addition to his signature. Because S.C.’s Negro Act of 1740 prohibited teaching enslaved Africans to read and write, making it punishable by a fine of £100 and six months in prison, it is unclear how Dave learned. It is presumed, however, that he was taught by Abner Landrum, a publisher of a local newspaper called the Edgefield Hive, and Harvey Drake’s business partner.
Harvey Drake, together with Landrum, owned a large pottery business. The name of their business, Pottersville, is near Edgefield, S.C. and is now a historical archeological site. During the ante-bellum period, Dave was one of the known 76 enslaved Africans to have worked in the 12 pottery factories.
Dave’s earliest dated verse pot is inscribed “July 12, 1834.” The poetry on his first vessel reads, “Put every bit all between surely this jar will hold 14.” During his lifetime, his pots most likely sold for a few cents per gallon. Today, they are highly prized by museums and collectors.
At the end of the Civil War, Dave was a free man. It is thought he took the surname “Drake” from his first owner. The name “David Drake” is recorded in the 1870 Census, but not in the 1880 Census, so it is believed he died during the 1870s.
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No Details From PNM Or The City About Broken Streetlights
By Marisa Demarco • Jul 3, 2019
Marisa Demarco / KUNM
People say bad street-lighting contributes to fatalities and violence in some parts of Albuquerque—and national studies bear this out. There’s plenty of finger-pointing, but when it comes to info about broken streetlights, the public’s still mostly in the dark.
Let's Talk Streetlights And Pedestrian Crashes
By Marisa Demarco • May 15, 2019
Marisa Demarco/KUNM
Let's Talk New Mexico 5/16 8a: All around the country, more people who are walking are hit by drivers in neighborhoods with low incomes and in communities of color. Here in Bernalillo County, one out of every five times there’s a pedestrian crash, it happens in the few square miles of Albuquerque’s International District. Residents say a big part of the problem is bad street lighting, speeding drivers, big roads, crumbling sidewalks, and not enough intersections or bus stops.
PNM Announces LED Streetlight Project In Albuquerque
By Marisa Demarco • May 8, 2019
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller got on a truck lift on Wednesday, May 8, and turned on a streetlight in the International District in a photo-op designed to announce that PNM will replace all of its streetlight bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs by the end of 2019. It’s still unclear when the area’s ongoing problem with broken streetlights and bad lighting will be resolved.
Politicians Fail To Turn Funding Into Long-Sought Streetlights In Southeast ABQ
At night, for long stretches of road on large busy streets and residential ones, it’s completely dark in Southeast Albuquerque’s International District. Residents say not having enough streetlights is an urgent problem, because it leads to hotspots of crime and more vehicles hitting pedestrians. Politicians failed to spend hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars for new lights in the area, leaving neighborhoods in the dark.
Broken Streetlights And Pedestrian Deaths In ABQ's International District
There’s a part of Southeast Albuquerque that sees more than its share of people who are walking being hit and killed by drivers. In just five years, there were 26 pedestrian fatalities in the few square miles known as the International District—but none in neighboring Nob Hill. People who live in the district say a big part of this problem is broken streetlights that don’t get fixed, even though they’ve been asking for over a decade.
The Fight For Lights In SE Albuquerque
By Marisa Demarco • Mar 28, 2019
For decades, people in a southeast Albuquerque district have been asking the city to light their dark streets. One neighborhood group eventually starting solving the problem by installing streetlights on their own.
The Reality Of Pedestrian Fatalities In N.M.
By Marisa Demarco • Dec 20, 2018
Public Domain Pictures via CC
Pedestrian fatalities are up all around the United States—and New Mexico is no exception. We’re on track to have one of the worst rates in the country, and one of the worst years we’ve had in a while. Seventy-eight people were killed this year, and that number doesn’t count December. Better Burque blogger Scot Key has been following the problem for years, and he talked with KUNM about the reality of these deaths.
Pedestrian Fatalities In Low-Income Neighborhoods
By Marisa Demarco • Jun 18, 2015
Around the country, pedestrian deaths are most common in low-income areas. And New Mexico has had the highest average rate of pedestrian deaths in the U.S. for the last few years, according to the CDC.
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Allie > Books: brt (27)
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Collide (The Collide, #1)
Hannigan, J.C. *
Allie's rating
Fall of Knight
Cross, Steven *
Cross delves into the psyche of the mentally ill like a pro: he's either crazy, gifted, or both. The sane will be to unnerved to put it down; the insa Cross delves into the psyche of the mentally ill like a pro: he's either crazy, gifted, or both. The sane will be to unnerved to put it down; the insane will just smile. It is delightfully horrifying.
**I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
The Eden Express: A Memoir of Insanity
Vonnegut, Mark *
The Dress Shop of Dreams
van Praag, Menna *
For a die-hard fan of Sarah Addison Allen and Alice Hoffman myself, I felt as though marketing this book for fans of these authors was a huge risk. Lo For a die-hard fan of Sarah Addison Allen and Alice Hoffman myself, I felt as though marketing this book for fans of these authors was a huge risk. Lots of people say that there books are like Sarah Addison Allen's, but they never are. Which is part of the appeal. Her novels are, truly, one-of-a-kind.
My anxiety about such a build-up notwithstanding, The Dress Shop of Dreams delivered on all expected fronts and more: love, family, intrigue, and of course, magic that is never overdone. van Praag writes in such a way that pulls you in from the very first page, but not in a heart-stopping, fall-off-your-seat type of way at all. It's a warm tug, surrounding you in the vibrant colors of its world and inviting you in. van Praag's style is as beautiful as it is brilliant, and I can't imagine any fan of Allen and Hoffman not devouring it instantly. The whimsical cover is a perfect match for the surreal feel of this novel that creates an afterthought of comfort in the reader that is unmatched in so many contemporary novels today, that it sets it apart from the mediocre. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be reading more of van Praag's work. ...more
Ryan, Shari J. *
Another beautiful piece of art from Shari Ryan.
I am a grand fan of this author, starting with her Schasm series, for her gorgeous pen and her suspens Another beautiful piece of art from Shari Ryan.
I am a grand fan of this author, starting with her Schasm series, for her gorgeous pen and her suspenseful style in the romance genre. Tag delivers on all fronts, and then some.
The novel's opening gives the reader no time to catch up, and never lets up from there. Like all of Ryan's novels, the tension is artfully crafted, leaving a burn of anticipation at the edge of every chapter. Falling into Tango and Cali's dark story is as easy as breathing.
Ryan is a superb storyteller and existence-weaver, and her presence thus far in the NA genre has been refreshing and exciting. I can't wait for her next title. ...more
The Witch of Painted Sorrows (Daughters of La Lune #1)
Rose, M.J. *
There is something that all my favorite historical romance authors have in common -- gorgeous style -- and Rose nails it in The Witch of Painted Sorro There is something that all my favorite historical romance authors have in common -- gorgeous style -- and Rose nails it in The Witch of Painted Sorrows. The setting demands attention, surrounding you in its immense beauty without a second's notice. It is written in this enchanting kind of way that draws you in but also warns you of what is around the corner at the same time. For such a beautifully written book, it is fast-paced, taking you on an adventure in the most beautiful place. I've never been to Paris, but it is books like this that keep my dreams alive. The style is just stunning.
Similarly, the turn of events that pull you along the story feel expertly produced, the world that the author has created captivating the reader as the pages are turned. There's not much you can say without spoiling it, but I can assure historical fans who look for a twist of the paranormal will love this book. It is quite unputdownable. ...more
A Thirty-Something Girl
Gott, Lisa M.
I feel like I read this book in like five minutes.
I'm typically a very fast reader, but this is one of those books that you read while you're cooking I feel like I read this book in like five minutes.
I'm typically a very fast reader, but this is one of those books that you read while you're cooking with hazardous chemicals and when you have 3.7 minutes before your appointment and you consider how safe reading at a stoplight would be. It's unputdownable.
Stull captures you with her engaging, literary style from the first pages, and develops her characters via these multi-layered lyrics of all different colors: light to dark. I love the believable friendships she forms, the hope that Hope gives her reader, and the collective weave of survival and how we attain it.
When I see a potentially wonderful novel with the label "Romance" or "Women's Fiction" attached I tend to cringe based on the negative rap these genres have and the books I have read in them, but this book isn't like that. This is a powerful literary, romantically-written tale that strikes the stigmas of a good romance down. It is packaged beautifully with a gorgeous cover and solid storytelling, and it has achieved favoritism amongst my shelves. Hope is relatable, and she has a beautiful mind, and she makes you cry because in certain moments you are kind of her and her best friend at the same time, and you just want to take care of her as you would take care of someone you love. She is lovable, and I don't think that's because I'm a thirty-something girl myself (almost), but because she just is, and I think that the men who read this novel would fall in love with her a little bit too, and I think that's sort of the point: that this book can be enjoyed by everyone.
Hope's life is sad yet she herself is funny and the novel has the darkly beautiful quality that makes you want to read it again in an effort to capture the artistic air it has in your own life. It's the kind of book that envelops your existence until you're done and it takes a while to get it back.
It is the epitome of a book hangover. I would highly recommend it. ...more
Sharpe, Dennis *
I've read -- and praised -- Sharpe's work before, but nothing could have prepared me for Wednesday, both the book and the girl. She is sharp and she i I've read -- and praised -- Sharpe's work before, but nothing could have prepared me for Wednesday, both the book and the girl. She is sharp and she is witty and she doesn't care. She is a lot like me, actually, except she doesn't hold anything back.
The plot -- seemingly flawless -- makes for an adventure that is impossible to put down. It took me much longer than I ever would have wanted to pick up this book (hello, review-TBR), and a blink of an eye to read it. I'd have papercuts if I didn't read it on a tablet.
The author uses yarn of brilliance to tie Wednesday and her world at large together, and everything falls into place page after page effortlessly, it would seem. It is suspenseful in a way that steals your breath, your heart, and your sleep, all at the same time. Either Sharpe is a genius or Sharpe is a genius.
Love love love this book. I am very eager to see where Sharpe's career takes him -- wherever that place may be, I can't imagine it being anywhere else but the top. He is a stunning writer. ...more
Palahniuk, Chuck *
One would think that I would think, when I saw "dystopian Palahniuk + sex" or something along those lines, I'd be like oh fuck, you know, in order to One would think that I would think, when I saw "dystopian Palahniuk + sex" or something along those lines, I'd be like oh fuck, you know, in order to prepare myself.
All I remember saying is holyshitthisisbrilliant.
But, seriously: what the fuck did I just read.
The whole thing is in fact 1. brilliant and 2. very Palahniuk. Reading Palahniuk is kind of required for me since Lullaby, even though I haven't read all of his books and despised Choke; I actually didn't think I'd be into this one because of my reservations with Choke. Definitely would have enjoyed it more if someone told me if you are going to read Palahniuk don't read Choke first, but they didn't, so I did, and I'm telling you now, if you are going to read Palahniuk, don't read Beautiful You first (or Choke). Read like...Fight Club.
Anyway. As usual, through a crazy mindfuck of a backwards literary accomplishment, Palahniuk challenges us to test if all the Twilights and the Fifty Shades of Greys have plummeted our brains into stupidity forever, and Beautiful You soars. It's a fucked up The Devil Wears Prada situation, wherein the girl who wanted to make a difference being a girl ends up contributing to the most intense anti-feminism ideal ever, in a very profound way. The story that opens up with a girl being raped in a courtroom, whilst everyone stands by and watches, proceeding to the medical assisters that make jokes about 'who' this girl is, and beyond; this novel is brilliant because through classic Palahniuk Show Without The Reader Knowing They Are Being Showed, the author mirrors the current state of society for the world to see in its dark, satirical reflection. The platter of pleasure his setting offers, and the cannibalistic way in which his characters eat it up is stunningly creepy.
Beautiful You is a classic Palahniuk book that, like each and the next, is unlike any Palahniuk Book: a dystopian masterpiece that brings everything to the table including real current events that are happening now to produce an ideal that yes, this could really happen.
It is brilliant and seriously fucked up.
***I was provided with a complimentary copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review. ...more
My Fluorescent God
Guppy, Joe
My issue with memoirs is this: they are boring. They are not boring because they are boring, but because people who are typically writing memoirs are My issue with memoirs is this: they are boring. They are not boring because they are boring, but because people who are typically writing memoirs are not writers and all of the editing in the world could not make them unboring.
Not My Fluorescent God. Guppy's story and the way it is written could not be boring if it tried really hard.
When I was introduced to this memoir through Guppy's absolutely stunning book trailer (it gave me chills), I basically started reading it the same day. It's one of those books where you read the first couple pages and wonder what the fuck you just got yourself into, and decide you can't stop reading until you find out what happens next, and so forth.
"Count backwards from 100 by sevens," he says.
If he is Satan, then that proves this is Hell.
You know when you go take your kids to a Disney movie and the entire adult audience is laughing at the dirty jokes, because they are subtle enough that the kids won't get it? This book is kind of the opposite, though very similar in subtlety. Our narrator has an innocence about him - as all the non-violent mentally ill usually do - that produces this essence of mind that is the likeness of that of a child that doesn't understand much about the world. Throughout Guppy's journey into the land of the insane, though, he maintains his sense of humor and manages to hold on to this dark, satiric humor he must utilize in real life, without even knowing he's doing it. Jokingly, I told my boyfriend once that I was funnier when in psychosis and that I was going to start a show called Schizophrenia: The Stand Up Project. He gave me this weird look until we sat there for a bit and talked, and he was laughing, and he said, "you are funny today." I wasn't fucking around, and neither was Joe Guppy.
He leads us back to the ward. We leave behind the gum crisis and my chance to run off.
It's funny to the reader, that, throughout the story, Guppy insists that he has lost his sense of humor and jokes are lost on him whilst he is being funny himself, and that makes the reader laugh, but also kind of sad, too. To someone who has experienced psychosis and continues to do so, though, the descriptive lyrics with which he explains his mental state are so accurate it hurts. He brings this ability to show how any little event that even has the potential to cause stress or anxiety can completely send a mentally ill person over the edge, and the contrast of normal and insanity against this gray-colored mindset is stunning.
I see Grace and mumble to her that I can't stand the smoking. She gives me a placid look. The unfairness of the smoke is too much. It's time to leave and kill myself. But escape doesn't seem possible. This deflates the hope created by my imagined death.
Through his interactions with all of the people in his world, including other patients, Guppy is able to look outside the bubble of his own experience and show the mental health industry that is our current reality.
"I've been depressed for years," she says. "Jimmy and I know each other from the hospital circuit."
Even though I know that this is just how it is - people walking among us who are in and out of institutions for their entire lives, including me - the author's words hit us hard in the chest. Do people with medical illnesses 'know each other' from the 'hospital circuit'? Guppy writes a memoir that shows and does not tell and he does it intelligently, which, in my reading career, is the first time that has ever happened. Beyond the embarrassing and unacceptable state of our mental institutions, with realistic detail Guppy goes into a number of things via his driven prose, including paranoia and the lack of effective medication that is available.
Dr. Hardaway keeps fiddling with my meds. He says different people respond differently to different medications and eventually he'll get the right mix. I imagine he sees my brain as a beaker, into which he pours different colored bubbling liquids. I can't believe that peace or happiness comes through chemicals, and I wonder why no one seems to have found the right mix for the chronics. I worry I'll end up like one of them forever.
Not to mention the chilling journal entries that offer the reader the opportunity to watch an individual unravel into psychosis from the outside. The whole thing is astonishing and enlightening, dark and satirical. It's one of those memoirs that would be just as heartbreaking and powerful if it were fiction because it is written so well. Guppy is an inspirational human being, to be sure.
My new favorite literary piece about mental illness. Not that there are very many of them, but we're getting there. Bravo.
***I was provided with a complimentary copy of thie e-book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed for ORGANIC COFFEE, haphazardly
Kingdom of Fear: Loathsome Secrets of a Star-Crossed Child in the Final Days of the American Century
Thompson, Hunter S.
“The brutal reality of politics would be probably intolerable without drugs.” -Hunter S. Thompson, Kingdom of Fear
Since I caught sight of the Fear and
Since I caught sight of the Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas poster on my older brother’s wall when I was in high school, I knew I had to get my hands on everything HST wrote. It’s taken me longer than I would have liked, and I’m still working on it, but I kind of have that take-your-time-with-the-good-stuff outlook on literature, and I love that I have saved some of this stuff – HST, Kerouac, Cohen – for a time when I can really get lost in it. I’ve read Fear and Loathing, The Rum Diary, and have seen their film-adaptations, which are both amazing (thank you, Johnny Depp). My ex-husband is not much of a reader, which I couldn’t have in my household, obviously. So when I started to ease him into Palahniuk and stuff (ha, does anyone really ease into Palahniuk? is that a thing?) he found this and practically yanked whatever book I had in my hands and replaced it with this one.
“I knew a Buddhist once, and I’ve hated myself ever since.” -Hunter S. Thompson, Kingdom of Fear
I could honestly write this entire review in quotes and it would be meaningful and tell you exactly what you need to know, because that is exactly what makes HST as great as he is, but someone already did that, and, well, I once wanted to write a book sans punctuation, but my name wasn’t Cormac McCarthy, so.
Hunter S. Thompson cared about this country. The title is so fitting for this novel that is a work of art because he was a star-crossed child in the final days of America as we know it, as he knew it, and he was a star-crossed child in his final days, but not because America was failing him and everyone else – which it was, and still is – but because he felt he was at the peak of his career with perfect friends, and that suicide in that moment would not be a dishonorable thing.
“If he quit now, he would feel he was a champion.” -Anita Thompson, to CBS, five days after Hunter S. Thompson committed suicide
And that is the point. Hunter S. Thompson was a creator. He was mysterious and he was unpredictable and he made it appear that he didn’t care so that he could, genuinely, be one of the last artists that could, actually care. I imagine that such a contention would make the man himself vomit, but to me, what HST created was art, because it made you feel something. I know that to be true because the reviews of this book and all other works of HST are at every end of the spectrum from love to hate to brilliant to genius to idiot; his works are controversial, and therefore Hunter S. Thompson is controversial, and if that’s not art, I don’t know what is. And, Kingdom of Fear, HST’s ‘Memoir’, is the epitome of that, because it’s not really a Memoir. I mean, on the surface, it is; Kingdom of Fear tells the painfully entertaining story of the most loved (and hated) journalist of our time from the mouth of the Gonzo himself, but, in his revered style and dark, lyrical flow, HST tells of the ways of this country (and of the world) through his witty childhood, hilarious adventures, and ridiculous endeavors with Johnny Depp.
“Sane is rich and powerful. Insane is wrong and poor and weak. The rich are free, the poor are put in cages. Res Ipsa Loquitur, amen. Mahalo.” -Hunter S. Thompson, Kingdom of Fear
Everyone is a writer, or everyone’s mom is a writer, or everyone knows a writer, it would seem, but there are very few who find the opportunity to use their intelligence to hide an underlying meaning beneath a veil of hilarious, ridiculous stories tied together with a transparent thread, but Hunter S. Thompson did it, and he did it well. In Kingdom of Fear and everything he writes, he is brilliant, not because he says he’s brilliant, but because he resonates with humanity from all walks of life, and they say he’s brilliant. His satire mind and his literary couldn’t-give-two-you-know-whats heart come together to dance in the middle of the most violent hurricane you have ever seen, and, like in some sick, twisted Cinderella story, it is magic.
“I understand that fear is my friend, but not always. Never turn your back on Fear. It should always be in front of you, like a thing that might have to be killed. My father taught me that, along with a few other things that have kept my life interesting.” -Hunter S. Thompson, Kingdom of Fear
Memoirs Aren't Fairytales
Mann, Marni *
Scars from a Memoir (The Memoir Series, #2)
Fissure Free (Schasm #2)
Ryan continues her beautifully idiosyncratic series with Fissure Free. The primary element that I noticed about Schasm was how unique it was; how, by Ryan continues her beautifully idiosyncratic series with Fissure Free. The primary element that I noticed about Schasm was how unique it was; how, by its setting and chronological events, how it stood out in a colorless crowd wearing a bright red shirt and throwing a peace sign or something. In both the YA and NA genres, I have never come across a fantastically beautiful romance with equally developed world-building such as this, and its presence alone makes me happy as a reader and as an author. We need diverse books.
In Schasm, Chloe's lack of ability to make one informed decision kept me from loving her. I didn't classify this as a fault in character development, though. Quite the opposite, actually. Chloe had been sheltered all her life in a way that can be closely compared with a prison, and the reality that she couldn't make a proper decision due to the fact that she was missing an entire lifetime of experience and growth contrarily contributed to her development as a character, not took away from it. That being said, due to this developed personality trait, I do have to say that I had my reservations about Chloe in Schasm. Like, she's definitely not someone I'd be friends with. I wanted to shake her. Having had that experience with the first book, I was SO glad to see Chloe growing up a bit! She still has a long way to go, but her life with Alex has taught her a lot, and she has learned much from life and what it means to actually be older than a two-year-old. I enjoyed her character defiantly more in Fissure Free than I did in Schasm, so that just further contributed to my enjoyment of this series.
Ryan is known for her eloquent writing style that she brought to the table in Schasm, and it only gets better in the sequel. She paints a picture of the drift, of the gorgeous world you want to live in in comparison to the dark, murky one you don't. It is just stunning. It is too often that a series that boasts world-building transitions to emotions from one to the next, losing the element you loved most about it. Such is not the case with this sequel, and I can't wait for When Fully Fused!
**A complimentary copy was provided to Geeks Unleashed from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed for Geeks Unleashed ...more
Pulled Within (Bar Harbor, #2)
B00JG8TRGA
I loved Pulled Beneath, but Seductive Shadows is my favorite Marni-book, which is shelved as erotica, so I went through some withdrawals jumping from I loved Pulled Beneath, but Seductive Shadows is my favorite Marni-book, which is shelved as erotica, so I went through some withdrawals jumping from that to New Adult (not that I'm complaining; Mann does New Adult correctly).
I found the author again who has achieved favoritism amongst my already favorite authors in this book. It was beautiful. Mann writes books that guarantee darkness, that guarantee survival, gorgeous storytelling, and great sex, and Pulled Within delivers. It is brilliant because no one reads Pulled Beneath and wants to read about evil-ish Rae (at least I didn't) and then you pick up this book and you definitely want to read about Rae. Mann reverted to that tortured soul I found in Charlie in Seductive Shadows - the survivor - and made it happen freshly with a twist that I never saw coming. Her lyrical style pulls you in like a slow burn, and her damaged characters break you down. Rae makes you cry, tears you to pieces, and gives you something else that I can't describe other than if I said
In darkness I look for the stars
With every book, Mann achieves this magical air in realistic fiction: it's like she knows you and is all like
I'm gonna write a book for that one person
She's a literary sorcerer as far as I'm concerned. I've always wanted to write a book wherein the protagonist fell in love with the reader. I haven't done it yet, but reading a Marni-book is kinda like that, and probably as close as I'm ever gonna get. ...more
When Fully Fused (Schasm #3)
You know those memes going around on Facebook where there's a photo of a cute girl reading with her coffee and it says something like, that awkward mo You know those memes going around on Facebook where there's a photo of a cute girl reading with her coffee and it says something like, that awkward moment when you keep turning the pages of a book to look for more of the story but there is nothing there. The epic conclusion to the Schasm series, When Fully Fused, is like that. And it's not even because the ending was not satisfying or anything like that, but really just because you feel like you have lived a lifetime beside these characters, and you don't want it to end. You want to cry because it's over, and they're over, and what the hell are you going to read now.
This series is known as a romantic suspense, and, like it breaks from the YA and NA genres, I love that it defines that genre as well. So often romantic suspense focuses on the romance or the suspense and not enough of both, but When Fully Fused finds what I believe is the perfect balance. Chloe and Alex's romance is such a story of epic love, and it is defining for them, in a life they make up for themselves. Simultaneously, the events of this story is moving along at a very fast pace, such that you can't put it down, because nothing is what it seems. I don't feel like this is one of those books where many people would say I saw that coming from a mile away because there's just no way; the storyteller's deceit is mind-boggling. It is very suspenseful and shocking and the whole time you're just like holy shit. It's like an action movie for lovers of romance; the whole thing is just brilliant.
The ending is so classy in literature, and, while it gives you closure, it leaves these characters in your memory. They do touch you with their own world. It was a beautifully written series, and though I am sad that it is over, I commend Ryan for writing such an epically dramatic series of books that never lets you go.
Reviewed for Geeks Unleashed
Please Pretty Lights
Zajac, Ina *
Man, I have been really lucky with books lately. This never happens, but every book I've read in recent weeks has been stunning. Zajac's heartwrenchin Man, I have been really lucky with books lately. This never happens, but every book I've read in recent weeks has been stunning. Zajac's heartwrenching debut is one of them. Please Pretty Lights is one of my favorite books of 2014.
Most characters that make mistake after mistake, you want to shake and scream at until they listen. Via is not one of those characters. Via does not make decisions to benefit the plot or say what needs to be said to get the author's message across.
Via is not a character. Via is a person. A real person.
Every person in this book is a real person. The development is outstanding. The dialogue believable and the events relatable. This author's gift for bleeding emotion onto the page lends the story a surreal quality.
It's been since A Visit with the Goon Squad was released since I came across a readable book with the element of music to guide it along, and Please Pretty Lights trumps all. To those of us nearing our thirties, it introduces the music of our teens like a staple of our very existence. If you're like me, it solidifies a dream of moving somewhere cold and far away. It is gorgeously dark, and heartbreakingly hopeful.
This book will touch you harder if you've been there. Not necessarily there there, but there in the sense that you have been somewhere dark and fucked up (and can stand to read this book ie *trigger warning*)--a place that most never go--you will get it, and it will hit you hard. It will teach you that you are not the only one. Not that that makes it better or rational or makes it hurt any less.
But, still.
I am seriously in love with this book.
***I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Taxicab to Wichita
Asselstine, Aaron Louis
It would seem that the majority of my five-star reviews contain some applaud about writing a unique book that doesn't exist, but that's just my thing, It would seem that the majority of my five-star reviews contain some applaud about writing a unique book that doesn't exist, but that's just my thing, and I can't point it out enough when it happens. Someone once told me that we are all just retelling the same stories with different voices, and so many times that is true, so I seek out these books that are unlike anything I have ever read before.
In Taxicab to Wichita, Asseltine redefines the consensus of what a suspenseful, somewhat thrillerish novel is. And that's really what this book is to me, a somewhat thrillerish thing, mostly because I don't even know what to call it. Genres be genres, I don't really know what it is, other than a literal take on dark fiction about two damaged souls that feed off one another on the road to self-destruction. It is tragic and hard to read through the surreal perspective of a person that is not necessarily seeing reality the way the typical human being in that situation - or in any situation really - might.
Asselstine is an inventive storyteller, and I'll be watching for the next genre-defining piece of literature he puts out.
**I was provided with a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
White Cat (Curse Workers, #1)
Black, Holly *
it was ok
This book was defiantly better than Tithe (which I hated), but on a grand scale, just okay. I liked the idea of the Curse Workers and the independent This book was defiantly better than Tithe (which I hated), but on a grand scale, just okay. I liked the idea of the Curse Workers and the independent premise of this novel, but I just can't get past Black's writing. It doesn't offer anything to me as a reader. I can't picture her setting and I can't connect with her characters; there is no imagery, no setting, no nothing for me. Her books have been empty shells thus far, and I just can't get into them. ...more
Scan (Scan, #1)
Jury, Walter
really liked it
I wasn't quite sure what to think about a novel written by someone who hails from the film industry when this book was brought to my attention, but I I wasn't quite sure what to think about a novel written by someone who hails from the film industry when this book was brought to my attention, but I have great respect for Sarah Fine, and just because writing is not necessarily your primary trade doesn't mean you can't write.
Needless to say, I am so glad that I read this book.
There are many elements worth discussing when reviewing such an exceptionally uncommon novel in the YA genre, but I think the important thing to note is the fact that it is so uncommon. It has unfortunately been my experience that romancey "alien" books are just not up to par with the rest of my favorite YA's (with the exception of I am Number Four, which I loved), but Scan is such a tour de force of a novel that it makes me think that the other alien books I have read in this genre have just been doing it wrong. That being said, the only thing I wasn't a fan of in this novel was the romance itself. I thought the whole relationship between Tate and his girlfriend was kind of awkward and unnecessary; it's almost if it was thrown in there to entice YA fans that are not necessarily science fiction fans and require romance in their novels. Thankfully, I was able to move past it pretty easily since it didn't ring as the focus to me.
I commend both authors for making Tate's girlfriend and his mother such an important part of his journey; the reader gets the sense that Tate really needs them and instead of trying to be Mr. Awesome all the time, for the most part he embraces it. This lended a great enamorment towards Tate as a character on top of everything else that makes him wonderful. You know that somewhat-handsome, somewhat-cool kid in your high school? The guy that was not part of any clique or group but kind of got along with everyone? That's Tate. He's charming and he's intelligent in a roundabout way; the guy is super likable. The air of his emotional state that he didn't try to mask made the book for me; he is honestly one of my favorite YA characters.
Romance and top-notch character development aside, this book is an absolute thrill ride. It doesn't have this overly suspenseful nature that makes you roll your eyes because you just found another cliffhanger and you feel like the author is patronizing you as a reader, but paced in such a way that keeps you engaged while dangling you on the edge of your seat; it walks the line of being over the top, but isn't. Annoying cliffhangers being discussed, this book has one (not necessarily annoying, but it is there), but it's the kind that makes you want to read the next book because you genuinely want to, not because you just want to know what happens and get it over with.
I was pretty impressed with Scan. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
**I was given a complimentary copy of the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing
Luna, Steven *
I can't say I was surprised by how amazing this novel actually was, having been prepared somewhere between its outstanding reviews and my distant expe I can't say I was surprised by how amazing this novel actually was, having been prepared somewhere between its outstanding reviews and my distant experience with Steven Luna in Joe Vampire. Luna's work comes highly recommended by some Artists of the Written Word that I respect more intensely than I respect my parents for their responsibility of my existence, and Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing is a thought provoking work of art.
Tyler Mills is my kind of character and Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing is my kind of book, mostly due to Tyler himself. I'm a character-driven reader, and Tyler takes us on a tour de force journey from internal self-destruction to discovery. The themes in this book are tough to bear, especially when a seventeen-year-old boy is involved, but fans of dark fiction will appreciate its lyrically woven style. Tyler's beautiful musical gift couples with Luna's intense voice, and this novel soars. It captures the mindset of a damaged teenage boy in a tragically realistic way, and inventively shows his learning curve towards a mend through forgiveness, not without all the emotional longing in all the right places.
It takes a special kind of author to encompass the essence of diversity in literature, but Luna does it with one work to the next from funny to poignant with ease. For the reader, there is nothing deliberate about it; it just flows. I love this novel.
**I was provided with a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed for Geeks Unleashed + Interview with the author ...more
The Artful (Shadows of the City, #1)
Stanton, Wilbert *
liked it
This is one of those books that you absolutely want to love based on the cover, the synopsis, the premise, and the reviews from some friends, but you This is one of those books that you absolutely want to love based on the cover, the synopsis, the premise, and the reviews from some friends, but you just...can't.
Overall, it's a good YA dystopian novel. I didn't have issues with the world-building like some other readers did - I thought it was rather brilliant with its idiosyncratic build through the lines of its Dickens-reminiscent spirit - but I had some other consternations with it.
Predominantly, the person in my head was incapable of getting along with the characters. Unfortunately for me I am exclusively a character-driven reader, so if I don't like a character, I don't like the book. That being said, I'm all for intelligent, witty characters of the male persuasion in YA novels - see Tate in Scan who is one of my favorite YA characters ever - but Dodger takes it over the top. Instead of being intelligently witty in a fun, roundabout way, he comes across as overly sarcastic, mean, borderline mysogynistic, and sort of a bully. Gia annoyed me, but I'm not sure if it's worth mentioning that a female character in a YA novel was annoying. Because that's never happened before.
To build on The Bad News, this novel was so, so, slow. Not exactly something you expect from a YA dystopian; it's not a contemporary romance and shouldn't read as such. I expected it to open with a bang and lay on the action/adventure - again, a little more like Scan - but it really did take a while to get moving.
Just because The Artful wasn't my favorite, doesn't mean Stanton made a non-reader out of me with this book; on stylistic principle alone, this author wrote a beautifully dark novel about children just trying to survive, which is an important addition to the YA genre no matter which way you spin it. In addition to that, he does not censor the savagery or barbarity of a novel in a post-apocalyptic setting just because it is written for the YA genre, which is something I respect highly. Beyond one-dimensional characters, YA authors that do intentionally wrap their themes in pretty shiny tape is the number one no-no for me, so I appreciated that very much, just like the first time that happened to me, when I read The Hunger Games.
Enjoyable versus Annoying, as a whole, it was somewhere in the middle. It was okay.
**I was provided with a complimentary copy of this e-book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The City & the City
Miéville, China *
Warning 2-star DNF policy ahead:
Alright so this book was just really weird. It was another one of those books that I would have never heard of/picked Warning 2-star DNF policy ahead:
Alright so this book was just really weird. It was another one of those books that I would have never heard of/picked up/read if it wasn't for that hipster-ish online book club I was in that one time. I read like half of it, I think, and I don't know if I was not in the right frame of mind or too young or too immature of a reader or if this author is just really not for me, but I found it strange in a negative way, and little bit too foreign to my culture to be relatable to me, and all you Reading Hipsters probably are rolling your eyes into the back of your head so hard that they hurt now, but that's fine, fucking hipsters (I'm just kidding hipsters, I like you; you are generally good-looking). Point is it was just too weird at the time that I read it for me to get into, but I did try, and I know most of you love this dude so, I'm sure it's awesome for those of you who feel you can get through it.
Kerouac, Jack
I have a 2-star policy on books I DNF so:
This book bored me. It was boring and the characters were boring and uninteresting and the writing was choppy I have a 2-star policy on books I DNF so:
This book bored me. It was boring and the characters were boring and uninteresting and the writing was choppy and immatureish, I thought. I was bored, and so I stopped reading before one-hundred pages and I still haven't seen the movie like however many years later.
That's not to say that Kerouac sucks or I didn't like it like I didn't like some other classics like Anna Karenina or 80% of Austen's works because I love The Dharma Bums but eh. Couldn't get into it. ...more
The Dharma Bums
I'm sort of laughing reading the reviews of this book, seeing its average rating of 3.93 compared to Meyer's 3.73 on Eclipse. (In case you've been liv I'm sort of laughing reading the reviews of this book, seeing its average rating of 3.93 compared to Meyer's 3.73 on Eclipse. (In case you've been living in a cave, everybody fucking hates Stephenie Meyer). I love the fact that Diversity of Reading exists and that there are so many different perceptions in the world on the exact same piece of literature, but it would seem that authors are sometimes treated unfairly (Kerouac being the one being treated unfairly in this case, obviously).
I enjoyed The Dharma Bums defiantly more than I enjoyed On the Road, which, admittedly, I didn't finish. But that could have been because (1) I (tried to) read On the Road after the movie came out and my version had Kristen Stewart on the cover and well, you know (holy crap I really need to get Twilight references the fuck out of my Kerouac review) or (2) because one of my besties literally snail-mailed his paperback copy of The Dharma Bums after I commented on his Facebook post WHERE DID YOU GET THIS or something or other.
Unlike On the Road, I found The Dharma Bums to be lyrical without being too wordy or hard to follow, and frankly, not boring. I find myself reading classics not because I'm necessarily interested in their stories but for more banal reasons like I want to be well read or I want to know what all the buzz is about. Nine times out of ten (see my Austen and Tolstoy reviews) I am either bored out of my mind throughout the entire book or I DNF them at like 15 pages. Such was not the case with The Dharma Bums. I totally want to be the characters in this book - I always have - they are adventurous and unpredictable and funny and they are dicks to each other (okay I at least have one of those down). The stylistic, somewhat airy voice that Kerouac sings onto the page just made it a favorite (I don't do books without style).
That photo that you found on Pinterest of that medium-build guy with a beard and a backpack sitting on a rock in the middle of nowhere writing in this little journal - this book is him. Except he wouldn't fall in love with you because he's way too cool for that shit. ...more
Fractured Dream (The Dreamer Saga, #1)
Randall, K.M. *
I don't say this often, but Fractured Dream is kind of an Allie book. The number one reason that I started writing and ultimately ended up publishing I don't say this often, but Fractured Dream is kind of an Allie book. The number one reason that I started writing and ultimately ended up publishing my own paranormal series was because I was looking for a book that I couldn't find in the bookstore and Fractured Dream is one of those books. There isn't really anything out there (that I've found) that is like it.
This debut novel reads as ten colorful strings woven together. From the first page, I was enticed by this story. It's one of those situations when you find that book that feels written just for you, a bit, and you start reading and you're like oooooh pretty!
The romantic element weighs in thickly, but is not overbearing and does not overpower the storyline. Something to be noted is the methodically built world that Randall introduces. Fans of romantic fantasy know that more times than not, you have to choose one or the other: romance or world-building. Such is not the case with Fractured Dream It is a beautifully written novel that weaves magic and adventure into the darkness and danger that is the essence of telling every good story. What surprised me about this novel was how highly-charged and fast it went. It is a long book, but you barely notice (especially for those who prefer your books short like me).
Fans of reality versus fantasy and how humanity strives to adapt somewhere in between, I'd watch Randall's career with interest. She has brought dedicated readers of magical stories an outstanding debut.
**A complimentary copy of this e-book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Midnight Crossroad (Midnight, Texas, #1)
Harris, Charlaine *
This is one of those books that you enjoyed but that you forget about five minutes after you've finished reading it.
I was chatting with a few book blo This is one of those books that you enjoyed but that you forget about five minutes after you've finished reading it.
I was chatting with a few book bloggers on Twitter who said they weren't wowed by it. I found myself discussing the reality that Charlaine Harris is very successful due to her wildly popular Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) books, but that she is one of those authors that writes a bunch of okay, solid, popular books instead of a few great ones. And I think that's what I have to say about this book. The characters are not overly developed (which has become somewhat of a must for me for me to really love a book) but they are there in solid form. There are some definite paranormal elements that border on eccentric, a trait in a novel that I can highly appreciate due to my love for all of Sarah Addison Allen's books. And, as with most all of Harris's novels (except maybe the Harper Connelly series which was a bit more serious), Midnight Crossroad has moments where it makes you laugh out loud, so I appreciated that as well.
There wasn't anything necessarily bad about it, but my feelings about it are sort of neutral: didn't love it didn't hate it kind of thing. It was good, but now it's over, and I'm ready to move on to something else a bit more interesting.
That being said, Charlaine Harris a great writer, obviously, based on the popularity of her books. She does have a great ability to bring something a bit different to the table of paranormal and horror, even if that trait alone doesn't have the capacity to wow its readers.
**Geeks Unleashed received a complimentary e-book copy of Midnight Crossroad from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
More books shelved as 'brt,arc-read' »
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JOE Lists
Reaction of the rich to the Notre Dame fire teaches us a lot about the world we live in
1172.4k Shares
Yesterday, the world's eyes turned to Paris as Notre Dame cathedral burned.
It was clear within minutes that complications due to the building's age and density of heavy timber would severely hinder attempts to put out the fire. Still, it was shocking to see that iconic spire come down, succumbing to the fire as easily as a matchstick house.
Indeed, watching this ancient temple engulfed in smoke and heat was a frightening reminder there are many forces out there that render us powerless to save something dear to us.
People worldwide have meaningful connections to Paris. It is the most-visited city in the world. As such, people have memories of Notre Dame, memories that were dusted with ash and debris in yesterday's horrific scene.
As is often the case, those nightmarishly frustrating contrarians were everywhere, taunting the mourners — remind everyone that the church was just bricks and mortar. Presumably these diehard deconstructionists also argue that art is "just paint on a canvas" and that their children are "just smaller people who look like me and live in my house."
Still, none of that cynicism could stem the mournful tide.
Within hours of the spire coming down, two of France's wealthiest families — led by François-Henri Pinault and Bernard Arnault — had pledged no less than €300million in funding for the restoration effort. The city of Paris was also able to mobilise €10million.
Arnault is the CEO of LVMH, the world's largest luxury-goods company. He is the richest person in Europe and the fourth-richest person in the world according to Forbes magazine, with a net worth of $91.3 billion, as of this month. Perhaps the best-known brand overseen by Arnault is Louis Vuitton. Handbags, suitcases, you know the ones.
By comparison, Pinault is worth a paltry €30billion. He's more of a Gucci man, and he also owns Stade Rennais FC.
Galway man wins €20,000 on a €2 scratch card given to him by his mammy
Between them, they have significantly more money than several European states — such as Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia or Slovenia. If you had €3,000 in your bank account right now and you donated a tenner to the restoration effort, you'd be giving proportionally the same amount as these two.
Perhaps an overlooked part of the discussion is the financial role that the Catholic Church could play in the restoration. Nobody outside the Vatican truly knows how much money the church has, but in 2012 The Economist calculated that the Vatican's operating budget in the US alone came to $170billion. It stands to reason, then, that the global figure would be much larger again.
Pope Francis has confirmed that he is praying for all those affected by the Notre Dame fire. That is to say, he is putting his hands together, rather than in his pocket.
This will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever had to raise a few hundred or a few thousand euro to renovate a church in suburban or rural Ireland without the help from the Vatican's bajillions.
It would be incredibly cheap to suggest that it is in some way wrong to give money for the restoration. There is a value that transcends simple economics in restoring testaments to civilisation. Better that Notre Dame remains a symbol of European history than €300 million rests in a billionaire's bank account.
But the immediacy and magnitude of their response tells us something very important about the society we live in.
Saturday night's €6.5million Lotto Jackpot winner didn't buy their ticket in a shop
If two men in a world of more than 7 billion people can provide €300million to restore Notre Dame, within six hours, then there is enough money in the world to feed every mouth, shelter every family and educate every child. The failure to do so is a matter of will, and a matter of system.
The failure to do so comes from our failure to recognise the mundane emergencies that claims lives all around us every single day. Works of art and architectural history and beauty rely on the ingenuity of people, and it is people who must be protected above all else.
Brick and mortar and stained-glass might burn, but they do not bleed, and they do not starve, and they do not suffer. Humans suffer. Everywhere in the world, from Paris to Persepolis, people are suffering. But their suffering is every day. It does not light up a front page, and it does not inspire immediate donations from the world's wealthiest men.
France currently counts 140,000 homeless people — 30,000 of which are children. A 2018 report by the Secours Catholique revealed that in total there are around 8.8 million people living below the poverty line in France in 2017. This means they are living on an income of less than €1,026 a month, and many of them live on considerably less. One in every eight French people live in poverty. Despite all of this, France remains the sixth richest country in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund.
The next time someone tries to pretend like you need to choose between homelessness or immigration, nurses' pay or a tax cut, a children's hospital or a motorway, remember this moment. The money is there at a click of a finger. It just isn't in our hands.
While you're here, check out our brand new Game of Thrones podcast The North Awaits.
Notre Dame fire.
Gardaí and Revenue issue warning over text message scam
Calls for Government to clamp down on excessive claims for minor injuries
Vhi announces increases of up to €320 in cost of insurance premiums
UCC students hit out as capitation fees set to more than double in cost
Revenue issue warning over phone call scam
New €100 and €200 banknotes are now in circulation
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Johnny Araya
Political Journey
One of the most extraordinary and enduring politicians of all time is Johnny Araya, a politician from the Republic of Costa Rica. Johnny Araya was born in April 1957. Starting from 1982, Araya’s political career has spanned over many decades in the political scenario of Costa Rica.
A graduate from the University of Costa Rica, Araya has played several crucial roles in Costa Rican politics. Araya has been the President Delegate as well as a member of the FMCU which is the “Bureau of the World Federation of United Cities.” He also occupied the position of Vice President of the UCCI executive committee from the year 2004 up to 2006. Between 2006 and 2008, Araya was once again the UCCI Co-President.
From 2010 to 2012, Araya was the Vice President of the UCCI. From 1998 to 2001 Araya was the Mayor of San Jose. He was again elected Mayor in 2003. He is one of the members of the National Assembly, as well as Provincial Assembly of San Jose. He is a member of the San Jose Canton Assembly and the National Policy Board of Costa Rica. Araya has occupied various positions, such as being the Vice President of the UCCI(Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities) that represent the regions of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America from 1996 up to the year 2000, and then from 2004 up to 2006. He was the Presidential candidate for the PLN party which is the National Liberation Party in Costa Rica in the year 2013.
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VIDEOS: Kobe Bryant Training Videos With Nike Pro Answers
NBA Rumors: Kyrie Irving Will Be Offered Max Contract By Cavaliers
For 18 seasons and counting, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant remains one of the best players in the NBA. With his rivals coming and going, the five-time champion has been able to maintain his high level of play because of his strong fundamentals.
— Think You Know Everything About Kobe Bryant? Take The Ultimate Kobe Quiz! —
NikeProAnswers.com has released four training videos that feature Bryant talking about the pump fake, jab step, bank shot, and fade away.
Here are the four training videos via Kobe Fundamentals:
[new_royalslider id=”295″] __________________________________________________
Lakers Pre-Draft Workout: Marcus Smart, Zach LaVine, Noah Vonleh Shootaround
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Koehler: Pledging allegiance
By Robert C. Koehler
I pledge allegiance to . . . what?
The Electoral College, to no one’s serious surprise, voted Donald Trump in as the nation’s 45th president, and the pot of outrage in the American spectator democracy begins to boil.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no -- no to all his right-wing and idiotic cabinet and Team Trump appointments, no to his conflicts of interest and serial tweets, no to his sexism, his reckless arrogance, his ego, his finger on the nuclear button.
The word of the day is resistance. For instance, Nancy Altman and Ira Lupu, writing at Huffington Post, point out that Mr. Trump, though legally the new American president, lacks political legitimacy, thanks to widespread voter suppression, his huge loss in the popular vote and the anachronistic absurdity of the Electoral College; and even more disturbingly, is a thin-skinned, dishonest, immature jerk, utterly lacking the moral authority a national leader must project. These are flaws that cannot be ignored.
“Other elected officials, the media, and the citizenry at large have no obligation to afford him the slightest political respect,” they write. “Rather, the next four years should be a time of resistance and outright obstructionism. Opponents of Mr. Trump should be at least as aggressive in challenging the political legitimacy and moral authority of his presidency as Republicans were in disrespecting President Obama, whose political legitimacy and moral authority were beyond reproach.”
Wow, I get it. Don’t let Mr. Trump get away with anything! Fight every alt-right and nutcase appointment he tries to make, every racist or reckless policy he tries to implement. Above all, don’t let him shift the paradigm of normal.
There’s only one problem here, and it’s the same problem the Hillary Clinton campaign faced and had no way to overcome. The “old normal” -- the Washington consensus, the status quo -- that Mr. Trump is so successful at selectively mocking, even as he remains utterly enmeshed in it, is a ravenous predator and looming disaster of global proportions.
I pledge allegiance to the United States of War? To the United States of Prisons? To the United States of Poverty and Infrastructure Decay and Contaminated Water?
Indeed, the concept of American exceptionalism ensconced in the old normal and thoughtlessly touted by the corporate media is Trumpesque in its narcissism. And its time is running out. The economy is breaking down for much of the working class and some of our deep, foundational flaws -- the racism, the militarism, the environmental exploitation -- are getting increasingly difficult to avoid noticing.
The challenge presented by Mr. Trump requires something more than resistance. I believe it requires reaching for, and pledging our allegiance to, a much larger, more compassionate and peace-oriented country than the one we have now. It requires pledging allegiance to the planet and the future.
But what does this look like?
Half a century ago, the emerging nation could be seen in the civil rights movement. Today, perhaps the best place to look is Standing Rock, where an old wound, you might say, is insisting on its right to heal.
“What can we learn from their struggle?” Audrea Lim asks in The Nation. “Bombarded for months with tear gas, sound cannons, rubber bullets and water hoses (often in freezing temperatures, no less), the camp at Standing Rock grew from around ten in April to thousands by fall. They transformed what might have otherwise been a remote, invisible, rural struggle into national headline news.”
The struggle, she notes, had blatantly racist origins: “Originally meant to traverse the Missouri River north of Bismarck, city residents complained that it would threaten their municipal water supply, and the pipeline was re-routed to nearer the Standing Rock reservation in September 2014.”
She adds: “It is significant that Bismarck is 92.4 percent white.”
This could have been just one more isolated wrong, but for some reason the national or perhaps global moment was ripe for it to be something else. The struggle for water rights, for the sanctity of the land, for a wounded people’s dignity, sent a tremor through the whole country. Something sacred -- to use a risky, old-fashioned word -- had been violated. And maybe we’re no longer simply Consumer America, using up our resources, destroying our rivers, clotting our veins, to consequences born only by the racially and culturally marginalized. We used to be, but this is changing.
“We live today at a moment of transition between worlds.”
So writes Charles Eisenstein in “The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible.” The world that’s giving way -- and the story, or mythology, that sustains it -- is the world of “survival of the fittest” and winner takes all, the world of domination and conquest, isolation from nature, a dismissal of life itself as less than sacred.
“Today,” writes Eisenstein, “it is increasingly obvious that this was a bubble world built atop massive human suffering and environmental degradation.”
It isn’t merely resistance that will replace the bubble world of exploitation, but a new and deeper consciousness of connection with all of life and a reawakening to what is sacred.
I pledge allegiance to the world that is coming into being.
Robert Koehler is an award-winning, Chicago-based journalist and nationally syndicated writer. His new book, “Courage Grows Strong at the Wound” (Xenos Press) is now available. Contact him at koehlercw@gmail.com, visit his website at commonwonders.com or listen to him at Voices of Peace radio.
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College of Law Student Shortlisted for Attorney General Award for Human Rights Work
Former College of Law student Camilla Graham Wood has been shortlisted for an Attorney General award for her voluntary work defending human rights both in the UK and overseas.
Would-Be Barristers from Birmingham College of Law Shortlisted for Attorney General Award due to Voluntary Work
Fledgling barristers from Birmingham College of Law are in the running for an award from the Attorney General for their voluntary work helping people access advice and representation at Employment Tribunals.
Hill Dickinson Signs Exclusive Deal with College of Law, Manchester
Hill Dickinson has become the fifth national law firm to sign up to an exclusive Legal Practice Course with The College of Law, Manchester.
College of Law Teams Up with University of Warwick Law Society to Reward Student Success
Hira Ishaq, an undergraduate student at the University of Warwick, has won the coveted Best Article Award, sponsored by The College of Law Birmingham, for her contribution to the University of Warwick Law Society’s magazine, Obiter Dicta.
College of Law Puts in Winning Performance During Contest to Find Country’s Top Student Negotiators
Five teams from The College of Law have powered through to the final of a national competition to find the country’s toughest negotiators.
GDL Deal Signifies Extension of Partnership Between Allen and Overy and College of Law
International law firm Allen & Overy has strengthened its ties with The College of Law by naming it as the preferred provider of the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) for its future trainees.
Linklaters Names College of Law as Preferred Provider of GDL
Global law firm Linklaters has announced that all of its future trainees will study the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) at The College of Law.
Regulation of City Lawyers Needs Urgent Shake-Up
The regulatory structure for corporate law firms in England and Wales needs an overhaul to provide confidence in the sector and to put an end to the current system of piecemeal rules, The College of Law’s Legal Services Policy Institute argues today.
College of Law Applications Soar by 30 Per Cent in the North West
The College of Law has confirmed that they have witnessed a massive 30 per cent increase in prospective lawyers signing up to train with them in the North West, following their announcement of the opening of a new £5.5 million Manchester centre from September 2009.
College of Law Students Take Seats on Board of Fictitious Furniture Company to Prove their Business Acumen
Teams of future lawyers from The College of Law in Birmingham battled it out to prove their commercial acumen this week during the final of the College’s annual business game.
Pinsent Masons Signs Exclusive Deal with College of Law
International law firm Pinsent Masons is to send all of its trainees to leading professional training provider, The College of Law to study the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in a five year deal commencing in September 2009.
Legal Services Policy Institute Sparks Debate on ‘Alternative Business Structures’
The Legal Services Policy Institute (LSPI), established as part of The College of Law's charitable foundation, is holding a forum to discuss the issues and challenges of external ownership and investment emerging from the Legal Services Act 2007.
19 December 2008: Youngest Ever Winner of Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Gives Inspiration to Next Generation of Lawyers
Current Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Anthony McCourt returned to his former law college in the city to help the next generation of professionals make their first steps onto the career ladder.
10 December 2008: Star Students at the Birmingham College of Law Rewarded for Their Hard Work
The next generation of movers and shakers in the legal arena gathered at The College of Law in Birmingham to receive prizes for outstanding performance during their postgraduate studies at the College.
4 December 2008: Star Students at The York College of Law Rewarded for their Hard Work
The next generation of movers and shakers in the legal arena gathered at The College of Law in York to receive prizes for outstanding performance during their studies at the College.
Seven Top Law Firms Give £400,000 to Widen Access
Seven leading law firms have so far either contributed or pledged £400,000 to Pathways to Law a £2m five-year initiative by The College of Law and the Sutton Trust to widen access to the legal profession which is entering its second year.
1 December 2008: Chester College of Law Launches Pioneering Service to Help Families Suffering Breakdown Keep Contact with Kids
The College of Law in Chester has launched a pioneering service to help family members struggling to maintain contact with children during family breakdowns.
1 December 2008: Chester College of Law Students Offer Free Legal Advice to Local Community
Students manning an advice service at The College of Law in Chester, which gives free legal guidance to the public, are ready for action now that the current academic year is well underway.
Guildford College of Law Students’ Interviewing Skills Net Them Winners’ Trophy in Competition
Guildford College of Law students demonstrated their skilful interviewing techniques by scooping first and third prizes in an annual client interviewing competition.
Bloomsbury College of Law Launches New Centre to Help Local Community Access Legal Services
A new Legal Advice Centre, which gives members of the local community access to free legal advice, has been officially opened at The College of Law’s Bloomsbury centre in London.
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Ian Payne
Nick Clegg On Armed Police Officers: 'We Should Not Abandon British Traditions'
In the wake of the Westminster terror attack, Nick Clegg told Ian Payne we should not "abandon" "longstanding and much-cherished" British traditions.
Former Deputy Prime Minister and former Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, spoke to LBC Presenter Ian Payne on his Saturday afternoon LBC show.
Ian asked Mr Clegg whether policemen should be armed following the Westminster terror attack.
This is what he had to say: "I don't think we should, on the basis of this horrible murderous incident, summarily abandon some very longstanding and much-cherished British traditions of policing by consent, which are very, very different to other policing traditions in other countries.
"It just means that our bobbies on the beat are not always armed to the teeth. We have maintained that policing tradition through thick and thin, even at a time when, I remember as a youngster hearing IRA bombs go off in the centre of London.
"So I think it would be a great shame if we were to do that. I think clearly, there are questions about whether we need a permanent armed police presence at the gates of the Houses of Parliament."
Ian said: "Do you think we should?"
Nick continued: "Well they apparently were there until relatively recently, and that seems to me to be clearly something for the review, and not for non-specialists like me to decide upon.
"But it's the kind of thing I think we should look at, rather than, sort of summarily changing the way in which we conduct our long- held tradition of policing by consent on the streets of London, and the streets of the communities up and down the country."
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Lüneburg: Historic Town Hall
The historic Town Hall in Lüneburg is an absolute one-off: it came into being over the course of several centuries and comprises buildings from many architectural periods. The basic construction was in 1230 and today is the seat of the Lüneburg administration. Lüneburg Town Hall is the largest medieval town hall in Northern Germany.
The wealth of the Hanseatic League in Lüneburg is also reflected in the Town Hall. You can only view the impressive parts of the building such as the Courtroom, Princes’ Hall, Old Archive, Chancery and great Council Chamber on a guided tour because they are so precious. As the Town Hall did not suffer any damage during the war, it is wonderfully preserved.
Most of the buildings belong to the period of North German Brick Gothic. However, after the Gothic façade on Marktplatz was damaged in a storm in 1703, the decision was taken to erect a baroque façade in front of it by 1720.
If you hear a glockenspiel, then it is coming from the Town Hall tower. Here there is a glockenspiel in Meissen porcelain that plays regularly.
The floor of the court building is still the original one from the 14th century and is covered with plate glass. The ceiling and wall paintings are impressive and depict the Last Judgement. The late Gothic windows have also been preserved. In the courtroom there is a chest, in which the town council’s silver was stored. Lüneburg had become very rich indeed from salt and here in the Town Hall was the largest collection of silver of all German towns.
A barely visible door set in the wall of the courtroom represented an innovation for that time. It was the so-called “privy”, the toilet. What was innovative was that it was located inside the building whilst, at the time, they were found outside of most homes.
e Princes Hall is one of the largest halls without columns of its time and thus a genuine work of art. The Princes of Lüneburg can be found on the walls once more.
The great Council Chamber is richly decorated with carved oak and wall paintings. The room was created during the Renaissance and is a perfect example of how the Lüneburgers repeatedly enlarged the Town Hall through extensions. In the Council Chamber the mayors of Lüneburg were also elected. Only Master Saltboilers could be elected onto the council. This meant that about 40 families determined the fate of the town for centuries.
The power of the people of Lüneburg was so great that even the duke’s palace lies on the shady side of the Town Hall. At that time this was an affront, which the duke however had to swallow.
Lüneburg Town Hall can only be visited on a guided tour.
360 Grad Ansicht
Am Ochsenmarkt
dG91cmlzdGlrQGx1ZW5lYnVyZy5pbmZv
Lüneburg Tourist Information 0800-220 50 05
Only with a guide to visit
January till March Tue to Sun: 11:00-14:00
April till December Tue to Sat: 10:00 12:00 & 15:00 So 11:00-14:00
Mondays closed
Adults €5
School children, students, military and community service €4
Children up to 6 free
Romantische Hotels in Lüneburg
19 Hotels und Ferienwohnungen in Celle
Seminaris Hotel Lüneburg
Das Hotel Seminaris Lüneburg ist ein ideales Hotel für Kurzreisen, Tagungen und Wochenendtrips. Nahe ...
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Singer-songwriter Katie Melua plays her Ultimate Collection in Edinburgh
Katie Melua is playing The Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh.
Kevin McRoberts
Following the release of her Ultimate Collection last month, singer-songwriter Katie Melua is currently on tour and due to play the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, on Thursday, December 13.
It’s 15 years since Katie released her debut album – the chart-topping Call Off The Search.
Her Ultimate Collection features 30 tracks, including songs from her first album and six other studio albums, as well as her cover of ‘Fields Of Gold’ (the Children In Need 2017 single) and two new recordings ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ and ‘Diamonds Are Forever’.
‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ was recorded earlier this year with The Gori Women’s Choir and the Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nikoloz Rachveli.
‘Diamonds Are Forever’, which Katie first performed live at the Don Black Songbook concert at London’s The Royal Festival Hall, is produced by legendary American record producer and musician, T Bone Burnett. Katie is the sole performer on the track – on vocals and acoustic guitar - which was recorded at T Bone’s home studio in Los Angeles.
It is Katie’s extraordinary voice, and the ability to truly inhabit a song, that has been the constant since the young 19 year-old first appeared in 2003 with her debut single ‘The Closest Thing To Crazy’.
This latest release celebrates the singer, the songwriter, the musician and the collaborator while paying tribute to the musicians, arrangers, producers and songwriters with whom Katie has worked.
On tour, Katie is joined by a cast of stellar musicians, as well as members of The Gori Women’s Choir. The show opens with a set from up-and-coming Irish-Jordanian artist Keeva.
For more information and tickets, see the website www.katiemelua.com
Plenty to do at Hopetoun House this summer
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Monroe Local Schools Board Meeting Minutes for November 17, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010 3:00:19 PM - Monroe Ohio
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
MONROE LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION
Minutes of November 17, 2010 Board Retreat
The Board of Education of the Monroe Local School District in the County of Butler, State of Ohio, held its board retreat on the 17th day of November 2010 in the Monroe Board of Education Office, located in Monroe, Ohio.
The Treasurer, Mrs. Kelley Thorpe, recorded the minutes.
Roll Call — showed the following members present: Mr. Brett Guido, Mr. Mike Lane, Mr. John MacDonald, Mr. Chris Snyder, and Mrs. Leslie Stone. Also present were Superintendent, Dr. Elizabeth Lolli and Treasurer, Mrs. Kelley Thorpe, and guests as listed in Appendix “A”, which is attached and becomes an official part of these minutes.
All presentations/documents presented to the Board are available in the Treasurer’s Office, as referenced in the body of these minutes.
Dr. Lolli explained the pilot program for the Superintendent’s evaluation system. If Monroe wants to continue to be a part of the pilot, the Superintendent’s job description will need to be reviewed and modified for agreement with the new system and a formative evaluation will need to be completed in December. The board will compare the existing job description to the new standards as a starting point for the process.
Mrs. Thorpe presented an overview the BoardDocs program. The BoardDocs program is an online program to manage board meetings paperless. Butler Tech currently uses this program for its board meetings and Mr. Guido extolled the program’s benefits. However, the board feels that the cost of the program is prohibitive at this time and asked Mrs. Thorpe and Dr. Lolli to explore other, less expensive options.
Mrs. Thorpe advised the board regarding new information from OSBA this week stating that districts may want to plan for a potential 15-20% cut in education funding rather than the original recommended 10% cut. Mrs. Thorpe further explained that she and Dr. Lolli have begun working on budgets for next year should this major reduction actually occur. Governor-elect Kasich has promised to completely redo the existing OEBM of funding once he takes office. Given the uncertainty of what this funding model will look like, Mrs. Thorpe explained that she and Dr. Lolli are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
Resolution No. 10-215 Executive Session O.R.C. 121.22
Mr. Snyder moved and Mrs. Stone seconded the motion to adjourn to executive session at 5:06 p.m. for the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of public employees or regulated individuals, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee or regulated individual unless such person requests a public hearing.
ROLL CALL: AYES: (5) Mr. Guido, Mr. Lane, Mr. Snyder, Mrs. Stone, Mr. MacDonald
NOES: (0)
The president declared the motion carried.
The meeting was paused at 5:45 p.m. for the board to attend the fall sports banquet at Monroe High School. The meeting was resumed at 6:40 p.m. and remained in executive session.
The board meeting resumed at 9:25 p.m.
Resolution No. 10-216 Adjournment
Mr. MacDonald moved and Mr. Guido seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at
ROLL CALL: AYES: (5) Mr. Guido, Mr. Lane, Mr. MacDonald, Mr. Snyder, Mrs. Stone
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A marriage is a marriage – and should be recognised as such!
24 oktober 2017, laatste update 26 november 2017 | tags: internationaal, mannenstel, rechtsgelijkheid, vrouwenstel
NELFA claims on freedom of movement after a gay couple was told by the French government to divorce.
The Network of European LGBTIQ* Families Associations, NELFA, deprecates the behaviour of the authorities in France who don’t recognise UK same-sex marriages which were converted from civil partnerships in (and after) 2014. At that time, the certificates were backdated to the original date of the civil unions without a ceremony. But this is obviously incompatible with French law and rainbow families concerned are left behind in a legal limbo.
NELFA presses for a true-to-life approach with these cases. Recently, the online magazine “pinknews” reported on a gay couple with this problem by considering to move from London to France. The solution suggested by French government officials was to get divorced and to remarry in France. But even this “advice” didn’t help, as the UK requires actual grounds for divorce and to live apart for several years. This could also have an impact on the legal status of the couple’s seven-year old adopted son. In the meantime, the French authorities know that this is not an isolated case; several LGBTIQ* couples face the same problems.
Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/2i3sYSv
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Richard J. Schaar
Richard J. Schaar is the retired Executive Advisor to the Office of Education Policy of the Educational and Productivity Solutions (E&PS) Division of Texas Instruments, Incorporated (TI). In this capacity, Dr. Schaar advised TI and its customers in the areas of math and science education policy. He has also served as Senior Vice President of Texas Instruments, Incorporated and as President of TI’s Education and Productivity Solutions business, which he led to a leadership position in educational technology and professional development.
As a past mathematics instructor himself, Dr. Schaar understands many of the challenges that face today’s educators. Under his guidance, TI developed educator support services, including technology training, that help teachers increase their confidence and ability to appropriately integrate technology into their classrooms. This professional development translates into student achievement at the classroom level and helps increase technological literacy, which is increasingly important for students’ future success.
Several years ago, Dr. Schaar recognized the need to increase technological literacy among students to enhance their learning in a classroom setting as well as prepare them to successfully compete in a technology-enabled work environment. With his dual points of view from the academic and corporate worlds, he helps educators better understand how their classroom teaching translates into skill building that will help students in their careers.
An active leader in educational reform, Dr. Schaar served on the National Science Foundation’s Advisory Committee of the Directorate for Education and Human Resources, and chaired the Sub-committee on the Instructional Workforce. He extended TI’s commitment to education by partnering with the NSF on educational initiatives, including serving as the leading corporate sponsor of the Urban Systemic Programs, Model Institutions for Excellence and NSF’s Superintendents’ Coalition. Dr. Schaar currently serves on the visiting committee of the University of Chicago’s Physical Sciences Division. In addition, he is one of the co-authors of Finding Common Ground.
Dr. Schaar was the co-sponsor for the John Glenn Commission, and past chair of the Workforce and Human Resource Policy Committee for the American Electronics Association (AeA). In his capacity with the AeA, Dr. Schaar testified in front of the House Appropriations Subcommittee in support of math and science education funding. Under his leadership, TI also supports an Executive Director for the Benjamin Banneker Association (BBA) and helped establish its Dorothy Strong scholarship for professional development.
Dr. Schaar was appointed President of Educational & Productivity Solutions in July 1997. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Purdue University, a Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mathematics from the University of Chicago, and a Masters of Business Administration from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Schaar has also been recognized with a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.
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Reach out to us with questions, opportunities, and comments.
Frankenfoods: The Genetic Modification of our Food Supply
MƒA teachers learned about the science behind GMOs, testing various foods to determine if they contained genetically modified ingredients while weighing the pros and cons of genetically modifying our food supply.
NY1: Across the Boroughs - MƒA Muller Award
The MƒA Muller Award for Professional Influence in Education was featured on Spectrum News NY1 this week.
2019 End of Year Celebration and Muller Award Ceremony
More than 200 MƒA teachers and guests attended the MƒA End of Year Celebration and MƒA Muller Award for Professional Influence in Education Ceremony on June 5, 2019.
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Tag Archives: risk assessment
Five factors every MNC should consider when weighing travel security services and products
Reliable security products and services have become an essential part of business travel for Multi-National Corporations
You only have to pick up a newspaper on any given day to see that globe-trekking executives face more travel security risks than ever before. Multi-National Corporations operate where the resources are, and the resources can be in dangerous, insecure places, where both crime and terrorism are daily concerns.
Take the Niger Delta, for example. In just the past few weeks, a new militant group has trained its sights on the region’s major oil and gas MNCs. The attacks disrupted crude oil production, but they didn’t change the need for high-level executive travel to the facilities there. And they only heightened the need for comprehensive and effective travel security services. Along with the string of attacks, the militants announced that corporate offices and company staff might be targets, too.
Choosing the right travel security services
But recognizing the need for enhanced security and responding appropriately are two different things. The services and products needed to ensure travel security vary widely from one company to another, and from one location to another. It is critically important to pick the right vendor and choose the most relevant travel security services and products to ensure the travelers’ safety. “Security management should always make sure the right personnel and operational approach are implemented, tailored to the task’s itinerary,” MAX Chief Operations Officer, Mr. Shachar Kenion, explains. In other words, it takes planning, flexibility, know-how, and onsite experience to pull it off.
Using Nigeria as an example again, travel security services need to take into account the fact that different parts of the country call for different secure transportation missions. Travel from the airport in Lagos or Abuja calls for both a trained driver and an escort vehicle carrying armed police officers. Transportation on Victoria Island or Lagos Island is free from the high risks of the mainland, and an armed escort is not needed.
Details like that matter. So do the details involved in selecting the right travel security services. Here are some key factors to consider.
The roadmap for finding the right security service
Customization. No two operations are the same. But there is one thing every operation has to have. Customized solutions, tailored to the client’s specific needs, the location’s specific risks and challenges, and the client’s precise objectives. A customized plan for travel security services begins with risk assessment services that can include Master Security Plans, Risk Threat Vulnerability Assessments, Investigations, and Hotel Security Assessments, leading to the implementation of security plans. Those plans might include such elements as executive protection, secure transportation, evacuation and contingency planning, hotel security reviews, and medical support, among others.
An ‘in’ with the locals. Often, it comes down to who you know. Or who your security services provider knows, to be precise. That means knowing the locals who have the most reliable information – and knowing how to find them, connect with them, and work with them at every phase of the operation. In fact, there is no more valuable resource for a service provider. Or the clients they serve.
Laying the Groundwork. Sometimes a security operation can’t wait for the traveler to arrive before it has to move into gear. It may be necessary for an advance team to get on the ground early to learn the lay of the land, connect with all of the onsite resources that the client will need, and identify and address any issues that could get in the way. That is especially true in a volatile region where unexpected risks can flare up quickly. An advance team can get on top of current conditions and factor the most up-to-date intelligence into both planning and the operation itself.
Personalization. The point of travel security services and products is to ensure safety, of course. But the best operations don’t stop there. They also support the client in the actual purpose of the trip – conducting business. Sometimes that means smoothing the way through bureaucracies or legal hurdles, or providing translation services. It comes down to making sure the client will not only be safe but also able to conduct business seamlessly at all times. Comfort counts, too. In fact, it is necessary, because the friction that comes from foreign travel can undermine the goals of the visit.
Don’t settle for less than the best. The big picture matters, just as the details do. Behind each successful operation there needs to be absolute professionalism throughout the chain of command, and unfailing communication with the client and provider personnel alike. Onsite, there has to be a mission leader who knows every detail of every route and building layout. The locations of hospitals and police stations. The exits and entrances of every building in use. And how to make the right decisions in a split second if an emergency arises. There has to be vigilant and consistent supervision from above, too, with company officers overseeing the quality and efficiency of the operation and back office staff providing all needed logistical real-time intelligence support. And there has to be timely and reliable communication with the client’s own security management team at every step of the operation to keep them in the loop.
Obviously, choosing the wrong travel security services and products still might leave room to respond to risks that arise. But the right choice will mean totally avoiding those risks in the first place.
Strategic Analysis: Consequences of religious influences in the Syrian conflict
Shiite Muslims commemorate the Ashura holiday, the date marking the death of Hussein at the Battle of Karbala.
While discussing the bloodshed in Syria at a September 7 conference held in Turkey, Prime Minister Erdogan drew a chilling parallel. “What happened in Karbala 1,332 years ago is what is happening in Syria today,” he said, comparing the Syrian revolution to the most divisive event in Islamic history, the Battle of Karbala.
Those in the West with any interests in the region have much to learn from Erdogan’s history lesson. What was originally depicted as a popular uprising against tyranny is now undeniably a war for religious supremacy in the Middle East. In this war, those Syrians who originally took to the streets in their aspirations for democracy have become the only guaranteed losers.
In the year 680 AD, Hussein Ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed and 70 of his followers confronted 1,500 fighters from the Umayyad Caliphate in present day Iraq. Hussein had embarked on a crusade to wrest control of the caliphate from his archrival Yazid I, only to be slaughtered along with his family. Hussein’s followers would eventually form the Shiite sect of Islam, and remain locked in a bitter rivalry with Yazid’s fellow Abu Bakr supporters, whose descendants comprise the Sunni sect.
Continue reading Strategic Analysis: Consequences of religious influences in the Syrian conflict →
Strategic Analysis: Curbing the rise of Kurdistan
On July 27, thousands of Iraqi troops, tanks, and artillery set out to seize the FishKhabur border crossing with Syria in Iraq’s northern Zumar district. But the days when Iraq could impose its will over the scrappy and restive Kurdish north are over. Blocking them were some 3,000 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, along with artillery – intent on proving that Baghdad’s supremacy is no more. A tense standoff between the Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga ensued, only to alleviate with American pressure and a fragile agreement between the two sides. The standoff reflected the situation at large: Iraqi Kurdistan is determined to rid itself of Baghdad, establish itself as a regional player, and use its burgeoning clout to serve as the protector of Kurds throughout the region. Most importantly, attempts by rival states to thwart Kurdish ambitions threaten to ignite a new round of Kurdish wars in a region already in flames.
Peshmerga fighters train in Iraqi Kurdistan
This border area is disputed by the Shiite-led Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). FishKhabur has been under Kurdish military control for years, which Iraq claims is illegal and violates the country’s constitution. The KRG disputes this and is determined not to forfeit their only border crossing with Syria, nor to allow Baghdad to reestablish its influence in an area already “Arabized” and largely depopulated of ethnic Kurds. Despite Baghdad’s official protestations, the reality is much more strategic. Continue reading Strategic Analysis: Curbing the rise of Kurdistan →
Clashing for the Future of Egypt
Supporters of banned Salafi presidential candidate, Hazem Salah Abu Ismail demonstrate in Cairo (Getty Images)
The latest bloodshed in Cairo underscores worrying trends and emerging realities regarding Egypt’s internal security and political future. The recent clashes in the vicinity of Cairo’s Abbasseya Square illustrate the readiness of prominent political groups to forcefully impose their views, demands, and ideologies as they battle for the country’s new identity. Sadly for Egypt, this process has just begun and is not likely to end anytime soon; indeed, the bloody volatility in Egypt has not subsided since the events of January 2011.
Under these circumstances – from a security point of view – what is most important to note here is how the volatile political situation directly translates into an erosion of the security condition on the ground. Violence in downtown Cairo is often centered on political disputes, involving opposing factions, who are more prone to resolve their differences by force, as they believe this the most optimum course of action to achieve their goals.
Continue reading Clashing for the Future of Egypt →
Israeli attack on Iran: Unlikely in the near term
By Ron G.
Throughout the last few months and even more so in the past few weeks, discussions of a possible Israeli strike on Iran has come to the forefront of the agenda for many politicians, security analysts, and entities with interests in the region. Despite the increased rhetoric on all sides of this issue, which has been enhanced with the coverage of a frenzied media, the reality is that the probability of such an attack against Iran likely remains low for the near term.
Iranian uranium conversion facility outside of Isfahan (AP)
The increased chatter regarding an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities is a direct result of decisions by both the United States and the European Union to impose sanctions on the Islamic Republic. The decision to enforce such sanctions by the aforementioned powers likely arose due to three primary factors: the understanding that negotiations with Iran surrounding its nuclear program are futile, persistent pressure from leadership within the United States’ security and political leadership, and the over-implied threats by Israel that the military option is ‘on the table’.
Continue reading Israeli attack on Iran: Unlikely in the near term →
The Tuareg Factor
One tribe’s cooperation with various militant groups will continue to challenge stability in some of Africa’s most vital nations
By Jay R.
Since the downfall of the Gaddafi regime in Libya early last year, weapons proliferation throughout the Middle East and North Africa is on the rise and of primary concern. It is now widely known that masses of Libyan weaponry have made their way into the hands of such militant groups as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Nigeria’s Boko Haram, and Somalia’s al-Shabaab. Libyan weaponry has traveled as far as the Gaza Strip and appeared in hand of militant groups there.
Tuareg militants en route to Libya from Mali (Sahara Times)
With the recent unrest in Somalia and Nigeria, the above-mentioned groups have been deeply reported on. However, one tribe, heavily active in Africa’s Sahel desert region is operating under the radar in comparison. The Tuareg tribe, composed of 1.2 million people, is historically nomadic. They have long roamed northwest Africa, primarily through the nations of Algeria, Libya, Mali, and Niger. Today, the group has become sedentary, the result of which has seen the Tuaregs actively engage such countries, particularly the Malian government, for stakes in power sharing and wealth benefits from the country’s natural resources.
The ongoing battle for the Tuareg’s perceived rights most recently manifested in the two-year Tuareg Rebellion in Mali and Niger from 2007-2009. This rebellion was ended through a series of peace talks and amnesty allowances; however, the conflict persists to this day as the Malian government regularly takes on the Tuareg militants along the Nigerian border.
Continue reading The Tuareg Factor →
Jos: The Window into a Nigerian Civil War
The collapse of Africa’s most populous nation into civil war may hinge on the stability of one unsuspecting middle belt city
Nigeria’s Middle Belt region is where the country’s Christian south and Muslim north come to a head. This convergence of religion manifests in the capital Abuja, where the equally represented populations are generally tolerant of one another. In the nearby city of Jos whose societal make up is starkly similar to the capital, religious intolerance is brewing tension to a dangerous boiling point.
Security forces rush to intervene in sectarian clashes in Jos
Over the last twenty years, Jos has been plagued by sectarian violence which has claimed thousands of lives while displacing many others. In 2010, week-long riots resulted in the death of hundreds of locals and the destruction of churches and mosques alike. This steady campaign of attacks against places of worship has made chances of reconciling these populations a seemingly insurmountable feat. The people of Jos may not yet be cognizant of this fact, but the deteriorating security situation in the rest of Nigeria may have a far more tragic impact in a place with a deeply rooted history of intolerance.
Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north has become increasingly engulfed in a violent campaign by fundamentalist violence. On January 20, Nigeria’s second city of Kano was devastated by a wave of bombings by Boko Haram Jihadists against military, police, and government installations, killing upwards of 250 people. Continuous attacks like these, along with a previous Boko Haram warning for all Christians to leave the northern states, have incited nearly 35,000 people to flee southward thus far.
These newly created refugees, who are leaving with such panic and haste that they are not bothering to bring their most valuable of possessions with them, are making way for Jos. Positioned just outside of the Muslim north, Jos provides a convenient safe haven for Christian refugees as they journey towards the friendlier south. As many of those refugees opt to remain in Jos, they threaten to alter the delicate sectarian balance in the city, paving the way for shattering the city’s hard-won peace. Continue reading Jos: The Window into a Nigerian Civil War →
Nigeria’s Struggle for Stability
Sectarian-fueled insurgency, secessionist movements, and widespread discontent amongst the population are just some of the issues facing Nigeria’s first truly democratically elected leader.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathon
After his election, there was great hope for President Goodluck Jonathon amongst the populace. He was elected with 57% of the vote, after receiving significant support from the Nigeria’s youth, a key demographic in a nation whose average age is 19. To them he represented a change from the past and would bring Nigeria to realize its true potential as Africa’s most populous nation with a plethora of oil and mineral resources.
It is clear now however, that charisma alone is not sufficient to rule a country that is so deeply rooted with sectarian divide and government corruption. Jonathan’s obstacles were evident from the beginning when on that Election Day in April 2011, the predominantly Muslim northern states erupted in violent response to Jonathan’s success, leaving hundreds of people dead in the streets. Continue reading Nigeria’s Struggle for Stability →
The Battle For Arsal
By Daniel N.
One unsuspecting Bekaa Valley village has become the focal point of the battle for perceptions of the Syrian conflict.
Lebanese soldiers stand guard near the Syrian border. (El Riyadh)
Immediately after another deadly suicide bombing ripped through central Damascus on Friday, the Assad Regime, the Syrian opposition, and their allies abroad unloaded accusations as to the identity of the perpetrators. While opposition’s assertion of a regime-orchestrated conspiracy has fallen on deaf ears around the world, this latest bombing certainly bolsters Assad’s claim that radical Al Qaeda-linked militants have joined the ranks of collective struggle to topple him. Regardless of the actual perpetrators, both Assad and the opposition understand that perceptions of Syria descending into sectarian chaos only further cement the international community’s hesitation to expedite his ousting. At the base of Assad’s claims lies the town of Arsal, a sleepy village in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, whose unsuspecting citizens have become embroiled in a heated debate which may just decide the outcome of the Syrian conflict.
Arsal was catapulted into the global spotlight immediately after twin car bombings struck Damascus on December 23, 2011. After the attacks, Syrian officials based their claims of Al Qaeda involvement on statements made days prior by Lebanese Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn, who stated that Jihadists were infiltrating into Syria through illegal border crossings. Ghosn claimed that Arsal, a Sunni village of 40,000 people located 35 kilometers from the Syrian border, had become a hotbed for these activities. The statements sparked outrage amongst Arsal’s residents, who claimed that there was little evidence to suggest that the town was harboring Al Qaeda extremists. While village elders admitted that some local mosques were known as bastions of fundamentalism, they enjoyed little influence over the town’s residents. In the days that followed, Arsal became the focal point of a heated debate in Lebanon over the existence of Al Qaeda extremists in the country. Continue reading The Battle For Arsal →
The Middle East and North Africa In 2012: What Lies Ahead?
By Max Security’s Intelligence Department
The feelings of hope and opportunity initially evoked by the Arab Spring have evolved into fear that the region may be sliding into a new status quo of instability. We sweep the region from Morocco to Iran to determine that 2012 will be one of the most crucial years in the modern history of the Middle East.
The Maghreb
The Muslim Brotherhood’s recently formed Freedom and Justice Party holds a press conference. The FJP is slated to win nearly 40% of seats in Egypt’s first post-Mubarak parliament. (Bikyamasr)
While North Africa by and large experienced the most significant change from the Arab Spring uprisings, it would be a grave mistake to place the fate of these politically diverse set of nations into one. In Morocco, the people still have great respect for the region’s oldest monarchy, sentiment which prevented widespread unrest from engulfing the nation this past year. The recent victory of moderate Islamist factions in parliament forces the monarchy to balance between their wishes, while keeping Morocco an attractive address for foreign investment to keep the economy on its feet. While Morocco can be expected to remain relatively stable, a widening gap between rich and poor and growing unemployment only works to the favor of the liberal February 20 reformers and the outlawed Islamist Justice and Spirituality movement, which currently remain marginalized.
In Algeria, the situation is quite different. The country emerged unscathed from the Arab Spring, not out of any sort of respect for the military-backed government, but rather out of fears for a repeat of the country’s bloody civil war which is still fresh in the minds of most of the population. While stability prevailed in 2011, tensions are brewing beneath the surface as Algerians come to realize that they are indeed the last nation to tolerate a corrupt military dictatorship which has failed to provide both physical and economic security. The success of Islamist parties to the East and West has emboldened Algeria’s own conservative opposition to demand reforms ahead of the upcoming elections-slated for the Spring of 2012. Moreover Bouteflika’s ailing health places the military and its allies in a considerable predicament, as replacing Bouteflika without elections will only provide fuel to an increasingly disillusioned population. The loss of the Bouteflika regime would spell a considerable setback in North Africa’s war against Al Qaeda, which despite recent losses- still has its sights set on fomenting instability in Algeria.
Continue reading The Middle East and North Africa In 2012: What Lies Ahead? →
Hey Buddy!, I found this information for you: "The Middle East and North Africa In 2012: What Lies Ahead?". Here is the website link: https://www.max-security.com/reports/2012-stability-assessment/. Thank you.
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Body/Head featuring Kim Gordon and Bill Nace Tue, Sep 24, 2013, 7:00 pm
MCA StageMusic
Kim Gordon and Bill Nace of Body/Head. Photo: Annabel Mehran.
Pure, blissful, cathartic, and thrilling noise that was a joy to behold from beginning to end.
—SpinningPlatters.com
Copresented with Land and Sea Dept.
This concert marks the Chicago debut of Body/Head, the electric guitar duo of musician, visual artist, and curator Kim Gordon—best known as the cofounder and bassist for Sonic Youth—and improvisational noise guitarist Bill Nace, known for his work with x.0.4, Vampire Belt, and Ceylon Mange, among others.
Body/Head began as a freeform side project after Gordon and Thurston Moore, her husband and Sonic Youth bandmate, announced their separation in 2011. Initially Body/Head took an entirely instrumental approach with lattices of interwoven feedback rainbows, and passages recalling everyone from Heldon to Keiji Haino. Their current approach is built upon composed “songs” using Gordon’s vocals as an intrinsic part of the musical architecture. Performing against a backdrop of slow-motion film projection, Gordon and Nace create a dream narrative of undeniable power and visionary reach. Although different from their purely open-ended origins, Gordon and Nace continue to allow expansive space for improvisation.
Body/Head performs material from their debut album, Coming Apart, which will be released by Matador Records as a double LP /CD/digital album on September 10. The concert opens with a rare US appearance by GATE, featuring Michael Morley of the New Zealand noise rock trio The Dead C, joined by the amazing Tom Carter. Morley has forged new tracks since the 1980s as a member of Wreck Small Speakers On Expensive Stereos. In his latest music as GATE, lo-fi guitar and vocal drones permeate expansive soundscapes.
MCA Stage is thrilled to present its first cooperative project with Land and Sea Dept (LSD). LSD is a concept- and project-development studio committed to cohesively and creatively working across disciplines.
Learn more about Gate and Tom Carter.
Learn more at Land and Sea Dept.
Tom Carter. Photo: Martha Colburn.
Kim Gordon (b. 1953) is an American musician, vocalist, visual artist, curator, record producer, video director, fashion designer, and actress. In 1981 Gordon co-founded the alternative rock band Sonic Youth—in which she sang and played bass and guitar—with musicians Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore, whom she married in 1984. Releasing fifteen albums over the course of decades, Sonic Youth was an integral part of the first wave of American noise rock groups, helping to establish a sound that reinterpreted the DIY ethics of hardcore punk. Gordon also helped produce Hole’s Pretty on the Inside in 1991, and in 1992, with Pussy Galore’s Julia Cafritz, formed the supergroup Free Kitten, which has released four albums and toured on Lollapalooza.
During her early career, Gordon contributed to Artforum and worked for several SoHo art galleries. She curated an exhibition at White Columns Gallery in 1982, and as an artist has exhibited at Parco gallery in Tokyo, MU in the Netherlands, and the Gothenburg Biennale. Gordon also collaborated with artist Jutta Koether at Kenny Schachter’s Contemporary Gallery in New York and again with Koether for the Her Noise exhibition in London. In 2005, Kim Gordon Chronicles Vol. 1 published a short text and photographs of Gordon throughout her life. The following year, Kim Gordon Chronicles Vol. 2 was released, featuring her drawings, collages, and paintings.
Along with Spike Jonze, Gordon has codirected music videos for the songs “Divine Hammer” and “Cannonball” by The Breeders. She appeared in Gus Van Sant’s fictionalized biopic of Kurt Cobain, Last Days, and has had roles in television shows Gossip Girl and Gilmore Girls. With Daisy Von Furth, Gordon co-owned the clothing company X-Girl. In 2008, she launched a limited-edition fashion line called Mirror/Dash, based on the idea that “there’s a need for clothes for cool moms.” Rolling Stone included Gordon in a feature titled “Women in Rock” and VH1 listed her in their 100 Greatest Women of Rock.
Bill Nace lives in Northampton, Massachusetts, plays guitar, and is mostly involved in experimental, improvisational music, ranging from rock to jazz. He is known for his constant, energizing presence in the Boston area, performing with Chris Corsano in Vampire Belt (and together with Jessica Rylan as Vampire Can’t), and in Northampton Wool, his duo with Thurston Moore. Nace is also part of the drone/scrape trio x.0.4 that includes Jake Meginsky and John Truscinski. His collaborations extend to Brighton noiseniks Dylan Nyoukis and Karen Constance (Blood Stereo) under the moniker, Ceylon Mange. Nace founded and runs the experimental record label Open Mouth.
Tom Carter weaves spare strands of melody into towering long-form drones of electric guitar, sculpting a rich immersive landscape from both high-volume grit and charged silence. Widely known for his work with iconoclasts Charalambides, which he cofounded with Christina Carter in Houston in 1991, Carter has developed a wide range of collaborations and solo projects over the past ten years.
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Used Ford F-250 Super Duty Frederick MD 21702
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Zachary levi is hosting the 2019 mtv movie & tv awards
Crystal Bell, MTV.com
Every award show needs a hero — wait, we mean host. Every show needs a host. You know, someone to keep the metaphorical train running smoothly and on time, someone funny and charming who can crack a joke and save the day if things start to go off the rails. Hosting is a Herculean task, especially when it comes to the MTV Movie & TV Awards, a show that celebrates the very best of film and television. Luckily, this year’s show has found the perfect person for the job — and we’re finally ready to say his name.
It’s Zachary Levi!
The charismatic Shazam! star has been tapped to host the 2019 MTV Movie & TV Awards, which will air on Monday, June 17. Here’s hoping he can score the Shazamily a few tickets to the show.
It’s been quite a year for Levi — a life-long comic book fan — who made his DC universe debut as Shazam, the adult superhero alter-ego of teenage foster kid Billy Batson, earlier this month to rave reviews. He also appeared in Season 2 of the Emmy-winning comedy The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as dapper doctor Benjamin. With major roles on both the big and small screen this year, Levi is the perfect choice to host the show. Oh, and did we mention he can sing? A true quadruple threat!
https://twitter.com/ZacharyLevi/status/1120734651776032768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Not to mention, he’s more than capable of stepping in and saving us from any demonic entities, interdimensional monsters, and/or deadly sins if they decide to show up to this year’s telecast. (Bad guys love to crash a good party.)
Stay tuned in the coming weeks, as more categories and nominees for the 2019 MTV Movie & TV Awards will be announced. And don’t forget to mark your calendars now: The show will air Monday, June 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Tags: #MTV Movie and TV Awards#ZacharyLevi
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Museum Georg Schäfer > Exhibitions
Calender of Exhibitions
Please use our german site for further informations.
Programme Preview 2019/2020
Josef Wopfner
Landscapes – Between Idyllic Nature and Drama
Born in Tyrol in 1843, Josef Wopfner moved to Munich in the 1860s. Starting out as a decorative painter and lithographer, he accessed to the Munich Academy as a student in 1864. Shortly after completing his training he discovered the lakes and the surrounds of southern Germany as well as the people who lived there. While confining himself to his Munich studio during the winter months, he utilised the remainder of the year for embarking on extensive study trips. In a series of idyllic and equally dramatic compositions he devoted himself to reproducing these motifs right up to his death in 1927. His landscapes are never an end in themselves. On the contrary, they are designed as a framework for timeless discourse or co-existence between mankind and nature. In addition to a display of Wopfner’s paintings, the exhibition features a large number of drawings and sketchbooks from the artist’s estate. Some 70 works provide an insight into how they came to be created as well as the way in which the artist worked.
Selected contributions provided on by private owners serve to enrich the display for which the first exhibition catalogue focusing on Wopfner is presented.
Josef Wopfner: In pursuit of poachers on Lake Chiemsee, 1884, oil on canvas, 117 x 183.5 cm, Georg Schäfer Museum, Schweinfurt
© Georg Schäfer Museum, Schweinfurt
Life on Parisian Stages (1891-1899)
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was familiar with all the stars of the Paris revues, cabarets and theatres. The belle époque nightlife in the entertainment world of Montmartre attracted bohemian lifestylists just as much as the bourgeoisie, not to mention the many tourists frequenting the area. In 1891 he began to design posters for the various events. These turned out to be so fascinating that they soon became highly coveted collectors’ items, above all by art lovers. The entire poster collection is featured in this exhibition.
Together with his colleague Jules Chéret, Theóphile-Alexandre Steinlen and the Czech artist Alfons Mucha, who had been living in France since 1889, Toulouse-Lautrec developed his own personal style – a mixture of impressionism, Japonism and art nouveau – resorting to colour printing or chromolithography as a PR medium. What emerged was a pictorial world of its very own, spotlighting the appearances of far-famed actors such as Aristide Bruant, the celebrated veil dancer Loie Fuller, Jane Avril – employed as a dancer at the Moulin Rouge – and the widely travelled vocalist Yvette Guilbert. Adding a sparkling touch of joie de vivre to their illustrations, the three artists began to apply the forms of presentation to other subjects as well and very soon succeeded in bringing the whole of Europe under their sway.
In addition to over 70 major works, the Georg Schäfer Museum presents biographical and historic material (film material) from the unique collection housed at the Musée d’Ixelles in Brussels.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: Ambassadors – Aristide Bruant (detail), 1892,
Musèe d‘Ixelles, Brussels
© Musèe d’Ixelles-Brussels/By courtesy of the Institute of Cultural Exchange, Tübingen 2019
Ludwig Richter
A World in Harmony with Itself
Well into the second half of the 20th century whole generations grew up with the illustrations of Adrian Ludwig Richter (1803-1884) as they leaved through the artist’s popular albums accompanying German fairy tales and sagas as viewed through the illustrator’s eyes. Hardly any other German artist is as representative of the idyll species as Richter when it comes to transmitting touches of romanticism to everyday rural and provincial life reflecting such virtues as faith, love and hope.
Before studying, Richter set out on a career sketching views. In 1823 he travelled to Italy where, up to 1826, he formed close links with circles devoted to Romanticism. Way into the 1830s he occupied himself with the motifs he found there in addition to landscapes of his own native homeland. It soon became evident that he was to achieve far greater success in another area as an illustrator. In this field Richter was productive of an immense output while also awakening the art of wood engraving in Germany to new life, the same applying to children’s literature. Employing what were inexhaustible powers of imagination, he set about illustrating fairy tales, sagas and the works of celebrated German poets. Already in his lifetime Ludwig Richter was hailed as a national monumental figure.
The exhibition of the artist’s works at the Georg Schäfer Museum in collaboration with the Otto Schäfer Museum, Schweinfurt, focuses on Richter’s pictorial world as viewed from present-day perspectives while raising questions pertaining to topicality as, for example, as to whether the content of his works is still generally thought to reflect today’s image of an ideal world. Richter created his own distinctive visual realms which, according to one hypothesis, served both as a reaction to, and as a means of shaping the day and age in which they materialised. Justifiably, they may still continue to do so. After all, they were eventually to have an impact on Walt Disney and others.
Ludwig Richter: Woman with children at the wellspring, 1868, Georg Schäfer Museum, Schweinfurt
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Book Review: Kerry Greenwood's "Away With the Fairies"
By Allan Krummenacker - November 01, 2018
REVIEW BY HELEN KRUMMENACKER
This is one of the Phryne Fisher novels, a mystery set in Australia. These deal not only with solving crimes-- in this case, looking into the suspicious death of an eccentric writer of fairy stories-- but also the social structures of the times they are set in. It’s 1928, and the aftermath of the Great War is still felt in everything from the growth of women’s career options to international politics. For Miss Fisher, the international politics has turned her personal life on end, because her Chinese boyfriend is in danger just trying to handle his family’s import business while China is in crisis. As for the mystery, most of the suspects living as neighbors to the deceased were also her co-workers through a women’s magazine. And what a women’s magazine it is! While there are columns on child-raising and fashion, the magazine is full of how-to information on building your own radio and fixing your car, as well as health and gardening advice.
The editor is a feminist and sees her magazine as a means of changing the world, by making it so that people see achievement as not merely for extraordinary women, but every woman. I found this an important take because in the history of feminism, there was a split after winning the vote between women who wanted to focus on opening opportunities for extraordinary women (what I think led to the idea of “white feminism” being about leadership and opportunity for women of the privileged classes) and women who wanted to focus on helping the most vulnerable women (immigrants, working class, etc.). By making a magazine that intended to lift up women regardless of background, giving them skills that would save money and show them as competent and capable, the editor was, in essence, trying for a middle ground that would move all women forward.
Phryne is sympathetic and joins in with the magazine, filling in for their fashion writer who is away. While Miss Fisher is wealthy now, her background was quite different and she has a refreshingly practical approach to get maximum wear and versatility with minimal outlay, with a bonus column on remaking vintage clothing into couture to get a special occasion look at thrift store pricing. While her work on the articles is mostly a way to gain access to the suspects and a minor part of a plot involving assassination attempts, pirates, and the search for a motive, it tells us about Phryne’s character-- how she can turn a chance encounter with a friend into an opportunity to create a win-win scenario; how a cover ‘job’ is attended to with the diligence appropriate for someone seeking a career; and how her respect for Dot gives her even more insight into the needs of the everywoman than her own life experience can.
True to the concept expressed in the magazine, the writer uses the novel to give us not merely the extraordinary Miss Fisher, Bunty, and other seekers of adventure, but the quiet strength and leadership of the magazine editor and the matriarch of the Lin family, the single-mindedness of a passionate photographer who will spend hours to get the perfect shot and work for plates, and the wholesome determination of Dot, or a widowed mother, or prodigal niece who combine their labor with principle. There is something to admire in most of the women, and while there are a few who are more notable for folly in the end, there is hope (except in the case of the deceased) that they will learn from their mistakes and come out better and happier for it.
This is the first I have read of the Miss Fisher books, although I’ve enjoyed the TV series. As usual, books give so much more wealth of detail and the opportunity for greater depth. Kerry Greenwood takes the time to delve into history and social themes, grounding them in reality (piracy is organized crime, not merry mischief) and weaving them together from separate plot strands, as when she links post-trauma reaction to mutilation and betrayal in different circumstances. While the novels can be enjoyed on a superficial level of escape into a distant time with a flamboyant heroine pursuing justice, I think most readers will find satisfaction in the sense that they have learned a little, thought a little, and been given an opportunity to see ways to live well.
Australia blackmail book review feminism inspiration international politics Kerry Greenwood murder mystery novel Phryne Fisher women's magazine
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Book Review: Kerry Greenwood's "Away With the Fai...
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Shuttering Yale's Center on Anti-Semitism
Home / Politics / Shuttering Yale's Center on Anti-Semitism
by Symi Rom-Rymer June 17, 2011 in Politics, Religion
By Symi Rom-Rymer
Yale University announced yesterday that it is closing its Initiative for the Interdisciplinary Study of Anti-Semitism (YIISA). According to Thomas Mattia, an official from the university’s Public Affairs office, the center is being closed down because it “was found in its routine faculty review to not have met its academic expectations.”
Faster than you can say ‘anti-Semite,’ Yale’s decision has launched a contentious debate. Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called it “particularly unfortunate and dismaying” and a victory for anti-Jewish groups. David Harris of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) said it would “create a very regrettable void” in anti-Semitism scholarship.
The trouble seems to stem from a 2010 YIISA conference entitled ‘Global Antisemitism: A Crisis of Modernity’ which focused on anti-Semitism in the Muslim world. According to the Jerusalem Post and other Jewish media, unidentified sources said that Yale closed down YIISSA because of pressure from outside groups who wanted to shut down discussions around Muslim anti-Semitism, not because of any academic failures. Not everyone who made the link between the shuttering of the center were anonymous, however. Walter Reich, a professor at George Washington University and former director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, wrote a fiery op-ed in the Washington Post decrying Yale’s decision, placing the blame on pressure from Muslim students, activists and others because of the discussion of Muslim anti-Semitism. “Why did Yale kill the institute?” Reich asks. “The answer is simple,” he says. “The conference provoked a firestorm,” and as a result, “Yale administrators and faculty quickly turned on the institute. It was accused of being too critical of the Arab and Iranian anti-Semitism and of being racist and right-wing.”
The left-wing blogosphere has responded by calling the conference “flawed by an ultra-Zionist agenda that compromises its academic integrity.” While not going so far as to call the conference an exercise in hate-mongering—as a PLO representative to the United States did—many bloggers wrote that by focusing primarily on anti-Semitism in the Muslim world, alongside other controversial topics like Jewish self-hatred, the conference became more focused on a certain political, rather than academic, agenda. Yet, like their conservative counterparts, many liberals have also argued against the closing of the center, advocating instead for a change of tone.
The bigger question is: Do we really need another institute that looks at contemporary anti-Semitism? In the US alone, every major city has a museum dedicated to study of the Holocaust, which often sponsor lectures from professors and others on contemporary anti-Semitism. Major American Jewish organizations from the ADL to the AJC to the Simon Wiesenthal Center focus significant time and energy on the topic. Prominent American universities have Jewish studies departments, which tackle current anti-Semitism in academic fora. A quick Google search will show that there is no shortage of conferences at any of these institutions with titles like “Resurgent Antisemitism: Global Perspectives” or “Antisemitism in Contemporary Europe.” And that’s just the United States. We haven’t even gotten to Israel.
In his op-ed, Reich argues that if Yale stands by its decision, another university should welcome the center onto its own campus, but another conference or lecture hosted at yet another university with experts or activists speaking on contemporary anti-Semitism is not going to put an end to this type of hatred. In its mission statement YISSA’s director Charles Small called for a center that would “explore [anti-Semitism] in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary framework from an array of approaches and perspectives as well as regional contexts.” As important as that kind of forum is, it already exists many times over. It would be a better use of resources to have a center that focuses not on less visible topics rather than the well-worn themes of hatred and anger. It could look at questions like, what is being done around the world to counter forms of anti-Semitism? Who are the leaders and activists engaged in that work and what lessons do they have to teach us? Where are Jewish communities growing and flourishing? What does that mean for world Jewry? How do these lessons apply to others? And so on. To create a center at a big-name university aimed at fostering those kinds of debates would truly be something different. Who will be the first to rise to the challenge?
anti-SemitismCharles SmallJerusalem PostMuslim anti-SemitismPLOWalter ReichYaleYIISA
Ray 12:51h, 17 June Reply
..How To Study Anti-Semitism
By Deborah Lipstadt
Published June 15, 2011, issue of June 24, 2011.
When the news of Yale University’s decision to close its Initiative for the Interdisciplinary Study of Antisemitism was first made public in early June, the sector of the blogosphere that addresses Jewish issues began to buzz. Discussion, charges and accusations flew. Yale’s critics praised YIISA as a beacon of academic scholarship that had made a significant contribution to this field of study. They charged Yale with caving in to pressure from Arabs and Muslims, both on and off campus, who could not abide the way in which YIISA boldly shone a spotlight on Muslim anti-Semitism. To these people, it appeared as if anti-Semitism itself had brought down an educational institution devoted to the study of this terrible malaise. I registered my initial response on Twitter, describing the shutting down of YIISA as a strange, if not weird, decision and wondering what had happened.
Yale’s response to the wave of criticism constituted a classic reminder that even a place populated by exceptionally smart people can shoot itself in the foot with deadly accuracy. The university defended itself against charges of having succumbed to Muslim pressure by listing the Jewish studies courses taught at the school and stressing its extensive library holdings in the field. (Yale, admittedly, does have an excellent Jewish studies program, and its libraries have one of the best collections in Jewish studies worldwide.) Yale’s clumsy response constituted, as one blogger put it, the academic equivalent of, “Some of our best friends are Jews.”
There is, however, another side to this story. Apparently, there were people on the Yale campus who were associated with YIISA and who were eager to have it succeed. These friends of YIISA counseled the institute’s leadership that some of its efforts had migrated to the world of advocacy from that of scholarship. They warned YIISA that it was providing fodder to the critics’ claim that it was not a truly academic endeavor.
I have twice participated in YIISA’s activities. I gave a paper at one of its weekly seminar sessions on Holocaust denial and attended its conference last August. While serious scholars who work in this field gave the vast majority of the papers — and not dilettantes who dabble in it — there were a few presentations that gave me pause. They were passionate and well argued. But they were not scholarly in nature.
According to sources at Yale, the university’s leadership unsuccessfully worked with YIISA in an attempt to rectify some of these issues. Part of Yale’s discomfort might have come from the fact that a Yale-based scholarly entity was administered by an individual who, while a successful institution builder, was not a Yale faculty member and who had no official position at the university. Yale has indicated that it is intent on axing YIISA and replacing it with an initiative that will address both anti-Semitism and its scholarly concerns. It is crucial that it do so particularly at a time when anti-Semitism worldwide is experiencing a growth spurt.
Two lessons can be drawn from this imbroglio. First, there is a real need for serious academic institutions to facilitate and encourage the highest-level research on anti-Semitism. (Currently, the only one that exists is at Indiana University, under the leadership of Alvin Rosenfeld.) These institutions could explore why hatred persists even after the Holocaust starkly demonstrated what it could “accomplish.” What about anti-Semitism makes it so malleable that it is able to re-create itself in such a wide array of settings, cultures and ages? They might also ask why the world’s oldest hatred has recently been so little studied and analyzed. Exploring that conundrum is something a first-rate academic institution is uniquely qualified to do. Moreover, this research must focus not just on Christian anti-Semitism, but on Muslim anti-Semitism, as well. Today there are few universities where a young scholar who worked in this field would be granted a position or tenure irrespective of how bright and talented she is. This, too, is something well worth exploring.
After cutting-edge academics have shed light on this issue, communal organizations, the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee among them, that are so adept at creating strategies to address the problem will have the diagnosis they need in order to help them move ahead with their work.
Second, this struggle also demonstrates the necessity of differentiating between those who do advocacy and those who do scholarship. Both are critical — but entirely different — endeavors. Let us not forget how rightfully disturbed the Jewish community has been in recent years about the way in which advocacy and polemics have permeated so many university courses on the Middle East. Too many students who take these classes find that they have entered a zone in which advocacy masquerades as scholarship. This is unacceptable, irrespective of the source from which it emanates.
Read more: http://forward.com/articles/138715/#ixzz1PXzBPVPeSee More
Laura Marcus 23:08h, 18 June Reply
If there is even the slightest chance that YIISA is being shut down because it “focused on anti-Semitism in the Muslim world”, then it should and must remain open. Anti-Semitism in the Muslim world is a growing and grave threat, not just to Jews, but also to the whole world. If an academic organization at a prestigious educational institution like Yale can’t survive after promoting a conference on global anti-Semitism, then who can?
The answer is, so far, only one other institution, and that is Indiana University’s Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism, which sponsored the conference “Resurgent Antisemitism: Global Perspectives” this spring. It is true that when you google “Resurgent Antisemitism: Global Perspectives” you get a lot of results. But most, if not all, of the results are related to this one particular conference. Are one or two serious academic conferences on this topic enough?
Symi Rom-Rymer seems to think that a better use of academic resources would be to focus on “what is being done around the world to counter forms of anti-Semitism?” The problem with that is that is that in order to counter anti-Semitism, its current forms must be identified, defined and quantified – which is exactly what YIISA was trying to do. We can’t counter anti-Semitism if there is no clear delineation of what and where it is. And the lack of such a cataloging is a big issue in today’s world, particularly if it is taboo to even discuss the possibility of anti-Semitism in the Muslim world without being called an Islamophobe.
This is why we need to look clearly at what caused the “firestorm” over the YIISA conference. Dr. Deborah Lipstadt says that “a few presentations” at the YIISA conference were not “scholarly in nature”, and that some academics at Yale place the blame on YIISA itself for “providing fodder to the critics’ claim that it was not a truly academic endeavor.” Dr. Lipstadt gives us no indications of who the suspect scholars are, and neither does Yale. Without that, how can anyone reach a reasonable conclusion about what happened?
If the vast majority of the papers presented at the YIISA conference were the work of serious scholars, as Dr. Lipstadt says, we can conclude that the firestorm boils down to just a few of the presenters.
I think that William Reich gives us a good idea of which presenters these might be in his Washington Post piece:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/saving-the-yale-anti-semitism-institute/2011/06/13/AGRjAjTH_story.html
The answer lies in a letter Reich references written by Yaman Salahi, a Syrian American law student, to the Yale Daily News, in which he accuses YIISA’s conference of “fueling “anti-Arab bigotry and Islamophobia”. This letter can be found at: http://www.law.yale.edu/news/12233.htm
Salahi names four presenters in his letter who he found to be anti- Arab, anti-Muslim and promoters of “anti-Muslim bigotry disseminated under Yale’s banner”. These are Itamar Marcus, Barak Seener, Ruth Wisse, and Richard Landes. I urge anyone reading this to research their backgrounds and work, and then decide for themselves if YIISA should be shut down because they – or others doing work like them – made presentations at YIISA’s conference.
Wikipedia says of Itamar Marcus that:
“As Director of Research for the Center for Monitoring the Impact of Peace (CMP) from 1998 to 2000, Marcus wrote reports on Palestinian Authority (PA), Syrian and Jordanian schoolbooks. In February 2007 together with Sen. Hillary Clinton he released a report on the newest PA schoolbooks at a press conference in Washington.
Marcus testified before the Education Subcommittee of the US Senate Committee on Allocations, documenting the Palestinian Authority’s indoctrination of children to seek death as Shahids –Martyrs… He has also presented before members of Congress, and to members of Parliament in numerous countries including, the European Union, Britain, France, Canada, and Australia, and has lectured in universities and conferences world wide.”
For more about Itamar Marcus, see:
http://www.palwatch.org/pages/aboutus.aspx
Should American academia exclude speakers like him and the others named by Salahi from presenting at scholarly conferences?
What kind of message does Yale send to other colleges and the world by shutting YIISA down?
If we want to defeat anti-Semitism in the world today, we must address it in the Muslim world. So the real question here is, in my opinion, how do we do that considering the firestorm that even suggesting that such anti-Semitism exists ignites?
all good stuff….but they didn’t put out a single scholarly paper. It just doesn’t pass muster at Yale. Yale has now reassigned this to a real professor and it will have some real academic cred and not be tainted as being an advocacy group…. We need the advocacy groups but this isn’t the forum for that. Yale totally mishandled this. They could have made the changes before the announcements…..
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Home advertorial #PampersxLazadaPH Super Brand Day
#PampersxLazadaPH Super Brand Day
Manila, August 20 – The Asian Games are here, bringing with them a flurry of excitement to fans all over the continent! But while we expect the best athletes to show up, we keep overlooking the most skilled players - our babies.
It’s no secret that babies are unstoppable at play. In fact, they can run the equivalent of a marathon in a week! The only thing hampering their fun: wet, lawlaw diapers.
To showcase our babies’ prowess, Southeast Asia’s biggest e-commerce portal Lazada and the world’s top selling diaper brand Pampers, are joining hands to produce the first-ever virtual #babymarathon.
This one-of-a-kind feat is part of the Pampers x Lazada Super Brand Day, which will take place on August 29. For one day only, Super Brand Day allows consumers to discover the best of what a brand offers, which includes exclusive gifts, limited offers and even offline experiences.
Be Part of the Record-Breaking #babymarathon
The 42-minute #babymarathon video montage, which will be aired on August 29, will feature hundreds of babies and toddlers in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore, all “running” in a relay race. In the final video, parents may even find their children racing alongside Seve, son of Filipino celebrity and Pampers ambassador Toni Gonzaga.
Ready, get set, go!
All diapering babies aged 5 months and above are welcome to join Lazada and Pampers in creating this one-of-a-kind record! The virtual #babymarathon featuring the little athletes who joined across Southeast Asia will be aired on Lazada on Super Brand Day on 29 August.
You can join the fun in two ways
Take a video of your baby walking, playing or running about in their Pampers diaper and post it using this link, with the hastags #babymarathon and #PampersxLazadaPH
You can also join our professional crew at Gymboree Greenbelt 5 on August 27, 2018, to film your little one in action during the #babymarathon celebration. Register in advance at this link.
Not all videos can be featured in the 42-minute video montage. But the most liked videos will win a cash prize of PHP30,000 or 6-month supply of Pampers diapers.
Join a marathon of Pampers Deals on Lazada
To help babies enjoy their weekly marathons free from wetness and the discomfort of lawlaw diapers, Pampers has put together a series of exclusive offers on 29th August 2018:
Starting from 12am midnight, there are promotion offers up to 35% off on Pampers Baby Dry Newborn Diapers and PHP100 discount vouchers for minimum PHP3000 purchases, which are limited to a 1000 units only.
Lazada’s Group Chief Business Officer Robin Mah said: “We are proud to be partnering with Pampers, one of the world’s leading diapers brands for Super Brand Day to showcase the unstoppable energy of babies while offering moms exclusive offers and delight. It is also a chance to spotlight their babies through fun experiences. ”
Akhil Meshram, Pampers Philippines Brand Manager said: “Pampers recognizes that one of mom and baby’s biggest frustration are sagging diapers, and how this can affect babies’ ability to move and learn from their surroundings. The #babymarathon is part of our My Baby Can Do That Campaign, where we hope to show how babies can do nakaka-WOW and amazing things when they have the freedom to move, especially in a less lawlaw diaper. Lazada, given its massive footprint across Southeast Asia is the ideal platform to amplify our efforts.”
For more information on Super Brand Day, visit Lazada.com.ph and its social media pages.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LazadaPhilippines
Instagram:https://instagram.com/lazadaph/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/LazadaPH
For more information on Pampers, visit Pampers.ph and its social media pages.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PampersPh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pampersph/
*******************************************************************************************************
About Lazada Group
Launched in 2012, Lazada is the number-one online shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia –present in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. As the pioneer of the eCommerce ecosystem in Southeast Asia, Lazada has 155,000 sellers and 3,000 brands serving 560 million consumers in the region through its marketplace platform, supported by a wide range of tailored marketing, data, and service solutions. With 300 million SKUs available, Lazada offers the widest range of products in categories from consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion, sports equipment and groceries. Focused on delivering an excellent customer experience, it offers multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery, comprehensive customer care and hassle-free returns through its own first and last mile delivery arm supported by approximately 100 logistics partners. Lazada Group is majority owned by Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA).
About Pampers®
For more than 50 years, parents have trusted Pampers to care for their babies. Pampers is a part of The Procter & Gamble Company and is the #1-selling diaper worldwide. Every day, more than 25 million babies in 100 countries around the world wear Pampers. Pampers offers a complete range of diapers and pants designed to provide protection and comfort for every stage of baby’s development. Visit www.pampers.com to learn more about Pampers products, and find ideas and information to help your baby get the most out of love, sleep and play.
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Home Spazio Mondo news London inaugurates the Mondotrack
London inaugurates the Mondotrack
A major event opens to the public to present the new stadium and the Mondotrack
Recently held in London was one of the highlights of all the pre-Olympic period, the official presentation of the track to be used for all track and field events in the 2012 London Olympics. The best British athletes and children of the local school West Ham Church Primary School in Newham were able to see and test the track produced by Mondo - Mondotrack FTX, laid in August 2011. "This is a milestone for us - Seb Coe commented, Chairman of LOCOG - seeing the Olympic Stadium come to life is very exciting. Then to see the best British athletes out on the track with the children of a school gives a good idea of the role that this facility will have after 2012. "Red, combined with the gray color for the outer areas, with a dimension out of the ordinary, with a total area of 16,000 square meters, the track affects mainly for its technical specifications, 2008 in Beijing contributed to the achievement of less than 38 records among the world's Olympic and continent category, without regard to the various personal records. With a thickness of about 13.5 mm, Mondotrack surfaces is one of the world's fastest and has been certified to ensure the highest level in the classification of surfaces suitable to host the Olympics and Paralympics (Level 1). "It's been 34 years from our first participation, Montreal 1976 - said Maurizio Stroppiana, Managing Director of Mondo SpA - Still the emotion it elicits to see our beautiful track installed in the place where the Olympic Games will take place is always greater than that previously experienced. "
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New date for Bradford trip
Dons to visit the Northern Commercials Stadium in April.
MK Dons’ Sky Bet League One fixture away at Bradford City has a new date.
Dan Micciche’s men were set to play the Bantams at the Northern Commercials Stadium last Saturday but the match was postponed just prior to kick-off due to a waterlogged pitch.
The game has been re-scheduled and will now take place on Tuesday 24th April, kick-off 7.45pm.
Tickets for the original fixture will be valid for this re-arranged clash while supporters who can't make the new date are entitled to a full refund. The same applies for supporters who travelled using the Official Away Travel Service, with regards to their travel.
Bradford City vs MK Dons on 24 Apr 18
Gallery: Bisham Abbey morning session
Under-18s to begin at Orient
MK Dons Under-18s will begin their EFL Youth Alliance South East campaign with a trip to Leyton Orient.
Extended highlights: Brackley Town
Moore: Friendlies provide much-needed learning curve
MK Dons officially started their pre-season friendlies on Tuesday night as they overcame Brackley Town 5-1.
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Kamikazee excited over Huling Sayaw concert on December 10
“Nervous and excited” - that’s how rock legends Kamikazee are feeling as they prepare to play in front of 15,000 dedicated fans at their farewell show being staged at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Manila on Thursday night (December 10).
Band frontman Jay Contreras said that while the band have played in front of many thousands of fans in the past: “…this will be the biggest crowd who have come just to see us. It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time but we’re also really looking forward to it.”
Produced and promoted by Spicy Lemon, the band’s final show will be a rare occasion when a local band fills one of the region’s most iconic music venues.
Kamikazee took time out from final rehearsals to meet the media and thank a selection of their loyal fans as they count down to their “Huling Sayaw” - the final show before taking time out from the music industry to concentrate more on other interests and spend time with their families.
Remaining tickets - some Patron Seated, Upper Box and General Admission - for Kamikazee Live at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on December 10, 2015 are on sale from the SMART Araneta Coliseum, all Ticketnet outlets and online at www.ticketnet.com.ph or www.etix.com.
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Fortune 500 | episode 331
Manjit Singh, Chief Information Officer of The Clorox Company
Among other topics, Manjit discussed the following issues with Metis Strategy:
Clorox’s increasing focus on developing direct relationships with the end-customer, and the ways in which this is enabled such as enhanced understanding of the customer journey through digital marketing as well as direct shipping enabled through supply chain efficiencies
The techniques Clorox uses to build consumer journey maps, and the ways in which their brands use the consumer journey maps to determine how and where to engage
The ways in which IT immerses itself in the day-to-day operations of different groups so that they can better understand their challenges and thus better serve them
Clorox’s focus on data and analytics, and the focus on helping groups find the right data sets rather than just analyzing as much data as possible
How and why the IT team has gotten involved in new product innovation, especially in the early stages
The skill mix changes required for Clorox to reach its goals, and the ways in which they bring in people with new skills or perspective
Eye on the Trends: AI/ML, Agile, DevOps, IoT, Connectivity
Manjit is the SVP and CIO of The Clorox Company, a consumer packaged goods company with $6 billion in revenue. As CIO, Manjit is responsible for the company’s information technology organization and directing the company’s strategic technology initiatives. Manjit is also on the Clorox Executive Committee.
Manjit joined The Clorox Company in November 2014. Prior to joining The Clorox Company, Manjit led the industry solutions group at Box Inc., where he was responsible for aligning strategies with key customers across different industries. Prior to Box Inc, Manjit served as CIO for Las Vegas Sands, and was CIO of Chiquita Brand International before that. Manjit served as a regional CIO for Gillette in Singapore. Early in his career, Manjit worked for Procter & Gamble, where he pioneered the company’s digital marketing footprint and set up early e-commerce capabilities.
Manjit received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and computer science from the State Univeristy of New York at Binghamton and a Master of Science degree in computer science from Indiana University.
Manjit is an Advisory Board Member at several organizations including Greylock Partners, DocuSign, CipherCloud, among others.
I recently caught up with Manjit by phone from his office in Oakland, California, and our conversation covered World Class IT Principle One, People, as Manjit discussed the importance of upgrading Clorox’s skill mix by bringing in people with new skills and perspectives from both inside and outside the CPG industry; and Principle Four, IT and Business Partnerships, as Manjit highlighted IT’s central position in Clorox, and the ways in which they collaborate with various departments to connect dots and identify opportunities that others may have missed.
https://media.blubrry.com/metis_strategy/p/content.blubrry.com/metis_strategy/Interview_with_Manjit_Singh.mp3
The CIO Of Clorox Drives Product Innovation For Customers And Consumers March 05, 2018
Podcasts Linda Clement-Holmes, CIO of Proctor & Gamble October 19, 2015
Podcasts Stuart McGuigan, Chief Information Officer of Johnson and Johnson February 24, 2014
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Emmy award for pioneer of TV is set to be put on display for all to see
Council Leader Rhondda Geekie with Dr Ivan Ruddock of the Kirkintilloch and District Society of Antiquaries and the Emmy award
Published: 10:19 Thursday 04 February 2016
A prestigious Emmy award which was awarded to a little known Scottish inventor 130 years after his death for his pioneering work in image transmission has arrived in East Dunbartonshire.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) decided to posthumously honour Alexander Bain (1810-1877), who died and is buried in Kirkintilloch, for his outstanding achievement in technical or engineering development.
Many people are familiar with Emmy awards as the annual prizes recognising television excellence - the equivalent of the Oscars in the film industry- but they also honour development and innovation in the broadcast industry.
Bain’s Technology and Engineering Emmy, awarded at the 67th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards in the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas in January, was given in recognition of inventing the concept of scanning for image transmission, said to be one of the fundamental principles of television.
During his lifetime Bain’s achievements included the invention of the electric clock and important contributions to the electric telegraph, however he is now known worldwide as the inventor of the facsimile machine, which he patented in 1843.
This early form of image transmission combined elements of electric clocks and telegraphs but the breakthrough was the concept of scanning an imageand then transmitting it so it could be reproduced elsewhere. It was the first time that an image was ever transmitted from one location to another and introduced the concepts of scan lines, pixels and frame and line synchronisation used in all modern television systems.
East Dunbartonshire Council, who maintain Bain’s gravestone in the Old Aisle Cemetery in Kirkintilloch, has been chosen as custodian of the award.
Council Leader Rhondda Geekie said: “Our residents should be proud of Alexander Bain and the arrival of the Emmy in East Dunbartonshire is sure to generate a lot of excitement in the local community and beyond.
“Arrangements are now being made to have the Emmy put on public display in the Auld Kirk Museum in Kirkintilloch so everyone can have the opportunity to see this prestigious award and learn more about the work of Alexander Bain.
“Bain’s achievements have gone relatively unnoticed in the 138 years since his death and it is important that we play our part in helping to bring his innovative work to the attention of a new generation of budding young engineers and help inspire them.”
Kirkintilloch and District Society of Antiquaries played a key role in ensuring the Emmy was awarded to Bain.
“President Ivan Ruddock wrote an article in 2012 exploring the link between Bain and the fundamentals of television.”
Dr Ruddock added: “Before Alexander Bain could create his fax machine in the 1840s, he had to invent the concept of image scanning, transmission and image reconstruction.
“Not only was he the first person to do this, but decades later these ideas were exploited by the pioneers of television, and continue to be the basis of all forms of the technology of images.”
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Sangha News
Blue Cliff Monastery: The First Steps Our new monastery does have cliffs in the mountains nearby but they are not blue, they are white. We like to practice sitting meditation there as we watch the sun rise or set. These mountains are very old, the oldest in the U.S. They are covered in dwarf trees so that being on the mountain is like being in a natural bonsai park.
When we first arrived at Blue Cliff Monastery, which is a former hotel, on April 30, 2007, a strong gust of wind blew down the hotel sign. Some people said that they saw a rainbow cloud. At that time Thay was in Vietnam and said that Blue Cliff Monastery will be a warm and welcoming place.
After we arrived it took us a month to clean up enough to be able to offer an open house for our neighbours and members of local sanghas nearby. The next day we celebrated the Buddha’s birthday and 80 people bathed the baby Buddha. Our non-Buddhist neighbours also bathed the Buddha with great respect.
At the end of June we offered a retreat for OI members. There were eighty-five participants. Some of them said that it was the best retreat they had ever attended. When people were asked what aspect they enjoyed the most, some said that it was the mindful working. Every day we had forty-five minutes to work together in the kitchen or in the garden. It was a time when we felt together as a four-fold sangha.
The family retreat that followed was less well attended. However the children and teens outnumbered the adults by almost two to one, which was auspicious for the future. The teen program was particularly successful; they took charge of all pot washing and cleaning up after meals. At first the monks and nuns said that they wanted to divide the teens into three teams: one for each meal. However the teens wanted to help each other and have everyone work together at every meal. The result was that the teens were able to live as a family and support new teenagers as they arrived.
We are lucky to have the full support of our Town Manager (mayor). This has been a great help to us in our seeking permission to build a new meditation hall and a hut for Thay. Many local people say that they like the change of a hotel into a monastery. They feel that it supports their spiritual path, even though they belong to the Jewish or Christian tradition. They are happy that we are planting more trees to add to the large ancient pines that are like Dharma protectors for the monastery. They are happy to see the outdoor swimming pool area become a vegetable garden and the indoor pool area become a dining room.
The brothers and sisters of Blue Cliff are grateful to our sisters and brothers who have come to Blue Cliff from Plum Village since we arrived here to lend support. We are also grateful to brothers and sisters from Deer Park who came to help us for the two initial weeks here and the move. We are grateful to all our friends who have made financial contributions, material offerings, lent a helping hand, or responded to our wish list. Please know that we still need financial support to pay back loans, cover mortgage payments, build, and renovate.
We are now preparing for the arrival of Thay and the Plum Village delegation in August.
When we return after Thay’s tour there will be a retreat in Blue Cliff with Thay, October 12-16. After that it will be almost time to begin the winter retreat. We hope very much to see you, dear reader, this winter, whether it is with your family during the holiday retreat (December 2 7-30, 2007) or for a longer stay during the winter retreat from mid-November until mid-February. The winter retreat of three months is the one extended period that monks and nuns spend together in the monastery to deepen their practice and studies. We wish that our lay friends can support us at that time and also join us for as long a time as possible in order to deepen their own practice. Thay gives teachings on a defined topic throughout the three months and these teachings are received two or three times a week by Internet.
Our friends who live nearby are welcome to join us for Days of Mindfulness 9:30 to 4:30 every Thursday and Sunday, for Thanksgiving (November 22, 2007), Christmas Eve (December 24, 2007), and New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2007).
Blue Cliff Monasterry 3 Hotel Road Pine Bush NY 12566 (845) 733-5653/4959 fax: (845) 733-4300 bluecliff@citlink.net www.bluecliffmonastery.org
— Sister Annabel, True Virtue
Thay to Speak at UCLA Conference on Mindfulness and Psychotherapy: Cultivating Well-Being in the Present Moment
Thich Nhat Hanh will be the keynote speaker at this conference co-sponsored by The Center for Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, Insight LA, and the University of California Los Angeles. The conference, which will be held October 5-7, 2007, is designed for psychotherapists and other health care professionals, researchers, educators, and others interested in the behavioral sciences who are seeking to be more effective in their personal and professional lives.
According to the organizers, “One important new wave of psychotherapeutic practice is nourished by wisdom from the great philosophical traditions of the East, building upon and extending the clinical experience of previous eras—psychoanalytic, cognitive/behavioral, and humanistic/existential psychology.... A key element in this new frame of reference is mindfulness, the practice of being fully present within moment-to-moment experience with acceptance. Mindfulness enhances awareness of the sensory, somatic, intuitive, and emotional elements of experience in the present moment, thus enriching psychotherapy for both therapist and patient. For the therapist, cultivation of mindfulness facilitates the free-flow of clinical creativity and engages the wisdom of the heart. It fosters the ability to listen deeply with ‘beginner’s mind’ which enables the clinician to relate to clinical models in a new way. In turn, the client’s experience of mindfulness within the therapeutic encounter opens up the possibility of moving beyond the limiting frame of self and other.”
Other presenters include Tara Brach, Ph.D., Trudy Goodman, Ed.M., Jack Kornfield, Ph.D., Harriet Kimble Wrye, Ph.D., Sara Lazar, Ph.D., and Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. For information go to uclaextension.edu/mindfulness or call (310) 825-9971 or (818) 784-7006.
Join the Car-Free Day Movement
In October 2006, during a speech to UNESCO, Thich Nhat Hanh called for a global no-car day. The proposal was taken up immediately by all the monasteries. Now, a team of dedicated volunteers is working to spread the word through the Car Free Days campaign.
Deer Park Monastery announces that there is a new website: www.carfreedays.org. It describes ways to reduce personal carbon emissions and lower the impact on global warming. Users will f ind “fun, healthy activities that can bring more joy to your life while helping the planet.”
Organizers have declared September 22 to be “World Car Free Day” and have been soliciting pledges on the website. People are encouraged to promise to try four or more car free days per month or as often as they can. “For every mile you don’t drive, you save one pound of greenhouse gas from entering our atmosphere,” they say.
To help spread the word, a number of posters are available to be downloaded from the website. Willing artists are needed to design additional posters as well as t-shirts, bumper stickers, mugs, screen-savers, and so. In addition, to help promote the Car Free Days to a wider audience, volunteers are needed to translate the website and posters into as many languages as possible. To help with any of these projects, contact: deerparkmonastery@ gmail.com.
Bloggers are invited to contribute to the Car Free Days community by posting ideas, experiences, questions, and solutions on the blog: www.carfreedays.org/community.php
“We won’t solve this problem unless each person contributes,” says the Car Free Day team. “Please join us by doing your part to reduce global warming. The entire planet and future generations are counting on you.” You can start by visiting: www.carfreedays.org.
Building Community Through Art
Earlier this year artist Brett Cook developed the epic “Building Community, Making History” collaborative art project that resulted in a series of portraits, two of which are on display in the “Portraiture Now: Framing Memory” exhibition at the Smithsonian Museum/National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. through January 6, 2008.
Brett Cook, a disciple of Thich Nhat Hanh’s, worked with students and staff of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the National Portrait Gallery, leading them through a number of contemplative, educational, and creative practices. Seven workshops emphasizing portraiture allowed participants to explore their role in making history and resulted in the creation of four collaborative art works. The workshop exercises modeled the action of building community.
“By creating spaces for participants to express their individual selves in an inclusive and peaceful way,” says Cook, “there is the creation of a loving community that highlights the individual’s role in our collective history.” For slide shows, video clips, and student reflections, visit www.brett-cook.com.
Tagged: art collaboration projects, Blue Cliff Monastery opening, monastics, psychotherapists, retreats, teens, Thay at UCLA, World Car Free Day
For a Future to Be PossibleBuddhist Ethics for Everyday Life
By Thich Nhat Hanh Parallax Press, 2007 Softcover, 148 Pages
Reviewed by Hope Lindsay
All Buddhists express the precepts in some form. They are the core of our beliefs. In the tradition of our teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, the precepts for lay practice are the Five Mindfulness Trainings, the focus of this new edition of For a Future to Be Possible. Almost analagous to commandments of many faiths, here the precepts are infused with compassion and loving kindness for all beings — people, animals, plants, and minerals. Each training begins with the introit, “Aware of the suffering caused by....” Each is followed by an all-encompassing phrase exhorting us not to kill, steal, lie, use intoxicants or sexual energy in an exploitive way.
We help others on this path, also. These five trainings are the very center of interrelatedness. Thus they’re indispensable if our troubled planet is to continue.
In her introduction, Joan Halifax asks, “What must be done to retrieve our natural virtue?” I think we all long for a state of natural goodness, the lack of which is at the root of so much fundamentalist turmoil today. When I balked at going to Sunday School a beloved aunt told me that religion is necessary for people to become moral and honest. What else would make human beings behave? We had to have the fear of God instilled in us, or else. But the gentle practice of mindfulness brings its own reward — happiness.
If, as Thay asks, we “live in a way that protects us and those around us,” what he calls the fruit of our own observation will inspire us to choose the Five Mindfulness Trainings as a way of life. Thay also writes that we will be able to express our generosity when we are assured by the trainings that we can “help people feel safe” — ourselves and others — “less afraid of life, people, and death.” The trainings give us the gift of non-fear. They are not presented as The Truth. Instead they are a joyful gateway to the Dharma.
Caitriona Reed writes in a sidebar, “There is a wonderful aspect to the mindfulness trainings: they are impossible to keep. We express our willingness to begin again time after time.” Sister Chan Khong also reminds us that we cannot attain the sun, we can only go toward the light. We are not asked to be obsessive, rather to know that practicing the trainings becomes habit, replacing less healthy habit energy. One of the primary purposes for meeting in sangha is to reinforce and support each other in this aspiration.
Jack Kornfield's afterword lists exercises we can use to begin or renew the practices. Until we reach enlightenment, we mortals are, by nature, forgetful. We need reminders to be mindful! I must confess the trainings opened the door to Thay's tradition for me. in the original 1993 edition of For a Future to be Possible, there were commentaries by several authors that helped me understand Buddhism without dogma or doctrine. This edition is trimmed, almost like a missal -- to carry with us everywhere. In gratitude to Thay for giving this gift once again, I feel like I am traveling with an old friend.
Sweet Zen Dharma Talks from Cheri Huber
Edited by Sara Jenkins Present Perfect Books, 2000 Softcover, 200 pages
Reviewed by Karen Hilsberg
Smiling, I stood in Borders Bookstore perusing the long row of Thay’s offerings on the book shelf. Then a book of Dharma talks edited by Sara Jenkins caught my eye. As I skimmed the one-to-two-page Dharma talks offered by Cheri Huber, I asked myself whether I need another book on the practice of mindfulness. And I heard a resounding “Yes!”
The talks in Sweet Zen were presented as answers to her students’ questions by Dharma teacher Cheri Huber, who practices in the Soto Zen tradition in a monastery in Northern California. Sara Jenkins and Cheri Huber met at a month-long retreat in the mid-1980’s. There, Huber gave Jenkins, an editor by trade, the transcripts of all her Dharma talks, instructing her to “do whatever you want with these.” The result is five books of talks lovingly crafted by Jenkins. Sweet Zen is the fifth of these books.
One of Huber’s great contributions has been helping her students see how conditioned mind gets in the way of our happiness, freedom, and joy. On “saying no to suffering,” Huber says, “If we watch closely, we see that suffering begins when we leave this moment and allow our minds to project into the past or the future. We can watch ourselves start the slide into suffering as we begin to imagine dire happenings and sink into doubt and fear and hopelessness. Then we can bring ourselves back and just say no. Each time we are tricked again by egocentricity, we can see the result is suffering.
“In the refusal to indulge in what leads to suffering, there is nothing hard or harsh. On the contrary, it is the kindest, most compassionate approach to life.”
Each chapter can be read as an inspirational daily meditation or as a brief reading to be shared in sitting groups during deep listening sessions. These stories have relevance to new practitioners and to those, like me, who have been practicing for many years.
As a Westerner and a woman, Huber speaks about the many ways we get stuck in habitual thinking. How do we work our way out? She uses the language of popular culture to direct us toward the freedom that comes with breaking out of chronic running commentaries in our minds. I especially like her retelling of the Buddha’s story of the knotted scarf. On the path of practice, we untie many of our knots and continue to encounter more. The more experience we gain, the harder the knots tighten, but the better we are at untying them. “The experience you gain each time you untie a knot gives you the encouragement you need to take on the next one. After a while, you approach the whole process with confidence and lightness and, increasingly, gratitude.”
The title Sweet Zen refers to the inherent beauty and joy of our practice, and how, in our daily lives, our practice can help us show extreme kindness to ourselves and others.
The Best Buddhist Writing 2006
Edited by Melvin McLeod and the Editors of the Shambhala Sun Shambhala, 2006 Softcover, 317 pages
Reviewed by Janelle Combelic
“I have heard some people predict,” writes Thich Nhat Hanh, “that the twenty-first century will be a century of spirituality. Personally, I think it must be a century of spirituality if we are to survive at all.” Thus begins the closing essay in Best Buddhist Writing 2006. Excerpted from Calming the Fearful Mind: A Zen Response to Terrorism, this essay reads like a fresh-picked strawberry served at the end of an exquisite meal — each bite more satisfying than the last.
There are many gems in this compilation, not the least of which is a piece reprinted from the Mindfulness Bell by our own Judith Toy, now associate editor. In “Murder as a Call to Love,” Judith recounts the tragic loss of her sister-in-law and two teenage nephews, and her long path to healing. “I did not plan to forgive the boy who murdered my family. But after five years of stopping, enjoying my breathing, and relaxing every day, I was able to look deeply and understand Eric.”
The thirty-three pieces range from the deeply personal, like Judith’s, to the scholarly, like “Studying Mind from the Inside” by the Dalai Lama: “The view that all mental processes are necessarily physical processes is a metaphysical assumption, not a scientific fact.”
The joy of reading a book like this is that you can pick and choose. But what treasures to choose from! Here’s from “Hair-Braiding Meditation,” a humorous prose poem by Polly Trout: “May my daughter, who wants a billion tiny braids this morning, be filled with loving kindness. May she be well. May she be peaceful and at ease going to school with a billion tiny little braids.”
In “Searching for the Heart of Compassion,” Marc Ian Barasch writes: “I’ve become suspicious of the unblemished life. Maybe the heart must be broken, like a child’s prize honeycomb, for the real sweetness to come out. Although something inside us yearns to walk on air, never touching the ground, compassion brings us down to earth.It has been likened to the lotus, whose exquisite, fragrant blossom grows out of the muck and mire.”
Other authors represented in the anthology include Sharon Salzberg, Christina Feldman, Norman Fischer, Frank Olendziki, the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, and Pema Chödrön.
In one of my favorite essays, “Coming to Our Senses,” Jon Kabat-Zinn echoes Thay’s concerns: “When cultivated and refined, mindfulness can function effectively on every level, from the individual to the corporate, the societal, the political, and the global. But it does require that we be motivated to realize who we actually are and to live our lives as if they really mattered, not just for ourselves, but for the world.”
I was inspired to go out and buy Kabat-Zinn’s book as well as Thay’s. And that’s the point of a compilation like Best Buddhist Writing. You get a taste of something extraordinary, and it makes you want to indulge more deeply in the fine cuisine of Buddhist thought.
Tagged: book reviews
Help Deer Park Monastery Go Solar
Every one of us can do something to protect and care for our planet. We have to live in such a way that a future will be possible for our children and our grandchildren. Our own life has to be our message. — Thich Nhat Hanh Dear Friends:
At the direction of our Teacher, Deer Park Monastery is engaging the problem of global warming in a number of ways. Our environmental initiatives include conversion of our vehicles to vegetable-based fuels; reduction of our use of cars through our “car-free” Tuesdays each week; careful selection of organic and local products when possible; recycling of all possible materials we use in the Monastery; and, importantly, the development of a clean, non-polluting solar energy system at Deer Park. The monastic and lay communities have worked diligently during the past year to make this project a reality, and we are now able to proceed with construction of the system. We wish to invite you to join in this effort by contributing as you are able to our Solar Energy Fund Drive. We expect to have this project funded and in operation during the year 2007, but we need your help.
Our goal is to preserve the environment and to reduce our contributions to global warming by producing 100% of our electricity with clean solar power. Our planned 66-kilowatt photovoltaic system will produce all the electricity needed by the Monastery and will contribute significantly to the local energy system by producing the most clean power during peak power needs — the time when power plants emit the most pollution.
The entire project will cost approximately $530,000, and the State of California’s rebate program will provide $182,000. This subsidy is available now, and we need to ensure that we are among the selected participants in California. Our Sangha has a unique opportunity to be more mindful about our use of energy and to make a positive difference in global warming.
Deer Park’s Southern California location is ideal for solar power. Because our location and project design are so effective, we are likely to receive the highest rebate level offered by the State. That being said, we still need about $350,000 to complete this project. By helping Deer Park, you will also offset some of your own contributions to global climate change.
If you would like to help Deer Park Monastery Go Solar!, you can give a tax-deductible donation online at www.deerparkmonastery.org, or you can mail a donation to (please include your address for a receipt of tax-deductibility): Deer Park Monastery, Attn. Go Solar!, 2499 Melru Lane, Escondido, CA 92026, USA.
Thank you from the fourfold Sangha at Deer Park Monastery.
Tagged: Deer Park Monastery, environmental initiative, solar energy
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Dream Team Aims to Intercept Pancreatic Cancer Before It Flourishes
MD Anderson scientist leads collaboration funded by Stand Up to Cancer
26-Oct-2017 12:05 PM EDT
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
more news from this sourcecontact patient services
Credit: MD Anderson Cancer Center
Anirban Maitra, M.B.B.S.
Cancer, Digestive Disorders, Local - Texas, Local - Houston Metro
MD Anderson Cancer Center, dream team , Stand Up To Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer
Newswise — Deeply entrenched and mature by the time it’s found, pancreatic cancer is one of the hardest to defeat. A Dream Team assembled by Stand Up to Cancer and led by an investigator at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will test new ways to find the disease in its emerging, more vulnerable phase in people who are at high risk for developing it.
“Our plan is to intercept pancreatic cancer by finding it and stopping it before symptoms occur, when the disease is still silent or, even better, before it’s actually cancer,” said principal investigator Anirban Maitra, M.B.B.S., scientific director of the Sheikh Ahmed Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at MD Anderson.
The team will deploy universal testing for inherited mutations in pancreatic cancer patients, apply deep machine learning to improve imaging, tailor vaccines to knock down emerging disease and sift the best ideas to develop blood tests for predicting risk and detecting precursor or early disease.
Co-leaders of the SU2C-Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Interception Dream Team: Intercepting Pancreatic Cancer in High-Risk Cohorts are Michael Goggins, M.D., professor of pathology, medicine and oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; and Scott Lippman, M.D., director of Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego Health. Other participating institutions are the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Mayo Clinic.
About 53,670 people will receive a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in 2017, and about 43,090 will die of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3 percent of U.S. cancers but 7 percent of deaths caused by cancer. About 8 percent of patients survive to five years.
The $7 million grant over four years is one of four announced by Stand Up to Cancer in conjunction with various collaborators, including the Lustgarden Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.
Maitra, who also is co-leader of the Pancreatic Cancer Moon Shot™, part of MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program™ to accelerate the development of new approaches based on scientific discoveries to prevent, detect and treat cancer, said there are four projects for the Dream Team.
Using genomic testing to identify those at risk
The overall idea is to take advantage of known risk factors such as germline mutations (inherited abnormalities of DNA) that are known to raise pancreatic cancer risk.
The first step will be to use a sequencing technique from Color Genomics to test the germline DNA of 2,000 consecutive pancreatic cancer patients, in order to identify those with known risk-raising mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. About 12 percent of all patients carry such mutations.
First-degree relatives of patients who are found to have mutations will then be offered genetic counseling and screening through high-risk clinics, such as the one directed by Florencia McAllister, M.D., assistant professor of Clinical Cancer Prevention through the Pancreatic Cancer Moon Shot at MD Anderson. Those relatives who have mutations will enter an active screening protocol, which includes serial imaging and blood-based biomarker testing.
Machine learning to improve imaging
“If somebody does have silent disease, current CT and MRI scans are woefully inadequate in picking up the small tumors we want to detect,” Maitra said. The team will apply computational algorithms to teach computers to recognize pancreatic abnormalities that now escape the human eye, Maitra said.
The goal is to create software packages that could be shared with other institutions. “We’re taking standard-of-care imaging but enhancing it with computational algorithms,” Maitra said.
Vaccines to intercept disease
Currently cancer-free individuals identified as high-risk due to the presence of germline mutations, who also have pre-cancerous lesions such as cysts on their pancreas, will be enrolled in the first ever vaccine trial to prevent pancreatic cancer.
“Right now, such individuals are followed with endoscopy and periodic imaging, and you hope to catch any progression to cancer early, but there’s no active interception to be done for them,” Maitra said.
The vaccine, unlike other cancer therapies, is a low-impact treatment that the researchers think is well-suited for interception.
Biomarkers to clarify risk
Molecular biomarkers can be used to identify manifest pancreatic cancer, Maitra said, but “they’re awful at detecting occult (silent) disease.”
The Dream Team will bring together leaders in the field of biomarker research to test the best biomarker candidates in hundreds of blood samples gathered in a variety of research cohorts that tracked people over time. A fraction of these otherwise healthy people enrolled in longitudinal studies developed pancreatic cancer.
“Something in that person placed him or her at very high risk for pancreatic cancer,” Maitra said. Identifying biomarkers in that group can help guide future selection of people who should have more intense screening or early treatment.
Stand Up to Cancer, a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to cancer patients quickly by funding teams of top researchers across multiple institutions to collaborate on vital projects.
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John Forbes Nash Jr., Subject Of 'A Beautiful Mind,' Dies
By Matt Moreno
John Nash was reportedly riding in a taxi in New Jersey with his wife, Alicia, when it crashed into a center median.
Renowned mathematician and Nobel Prize winner John Forbes Nash Jr. died in a car accident Saturday. His wife, Alicia Nash, was also killed.
Citing police officials, NJ.com reports Nash and his wife were thrown from the taxi cab they were riding in after it plowed into a center median. Police believe they were not wearing their seat belts.
Nash, 86 years old at his time of death, was the subject of the 2001 film "A Beautiful Mind" starring Russell Crowe. The film focused on Nash's mathematical prowess and his battle with schizophrenia. (Video via Universal Pictures / "A Beautiful Mind")
When news of Nash's death broke Sunday, Crowe tweeted, "Stunned...my heart goes out to John & Alicia & family."
Nash is best known for his work in mathematics, especially game theory — the study of decision-making. In 1994, Nash won the Nobel Prize in economics for his research in the field. (Video via Al Jazeera)
No summons or arrests have yet been made in relation to the car accident.
This video includes images from Getty Images and Elke Wetzig / CC BY SA 3.0.
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NHL Maurice Richard Trophy Winners
Award presented to top goal-scorer annually since 1999
The Maurice Richard Trophy is an annual award "presented to the player finishing the regular season as the League's goal-scoring leader" by the NHL Board of Governors.
The trophy, officially unveiled on Jan. 24, 1999, was a gift to the NHL from the Montreal Canadiens. It honors Richard, the first player in League history to score 50 goals in 50 games, 50 goals in a season and 500 in a career.
The first winner was Teemu Selanne of the Anaheim Ducks in 1999. Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals won the trophy seven times from 2007-08 through 2017-18.
[RELATED: Complete list of NHL Awards and Trophies winners]
Maurice Richard Trophy Winners
2019: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: 51 goals
2017: Sidney Crosby , Pittsburgh Penguins: 44 goals
2016: Alex Ovechkin , Washington Capitals: 50 goals
2012: Steven Stamkos , Tampa Bay Lightning: 60 goals
2011: Corey Perry , Anaheim Ducks: 50 goals
2010: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins: 51 goals
2010: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning 51 goals
2007: Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning: 52 goals
2006: Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose Sharks: 56 goals
2004: Rick Nash , Columbus: Blue Jackets: 41 goals
2004: Ilya Kovalchuk , Atlanta Thrashers: 41 goals
2004: Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames: 41 goals
2003: Milan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche: 50 goals
2001: Pavel Bure, Florida Panthers: 59 goals
1999: Teemu Selanne, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim: 47 goals
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« Back to Movie News « Older Entry | Newer Entry »
Top 10 Box Office Movies 2015
Published by Courtney Russell / December 31,2015
2015 Made and broke plenty studios bank accounts. It was a year where we saw Stars Wars: The Force Awakens break records as it's well on becoming the fastest earning movie of all time.
Here is a list of 2015 Top 10 Box Office Money Makers
1.Jurassic World
Jurassic World grossed $652.3 million in North America and $1.017 billion overseas for a worldwide total of $1.669 billion, against a budget of $150 million. It is the third-highest-grossing film of all-time in both North America and the world, as well as the highest-grossing film of 2015 and in the Jurassic Park film series. It set a box office record during its opening weekend, becoming the first film in cinematic history which generated over $500 million in a single weekend.
2.Furious 7
Furious 7 grossed $353 million in North America and $1.16 billion in other territories for a worldwide total of $1.515 billion, against its $190 million budget. Worldwide, it is the fifth highest-grossing film of all time, the second highest-grossing film of 2015, the highest-grossing film in The Fast and the Furious franchise and is the second highest-grossing Universal Pictures film. It was also the fastest film to reach the $1 billion mark at the time, doing so in 17 days; It is also the 20th film to gross over $1 billion. It also became the first (and only) film to pass 1 million in 4DX admissions worldwide.
Worldwide, Furious 7 was released across 810 IMAX theaters, which was the largest worldwide rollout in IMAX's history, Its worldwide opening of $397.6 million is the third-highest opening of all time. The film had an IMAX opening weekend total of $20.8 million. Furious 7 also became the first film distributed by Universal Pictures to earn more than $1 billion in its original run.
3.Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron grossed $459 million in North America and $946 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $1.405 billion. It is the sixth highest-grossing film of all-time as well as third highest-grossing 2015 film. Avengers: Age of Ultron 's worldwide opening of $392.5 million is the fifth-largest ever. The film set a worldwide IMAX opening-weekend record with $25.2 million (previously held by The Dark Knight Rises) and also broke the record for the fastest movie to make over $40 million in IMAX theaters, doing so in 12 days. According to some analysts, the opening weekend box office gross was lower than expected because of the weekend's featured boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
On May 15, 2015, Avengers: Age of Ultron became the twenty-first film in cinematic history, the third Marvel Studios film and the eighth film distributed by Disney to cross the $1 billion threshold at the box office
4.Star Wars: The Force Awakens
As of January 3, 2016, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has grossed $742.2 million in North America and $770.5 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $1.513 billion, against a budget of $200 million. The film is currently the third highest-grossing film of 2015, the highest-grossing film released by Walt Disney Studios, the second highest-grossing film in North America, and the sixth highest-grossing film of all time. It was the 24th film in cinematic history to surpass $1 billion worldwide, standing as the fastest film to surpass the mark, doing so in 12 days.
5.Minions
Minions became a huge commercial success and outgrossed its predecessors. It grossed a total of $336 million in the United States and Canada and $821.2 million in other territories for a worldwide total of over $1.157 billion, against a budget of $74 million. Worldwide, it is the fifth highest-grossing film of 2015, the highest-grossing animated film of 2015, the second highest-grossing animated film, the eleventh highest-grossing film and the third highest-grossing film released by Universal Pictures. It topped the worldwide box office for three consecutive weekends.
By breaking $1 billion worldwide, Minions became the first non-Disney animated film, the third animated film ever after Toy Story 3 and Frozen, and the 23rd film in cinematic history to do so. This made Universal Pictures the first studio ever to have three films cross $1 billion at the worldwide box office in a single year following Furious 7 and Jurassic World.
6.Inside Out
Inside Out grossed $356.5 million in North America and $499.7 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $856.1 million, against a budget of $175 million. It is the second highest-grossing 2015 animated film, the sixth highest-grossing film of 2015, the third highest-grossing Pixar film, the ninth highest-grossing film released by Disney, the tenth highest-grossing animated film of all time, and the 44th highest-grossing film overall (with the latter four rankings not adjusted for inflation).
7.Spectre
As of 23 December 2015 Spectre has grossed $851 million worldwide; $143.8 million of the takings have been generated from the UK market and $196.3 million from North America.
In the United Kingdom, the film grossed £4.1 million ($6.4 million) from its Monday preview screenings. It grossed £6.3 million ($9.2 million) on its opening day and then £5.7 million ($8.8 million) on Wednesday, setting UK records for both days. In the film's first seven days it grossed £41.7 million ($63.8 million), breaking the UK record for highest first-week opening, set by Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 's £23.88 million ($36.9 million) in 2004. Its Friday–Saturday gross was £20.4 million ($31.2 million) compared to Skyfall 's £20.1 million ($31 million). The film also broke the record for the best per-screen opening average with $110,000, a record previously held by The Dark Knight with $100,200. It has grossed a total of $136.3 million there. In the U.K., it surpassed Avatar to become the country's highest-grossing IMAX release ever with $10.09 million.
8.Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation grossed $195 million in North America and $487.1 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $682.3 million, against a budget of $150 million. It had a worldwide opening of $121 million and an IMAX worldwide opening total of $12.5 million (the third biggest of July behind The Dark Knight Rises and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2).
9.The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
As of December 30, 2015, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 has grossed $268.5 million in North America and $352.2 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $620.7 million, against a budget of $160 million. Its worldwide opening of $247.2 million is the twenty-fifth biggest of all time.
10.The Martian
As of December 30, 2015, The Martian has grossed $225.2 million in North America and $369.1 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $594.3 million, against a budget of $108 million.
What awaits us next year? Only time and numbers will tell.
Have a Happy 2016!
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Paul McCartney: ‘I still don’t know how to be a songwriter’
John Earls Jun 10, 2016 3:52 pm BST
McCartney insists he has to start from scratch on every album
Paul McCartney has insisted he still doesn’t know how to be a songwriter.
Talking alongside the release of his new compilation album ‘Pure McCartney’, the singer said he feels like he’s starting from scratch every time he starts making a new album.
“There’s no point where you think ‘OK, now I can do it’, as it’s a little more fluid than that,” McCartney told NPR. “You talk to other musicians and it’s always the same. You go into the studio thinking ‘Oh, I know how to do this’, but then you realise you’re doing it all over again and starting from square one again. You’ve never got it down. Music is fluid, and I like that. I wouldn’t like to be blasé and think ‘I know how to do this.’”
McCartney has his own music school, LIPA, in Liverpool. He added: “I teach a songwriting class there. Nearly always, the first thing I tell students is ‘I don’t know how to do this. You’d think I do, but I don’t. It’s not one of those things you ever know how to do. I could tell you “Select the key, we’ll select a rhythm and now think of some great words.”’ That’s not really the answer.”
Circa Waves. The Wombats, All We Are, Telekinesis, Eugene McGuinness, Stealing Sheep and Dan Croll are among the graduates of LIPA. McCartney’s most recent album was ‘New’ in 2013.
McCartney’s interview comes after he became the first musician to use Facebook’s new 360-degree photo app, posting a gig picture from Argentina on his current ‘One On One’ tour.
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Science at Nordita
Brief History of Nordita
How to Get to Nordita
Administrative Help
Information for Visitors [>]
Open Positions [>]
Evaluations of Nordita
Financial Support to Nordita
Photos from Nordita [>]
In the first half of the 20th century, the work of Niels Bohr and his collaborators established Copenhagen as a world center for modern physics. Bohr encouraged contacts and collaborations with Nordic physicists, several of whom visited Copenhagen to take part in the international research going on there. These developments naturally led to discussions to establish a joint Nordic research center.
The 1950s saw a widespread political will for joint projects, both at the Nordic and at the European level; the war had demonstrated the importance of scientific preeminence and that of physics in particular. In 1952, the Western European nations decided to establish a large accelerator laboratory, the European Center for Nuclear Physics (CERN). Copenhagen figured prominently as a possible site for the new laboratory. Eventually Geneva was preferred but the theory group of the new laboratory was initially located in Copenhagen.
When it was finally decided that the CERN theory group was to move from Copenhagen to Geneva, Torsten Gustafson, Niels Bohr and other prominent Nordic physicists took the initiative to establish a Nordic center for theoretical physics in Copenhagen. The idea was well received at the political level, notably by the Swedish Prime Minister Tage Erlander. Theoretical physics was an uncontroversial, relatively inexpensive area of collaboration and research, and the other Nordic countries stood to benefit from the eminent research group in Copenhagen.
Nordita opened on October 1st 1957. An important activity of the new Institute was the training of young Nordic researchers, as there was no organized doctoral education in physics in the Nordic countries at that time. In the 1960s, the Nordic countries considerably expanded their research and teaching in physics, with many new positions being established at the universities. A large fraction of the researchers who had been trained at Nordita were offered positions and the Institute has continued to train future leaders in theoretical physics. Out of 320 young researchers who worked at Nordita in Copenhagen between 1957 and 2006, at least 165 have secured permanent university positions. It is still early days for Nordita in Stockholm, but of 20 postdoctoral fellows at Nordita since 2007, 18 have moved on into other academic positions at the postdoctoral or junior faculty level. Today, Nordita alumni form an extensive contact group, which the Institute draws upon for maintaining and extending Nordic collaborations.
Although Nordita originally derived its name from atomic physics, the Nordita faculty was quite diverse from the beginning. Christian Møller (1904-1980), Nordita's first Director, was known for his contributions to the theory of gravitation and quantum chemistry. Léon Rosenfeld (1904-1974) joined Nordita in 1958. He coined the term "lepton" and was among the first to work on quantum electrodynamics. Gunnar Källén (1926-1968) worked on elementary particle physics and the renormalization of quantum electrodynamics. Nuclear and atomic physics was represented in the early years by Stefan Rozental (1903-1994) and Ben Roy Mottelson. Mottelson would go on to win the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physics, together with Aage Bohr and Leo James Rainwater, for his groundbreaking work on the geometry of atomic nuclei. Aage Bohr became Director of Nordita in 1975. Gerald E. Brown accepted a Nordita professorship in 1960, bringing his research on many body problems and effective models for the atomic interaction, and later the theory of compact stars and the chiral bag model of the atomic nucleus.
James Hamilton arrived at Nordita in 1964 and soon established a research group in elementary particle physics, focusing in particular on the use of dispersion relations in the analysis of the strong interaction. At that time, particle physics was still widely considered a sub-field of nuclear physics and Hamilton's lectures provided invaluable guidance for young Nordic researchers interested in this emerging area of theoretical physics. In the years 1976-78, Hamilton published a series of papers calculating the effect of electromagnetic interactions on hadron scattering that became known as "the Nordita method."
Gösta Gustafson came to Copenhagen as a Nordita fellow in 1968 and worked with James Hamilton. He remained in close contact after returning to Lund in 1972 and the famous "Lund String Model" later emerged out of this interaction. This is a phenomenological model of hadronization in particle scattering that is still widely used, for instance in analyzing data from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. As of today, it has been cited more than 2000 times, a striking documentation of its impact.
Holger Bech Nielsen was a Nordita fellow from 1967-1971. In the following years he produced a number of tremendously influential articles on highly energetic particle collisions. Nielsen is today regarded one of the fathers of String Theory. Nordita has remained a strong player in the field of String Theory with Paolo Di Vecchia and Konstantin Zarembo leading the high-energy theory group.
Nordita: the 50 years in Copenhagen, a research project supported by the Niels Bohr Archive and led by Helle Kiilerich, Chris Pethick, Ben Mottelsson, and Einar Guðmundsson.
Í tilefni af sextíu ára afmaeli NORDITA ("On the occasion of NORDITA's sixtieth anniversary", in Icelandic) by Einar Guðmundsson, former Nordita Fellow and board member. With an emphasis on the Icelandic contribution to Nordita.
NORDITA 50 år (in Swedish), by Christofer Cronström, published 2008 in Reflexer, the journal of Fysikersamfundet i Finland.
The Changing Face of NORDITA, 1957 - 1997 by Pofessors Ben Mottelson and Chris Pethick, first published in the Nordita Annual Report 1996.
James Hamilton, physicist, an online biography, written by A. Hamilton in 2009. James Hamilton was a Nordita Professor of Theoretical Particle Physics from 1964 to 1986, and the biography includes chapters on his years at Nordita in Copenhagen.
In the 1970's Nordita was instrumental in building up the field of astrophysics and cosmology in the Nordic countries through the training of young researchers and organizing workshops, and summer schools. It was an attractive subject for Nordita to introduce because of the numerous observational discoveries due to advances in instrumentation, and because astrophysics has broad contacts with other branches of physics that were already pursued at the Institute. This extension of research areas was aided by the flexibility Nordita had to make strategic recruitments and attract world class talent.
Astrophysical research at Nordita is still outstanding in its areas of specialization: the study of compact objects and high-density matter (neutron stars, black holes) led by Christopher Pethick, astrophysical magneto-hydrodynamics and plasma astrophysics led by Axel Brandenburg. This is a field that has greatly benefitted from the rapid increase in computational power allowing more sophisticated simulation of physical systems. Pethick has advanced physics by his imaginative applications of many-body theory across several different areas, starting with helium liquids, continuing with neutron star dynamics and supernova collapse, and more recently the analysis of the rich physics of ultra-cold atomic condensates, where he and his colleagues are engaged in a continuing dialogue with leading experimentalists.
Nordita has a strong tradition in the field of condensed matter physics. Alan Luther and Christopher Pethick came to Nordita in the mid 1970's and had profound influence on the development of condensed matter physics in the Nordic countries. Alan Luther is known for his work on electron systems in one dimension. The techniques he invented are of prime importance in the study of nano wires, including those exhibiting topological phases of matter. The strong emphasis on condensed matter physics continues with the recent addition of Alexander Balatsky, a leading expert on the theory of strongly correlated electrons, to the Nordita senior faculty.
The discovery of chaos and self-organized criticality in complex systems was one of the most important developments in science in the second half of the 20th century. These concepts are tightly woven into the fabric of many fields of science, and we have only touched on the full scope of insights they can bring. John Hertz, who joined Nordita in 1981, is a pioneer in the theory of neural networks and author of one of the defining textbooks in the field. Kim Sneppen, who was a Nordita fellow from 1989 to 1991, and co-author of the well known Bak-Sneppen model of co-evolution of interacting species, is recognized for his work on self-organized criticality and non-linear dynamics, extending into the field of biological networks. This field of research has a close interaction between theory and experiments on specific biological systems, such as bacteriophages (viruses infecting bacteria).
The scientific history of Nordita spans over 50 years and includes many other notable developments that are not described here. Over time, not only the content of fundamental research in theoretical physics has changed, but also its infrastructure and technology. The information age deeply affects how researchers gather and disseminate information and facilitates long-distance collaborations. Today seminars at Nordita are routinely recorded and uploaded to YouTube and software for computational astrophysics, developed at Nordita, is publicly available worldwide. Extensive numerical simulations have become an indispensible part of Nordita research, and, in that, the Institute greatly benefits from ready access to world-class technological infrastructure in Sweden and the other Nordic countries.
This page was printed on 2019-07-19 from www.nordita.org/aboutus/history
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This image released by Showtime shows Chelsea Manning in a scene from “XY Chelsea,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on Wednesday, May 1, and will air on Showtime on June 7. (Showtime via AP)
Chelsea Manning doc debuts with its subject imprisoned again
Manning was jailed again after being found in contempt for refusing to answer questions about WikiLeaks
May. 3, 2019 6:20 a.m.
Three years in the making, the Chelsea Manning documentary “XY Chelsea” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival after being frantically recut to update the film with the latest turn in the saga of the former intelligence analyst.
The filmmakers had envisioned a more celebratory evening.
“A few weeks ago, we were planning for her to be with us on the stage,” director Tim Travers Hawkins said in an interview. “Obviously, things can change fast.”
In May 2017, Manning walked out of the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, after President Barack Obama commuted her 35-year sentence for leaking troves of military and diplomatic materials — some 750,000 classified documents — to WikiLeaks. Hawkins, having already connected with Manning through her friend Lisa Rein and Manning’s legal team, was there filming her release.
“The very first time I saw her was through the camera lens,” he said.
“Chelsea XY,” which Showtime will air on June 7 after a limited theatrical run beginning in Los Angeles on May 10, is an intimate look at what followed for Manning, who was known as Pvt. Bradley Manning when she was arrested in 2010 after, while on leave from Iraq, she uploaded the Army reports that came to be known as the Iraq War Logs.
Almost two years after being freed, Manning was jailed again in March after being found in contempt for refusing to answer questions before a grand jury about WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange, who was arrested on April 11 at the Ecuadorian embassy in London . Manning can be held as long as the government believes it still needs her testimony in the case, a process that could take years.
READ MORE: WikiLeaks’ Assange gets 50 weeks in prison for bail-jumping
Manning’s lawyers have said the government is abusing the grand jury process and that she disclosed everything she knew in earlier court-martial proceedings. “I don’t have anything to contribute to this, or another grand jury,” Manning said in an earlier statement. “While I miss home, they can continue to hold me in jail, with all the harmful consequences that brings.”
Manning was in solitary confinement for a month but is now jailed with the prison’s general population.
“I’m very concerned about her being there and I’m concerned about what this means for the rest of her life, that this is just another example,” said Nancy Hollander, an attorney for Manning, after the film’s screening Wednesday night. “The government is going to continue to go after her.”
Producer Isabel Davis said “XY Chelsea” was done and locked when Manning was again imprisoned. Changing the ending was, she says, “obviously quite a hard thing to make happen.”
“It’s taken a lot of good will on people’s parts to make it happen,” said Davis.
Hawkins adds, though, that the arc of the film remains the same, that there was always an ominous sense of concern around Manning, “an impending doom” that Manning herself mentions in the film.
The film captures Manning as she gets acquainted to both herself and to civilian life after seven years imprisoned. Manning is seen learning how to put on make-up in the film and playing video games. She discusses her anguished upbringing in small-town Oklahoma and her impromptu enlistment.
“I’m not the person people think I am,” Manning says.
The effect on her of more than 170 days in solitary confinement she spent, beginning in Kuwait, is apparent. Manning several times tried committing suicide in prison.
“I just remember whenever I was in Kuwait that I died. I was alive but I was dead,” Manning says in the film. “And I’ve been dead ever since.”
Hawkins says he hopes “XY Chelsea” will allow people to know Manning “in an emotional way.” For him, Manning’s difficult young life as an outsider to her family and to society led to her empathy for the victims of the Iraq War.
“The media played a part in really distorting the relationship between her identity and the disclosures,” says Hawkins. “Part of what this film is is teasing that apart in order to reframe it.”
That frame is, in part, a coming of age story, albeit one in extraordinary circumstances, and always with a shadow over it.
“Three years ago today, I have a letter from Chelsea when she was still in prison at Leavenworth,” says Hawkins. “And she makes kind of a dark joke: ‘I think I’m going to miss the premiere.’”
READ MORE: U.S. charges Wikileaks’ Assange with conspiring with Manning
Jake Coyle, The Associated Press
Beacon Hill Children’s Farm remembers death of stolen baby goat
Conservatives seek criminal investigation of Trudeau’s trips to Aga Khan’s island
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Officials Turn To New Ebola Vaccine To Curb Deadly Outbreak In Democratic Republic Of Congo : Goats and Soda The Democratic Republic of Congo, with a suspected 19 deaths so far from the virus, is turning to an as-yet-unlicensed vaccine with a very promising track record.
Goats and Soda
STORIES OF LIFE IN A CHANGING WORLD
Can The New Ebola Vaccine Stop The Latest Outbreak?
Can The New Ebola Vaccine Stop The Latest Outbreak? 2:32
May 15, 20185:01 PM ET
Nurith Aizenman
A woman is vaccinated at a health center in Conakry, Guinea, during the clinical trials of a vaccine against the Ebola virus. Cellou Binani /AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Cellou Binani /AFP/Getty Images
A woman is vaccinated at a health center in Conakry, Guinea, during the clinical trials of a vaccine against the Ebola virus.
First Ebola Vaccine Likely To Stop The Next Outbreak
The Ebola vaccine has been two decades in the making, but it's only now being put to use in the face of a looming crisis.
The virus has been spreading through a northern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since at least April there have been 2 confirmed cases and 39 more suspected ones. Nineteen people have died.
Congo Declares New Ebola Outbreak After 2 Confirmed Cases
In hopes of curbing the spread, global health officials are launching a vaccination campaign. Four thousand doses of the vaccine have been shipped to the DRC — with another 4,000 to follow soon. The World Health Organization is coordinating the vaccination effort.
The vaccine – called rVSV-ZEBOV — was first tested in 2015 in the waning months of the massive Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Ira Longini, a biostatistician at the University of Florida who helped run that trial, notes that 7,500 people were given the vaccine.
"Not a single person that was vaccinated got infected," he says.
They did what's called a ring vaccination. For each infected person, officials locate everyone who was in close proximity. And then for each of those contacts, they locate everyone who was in close proximity to them. That's the ring.
"Then all those people in the ring are vaccinated as quickly as possible," he says.
And it wasn't just that the vaccine was found 100 percent effective for those who received it. Even if everyone in the ring is not vaccinated, the trial showed a cut in overall transmission by about 75 percent.
"That is a big deal," says Longini. "It's very unusual."
But by the time these results came in, the outbreak in West Africa was basically over. And since then — apart from a few small flare-ups there hasn't been occasion to use the vaccine. Also it's still awaiting licensing. That takes a while. So governments need to give special permission for it to be used.
Tarik Jasarevic, a spokesman for the World Health Organization, says the DRC has moved quickly to cut through the paperwork.
"This time around the approvals have been done very fast," he says.
That's because of some worrisome signs about this outbreak. On the one hand, like many previous outbreaks in the DRC, this one is in a hard to reach area, suggesting the risk of spread is low.
"We are talking about a remote area of small villages with no paved roads," says Jasarevic.
"But," he adds "it is on the shore of the river where there is important transport" that leads to a much larger regional city. "We are taking this very seriously because there is an important level of risk of virus going elsewhere other than this remote part of the country."
Merck, which produces the vaccine, will be donating it. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the British-based charity the Wellcome Trust, and the British government have jointly contributed $4 million to carry out the campaign.
Ebola vaccine
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AI’s Potential To Diagnose And Treat Mental Illness
Featured In Harvard Business Review
Our Expertise Insights AI’s Potential To Diagnose And Treat Mental Illness
By Parie Garg and Sam Glick
The article first appeared in the Harvard Business Review on October 22, 2018.
The United States faces a mental health epidemic. Nearly one in five American adults suffers from a form of mental illness. Suicide rates are at an all-time high, 115 people die daily from opioid abuse, and one in eight Americans over 12 years old take an antidepressant every day. The economic burden of depression alone is estimated to be at least $210 billion annually, with more than half of that cost coming from increased absenteeism and reduced productivity in the workplace.
In a crisis that has become progressively dire over the past decade, digital solutions — many with artificial intelligence (AI) at their core — offer hope for reversing the decline in our mental wellness. New tools are being developed by tech companies and universities with potent diagnostic and treatment capabilities that can be used to serve large populations at reasonable costs.
AI solutions are arriving at an opportune time. The nation is confronting a critical shortfall in psychiatrists and other mental health specialists that is exacerbating the crisis. Nearly 40% of Americans live in areas designated by the federal government as having a shortage of mental health professionals; more than 60% of U.S. counties are without a single psychiatrist within their borders. Those fortunate enough to live in areas with sufficient access to mental health services often can’t afford them because many therapists don’t accept insurance.
Instead, the countless undiagnosed suffer, or look to emergency rooms and primary care physicians for treatment. Patients with depression, for instance, see their primary care physicians more than five times on average annually, versus fewer than three times for those without depression. For this reason, even though mental health treatment appears to account for only 4% of employer health costs, it’s really linked to nearly a quarter of them.
While some may consider the digitization of mental health services impersonal, the inherent anonymity of AI turns out to be a positive in some instances. Patients, who are often embarrassed to reveal problems to a therapist they’ve never met before, let down their guard with AI-powered tools. The lower cost of AI treatments versus seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist is another plus. These advantages help AI tools ferret out the undiagnosed, speed up needed treatment, and improve the odds of positive outcomes.
Like all digitization efforts in health care and other industries, these new tools pose risks, especially to patient privacy. Health care has already become a prime target of hackers as more and more records have been digitized. But hacking claims data is one thing; getting access to each patient’s most intimate details presents a whole new type of risk — particularly when those details are linked to consumer data and social media logins. Providers must design their solutions from the outset to employ mitigation techniques such as storing minimal personally identifiable data, regularly deleting session transcripts following analysis, and encrypting data on the server itself (not just communications).
AI vendors also must deal with the acknowledged limitations of AI, such as a tendency for machine learning to discriminate based on race, gender, or age. For instance, if an AI tool that uses speech patterns to detect mental illness is trained using speech samples only from one demographic group, working with patients from outside that group might result in false alerts and incorrect diagnoses. Similarly, a virtual therapist trained primarily on the faces of tech company employees may be less effective reading non-verbal cues from women, people of color, or seniors — few of whom work in tech. To avoid this risk, AI vendors must recognize the tendency and develop AI tools using the same rigorous standards as research clinicians who diligently seek test groups representative of the whole community.
More broadly, AI’s scale can be both a blessing and a curse. With AI, one poor programming choice carries the risk of harming millions of patients. Just as in drug development, we’re going to need careful regulation to make sure that large-scale treatment protocols remain safe and effective.
But as long as appropriate safeguards are in place, there are concrete signs that AI offers a powerful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the battle against mental illness. Below, we examine four approaches with the greatest promise.
Making humans better. At their most basic level, AI solutions help psychiatrists and other mental health professionals do their jobs better. They collect and analyze reams of data much more quickly than humans could and then suggest effective ways to treat patients.
Ginger.io’s virtual mental health services — including video and text-based therapy and coaching sessions — provide a good example. Through analyzing past assessments and real-time data collected using mobile devices, the Ginger.io app can help specialists track patients’ progress, identify times of crisis, and develop individualized care plans. In a year-long survey of Ginger.io users, 72 percent reported clinically significant improvements in symptoms of depression.
Anticipating problems. Mental health diagnosis is also being supplemented by machine-learning tools, which automatically expand their capabilities based on experience and new data. One example is Quartet Health, which screens patient medical histories and behavioral patterns to uncover undiagnosed mental health problems. For instance, Quartet can flag possible anxiety based on whether someone has been repeatedly tested for a non-existent cardiac problem.
It also can recommend pre-emptive follow-up in cases where patients may become depressed or anxious after receiving a bad diagnosis or treatment for a major physical illness. Already being adopted by insurance companies and employer medical plans, Quartet has reduced emergency room visits and hospitalizations by 15 to 25% for some of its users.
Dr. Bot. So-called chatbot counseling is another AI tool producing results. Chatbots are computer programs that simulate human conversation, either through text or a voice-enabled AI interface. In mental health, these bots are being pressed into service by employers and health insurers to root out individuals who might be struggling with substance abuse, depression, or anxiety and provide access to convenient and cost-effective care.
Woebot, for example, is a chatbot developed by clinical psychologists at Stanford University in 2017. It treats depression and anxiety using a digital version of the 40-year-old technique of cognitive behavioral therapy – a highly structured talk psychotherapy that seeks to alter a patient’s negative thought patterns in a limited number of sessions.
In a study of university students suffering from depression, those using Woebot experienced close to a 20% improvement in just two weeks, based on PHQ-9 scores — a common measure of depression. One reason for Woebot’s success with the study group was the high level of participant engagement. At a low cost of $39 per month, most were talking to the bot nearly every day — a level of engagement that simply doesn’t occur with in-person counseling.
Chatbots are being pressed into service to root out individuals struggling with substance abuse, depression, or anxiety and provide access to convenient and cost-effective care.
The next generation. Today’s mental health AI solutions may be just the beginning. The University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies has developed a virtual therapist named Ellie that hints at what’s ahead. Ellie is far more than the usual chatbot — she can also detect nonverbal cues and respond accordingly. For instance, she has learned when to nod approvingly or perhaps utter a well-placed “hmmm” to encourage patients to be more forthcoming.
Ellie — an avatar rendered in 3-D on a television screen — functions by using different algorithms that determine her questions, motions, and gestures. The program observes 66 points on the patient’s face and notes the patient’s rate of speech and the length of pauses before answering questions. Ellie’s actions, motions, and speech mimic those of a real therapist — but not entirely, which is an advantage with patients who are fearful of therapy.
In a research project with soldiers recently returned from Afghanistan, Ellie uncovered more evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the Post-Deployment Health Assessment administered by the military. Ellie was even able to identify certain “tells” common to individuals suffering from PTSD. With up to 20% of returning veterans coping with PTSD and a staggering suicide rate among the population, the potential impact of a solution like Ellie is significant.
As with all potential breakthroughs, caveats remain and safeguards must be developed. Yet, there’s no doubt we’re on the cusp of an AI revolution in mental health — one that holds the promise of both better access and better care at a cost that won’t break the bank.
This article is posted with permission of Harvard Business Publishing. Any further copying, distribution, or use is prohibited without written consent from HBP - permissions@harvardbusiness.org.
Parie Garg
Partner, Health & Life Sciences, Chicago; Medicaid expert
Sam Glick
Partner, Health & Life Sciences; Director, Oliver Wyman Health Innovation Center Leaders Alliance
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Archives|Putin Dismisses U.S. Reports That Russia Shipped Nuclear Weapons for Baltic Fleet
Putin Dismisses U.S. Reports That Russia Shipped Nuclear Weapons for Baltic Fleet
By PATRICK E. TYLER JAN. 7, 2001
President Vladimir V. Putin today described as ''rubbish'' American intelligence reports that the Russian military had moved tactical nuclear weapons into a storage depot that serves the Baltic Fleet in Kaliningrad.
Taking a walk around Red Square this evening with the German chancellor, Gerhard Schroder, Mr. Putin was asked about the reports, which were emanating this week from Washington, and, speaking in German, he responded, ''That's rubbish.''
The mysterious movement of an undetermined number of tactical nuclear weapons -- those fired on short-range missiles on land or at sea -- was initially reported by The Washington Times and was subsequently confirmed by Clinton administration officials.
Those officials said they had registered no protest with Moscow, though a State Department spokesman, Richard Boucher, said the issue was one ''we want to discuss with them.
''It's something that we follow carefully,'' he added.
American officials said the storage of tactical weapons in Kaliningrad did not violate any agreements with Russia, and Pentagon officials said they were unsure of the military significance of the movement. Russia had pledged to keep the Baltic Sea region free of nuclear weapons, and so the reports seemed to undermine the Kremlin's credibility.
Kaliningrad, which before World War II was the Prussian university town of Konigsberg, lies on the Baltic Sea between Poland and Lithuania on a sliver of land not connected to the rest of Russia.
The commander of the Baltic Sea fleet, Adm. Vladimir Yegorov, recently ran successfully for governor of Kaliningrad with Mr. Putin's support.
The new governor, who for the moment retains his post as fleet commander, called the American reports ''a New Year's joke'' and said the Baltic region would remain a nuclear-free zone. ''Nobody has ever disturbed -- and nobody is going to disturb -- this state of affairs,'' he added.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman, Alexander Yakovenko, said on Russian television today that ''none of the Baltic Fleet's naval, air force or land facilities located in the Kaliningrad region has ever had any tactical nuclear weapons.''
That statement was certainly questionable, as the Baltic Fleet comprised a number of surface warships and submarines that were deployed with nuclear weapons during the cold war.
However, in a nonbinding set of agreements with the Bush administration in 1991, Russia is believed to have withdrawn tactical nuclear weapons from all of its warships, including those in the Baltic Fleet.
Still, any change in the status of Russian armed forces attracts attention, as did training exercises for Russian strategic bombers this winter, and the naval exercises last summer in which the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk sank.
A version of this article appears in print on January 7, 2001, on Page 1001006 of the National edition with the headline: Putin Dismisses U.S. Reports That Russia Shipped Nuclear Weapons for Baltic Fleet. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe
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Sunday Book Review|Pre-existing Conditions
By LEAH HAGER COHEN MARCH 11, 2010
See how this article appeared when it was originally published on NYTimes.com
It’s like that old joke: A priest, a minister and a rabbi are discussing the beginning of life. The priest says it begins at conception. The minister says it begins at birth. “And you?” they ask the rabbi. “When do you believe life begins?” He gives a shrug. “When the kids move out and the dog dies.”
Shep Knacker, the protagonist of Lionel Shriver’s latest novel, “So Much for That,” believes his life will begin in earnest only when he quits the rat race and moves to Pemba, an island off the coast of Tanzania whose principal attraction is the low cost of living. Or, as Shep thinks of it, “The third world was running a sale: two lives for the price of one.” Never mind that he built his own company and then sold it for a million dollars. Shep persists in feeling like “an indentured servant.” He wants his liberty, he tells his wife, trying to sell her on the merits of his plan: “I want to buy myself.” Her reply: “But liberty isn’t any different from money, is it?” And, sure enough, the questions this novel raises about human existence prove less ontological than economic. Lest one miss the point, more than half the chapters open with a bank statement, underscoring the impression that plot and character development might be tracked via account balance.
Laying aside for a moment the paradox of a “freedom” wholly dependent on the exchange rate between the Tanzanian shilling and the United States dollar — laying aside, too, the dubious implications of a white American seeking to shed his “slave” status by purchasing land on the cheap and building a home in Africa — can a novel that regards human experience through its relationship to dollars and cents have literary merit? Can it be entertaining, rousing, illuminating?
Well, yes. Look at Austen, Dickens, Thackeray, James, Wharton. Or, more recently, Louis Auchincloss, Tom Wolfe, Jay McInerney. All have made hearty fictional stew out of the ways money both predicates and instigates action. But the approach works best when novelists account for the fact that money is hardly ever (to paraphrase Richard Yates) the real reason characters act — when it’s treated, rather, as a means to stir up weightier social, psychological and philosophical concerns.
Credit Illustration by Alain Pilon
Shriver, it would seem, has laid the groundwork to do just that. Neither stingy with subplots nor shy about taking on timely, complex issues, she tosses plenty of both into the pot with real daring and brio. Almost as soon as we meet Shep and learn of his determination at last to embark on “the Afterlife” (as he has christened his long-cherished escape fantasy), he’s hit with the news that his wife, Glynis, has a rare cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, which puts the kibosh on his plans. With oddly triumphant coolness, she informs him that she wishes he wouldn’t go: “I’m afraid I will need your health insurance.”
Co-pays, deductibles, out-of-network providers and lifetime payment caps all become part of Shep’s vernacular, first as he navigates his wife’s illness and treatment, then as his octogenarian father breaks his leg and must be moved, at Shep’s expense, into a nursing home. The idiom of illness seeps into the way he views his plight: As his Pemba nest egg dwindles, Shep thinks of himself as “hemorrhaging” money. He sees Glynis’s surgery as “gouging a meaty chunk” from his portfolio, “as if to fiscally mirror the violence inflicted on his wife’s abdomen.” Conversely, his thoughts on mortality conform to the lingo of finance: as far as he’s concerned, the fact that Glynis is dying at age 51 means she is “owed” an “astronomical debt.”
While visiting his father, a retired minister, in the nursing home, Shep wonders aloud about “a limit to how much you should pay to keep any one person alive.” His father parses the matter more finely, asking “what a life is worth, in dollars.” If the scene’s ensuing dialogue is salted with phrases (expenditure cap, cost-effectiveness, generic ibuprofen) that seem more suited to an editorial on the health care debate than to an intimate exchange between mournful son and ailing paterfamilias, this might reflect Shriver’s journalistic status as a regular contributor to The Guardian of London. There’s nothing wrong with writing a newsworthy novel, but at times these prodigiously researched and exhaustively argued critiques read more like excerpts from a position paper.
Health care also figures crucially in the story of Shep’s best friend, Jackson, first because his 16-year-old daughter has familial dysautonomia, a congenital degenerative condition requiring frequent medical interventions, and later because Jackson undergoes elective plastic surgery on a “certain” part of his lower anatomy (for more than a third of the book Shriver alludes to this matter in equally coy-yet-transparent language). Said operation, horrifically botched, leads to several reconstructive surgeries, themselves not only “exorbitant” but “disappointing.” These in turn lead to the ruin of Jackson’s marriage, the bankrupting of his family and the . . . well, I won’t give it away, except to say that a “certain” subplot concludes in a scene worthy of a splatter movie. Jane Austen, anyone?
Although this violent swerve into what seemed like a whole different subgenre initially struck me as jarring (so jarring that I wondered whether Shriver’s intentions could be comedic), on reflection it seems not entirely unpresaged. The amount of calcified rage contained in these pages is awesome. Shep is a paragon of passive-aggression, at once disgusted by and perversely proud of the way he absorbs abuse without complaint. Glynis, who begins the book “stiff, uncooperative and inflexible,” undergoes a lamentable kind of emotional growth after the cancer diagnosis: she develops full-blown schadenfreude. Jackson carries around so much excess anger that his acknowledged pastime is ranting. He can keep it up for pages at a time: about “the immigrants,” “arty bohemian types,” “Mugs and Mooches,” parking tickets, taxes, schools and, of course, health care. Jackson’s wife maintains a disturbingly highhanded calm bordering “on insanity.” Shep’s sister is a caricature of shrewish resentment and cunning. His teenage son is so shut-down he puts Shep in mind of hikikomori, youngJapanese who suffer from such acute social withdrawal that they never leave their rooms. And Shep’s boss (Shep now works for the company he sold) is an uninflected ogre.
Shriver, the author of nine previous novels and the winner of Britain’s Orange Prize in 2005 for “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” tackles her multifaceted plot with energy and grit. She can and does hold forth smartly on any number of subjects, both topical and esoteric. The book doesn’t suffer from vapidity or diffidence or dearth of event. What it lacks is a fullness of wisdom about its characters’ potential for growth. If none of the characters are particularly becoming, it may be because none become in any meaningful way over the course of the book. When at last Shep glimpses a solution to his woes, it isn’t the result of an expanded capacity to perceive worth. The trick turns out to be precisely “putting a dollar value on human life” — in other words, the fulfillment of his misguided sense of entitlement.
SO MUCH FOR THAT
By Lionel Shriver
436 pp. Harper/HarperCollins Publishers. $25.99
Leah Hager Cohen, a frequent contributor to the Book Review, teaches at the College of the Holy Cross.
A version of this review appears in print on March 14, 2010, on Page BR11 of the Sunday Book Review with the headline: Pre-existing Conditions. Today's Paper|Subscribe
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Home Blog 10 Famous Failures That’ll Inspire You to Try One More Time
10 Famous Failures That’ll Inspire You to Try One More Time
Nicole Martins Ferreira Getting Started
5 Sep, 2018 8 min read 4 comments
Have you ever failed so terribly that you didn’t want to get out of bed? Sometimes everything falls apart at the same time leaving you unsure of what to do next. But if you’re currently banging your head against the wall in frustration, just know that the famous failures on this list had some bumps in the road too. And if they could figure stuff out, turn their lives around, and go on to become some of the greatest successes in history, so can you.
1. Sara Blakely
2. Walt Disney
3. Jeff Bezos
4. Steve Jobs
5. J.K. Rowling
6. Sir James Dyson
8. Nick Woodman
9. Vera Wang
10. Sophia Amoruso
Billionaire Sara Blakely was encouraged to fail by her father growing up. Every week during supper her father would ask, “What have you failed at this week?” So while she’s one of the famous failures, she never let her failure stand in her way. Because to Sara Blakely, failure just meant that you were trying.
While selling fax machines, Blakely realized that the undergarment she needed didn’t exist. So, she cut out holes at the feet of her pantyhose, which sparked the idea for a new product. She ended up shopping her idea to several manufacturers – who thought her idea was crazy. They refused to create her product. But Blakely kept searching until one day her luck changed. A manufacturer who’d rejected her had told the idea to his daughters, who told him that he had to create that product. That product resulted in her building a successful retail brand called Spanx.
The real lesson in this famous failure is to look at failure as something that forces you to keep trying.
You can’t think about Disney without thinking about the magic it brings into the world. But sometimes creating even the most magical things has its setbacks. Walt Disney was one of the world’s most famous failures. According to The Wisdom of Oz, when Disney was only 22 years old he was fired from his job at a newspaper by an editor who said he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”
After getting fired, he acquired Laugh-O-Gram, his first animation studio, which eventually went bankrupt. With only $40 in his pocket, he set out to Los Angeles only to realize that Hollywood didn’t have any animation studios. This eventually led to the creation of Mickey Mouse and the rest is history. Today, The Walt Disney Company is worth $95.79 billion and has won countless awards. Despite his death in 1966, Walt Disney’s legacy continues to live on.
This famous failure teaches us that despite the failures you experience in life, your creation can continue to be a roaring success long after you’re gone.
He may be the world’s richest man today, but Jeff Bezos has said that he’s also made “‘billions of dollars of failures.”’ Prior to building Amazon, he built a company called zShops, which eventually sparked the idea for Amazon Marketplace. But even at Amazon, he’s created countless failed products (remember the Fire phone?). However, Bezos’ believes in creating a culture at Amazon that embraces failure. He doesn’t believe in creating the same products as everyone else. And so being innovative has led to some failure.
Today, Jeff Bezos’ is worth $150 billion. Amazon continues to grow into an even bigger and more popular ecommerce website. It’s arguably the biggest online store in the world with AliBaba fighting for the top spot. In 2017, Amazon made $177.9 billion in revenue.
The moral of the story in this famous failure is that innovation will lead to failure. Anyone can create the same products their competitors create. However, to really gain a competitive edge on someone you need to put a different spin on existing products in the market. To be different enough to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Believe it or not, getting fired has sparked some of the greatest successes in history. The most famous failure is Steve Jobs getting fired from the company he created after an altercation with his board of directors at Apple. Jobs said that the firing helped him enter a creative period resulting in the acquisition of animation studio Pixar.
In 1997, Jobs was hired back at Apple. He’d go on to invent some of the greatest technologies at the company such as the iPod, Macbook, iPad, power adapter, and of course the iPhone. And Pixar was acquired by Disney for $7.4 billion in 2006. When Jobs died in 2011, his net worth was an estimated $10.2 billion. Not too shabby for a guy who was fired from his own company.
His famous failure teaches you that sometimes painful setbacks help you learn new skills, get new experiences, and begin a different chapter in life. And it also shows you that just because you move towards another direction, it doesn’t mean you can’t go back.
It’s hard to believe but J.K. Rowling, the author and creator of Harry Potter, has enough failures under her belt to make it onto this list of famous failures. Before Harry Potter was ever published, Rowling was on welfare while unemployed and divorced. It was during this time that she jotted down the idea of Harry Potter on a napkin. But she needed to bring her idea to life. So she wrote her first Harry Potter book. And it was rejected by 12 publishers.
Despite the rejections, J.K. Rowling went on to publish that book and six more after that. She’s the ninth best-selling fiction author, selling over 500 million copies of her books. The entire Harry Potter franchise alone is worth $25 billion. Her books have been turned into movies. Her characters have been added to merchandise. Today, her net worth is believed to be around $650 million.
The greatest lesson in this famous failure is to execute on your ideas. Lots of people scribble ideas into journals or napkins but they never do anything about it. Rowling did something about it.
Sir James Dyson is one of the greatest inventors this generation. And as an inventor, he wanted to create a vacuum design that didn’t require bags, which was something no one even considered doing at the time. It took 5,126 vacuum designs until he finally created a vacuum that worked. He tried selling his vacuum to manufacturers… and was rejected.
In 2017, the Dyson brand made over $1.03 billion USD in profit. And Sir James? He’s comfortably sitting on the billionaire list with a net worth of over $10 billion USD.
Famous failures like this one show that the secret to success is constant creation. By constantly creating different designs, you inch closer to creating something truly innovative, valuable, and needed in the marketplace. The more you experiment, the more you’ll grow.
Oprah Winfrey may be one of the biggest sensations today. However, she had a pretty rocky starts. With a rough childhood that resulted in a teen pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage, Oprah learned to persevere at a young age. She eventually landed a television gig in Baltimore where a producer told her that she was “unfit for television news.”
However, that same producer went on to offer her a role on another television show called People Are Talking. That show ended up becoming a huge success. This eventually led to Oprah become the host of her own show, which aired for 25 years. And today, she owns her own television network called OWN. Her net worth is estimated at $4 billion, putting her on the list of the top 500 richest people in the world.
Famous failures like Oprah’s teach you that it doesn’t matter where you start. As long as you work hard and don’t give up, you can continue to achieve bigger successes.
In 1997, Nick Woodman realized he wanted to become an entrepreneur. However, despite his first attempts with businesses like EmpowerAll, which sold electronics, and FunBug, which was a gaming and marketing platform. But he didn’t achieve any real success with these businesses. So he did what most entrepreneurs do. He pursued his passions. He loved surfing and traveling, so he decided to embark on a surfing tour. This tour helped him realize that there wasn’t anything on the market that allowed him to take surfing videos while he surfed. And GoPro was born.
Today, Woodman has an estimated net worth of $990 million. He’s sold over 30 million of his cameras worldwide. He credits his success with GoPro to his two earlier failed ventures as it reminded him that he needed to work even harder to make it a success.
This famous failure shows that inspiration can strike at anytime. If you’re destined to achieve greatness, it’ll come to you when you’re not thinking about it. It also shows that the greatest successes come from solving problems no one has thought to solve before.
Vera Wang’s earlier career started out like many others. She worked a full-time job at someone else’s company. She spent 15 years working her way up at Vogue. However, after repeatedly getting rejected for the Editor in Chief position, she realized that her career at Vogue just wouldn’t go any further. This led to her becoming a fashion designer and building a name for herself in the wedding gown industry.
Today, Vera Wang dresses have been worn by countless celebrities like Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Mariah Carey, Kaley Cuoco, Jennifer Lopez, Hilary Duff, and more. Her company makes more than $343.8 million in revenue each year and employs nearly 200 people. Her net worth is estimated to be $420 million.
Famous failures like Vera Wang’s teach you two core lessons. First, that you can build up a wealth of knowledge while working a 9 to 5 job that you can apply to your future business. And second, that you need to know when to pivot. By realizing she wasn’t going to get the Editor in Chief role, she opened up the possibility of taking on an opportunity much greater than Vogue could ever offer.
Failure doesn’t only happen before you achieve success, it happens throughout your career. Sophia Amoruso is no stranger to public failure. Her online store Nasty Gal started out as an eBay store. Despite her roaring success on eBay, her account was eventually suspended, leading her to the creation of her own online store.
Nasty Gal became one of the fastest growing online stores, growing to over $100 million in revenue and employing over 350 people. Unfortunately, not all famous failures have happy endings. In Amoruso’s case, her business declared bankruptcy in 2016. Netflix even created an entire series loosely based on her life called Girl Boss which was canceled after one season (her failure was apparently contagious). However, despite all these failures, Amoruso is still only 34 years old so a comeback can still be underway. (And don’t worry: With an estimated net worth north of $10 million, she still has a roof over her head.)
Famous failures like Amoruso’s show that the balance of success and failure are the ultimate entrepreneurial journey. There’ll be waves of failure throughout the span of your career. And when it happens, all you can do is learn from it and move forward.
The biggest lesson these famous failures show is that everyone experiences failure. Whether you’re currently experiencing some major setbacks or on track to skyrocketing success, your journey will be filled with ups and downs along the way. By repositioning how you view failure, you’ll find it easier to overcome obstacles to achieve even greater success.
What’s been your biggest failure so far? How did you overcome it?
Fear of Failure: How to Overcome Fear in Business
How to Be Successful (And Get Everything You Want in Life)
10 Obvious Signs You Should Be Working For Yourself
13 Astonishing Habits of a Successful Entrepreneur
Nicole Martins Ferreira
Nicole Martins Ferreira is a content marketer at Oberlo and experienced ecommerce entrepreneur. She’s been building online stores since 2013 and sharing her secrets with Oberlo users since 2016. Follow her on Twitter @nicolemarfer.
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Stinging Pests »
Having trouble with Stinging Pests?
Scorpion Facts
Scorpion bites release venoms that contain complex mixtures of short neurotoxic proteins. Initial symptoms of a scorpion sting include localized pain or burning, minor swellings that are sensitive to the touch, numbness with intermittent tingling sensations and severe muscle cramps.
Scorpion Pictures
Learn to identify this pest with these helpful pictures
Close Up Photo of a Scorpion
Several Scorpions
Order Scorpiones
Legs: Scorpions are arachnids that possess eight legs.
Tail: Segmented, erectile tail, which ends with the stinger
Body: Segmented body with claws
Learn more about scorpion identification
How Did I Get Scorpions?
How Do They Get in the House?
Scorpions usually become an indoor problem when they choose to leave their outdoor habitats in search of a better place to live where more food sources are found. If a scorpion’s better choice includes your home’s interior, take action to implement exclusion techniques that include sealing their common entry points with sealant or mortar.
Scorpions commonly use gaps under doors; ground-level windows; gaps surrounding plumbing pipes and utility lines that enter the home; and cracks and gaps in the foundation to get inside a home or business.
Scorpions also gain access by hitchhiking inside in boxes, firewood, potted plants and outdoor furniture.
Once inside, scorpions typically seek out basements, crawl spaces, hidden places under kitchen cabinets or in garages and bathrooms.
How Serious Are Scorpions?
While scorpion stings are generally nonlethal, they are venomous nevertheless. Common side effects include numbness, pain, and localized swelling. In serious cases, vomiting and breathing trouble can occur. Children and the elderly are more likely to have severe reactions from a scorpion sting. Of the numerous scorpion species found in North America, the most medially important species is the bark scorpion.
How Do I Get Rid of Them?
How Orkin treats for scorpions
When scorpions become a problem, the property owner should contact their pest management professional for advice and assistance. Your pest management professional will inspect your property, plus provide services and recommendations that will address what is needed to minimize scorpion problems. Some of the things your treatment plan may include are:
Inspections: Inspecting items to ensure scorpions are not accidentally being moved inside the home. Some common recommendations include checking to ensure scorpions are not in firewood or boxes brought inside from outside storage areas.
Services & Recommendations: Providing services or making recommendations for how to reduce the scorpions on your property based on your pest management professional’s inspection findings. This normally includes efforts to reduce the environmental conditions that support scorpion populations, and if needed, an insecticide application to areas where scorpions are found or where they could enter the home.
Sanitation: Removing debris from around the house where scorpions like to live. Typical scorpion habitat includes areas that provide protection such as under rocks, fallen trees, debris, stacks of firewood, potted plants, outdoor furniture and inside attics, crawl spaces and outdoor storage sheds or barns.
Lawns: Keeping the lawn mowed close to the ground and keeping landscaping plants at least 2 feet away from the house foundation.
Exclusion: Recommending exclusion measures that prevent scorpions from getting inside the home. For example, your treatment plan may identify areas under doorways and openings, torn screens and areas that surround pipes and utility lines entering the house that need to be sealed.
Chemicals: Using chemical products for scorpion treatment. Scorpions prefer to hide in well-protected places, so unless the chemical applications are targeted to their harborage sites, chemical use may not always be effective. However, your pest management professional has the knowledge and experience to know which products and where they need to be applied to treat the problem.
Signs of a Scorpion Infestation
Scorpions typically do not leave signs, other than visual sightings of themselves.
Scorpion Bites
Scorpion concerns usually stem from the sting, which can contain venom, and not from an actual bite. No scorpion venom in the U.S., with one exception, is viewed as a significant medical threat to the average person. In a human victim, a scorpion’s venom may cause symptoms like swelling at the site of the sting. However, some people experience numbness and convulsions. In extreme cases, some people may experience difficulty in breathing. People who are allergic are more likely to die from a dangerous scorpion’s venom. Their chance of survival improves if they receive an injection of antivenom in time to counteract the sting’s effects.
Scorpion Habitat
Scorpions live in very dry climates. Despite this, they are very sensitive to the loss of moisture from their body and hide during the day in shady locations. They obtain most of their water from their prey. Read more about Scorpion Habitats.
Learn more about scorpion stings here.
The scorpion’s anatomy is composed of two segments called the cephalothorax—also known as the abdomen/opisthosoma. A hard, bony outer covering known as the carapace protects the cephalothorax. This covering supports a pair of median eyes at the top center.
The cephalothorax is made up of the head, including the carapace, the eyes, chelicerae or the mouth, the pedipalps or the claws, and four pairs of walking legs. These claws are one of the most significant parts of the scorpion, since they are used to seize prey and defend against predators.
The opisthosoma, or the abdomen, is split into two parts, namely the mesosoma and the metasoma. The mesosoma has seven parts whereas the metasoma has five.
The mesosoma, which is the abdomen’s front half, is made up of six segments. The first are the sexual organs, including a pair of vestigial and modified appendages that form a structure called the genital operculum. The second is the featherlike sensory organ called the pectines. The last four segments contain each pair of lungs. All in all, the mesosoma is shielded with tergites, a chitinous plate on the upper surface, with the sternites on the lower surface.
The other half of the abdomen, which is the metasoma, includes the tail. The tail has six segments, the last of which contains the anus and the stinger. The telson has a vesicle, which in turn has a pair of venom glands and the hypodermic aculeus, or the barb. Some scorpions are born with two tails, which is considered a genetic abnormality.
The cuticle is the tough armor that surrounds the scorpion’s body. It is covered with hairs that work as balancing organs.
Scorpion Identification
The Scorpion Stinger
Spider vs. Scorpion Identification
Female scorpions carry their eggs inside their bodies. When the young leave the female’s body, they climb onto the mother’s back. They stay on the mother’s back until they have gone through their first molt. After that, they climb down and scatter.
Small scorpions resemble adult scorpions. As they age, they shed their exoskeletons. A young scorpion’s progress is measured by the molting stage, since it requires five to seven molts to reach maturity.
Scorpions prefer warm and relatively dry habitats. They find shelter during the day in underground holes or undersides of rocks.
Scorpions become nocturnal when they are old enough to hunt and feed. They invade predators’ homes such as birds, centipedes, lizards, mice, opossums and rats. When hunting for a prey, they use their chelae, or pincers, to either crush or inject their victims with neurotoxic venom, which actually paralyzes or kills their prey. They use small, clawlike structures that protrude from their mouths for eating. Scorpions can only take in their food in a liquid form and will dispose of any solid matter before ingestion.
A scorpion’s lifespan ranges between three and five years, but some have been known to live up to 10 to 15 years.
Scorpion Life Cycle
Scorpion Larvae
Scorpion Species
Presently, there are 1,200 known species of scorpions in the world—and all of these scorpions are dangerous to some degree. Among types of scorpions, the smaller species are often more venomous—larger scorpions compensate by appearing more formidable to potential predators.
One of the more infamous varieties of dangerous scorpions roaming the American Southwest is the Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus). Deaths have been attributed to the venom of these dangerous creatures, but the numbers are uncertain.
The fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus australis) is also one of the more notorious members of the deadly scorpion class. It is believed that this treacherous scorpion is responsible for numerous fatalities in North Africa and the Middle East, where it is very common. It is also known to be quite aggressive, and its venom can be especially deadly to the aged and to children, due to their weaker immune systems and small bodies, respectively. This is one dangerous scorpion that people should really try to avoid.
Another dangerous member of the scorpion family is the aptly named death stalker (Leiurus quinquestriatus). It is native to both the northern and southern hemispheres of Africa and is commonly found in its deserts. Its venom has been proven to be potent.
Types and Species of Scorpions
Deadly Scorpions
Poisonous Scorpions
Striking Scorpions
Desert Scorpions
Garden Scorpion
What Do Scorpions Eat?
Scorpion Human Interaction
What Is the Difference Between a Scorpion and an Insect?
Scorpion Repellent
Natural Scorpion Pest Control
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Voroněž I
Registrace,
Zaslat abstrakt,
a vložné
Doprava,
hotely, okolí
& sponzoři
Tematické okruhy
Informovat kolegy
Sborník
Historie, Sborníky, Foto
Prof. Dr. Nikolay N. LEDENTSOV
H-Index: 80
VI Systems GmbH, Berlin, Germany, EU
Position: Chief Executive Officer of VI Systems GmbH, Berlin, Germany; Professor at Academic University and Abraham Ioffe Institute, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
Specialization: Semiconductors, Optoelectronics, Lasers, Quantum Dot Hetero-structures
At the NANOCON conference Prof. Dr. Ledentsov will deliver the invited lecture "Quantum dots for semiconductor devices".
Education and Career Accomplishments:
Nikolay Ledentsov has been educated as an Engineer in Opto-Electronics. He graduated from the Electrical Engineering Institute in Leningrad in 1982 and the same year started his work at the Ioffe Institute at the laboratory of Prof. Zh. I. Alferov (Nobel Prize in Physics 2000). He received Degrees of Candidate and Doctor of Physics and Mathematics from the Ioffe institute in 1987 and 1994, respectively. In 1990-1991, with the Alexander Karpinsky Fellowship he was a guest scientist at the Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung in Stuttgart, Germany, at the department of Prof. K. von Klitzing (Nobel Prize in Physics 1985). In 1992, Prof. Ledentsov became a Professor (Full Professor since 1994) at the Electrical Engineering University of St. Petersburg. In 1998-2001 (Spring-Summer semesters), he served as DAAD Professor at the TU Berlin. In 2003-2006, he holds Mercator professorship (DFG) at the TU Berlin.
He has more than 25 years of experience in semiconductor research at the Abraham Ioffe Institute and Academic University (Chief Scientist, Professor), both in St. Petersburg, and in the optoelectronics industry where he took Managing Director and Director positions. Since 1994, he has been involved in close scientific collaboration with the Institut für Festkörperphysik of the Technical University of Berlin. He is Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Member of the Scientific Boards of the Abraham Ioffe Institute and the Academic University.
Since 2006 he founded and became Chief Executive Officer of VI Systems GmbH. The company is a fabless developer and producer of components and assemblies for high speed optical data transmission.
Main interests of N. Ledentsov are in the field of physics and technology of semiconductor nanostructures and the related devices, particularly quantum dots (QD) heterostructures, such as InAs/GaAs QDs and their applications in high speed nanophotonic devices.
Summary of publication activity and awards:
Nikolay Ledentsov has above 800 publications in peer-reviewed journals which received more than 31 000 citations. His Hirsch factor is 80. He has authored and co-authored 30 US patents and the related patent families.
He is awarded the 1996 Young Scientist Award of the International Symposium on Compound Semiconductors “for his pioneering and outstanding contributions to the development of physics and MBE growth of InGaAs-GaAs quantum dots and quantum dot lasers”, the Russian State Prize in Science and Technology, the Prize of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences, and other recognitions. Nikolay Ledentsov is Fellow of the Institute of Physics (FInstP) and Senior Member IEEE.
Důležitá data a termíny
Konference se koná 16. - 18. října 2019 - Hotel Voroněž I, Brno, Česká republika
Plné texty
Nahrání prezentace
Zahájení
Společenský večer
Posterová sekce
Hlavní sponzoři
Měřící technika Morava s.r.o.
Sponzoři a vystavovatelé
Carl Zeiss spol. s r.o.
TANGER, spol. s r.o.
Regionální centrum pokročilých technologií a materiálů
Hesla se neshodují!
vyžadováno
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vyberte alespoň jednu možnost
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King Kiwi
Last Updated: Wednesday 24th May 2006, 14:04 pm
Saturday night of 20th May made New Zealand lottery history when a single Powerball player won almost $18 million. The winning ticket was sold by a convenience store in Kaeo, which is a small community in Whangaroa in the Northland. The store had been burgled recently and was only licensed to sell lottery tickets a few months ago.
Previously, the record for New Zealand’s biggest ever Lotto win stood at $15.3 million – a figure achieved last September by a winner in Auckland.
“While the rest of the nation speculated about who has won the huge windfall, the lucky winners remained oblivious to their incredible luck,” said Warren Salisbury, NZ Lotteries Deputy Chief Executive.
The winner has requested to remain anonymous, but said in a statement:
“We had not seen the draw, or heard any of the media coverage. We did not know where it had been sold.
“Out of the blue we got a call from a relative who had heard the winning ticket was sold in Kaeo. We quickly asked him to check the numbers for us on teletext. Initially he read a number out incorrectly, so we thought we’d had a good Second Division Powerball win.
“But then we got the correct numbers, and could not believe it when they matched ours. We had to check the ticket five or six times.
“It really hasn’t sunk in yet, we are absolutely stunned. We are just ordinary people but now we get to live an extraordinary life.”
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Tsara Komba Luxury Beach & Forest Lodge: About the Destination
Located in Nosy Komba Island, Madagascar
The archipelago of Nosy Be is one of the top destinations in Madagascar, its islands blessed with gorgeous beaches, corals, tropical forests, and a slow and easy pace of life. Nosy Komba is situated like a stepping stone between the mainland and the more visited Nosy Be (“big island”).The island slopes up to the centuries-dormant volcano at its heart, and volcanic rocks encircle Nosy Komba, protecting its shores from rough waters. Lush tropical forest and fragrant plantations cover most of the island, harboring an incredible array of endemic flora and fauna, including a colony of habituated black lemurs.
Larger and more touristed, this island off the coast of mainland Madagascar is a 35-minute boat ride from Tsara Komba. Island highlights include a 200-year-old sacred tree, a rum distillery, Mont Passot, and a lively village market where locals sell all manner of fruits and flowers.
Ampangorina
The island’s main village is known for its traditional crafts. At every turn, meet local artists selling their intricately embroidered tablecloths and fine wood carvings. Outside of town, encounter wild lemurs at a nature sanctuary.
The Nosy Be archipelago, including Nosy Komba, is home to the Sakalava people, once part of a powerful kingdom that ruled much of western Madagascar. Today, the Sakalava are known for their seafaring abilities and their women’s elaborate face-painting designs. Several small fishing villages dot the island.
Wildlife and Natural History
Isolated from mainland Africa and India for the past 88 million years, Madagascar is sometimes called the “land that time forgot” for its impressive biodiversity—from leaping lemurs and colorful chameleons to towering baobab trees. Three-fourths of the country’s flora and fauna can be found nowhere else on the planet. Some 5,000 black lemurs live in the wild on Nosy Komba alone, giving the place its other name of “Lemur Island.” Along the coast of this small volcanic island, the crystalline waters of the Mozambique Channel teems with a dazzling array of fish, turtles, sea anemones, and coral.
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A home for all things Huskies
UConn Women 91st Straight Win Breaks Their Own Record
By Stephen Hawkins
Published Jan 14, 2017 at 4:19 PM | Updated at 6:22 PM EST on Jan 14, 2017
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Connecticut forward Katie Lou Samuelson (33) attempts a shot as SMU forwards Alicia Froling (10), Klara Bradshaw (13) and guard Mikayla Reese (4) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Dallas.
Top-ranked UConn broke its own NCAA record with its 91st consecutive victory, scoring the first 21 points and romping past SMU 88-48 on Saturday.
Coach Geno Auriemma and the Huskies (16-0, 4-0 AAC) broke the record of 90 wins in a row that his team first accomplished more than six years ago. They matched that mark with a 65-point rout of No. 20 South Florida last Tuesday.
The four-time defending national champion Huskies haven't lost a game since falling in overtime at sixth-ranked Stanford on Nov. 17, 2014.
Their first 90-game winning streak broke the Division I record of 88 straight wins by the UCLA men's basketball team and famed coach John Wooden. That UConn streak also started after a loss to Stanford, in the 2008 national semifinal game, and ended with another loss at Stanford on Dec. 30, 2010.
Top Sports Photos: 148th Open Championship, and More
Richard Heathcote/R&A via Getty
While the only way UConn will play Stanford this season will be in the NCAA Tournament, the Huskies do have wins this season over second-ranked Baylor, third-ranked Maryland and sixth-ranked Notre Dame — the latter two on the road.
Katie Lou Samuelson scored 28 points, Naphessa Collier added 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds for UConn, while Gabby Williams also had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, along with six assists.
Alicia Froling led SMU (10-7, 1-3) with 16 points and 12 rebounds. The junior from Australia entered the game as the AAC's top rebound at 10.6 per game.
UConn is 58-0 in American Athletic games in its four seasons since joining that league, plus nine more wins while sweeping through the conference tournament each of the past three seasons.
Samuelson was 11-of-21 shooting and had five 3-pointers while finishing one point short of her matching her career high. She had 10 points in the first quarter, when Collier had nine points and seven rebounds as UConn jumped out to a 26-2 lead.
The Mustangs are 0-7 against UConn, and had lost the first six by an average margin of 51 points.
UConn: With another NCAA record in hand, the real focus for the Huskies is getting back to Dallas in about 2 1/2 months for the Final Four and going for their 12th national championship — and fifth in a row. The national semifinal games are March 31 at the American Airlines Center, the home of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, which is about 5 miles from the SMU campus. The national title game is April 2.
SMU: The Lady Mustangs clearly were overwhelmed by UConn, but so are most other teams. But this game is no measure of the progress being made under new coach Travis Mays, who worked under three Hall of Fame coaches before his first head coaching job. SMU went into the game with the league's best field goal defense (35.6 percent) while allowing 58 points a game, third among the 11 AAC teams.
UConn goes for its 92nd consecutive victory at Tulsa on Tuesday night, then the Huskies go home to play Tulane on Jan. 22.
After three straight losses, the only time this season to lose consecutive games, SMU plays three of its next four games on the road. The Mustangs go to Cincinnati on Tuesday night.
Get the latest from NBC Connecticut anywhere, anytime
Follow NBC Connecticut on Twitter
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OUT Health and Wellness
World transgender bodybuilding competition comes to Atlanta
The annual International Association of Trans Bodybuilders competition started in 2014 and has since drawn competitors from the U.S.
Kennedy Conners, of Conyers, Ga., who transitioned a year and half ago, holds his trophy after winning the heavyweight class in the International Association of Trans Bodybuilders competition in Atlanta on Oct. 6, 2018.David Goldman / AP
Oct. 8, 2018, 9:07 PM UTC / Source: Associated Press
ATLANTA — It’s been 20 years since Charles Bennett took the stage to compete in bodybuilding. But at the age of 63 he’s now done something he’s never done before — compete as a man for the first time in what’s billed as the world’s only transgender bodybuilding competition.
Bennett and seven fellow competitors went before a crowd Saturday evening in the annual International Association of Trans Bodybuilders competition at a theater in Atlanta.
The competition first started in 2014 and has since drawn competitors from across the country and one from Russia, according to executive director and head judge Bucky Motter. Competitors were judged in the categories of lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight and masters for age 60 and over. There are five disciplines on which they’re judged: mass, definition, proportion, symmetry and stage presence.
Charles Bennett, right, of San Francisco, practices a pose in front of a mirror with fellow contestants Devyn Michael Clark and Peter Moore before the start of the International Association of Trans Bodybuilders competition in Atlanta on Oct. 6, 2018.David Goldman / AP
Bennett, who has the most experience, saw his role as more of coach than competitor and sought to help the others practice their poses in the mirror backstage. Before the competition, he offered diet tips, shared his pre-show rituals and helped Peter Moore of Oakland, California, apply fake tan, his hand running over the scars of where Moore had his breasts removed two years ago when he transitioned to male.
For most, this was their first time competing. Sandy Baird, of Oakland, California, decided to try it after seeing the event promoted on Facebook. “I’ve always been interested in bodybuilding but then there was never a nongender opportunity to do it,” Baird said.
Wes Phills, of Brooklyn, N.Y., center, walks offstage after winning the overall award and middleweight class in the International Association of Trans Bodybuilders competition in Atlanta on Oct. 6, 2018. Kennedy Conners, right, took home the heavyweight trophy.David Goldman / AP
Bennett, who traveled from San Francisco and competed in the competition’s Masters class, saw it as an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
“I competed as a woman. This wasn’t available to me. We didn’t even have the dream of a transgender bodybuilding competition. It’s unheard of,” said Bennett backstage as he applied fake tan on himself with a hint of glimmer before taking the stage. The evening had special meaning to Bennett as his wife of 31 years, Erica Grace, watched him compete for the first time since he elected to transition and have surgery at the age of 56.
Said Bennett, “I’ve very proud to compete without a top on. She’s seeing me compete for the first time as a man. That’s pretty powerful. I had to do it. It means the world to me.”
NBC OUT'Drag Race' star Shangela shines in 'A Star Is Born'
As music pumped through the small theater, each contestant struck a series of poses required by the judges. Grace sat in the front row and cheered her husband on alongside other wives who snapped photos and shouted out words of support. The competition took place before a capacity crowd of dozens.
“I’m so proud of him. He’s awesome. He’s an inspiration to me,” said Grace following the competition.
U.S Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Wes Phills, of Brooklyn, New York, who performed his routine to Beyonce’s “Mine” featuring Drake, won the award for overall winner as well as the middleweight class.
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Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló endorses Florida Democrats Nelson, Gillum
The endorsement could give a boost to the Democrats among the state's growing ranks of Puerto Rican voters.
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., left, was endorsed by Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello in his re-election bid in Orlando on Monday.John Raoux / AP
Oct. 1, 2018, 8:53 PM UTC
By Nicole Acevedo
Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rosselló endorsed Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida for re-election and Andrew Gillum for governor on Monday, giving both Democrats a boost as they court the state's growing Puerto Rican population.
The announcements took place in Orlando and Kissimmee respectively, regions that are considered the heart of the state’s Puerto Rican communities.
Governor of Puerto Rico @ricardorossello gives Bill Nelson a major endorsement in his re-election campaign. pic.twitter.com/drUAEXRzn5
— Nelson for U.S. Senate (@NelsonForSenate) October 1, 2018
“I am proud to say that I am endorsing Bill Nelson for, once again, being the senator of Florida and helping represent the people of Puerto Rico,” said Rosselló at Nelson’s campaign office in Orlando.
Rosselló referred to Nelson’s work helping Puerto Rico's Medicaid program avoid bankruptcy, his efforts to secure additional funding for the island’s recovery after Hurricane Maria through the Community Development Block Grant program and other federal food assistance programs in the wake of last year's storm.
Rosselló’s endorsement could sway some of the tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans who have moved to Florida since Hurricane Maria devastated the island.
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum speaks to supporters after he was endorsed by Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello during a campaign rally Monday Oct. 1, 2018, in Kissimmee, Fla.John Raoux / AP
Nearly two hours after endorsing Nelson in Orlando, Rosselló headed to Kissimmee to endorse Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, for governor in his race against Republican U.S. Rep. Ron SeDantis. Gillum would be the state's first African-American governor.
“Truly honored to have Ricardo Rosselló’s endorsement in this race,” Gillum tweeted.
I’m a friend of Puerto Rico today, tomorrow and the day after — and even the day after that one. Thank you for your support in this race #BringItHome pic.twitter.com/vqd2B6iSCV
— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) October 1, 2018
During his endorsement message in Orlando, Rosselló did not talk down Nelson’s Republican opponent, Gov. Rick Scott, who in the wake of Hurricane Maria assisted Puerto Rico with relief efforts and programs to help the thousands of Puerto Ricans who were forced to move to Florida after the storm.
“This was a tough decision for us,” Rosselló said. “Governor Scott has also been a friend.”
But, Rosselló said, “I believe in Bill Nelson.”
After Rosselló’s endorsement of Nelson, Scott touted his own support from the Puerto Rican community, saying that “helping Puerto Rico has never been about politics — it is about helping the island recover and ensuring every family displaced to Florida has the resources they need to succeed.”
LatinoIsland Puerto Ricans arrive in Florida, uncertain about their return
He also called Rosselló “a friend” and pledged his commitment to “continue to work with him in any way I can to support Puerto Rican families both in Florida and on the island.”
Scott has been endorsed by other Puerto Rican officials such as Jenniffer González Colón, Puerto Rico’s nonvoting member of Congress, and the island’s secretary of state, Luis G. Rivera Marín.
About 20 Puerto Rican supporters of Scott protested outside in Orlando, waving Puerto Rican flags and signs that said, “Rossello Ungrateful” and “Do Nothing Nelson.”
Protesters outside a news conference Monday in Orlando where U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., was endorsed by Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello.John Raoux / AP
Other current and former Puerto Rican officials who have endorsed Nelson include Alejandro García Padilla, a former governor; San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz; and Rosselló’s father, Pedro Rosselló, also a former governor.
More than 1.1 million Puerto Ricans live in Florida and, according to POLITICO, as many as 500,000 of them could already be registered to vote.
Over 56,000 Puerto Ricans relocated to Florida after Hurricane Maria, according to the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College in New York. Many settled in Central Florida, mainly in the Orlando area.
A judge recently ordered 32 Florida counties to provide election materials and assistance to Spanish-speaking voters ahead of the midterm elections in November, particularly Puerto Rican voters who have moved from the island and can register to vote since they are born U.S. citizens.
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Associated Press contributed.
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Home Scores Bracket Rankings Stats Video History CWS
NCAA.com | October 6, 2017
DI Baseball Championship moves to 16 seeds
The Division I Competition Oversight Committee has approved increasing the number of seeded teams from eight to 16 in the Division I Baseball Championship, beginning with the 2018 season.
The committee, which met last week in Indianapolis, believes the change will allow baseball to have the same bracketing principles as other sports that have 64 or more teams in their bracket.
Baseball was the only NCAA Division I championship with 64 or more teams in its field that did not seed at least 25 percent of its bracket.
Previously, the Division I Baseball Committee did not seed teams 9 through 16. As a result, the committee could potentially pair the ninth-best team against the No. 1 seed in the super regional round.
With competitive balance and equity as its main goal, the baseball committee felt that the No. 1 seed should be paired against the No. 16 seed in the super regionals. This would be applicable for the remainder of the possible matchups (No. 2 seed vs. No. 15 seed, etc.).
How to buy 2020 College World Series tickets
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Creation of Playstreets
In 1914, Police Commissioner Arthur Woods began a social movement that would eventually be known as the Police Athletic League. He was concerned for the poor children who lived in congested tenements and organized a city-wide search for vacant lots to be converted into playgrounds. He also set aside city blocks where traffic was prohibited. A goal of the program was to reduce tensions between police officers and youth. When commissioner Woods inspected play streets, mothers rushed to thank him and children cheered his efforts.
Junior Police
At the same time, Captain John Sweeney of the Lower East Side 15th police precinct was creating a serious program for young boys, called the Junior Police. This group wore uniforms and participated in marching drills. They carried green andparticipated in the program which simulated the structure of the Police Department.
Crime Prevention Bureau
In 1929, Police Commissioner Grover A. Whalen appointed a committee on crime prevention to address growing concerns about juvenile delinquency. The Police Department began to focus on youth and took a leadership role in providing recreation. In 1931, Mayor James J Walker signed a bill to make the Crime Prevention Bureau, later known as the Juvenile Justice Aid Bureau, a permanent part of the Police Department.
The 1932 Annual report of the Police Department stated, "During a Depression, it is the children who stand in the greatest danger of permanent injury." In response, the Crime Prevention Bureau formed the Junior Police Athletic League.
Police Athletic League
The Police Athletic League was reorganized in 1936. Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine obtained a list of 5,000 truants to enroll in PAL. President Franklin D Roosevelt sent a letter to Deputy Commissioner Byrnes MacDonald stating, "I hope PAL Week will serve to focus attention on the constructive character building program of the Crime Prevention Bureau."
Support From the WPA
Expansion in the 1930s
The late 1930s was a time of rapid expansion. PAL had over 70,000 members in 1937 and operated 69 indoor centers, many of which were dedicated to the memories of police officers who died in the line of duty. September 6, 1939 was PAL Day at the Words Fair in New York City, and a Playstreet was set up in the heart of the Fair.
PAL Contributes to War Effort
PAL children contributed to wartime efforts by organizing scrap salvage drives , helping with Red Cross activities, knitting and working in Junior Commando training. PAL provided supervised care for the children of parents engaged in war work and civilian defense duties.
Budget Cuts Threaten Juvenile Aid Bureau
Due to a lack of funds during the war, the New York City Board of Estimate announced that Juvenile Aid Bureau would be abolished. Public outcry was great, and soon funds were found to continue PAL's operation.
Renewal After the War
In 1945, Mayor William O'Dwyer pledged "100% support" to the PAL program. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, PAL began hiring social workers to assist with the treatment of troubled youngsters. In 1949, PAL created the Placement Division to help young people find jobs, in addition to providing vocational guidance. During the 1950s, PAL athletes captured the Golden Gloves and completed in the Helsinki Summer Olympics in 1952, and in the Melbourne Olympics of 1956.
The 1960s marked a period of significant expansion in PAL's educational programs. Head start pre-school was initiated in 1964. President Lyndon B. Johnson launched the "War on Poverty" in 1963, and federal funds were allocated for PAL programs.
During the 1970s , PAL participated in nation-wide youth programs to educate young people about the dangers of drug abuse. Arts programs continued to flourish. In the 1970S, the annual Superstar dinner fundraising events honored outstanding individuals. Sports heroes Willie Mays and Walt Frazier were among the first PAL Superstars.
In the 1990s, the PAL Board of Directors took a leadership role in implementing a campaign to build new state-of-the-art community centers. A $40 million Capital Campaign was launched to create three new centers and to renovate existing centers. Facilities opened in the South Bronx in 1996, in Harlem in 1999, and South Jamaica, Queens in 2004.
From 2000 to the present, PAL enhanced its programs and launched innovative ways to help New York City youth. After school and summer programs focus on academic achievement, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities help children develop vital skills. In 2004, PAL started Youth Link, a program focused on young people who are involved in the juvenile justice system. A few years later, RISE was launched to serve 16 to 21 year olds who are released from Riker's Island. In 2014 PAL's Centennial celebrated a major milestone in the history of the agency and New York City. Today, PAL programs continue to meet the ever-changing needs of inner city youth with new initiatives, services and programs.
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Major League Baseball Betting Capsule & Free Pick
free sports picks, MLB sports picks, sports betting, sports investors, sports picks
Many fantasy sports players predicted a solid 2014 campaign for Los Angeles right-hander Garrett Richards, and the 26-year-old hurler has not disappointed. In fact, Richards is 8-2 with a 2.76 ERA and 1.11 WHIP this season, including going 4-1 with a 1.84 ERA and 0.98 WHIP on the road, 7-2 with a 2.90 ERA and 1.16 WHIP at night and 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over his last three outings. In the month of June, Richards has been untouchable, going 4-0 with a 1.05 ERA while holding opponents to a .178 batting average.
Following his last outing, Richards now ranks in the top 10 in the American League in ERA (8th; 2.76), WHIP (7th; 1.12), strikeouts (8th; 99) and opponents’ batting average 2nd; .203). The Sabermetrics also support Richards as he is eighth in the A.L. in wins above replacement (2.4) and seventh in defense-independent ERA (2.92). Richards’ peripheral numbers are further supported by a 3.25 FIP, a 3.42 xFIP and a 3.51 SIERA. “There’s still another half of baseball to play after the All-Star Game, so that’s kind of what I’m worried about,” Richards said after his last start, in which he gave up two runs over 7 1/3 innings in a win over the Twins on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Chicago starter Hector Noesi has been extremely inconsistent this season, going 2-4 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. While the 27-year-old has struggled at home with a 4.73 ERA and 1.48 WHIP, he has performed well under the evening lights, going 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Noesi’s struggles at U.S. Cellular Field are not surprising in light of his 38% groundball rate. Let’s also note that Noesi is 0-1 with a career 6.75 ERA and 1.33 WHIP versus the Angels, and his underlying metrics leave little to be desired – 4.29 xFIP and 4.24 SIERA.
However, since being claimed off waivers by the White Sox, Noesi has lowered his season ERA from 14.21 to 5.07. In his last outing, he limited the Orioles to two runs in seven innings but had to settle for a no-decision. The Angels swept a home series against the White Sox earlier this season, and despite having lost 11 of their last 15 road contests, Los Angeles has won six of its last eight in Chicago.
For the trend-lovers out there, Los Angeles is a profitable 22-5 (+18.1 units) versus teams with a win percentage between .460 and .490. In contrast, the White Sox are a woeful 14-33 (-18.9 units) following two or more consecutive wins so they cannot be relied upon to maintain a winning streak. Those trends are just the tip of the iceberg:
Los Angeles is 13-5 in its L/18 games vs. A.L. Central opponents;
Los Angeles is 23-9 in its L/32 games following a loss;
Los Angeles is 39-16 in its L/55 games vs. teams with a losing record;
Los Angeles is 8-1 in Richards’ L/9 starts vs. teams with a losing record;
Los Angeles is 20-6 in Richards’ L/26 starts as a favorite;
Los Angeles is 6-0 in Richards’ L/6 starts as a road favorite;
Chicago is 8-17 in its L/25 home games vs. .501 or greater opposition
The only concern for Los Angeles bettors is the status of Albert Pujols, who has a swollen lymph gland near his groin. “It’s one of those glands that kind of grabbed something,” Pujols said. “It’s fine. They’re not too concerned about it. I don’t feel it when I’m hitting. The first time I felt it was when I was running. It’s been a couple of days.” Assuming Pujols is in the lineup Monday, Pro Edge Sports likes the road favorite as our free pick.
Toronto Looks to Continue Streak vs. Struggling White Sox
David Price Leads MLB in Ks; Rays Surging
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Edwin Dickinson from the Permanent Collection
September 2 - January 15, 2017
Friday, September 2, 8pm
Edwin Dickinson is synonymous with the Provincetown Art Association and Museum.
Edwin Dickinson (1891-1978) was a founding member, officer, and life-long supporter of the Museum and its functions. Provincetown was beloved by the artist; it’s where he honed his craft, raised his family, suffered tragedy and loss, all while producing some of his most important work: the now-iconic still-lifes, landscapes, and interiors. He was one of the only artists to live here year-round in the early 1900s.
As the art world changed in the early 1900s, Dickinson was a pioneer, moving from more traditional work toward the abstract; this shift caused a major rift among artists in Provincetown, yet Dickinson was able to persuade his fellow colleagues of the advantages of these changes. This is reflective in the differing styles of painting he created throughout his career.
His legacy spans a century resulting in a significant body of work which reflects the differing styles created in response to the changing art world.
About the Acquisition
In 2007, two years after PAAM completed its major renovation project, Mary Ellen Abel curated the award winning Edwin Dickinson in Provincetown: 1912- 1937. Borrowing works from many major museum and private collections, this was the exhibition that changed the public perception of PAAM from a small grass roots art association to a competitive, essential and prominent museum within the American art world. The Boston Globe described the exhibition as “a transporting selection of works produced by Dickinson during the years he lived in that extraordinarily fertile outpost of modern American culture at the far end of Cape Cod.” One of the lenders to this exhibition was Daniel Dietrich II, an important collector from Philadelphia, PA. Dietrich made available a significant number of paintings and drawings and upon the close of the exhibition, he generously gifted Provincetown Harbor, Railroad Wharf in the Rain from 1928.
In 2015, Dan passed away and through a non-traditional process challenged three institutions – Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Provincetown Art Association and Museum – to vie for 24 oil paintings by Dickinson. The result of this very in depth process was the gift of seven paintings to PAAM’s permanent collection. Joining several other works by Dickinson, the offerings have now doubled.
I am deeply grateful to Dan Dietrich and his executor, Frank Cooper. This gift not only strengthens our Dickinson holdings, but speaks to the credibility of this organization and our responsibility to carefully preserve the legacy of the oldest continuous art colony in America.
The permanent collection is an important measure of any museum’s value. At PAAM, the holdings of local and regional art are extensive and dynamic, comprising over 3,500 works by over 800 twentieth century and contemporary artists who have worked in Provincetown and on Cape Cod. Their styles were revolutionary and remain noteworthy in the history of American Art. The PAAM collection weaves together at least three major art movements—each a significant strand of American art history—and creates perspectives that uniquely position the Provincetown art colony as a pertinent fixture to the larger art world.
Embedded into PAAM’s mission, the collection is truly at the heart of our organization. A glance at the Permanent Collection catalogue shows how many hundreds of people have been moved to express their generosity through contributions that make up virtually the whole collection. Amassed over an entire century, PAAM’s collection has been donated by people who really cared that the region’s art remains here. Our sincere thanks go out to all the donors who have continued to build and strengthen our important collection.
American Fine Art Magazine
Read their article on our Edwin Dickinson acquisition.
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« Back to About
Alan Page and his wife, Diane Sims Page, founded the Page Education Foundation in 1988 on Alan’s induction into the NFL Hall of Fame.
Alan Page
Alan received his B.A. in political science from the University of Notre Dame in 1967 and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978.
After graduating from law school, Alan Page worked as an attorney for a law firm in Minneapolis, then served seven years as an attorney in the office of the Minnesota Attorney General. He sought election to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1992 and won, becoming the first African American on the court and one of the few associate justices ever to join the court initially through election, rather than appointment by the governor. When Justice Page was reelected in 1998, he became the biggest vote-getter in Minnesota history. He was reelected in 2004 and 2010 and served until he reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 in 2015.
Law was Alan Page’s second career; he was first known for his skills in football both in college and in the NFL. At Notre Dame, Alan Page led the school’s storied football program to the 1966 national championship, and in 1993 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Alan Page was a first-round draft choice of the Minnesota Vikings in 1967 and he played for the Vikings until 1978. The last three years of his football career were with the Chicago Bears, 1978–1981. During his career, Alan Page played in 218 consecutive games, earning All-Pro honors six times, and was voted to nine consecutive Pro Bowls. In 1971 he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, becoming only the second defensive player in history to be named MVP. In 1988 Alan Page was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Justice Page and his daughter, Kamie Page, have also written three children’s picture books, Alan and His Perfectly Pointy Impossibly Perpendicular Pinky (2013), The Invisible You (2014) and Grandpa Alan’s Sugar Shack (2017).
Diane Sims Page
Diane Page was born January 17, 1944. She grew up in Robbinsdale, a suburb of Minneapolis, and attended Robbinsdale High School and the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities where she majored in political science. Upon graduation, Diane was offered a position with Pillsbury where she worked for five years, one year as an account executive for BBDO Advertising, then transitioning into focus group moderation, which ultimately led her to become an expert in qualitative Market Research. Focus group moderating was just at its infancy and Diane developed many of the procedures and rules that are used today. She later formed her own company called Leapfrog Associates to generate product ideas for large companies, including Pillsbury and General Mills. In 1973 she eloped with the love of her life, Alan Page. This romantic beginning was the foundation of an epic love and partnership fueled in part by their shared commitment to social justice.
The Pages founded the Page Education Foundation in 1988 and Diane worked tirelessly to expand its mission and reach year-after-year. The Foundation recently celebrated 31 years of creating hope and opportunity for students of color through financial grants and requiring recipients to serve as tutors, mentors and role models for the next generation. If Alan was the face of the Foundation, Diane was its heart and soul.
Among Diane’s greatest gifts were her huge heart and ability to make everyone around her better than what they might otherwise have been. She was both visionary and grounded in common sense, with a zest for life that was only matched by her keen wit. Most importantly, she knew how to get things done, not just by inspiring others, but by doing the work herself – all with a twinkle in her eye and a delight in the ironies and nuances of life.
Diane Sims Page passed away September 29, 2018.
The Diane Page Legacy Fund was established in her memory.
“The lessons that I learned from professional football were many: hard work, discipline, focus, the ability to analyze a problem and work through it. To accept that you don’t always win and when you do win that doesn’t change who you are.” Alan C. Page, 2005
Diane Page Legacy Fund
Diane Sims Page, our beloved co-founder, mentor and friend, passed away September 29, 2018. Diane worked tirelessly for more than three decades to create hope and opportunity for students of color. To honor her visionary leadership, we have established the Diane Page Legacy Fund at the Page Education Foundation. Contributions to the fund will ensure that the Foundation can continue its deep commitment to helping Minnesota youth of color pursue post-secondary education.
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Maine Places to Love: Falmouth
The coastal town of Falmouth is one of Maine’s most desirable communities. It is known for great scenic beauty, from the oceanfront Casco Bay shoreline along Falmouth Flats and the Foreside, to the birders’ haven of the Presumpscot River estuary, to the traditional farmlands on the western side of town. Falmouth is a boaters’ and golfers’ paradise, and is renowned for the excellence of its schools. This year is the 300th anniversary of the town’s incorporation.
CONTENT SPONSORED BY The David Banks Team, RE/MAX By The Bay
An aerial view of the Falmouth coastline, looking southwest along the Foreside from Town Landing. (Photo by Seawolf Creative)
Before it was ‘Falmouth’
The town was previously called New Casco. (http://www.falmouthmehistory.org/history)
One, two, three, fore
Falmouth is home to three fine 18-hole golf courses: Falmouth Country Club, The Woodlands Club, and Portland Country Club.
Falmouth High School is ranked second in Maine. The student participation rate in Advanced Placement® courses and exams is 75 percent. (U.S. News and World Report)
The Audubon preserve
Gilsland Farm was acquired through the generosity of the Freeman family. Ruth Moulton Freeman’s father, David Moulton – a Portland lawyer and dedicated conservationist – purchased the farm in 1911 and named it for Sir Thomas de Moulton “of the Gils,” a distant relative. (www.maineaudubon.org)
Sailing, sailing
The Portland Yacht Club is the largest anchorage in Maine, with more than 1,200 moorings. The club was founded in 1869. (Town of Falmouth)
Influx populi
The population of Falmouth (12,102 in 2017 according to a U.S. Census Bureau estimate) grew by more than 35 percent between 1990 and 2000.
Town Landing Market, a local landmark and an institution, has been in operation at 269 Foreside Road since the late 1800s.
The Falmouth Land Trust, founded in 1981, lists 28 “Parks and Public Space Properties,” from the North Falmouth Community Forest to the Suckfish Brook Conservation Area. (falmouthlandtrust.org)
The town measures approximately 32 square miles and has 21.7 miles of coastline. (www.falmouthme.org)
The town has 20.7 miles of coastline and measures approximately 32 square miles.
The population in 2016, according to a U.S. Census Bureau estimate. Falmouth is one of Maine’s fastest-growing towns and cities since 2010.
Architectural rarity
The Payson House, at Thornhurst, is one of Maine’s very few examples of Bauhaus architecture. Designed by Serge Chermayeff, and built in 1952, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. (landmarkhunter.com)
Happy 300
The tercentenary anniversary of the 1718 incorporation of Falmouth as a town is being marked with a year-long, town-wide commemoration. (www.falmouthme.org/falmouth-300)
On the Market in Falmouth
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I`m interested in 196 Prince St Manhattan, NY
196 Prince St Building Review
Mixed Residential/Commercial
196 Prince St is a Mixed Residential/Commercial building located in SoHo, Manhattan constructed in 1920. This 3-story building has 5 units. The building is within Community District 102 and zoned for the following school - P.S. 003 Charrette School. Nearby transportation include the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6 Express, A, C, E, B, D, F, M, L, J, Z, N, Q, R, W subway lines.
SoHo Neighborhood rating
Editors Rating (3 stars out of 5)
Average Rent Prices 2
Public transportation 8
SoHo Neighborhood Review
Learn about local Soho Neighborhood culture, businesses, schools, homes, and parks. Find out why Soho is one of Manhattan's hottest neighborhoods. Continue reading…
These trains run through SoHo. In addition, city buses are also available in this area.
P.S. 003 Charrette School
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Hunger : A Memoir of (My) Body
Author(s): Roxane Gay
New York Times bestsellerNational Book Critics Circle Award FinalistLambda Literary Award winnerA best book of 2017: Time NPR People Elle The Washington Post The Los Angeles Times The Chicago Tribune Newsday St. Louis Post-Dispatch PopSugar BookRiot Library Journal Booklist Kirkus Reviews Shelf Awareness New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay has written with intimacy and sensitivity about food and bodies, using her own emotional and psychological struggles as a means of exploring our shared anxieties over pleasure, consumption, appearance, and health. As a woman who describes her own body as "wildly undisciplined," Roxane understands the tension between desire and denial, between self-comfort and self-care. In Hunger, she casts an insightful and critical eye on her childhood, teens, and twenties--including the devastating act of violence that acted as a turning point in her young life--and brings readers into the present and the realities, pains, and joys of her daily life. With the bracing candor, vulnerability, and authority that have made her one of the most admired voices of her generation, Roxane explores what it means to be overweight in a time when the bigger you are, the less you are seen. Hunger is a deeply personal memoir from one of our finest writers, and tells a story that hasn't yet been told but needs to be.
Publisher : Little, Brown Book Group Limited
Imprint : Constable
Availability date : June 2018
Author : Roxane Gay
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The University of Pittsburgh's internationally recognized Department of Physics and Astronomy has long been an important leader at the frontier of science and, with 500 PhD alumni, has launched many distinguished careers. The current Department leads research efforts that promise an ever-deeper understanding of the Universe. From elementary particles to the largest galaxy clusters, in cutting-edge technological innovation and the intersection of quantum and classical physics, our faculty and students explore the fundamental laws of nature. Students may expect to pursue research that influences many fields, including biology, mathematics, medicine, chemistry, engineering, and computer science.
The Astrophysics and Cosmology group researches a wide range of phenomena visible in the sky,with a current emphasis on supernovae, quasar absorption systems, the growth galaxies and large-scale structure, and the properties and evolution of the universe. We are leaders in several major astronomical survey efforts.
The Condensed Matter Physics group has wide-ranging interests,especially the discovery and control of new quantum phenomena in solid state systems. We also study fluid dynamics and biophysical systems.
The Particle Physics group aims to understand the fundamental constituents of matter by searching for new subatomic particles, by measuring precisely the properties of known particles and interactions, and by constructing and testing theories of particle physics beyond the standard model.
The Physics Education Research group combines concepts from psychology and cognitive theory with experimental data on student learning to improve the teaching of physics and astronomy.
The department's facilities range from cutting-edge locations like The Petersen Institute of NanoScience and Engineering (PINSE) to high-precision machine, glass, and electronics shops.
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Vancouver veteran CFL official Dave Hawkshaw receiving officiating position with NFL
NFL announced that Hawkshaw was one of six new officials hired for the 2019 season
The 45-year-old firefighter from North Vancouver, B.C., appeared in 189 career CFL games and three Grey Cups. (Black Press Media file photo)
Being versatile has served Canadian Dave Hawkshaw well.
On Thursday, the NFL announced that Hawkshaw, a 14-year CFL veteran, was one of six new officials hired for the 2019 season. The 45-year-old firefighter from North Vancouver, B.C., appeared in 189 career CFL games and three Grey Cups.
READ MORE: Six-time all-star and 2011 Grey Cup champion Jovan Olafioye retires
Hawkshaw began officiating football games as a teenager, following in his father’s footsteps. Over his tenure, he became well versed in all varieties of the game.
Versatility, Hawkshaw said, is one key to becoming a good official.
“Being the first Canadian, I’m going to work hard to make sure I fill those shoes well,” Hawkshaw said. “Any young official can strive to do what they want to do but you’ve got to work hard.
“I’ve grown up in a community where I had to officiate a bunch of different sets of rules through my career. I started off with American high school rules, amateur Canadian rules, NFL rules and obviously CFL rules. There’s no reason why people can’t balance them all. Football is football, just be a good listener and work hard.”
Hawkshaw’s departure leaves the CFL without one of its senior officials this season. But Darren Hackwood, the league’s senior director of officiating, is good with that.
“We see it as a pretty big positive,” said Hackwood. “We knew kind of going into this partnership with the NFL that, hopefully, we’d get the outcome of them hiring one of our officials that was in the program and that’s a very big positive for us.”
In 2016, the two leagues formed the NFL-CFL officiating development program to help officials on both sides of the border learn from each other and get more field time. The following year, Hawkshaw was among three CFL officials — Dave Foxcroft of Burlington, Ont., and Edmonton’s Justin McInnes were the others — who attended NFL development seminars and programs.
Each was tested thoroughly, then worked a different NFL exhibition game. Hawkshaw and Foxcroft were field judges while McInnes served as line judge.
As part of the program, CFL officials work primarily as downfield officials in NFL exhibition games, a position comparable to side judges in Canada. Conversely, NFL officials working in the CFL pre-season contests are primarily deep wing officials so as to minimize some of the rule differences between the two leagues.
The NFL appointment surprised Hawkshaw, who figured with the abundance of quality officials in the U.S. that a Canadian would be a longshot to land a job south of the border. However, it was a recommendation from Glen Johnson, a former CFL official who later served as the league’s director of officials and senior vice-president, football, that Hawkshaw said put him on the path towards an NFL position.
“In 2016, Glen phoned me and told me they were starting up a partnership with the NFL,” Hawkshaw said. “He said they were sending three guys there and wanted me to be a part of that program.
“Basically that’s where it started and I really have Glen to thank for this opportunity. don’t think it’s even set in yet.”
And it was during a conversation with the NFL officials that Hawkshaw learned he had a lot in common with them.
“I sat in a room with a bunch of the greats of the NFL, a lot of the high guys, and they all had the same story,” he said. “It was basically you’ve got to be in the right place at the right time.
“I’ve been in the right place at the right time, I’ve happened to meet the right people, I’ve been able to work hard and show them my work ethic and what I’m able to do. You don’t get to where you’re at without a couple of people helping you along the way and I’m very thankful for that.”
This isn’t the first time the NFL has hired a CFL official. In 2001 referee Bill Vinovich, an American, joined the NFL officiating ranks after working for five years in the CFL.
Vinovich served as an NFL official from 2001-06 before retiring due to heart condition. He returned in 2012 after receiving a clean bill of health from doctors and is entering his 14th season south of the border in 2019.
Hackwood said the timing of Hawkshaw’s departure won’t cause any problems for the CFL in terms of finding a replacement.
“We have a roster right now that’s craving for more games,” he said. “We have the veteran officials who love to work so filling the 15 or 16 games that Dave would’ve worked won’t be a problem.
“It also gives us an opportunity to get one of our new officials some more reps earlier in the season. Hopefully this can be a bit of a recruitment tool for us if we’re going to be a bit of a path to the NFL for some.”
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
New deal with Seahawks makes Wilson highest-paid NFL player
Avalanche hot at the right time, cruise past Flames into second round
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Microsoft: No Windows Phone 7 for Tablets on Horizon
By Agam Shah
Microsoft does not have immediate plans to port the Windows Phone 7 mobile OS to tablets, a company official said on Monday.
Windows Phone 7 is designed for small-screen devices such as smartphones and is not designed to work with larger screen devices, said Greg Sullivan, senior product manager at Microsoft, at the Windows Phone 7 launch event in New York.
The company will instead continue to adapt its PC operating system, Windows 7, to tablets as it offers a rich application experience and touch-based capabilities, Sullivan said. Tablets require a more PC-like experience, and it makes sense to design a low-power version of Windows 7 to work on tablets, he said.
The strategy puts Microsoft at odds with some of its biggest competitors in the mobile phone market, which are already making inroads in the new tablet segment. Apple's iPad carries the same iOS architecture core that powers the iPhone. A number of device makers, including Samsung, have announced tablets based on Android, which was designed for mobile phones. Research In Motion recently said it plans to introduce a tablet built on a new operating system that is expected to run its BlackBerry phones in the future.
Tablets are designed to combine e-reading, gaming, Web surfing and video capabilities on a single handheld device. Users of tablets like the iPad say that the mobile operating systems offer advantages over traditional computer OSes, like instant on and access to an existing application store.
But Sullivan argues that there are advantages to using Windows 7 on tablets instead of the phone software.Windows 7 brings a stronger set of networking and printing capabilities than Windows Phone 7, which is a much slimmer OS, he said. The stronger software and driver stack in Windows 7 will also make it easier for tablets to talk to a larger range of hardware devices, he said.
Also, stretching an OS like Windows Phone 7 means that applications designed for smaller screens won't look good on the larger screens, Sullivan said.
Some tablet makers say they are implementing Windows 7 because of the capability to run a wider set of applications. Hewlett-Packard has said it will release a tablet with Windows 7, which is targeted at the enterprise. Dell has also shown off a convertible tablet with Windows 7.
Microsoft has also previewed Windows Compact Embedded 7, which has been shown on embedded systems like tablets and is scheduled for release to manufacturing this quarter.
Samsung talked to Microsoft about using Windows Phone 7 on tablets, but was told that such plans were not on Microsoft's road map, said Ray Vinson, senior manager of enterprise mobility, strategy and product planning at Samsung Telecommunications America.
Microsoft may have decided to focus on ensuring that the OS works properly on smartphones or may have found some limitations to doing so and decided against it, he said.
Despite Microsoft's intentions, one analyst thought Windows Phone 7 has potential on tablets.
The Windows Phone 7 user interface is ideally suited for tablets, said Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for consumer technology at NPD. The panorama view capability extends the screen beyond its normal confines, allowing users to horizontally slide through content either in portrait or landscape mode.
He suspects that Microsoft may look at new form factors with upcoming versions of Windows Phone 7, but that it probably decided to initially focus on getting the mobile phone launch right. "That is the largest device category in the world. It's very important Microsoft be strong there, so that was the first priority," Rubin said.
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Governance, boards and committees
WOW awards
Merger stock exchange statement
RNS Financial Statements 2018
Learn more about members of the Peabody Board
Lord Kerslake (Chair)
Ian Peters (Vice Chair)
Brendan Sarsfield (Chief Executive)
Phillipa Aitken
Peter Baffoe
Jennifer Daly
Paul Loft
Barry McNamara
Jane Milligan
Deirdre Moss
Francis Salway
Cath Shaw
Peter Vernon
Chair of the Board of Peabody Trust and Peabody South East
Member of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee
Lord Kerslake (Bob) was Permanent Secretary of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) from November 2010 until he stepped down in February 2015 and was Head of the Civil Service from 2012 to 2014.
Prior to his DCLG role, Bob was the first Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency where he was responsible for promoting new and affordable housing supply; supporting the regeneration of cities, towns and neighbourhoods; improving existing housing stock, and advancing sustainability and good design.
Before joining the Civil Service, he received a knighthood for his services to local government, spending eight years serving the London Borough of Hounslow and then a further 11 years leading Sheffield Council.
Bob was appointed Chair of the Kings College Hospital Trust in April 2015; he stepped down in December 2017. He became President of the LGA and Chair of the Centre for Public Scrutiny in June 2015. Bob was appointed as the Chair of London Pension Collective Investment Vehicle in September 2015. He is Chair of the Board of Governors at Sheffield Hallam University. In March 2017 he became Chair of Be First, a regeneration company in Barking and Dagenham. He was made a Peer in 2015.
Bob joined the Peabody Board in June 2015. His extensive experience of local and national government, together with his expertise in housing, development and regeneration, will be instrumental in leading the Board.
Board Member of Peabody Trust and Peabody South East
Chair of the Development Committee
Chair of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee
Member of Thamesmead Committee
Ian has 30 years experience in the financial services and energy sectors in executive leadership roles. He has led large companies (most recently British Gas) and small, challenger businesses (e.g Goldfish Bank).
Ian is the Chair of the Barts Health Trust. He is a non-executive director of The Floow and the Chair and a non-executive director of Employers for Carers. He also has a consulting business specialising in the energy sector.
Brendan became Chief Executive of Peabody in July 2017 at the point of merger with Family Mosaic. He was Chief Executive at Family Mosaic for 11 years.
Prior to Family Mosaic, he worked in housing for a variety of Housing Associations and local authorities.
Brendan was chair of the London g15, which represents London’s 15 largest Housing Associations from 2013 - 2015.
Board Member of Peabody South East
Member of the Development Committee
Member of the Thamesmead Committee
Phillipa has over 30 years of experience working in the planning and development field. Her career began in local government, and she then moved to several global property advisory firms.
Phillipa has a long-standing interest in housing delivery, and as a planning consultant has advised both public and private sector clients in this field.
Phillipa is also a Non-Executive Director of an NHS Foundation Trust specialising in mental health services. She joined the Peabody Board in September 2017.
Resident Board Member of Peabody Trust and Peabody South East
Member of Communities Committee
Peter was appointed as resident Board member of Peabody in May 2018. He has been a Community Development worker for eight years and is a Faith and Community Development Officer for the South London Mission. He is also a member of the British Transport Police Advisory Group and a School Governor, acting as the Link Governor for disadvantaged pupils.
Jennie is a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute with over 20 years' experience in planning assessment and strategic promotion, with a strong development and commercial focus.
In 2002 she joined Harrow Estates PLC. In 2009 she became Managing Director and oversaw its sale to Redrow Plc later that year, joining the Redrow Executive Board on completion.
In May 2014 Jennie joined Taylor Wimpey UK. As Group Operations Direction, she has responsibilities for land acquisition and also leads Taylor Wimpey's technical, design, sustainability, production and procurement disciplines.
Jennie joined the Peabody Board in April 2015. Her excellent development skills add value throughout scheme planning and help to ensure Peabody Group’s developments are buildable, deliverable and viable.
Board Member of Peabody Trust
Member of the Communities Committee
Helen served as Deputy Permanent Secretary and Director General for Local Government and Public Services at the Department for Communities and Local Government from 2013.
Between 2008 and 2013 she was Director General of Criminal Justice in the Ministry of Justice. This followed a number of senior roles at the Home Office, including three years as Chief Executive of the National Offender Management Service. Prior to joining the Home Office, Helen undertook a number of roles at Nacro, the national crime reduction charity, before becoming Chief Executive in 1997.
Before joining Nacro Helen worked for Save the Children in the London Borough of Lambeth, having trained and practised originally as a social worker.
Helen was appointed Chair of Recovery Focus (a coalition of mental health charities) in April 16 and is also a Non-Executive Director at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust as well as a Trustee of Lloyds Bank Foundation. Helnen has been a Peabody Board member since July 2016.
Helen joined the Peabody Board in July 2016. She brings a wealth of experience from the community and voluntary sector as well as central and local government.
Chair of the Finance and Treasury Committee
Member of the Audit and Risk Committee
David is currently a director of John Laing Capital Management Limited, the fund management subsidiary of John Laing Group plc.
He is also a director and trustee of the John Laing Pension Trust. He has over 20 years' corporate finance, M&A, fundraising and deal closure experience spanning infrastructure, PFI and renewable energy projects.
Joining John Laing in 2005, he led the equity investment of numerous UK PFI/PPP projects across various sectors. From 2011 he was responsible for raising co investment funds from institutional investors on large infrastructure projects and leading the divestment of mature projects for the Group. Prior to joining John Laing Capital Management, David was a Corporate Finance partner at KPMG.
He qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG and is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
David joined the Board in June 2016. His financial acumen and operational experience, his in-depth knowledge of treasury and funding and current knowledge of financial services regulatory matters all help to ensure that Peabody’s financial plans and strategies and, arrangements with lenders are scrutinised and challenged constructively.
Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee
Member of the Finance and Treasury Committee
Paul was the Managing Director of Homebase and Habitat until May 2015. He has had a 25-year career in retailing, in senior finance and general management roles. Before Homebase he was the Managing Director of GUS Home Shopping and prior to that he was the Finance Director of Argos.
Earlier in his career he spent 11 years in the Burton Group in a number of finance roles including the Finance Director of Debenhams.
Paul joined the Peabody Board in November 2013. His finance and customer service background bring key skills to the Board in making sure service delivery is achieved and the full impact of projects is properly considered.
Barry joined the Peabody Board in September 2017. He is a landscape gardener and has been a long-term tenant with Family Mosaic and its predecessors. At present, Barry is involved in helping set up a large food-growing community scheme in his Clapham neighbourhood.
Jane has worked in the NHS for over 25 years, having first qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1987. Working in London, Devon and Cornwall, her clinical area of speciality was in Neuroscience.
She has worked in Tower Hamlets for over 12 years, in both commissioning and service management roles with 6 years of Board level experience.
Jane was appointed as the Chief Executive for NHS Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group (CSG) in September 2012. On 1 December 2017 she became the strategic partnership lead for the seven CSGs in North East London: Barking and Dagenham; The City; Hackney; Havering and Redbridge; Newham; Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. Jane joined the Peabody Board in March 2018.
Chair of the Communities Committee
Deirdre has worked in the insurance industry for over twenty five years with FTSE 100 companies. Specialising in Human Resources, she has led major changes involving large diverse workforces.
She has her own HR consultancy company,and also sits on the advisory group of a London-based training company.
She has championed diversity issues throughout her career and continues to work in a voluntary capacity in this area. She joined the Peabody Board in March 2018.
Chair of Town and Country Housing
Francis Salway was Chief Executive of Land Securities, the country’s largest commercial property company, between 2004 and 2012. His other current roles include being a non-executive director of Next plc, chairman of a charity called The London Community Foundation, a Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics and a Chair of the Transport for London Property Advisory Group.
Francis was appointed as Group Chair of TCHG in December 2012. Francis is also a Member of TCHG’s Investment & Finance and Remuneration & Appointments Committees. He joined the Peabody Board in May 2019.
Cath joined the Peabody Board on 27 September 2017. She is Deputy Chief Executive of a London Borough, working on housing and regeneration, corporate services and commercial partnerships. Prior to joining local government, Cath was a senior civil servant in what is now the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
Chair of the Thamesmead Committee
Peter is the Group Executive Director, Grosvenor Group, with responsibility for its research function and Chair of its Executive Committee.
He is Deputy Chairman of the West End Partnership, Director of London First, a member of the British Property Federation Policy Committee and is on the Royal and Sun Alliance London Regional Board. He became a non-executive director of the Berkeley Group in September 2017.
Peter was a Commissioner of the independent City Growth Commission launched by RSA and chaired by Lord O'Neil and is a member of the Estates Regeneration Panel Chaired by Lord Heseltine. Previously, he was a Partner at IBM Business Consulting Services and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was also involved in the Government's Montague Review ofthe Private Rented Sector and the Government's Estates Regeneration Panel.
Peter joined the Board in April 2015. His extensive experience of complex real estate transactions and in place making will be particularly valuable in evaluating Peabody’s large scale residential projects.
The day-to-day management of Peabody is delegated by the Board Members to the Chief Executive and the Executive team.
Peabody has six Committees: Audit and Risk; Nominations and Remuneration; Finance and Treasury; Communities; Development; and Thamesmead.
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Home » Wide-Open Town: Kansas City in the Pendergast...
Wide-Open Town: Kansas City in the Pendergast Era (Paperback)
By Diane Mutti Burke (Editor), Jason Roe (Editor), John Herron (Editor)
Kansas City is often seen as a mild-mannered metropolis in the heart of flyover country. But a closer look tells a different story, one with roots in the city-- complicated and colorful past. The decades between World Wars I and II were a time of intense political, social, and economic change--for Kansas City, as for the nation as a whole. In exploring this city at the literal and cultural crossroads of America, Wide-Open Town maps the myriad ways in which Kansas City reflected and helped shape the narrative of a nation undergoing an epochal transformation.
During the interwar period, political boss Tom Pendergast reigned, and Kansas City was said to be "wide open." Prohibition was rarely enforced, the mob was ascendant, and urban vice was rampant. But in a community divided by the hard lines of race and class, this "openness" also allowed many of the city's residents to challenge conventional social boundaries--and it is this intersection and disruption of cultural norms that interests the authors of Wide-Open Town. Writing from a variety of disciplines and viewpoints, the contributors take up topics ranging from the 1928 Republican National Convention to organizing the garment industry, from the stockyards to health care, drag shows, Thomas Hart Benton, and, of course, jazz. Their essays bring to light the diverse histories of the city--among, for instance, Mexican immigrants, African Americans, the working class, and the LGBT community before the advent of "LGBT."
Wide-Open Town captures the defining moments of a society rocked by World War I, the mass migration of people of color into cities, the entrance of women into the labor force and politics, Prohibition, economic collapse, and a revolution in social mores. Revealing how these changes influenced Kansas City--and how the city responded--this volume helps us understand nothing less than how citizens of the age adapted to the rise of modern America.
Publisher: University Press of Kansas
United States - State & Local - Midwest(IA,IL,IN,KS,MI,MN,MO
Sociology - Urban
United States - 20th Century
Kobo eBook (November 28th, 2018): $29.95
Hardcover (January 2019): $52.50
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London Irish front row pair Moto Matu'u and Will Goodrick-Clarke look ahead
By Richard Ashton
Moto Matu'u
SAMOAN hooker Motu Matu'u admits his debut season with the cub featured highs and lows as he looks to move forward ahead of the club's return to the Gallagher Premiership next season.
The 32-year-old joined Exiles from Gloucester last year, and made an impressive early impact before he suffered a hip injury against Hartpury last December.
The ailment left him on the sidelines for several months, and Matu'u admitted: “It could be mentally frustrating at times not playing. You love it when you are on top and injury free, but when it hits you, you can end up in a low spot.
"The medical staff did an unbelievable job, they got me back playing my first game far quicker than expected. The support around me was also incredible, my family and my son being born in January gave me a big boost to get back playing as fast as I could.
“It was a season of ups and downs."
The Samoan star admitted the atmosphere around the club was also a reason he did not get too despondent, adding: “I’ve really enjoyed my first season, it actually feels like I have been here for ages. There is a good bunch of lads, the off-field team is unbelievable, and everyone is made to feel that they are a part of the team.”
Looking ahead, the hooker has two targets – a place in the Samoan World Cup squad – and then to help London Irish re-establish temselves back in the Premiership.
He concluded: “It will be a special moment for me if I was to be named in the Samoa World Cup squad. To play for my country and represent my family would be a big blessing.
“If I am selected, it will be a massive challenge for myself and the boys, but one that we will relish.
“Heading back into the Premiership this season means it’s going to go up a notch. The new signings to the club will give a massive boost to the whole squad as we look to compete against the best sides in the country.”
Meanwhile, fellow front row Will Goodrick-Clarke, has revealed how well he has settled in since joining the club for pre-season training.
He commented: “It feels great to be here. There are a good bunch of lads who have helped me settle in quickly.
“It’s a brilliant place to turn up to work, the facilities are fantastic.”
The prop was named in the Greene King IPA Championship team of the season last term, but with Richmond being relegated, he admitted he had mixed emotions.
The prop said: “Personally, I think it was a good season for me. It was nice to be named in the Dream Team but, it was a bit disappointing that we couldn’t keep Richmond up.”
Looking forward to his time at Irish, Goodrick-Clarke hopes to be a big hit with the club's fans.
He stated: “I love to get my hands on the ball and to make some big shots. Every prop loves scrummaging and I’m no different.”
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The Associated Press | Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, shakes hands with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto during their meeting in the latter's office in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, July 12, 2019. (Lajos Soos/MTI via AP)
The Associated Press | Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, shakes hands with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto during their meeting in the latter's office in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, July 12, 2019. (Lajos Soos/MTI via AP)
The Associated Press | Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, is guided by Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto during their meeting in the latter's office in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, July 12, 2019. (Lajos Soos/MTI via AP)
Friday July 12, 2019 08:47 AM
China warns US 'not to play with fire' regarding Taiwan
China's foreign minister says that the United States should not "play with fire" regarding Taiwan after the U.S. announced its intention to sell $2.2 billion in weapons to the island state
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The United States should not "play with fire" regarding Taiwan after Washington announced its intention to sell $2.2 billion in weapons to the island state, China's foreign minister said Friday.
Wang Yi also said during a visit to Hungary that his country is concerned about Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's stops in the U.S. before and after state visits to the Caribbean.
Taiwan doesn't have diplomatic ties with the U.S., though Washington provides Taiwan, which split from China in a 1949 civil war, with military and other support. China objects to such support as interference in what it considers its internal affairs and is seeking to bring self-governing Taiwan under its control.
"If the U.S. side wants to create new troubles in U.S.-China relations, ultimately their actions will backfire," Wang said. "We urge the United States to fully recognize the gravity of the Taiwan question" and "honor its promise of adhering to the one-China principle."
On Sunday, the U.S. State Department announced the proposed arms sale to Taiwan, including 108 Abrams tanks and 250 Stinger surface-to-air missiles.
Regarding his visit to Hungary, Wang and his Hungarian counterpart, Peter Szijjarto, emphasized growing business and trade relations between the two countries, including a Chinese loan to renovate the railway link between Budapest and Serbia's capital, Belgrade. The project has drawn scrutiny because of its large cost and disputed economic benefits.
Szijjarto also said that talks were underway for a pair of "huge" Chinese banks, which he did not identify, to open offices in Hungary.
Fun Things: Berks Celtic Fest set for Saturday at Willow Glen Park in Sinking Spring
A timeline of the Chicago police shooting of Laquan McDonald
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Honoring Helen Gregory's life of service
David E. Dix
The celebration of the life of Helen Tremaine Gregory a week ago at the Kent State University’s Fashion School Atrium in words and music beautifully told of a person who was loved by family and friends and powerfully impacted our world for the better.
An older sister, Mary Morris Tremaine Soutendijk, described how Helen grew up like an only child in some respects because her older siblings reached adulthood so much earlier. A lifelong friend, Molly Shepard, recounted how Helen generously befriended her at a private school in Connecticut when they were teenagers. Helen’s son, Rogan, told of the ache of losing one’s mother by reading Major Sullivan Ballou’s letter to his wife written prior to his death in battle during the Civil War.
Ruth Andrews, a friend and colleague from Western Reserve Academy, in her presentation, accurately captured Helen, the champion of causes and tilter of windmills, someone, who, convinced of a goal’s worth, would commit incredible energy and powers of organization to realize it. A believer in the value of a Western Reserve Academy education, Helen, who hired Ruth and a few others at the Academy, from 1988 until 2009, led a still unsurpassed effort that raised more than $100 million for the Academy. A room in the school’s mathematics building was dedicated in Helen’s honor last November. Helen was able to attend.
Sue Roxburgh, friend and colleague from Helen’s years at Kent State when Helen managed Continuing Education in the College of Special Programs and, later, the Evening and Weekend College, recounted Helen’s special leadership qualities.
Christine Craycroft, director of the Portage Park District, extolled Helen’s support in starting the Park District’s Foundation and Helen’s work on behalf of the levy that on the sixth try stabilized the district’s funding. She also spoke of Helen’s devotion to the work of the Kent Environmental Council, the organization that more than any other brought about the exemplary recycling we have in Portage County and also led the local efforts that have done so much to clean up the once horribly polluted Cuyahoga River. Helen served a term as president of KEC. She was on the Planning Commission when Kent started its recycling program. After she and Stan built their beautiful home in Streetsboro, Helen served on Streetsboro’s Greenspace Committee.
Book-ending the presentations was Camille Pavlicek-Fauser, who recalled 40 years of a strong three-way friendship with Helen and their long-time friend and artist Jan Hatch, whom cancer also felled, only six months before Helen.
During most of our years, my sense was that Helen and I eyed each other a little warily, probably because I seemed to represent a proverbially stodgy, self-satisfied member of "the establishment," if one exists locally, having served 42 years as publisher at the Record-Courier. As a result, I was for too long seriously unaware of all that Helen accomplished in her too-short life that was so well lived.
"Good Lord! Where have I been?" I have been thinking as I have learned more.
Her monthly "Eco-Focus" and "Green Portage" Record-Courier columns, written by Helen and other contributors she enlisted, were an arrangement between Helen and Roger Di Paolo, although Roger did get my okay. I am glad the newspaper under GateHouse Media is continuing them. Whenever Helen asked, I would donate to the Portage Park District Foundation. Refusing would have been like saying "No" to my mother who also loved the Portage Park District.
Nearly 10 years ago, Helen recruited Janet to her "Women for Women" team. It staged a series of fund-raisers to support secondary and college education for Cambodian girls. Inspired by the influential book, "Half the Sky", which argues that the oppression of women worldwide is "the paramount moral challenge of the present era," Helen and her team adopted their goal after careful research and Helen’s memory can be honored with donations to Women for Women Ohio at www.wfwo.org. Some of the team, including Helen and Stan, traveled to Cambodia to see the fruits of their labors first hand. It was Janet’s friendship with Helen that brought me into one of the many circles of Helen and Stan’s friends and acquaintances.
At last week’s celebration, pianists Donna Lee and Nancy Stillwagon, the Cleveland Chamber Choir directed by Scott McPherson, and soloist Kira McGirr provided beautiful music. Helen, who loved good music, co-founded the Kent Choral Society. While listening, I thought about her well-written obituary. It mentioned that as a college student, Helen had been editor of the University of Colorado’s student newspaper.
Editors are often crusaders and Helen was surely a crusader. In her public persona, that was who she was, and in her own special way in that capacity, Helen leaves us better than she found us.
David E. Dix is a former publisher of the Record-Courier.
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Does IMDb's top 250 films list Have a long-term memory gap?
February 4, 2009 |
Q. Thank you for your heads-up regarding Rod Lurie's "Nothing But the Truth," but I have to cringe in anticipation of Kate Beckinsale's character. If she is indeed meant to be [New York Times reporter] Judith Miller, I dearly hope she is not portrayed as some saintly, sympathetic figure. The real Miller carried so much water for Bush's attack on Iraq that some of us may never forgive her. I hope her role in the rush to war is not forgotten in the examination she may get from this movie. Bob Koelle, Wilmington, Del.
A. "Nothing But the Truth" is a powerful film that has not yet been released for tangled reasons having to do with the Hollywood economic crisis. It portrays Miller in a generally favorable light, but is not about Iraq, on which I suspect Lurie agrees with you. It deals specifically with the fact that she indeed went to prison rather than reveal her sources as a journalist.
Q. I have not seen "Taken," but I would like to briefly comment on your assertion that if CIA agents were as skilled as the Liam Neeson character, bin Laden would have been in custody in September 2001. On an episode of "60 Minutes" from a few months ago when they interviewed a Delta Force Commander, he said he and his troops have twice been within 300 yards or less of bin Laden, only to have their operation impaired by the "forces that be" of their supposed Afghan escort. I submit there has been no sincere effort to capture or kill bin Laden. James B. Bolen, Memphis, Tenn.
A. Did the Afghan "impairment" involve threats of violence? There's a scandal here.
Q. I would like to lodge a formal complaint against you for your deceptive review of "The Wrestler." You should be forced to paper-cut Mickey Rourke with a 30-pound printout of your review. You have given a slew of misguiding four-star reviews. Exhibits A-C this year alone are "In Bruges," "The Dark Knight" and "Taxi to the Dark Side."
But "The Wrestler" is worse. 'Tis a siren among songbirds. A grizzly among goldfish. It is not permissible for an Ebert review to segregate a brilliant "acting" performance from the underlying ocean of cliched compost. How did it come to pass that you gave a perfect score to a horse-poopy film based on Mickey playing Rourke? Mr. Ebert, thou hadst erred. Helga Mohammed el-Salami, Beverly Hills, Calif.
A. I have self-administered 100 lashes with a wet noodle.
Q. Do you agree with the Film Threat comment that kids should watch "Let the Right One In"? On a base level, the supposed heroes of our story are vengeful, violent kids. Don't you think more children will come away from this thinking extreme acts of violence are OK? Do you really want little girls finding a new hero in Eli? I found the movie a bit troubling and can't say that I'd recommend ANY parents showing it to their tweens or teens. Kevin Mendonca, Hollywood, Calif.
A. For kids, no. For teenagers, it depends on their level of maturity. If nothing else, the movie provides a real cinematic experience in contrast to the fantasy of "Twilight."
Q. Your "Benjamin Button" review observes that fiction, generally, should have a "forward flow" for time (flashbacks and forwards notwithstanding). As an exception to this, might I suggest Martin Amis' novel Time's Arrow? While the focus of his story differs from the (F. Scott) Fitzgerald and film versions of "Button," it does consistently show the flow of time backward and, in my opinion, works well. Paul D'Amboise, St. Hubert, Quebec
A. If you didn't believe or "know" that time flowed forward, could you distinguish it from backward time? If a participant saw one of his tasks coming undone (a painting unpainting itself, for example), would it seem subjectively to him that he had painted it first? We assume time flows from past to future, but physicists assure us that it's relative. When the universe finishes expanding, maybe time flips, and it flows backward to its beginnings. Stop me before I start babbling.
Q. Like most people, I knew the CGI in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" was groundbreaking, but I had no idea of the extent of the achievement. Aside from one brief appearance in an early scene, the real Brad Pitt literally does not appear in the first 52 minutes. Even experienced CGI artists are impressed by this milestone achievement. While I personally think "Benjamin Button" is somewhat overrated, it will be scandalous if it does not win Oscars for FX and makeup.
Regarding the widely reported similarities between his screenplays for "Forrest Gump" and "Benjamin Button," it's obvious that Eric Roth has been creatively lazy, but he's also deviously clever: After all, if he sues himself for plagiarism, he wins either way. Jeff Shannon, Seattle
A. Of course Brad Pitt had to do enormous amounts of acting and body movement to provide a baseline for the CGI, and that is thankless but skilled work. And Roth had to write "Forrest Gump" as a baseline for "Button."
Q. Am I alone in thinking that in recent years the Internet Movie Database voting system has been skewing its Top 250 list to the relative detriment of the world's great classic films? Specifically, and to be blunt, I'm talking about what seems to be ballot stuffing on the part of a predominantly buzz-motivated teen population for certain fashionable fanboy films.
Short of scrapping the voting system altogether, I wonder if it wouldn't be more fair for the IMDb to begin an entirely new count and then put a moratorium on the polling of any new film for, say, at least one year from its release date. By keeping any candidate beyond the Academy Awards' marketeering season would mitigate the temporal zeal and level the playing field somewhat. "Casablanca" had to wait and work to build its reputation. Why shouldn't "Wall-E"? I have doubt the IMDb will act on this as the all-American obsession with "the best of tops" is firmly part of their bread and butter, but perhaps with a petition, we could move the gods. Soren Rasmussen, Paris
A. Keith Simanton, IMDb's managing editor, replies: "Our Top 250, as voted by users, is just that, a list of the Top 250 films as voted on by our users. It's not a classic (ah, there's a subjective term!) list by any measure, nor is it a critic's list. We leave that to the professionals.
"We do get bouts of irrational exuberance for some titles. I rather like it and find it analogous to my own experience. I've often felt more fondly about a film upon leaving the theater than my tempered opinion of it as the weeks and months pass. Our "this too shall pass" approach has proved itself out as this inflation value of the new is not a recent phenomenon. In 1991, "Beauty and the Beast" was the No. 1 title on the Top 250 and now it's not even in the chart; great movie though it is, things do tend to balance out over time.
"At any moment there are always some recent titles in the list but they do find their level eventually. Some of them even continue to maintain a high level, one I personally would not have accorded them. We do appreciate the suggestion, however, as we're always looking for ways to improve the service, and this kicked off a great internal debate."
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By the time we get to Phoenix, he'll be laughing
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This cripple is a Smart Ass
Some of the fiercest and most useful satire on the web right now is being written by a man who signs himself Smart Ass Cripple. Using his wheelchair as a podium, he ridicules government restrictions, cuts through hypocrisy, ignores the PC firewalls surrounding his disability, and is usually very funny. Because he has been disabled since birth, he uses that as a license to write things that others may think but do not dare say.
Humor can be the most effective political weapon. Smart Ass Cripple is passionately political. His name is Mike Ervin, and he's a disability rights activist. His belief is that the disabled need more independence, and less condescending "supervision." When he was a small child, he and his sister were poster children for "Jerry's Kids." He came to believe the annual Jerry Lewis telethons were a fraud, and their primary purpose was to showcase Jerry as a sort of benevolent god for the disabled. He founded the organization "Jerry's Orphans" as a way to dramatize how society pities crippled children (or "criplets," as Mike calls them), and then, when they're older and not as cute, is eager to warehouse them out of sight in restrictive care facilities.
Here's what he wrote recently:
And here is how he applies that situation to society at large:
As it happens, people in wheelchairs have been a part of my life since childhood. I grew up in Urbana, Illinois, which is flat as a pancake and ideal for people in wheelchairs. After World War II, the University of Illinois began an effort to make its campus accessible for wheelchairs. It modified dorm rooms and rest rooms, built curb cut-offs and ramps, installed lifts on city buses, and so on. This seemed natural to me. There were "wheelchair students," as we called them, in many of my classes. In the summer of 1962 I was part of the support staff for a tour of Southern Africa by a dozen Illinois wheelchair athletes. We visited hospitals where the "treatment" for the paralyzed or disabled was to leave them in hospital beds for the rest of their lives.
Mike Ervin and others began to agitate for more opportunities for cripples--which is the non-PC word he always, defiantly, uses. He writes:
Mike has been arrested more than a dozen times for civil disobedience, and got a lot of publicity when he and other Jerry's Orphans started chanting "Stop the Telethon Now!" during a Labor Day telecast. But I didn't set out today to write about Mike Ervin the activist. I wanted to write about Smart Ass Cripple. The condition of being crippled can lead to great frustration and anger. I've experienced a little of that myself in recent years. Imagine how it builds over a lifetime.
The weapon Smart Ass uses against that is withering, merciless humor. It is empowering. He is like a standup comic who can't stand up, unleashing a torrent of truth that makes us laugh helplessly because we know it is true. Richard Pryor could do that. So could Mark Twain. When Jonathan Swift proposed that the starving people of Ireland eat their babies, he was a pioneer of the tradition. Here it is at work:
People think protesting is constantly exciting but it's a lot like baseball. There are spurts of action between long lulls. You spend most of the time either plotting your next move or waiting for the other guy to make his move.
You get bored. You need someone to talk to. So I turned to the cripple next to me and asked him a probing question.
"So where are you from?"
"Utah!" he answered.
Long pause.
"You know what the Utah state bird is?" he asked me.
I'm not well-schooled on state birds.
"It's the seagull," he said.
Long pause
"And do you know what happens when you feed a seagull Alka-Seltzer?" he said.
I'm even less schooled on the effects of indigestion remedies on state birds.
"It explodes! You know why? Because birds can't burp!"
Hearing this made me want to ask him a thousand questions. But I was afraid that whatever I asked, he might very well give me the answer. It's like when I see people on street passing out pamphlets and wearing t-shirts that say JEWS FOR JESUS. I really want to ask them how someone can be a Jew for Jesus. But I'm afraid they'll tell me. So instead I avoid all further eye contact.
But I really wanted to ask the cripple from Utah how the hell he discovered that seagulls explode if you feed them Alka-Seltzer. Is blowing up your first seagull a rite of passage in Utah? Do they feed seagulls Alka-Seltzer at school science fairs?
Or was this something he discovered as a result of being crippled? Because being crippled can be really boring sometimes, too. Boredom does strange things to the mind. When not anchored, the mind meanders off in all kinds of directions. So I really wanted to ask the Utah cripple outside the White House if that's how it happened with him. Was he similarly stranded one day and a seagull landed on his windowsill? Was he taking Alka-Seltzer at the time? Did it suddenly occur to him that he'd never heard a bird belch?
But instead, I avoided all further eye contact.
Like I've said, I went to a state-operated boarding school for cripples that I call the Sam Houston Institute of Technology (SHIT).
Here's an amazing fact: SHIT still exists.
Here's an even more amazing fact: There are still a whole bunch of places like it going strong all around the country. They're often called "developmental" centers or "training" centers. But these places are like fly paper for cripples. If we land there, we're probably stuck there until we die.
Here's an amazinger fact than that: Some people fight hard to keep those places open, to the point where it takes contentious lawsuits to shut them down.
And here's the amazingest fact of all: The defenders of these places ALWAYS say they're standing up for our freedom of choice. Cripples ought to be able to live forever without parole, if we so choose, in a place where you have about as much autonomy, privacy, creative stimuli and ability to take risks as you do in a hospital ward.
I could conduct a survey where I offer cripples a choice between a) being locked in a meat freezer for three days wearing only a Speedo or b) a kick in the crotch. Four out of five cripples will say they prefer a kick in the crotch. Hell, five out of five cripples will say they prefer a kick in the crotch. So then I'm not only justified but I'm sanctified when I go around kicking cripples in the crotch. I'm honoring their choice.
This happens not just to cripples but to powerless people in general. You get a choice between a) working at Walmart for shit pay and no benefits or b) starving to death in a cold alley. Four out of five will choose working at Walmart for shit pay and no benefits. Well, maybe three out of five. So we must defend their right to chose to work at Walmart for shit pay and no benefits.
Some people say using the "r" word is now as offensive as using the "n" word. The people who believe this most are the people formerly known as mentally "r." They want to be called intellectually disabled or more respectable stuff like that.
Fair enough. We'll not use the word "r" here at Smart Ass Cripple. Consider the word stricken, in spite of its element of comic allure. I am not "r" so who am I to tell them what they have to call themselves? And I can kind of see their point. Some people referred to the "r" kids at the cripple elementary school I attended as "delayed." That's a helluvan identity to have to carry around. "Hello, I'm delayed."
So I will comply. But I have to admit that I'm doing so with a great deal of consternation. The banishment of the "r" word was the result of a massive re-branding campaign. There were public service announcements and billboards. I believe I even saw a Don't Use the "R" Word blimp. And there was no overt opposition. No one dared put up a billboard that said "Screw You 'R' People!"
It's not that I don't get pissed off about how some people use the word cripple, especially journalists. They talk about the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant or the crippled Greek economy. They use crippled as a synonym for fucked up. I guess they look up fucked up in the thesaurus and the first word that pops up is crippled.
That's fucked up. But I'd rather hammer away relentlessly at the word cripple like a coked-up blacksmith until cripple is forged into something new. Maybe being crippled will become synonymous with being awesomely cool. From that day forward, when people visit the Sistine Chapel, they'll look up at all the Michelangelo stuff and say, "Man, that is sooooooooo crippled."
If anybody starts a Don't Use the "C" Word campaign, I'm afraid I'll have no choice but to be on the other side. It may be me against the world, but I can't imagine giving up without a fight. I will engage them in a contentious battle of dueling blimps. I'll write a protest song: Ain't Nobody Takin' My Cripple Away.
If they want to take away my "c" word, they'll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers.
We were protesting outside of the White House. The police moved in with bolt cutters, unshackling those who handcuffed their wheelchairs to the gate. The rest of us lined up along the fence.
My dad had three kids with his first wife. None of them were crippled. Then my dad had three more kids with my mom. All crippled. I was the last one to come along so it must've been me they were talking about that day back when I was a tiny criplet and my mom overheard one of her in-laws say, "I blame her for this."
Go here to view "The Kids Are All Right,"
Here is the web site for Smart Ass Cripple. Mike and his wife, Rahnee Patrick:
Next Article: There is something and not nothing Previous Article: Doing the right thing
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There is something and not nothing
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Mythran's Master Of All - Continued (Completed!)
Bokuboy
Chapter 593 - It Gets Murky
Fiction Page Report
A note from Bokuboy
Here's 2,750 words for you... and I don't know if you're gonna like them.
The two men told him the name of the ship was the Dauntless, named after its captain, and that most of the crew were as loyal to him as his own children were. They told him the route the ship took and where the incident happened, what the cargo was, the crew compliment, and they also confirmed the woman's story. It was her husband and 3 other men that had fallen overboard and captured by the Sea Dwellers. He could tell they were telling the truth because they were scared out of their wits.
“Thank you, gentlemen.” Ren said, then gave them a shake.
“Hey! Stop! We told you everything!” One of them yelled.
“Relax, I'm just shaking off the splinters.” Ren said and turned away from the booth and stood the two men on their feet. “Stay right there.”
The two men nodded several times and Ren walked over to the bartender.
“Do you have a broom I can borrow?” Ren asked him.
“Don't worry about it.” The bartender said and banged on the wall. “Clarence! Cleanup duty!”
A young boy came out from a cubbyhole under the bar and stood up. The bartender pointed to the smashed table and the boy ran right over with a broom that was only as big as him. He made short work of all the splinters, even the ones on the seats of the booth, and took the pile of wood and shoved it inside the cold stove in the corner.
“I can make you a new table.” Ren said, and the bartender shook his head.
“I know yer type. It'll be all fancy and sturdy, and my customers will hurt themselves when thrown against it or over it.” The bartender smiled. “That'll hurt my business.”
Ren chuckled and saw the boy pull out another flimsy table from the back room and slid it over to the booth. “I should apologize for the mess and the inconvenience; but, it was neither for you, apparently.”
The bartender nodded and Ren walked over to the two men.
“Have a seat, gentlemen.” Ren said, and the two men slowly sat back in the booth. He put two plates of food in front of them and they stared at them. “Enjoy the meal, and I'll be paying for your drinks for the next hour, too.”
“Geez, are you crazy?” One of them asked. “We can drink a lot in an hour!”
“Most sailors can.” Ren said. “In fact...” He smiled and turned to the bar. “Hey, everyone. Sorry for the ruckus. For the next hour, drinks are on me.”
The patrons that had been completely quiet the entire time burst into cheers and hurrahs for him. Ren waved to them and walked over to the bartender.
“Yer in for a hefty bill I think.” The bartender said.
Ren took out 2 platinum coins and slid them across the bar, then leaned in to whisper. “If you give them the strong ale first to get them going, you should have a lot of change left over.”
The bartender barked a harsh laugh and took the two coins. “All right, you scum. You heard the man! Free ale for an hour!”
Ren had to dodge out of the way of the sailors, including the two he had just talked to, and then he left the bar. “Thanks for waiting outside.” He said to Artemis. “It was nasty in there.”
“I would trudge through a hundred seedy bars by your side.” Artemis said and smiled. “But, not the hundredth and first. I have to draw the line there.”
Ren snorted a laugh and put his arm around her waist. “Let's get back to the shop and check on Anabelle, then we can go to the county to get Princess.”
Artemis nodded and they walked down the dock to the exit at one of the East Gates, then they walked down the street to get to the Artesian District. They stopped in the shop and saw that Anabelle had brought in all three girls for extra help.
“Hi, Anabelle.” Ren said and gave her a kiss when she came over to greet him. “Now that you're so busy, I was thinking of giving you one of my Dedicated Servant Crafters.”
“That would be nice...” Anabelle said and looked away.
“But?” Ren asked, because he could feel her reluctance.
“My King, I... I'll lose these moments with you if you have someone else here to do all the work for you.”
Ren took two steps up into the air and put his hands on her shoulders. “If that's what you want, then you will never lose these moments with me.”
“I do.” Ren said, then leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I'll come back tonight for a few hours before I have to go for Adventurer's business.”
“A... few hours?”
Ren nodded. “It seems I don't really have a lot of pressing matters to attend to, so I'll have some free time...”
“Oh, Ren!” Anabelle said and kissed him several times. “I'll wear something nice, just for you.”
“You don't have to, but I appreciate it.” Ren said.
“I know you do.” Anabelle said, and she shivered slightly as she felt his emotions through their shared Freedom Aura. “Until tonight.”
“Until then, my dear.” Ren said, took her hand and kissed the back of it, then he and Artemis left the shop.
“She's really excited.” Artemis said.
“I don't spend as much time with her as I should.” Ren said and started to run through the air. “Of course, I guess that can be said about almost everyone in my life, not just her.”
Artemis flew beside him. “Lara and I definitely have the time compression advantage there.”
“I'm tempted to make sanctuaries for everyone and try to get them acclimated, then I wouldn't have to worry about splitting my time up so much.”
“Can you do that?” Teepo asked. “You had to modify the one you made for Lara so that we could all fit inside. With only one extra person, the enchantment quadrupled in size.” He said. “Won't having that much of a change be dangerous for new people?”
“Oh, definitely.” Ren said. “That's why I've been trying to figure out a way to expand it and not increase the time compression.” He said. “Anti-time runes won't work, since that just reduces the amount of time itself, not how fast it runs.”
“What you need is a way to edit spells and change how they affect what you use them on.” Teepo suggested. “I have no clue where you could learn that ability, or even if it exists.”
“Me, either.” Ren said, and he ran for the few minutes to get to the county, and came to a stop in front of the Main House. “I'm going inside for a minute to visit and let them know what's going on.” He said, and went up to the apartment to see Frikara and the others. He took about half an hour to tell them all about what happened in the Water Realm and about his new quest.
“I'm surprised you could get this kind of quest, considering you're a Sea Dweller.” Frikara said out of the blue. “You would think it's a conflict of interest and it goes against your own kind.”
Ren stopped talking and looked at her with wide eyes, and he could feel her conflicted emotions. “Frikara, are you okay?”
“I... Ren, I... don't know.” Frikara said. “Why did I say that just now?” She shook her head. “It doesn't make any sense! I know you're not really one of them...” She put a hand over her mouth. “By the gods! Why am I saying 'them' like it's a dirty word?”
“Shh, it's okay.” Ren took her into his arms and she started crying. “Don't talk. I can feel the conflict inside of you.” He said and looked at the other maids. He could feel traces of the same thing in them as well. “Unfortunately, I think I won't be taking you on any adventures for a while.”
“Yes, you can't trust us to have your back like this.” Navruth said, and Ren could feel her Practicality ability assert itself. “Our... decision making is... questionable right now.”
“I'll look into this right away.” Ren said. “I'll let you know if I find out anything.”
“No, don't.” Frikara said. “It... might...” She shook her head. “Please, go.”
Ren tried to give her a kiss goodbye, and she leaned away from him and cried even harder.
“Why am I... not letting you?” Frikara said as streams of tears rolled down her face. “I love you so much and... and I...”
“I'm tearing you apart.” Ren said as he gained the Angered condition and stood up. “I'll make those responsible for this pay.” He said and went to the apartment door. “They will pay dearly for hurting you like this.”
“R-Ren...” Frikara tried to speak, but now all of the maids were crying.
“I miss you already.” Ren said and left the apartment. He ran down the stairs and to Xuunah's apartment. The door opened before he could knock.
“I am unaffected by whatever it is that's changed them.” Xuunah said. “I can feel the conflict in them as well.”
“If you know, then please forgive me for this.” Ren said and took two steps up into the air and kissed her. She was surprised for a moment, then Ren poured all of his love for the maids out into the shared Aura. Xuunah let her own feelings join his and accepted his loving kiss for what it was. An apology for what the maids were going through.
Ren could have stayed that way forever; but, he knew it was pointless to do it for more than a few moments. “Please stay here and protect them for me, since my very presence hurts them.” He said when he broke the kiss.
“But my vow...”
“They are as much a part of me as you are, My Angel.” Ren said and gave her a kiss meant only for her, and her body shivered as he gave her just as much feelings of love as he did the maids. “Please, protect my heart while I cannot.”
“Ren.” Xuunah said and rested her forehead against his, and he felt her love in return. “I will do my best.”
“I'll come back if I find out anything.” Ren said. “Until then...”
“I will watch over them for you.” Xuunah said. “You have my word.”
“Thank you.” Ren said sincerely, and gave her another kiss. Xuunah sighed loudly when he broke it, because he was leaving her as well as the maids. He left the apartment and met Artemis outside, and they walked over to Princess' house beside the Main House.
“I am so sorry, My King.” Princess said as she came out to meet them. Riley and Stacy were there by her side.
“Not as sorry as those responsible are going to be.” Ren said and knelt by the two dogs. “I charge you with the protection of the maids and Xuunah. Guard this house and keep them safe.”
Both dogs barked once and wagged their tails, and he pet them.
“Thank you.” Ren said and stood up. “Princess, we have a bit of travelling to do.”
“I am up for anything.” Princess responded, and followed Ren across the road.
“Tee-one, I'm changing your assignment back to the business.” Ren said as they entered the warehouse, and Tee-one was already waiting for him. “Symmetra will stay and keep making anything that is needed, and the constructs will stay with her and keep an eye on things.”
“We'll do our best in this time of upheaval.” Symmetra said, then picked Ren up and hugged him with all 6 of her arms. “I'm so sorry this happened.”
“Me, too.” Ren said and hugged her back. “I hope it won't take long for me to fix things.”
“If anyone can do it, you can.” Symmetra said and let him go.
Ren, Artemis, Princess and Tee-one left the warehouse, and Ren attached a cart to Princess. Tee-one climbed inside and they went down the street to the pixie encampment. He wanted to warn them that he wasn't going to be around for a little while. When he stopped by the sign, he saw several of the 1 foot tall pixies call to the others, and a bunch of them came over.
“Well, well, well. Look at you.” Suniva, the Fire-based pixie said and grinned at him. “A Sea Dweller on dry land.”
Ren closed his eyes and made fists, which cracked all his knuckles, and he took a deep breath. He opened his eyes and looked at her sadly, then turned and started to walk away without saying a word.
“R-Ren!” Suniva said and ran forward through the air and ran around him to face him. “It was a joke! I was joking!”
“It wasn't funny.” Ren said and stopped walking. “I have to leave the maids because of it.”
“Wh-what? Why?”
“Whatever this new event is, it changed what they say and how they feel about things.” Artemis said. “They were crying almost hysterically when we left.”
“Oh, no.” Suniva said. “Ren, I... I'm so sorry.”
“I've got the Angered condition, so not much is going to set me off.” Ren said. “I could calm down, but I don't want to.” He said. “I only stopped by to tell you I might be gone for a while, depending on how long it takes to try and fix things.”
“Then I'm coming with you.” Suniva said and walked over to sit on his shoulder. “I won't let you face this alone.”
“I didn't mean for...”
“My playful joke hurt you.” Suniva said and kissed his cheek. “Let me make it up to you.”
“You're taking some of everything with you anyway.” Suniva said. “You can't say no.”
Ren opened his mouth to say no, and she quickly tossed a little fireball inside. It exploded and made a large puff of smoke come out of his mouth, and Teepo, Artemis, Princess, and Tee-one laughed at the sight. He couldn't help but chuckle at the mirth they felt, and he nodded.
“Thank you.” Suniva said and kissed his cheek again.
Their next stop was the succubi roost, and when they were close enough for Ren's Aura to cover the entire roost, 4 of the succubi came out to greet him.
“We felt your emotions, My King.” Seldanna said. “The others have someone to keep them fed, so we will come with you.”
“But, I just...”
“We will come with you.” Seldanna repeated. Ren sighed and she felt his acceptance, so she darted forward and kissed him on the cheek.
“Hey!” Suniva said as she had to lean out of the way. “I'm right here!”
“Aren't you a tasty morsel.” Seldanna said and licked her lips and locked eyes with the pixie.
Suniva's hands glowed with Fire. “Just try it, horny demon!” She said. “You don't want to see what a pissed off pixie can do!”
“Ooo, I'm so scared.” Seldanna said and grinned.
“Seldanna.” Ren said to caution her, and she looked at his face.
“She does look tasty.” Seldanna winked at him, and he felt her teasing emotions.
“Give it a rest and hop aboard.” Ren said and motioned to the cart.
“We're better at air patrol.” Seldanna said, and the 4 succubi lifted off and hovered around him and his group. Ren climbed onto Princess and sat down on her saddle, and the group took off into the air to travel to the starter city of Aurora. He felt bad as they left the county for an indeterminate amount of time, and he didn't know when he could come back.
If Ren couldn't convince the programmers to undo what they did to the maids, then he didn't know what he was going to do next.
Edit: Thanks, mjkj. it's to its.
Edit: Changed walked to went, after Tee-one gets in the cart.
7 Fictions 41 Posts 2 Threads
Monday, 21 May 2018 05:03:59
Creator of L.I.F.E. Begins
Bio: I'm human (barely), alive (mostly), and in peak physical fatness (overweight but not fat). I think, therefore it's possible I could pass a Turing Test. LOL
Sunsetdreamer52 @Sunsetdreamer52 13 months ago
jimmyclear @jimmyclear 13 months ago
I was really confused at first why Ren was angry, but after re-reading it, found that its because the maid are in the fearful state.
Now looking far ahead, the only way I see this story ending is when FLOW is shut-down for good after an event that nearly kills all players in FLOW, almost like SAO but less gruesome.
Thank you for the chapter. The Plot thickens.
Planner @Planner 4 months ago
... There's a thought. He was banished from the Dwarven lands for a year, and I bet the wording doesn't specify whether it's a year for him or a year for the Dwarven lands. He was banished for a year, and he has been gone for far longer than that. Played right he could be banished for 10 years and show up the next day. Timestream shenanigans
mbombok @mbombok 1 month ago
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England news
Soccer Football - World Cup - England Training - Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 13, 2018. ©Lee Smith / Reuters
Follow RT for the latest news from England and its capital London, including breaking news, weather, history and sports. England is a country that is a part of the United Kingdom. Get the news on England’s economy, which is one of the largest in the world and is the biggest part of the UK’s economy. It relies on aerospace, the arms industry, pharmaceutical and chemical production, and so on, making London both the largest financial center of the UK and Europe. Moreover, the central government of the UK is located in London, and the famous prime minister’s office at 10 Downing Street is situated in central London. Visit RT.com to get news and updates on politics in England, as well as on the government of the UK. The political system of England is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary system like in all parts of the UK. Despite the fact that England is a part of the UK, its football team is represented separately by the other three parts of the UK and is controlled by the Football Association in England. Don’t miss the news and updates on RT about England’s games, including the matches at the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.
Afghan asylum seeker asked shoppers if they were English, before attacking them with 10-INCH KNIFE
A man at a south London supermarket was motivated by a desire to “kill members of the public” if they were English, a court at the Old Bailey has heard.
Jul 3, 2019 10:58
‘Crazy’: Boris Johnson heckled in febrile cauldron of... an English garden center (VIDEO)
Boris Johnson, the favorite to become Britain’s next prime minister, has been roundly mocked by members of the public in a location he probably thought he was safe from abuse as a Conservative – a garden center in Kent, England.
Tommy Robinson filmed punching England fan to the ground (VIDEO)
Former European election candidate Tommy Robinson has been caught on camera violently assaulting a fellow England football fan before the national team’s match against the Netherlands in Portugal.
English club Sheffield United revealed to have been partly funded by Osama Bin Laden family
Newly-promoted English Premier League side Sheffield United received a substantial loan financed by a member of the Bin Laden family, it was revealed on Thursday in a court battle surrounding the club's ownership.
HUGE fire rips through historic 230-year-old church in NW England (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
A huge fire has engulfed a historic church in the center of Blackburn in the northwest of England, turning the oldest building in the city into a large inferno.
Apr 3, 2019 07:15
'Naive words': England star Declan Rice apologizes as pro-IRA comments resurface on social media
West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has taken to social media to apologize after statements posted by him as a youngster in support of the IRA were highlighted ahead of his England debut.
Mar 21, 2019 18:54
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My 10-Year-Old Nephew Colin Reviews Taylor Swift's Album 'Fearless'
We have all recently heard a lot about a rising young music star named Taylor Swift, the teen pop/country sensation who was named Billboard's Artist of the Year and whose second release, Fearless, was named album of the year by the Academy of Country Music Awards. Besides her meteoric rise to fame, she is also known for her personal life. She is currently rumored to be dating Taylor Lautner. If you, like me, are unfamiliar with Swift's music, my 10-year-old nephew Colin has penned a review of Fearless that explains all you need to know about this new musical heavyweight.
Taylor Swift Is Hot With A Capital H (Or, How Much Taylor Lautner Is A Boob) by Colin Miller
Taylor Swift is hot with a capital H. Her music is smooth, really great, and she should not be dating Taylor Lautner because he is a boob. Her music is touching. Her music can teach. She can sing really good. She is a hottie. If I ever get into Taylor Lautner's bedroom he better believe I'm going to get in his kitchen and steal a knife. He might have a gun on his shelf because that's the kind of thing that he does.
Her hair is silky smooth. She is really hot, like I said before. Her voice is really great. She is the best guitar player in the world. And she's 20, so that makes her hot. Her songs are the only ones that I know. "You Belong With Me." And "Romeo and Juliet." Those are good songs because she sings it good. They're not even good songs if my uncle sang it. And if she wasn't around, I would have no reason to live.
She is hot. She has good hair. She's skinny. She's only dating Taylor Lautner so she can dump him next year and make him feel like nothing. And she is a beauty. And she makes Britney Spears look like Fat Albert. And that's all I have to say about Taylor Swift.
You should go out to buy her album because I think it's a music video and you can make out with the screen. And her songs are really good because she actually sings good. She's not just pretty. She sings good. And you can buy her album in the next year--she's going to make an album about how much Taylor Lautner sucks.
Photo: Colin's rendering of Taylor Swift. Here she is seen kissing Colin while Taylor Lautner lies off to the side, cut in half.
tags: Fearless, Taylor Lautner, Taylor Swift
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General Moly Reports First Quarter 2019 Results
LAKEWOOD, CO / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2019 / General Moly, Inc. (the 'Company' or 'General Moly') (NYSE AMERICAN and TSX: GMO), the only western-exchange listed, pure-play molybdenum ('moly') development company, announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.
First quarter 2019 and to-date highlights:
The Company has reached a settlement agreement with a Kobeh Valley, Nevada ranching family ('Ranchers'), to resolve the last set of protests pending before the Nevada State Engineer pertaining to the Mt. Hope Project's water rights applications, which should clear the way for water permits to be issued. (Refer to the Company news release issued earlier today.)
The federal Bureau of Land Management is finalizing its review of public comments recently received on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement ('SEIS') in preparation of a final SEIS ahead of issuing the anticipated Record of Decision ('ROD') for the Mt. Hope moly project later this year.
As announced by the Company on March 13, 2019, the Board of Directors has retained XMS Capital Partners, Headwall Partners, and Odinbrook Global Advisors (collectively, the 'Advisors'), as financial advisors to evaluate and recommend strategic alternatives.
Chief Executive Officer Bruce D. Hansen and Chief Operating Officer Robert I. Pennington entered into a private placement agreement of up to $900,000 of Convertible Preferred Shares of General Moly with a 5% annual dividend to provide interim incremental liquidity (see the Company's March 13, 2019 news release for further details.)
The Company's 80%-owned joint venture company, which operates the Mt. Hope Project, Eureka Moly, LLC ('EMLLC'); ended the quarter with a restricted cash balance of $6.2 million (100% basis) in a reserve account, and remains self-funded into 2021, based on estimated care and maintenance expenses.
The moly oxide daily global spot price per pound is currently at $12.33, compared with $11.88 at yearend 2018 and $10.25 at yearend 2017, according to Platts. The moly price ranged from a low of $10.70/lb to a high of $12.70/lb, and averaged $11.78/lb during the first quarter, compared with $12.23/lb in a 1Q 2018.
The Company reported a consolidated net loss for the three months ending March 31, 2019 of $1.5 million ($0.01 per share), compared to a consolidated net loss of $2.8 million ($0.02 per share) for the 1Q 2018. At the end of the first quarter, the Company had $1.1 million in unrestricted cash and equivalents, including the first closing of a $300,000 private placement of Convertible Preferred Shares, or 3,000 preferred shares on March 28, 2019.
The Company anticipates additional funding from AMER International Group (AMER), its largest shareholder. Once water permits are in place the Tranche 3 $10.0 million private placement is triggered. The Tranche 3 private placement is priced at $0.50 per share, and its closure is contingent upon the earlier of receipt of water permits for the Mt. Hope Project. The Company anticipates receipt of the water permits from the Nevada State Engineer by the June 6, 2019 Nevada statutory deadline (which represents 240 days after receipt of the September 2018 water hearing transcript), if not sooner as a result of the negotiated settlement with the Ranchers.
AMER, based in Shenzhen, China is a non-ferrous metals and manufacturing conglomerate ranked as the 111th largest company in the world based on 2018 revenues of $72.8 billion, a 46.5% increase over 2017, according to the Fortune Global 500 ranking. AMER jumped ahead of companies like Panasonic, Mitsubishi, and Procter & Gamble from its previous ranking of 183rd in the world.
During the first quarter, consolidated uses of cash included $1.3 million in general and administrative costs, $0.5 million in costs for the Mt. Hope Project, and $0.1 million at the Liberty Project. The higher general and administrative costs in 1Q 2018 of $2.5 million compared to 1Q 2019 included $0.9 million in costs associated with accelerated depreciation of acquisition and installation costs of a new accounting software, which has lowered overhead costs. Cash inflows included $300,000 received from the issuance of preferred shares under the above-mentioned private placement of Convertible Preferred Shares, EMLLC also received $0.4 million released from a long-term funding mechanism in place to address future reclamation at the Mt. Hope Project.
Mr. Hansen said, 'We anticipate having the Mt. Hope Project fully permitted later in 2019, and we will commence the project financing process for the Mt. Hope moly mine. We believe our ability to finance and develop the Mt. Hope Project aligns well with the improving fundamentals in the moly market for further strengthening of moly prices.'
Engineering remains approximately 65% complete at the Mt. Hope moly project. Currently, there is no ongoing engineering and procurement effort.
Table 1: Financial Summary
($ and Shares in 000, Except Per Share)
1Q 2019 1Q 2018
1Q YOY Variance
Exploration & evaluation expenses
$ 103 $ 159 -35 %
General and administrative expenses, including non-cash stock compensation
1,299 2,472 -47 %
Total Operating Expenses
(55 ) (162 ) -66 %
Consolidated Net Loss
$ (1,457 ) $ (2,793 ) -48 %
Less: Net loss attributable to Contingently Redeemable Non-controlling Interest
Net Loss attributable to General Moly
Net Loss Per Share
$ (0.01 ) $ (0.02 ) -50 %
Avg. Weighted Shares Outstanding
137,471 126,757 8 %
Table 2: Balance Sheet Summary
($ in 000)
Dec. 31,
(7,047 ) (6,143 )
Restricted cash held at EMLLC*
Other restricted cash
Senior convertible notes
Return of contributions payable to POS-Minerals
Contingently Redeemable Non-controlling Interest
$ 98,880 $ 100,277
* Funding for the LLC for the second quarter of 2019 in the amount of $0.6 million was released from the restricted cash account in early April 2019, bringing the balance of that account to $5.6 million.
The Company has mailed its proxy statement to shareholders for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in Lakewood, Colorado, on June 25, 2019. Shareholders are encouraged to vote and return their proxy cards.
Strengthening Moly Prices
The CPM Group, a leading commodities research and consulting firm in New York, projects moly supply to fall into deficit later in 2019 through 2022. CPM projects per pound average prices of $13.36 in 2019, $15.03 in 2020, $16.61 in 2021, and $17.53 to $17.71 in 2022-2025.
World stainless steel production, which uses more moly than other forms of steel, increased 10% year-over-year in the first nine months of 2018, according to the latest data from the International Stainless-Steel Forum ('ISSF'). China, the world's largest stainless steel producer, saw an 8.5% increase in output.
Chart 1: Moly Weekly Spot Price (1/8/2004 - 5/10/2019)
Source: Platts
General Moly's ongoing priorities for 2019 are to:
Complete the settlement conditions with the Ranchers to advance receipt of water permits from state of Nevada.
Continue to reduce costs and enhance financial liquidity to provide additional longer-term sustainability of operations.
Move the Mt. Hope Project into construction-ready status by completing the Final SEIS and obtaining the ROD and water permits necessary for the project.
Fully evaluate all strategic options given rising moly prices to create the best value for shareholders.
About General Moly
General Moly is a U.S.-based, molybdenum mineral exploration and development company listed on the NYSE American, recently known as the NYSE MKT and former American Stock Exchange, and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol GMO. The Company's primary asset, an 80% interest in the Mt. Hope Project located in central Nevada, is considered one of the world's largest and highest grade molybdenum deposits. Combined with the Company's wholly-owned Liberty Project, a molybdenum and copper property also located in central Nevada, General Moly's goal is to become the largest primary molybdenum producer in the world.
Molybdenum is a metallic element used primarily as an alloy agent in steel manufacturing. When added to steel, molybdenum enhances steel strength, resistance to corrosion and extreme temperature performance. In the chemical and petrochemical industries, molybdenum is used in catalysts, especially for cleaner burning fuels by removing sulfur from liquid fuels, and in corrosion inhibitors, high performance lubricants and polymers.
Scott Roswell
info@generalmoly.com
Website: www.generalmoly.com
Statements herein that are not historical facts are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated, expected, or implied by the Company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to availability of cash to continue ongoing operations and repay outstanding debt, metals price and production volatility, global economic conditions, currency fluctuations, increased production costs and variances in ore grade or recovery rates from those assumed in mining plans, exploration risks and results, political, operational and project development risks, including the Company's ability to obtain a re-grant of its water permits and Record of Decision, ability to maintain required federal and state permits to continue construction, and commence production of molybdenum, copper, silver, lead or zinc, ability to identify any economic mineral reserves of copper, silver, lead or zinc; ability of the Company to obtain approval of its joint venture partner at the Mt. Hope Project in order to mine for copper, silver, lead or zinc, ability to raise required project financing or funding to pursue an exploration program related to potential copper, silver lead or zinc deposits at Mt. Hope, ability to respond to adverse governmental regulation and judicial outcomes, and ability to maintain and /or adjust estimates related to cost of production, capital, operating and exploration expenditures. For a detailed discussion of risks and other factors that may impact these forward looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors and other discussion contained in the Company's quarterly and annual periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K, on file with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.
SOURCE: General Moly, Inc.
https://www.accesswire.com/545397/General-Moly-Reports-First-Quarter-2019-Results
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