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19-AM-10: ST1.4 - Why Is It Difficult to Implement E-Health Innovation?
Wednesday, 19/Jun/2019:
Session Chair: Etienne Minvielle, école Polytechnique
Session Chair: John Kimberly, University of Pennsylvania
Location: Room PC 23
Session Abstract
E-health encompasses a set of technological innovations (e.g. telemedecine, AI and algorithms, Medical devices) that announces a deep transformation of healthcare delivery systems. While there are many reasons to consider important improvements in terms of quality of care and efficiency, their implementation process also reveals unexpected barriers. Among them can be mentioned different patient’s behaviors for adopting them, power strategies among healthcare professionals that limit their effective use, and a lack of robust method for assessing their added-value.
Based on empirical and theoretical studies, this track aims to develop an analysis of the barriers during the implementation process of a technological innovation.
Articles that lead to define managerial recommendations when implementing e-health innovations are welcoming.
Electronic Medical Records: For Good or Ill? Data Breaches in the US Healthcare Ecosystem
Julien Cloarec, Nour Alrabie
TSM-Research, Université Toulouse Capitole, CNRS
Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are the most significant innovation in digital health. Their implementation allows both improved patient care and reduced health cost, and facilitates medical decision-making.
Though controversial, Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are the most significant innovation in digital health (Angst, Agarwal, Sambamurthy, & Kelley, 2010). EMRs centralize patient data and make it accessible to different actors of the health ecosystem in real time (Mishra, Anderson, Angst, & Agarwal, 2012). Adopting EMRs leads to improved patient care (Angst et al., 2010) and reduced health cost (Bhargava & Mishra, 2014). However, the number of data breaches is increasing worldwide. The more patient data are shared between different healthcare organizations (e.g., between healthcare providers and health plans), the higher the chances of an attack. In the US, health data breaches represent up to a quarter of all data breaches. The major issue with EMRs is that their current anonymization techniques are not effective (Li & Qin, 2017). Patients are so increasingly concerned by their privacy that it can lead to the rejection of EMRs.
Literature Gap
Surprisingly, the literature under-investigates health data breaches aside from healthcare providers.
Since healthcare organizations (i.e., healthcare providers, business associates, and health plans) share patients’ data between each other, it is critical to encompass the whole healthcare eco-system in academic investigations.
Our exploratory study aims to classify EMRs breaches in the US healthcare eco-system. We ran a TwoStep cluster analysis. It fits best for mixed data thanks to its Log-likelihood distance measure. In addition, the Bayesian’s information criterion allows an automatic identification of the most appropriate number of clusters. TwoStep cluster analysis is well suited to managerial decision making in exploratory designs and more reliable than other cluster analyses such as k-means classification.
Empirical Material
We used the publicly available data of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. We selected the period in which data is complete (i.e., from 2010 to 2017). The final sample is composed of 139 EMRs breaches. We implemented cluster analysis with three variables: the number of harmed patients in a given breach, as a proxy of the scope of the attack; the origin of that EMRs breach (e.g., disclosure/unauthorized access or hacking); and the type of the attacked healthcare organization (i.e., healthcare providers, business associates and health plans).
Descriptive data analysis shows that EMRs breaches are more frequent overtime: in 2017, they represent more than 10% of all data breaches in the US healthcare system. TwoStep cluster analysis puts forward four distinct clusters.
The content of the four clusters is reported in Table 2. Three of them exclusively relates to healthcare providers. Their number of EMRs breaches is the most important, ranging from 29 to 72. These clusters are distinguished by the origin of the breaches (i.e., disclosure/unauthorized access, hacking, and theft). Despite the high number of EMRs breaches, the number of harmed patients remains relatively moderate (i.e., between around 6 000 and 11 000).
The fourth and last cluster appears to be the most important one for our exploratory study. In contrast with the previous clusters, it is composed of business associates and health plans, excluding healthcare providers. The origins of EMRs breaches are diverse (i.e., disclosure/unauthorized access, hacking, theft, and, last but not least, loss). Despite the small number of EMRs breaches (i.e., 8), the average number of harmed patients is incredibly high (i.e., about 800 000). Surprisingly, to the best of our knowledge, the literature under-investigates EMRs breaches out of healthcare providers.
Contribution to Scholarship
The literature emphasizes data breaches in hospitals (i.e., a type of healthcare providers) and, hence, little is known about such breaches in a healthcare ecosystem. In our exploratory study, we show that all types of healthcare organizations (i.e., healthcare providers, business associates, and health plans) suffer from EMRSs breaches. The results of our classification analysis put forward a cluster that is exclusively composed of business associates and health plans. ). Despite their small number of EMRs breaches, the average number of harmed patients is incredibly high. In the light of neo-institutional theory, this raises a major issue: do business associates and health plans adopt IT security features symbolically?
Contribution to Practice
Professionals who use EMRs have diverse profiles, with heterogeneous levels of digital literacy, making the implementation of EMRs slow. An implementation failure can cost dozens of million dollars in damage. Executive education in IT for managers is thus more than ever necessary. Healthcare organizations could also assess the digital literacy of their members (e.g., practitioners and administrative staff) before implementing EMRs and invest for their training. Such training should be adapted to the diverse profiles of the healthcare organizations’ members. For instance, one’s might make health plans aware of data loss or make practitioners aware of involuntary disclosure/unauthorized access.
This study fits the track 1.4. because it deals with one of the major e-health innovations: electronic medical records.
Angst, C. M., Agarwal, R., Sambamurthy, V., & Kelley, K. (2010). Social Contagion and Information Technology Diffusion: The Adoption of Electronic Medical Records in U.S. Hospitals. Management Science, 56(8), 1219–1241. http://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1100.1183
Bhargava, H. K., & Mishra, A. N. (2014). Electronic Medical Records and Physician Productivity: Evidence from Panel Data Analysis. Management Science, 60(10), 2543–2562. http://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1934
Li, X.-B., & Qin, J. (2017). Anonymizing and Sharing Medical Text Records. Information Systems Research, 28(2), 332–352. http://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2016.0676
Mishra, A. N., Anderson, C., Angst, C. M., & Agarwal, R. (2012). Electronic Health Records Assimilation and Physician Identity Evolution: An Identity Theory Perspective. Information Systems Research, 23(3), 738–760. http://doi.org/10.1287/isre.1110.0407
Leveraging big data to drive innovation: the case of big data platforms in French academic health centers
Pierre-Yves Brossard
EHESP, France
The French healthcare system is at the dawn of a major reform which is challenging the positioning and role of French AHCs. In this context, data analytics platforms become strategic assets for French AHCs as they can help them differentiate from other providers and define their future organizational identity.
This research covers the resource-based view of data analytics and the application of data analytics to the innovation process.
It will be applied to the case of data analytics platforms in French AHCs and will be focused on the knowledge mobilization phase of the innovation process.
Relevant literature is:
On Academic Health Centers and innovation
Dzau VJ, Yoediono Z, Ellaissi WF, Cho AH. Fostering innovation in medicine and health care: what must academic health centers do? Acad Med J Assoc Am Med Coll. 2013;88:1424 9.
On Data analytics platform and care delivery
Paulus R, Davis K, Steele G. Continuous Innovation In Health Care: Implications Of The Geisinger Experience. Health Affairs, 27, no.5 (2008):1235-1245
On Resource-based view
Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120.
Resource based view data analytics
On Knowledge mobilization
Dougherty D. Organizing Practices in Services: Capturing Practice-Based Knowledge for Innovation. Strateg Organ. 2004;2:35 64.
In recent literature, the RBV model has been applied to data analytics, but there is no specific work on the healthcare sector. The case of DAP in French AHCs will offer us the opportunity to fill this gap.
This work is addressing the two following research questions:
- How do French AHCs leverage their DAP as strategic assets to differentiate themselves from other providers?
- How do DAP impact the knowledge mobilization dynamics and the overall innovation process in care delivery?
As a preliminary work, we will perform a literature review of the scientific work done on the two conceptual frameworks. We will use search on EBSCO and CAIRN.
The methodological strategy will be a case study design.
S1 : exploratory study to profile AHCs based on their DAP strategy and to select 2 institutions for in-depth case study.
S2 : comparative case study on knowledge mobilization to detail the dynamics of the emergence of data-driven care delivery innovation.
S3 : recommendations elaboration to AHC managers on how to maximize the potential for care delivery innovation
The data in stage 1 (exploratory case study) will be:
1) Face/face interviews with 1 key informant from the AHC CEO, CMO and CRO communities (3 interviews)
2) Telephone interview with 1 informant from each AHC selected using a snowball technique (targeted: CEO or member of the senior leadership team) (29 interviews)
3) Policy and internal documents (request during telephone interviews)
The data in stage 2 (comparative case study) will be :
1 day of on-site semi-structured interviews with key informant for each selected AHCs (up to 8 interviews per day) (16 interviews)
The data in stage 3 will be:
Interviews with experts to enrich and validate recommendations (4 interviews)
By investing in DAPs, French AHCs primarily want to increase the competitiveness of their research and clinical activities by improving the value generated from existing databases. If the ambition is shared by all, the integration of DAPs within the organization and their impact on the innovation process are very variable.
At this date, the main benefits from investing in DAPs may not reside in IT infrastructure itself, but in the change of image and positioning. Through their investments in DAPs, AHCs acquire intangible assets that change their position towards their competitors, HCPs and patients. Becoming a “big data innovator” conveys positive signals that impact the perception of the performance of clinical activities, quality of care, patient safety, work conditions.
These intangible assets are drivers of change in clinical and research practices. The association of a new IT infrastructure with a new image appears to be a key success factor for its implementation at the organizational level.
The ideas developed in this research help understand how AHCs – and care providers in general - can acquire value from their investments in data analytics infrastructure. We have used the RBV to develop a framework for identifying how data analytics infrastructure can influence the transformation of AHCs.
This research makes an original contribution to scholarship through the application of the RBV framework to the healthcare sector, and more specifically AHCs. In a context of reform in most healthcare systems, the question of competitive advantage will apply.
As for knowledge mobilization, the present research opens new perspectives by focusing on care delivery innovation, which engages a scope of actors much larger than what has been studied in discovery or diagnostic innovation.
This research can help AHCs managers and national decision-makers to better understand how data analytics platforms should be implemented to maximize the impact on innovation in care delivery.
The impact of these platforms does not reside in its infrastructure but its integration in the organization. Positioning the use of data analytics as a strategic ambition and communicating this one to external stakeholders appears to be drivers for its integration and a trigger for changes in clinical and research practices.
ehealth implementation can not limit itself to setting up an infrastructure or adding a solution to a user interface. ehealth innovation realizes its potential when fully integrated into strategy and practices. Successfully engaging actors can be achieved by leveraging intangible assets.
Atlas des SIH 2018. 2018. Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé. https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/dgos_atlas_sih_2018.pdf.
Barney, Jay. 1991. “Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage.” Journal of Management 17(1): 99–120.
Barney, Jay B. 1991. Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage. Rochester, NY: Social Science Research Network. SSRN Scholarly Paper. https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=1505199 (March 10, 2019).
Bledow, Ronald et al. 2009. “A Dialectic Perspective on Innovation: Conflicting Demands, Multiple Pathways, and Ambidexterity.” Industrial and Organizational Psychology 2(3): 305–37.
Buchanan, David, Louise Fitzerald, and Diane Kelley. 2007. The Sustainability and Spread of Organizational Change: Modernizing Healthcare. https://www.crcpress.com/The-Sustainability-and-Spread-of-Organizational-Change-Modernizing-Healthcare/Buchanan-Fitzgerald-Ketley/p/book/9780415370950 (March 10, 2019).
Califf, Robert M. et al. 2016. “Transforming Evidence Generation to Support Health and Health Care Decisions.” New England Journal of Medicine 375(24): 2395–2400.
Christensen, Clayton M., Michael E. Raynor, and Rory McDonald. 2015. “What Is Disruptive Innovation?” Harvard Business Review (December 2015). https://hbr.org/2015/12/what-is-disruptive-innovation (March 10, 2019).
Coiera, Enrico. 2011. “Why System Inertia Makes Health Reform so Difficult.” BMJ 342: d3693.
Davies, Huw, Alison Powell, and Sandra Nutley. 2016. “Mobilizing Knowledge in Health Care.” The Oxford Handbook of Health Care Management. http://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198705109.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780198705109-e-17 (March 10, 2019).
Dougherty, Deborah. 2004. “Organizing Practices in Services: Capturing Practice-Based Knowledge for Innovation.” Strategic Organization 2(1): 35–64.
Dougherty, Deborah, and Danielle D. Dunne. 2011. “Organizing Ecologies of Complex Innovation.” Organization Science 22(5): 1214–23.
Dzau, Victor J., Ziggy Yoediono, William F. ElLaissi, and Alex H. Cho. 2013. “Fostering Innovation in Medicine and Health Care: What Must Academic Health Centers Do?” Academic Medicine 88(10): 1424.
Ferlie, Ewan, Louise Fitzgerald, Martin Wood, and Chris Hawkins. 2005. “The Nonspread of Innovations: The Mediating Role of Professionals.” Academy of Management Journal: 19.
Hwang, Jason, and Clayton M. Christensen. 2008. “Disruptive Innovation in Health Care Delivery: A Framework for Business-Model Innovation.” Health Affairs (Project Hope) 27(5): 1329–35.
Lancet, The. 2018. “Standing by France’s Social Contract: Macron’s Health Reform.” The Lancet 392(10153): 1090.
Le CHU de demain: symbiose, créativité et excellence. 2018. Conférences des CHU. https://www.reseau-chu.org/article/chu-de-demain-5-axes-et-23-propositions/.
Ma Santé 2022: un engagement collectif. 2018. Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé. https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/actualites/presse/dossiers-de-presse/article/dossier-de-presse-ma-sante-2022-un-engagement-collectif.
May, Carl. 2013. “Agency and Implementation: Understanding the Embedding of Healthcare Innovations in Practice.” Social Science & Medicine (1982) 78: 26–33.
Paulus, Ronald A., Karen Davis, and Glenn D. Steele. 2008. “Continuous Innovation In Health Care: Implications Of The Geisinger Experience.” Health Affairs 27(5): 1235–45.
Safon, Marie-Odile. 2017. Les réformes hospitalières en France : aspects historiques et réglementaires. IRDES.
Employees’ acceptance of disruptive digital service innovations in health care
Marie Luengen, Christopher Garrelfs, Carsten Schultz
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany
As a part of digitalization, services are changing radically especially in health care. E.g., the use of artificial intelligence allows the automation of services and extent customer self-service concepts. Hence, employees may perceive digital change as a threat and may act as opponents, especially if the change requires substantial learning.
Our research takes place in the audiology sector, exemplary for many sectors in which automated solutions replace personal services (Huang and Rust, 2018). The audiology is sensitive for changes due to knowledge intensity and an intense interaction between frontline employees and customers (Ardolino et al., 2016). Changes can be perceived as threatening leading to employees holding onto their routines. We distinguish between competence destroying (disruptive) and competence enhancing service innovations. Disruptive services can influence employees’ adoption intention negatively. The potential to substitute competences of employees will be consequently perceived as a threat (van Hootegem et al., 2019).
Moreover we regard the influence of the innovation’s source on the acceptance. We distinguish between peer (acoustician) and manufacturer (hearing aid producers) driven innovations, presenting different threat levels as manufacturer may enter the market. The “not-invented-here syndrome” may lead to a decreasing acceptance of manufacturer driven innovation (De Araújo Bucharth et al., 2014).
The reaction of employees to potentially disrupting digital service innovations is of highest relevance but is hardly been addressed in innovation research. It is in particular interesting to explore interaction effects of the degree of potential disruption and the source of this potential threat.
How does the source of innovation influence a service employee’s acceptance of disruptive service innovations? How do employee and organizational characteristics affect the perceived level of threat of disruptive innovations? Which individual and organizational attributes may compensate potential negative perceptions of disruptive innovations that are launched by market entrants?
In our survey of acousticians we chose a 2x2 vignette experimental design testing their reaction to two future service scenarios and two opposite sources of the proposed service innovations. Each participant received the same fictitious text only differing in the informant’s origin describing possible outcomes of digitalization in audiology. To manipulate the service scenario we introduced different digital services that differ in their ability to substitute the current work. Furthermore, we measure personal and organizational factors that could have a further influence on the acceptance of digital services.
We survey more than 400 persons. The participants are audiologists, active for several years in practice, which are currently enrolled in a training program (master course) of the biggest education institution for acousticians in Germany. They are answering a ten-page questionnaire with questions regarding their personal innovativeness and digital knowledge, working environment (e.g. internal communication), organizational context (e.g. entrepreneurial orientation) and the intention to use different digital services. In this survey, we integrated a variation of digital services differing in their potential to substitute the current tasks of the employees. The services result of a larger qualitative study and analysis of current technology and market trends in audiology. In addition, 50% of the respondents were framed in the sense that the innovations are result of workshops and concrete development of audiologists (peers). The other half of the sample got the information that the sources of innovation are current activities by hearing aid manufactures. This leads to an experimental design of 2x2 groups (competence enhancing services/competence destroying services and acoustician as source of innovation/manufacturer as source of innovation). We apply ANOVA and multivariate regressions to analyze the data.
First results of the ongoing study suggest that the more a service innovation is perceived as disruptive, the less it will be accepted. As stated above, the potential to substitute the competence of employees leads to a perception of threat. Moreover an innovation is perceived more negatively if it doesn’t come from within the own profession. That means that the participants receiving a fictional scenario from the perspective of manufacturers accept the service innovations less. We also find an interaction effect that indicates that employees perceive disruptive service innovations as a threat if they are launched by manufactures. As a consequence barriers of adoption will arise which must be dissolved by the management.
On the personal level an employee’s degree of innovativeness and information capacities reduces the level of perceived threat and also reduces the negative effect of the not-invented-here syndrome. Similarly, an innovative organization culture exerts a positive influence on the perception of disruptive innovations. A culture supporting open internal communication leads to higher acceptance of changes, because the transparency of information can help understanding the necessity of digital innovations (Baer and Frese, 2003).
The purpose of our study is to explain the factors, which influence the acceptance of radical changes in service organizations regarding the special case of health care organizations. Our results show that acceptance can be explained by various factors. On the individual level personal innovativeness, digital competence and personal characteristics like age or seniority may exert an influence. On the organizational level competitive intensity, internal communication, entrepreneurial orientation and organizational factors like firm size or leadership style are meaningful. Furthermore, the variation of service innovations (competence enhancing vs. destroying changes) and the source of innovation are direct predictors of employees’ acceptance of digital changes. The experimental design promises interesting insights into the backgrounds of acceptance and finally the adoption of disruptive service innovations by employees. Since we focus our research on frontline employees, we provide valuable insights on the micro foundation of digital innovation.
We give advice how service firms can motivate employees to support organizational changes, especially within the context of digitalization. We describe the competences employees need to participate in digital innovation projects and how different personal traits affect the acceptance of disruptive digital service innovation. On the organizational level, communication and leadership strategies have to address the needs of employees and their perceived threat to allow an innovative behavior despite of a potential individual fear of change. The results that are gathered within the field of audiology can be transferred to other services and industries.
With our research, we are able to contribute to the investigation of barriers rising out of a company's social system as well as attitudes and learned behavior of its members. Especially radical technological changes may influence employees’ acceptance negatively, that's why we concentrate on potential consequences of individual threats.
Ardolino, Marco; Saccani, Nicola; Gaiardelli, Paolo; Rapaccini, Mario (2016): Exploring the Key Enabling Role of Digital Technologies for PSS Offerings. In: Procedia CIRP 47, p. 561–566. DOI: 10.1016/j.procir.2016.03.238.
Baer, Markus; Frese, Michael (2003): Innovation is not enough. Climates for initiative and psychological safety, process innovations, and firm performance. In: J. Organiz. Behav. 24 (1), p. 45–68. DOI: 10.1002/job.179.
De Araújo Bucharth, Ana L.; Praest Knudsen, Mette; Alsted Søndergaard, Helle (2014): Neither invented nor shared here: The impact and management of attitudes for the adoption of open innovation practices. In: Technovation 34 (3), p..149-161.
Huang, Ming-Hui; Rust, Roland T. (2018): Artificial Intelligence in Service. In: Journal of Service Research 21 (2), p. 155–172. DOI: 10.1177/1094670517752459.
van Hootegem, Anahí; Niesen, Wendy; Witte, Hans de (2019): Does job insecurity hinder innovative work behaviour? A threat rigidity perspective. In: Creat Innov Manag 28 (1), p. 19–29. DOI: 10.1111/caim.12271.
E-health innovations: what do we learn from the implementation of the surgical robot in operating rooms?
Delphine Wannenmacher
Université de Lorraine, France
The context of our research is an operating room using robotic surgery.
The surgical robot device has three elements connected by cables: carriage-patient, video column and the console. The computer-generated electrical impulses are transmitted by a 10-meter long cable that controls the articulated robot arms where articulated instruments are attached.
While the robot itself is very expensive, some studies highlight its advantages in global costs cuts (Defortescu G. & al., 2016; Pugin & al., 2011). For that, technical skills are needed as manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination (Agha & al., 2015; Hove & al. 2010). Results also depend on non-technical skills as situational awareness, decision making, communication, teamwork and leadership, and on the ways to overtake obstacles to communication: internal ones as difference of language, culture, motivation, expectations, past experience, status, feelings, and external ones as noise, little carrying voice, deafness, electric interference, spatiotemporal separation, lacking visual marks (Yule & Paterson-Brown, 2012). The literature on those questions is a big step for the healthcare management field but is too focused on the technical performance of the surgeon, on the training of the future surgeons or on the assessment of the technical and non-technical skills (Hull & al., 2012).
The literature focuses mostly on the hard factors of Operating Rooms (OR) optimizations and less on soft factors as change management and team. Studying soft factors of health innovation at the team level is an important research gap, especially in OR that are known to be more hierarchical than other hospital units.
We raise several research questions: What are the difficulties and impacts of implementing the surgical robot in an operating room? What are the ways to improve teamwork and communication in this new context? What does this implementation experience teach us for further e-health innovations?
We used a qualitative methodology developed in a pragmatist approach (Lorino, 2016). More specifically, we build a case study of an operating room using robotic surgery based on several methodological tools (Yin, 2008): observations, video-recording and self-confrontation interviews.
Video collecting gives a precise track of the surgical activity, which makes it possible to transcribe the verbal interactions but also to describe nonverbal interactions which take place during the intervention, and is a base for the self-confrontation interviews.
The self-confrontation interviews (adapted from Clot & al., 2000) make it possible to come back to the course of the activity.
Our case study is based on observations, on a video-recording and on self-confrontation interviews.
Observations took place at the very beginning of our research for better understanding the context of the members of the OR team, and the place and the role of each one in the team. Then observations were made for preparing the future video-recording to come. Finally observations were made during video recording to anticipate the analysis of this one by identifying keys-moments of the intervention.
A 3-hour long surgical intervention has been video-recorded and analyzed.
To complete the observations and the video-recording, self-confrontation interviews with each member of the surgical team were conducted and a restitution was made, followed by a discussion on the results.
Some other empirical materials are envisaged as observations of non-robotic surgery (open surgery and simple laparoscopy surgery) to isolate the effects of the surgical robot on the OR context and functioning, and observations and interviews in different specialization surgery than urology.
The surgical robot has an impact on the configuration, the functioning, the communication and the decision process within operating rooms and working teams.
The obstacles to communication and to teamwork are amplified by the spatial and temporal separation observed in and outside OR.
Some staff members are reluctant to use the surgical robot because it has an impact on the place they have in the team and the sense they make of their work.
Besides there is a kind of paradox: being a forerunner in the use of the surgical robot and in robotics training, seems to lead the actors to rely on their skills rather than to seek to improve the OR practices, through the training of new personnel and briefing/debriefing techniques for example.
Improving communication and teamwork in the context of robotic-assisted surgery is primarily based on the awareness of the obstacles presented above, the development of collective non-technical skills, the transformation of OR practices and the co-construction of management tools. For this, the creation of discussion spaces (Detchessahar & al., 2015) is an interesting track. For these spaces being effective and producing results, the institution must be looped and commit to supporting the team.
As we saw, there are few publications in the healthcare management field on soft factors in OR context. Our research which tries to understand difficulties and impacts for the team of implementing the surgical robot in an operating room helps to address this gap.
Besides the literature identifies the main non-technical skills and communication obstacles and proposes some assessment grids. However there are few researches on how those skills and obstacles concretely express in an OR context using the surgical robot, and there is no such research conducted on the team level.
Indeed our research allowed us to analyze more precisely these phenomena by taking into account the interactions between all the actors working in the operating room – obviously the surgeon and the assistant but also the scrub and circulating nurses the anesthesiologists and the anesthetic nurses - and not only between surgeons as it is often the case.
Several contributions to practice can be highlighted.
First of all we allow a better understanding on the obstacles to communication and team work in the context of an OR using robotic surgery.
Secondly, we propose some ways to improve teamwork and communication in this new context.
Finally our results could give some ideas to improve the technological device itself to be easier to appropriate.
Some of our results and recommendations can be useful for further e-health innovations and R&D management. Indeed, we show in a general way that thinking immediately at the team level and about the development of collective soft skills are very important when implementing technological innovation.
Agha, R.A., Fowler, A.J., Sevdalis, N. (2015). The role of non-technical skills in surgery. Annals of Medicine and Surgery 4, 422–427.
Clot, Y., Faïta, D., Fernandez, G., et Scheller, L. (2000). Entretiens en autoconfrontation croisée : une méthode en clinique de l’activité. Perspectives interdisciplinaires sur le travail et la santé (2-1).
Defortescu G., Tillou X. (2016), La chirurgie robot-assistée en transplantation rénale, Progrès en Urologie – FMC, 26:F67–F72.
Detchessahar M., Gentil S., Grevin A., Stimec A., 2015, Quels modes d’intervention pour soutenir la discussion sur le travail dans les organisations ? Réflexions méthodologiques à partir de l’intervention dans une clinique, @GRH 2015/3 (n°16), p. 63-89.
Hove P.D. (van), G.J. Tuijthof, E.G. Verdaasdonk, L.P. Stassen, Dankelman (2010), Objective assessment of technical surgical skills, Br. J. Surg. 97 (7).
Hull L., Arora S., Aggarwal R., Darzi A., Vincent C., Sevdalis N. (2012), “The impact of nontechnical skills on technical performance in surgery: a systematic review”, J. Am. Coll. Surg. 214, 214–230.
Lorino, P. (2016), L’apport de la pensée pragmatiste à l’approche processuelle. In: Théories des organisations. Nouveaux tournants. Paris: Economica, F.X. de Vaujany, A. Hussenot, J.F. Chanlat . p. 279-298.
Pugin F., Bucher P., Morel P. (2011), Histoire de la chirurgie robotique : d’AESOP à Da Vinci® en passant par Zeus®, Journal de Chirurgie Viscérale,148S, S3-S8.
Yin R.K. (2008). Case Study Research. Design and Methods, Thousand Oaks: Sage, 4th ed.
Yule S. et Paterson-Brown S. (2012), Surgeons’ Non-technical Skills, Surg Clin N Am 92, 37–50.
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52 scholar-athletes named to NESCAC Fall All-Academic Team
Women's soccer players Astrid Kempainen '15, left, and Grace Bilodeau '15 are two of the 52 Connecticut College student-athletes named to the NESCAC Fall All-Academic Team.
Ten members of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Championship women’s soccer team are among the 52 Connecticut College student-athletes selected to the conference’s 2014 Fall All-Academic Team. To be honored, a student-athlete must have reached sophomore academic standing and be a varsity letter winner with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.35. A transfer student must have completed one year of study at the institution.
Senior central midfielder Astrid Kempainen helped the Camels capture their first NESCAC Team Championship this season en route to being named the NESCAC Women’s Soccer Player of the Year. Kempainen tallied 20 points with a league-best 10 assists during her senior campaign, while three of her five goals on the season were game-winning markers.
Kempainen’s teammate Grace Bilodeau, a senior forward, was also honored on the squad. Bilodeau, a French major who studied in France last spring, notched three goals and three assists on the season.
Also on the All-Academic Team are men’s soccer player Daniel Sandoval ’15, a 2014 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar; field hockey co-captain and central midfielder Heidi Halsted ’15, who was named to the 2014 Longstreth/ National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-New England West Region Second Team; all three captains of the men’s cross country team; and 15 members of the women’s cross country team.
“We are very proud of the accomplishments of our student athletes, on the field and in the classroom,” said Fran Shields, the Katherine Wenk Christoffers '45 Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education.
The 52 members of the Connecticut College NESCAC Fall All-Academic Team are:
Nicole Adam ’16, Women's Cross Country
Grace Bilodeau ’15, Women's Soccer
Mark Cameron ’17, Men's Soccer
Alexis Cheney ’16, Women's Cross Country
Cassandra Cohen ’17, Field Hockey
Morgan Cowie-Haskell ’16, Women's Soccer
Ashley Curran ’17, Women's Cross Country
Anna Curtis-Heald ’15, Women's Cross Country
Ryan Dean ’16, Men's Cross Country
Nicole DellaPasqua ’17, Women's Soccer
Brad DeMarco ’16, Men's Cross Country
Patrick Dermody ’15, Men's Cross Country
Nick DiLeo ’15, Men's Water Polo
Katie DuBois ’16, Women's Cross Country
Abigail Fagan ’16, Women's Soccer
Douglas Garabedian ’15, Men's Soccer
Ajami Gikandi ’16, Men's Soccer
Dan Gossels ’16, Men's Cross Country
Anna Guay ’17, Women's Cross Country
Heidi Halsted ’15, Field Hockey
Lilly Hanlon ’17, Women's Cross Country
Julia Hayden ’16, Women's Cross Country
Alejandro Hernandez ’17, Field Men's Cross Country
Weller Hlinomaz ’17, Men's Soccer
Amanda Jacobsen ’17, Field Hockey
Ella Johnson ’17, Volleyball
Michael Joyce ’15, Men's Cross Country
Astrid Kempainen ’15, Women's Soccer
Dillon Kerr ’15, Men's Soccer
Amy Klopp ’15, Women's Cross Country
Anna Laurence ’16, Women's Cross Country
Bryn MacGillivray ’17, Field Hockey
Joanna Marks ’16, Women's Cross Country
Alex McDevitt ’17, Volleyball
Kelsey McGinnis ’17, Women's Cross Country
Sam McKeown ’16, Men's Cross Country
Melinda Messeck ’17, Women's Cross Country
Zander Mintz ’17, Men's Cross Country
Katelyn Murray ’17, Women's Soccer
Chelsea Preston ’16, Women's Soccer
Amanda Proulx ’17, Women's Soccer
Raymond Rich-Fiondella ’17, Men's Cross Country
Heather Rochford ’15, Women's Cross Country
Leah Salituro ’17, Women's Soccer
Daniel Sandoval ’15, Men's Soccer
Christian Schmidt ’17, Men's Soccer
Sam Siegel-Wallace ’15, Men's Water Polo
Cailyn Straubel ’16, Volleyball
Libby Thomas ’16, Women's Soccer
Natalie Wenigmann ’17, Field Hockey
Niall Williams ’16, Men's Cross Country
Emily Winter ’16, Women's Cross Country
Sara Kogelmann ’20 named Academic All-American
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Clarets
Full-time: Chelsea 2 Burnley 2
Burnley's Jeff Hendrick celebrates scoring his side's first goal
Published: 21:54 Updated: 22:25 Monday 22 April 2019
Just when you thought you'd recovered from the emotional masterpiece crafted by Manchester City and Spurs in the Champions League, the Clarets served up an Easter Monday special against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Burnley's penultimate away game of the Premier League campaign didn't quite emulate the breathless beginning at the Etihad - where there was four goals in the first 11 minutes - but as many goals in 16 first half minutes certainly pushed the drama of that semi-final close.
The visitors became only the third side this season to put two past the Blues on their own patch in the top flight, matching what Arsenal and Manchester United had achieved.
The Europa League semi-finalists, as expected, asserted their authority on the fixture early on as Eden Hazard stung the palms of Tom Heaton while Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain was denied by a fine acrobatic clearance on the line from Ben Mee.
Sean Dyche's side went ahead in the eighth minute, the quickest for an away side this term at SW6, when Jeff Hendrick netted his third goal of the campaign.
The hosts had failed to pick up the midfielder on the edge of the area when Dwight McNeil's corner was cleared and the Republic of Ireland international waited for the ball to drop before beating Kepa on the volley.
However, Hendrick's contender for the goal of the season gong didn't have Burnley in front for long as two goals in as many minutes from the hosts put Maurizio Sarri's men in command.
Hazard put Matt Lowton on his behind when twisting and turning on the left hand side of the penalty area and the Belgian's pass was coolly swept home by N'Golo Kante in the 12th minute.
The Clarets had barely had chance to reorganise when Higuain put the home side ahead, running on to skipper Cesar Azpilicueta's clever flick and firing in off the underside of the crossbar.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek wasn't far away from extending the lead when his measured right-footed attempt floated just wide of the angle, but it was Burnley who scored the all important fourth goal.
Mee headed Ashley Westwood's set-piece back across goal, Chris Wood helped the ball on and Ashley Barnes steered the ball in to the roof of the net from close range at the far post.
Hazard and Higuain had opportunities to restore Chelsea's advantage before the break but both were off target.
The Clarets had to dig their heels in throughout the second half as the Blues bossed possession and territory but they couldn't break their opponent's resolve.
In fact, it was the away side who manufactured the best opening of the half when Barnes threaded the ball through to Wood but the New Zealander fluffed his lines.
Emerson, shooting from left to right, couldn't quite pick out the inside of the far post with a stinging drive from 20 yards out and Heaton beat away Azpilicueta's strike at his near post once Higuain had allowed Loftus-Cheek's cross to run.
Typically, the Clarets put their bodies on the line, throwing everything at Chelsea's attempts to find a winner, and, in the end, deservedly hung on for a point to add to their 3-2 win here at the start of last season.
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Dane Van Niekerk to lead South Africa squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup
Richardson, Inglis guide Scorchers to 77-run win over Hurricanes in BBL
PCB to meet BCB in Dubai to discuss upcoming tour of Bangladesh
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ANI | Cricket Last Updated at January 13, 2020 21:20 IST
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Van Niekerk, Tryon return to South Africa ODI squad for New Zealand series
Third ODI: India women wins toss against South Africa, elect to bat first
Women's Big Bash League: Marizanne Kapp becomes fourth bowler to take hat-trick
Mithali, Raut steer Indian women to a comfortable five-wicket win over South Africa
Harmanpreet says she was nervous at halfway stage of 1st T20 against SA Women
Dane Van Niekerk will lead the Proteas team for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Australia as Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced the 15-player squad on Monday.
At a splendid send-off event held at the Imperial Wanderers Cricket Stadium, head coach Hilton Moreeng named 11 players from the 2018 T20 World Cup squad, alongside 4 T20 World Cup debutants.
The Proteas will open their pool campaign against England in Perth, then followed by Thailand, Pakistan and West Indies in the tournament which begins on February 21 and conclude on March 8, International Women's Day.
"It's a group that has the talent, youth, experience and desire to help us win the T20 World Cup. We have assembled a team that we feel can hold their own against anyone in the world and it will be important that we carry that belief into the ICC Women's T20 World Cup," Moreeng said in a statement.
"The players we have at our disposal are some of the best and most promising players in women's cricket globally and we will make sure that we give them the best tools to succeed on this big stage," he added.
"Good luck to Dane and her team who I am sure will do everything possible to make the country proud and re-ignite the spirit that almost took them to the ICC Women's World Cup Final in 2017," said CSA Acting Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith.
"Many of our senior players are household names in T20 tournaments in Australia and England and they will set the tone for the rest of the team," Smith added.
Proteas Women T20 Squad: Dane Van Niekerk (c), Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Mignon Du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon (v/c), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka Gauteng, Masabata Klaas, Tumi Sekhukhune, Trisha Chetty, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Nadine De Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase.
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DAACS
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New Street, Port RoyalBack to Galleries
Port Royal, Jamaica
Digitized By: The Project Gutenberg EBook of On the Spanish Main, by John Masefield
Welcome to the New Street Tavern gallery. This gallery explores some of the items recovered during excavations carried out in Port Royal, Jamaica by the Jamaica National Trust Commission in the early 1970s under the direction of Anthony J. Priddy. The excavations focused on the center of Port Royal, a city that was once a densely-populated bustling center of mercantile trade in the seventeenth century. Although the city was severely damaged by earthquakes, floods, and fires intermittently throughout the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries, a portion of the original layout remained intact.1 Investigations revealed many different occupation levels and areas dating from the 1660s to the twentieth century. The assemblage from New Street Tavern provides a window into the lives of the people who lived and worked in the area.
This gallery is curated by Elizabeth Bollwerk and Leslie Cooper. Photographs taken by Karen Price, Historic Preservation Lab Manager and Photographer at Mount Vernon and Monticello Lab Staff Katelyn Coughlan and Elizabeth Sawyer.
1 Priddy, Antony 1975 The 17th and 18th Century Settlement Pattern of Port Royal. Jamaica 9(2) 1975. pg. 8-9.
Site Map, New Street Tavern, Port Royal, Jamaica
Digitized By: Map taken from Jean and Oliver Cox (1987).
Because of its prominent role as a center of international trade Port Royal served as the de facto capital of the Jamaica from 1660 to 1692.1 The city was located on the south coast of the island and rose in prominence because it was well-situated as a center of commerce between North America and Europe. Port Royal’s strategic location in the Caribbean made it a hub of commercial and illicit activity during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It had the reputation of being one of the wealthiest and “wickedest” places in the world, as it was used extensively by pirates as a base of operations. Taverns were one of the most popular establishments during this time.
The city’s inhabitants enjoyed their heyday until June 7, 1692, when a high-force earthquake shook Jamaica. The quake claimed thousands of lives and destroyed much of the island’s property, sending all the waterfront buildings of Port Royal into the sea. Only one-third of Port Royal survived.2
The New Street Tavern was one of the buildings that survived the earthquake and subsequent tsunami and fires that destroyed much of the town. The site’s assemblage is comprised of artifacts from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries. Antony Priddy and his team excavated the city block where the tavern was located between New Street, Dove Lane, and Love Lane in Port Royal. The tavern was a place that would have been frequented by a variety of characters both before and after the earthquake.
1 Hamilton, D.L. Pewterer of Port Royal. In Text-Aided Archaeology, edited by B.J. Little. 1992. pp. 40. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
2 Brown, Maureen J. Evidence for Port Royal’s British Colonial Merchant Class as Reflected in the New Street Tavern Site Assemblage. In Out of Many, One People, edited by James A. Delle, Mark W. Hauser, and Douglas V. Armstrong. 2011. pg. 62. University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa.
Royal Navy Button
Manufacturing Techniques: Cast
Place of Origin: England
Object Dimensions: 23 mm diameter
Port Royal served as a Royal Naval Dockyard beginning in 1675. At one time, it was the headquarters of the British Caribbean fleet, with a British naval officer stationed there until 1905 when the yard closed. The naval presence was especially important in Port Royal following the outlaw of piracy in 1687. This Napoleonic Royal Navy button recovered from Area 5 of the New Street Tavern site would have been worn by an officer ca. 1812. It is gilt plated over copper alloy. The stamped decoration consists of an oval border with an anchor and intertwined rope. The oval has a background of horizontal lines. Its presence at the site is no surprise given the extent of social gathering, particularly of naval men, that likely took place at the tavern.
Pearlware Teaware Finial
Date: Eighteenth century
Playing cards, dancing, dining, and drinking both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including tea, all took place at New Street Tavern. The Western practice of taking tea with sugar was exercised by the upper class and a growing middle class during the eighteenth century. It created great demand for the product, the largest export of the West Indies, putting Port Royal, Jamaica on the map. The act of drinking tea was regarded as a healthful endeavor by this demographic and also may have signaled and reinforced status in a social sphere that may have been unfamiliar for many visitors to Port Royal. This pearlware ceramic artifact is likely a finial for a teapot lid, formed in the shape of a botanical element, possibly a fig. It has hand-painted detailing, executed in cobalt blue.
White Ball Clay Molded Fish Pipe
Manufacturing Techniques: Molded
Place of Origin: England or the Netherlands
Pipe smoking was another popular recreational past time enjoyed by New Street tavern visitors and Port Royal inhabitants. More than 2,148 pipe fragments were recovered from the excavations.1 A variety of pipes were found at the New Street Tavern with various molded decorations. However, this ball clay pipe bowl fragment molded into the shape of a fish is the most unusual specimen. The bowl is oriented so that smoke would have exited through the fish’s mouth. Due to the breakage of the stem right at the base of the bowl it is difficult to tell if this was a tubular pipe (where the bowl sits in a straight line with the stem) or an elbow-shaped one (where the bowl sits at an angle to the stem). No matter what the orientation, this pipe certainly would have been a conversation starter!
1 Brown, Maureen J. Evidence for Port Royal’s British Colonial Merchant Class as Reflected in the New Street Tavern Site Assemblage. In Out of Many, One People, edited by James A. Delle, Mark W. Hauser, and Douglas V. Armstrong. 2011, pg. 62.
White Ball Clay Molded Pipe Bowl
Date: Late seventeenth - Early eighteenth century
Place of Origin: Derby, England
While not as eye-catching as the fish pipe, this pipe bowl is also ornately decorated. The ball clay bowl, juncture, and stem fragment is from an elbow pipe. The molded decoration is repeated on both the left and right side of the bowl. It includes an anchor situated underneath what look like stacked circular objects. The pipe also had a spur or heel at its base, which has been broken.
Locally-made pipes
Manufacturing Techniques: Handmade
Date: Seventeenth century
Place of Origin: Jamaica
In addition to being a center of international commerce Port Royal was home to a local pipe-making industry. Hundreds of red clay pipes, made from local Jamaica clay, were found during excavations of New Street Tavern. Seventy-three percent of the red clay pipes from New Street came from levels believed to be contemporary with the earthquake.1 Although these pipes are thought to have been made to resemble European-manufactured pipes,2 there is no indication they were molded. Irregularities in their shape, lack of uniform thickness, and finishing techniques indicate they were likely handmade. Although the documentary record does not provide a lot of information on possible makers the 1711 inventory of James Hurst notes several “gross of Negro pipes” that Meyers 3 thought were crafted from the island’s red clay. John Taylor, an Englishmen who visited Port Royal in the late 1680s also noted that red clay pipes were made by “Negros.” 4 Moreover, while thousands of pipe fragments have been found at Port Royal red clay pipes have also been found at sites associated with enslaved individuals on other parts of the island, including Seville on the north coast. 5 Regardless of who was making them the variety of markings present on pipes in the assemblage—believed to be maker’s marks—suggests a large number of individuals were involved in their manufacture. The markings occur most often at the juncture of the bowl and stem that faces the smoker and consist of repeating small impressed stamps or lettering.
1Heidtke, Kenan Jamaican Red Clay Pipes. MA Thesis, Texas A&M University, College Station. 1992. pp. 105
2Heidtke 1992:47
3Meyers, Allan D. West African Tradition in the Decoration of Jamaica Folk Pottery. International Journal of Historical Archaeology 3:4 1999. pp. 202
5 Armstrong, D. V. Archaeology and ethnohistory of the Caribbean plantation. In I, Too, Am America: Archaeological Studies of African-American Life. Edited by Teresa A. Singleton, University Press of Virginia. 1999. pp. 173-192. Also see data for Seville available on daacs.org.
Slipware Cup
Manufacturing Techniques: Wheel thrown
Though most of the artifacts in the New Street Tavern gallery were manufactured after the devastating 1692 earthquake at Port Royal, this is likely the oldest artifact showcased. The North Midlands or “Staffordshire” slipware cup was likely produced in the early eighteenth century and may have held cold or warm beverages at the tavern. The “light on dark” slip decoration may be attributed to Derbyshire.1 It features decoration reminiscent of “raised arm” foliage seen on similar examples of slipware that date to the same time period.
1 Grigsby, Leslie 1990 The Hentry H. Weldon Collection: English Pottery 1650-1800 1990. pg. 160-161.
Coarse Earthenware Whistle
Date: Likely produced in eighteenth century
This whistle is perhaps one of the most interesting artifacts recovered from the New Street Tavern site. It is made of coarse earthenware and was likely produced on the island by an enslaved individual. In addition to the large amount of earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain that was imported and used by Jamaica’s inhabitants in their daily lives, coarse earthenwares continued to be locally produced, bought, and sold at market by the enslaved during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Though most of the Caribbean coarse earthenware vessels recovered archaeologically were either utilitarian storage vessels or cooking pots, one can imagine that a whistle might serve a handy function as well!
Chinese Porcelain Saucer
Manufacturing Techniques: Press molded
Date: Likely produced in the seventeenth or eighteenth century
Object Dimensions: Length - 100 mm, Base diameter is 80mm
This base fragment of a Chinese Porcelain saucer exhibits a finely handpainted scene with botanical elements on the interior surface and adjacent botanical and trellis band designs circling the interior of the body. Seventeenth-century Port Royal may have been a wicked place, but merchants and other individuals also used their new-found wealth to display genteel qualities. Brown1 has suggested that the merchants of Port Royal gathered in taverns to socialize and display their developing gentility as a means to signal their high status. Using high-end Chinese Porcelain teawares would have allowed tavern visitors to take part in the tea ritual and enjoy drinks other than alcohol while showing off their status.
1 Brown, Maureen J. Evidence for Port Royal’s British Colonial Merchant Class as Reflected in the New Street Tavern Site Assemblage. In Out of Many, One People, edited by James A. Delle, Mark W. Hauser, and Douglas V. Armstrong. 2011. pg. 57-58.
Caribbean Coarse Earthenware
Manufacturing Techniques: Wheel thrown and handbuilt
Date: Eighteenth and nineteenth century
Enslaved Jamaicans produced and traded locally-made coarse earthenware during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries up until emancipation. Following that, the pottery tradition continued until the twentieth century with late potters like Ma Lou and her granddaughter, Marlene “Munchee” Rhoden. Munchie continues to produce ceramics in Spanish Town today. There is archaeological evidence for both a small-scale production of vessels that satisfied household cooking and meal preparation needs of the enslaved, and larger-scale cottage industry manufacture of vessels produced for water and possibly plantation-wide storage needs. Vessel form, inclusions in the paste or the fabric of the pottery, and evidence of the way the vessels were fired are all attributes recorded in the database and serve as clues that help archaeologists determine how the pottery was used.
The top sherd is the rim of a large storage jar or vessel and the bottom two sherds are rims of smaller jars that were likely used for cooking. The paste of the top vessel indicates that it was likely fired in a controlled environment like a kiln, indicative of larger-scale manufacture, and also exhibits signs of being “thrown” on a potter’s wheel. The other two sherds may have been open-fired without the use of a kiln, a method indicative of smaller-scale, household production.
Soft-Paste Porcelain
Factories in England began producing their attempts at a facsimile of Chinese porcelain, known as “English soft paste,” as early as the 1740s and continued until the turn of the nineteenth century. The paste of the English version, often described as “chalky,” lacked the key ingredient in Chinese porcelain, kaolin. Much of the wares were transfer printed in an attempt to reduce cost and compete with hand-painted Chinese export porcelain sought after by consumers until refined earthenwares usurped their popularity. This mug fragment was printed with a variant of the popular pattern that would later be called “Willow” after 1810 and features a fig tree with a pagoda and other chinoiserie elements. It was likely produced around 1800.
Leaded Drinking Glass
Manufacturing Techniques: Free blown
Much time was spent imbibing while socializing at taverns during the eighteenth century. This leaded drinking glass fragment recovered from the New Street Tavern excavations features a heavy baluster with a large knop and a plain foot. Heavy balusters were popular on stemware between 1685 and 1720. The knopped stem allowed the drinker to safely grasp the heavy glass. During this time, it was customary to lift the glass with the left hand and carry it to the lips by “grasping the foot between the first finger and thumb of the right hand.”1
1 Hughes, G. Bernard English, Scottish & Irish Table Glass. 1956. pg. 76-86.
Ashcombs
Ashcomb’s Quarter
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Chapline Place
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Curriboo 245
Silver Bluff Plantation
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© 2020 Thomas Jefferson Foundation.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.
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Gillian Branstetter— 2015-08-12 01:46 pm | Last updated 2016-03-04 05:55 pm
Google has often looked like a company that’s bored with itself. The majority of the search giant’s web services—GMail, Maps, Android, and Chrome—are rather mundane compared to the side projects Google has referred to as its “moonshots”—self-driving cars, artificial intelligence, robotics, and immortality.
Managing all of the world’s information and making stellar consumer products from it is cool and all, but it’s hard for a new software update to really compete with something like Project Calico, an effort to literally find the cure for death. It’s Google’s ubiquity as a consumer brand combined with its expansive (and somewhat frightening) ambition that has made it a frequent target for accusations of attempting world domination.
If a complete takeover of the world is Google’s next big thing, the next step toward that goal is this week’s formation of Alphabet. As Google co-founder and new CEO of Alphabet Larry Page wrote in a blog post, Alphabet is a brand new company that will own several other companies, of which Google will be the largest.
The search giant is effectively spinning off its Web services divisions into one company called Google, while its other projects and acquired companies—Google X, Project Calico, Boston Dynamics, Fiber, and Nest—will all become their own companies with their own CEOs and investors. All of them will exist under the umbrella of Alphabet.
While the restructuring might seem a bit dense (here’s a handy graphic from Business Insider’s Henry Blodget if you’re still confused), the decision actually makes a ton of sense. Before Alphabet, the CEO of Google (formerly Page himself and now former product chief Sundar Pichai) managed a wide range of services and entities that were mostly tangentially related. If you were in charge of Google last week, you had to manage a Web advertising giant, an ISP, a venture capital firm, a robotics lab, and a smart thermostat company that shared the same executives, the same working space, and the same investors.
Analysts going hog wild about new Google structure http://t.co/T9sIJRUFaV @larakiara pic.twitter.com/2iTn4KGGmA
— Henry Blodget (@hblodget) August 11, 2015
Under Alphabet, each entity formerly under Google will have its own executive team and staff, allowing each one to focus on its own goals without worrying about the goals of the others. “Fundamentally, we believe this allows us more management scale, as we can run things independently that aren’t very related,” writes Page. “Alphabet is about businesses prospering through strong leaders and independence.”
It’s Google’s ubiquity as a consumer brand combined with its expansive (and somewhat frightening) ambition that has made it a frequent target for accusations of attempting world domination.
Page has likened the new company to Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett‘s conglomerate—which owns companies as disparate as Geico, Fruit of the Loom, and Helzberg Diamonds.
So what does all this corporate speak mean for Google’s supposed plan for world domination? Well, as it turns out, moonshot projects like autonomous cars and Internet-by-balloon are not fantastic money-making ventures, which worries some of its investors. Page has cited before the impatience of investors who would prefer Google focus on its more profitable Web services instead of chasing sci-fi fanboy dreams.
As recently as June, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt felt it necessary to defend Google’s experimental wing to shareholders. “Most companies ultimately fail because they do one thing very well, but they don’t think of the next thing,” Schmidt explained, “and Google is very committed to not doing that.”
The company is committed not just in its ideology but in cash flow—funding their pet projects with dollar signs big enough that investors would have reason to worry. Project Calico, which—I’ll repeat—is a project by real, respected scientists looking to locate the cause of aging and finally put a stop to it, is perhaps the best example. While any private company that cures aging will make oodles and oodles of money, Calico is currently just an expensive ambition that has absolutely nothing to do with search engines, email, and apps on the Play Store. Google has kept Calico’s expenses a secret, but the company announced plans last year to build a $1.5 billion research center.
By separating Calico and its other ambitions from Google’s main services, Alphabet can effectively research whatever technology or scientific endeavor it wants, while still preserving the integrity (and profitability) of its most popular products. According to the SEC paperwork filed to form Alphabet, Page anticipates the ability to retain “two reportable segments for financial reporting purposes, with the Google business presented separately from other Alphabet businesses taken as a whole.”
So however absurdly imaginative you thought Google was, Alphabet stands to be even absurd. Free from worrying about the finicky needs of investors, the adventurous minds at Google X, Alphabet’s experimental wing (in charge of such projects as autonomous cars and Google Glass), can explore even more options than they had ever imagined. As much as anyone could put Google on a leash, Alphabet is free to flood its subsidiaries with revenue from Google into any project it sees fit.
The company is committed not just in its ideology but in cash flow—funding their pet projects with dollar signs big enough that investors would have reason to worry.
To get an idea of what that might look like, it’s best to look at projects Google X has abandoned. Head of Google X and its likely CEO Astro Teller has said before the lab leaves behind “100 things a year, easily”—such as a jetpack—but retains a petri dish large enough to experiment with ideas like a space elevator or teleportation. While these projects weren’t shut down by investors as much as they were by the laws of physics, they highlight the endless aspiration of the company now untethered to a boring old search company.
Whether this means world domination is imminent is best left to the conspiracy theorists. What the formation of Alphabet does mean is Larry Page and co-founder Sergey Brin just took a major step to becoming even more powerful than they’ve already are. Far from its humble beginnings as a search algorithm, Google often seems like its own nation-state, warring with Europe and fostering its own homeland.
By streamlining itself, stripping off its imaginative coil and focusing on the real business of devouring the world’s data, Google might secure itself as the second most powerful technology company in the world. First place would go to Alphabet.
Gillian Branstetter is a social commentator with a focus on the intersection of technology, security, and politics. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Business Insider, Salon, the Week, and xoJane. She attended Pennsylvania State University. Follow her on Twitter @GillBranstetter.
Photo via fdecomite/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Gillian Branstetter
Gillian Branstetter is a reporter and essayist who specializes in the intersection of technology, LGBTQ issues, and privacy. In April 2018, she joined the National Center for Transgender Equality as a media relations manager.
Alphabet Calico Google Sergey Brin
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Tattoo exhibition in Ayr tells story of Britain's first female tattooist who took no nonsense
The extensive gallery celebrates the rich history of British tattoo art, featuring original designs by ground-breaking artists through the decades, including Jessie Knight.
Anna Burnside
Jessie Knight, the only female tattooist in Britain, at work tattooing a service woman (Image: Haywood Magee/Getty Images)
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With clinical precision, sensible glasses and businesslike manner, Jessie Knight could have been a doctor or a nurse. She laid down the law. No swearing. No turning up drunk for your appointment.
Jessie was not a stern medical professional. She was a tattoo artist in England in the 40s and 50s, inking sailors and civilians, rocking a large family crest on her own back and holding her own in a male-dominated world.
Her original designs are one of the highlights of an exhibition in Ayr this month. Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed, being held at Rozelle House, is a celebration of the once underground activity of permanently marking the skin.
The show is a crash course in skin art from the Crusades to the present day. Highlights include a hand-painted banner from Jessie’s shop and 100 silicone arms, all decorated in different styles by tattoo artists from around the UK.
A tattoo parlour from Prestwick, Petal Faced Gypsy, will set up shop in a specially built see-through unit within the gallery so visitors can watch them at work.
The show treats tattooing as a legitimate art form that has every right to be in an art gallery, with a complex history that deserves to be in a museum.
Jessie Knight shows two servicewomen the tattoo of her family crest on her back (Image: Haywood Magee/Picture Post/Getty Images)
Curator Derryth Ridge said: “It’s not just something for sailors and back streets. It’s a really beautiful art form. There are amazing, competent artists out there doing really beautiful work.
“It’s a massively important part of our social history.”
It’s a history that has, until the 21st century, been hidden under the nation’s clothes. One of the points Derryth and her colleagues make is that all kinds of people had tattoos before Amy Winehouse and David Beckham. They just kept them covered up.
The curator added: “The hashtag for the exhibition is “not just for sailors”. Every five years or so, there’s a moral outrage about tattooing but it’s always been part of our subcultures.
“Yes, there are lots of young people now with visible tattoos but there are plenty of old people, too. You just don’t see it because they don’t roll their shirt sleeves up.”
Some of them might have once been skinheads, bikers or belonged to another youth subculture that favoured tattoos. But Derryth says that’s not always the case.
She added: “There are lots of 50 and 60-year-old women with Winnie the Pooh tattoos on their shoulders that you just don’t see because they’re not showing them off.
Some of Jessie Knight's elaborate designs (Image: Paul Abbitt)
“Now we’re seeing people with more noticeable tattoos on their hands or necks. They’re showing them off and having full sleeves. But those little tattoos, little star signs – people have been having them for years.”
The exhibition only covers the UK and starts in 1600, which is when written records begin.
Derryth believes tattooing is much older than that.
She said: “People here have been tattooed from the moment people could sharpen a stick, poke it in a fire and make a mark on their skin.” But not all scholars agree.
One popular theory says that tattooing arrived in the UK via the sailors who went to Polynesia with Captain Cook in the 1760s.
The word tattoo is derived from the Tahitian word tatau, meaning to mark. Omai, a heavily inked Tahitian man Cook brought back to the UK in 1774, became an 18th century celebrity.
But there is plenty of evidence from earlier texts that both sailors and landlubbers tattooed their bodies.
Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed
There were different styles and fashions of body art even then, with sailors coming back from the tropics with distinctive Tahitian or Marquesan designs. These had little in common with the crosses, madonnas or names that were inked on in Europe.
Derryth said: “We are dispelling the Cook myth, that tattooing was brought back by Cook sailors to England. That’s rubbish. Some sailors would have been tattooed while they were out there but others would have been tattooed in England.”
Today, there is a generation gap in how tattoos are perceived. Millennials have embraced body decoration to the extent that one in three young adults has an infinity sign or inspirational quote somewhere about their person.
Their parents, from the generation with sneaky Chinese characters or celtic armbands hidden underneath their cardigans, may not be wild about their daughters getting full sleeves. But they have got used to the idea.
In the 50s, however, it was different.
Derryth said: “Tattoos took a dip after World War II. They were seen as really working class and only for a certain type of person. That still stands with the older generations now.
Jessie Knight engraves a butterfly onto a customer's leg (Image: Haywood Magee/Picture Post/Getty Images)
“When this exhibition first opened in Cornwall, a lot of people told us that tattooing’s not for museums and that we should not be telling these sorts of stories.”
In 1969, the Tattooing of Minors Act made it illegal to tattoo anyone younger than 18. In the 80s, there were maybe 40 tattoo parlours in the UK. Now, there are probably 40 in Glasgow.
It’s an industry that can be prickly and defensive. Part of the antagonism comes from the Channel 4 show Tattoo Fixers, which is loathed in tattoo parlours.
Derryth said: “People go in with very small, not great tattoos and come out with massive, not great tattoos. It gives a really weird picture of what tattooing is.”
When Derryth and her colleagues started to assemble the exhibition, the industry feared that they were planning something similar.
She said: “The tattoo community were really wary of us. They thought we were going to make something really sensationalist that didn’t look at true history and take it seriously.
“We had to convince a lot of people that we were going to do a good job.” Enter Lal Hardy, a London tattooist who began inking the arms of London’s punks, mods and skinheads in 1979.
Another Jessie Knight design (Image: Paul Abbitt)
When he agreed to help, the rest of what Derryth calls “tattoo royalty” were not far behind.
Artists including Alex Binnie and the Bristol Tattoo Collective, with their extensive archive, loaned, equipment, photographs and tattoo designs.
Derryth drove to Wales to meet Jessie’s great grandnephew, who has all her old designs and papers.
She said: “There were more than 500 items – artwork, letters and signs she’d written telling people not to swear and not to be drunk when they came for their tattoo.”
South Ayrshire Council, who have brought the show to Rozelle House, hope it will attract a youthful, curious audience to the gallery.
Derryth said: “Lots of artists have come to see it at its other venues. People embraced and enjoyed it. They loved seeing their art form being taken seriously and given the platform it deserves.”
Even better are the doubters who arrive at the door with serious reservations and leave with a new appreciation of tattooing.
Derryth added: “Everywhere we take the exhibition, more people are converted. They are never going to have a tattoo themselves but they appreciate it as an art form.”
●Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed, Rozelle House, Ayr, January 19 – March 3
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Tipped Employees and the FLSA: DOL Offers Welcome Guidance
Posted on 05/29/2019 at 09:14 AM by Mike Staebell
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act’s tip credit rules, employers can pay a base hourly wage as low as $2.13/hour to employees who customarily and regularly receive at least $30/month in tips directly from customers. (Iowa law requires a minimum base hourly wage of $4.35/hour to this type of tipped employee.) Under both the Federal and Iowa statutes, employers must guarantee employees at least $7.25/hour (the federal and Iowa minimum wage) through a combination of base wages and tips for the first 40 hours of a workweek—and overtime pay when a workweek exceeds 40 hours.
FLSA compliance for tipped employees has been a challenge for employers for decades. In large part, this is because the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has based much of its enforcement policy on its own internal interpretation of the FLSA regulations. Unless you regularly review and understand WHD’s internal “Field Operations Handbook”, it can be difficult to determine the ever-changing ins and outs of how to pay tipped staff.
This confusion only increased in 2011 when the DOL began fiddling with tipped employee regulations with a so-called “clean-up” amendment of the FLSA regulations in order to counteract a 2010 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling the Obama administration did not like. This regulatory amendment required employers to treat tipped employees paid the full minimum wage the same as those where the employer took advantage of the FLSA’s tip credit rules. Since then it has been hard to keep up with volleys between the courts and the DOL regarding tipped employees’ wages. Congress finally weighed in by amending the FLSA in March 2018. After that, WHD issued several guidance documents to clear up confusion on two aspects of tipped employee compensation, as explained in the next two sections, below.
The confusion over pay for tipped employees may have been the worst with respect to tip pooling. In 2018, WHD published Field Assistance Bulletin 2018-3 (Apr. 6, 2018) to expound on Congress’s amendment to the FLSA and bring clarity to tip pooling. It includes three points of practical application for employers with tipped employees and tip pools.
First, employers may not ever keep any tips received by their employees. This applies whether the employer takes a tip credit on the tipped employees’ wages or not. Managers and supervisors are prohibited from participating in any tip pools, too, because they are viewed as equal to the employer. As an enforcement policy, WHD will use the Executive exemption duties test found at 29 C.F.R. § 541.100(a) to determine whether an employee is or is not a manager/supervisor who is ineligible to share in a tip pool. As part of that test, the employee’s primary duty must include customarily and regularly directing the work of two of more full time equivalents.
Second, WHD nullified certain regulations barring tip pooling with non-tipped employees (such as cooks and dishwashers). Sections declared to be of no further force or effect are 29 C.F.R. §§ 531.32, 531.54, and 531.59. A proposed rule was issued in December 2017 to formally amend the Code of Federal Regulations; per the DOL’s recently issued Regulatory Agenda, further action is scheduled for December 2019.
Finally, the FAB summarizes the current status of tip pools under federal law amendment. Employers may now allow employees who are not customarily and regularly tipped—such as cooks and dishwashers—to participate in tip pools if everyone in the pool is paid at least the full FLSA minimum wage.
Importantly, Congress’s FLSA amendment and the DOL’s related FAB left untouched the WHD’s position on unlawful tip pools. It is still the law that employers who claim a tip credit for their tipped workers (pay sub-minimum wages) may not include back of the house staff (such as cooks and dishwashers) in a tip pool. An employer who wants to operate a tip pool and take the tip credit must limit the tip pool to only front of house employees, such as servers. Invalid tip pools can result in WHD requiring the employer to retroactively pay the full minimum wage to all sub-minimum wage staff who participated in the invalid pool over a two-year investigative period. A potentially expensive mistake, to be sure.
Untipped Work and the Replacement for the “80/20 Rule” for the Tip Credit
The 80/20 rule for tipped employees first appeared in a 1988 revision to WHD’s FOH, which explained that where “tipped employees spend a substantial amount of time (in excess of 20 percent) performing preparation work or maintenance, no tip credit may be taken for the time spent in such duties.” Thus, a tipped employee who spent 20% or more of his/her time performing non-tipped duties was entitled to the full federal minimum wage for time spent on such non-tipped duties, and the employer could not take the tip credit during those times. It’s easy to imagine how hard it has been for employers and employees, alike, to track non-tipped duties separately from tipped duties to see if the 80/20 rule applied, and if it did, to adjust employee pay accordingly.
Late in the Obama Administration, Opinion Letter FLSA 2018-27 (Nov. 8, 2018) shifted WHD’s enforcement position away from this percentage-based rule for the tip credit. In February 2019, early in the Trump Administration, the WHD issued FAB 2019-2 (Feb. 15, 2019) explaining the change. Though it may be a rarity, both administrations agreed on abolishing the percentage test for non-tipped work’s ineligibility for the tip credit. The 80/20 rule is officially dead.
The Opinion Letter and FAB both state that the tip credit is available to employers so long as tipped employees’ non-tip producing duties “are performed contemporaneously with the duties involving direct service or for a reasonable time immediately before or after performing such direct-service duties.” The Opinion Letter and FAB provide new guidance on how to determine which duties are tipped work and which are not via use of the DOL’s Occupational Information Network, or O*NET website. The guidance states:
“duties listed as core or supplemental for the appropriate tip-producing occupation in the Tasks section of the Details report in the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), … shall be considered directly related to the tip-producing duties of that occupation, … as long as they are performed contemporaneously with the duties involving direct service to customers or for a reasonable time immediately before or after performing such direct-service duties.”
In summary, employers can take a tip credit only for the time tipped employees spend performing duties listed in the relevant job’s O*NET Task list. If you’re not used to navigating O*NET, here are the steps to follow to reach Task lists of tipped duties:
(1) Search for a job classification for the tipped job using the search box;
(2) Click on the job(s) closest to the job being researched, and information about the job under the “Summary” tab will appear;
(3) Click on the “Details” tab and a list of ‘Tasks” will appear at the top of the results; then,
(4) Click on the “+” sign under Tasks section to display all of the Core and Supplemental tasks for that job (both of which are tipped work).
For example, there are 25 Core and Supplemental Tasks listed on O*NET for Waiters and Waitresses, all of which would be considered tipped work.
Thanks to DOL for providing this helpful guidance, regarding the new rule on what types of work tipped workers may perform without the employers’ loss of the tip credit.
The DOL’s new enforcement position on non-tipped work for tip-credit employees has been relaxed, but it does not mean tipped employees can spend an unlimited amount of time performing non-tip-generating work at subminimum pay rates. If they do, they are likely performing more than one job, meaning they are entitled to the full minimum wage for hours worked in untipped activities.
Note Regarding State Law
Employers also should consider state laws regarding tipped employees, which can differ significantly from the FLSA. For instance, some states do not permit a tip credit at all. Other states permit a tip credit that differs from the federal requirements. As an example, Iowa’s minimum wage for tipped employees is $4.35/hour, resulting in a maximum tip credit of $2.90/hour. In contrast, the federal minimum tipped wage of $2.13/hour results in a maximum federal tip credit of $5.12/hour. Each law adds up to the same $7.25/hour in wages for the tipped employee, but each slices it differently. Employers must follow state law when it is more protective of the employee than federal law. Therefore, Iowa employers must follow Iowa’s tip credit law.
Properly paying tipped employees requires wading through court interpretations, DOL guidance and regulatory changes, and legislative amendments — not to mention state laws. Employers who misapply these laws face the prospect of owing significant back pay, as well as liquidated damages, civil monetary penalties, and attorneys’ fees. In light of the potential liability, seeking the advice of an employment law professional who knows this area of the law can be invaluable.
Categories: Employment & Labor Law, Mike Staebell, Wage & Hour Watch
Tagged As: Department of Labor, DOL, Fair Labor Standards Act, FLSA, Iowa employers, Iowa Employment & Labor Law, Iowa Wage & Hour Watch, Tip Regulations, WHD
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The material, whether written or oral (including videos) that is posted on the various blogs of Dickinson Law is not intended, nor should it be construed or relied upon, as legal advice. The opinions expressed in the various blog posting are those of the individual author, they may not reflect the opinions of the firm. Your use of the Dickinson Law blog postings does NOT create an attorney-client relationship between you and Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen, P.C. or any of its attorneys. If specific legal information is needed, please retain and consult with an attorney of your own selection.
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Mike Staebell
Email: mstaebell@dickinsonlaw.com
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Google Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL launched in India: Specs, price, launch offers and all you need to know
By Digit NewsDesk | Published on May 08 2019
Google Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL launched in India.
Both phones sport a single camera setup that is said to .
They come with 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage.
After numerous leaks, reports and even a Best Buy sighting, Google’s Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL smartphones are now official. While almost everything about the phones was leaked ahead of the unveiling, Google had plenty of new features and additional information to reveal about the two new handsets. As expected, the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are the company’s less expensive Pixel 3 handsets with which the company aims at creating a new ‘entry-premium’ segment. The new devices are said to feature imaging capability, security and battery backup similar to the flagship Pixel 3 phones. However, they are running on less-powerful processors and sport a comparatively less-premium build and design.
Google Pixel 3a(₹ 33999 at flipkart), Pixel 3a XL specifications
Instead of glass, like the Pixel 3, both the Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL sports a polycarbonate unibody build, which features a dual-tone design. The two phones are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 SoC and come with 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage. Similar to the original Pixel 3, the new handsets also come equipped with the Titan M security module.
The phones differ in their display as the Pixel 3a sports a 5.6-inch Full HD+ gOLED display with a 2220 x 1080p resolution, while the Pixel 3a XL gets a bigger 6-inch Full HD+ gOLED panel with a 2160 x 1080p resolution. The displays on both the phones are protected by Dragon Tail and support Always-On and the Now Playing features. The battery capacity on the two phones also varies as the Pixel 3a is backed by a 3000mAh cell that is touted to deliver up to 12 hours of video playback. On the other hand, the Pixel 3a XL runs on a 3700mAh battery that is touted to deliver up to 14 hours of video playback. The phones feature a USB Type-C port and support 18W fast charging.
The two phones also share the same optics. Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL feature a 12.2MP Sony IMX363 sensor on the rear, which is paired with an f/1.8 aperture lens. On the front is an 8MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture lens and 84-degree field of view. The camera is touted to feature similar imaging prowess as the more expensive Google Pixel 3 smartphone and borrow some of its best features like Night Sight, Top Shot, Portrait Mode, Super Res Zoom, HDR+ capture and more.
The main camera on both phones are capable of recording 4K video at 30fps, 1080p video at 30fps, 60fps and 120fps, and 720p video at 30fps, 60fps and 240fps. The front camera can record 1080p videos at 30fps, 720p videos at 30fps and 480p videos at 30fps. The Active Edge feature to call up the Google Assistant by squeezing the sides of the phone is also present. The phones come equipped with stereo speakers, are single SIM phones with support for an e-SIM and run on the latest Android 9 Pie OS.
Additionally, eSIM on Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are now supported on Airtel and Reliance Jio, and are also available on Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.
Google Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL price, availability and launch offers
The Google Pixel 3a is priced at Rs 39,999, while the Pixel 3a XL will be available for Rs 44,999 in India. The pre-orders are now open for the devices on Flipkart and they will go up for sale from May 15 via the online retailer. Those who buy the Pixel 3a will get three months of YouTube Music Premium for free.
Read our Pixel 3a XL vs Pixel 3 camera comparison here.
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Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs promotes Diné culture, creativity, and excellence in the creation of art. Specifically, the program supports and promotes personal development in the Visual Arts. The teaching/learning approach is imbedded in the DEP (Diné Educational Philosophy) Paradigm of Nitsahakees (Thinking) Nahat’a (Planning), Iina (Doing) and Siihasin (Living and Reflecting). The art program prepares art majors to develop the necessary knowledge, skills, confidence, and values, to succeed as independent artists, or to choose to continue in a postgraduate Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or Educational program. It offers Diné students the opportunity to complete a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree while residing on the Diné Nation. Students may earn a BFA with a major in one of the following areas: Photography, Painting or Digital Arts. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program is based at Tsaile campus. Students are required to fulfill a residency requirement at Tsaile campus. The BFA degree requires a total of 122 credit program requirements. The BFA degree program has two tacks: Photography and Painting. The BFA degree program is opened to Associate of Fine Arts majors, part-time students, working adults, transfer students, military personnel and tribal and non-tribal students. Any student who wishes to pursue a degree in the arts can enroll in the BFA degree program.
Transfer students from other colleges or university can enroll upon their credits being accepted by Diné College. The BFA degree program is an open door enrollment degree program. The BFA degree program utilizes an art space totaling 3441 square footage; a 2-D classroom for Painting and Drawing totaling 1054 sq. ft., a 3-D classroom for ceramics and sculpture totaling 1333 sq. ft., and 3. A general classroom for 2-D & 3-D design classes totaling 1054 sq. ft. There is a film photography laboratory located in the general classroom. There is one digital Mac lab classroom for Digital Photography classes with state of-art Adobe Creative Cloud design software. The BFA degree program promotes and excellent art curriculum for any student who chooses to pursue the field of art out of a passion to create to enhance their creativity. The BFA degree program has the potential to lead to advance terminal Master of Fine Arts degree at other college and universities, and teaching job opportunities, individual entrepreneurial ventures, cultural preservation and Indian Casino industry.
The Diné College Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program provides students with:
An exemplary, excellent educational program in the areas of art and design to prepare them for pursuit in academia.
Encouragement in their developing creativity and intellectual curiosity in the fine arts.
Prepare students with strong foundational knowledge in the arts so they can contribute to the well-being of the Diné People and their own futures.
A platform for creating studio artwork utilizing Diné cultural paradigms or Diné language.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts is dedicated to embedding core values of the Diné culture into its program. The BFA focuses its efforts in embedding the DEP in its program and assessment processes; specifically Sa’ah Naaghai Bik’eh Hozhoon (SNBH). SNBH is a cultural paradigm that allows individuals to effectively think and analyze critically. In addition, the paradigm emphasizes self-study and reflection on completed work.
The following is a process of the Diné Educational Paradigm as it applies to the Fine Arts:
Nitsahakees: Thinking: The BFA degree program encourages students to utilize critical and creative thinking in creating and studying art.
Nahata: Planning: The BFA degree program encourages students to utilize planning skills in problem solving as it applies to the visual arts
Iina: Doing: The BFA degree program encourages students to develop self-discipline and independence in the learning process, also commonly referred to as T’ aa Hwo Aji T’ eego.
Siihasin: Reflecting: The BFA degree program encourages students to demonstrate reflecting (critiquing) art work and the history of art.
Professional Preparation Coursework
Lower Division Requirements
FA 106 Color Theory
FA 107 3D Design
FA 115 Beginning Drawing
ARH 211 Survey of Native American Art
ARH 213 Survey of World Art, Prehistoric to 1500
ARH 214 Survey of World Art, 1500 – Present 3
Upper Division Requirements
Junior Year Semester I
FA 315 Drawing III
FA 390 Painting III
FA 381 Photography III
ARH 313 Contemporary Issues in Art
DA 215 Web Design III
Program Credits: 3
Junior Year Semester II
FA 315 Drawing III (Repeat)
FA 390 Painting III (Repeat)
FA 381 Photo III
ARH 413 Contemporary American Indian Masters
MKT 240 Marketing
Senior Year Semester III
FA 445 Life Drawing
FA 490 Painting IV
FA 481 Photo IV
FA 491 Capstone
FA 495 Senior Project
Senior Year Semester IV
FA 495 Senior Project (Repeat)
FA 496 Senior Portfolio Development
FA 497 Gallery Exhibition
Credits 40-43
Lower Division Program Requirements
Total Credits Earned: 21
Program Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code Code Title
Fine/Studio Arts, General 50.0702
Drawing 50.0705
Painting 50.0708
Photography 50.0605
Art History 50.0703
Dean & Contact
Paul Willeto, Dean, Professor of Art
Ed.D., University of New Mexico
pwilleto@dinecollege.edu
Veronica Chee, Administrative Assistant
vrchee@dinecollege.edu
School of Humanities and English
P.O. Box C23
Liberal Arts (A.A.)
This program offers students an intensive investigation of ideas and practices in the arts, humanities, and social sciences that is required in the general education program with an emphasis on critical inquiry and creative expression. It is designed to prepare students to transfer to four-year programs of study in Liberal Arts or related degree programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. The range of courses required in the Liberal Arts program is appropriate for all students seeking a Bachelor of Arts in these areas.
ENG 101: Freshman English I
ENG 102: Freshman English II 6
Humanities and Fine Arts
Students must choose two courses from:
Art History (ARH)
English (ENG) 212, 213, 231, 233, 234, 241, 297
Fine Arts (FA)
Humanities (HUM)
Theater (THR) 101, 102 6
Mathematics Student must take appropriate course based on major.
MTH 110: College Algebra
MTH 114: College Mathematics
MTH 106: Survey on College Mathematics 3-4
Social and Behavioral Science
Students must choose one History (HST) 101, 102, 135, 136 course and one other course from:
Anthropology (ANT)
Sociology (SOC)
Social Work (SWO)
Social Science (SSC)
Political Science (POS)
Economics (ECO)
Psychology (PSY) 6
Students must choose one Life Science and one
Physical Science course both with labs from:
Life Science: BIO
Physical Science: AGR, AST, CHM, ENV, GLG, PHY, PHS 8
Physical Education and Health Education
PEH 122
PEH 113-148
Health Education (HEE)
HEE 110, 111, 112 2-3
Navajo Studies
One Navajo Language Course Based on Placement Test (NAV 101, 102, 201, 202, or 211)
NIS 111: Foundations of Navajo Culture and
NIS 221: Navajo History to Present 9-10 2-3
Required Core Total Students transferring may need to take additional courses to meet core requirements. 40-43
Choice of two ENG 231, 233, 234, 236, 238 6
Communication: COM 121 3
Choice of one from Any 200 level of ARH ; ENG; FA; HUM and one from ARH 211, 213, 214; HUM 221, 250 6
Choice of one from ENG 208, 212, 213; FA 215, 221, 231, 245, 290; NIS 205, 208 3
Choice of two from ANT 210, 225, 265; HST 201, HST 202; HST 234, 245, HST 256; PSY 215, 240, 250; SOC 215, 230, 275 6
Diné Studies
Choice of one from NIS 220, 226, 371 3
Program Credits 27
General Education 40-43
Program Requirements 27
Total Credits Earned: 67-70
*This requirement waived for students who have earned the graduation requirement of 64 hours.
Program Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code
Code Title
24.0101 Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
A.A. Fine Arts
Fine Arts (A.A.)
The Fine Arts program offers a visual arts curriculum for students who want to transfer to a four-year program. The curriculum promotes personal development in the arts. It includes studio art courses in Ceramics, Drawing, Commercial Art, Graphics, Painting, Photography, and Sculpture, as well as Art History and Art Education. Interested students should consult the catalog of four-year institutions that offer Bachelor of Fine Arts programs and speak with Fine Arts advisors. Ceramics, Painting, Photography, and Sculpture are available only at Tsaile.
NIS 221: Navajo History to Present 9-10 2-3
FA 115 Drawing I 12
Choice of two courses of Art History:
ARH 214 Survey of World Art, 1500 to Present 6
Choice of three courses of ARH or FA: 9
Six hours of Electives 6
50.0702 Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Geraldine Garrity, Ed. D.
ggarrity@dinecollege.edu
Mail to: Provost
Diné College:
Box C09
Click here for Program Disclosure
The Digital Arts Certificate prepares students to learn the basics of graphic arts and graphic art design programs and for employment in the computer graphics and publishing field. It is also for entrepreneurs starting their own business. Students follow basic aesthetic principles in creating work. Students will gain experience in page design, illustration, photography, and web design using professional Adobe programs.
NOTE: Student will not be eligible for Title IV Financial Aid in this certificate program.
ENG 085 Communication Workshop II 3
MTH 096 or MTH 106 3-4
*DA 109 Introduvtion to the Mac
*Students may opt to test out of this class 1
DA 110 Introduction to Graphic Arts 3
DA 111 Page Design I 3
DA 112 Computer Illustration I 3
DA 113 Photographic Image Editing I
(cross listed with FA 181) 3
DA 211 Page Design II 3
DA 212 Computer Illustration II 3
DA 115 Web Design I 3
DA 220 Digital Portfolio 3
Electives: Optional, not required.
DA 213; DA 215; or ENG 180 3
Program Credits: 29-34
The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges to disclose a variety of information for any financial aid eligible program that “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. The information provided describes the graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information regarding gainful employment for the latest completed academic year as of July 1st.
50.0409 Graphic Design
Program Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code Code Title
27.1024 Graphic Designers
The Fine Arts program at Dine College offers a visual arts curriculum for students who expect to transfer to a four year program. The curriculum promotes personal development in the arts. It includes studio art courses in Ceramics, Drawing, Commercial Art, Graphics, Painting, Photography, and Sculpture, as well as in Art History and Art Education. Interested students should consult the catalogs of four year institutions that offer Bachelor of Fine Arts programs and speak with Fine Arts advisors.
The Liberal Arts Program offers students a more intensive investigation of ideas and practices in the arts, humanities, and social sciences than is required in the general education program, with an emphasis on critical inquiry and creative expression. It is designed to prepare students to transfer to four year programs of study in Liberal Arts or related degree programs in the arts, humanities and social sciences. The range of courses required in the Liberal Arts program is appropriate for all students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree in these areas.
The SAHE Post
A Monthly Newsletter from is a newsletter for the School of Arts, Humanities, & English at Diné College.
Download Newletters
Dine College
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xQc doesn't think it's burnout that makes professional esports players quit
by Bill Cooney
Burnout in esports athletes, according to former Dallas Fuel player Felix ‘xQc’ Lengyel, isn’t caused by mental strain or a tough practice schedule, but a failure to adapt.
The conversation started when Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA franchise, tweeted about the seemingly high rate of burnout in esports players in their 20s.
After Nate Nanzer, Commissioner of the Overwatch League responded, the conversation naturally switched to burnout in Overwatch more specifically.
In response to esports reporter Kevin Hitt, who claimed Overwatch League Team’s intense practice schedules could be to blame for player burnout, xQc said he didn’t think mental strain was to blame.
The core issue is that the games change. With each change every team has to practice as a unit and consider every permutation. That requires intense practices and a lot of time . It's the main reason I wouldn't buy a LOL team . Support is great. But doesn't change the issue
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) December 28, 2018
“I don't know where these numbers come from,” Felix told Hitt, who said players often practice 12-14 hours a day, 6 days a week. “Teams (almost all of them) practice 3 blocks of 2 hours. Vod reviews and & stuff aren't as mentally straining, but even when compiled it doesn't come close to that.”
Read More: All CS:GO roster changes ahead of the IEM Katowice Major roster lock
Instead, xQc claimed that “Players don't last long because they fail to adapt” to changes in the game.
I don't know where these numbers come from, teams (almost all of them) practice 3 blocks of 2 hours. Vod reviews and & stuff aren't as mentally straining, but even when compiled it doesn't come close to that. Players don't last long because they fail to adapt
— xQc (@xQc) December 28, 2018
If anyone would know about Overwatch burnout, it’s xQc, who played for the Dallas Fuel before being released during Stage Two of the league’s first season for repeated controversies, even after that, he was still one of the game’s most prolific streamers on Twitch.
There was one team, the Shanghai Dragons, who reportedly practiced 12 hours a day, six days a week during Season One, but the team parted ways with the head and assistant coaches shortly after the season was over.
Read More: Blizzard will enforce new rules for Twitch chat users during Overwatch Contenders
Burnout is an important topic in esports, especially the Overwatch League, and some teams, like the Seoul Dynasty, have made player mental health a top priority headed into Season Two.
Method win 12-day WoW race for world first Mythic Queen Azshara kill
Geoff ‘iNcontrol’ Robinson's family confirms he passed away painlessly
Location of new 100 Thieves facility pays homage to former OpTic house
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It is law within the UK that every item of precious metal sold such as Platinum, Gold, Silver is stamped labelling the item with the type of metal it is. Platinum pieces which weigh less than 0.5 grams, 18ct Gold and Palladium pieces weighing less than 1.0 gram and Silver pieces weighing less than 7.78 grams are except from hallmark.
At Diamonds Factory all our products are hallmarked as per UK hallmarking law from London Assay Office (The GoldSmith Company)
Where Hallmarking Began
The Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office is the oldest assay office in the United Kingdom. It has provided hallmarking services since The Goldsmiths' Company was founded in the 1300s. The company received its royal charter in 1327 and ranks 5th in order of precedence of the 12 Great Livery Companies of the City of London.
Hallmarking dates back to the 1300s when Edward I of England passed a law requiring any item made of silver, which was offered for sale, to be at least of equal quality as that of the coin of the realm (silver currency). The wardens of The Goldsmiths' Company were tasked with visiting workshops in the City of London to assay (test) silver articles. If these articles were found to be below standard they were originally destroyed and the metal forfeited to the King. If they passed, each article received the King's mark of authentication - the mark of a leopard's head. By 1478, there were several hundred workshops and merchants manufacturing silver articles in the City of London. It was not possible for the wardens to visit them all so the merchants were ordered to bring their items to Goldsmiths' Hall for testing and marking and a permanent Assay Office was established in the building. This is the origin of the term hallmark - struck with the King's mark at Goldsmiths' Hall.
In 1544 the Goldsmith's Company adopted the King's mark as their town mark and the mark of the leopard's head is now internationally recognised as the mark of this assay office.
The Goldsmiths's Company Assay Office is still based at Goldsmiths's Hall and remains the oldest company in Britain to be continually trading from the same site. However, it also has two satellite offices; at Greville Street in Hatton Garden in the heart of the London jewellery quarter and within a high security complex near London's Heathrow airport. It now has a new off-site facility within the Dalston-based jewellery manufacturer, Allied Gold. This is the first time in the Assay Office's 700 year history that it has opened permanent hallmarking services on a customer's premises.
In addition to hallmarking, the office has now expanded its range of services to support the jewellery trade and enforcement authorities. It offers a variety of specialist analytical services including nickel, lead & cadmium testing, antique silver dating, non-destructive compositional analysis, plating thickness measurement and a melt and assay service for scrap precious metal carried out in their fully independent on-site laboratory. Other services offered are a jewellery valuation service, laser marking, trading standards assistance, high quality photography and a comprehensive range of training and educational seminars, lectures and specialist events.
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See more Cisco 2960s Switch Blank Expansion Module PN 7...
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TOP STORIES / World / Asia
Why has China invited African army chiefs to Beijing?
China wants to redefine its military engagement in Africa and has invited military officials from across the continent to Beijing to explore new forms of strategic cooperation.
China's economic influence as an investor and trade partner continues to grow in Africa and new strategies are being discussed to ensure the security of Chinese business interests and investments.
Emphasizing Beijing's strategic interest in Africa, China's Ministry of National Defense invited high-ranking military representatives from 50 African countries to the first China-Africa Defense and Security Forum. The forum began on Tuesday in Beijing and is set to run until July 10.
Read more: 'New Silk Road' and China's hegemonic ambitions
"Securing trade routes is important for China as Africa's northeastern coast up to the Suez Canal is a part of the new maritime silk road, which is also a segment of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)," said Cobus van Staden, a China expert at the South African Institute for International Affairs. BRI is a massive development and trade project launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping to connect China with Eurasian markets.
According to van Staden, China has an "increasingly complex relationship with Africa," and has extensive investments in many countries there. Many Chinese live in Africa and China has experience evacuating its nationals from crisis areas.
'One Belt One Road' blessing or curse?
Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/2vvX0
One Belt One Road financing: blessing and a curse?
A tough place to do business
The Chinese military has gained some experience in African conflict zones. During the Libyan civil war in February 2011, it sent the warship "Xuzhou" to the Libyan coast to oversee the evacuation of 35,000 Chinese. It was the Chinese military's first overseas operation on the African continent.
"From that point on, the Chinese became increasingly aware of the complexity of peace and security in Africa," van Staden told DW. "China began to engage more and more in this area, for example by offering financial support to African Union (AU) peace troops and increased numbers of 'blue helmet' soldiers."
China wants to make the most of its participation in UN peace missions around Africa. However, with just around 2,400 blue helmet peacekeeping soldiers stationed across the continent, China doesn't belong to the largest contributors like Ethiopia, Bangladesh and India.
Read more: Are China and Russia challenging US military dominance?
Economic interests push China to increase military presence in Africa
China's growing weapons exports to Africa
Over the past decade, arms exports have become an integral part of China's security cooperation with Africa.
China's exports of military gear to the continent have increased 55 percent in the five-year period from 2013 to 2017, compared to the preceding five years, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Beijing's share of total arms exports to Sub-Saharan African countries rose from 16 to 27 percent during this period.
The increase in weapons exports corresponds with the surge in foreign investment from China, which in Africa increased from around $40 billion in 2012 to $90 billion in 2016.
Overall, Africa plays a relatively minor role in global arms imports, accounting for a mere 7.2 percent in the 2013-17 period. And among the 40 largest importers of military equipment worldwide, only two are from the African continent, namely Egypt and Algeria.
But Algeria ranks third after Pakistan and Bangladesh on the list of destination countries for Chinese arms exports. In fact, Algeria alone accounts for 10 percent of China's total arms exports, including three modern frigates.
Chinese-built railway opens in Kenya
Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/2dsO5
Small but inexpensive and popular
China also scatters its arms deliveries to Africa wider than its competitors like the US and Russia.
According to the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), China exported $3 billion worth of weapons to Africa in 2008-17.
The US, meanwhile, shipped $4.9 billion worth of weapons to Africa, 87 percent of them to Egypt and Morocco. And Russia's exports were valued at $12.4 billion, 84 percent of which destined for Algeria and Egypt.
China is considered as a supplier of cost-effective weapon systems, such as the combat-ready K-8 jet-powered training aircraft, which dominates the market for such aircraft in Africa. China has also consolidated its position on the market for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) because of American reluctance to export them.
Criticism of Chinese arms sales to Africa has been fueled by reports that such weapons were used in conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Sudan and Somalia.
In 2014, according to CSIS, China's state-owned firm North Industries Corporation delivered 100 missile systems, over 9,000 automatic rifles and 24 million rounds of ammunition to the South Sudanese government, which is being criticized internationally for human rights violations.
Jerome Pellistrandi, professor at the University of Clermont-Ferrand and editor of the magazine Défense Nationale, told DW that some African governments find it easier to acquire aircraft and other weapon systems from the Chinese than from European manufacturers — just because China has fewer reservations about human rights.
China's military base in Djibouti
In August 2017, China drew attention to its military engagement in Africa by opening its first overseas military base in Djibouti, located on the Gulf of Aden near the Red Sea.
The small country also hosts a US military base, Camp Lemonnier, with 4,000 soldiers and anti-terror Special Forces units. France, Italy and Japan also have bases in Djibouti.
According to van Staden, since plans were announced, China has been careful not to give the base a military designation. Chinese media characterized the project as a "support base." Since 2008, China has been participating in international anti-piracy operations in the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden.
Read more: Djibouti: Location, location, location
Djibouti military base 'a manifestation of China's global interests'
Recently, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced that China would be building another dock at its facility in Djibouti, which would also be available for use by Kirgizstan. At a length of 450 meters, it could accommodate Chinese destroyers and supply ships.
According to Chinese media, the measures serve "to support international obligations like anti-piracy operations and the preservation of peace and stability in Africa and the world."
China and the US are close neighbors in Djibouti, where the US stations large military transport aircraft such as the Hercules C130.
In May, the Pentagon accused the Chinese of pointing lasers at landing US military aircraft at the base. Beijing vehemently denied the accusations.
Expert van Staden criticized the US assertions, and considered them to be an expression of Washington's discomfort over China's presence in Djibouti.
China displays its military might
Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/2hOsV
DW recommends
Djibouti: Location, location, location
The US and the Europeans are already there: Now China apparently also wants a military base in Djibouti. Proximity to the trouble spots in the region brings the small state money, but also problems. (23.05.2015)
China set to open first military outpost in Africa
China, according to a top US general, has signed a deal to establish its first military base in Africa. It would underscore Beijing’s growing global ambitions and raise the stakes for both cooperation and competition. (26.11.2015)
As economic ties between China and African countries tighten, the Asian giant could make major foreign policy changes and depart from its strict hands-off policy regarding military intervention on the continent. (09.12.2015)
While Beijing does not want to use the term "military base" for its Djibouti installation, the US sees it as part of China's military expansion. In a DW interview, expert Bernt Berger explains what it actually is. (12.07.2017)
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HomeEntertainmentThe 5 Worst Netflix Original Movies Of 2018 So Far
The 5 Worst Netflix Original Movies Of 2018 So Far
August 16, 2018 Paul Entertainment Comments Off on The 5 Worst Netflix Original Movies Of 2018 So Far
Much of my job working on HuffPost’s Streamline focuses on recommending how you should spend your precious time streaming on Netflix. It’s become increasingly hard to keep up with the best the service has to offer, as they add so many Originals each week. I certainly have had no time for what seemed to be Netflix’s worst.
For your amusement, I decided to go on a journey to break my brain and watch the five worst-reviewed Netflix Original movies of 2018. I did this by watching them all in a row over the course of half a day. At numerous points, I wanted to give up on this trek into Netflix’s darkest core, but I persevered and lived to tell this tale. And it is a tale.
First, a note on my methodology: I determined which movies earned the worst reviews by comparing Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic scores along with reviews from critics I especially trust. I settled on five movies to retain my sanity, but easily could have expanded this list to include more, such as “Mute,” “The Outsider,” “Tao,” “The Week Of,” “Extinction,” “The Titan,” and “When We First Met.” Maybe I’ll watch them for the end-of-year version of this list, but for now, I just focused on the spectacularly bad. The worst of the worst.
To determine this, I focused on movies that had inexplicably terrible elements. Arguably, the truly “worst” movies out there are just incredibly boring, have terrible actors, and only secured low budgets. That’s not this list.
All the movies below are actually competent in many ways. Some even have truly great moments or elements, but this juxtaposition makes the terrible parts all the more fun and cringe-worthy. All these movies have incredibly rotten components that ruin all the good parts, and that makes them the absolute worst.
There are extensive spoilers here. I don’t want you to waste your time with these movies and, in many cases, the ending is the worst part. So read the list below instead of actually spending any time with these lowlights of 2018. And wish me luck on my recovery.
And if you want to stay informed about what’s joining Netflix on a weekly basis, be sure to subscribe to the Streamline newsletter.
Scott Garfield/Netflix
“The Cloverfield Paradox” on Netflix.
Ji Sub Jeong/HP
Streamline makes recommendations for streaming shows and movies. Every Saturday, Streamline highlights the best shows to watch online, with a focus on Netflix.
“How It Ends”
“How It Ends” on Netflix.
Premise: Something cataclysmic happens to the West Coast of the United States. A man (Theo James) joins his potential father-in-law (Forest Whitaker) to try and save his fiancée. The two must travel from Chicago to Seattle by car and foot.
After the attack, power and cell reception goes out across the United States, reaching from the West to at least the Midwest. In less than 24 hours, America devolves into violent chaos.
The opening scene: The first shot focuses on an ultrasound. A woman learns she will have a boy, while her fiancé sits next to her.
The movie claims to be set in Seattle, but never shows establishing shots of the city, despite having a ridiculous amount of establishing shots for Chicago in the scene right after this.
As the couple steps outside after the ultrasound, the woman tells the man he should be brave when talking to her father (in Chicago) about wanting to marry her. She asks, “Is everything going to be OK?” referring to talking to her dad, but also ― foreshadowing.
Top three reasons it’s bad:
1. Almost every single scene involves preposterous conflict. While the two protagonists ― the fiancé and the father― travel on the road, trekking across America, this kind of makes sense. Beautiful cinematography and colorization allow the long drive to take on a poetic quality that helps the suspension of belief. But after every single person they encounter wants to kill them ― just hours into this mysterious attack ― that suspension of belief has to do too much work.
The first 20 minutes and the last 20 minutes of this movie have that same ridiculous conflict, but with no redeeming qualities. When the fiancé meets with the parents, he starts swearing and yelling at them during dinner for almost no reason.
The movie ends with the fiancé finding that his future wife shacked up with a neighbor in a remote forest for safety. Then this neighbor randomly becomes evil and tries to kill the fiancé, leading to the fiancé shooting him. A storm descends on the area seconds later. The fiancé rushes back to his partner and tells her to get in a car so they can outrun this new storm. He basically mutters that he killed the other person under his breath and she just rolls with it without asking questions.
2. This might be the worst ending I have ever seen. This makes the movie title hilarious in retrospect, because “how it ends” is the most notable thing about this movie. Almost every review I have seen ― including casual comments on the trailer ― point out that the ending is unbelievably bad.
The movie starts coming to a close with the fiancé making it to Seattle. He finds the city completely decimated and abandoned. Toxic ash floats in the air and covers everything. He finds a face mask in a firetruck and walks through the rubble until he finds his old apartment. The walls are missing and everything is destroyed, but somehow a door survived that has a message from his partner about her whereabouts. She wrote it in marker. He then heads back to his car and simply drives to this address outside the city.
He finds her there with a neighbor who acts creepy despite just being a random neighbor. They explain they had only minutes to escape the city after the initial warning. Somehow they both got to a car and escaped from the middle of the city through congested roads in those few minutes. At the safehouse, the fiancé doesn’t immediately shower to clean the toxic ash off his body. In fact, he climbs in bed with his partner and they snuggle. You can still see the dirt and ash all over his body.
Then after telling his partner he’ll never leave her again, he gets up from bed. Apparently a time jump has happened and it’s now the middle of the night. He finds his partner at a fire with the neighbor. The neighbor says that he thinks the U.S. government might be behind the destruction, and our protagonist gets irrationally angry about this. After a weirdly tense moment that lasts about a minute, they all go to bed. The next morning, the aforementioned random confrontation and killing happens. Immediately after this, the two original partners drive into the distance, escaping another toxic cloud with just seconds to spare. Then this thing ends with no explanation for anything.
3. The fiancé becomes a master driver and gunslinger by the end of his journey, despite not knowing how to even load a gun at the start of this. He can also miraculously drive like a professional stuntman.
If you somehow ignore all realism, stretches of this movie actually do succeed in being entertaining. It’s kind of fun to just watch a movie that only knows how to portray forward movement (with the speeding car) or violent action. But you’ll reach your limit at some point.
Memorable unintentional comedy: When the father and fiancé leave for their journey, they must say goodbye to the father’s wife. Because this movie refuses to linger in any moment, the characters basically rush their goodbyes despite possibly never seeing this person again. The father gives a quick hug to his wife and then immediately turns around to head into the car. He almost never mentions her again.
Runtime: 1 hour, 53 minutes.
“Father of the Year”
“Father of the Year” on Netflix.
Premise: Two recent college graduates return home. At a bar, they wonder which of their fathers would win in a fight. Then this argument serves as the basis for the entire movie, despite neither character seeming to actually care about the answer. The fathers, who don’t normally get in fights, take this argument extremely seriously for some reason.
One father (David Spade) seems incredibly dumb and always gets into trouble. The other father (Nat Faxon) seems incredibly wimpish and always gets run over by others. This doesn’t change by the end of the movie.
The opening scene: The two graduates sit in their car, discussing how they should have just went straight to New York City instead of returning home. The son of David Spade’s character watches as his father climbs from underneath his small house to drag a disgusting mattress out, presumably for his son to sleep on. The duo exits the car to greet him. Then the father goes on a tangent about how he really needs a Q-tip and doesn’t have one. He shows the kids his “pool” ― a back of his neighbor’s pickup truck that he’s filled with water. Spade’s character takes a skinny dip. Then the owner of the vehicle starts the car and drives away, causing Spade’s naked character to fall into the road.
1. The plot makes no sense. This hypothetical fight between two fathers does not become interesting at any point in the movie and yet has to propel this whole thing.
The few side narratives also make no sense. One of the graduates, a valedictorian from a supposed Ivy League college, establishes that he worked his whole life to escape his hometown.
By the end of the movie, he decides to throw that all away to stay in this town after hanging around for just a couple months. He gives up his job because the head of the company lightly insults his dad. He decides a girl he dates for, like, a month is the love of his life.
2. David Spade’s character has a recurring joke about how he can’t help telling racist jokes to people of the race he’s making fun of because he’s colorblind — get it? Part of the joke is that it’d be all right if he was telling the jokes to white people, but what makes him an idiot is accidentally telling them to people of color. Not much to say about this except how is this a thing in 2018?
3. Like “How It Ends,” the title contributes to the nonsense. Netflix originally called this movie “Graduates,” and the marketing images for the movie still use the word “graduates” in the file names. “Father of the Year” clearly got tacked on at the last minute. At no point in this movie does either father get referenced as the father of the year, nor do they succeed enough to warrant such a distinction. Neither father pulls through and helps their child in any meaningful way. Both fathers start and end as buffoons. The nonsensical nature of this title may always haunt me.
Memorable unintentional comedy: Throughout the movie, older women keep getting turned on by one of the recent college grads because he is apparently so muscular that the women can’t help themselves. The actor barely looks any more buff than most Hollywood actors, though. He’s nowhere near the supersized physiques of actors like Dwayne Johnson or Taylor Lautner, an actor roughly the character’s age. So much of this movie focuses on how strong this character has become since childhood, so it’s weird they didn’t find a truly jacked actor.
Premise: The Earth has run out of power. In a last-ditch effort, astronauts from different countries go to space to try and harvest energy. The way they do this fails, but ultimately disrupts the universe and sends the crew to an alternate reality.
The crew must try to return home, despite freaky things happening to their ship. In this alternate reality, their crew crashed back into Earth and World War III began. The crew realizes they don’t have to just go home — they also must find a way to actually harvest energy or else their world will kill itself.
The opening scene: Radio announcements set the scene of a world hurdling toward dystopia. Then the camera focuses on two lovers sitting in a car. They’re waiting in a long line to get gas. A blackout occurs. The two discuss their love and the sacrifices they’d make for each other. One lover will accept a mission to travel to space and try to harvest energy. Compared to these other “worst Netflix movies,” this opening stood out as the best. Nothing too awful here.
1. Like “How It Ends,” the awfulness of the ending overshadows the whole film, which forces a twist that’s laugh-out-loud horrible into its final dozen seconds.
The movie ends with two survivors in the astronaut crew successfully returning to their reality/universe and finally harvesting the energy they need correctly. A crew on Earth cheers and the duo immediately boards a pod to return home. Then the aforementioned lover who’s still on earth gets a call from someone informing him that his partner returned safely and figured out the energy problem. The informant casually mentions that she’ll return within hours.
Then the lover starts screaming into the phone, asking why his partner wasn’t told about the situation on Earth. The dialogue here is careful not to betray anything about this new situation. The informant retains his casual tone and says it’s fine, there just wasn’t enough time and they’ll sort it out when she lands. The informant says the lover should go and meet his partner at the landing zone. At this, the lover starts screaming that the astronauts should be told to go back.
The movie then cuts to the astronauts re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere. They reach some clouds, which a poorly CGI’ed monster jumps through, roaring for seemingly no reason. At first, I thought the monster swallowed the pod, but upon rewatching, I realized the pod disappears into the clouds just a bit behind the monster.
Before this point, the movie never establishes that monsters have invaded Earth, except for a small hint which I’ll get into in the section below. The fact that the informant retains such a casual tone as an incredibly huge monster (so big that it can hover over the clouds) terrorizes the landing route seems insane. And that the astronauts don’t spend the five more minutes needed to learn about this fact before departing to Earth simply makes no sense.
2. The “science” of the world keeps getting more preposterous.
Monsters enter the universe, but only in some places. Worms overtake a person’s body and take over his mind ― then the worms burst out of that body and die immediately for no reason. The wall of the ship occasionally morphs and seems to become sentient, but the floors and other objects don’t do this. A woman from the crew of the alternate reality randomly appears in the ship, but the other crew members don’t. Too many holes.
3. The self-own/unforced error of the Super Bowl commercial. Netflix surprise-acquired this project and announced this with a Super Bowl ad. The ad garnered a ton of attention and made this movie one of the most notable releases of 2018.
But then this move became a gigantic self-own as the predominant conversation about this movie shifted to focusing on how bad it was. The ad basically informed everyone that Netflix movies are often terrible and that the company will market terrible movies to try and trick you into watching them. Through 2017, the company had earned comparisons to HBO; the Netflix lineup had become synonymous with quality. This release threw some of that goodwill away real quick.
That said, the critical response had been so bad that I expected this movie to be way worse. But besides the ending, “The Cloverfield Paradox” actually doesn’t rise to hilariously bad levels most of the time.
I’d even venture to say that most of “The Cloverfield Paradox” is actually a good movie. At the very least, it’s a fun movie. But the Super Bowl commercial self-own made everyone take this movie incredibly seriously. What could have just been a schlocky, mostly competent sci-fi movie became one of the worst movies of the year.
Memorable unintentional comedy: A man (the aforementioned lover) still on Earth heads to a hospital shortly after the attack. He stops in front of the decimated hospital. A shadow of a monster flies above him. He doesn’t react to this at all. Then he hears a child screaming in the middle of the burning, decimated hospital. Literally nobody else is around. The kid decided to just keep standing in the middle of this burning area alone and somehow didn’t get destroyed or ushered away like everybody else. Then the man takes the kid back to his car without any problem from the monster directly above them.
“Game Over, Man!” on Netflix.
Premise: The bratty son of a billionaire loves to party and hosts a huge event atop a hotel. Villainous types decide to rob the billionaire by holding the entire party hostage. To get the kid to give up his money, the villains start killing off victims.
Three housekeepers escape the hostage situation and decide to try and save the day. Through incredible luck, they slowly foil the bad guys’ plans amid much gore and dick jokes.
The opening scene: The three housekeepers (Adam DeVine, Anders Holm, and Blake Anderson) roll a service cart down a hotel hallway. Their faces clearly show how much they don’t want to be doing this. Holm’s character knocks on a door and yells “Housekeeping!” They enter the room and find used condoms lying around everywhere. Then Holm’s character does some salvia and the other two hover a used condom over his face while he can’t move.
1. The jokes. Almost every single line of dialogue is a joke or serves some punchline. Over the course of almost two hours, this becomes incredibly tiresome. On top of this, most of these jokes are bad. The cadence goes: bad joke, bad joke, bad joke, brief funny moment, bad joke, bad joke, etc.
By saying “bad” here, I mean highly derivative. Run-of-the-mill dick and drug jokes. Cheap pratfalls abound. Characters act vaguely creepy just for the sake of it. Almost nothing about this movie has an ounce of creativity or nuance.
2. The offensive nature of the plotline. These housekeepers want to get rich through a video game they created. The narrative of the video game is a blaxploitation storyline. The movie doesn’t play this as a commentary on the characters. This just kind of exists as an edgelord-type joke.
The movie also seems to have a streak of homophobia through the guise of embracing gay characters. Two of the antagonists are a gay couple — something that’s mostly played for laughs. Like, can you imagine two super strong bad guys also being gay and having sex with each other? Then, one of the protagonists comes out as gay and his character shifts into being a stereotype — again, all for laughs. His friends embrace this news and say they don’t have a problem with it, but the movie clearly thinks there’s humor in gay behavior.
3. The weak attempt at economic commentary. The movie kind of, sort of tries to make the point that even not-rich people can do great things. It also occasionally satirizes the billionaire’s son as a useless scourge on society. But it mostly does the opposite of that, with jokes making fun of housekeepers and presenting the billionaire’s son as a cool dude. It seems like they threw a couple lines of commentary dialogue in at the last minute to make sure the movie didn’t get attacked for being politically incorrect.
Memorable unintentional comedy: The movie got a few cameos including Joel McHale, Shaggy and Donald Faison, who all play themselves at the party. Fred Armisen shows up twice for only half a second at a time. Maybe the extremely limited and subtle use of Armisen was intentional, but on-screen it doesn’t look intentional. It seems like they cut out his role, but didn’t want to lose his cameo entirely.
“Brain on Fire” on Netflix.
Premise: A New York Post reporter (Chloë Grace Moretz) starts behaving erratically. Then she becomes comatose. Doctors can’t figure out the problem and keep misdiagnosing her.
The reporter almost loses her job because of the inexplicable behavior, but her family and boyfriend sticks with her. Eventually a doctor figures out what’s wrong and she returns to normal.
The opening scene: The movie starts with the protagonist screaming while tied to a hospital bed. Then it flashes back to her in an office with narration from Moretz about the character’s life. She says her lifelong dream had been to become a New York Post reporter, which she accomplished. In her first scene of actual dialogue, she talks about a headline she wrote that had a butt pun.
1. The incredible incompetence of the storytelling. This movie unfolds like an episode of “House,” if that show just focused on the patient’s symptoms for an hour until a magical doctor character solves the case in just a few minutes. On top of this, after the magical doctor finally figures out what’s wrong, the movie just ends with things returning to normal.
I’ve heard that the book version of this movie is actually quite good. This was a true story and the person its center this had a harrowing few months. But this movie ultimately feels like a PSA to show you the symptoms of the rare brain problem Moretz’s character is found to have.
Once the premise is established, no other narrative complications happen. You just watch Moretz’s character exhibit more symptoms, while people around her sigh and shake their heads.
After you’re forced to watch this same scene play out over and over and over, the movie resolves the only tension ― what’s wrong with her? ― in a matter of minutes with characters that appear out of nowhere.
2. It looks like you can tell the actors fully gave up on this by the end of the movie.
In the last few minutes of the movie, it doesn’t look like a single actor cares at all anymore. They basically just say their lines verbatim. It looks like all the actors knew this turned into a mess and just gave up.
3. The length of this movie. “Brain on Fire” was the least enjoyable movie on this list. I barely got through this. As mentioned before, the same scene just happens repeatedly, making this incredibly boring. Occasionally, Moretz’s character will react in a way that’s so bizarre you can’t help but laugh. But that just makes you feel worse since this is based on a real story.
But it’s the movie’s fault. At one point, to establish the extent of the character’s detachment from reality, she has a conversation with her boyfriend while sitting under her desk at work, which is in the middle of the Post newsroom. She then gets up after the call, which her co-worker only thinks is sort of strange. At another point, the character zones out for many seconds before blowing out the candles on a birthday cake. None of her family members even bats an eye at this. Don’t subject yourself to an hour and a half of this.
Memorable unintentional comedy: The boyfriend character is a “musician,” which the movie does not let you forget. This character holds a guitar in almost every single scene. Even when he’s at the hospital, he lugs a guitar case around.
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Back to Journals » International Journal of General Medicine » Volume 10
Association between serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and community-acquired pneumonia: a case-control study
Authors Mamani M, Muceli N, Ghasemi Basir HR, Vasheghani M, Poorolajal J
Received 13 August 2017
Accepted for publication 5 October 2017
Published 13 November 2017 Volume 2017:10 Pages 423—429
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S149049
Editor who approved publication: Dr Scott Fraser
Mojgan Mamani,1,2 Neda Muceli,2 Hamid Reza Ghasemi Basir,3 Maryam Vasheghani,4 Jalal Poorolajal5
1Brucellosis Research Centre, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran; 2Department of Infectious Disease, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran; 3Department of Pathology, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran; 4Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 5Research Center for Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common disease with significant morbidity and mortality. There is evidence that vitamin D deficiency can be associated with infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of vitamin D between patients with CAP and healthy controls.
Methods: In a case-control study on 73 patients with CAP and 76 healthy controls, the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) was measured. Severity and outcomes of disease and also duration of hospital stay were compared in patients with different levels of 25(OH)D. The severity of CAP was assessed using the CURB-65 score (confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, low blood pressure, age ≥65 years) and was also reflected by the length of hospital stay, admission to intensive care unit (ICU), and 30-day mortality.
Results: In total, 81.2% of the study population had vitamin D levels <30 ng/dL. The risk of pneumonia among subjects with deficient vitamin D levels was 3.69 (95% CI: 1.46, 9.31) times of those with sufficient vitamin D level (P=0.006). Prevalence of severe deficiency of vitamin D in scores three and four of CURB-65 (59.38%), was far more than scores one and two (31.71%). Also, results indicated patients with severe deficiency had a higher risk for ICU admission, 30-day mortality, and longer hospitalization stay, but these were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: According to findings, a low level of 25(OH)D is associated with a higher incidence of CAP and more severe disease. It is recommended to pay more attention to vitamin D deficiency in infectious diseases, particularly in CAP patients.
Keywords: vitamin D deficiency, community-acquired infections, pneumonia
Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the most frequent infectious factor associated with mortality.1 It is one of the most frequent reasons for hospitalization and one of the leading causes of death in elderly populations.2 It is also one of main causes of death in children under 5 years of age in developed countries.3
Pulmonary host defenses involve anatomical and mechanical barriers, humoral immune activity, cell-mediated immune function, and phagocyte activity. Alteration of consciousness, smoking, alcohol consumption, underlying systemic and pulmonary diseases, HIV infection, or old age may lead to impaired lung defense mechanism, and these patients are at risk for pulmonary infection.4
Traditionally, pneumonia is categorized by epidemiologic factors into community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), hospital-acquired pneumonia or nosocomial pneumonia, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. CAP is categorized into typical and atypical pneumonia depending on the type of causative agent. The most common typical pathogens include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus. The major etiologic atypical pathogens of CAP are specific respiratory pathogens, i.e., Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, or Legionella species.5,6
The disease is prevalent among cases aged 50–60 years and usually occurs in winter and early spring. Although the most common clinical features of pneumonia include fever, cough, sputum production, abnormal chest auscultation, and dyspnea in a typical clinical model, elderly patients (especially over 80 years of age) may present with only tachypnea and loss of consciousness. Chest X-ray is a valuable diagnostic method for pneumonia.7,8
Pneumonia is an important disease with significant morbidity and mortality rates, and emotional and financial burden to family, society, and the government, so it is helpful to identify ways aimed at reducing its incidence or severity.
Vitamin A and zinc supplementation is used for the prevention of respiratory infections in developed countries.9,10 Moreover, vitamin C is used despite the little knowledge about its efficacy on respiratory infections.11 Recent research suggested the role of vitamin D in the prevention of pneumonia and increasing the individual’s immunity.12,13
Vitamin D is important for the normal activity of skeletal and nonskeletal tissues, immune cells and immunity, bone calcification, and brain processes.14
Further, vitamin D metabolites play an important role in the body’s immunity by induction of phagocyte migration, modulation of the Th1–Th2-cell balance, and the differentiation of T regulatory cells.15 Some studies showed that vitamin D may be helpful in the treatment of tuberculosis, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis, as well as for prevention of cancers.14,15
It is shown that vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) is a prevalent condition and may be a key contributor to both acute and chronic infectious diseases including sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections. Most cells, such as B and T lymphocytes, monocytes, and dendritic cells, have specific vitamin D receptors (VDRs). Vitamin D demonstrates its immunomodulatory effects on these cell lines through its effects on the VDR. Deficiency is associated with reduced innate immunity and an increased risk for infections. Vitamin D deficiency can positively affect a wide variety of microbial infections such as Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, mycobacteria, and viruses.13
Recently, the role of vitamin D has been highlighted in various gene studies. One of the major components of the innate immune system is a diverse combination of cationic antimicrobial peptides that include the α- and β-defensins and cathelicidins. It is shown that vitamin D induced the expression of human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) gene.15
Given the importance of pneumonia and because vitamin D deficiency is one of the possible factors involved in susceptibility to pneumonia, further studies on the possible role of vitamin D deficiency in the prevalence or severity of the disease can be useful.
High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is reported among Iranian population in several studies.16–23 Considering the high incidence of pneumonia in Iran, we aimed to investigate the association between serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and CAP in a case-control study in Hamadan, Iran.
It is a case-control study designed on adult patients who were diagnosed with CAP and hospitalized in the infectious ward to investigate the association between serum concentration of 25(OH)D and CAP. The data were gathered during patient hospitalization at Sina Hospital, a tertiary referral center in Hamadan. The sex-matched control subjects were recruited from the general population and usually were selected from patient’s companions. A diagnosis of CAP was established by symptoms of pneumonia in combination with physical examination and appropriate radiological changes on the chest X-ray. Also, sputum samples were analyzed to identify the etiologic pathogens.
The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients should be aged over 18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of CAP, pneumonia has not been established 48 hours after hospitalization, the patient has not been admitted to hospital for the last 3 months or do not have to go to the hospital for frequent visits due to chronic diseases, did not reside in nursing homes, were not pregnant, did not take supplemental calcium and vitamin D for the last 3 months, and with no history of malabsorption diseases or medicines that might influence vitamin D absorption and metabolism including chronic liver or renal disease.
Individuals with no history of pneumonia during the past 1 year, no history of calcium and vitamin D consumption 3 months before the study, no current use of inhaled or systemic steroid, and not having chronic liver or renal failure were considered for control group. Samples were collected in each season, and the same number of control samples was also obtained in the same season.
The protocol of this study was approved by the Ethics committee of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, and written informed consent was obtained from all individuals involved. A blood sample was drawn from participants in the morning, and serum samples were stored at 20°C. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay method, using LIASON autoanalyzer and DiaSorin kit (Stillwater, MN, USA). Vitamin D insufficiency, moderate deficiency, and severe deficiency were, respectively, defined as 25(OH)D levels of 21–29, 10–20, and <10 ng/mL.24
The data collection tools comprised an information form on demographic characteristics, signs and symptoms, physical examination, and the report of radiography. Also, severity of pneumonia was measured by CURB-65 score (confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, low blood pressure, age 65 years or greater).25
According to the results of a case-control study conducted by McNally et al in 2009,26 the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among cases and non-cases of severe acute lower respiratory infection was reported to be 50% and 20%, respectively. On the basis of these results, we arrived at a sample size of 74 for each group and a total sample size of 148 at 98% significance level and 94% statistical power.26
Statistical analyses were performed using Stata SE 12.1 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA). Continuous variables were summarized using mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD). For the bivariate analysis, when the variables were parametric, the difference of averages test (Student’s t-test) was used; in the case of variables with more than two categories, the one-way ANOVA test was carried out. Also, chi-square tests were used for categorical variables. Simple and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between vitamin D deficiency and pneumonia. Significance levels were determined using two-tailed tests, and also 95% CIs for relative risks were calculated. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant in all tests.
A total of 149 subjects were studied, among them 69.9% were male. Of all the cases investigated, 73 patients with CAP were included in the case group and 76 healthy subjects in the control group.
The mean age in case and control groups was 67.75±10.25 and 71.97±14.27 years, respectively. The two groups were similar with respect to all demographic characteristics, except age (Table 1).
Table 1 Demographic information and past medical history in case and control groups
Abbreviations: HTN, hypertension; IHD, ischemic heart disease.
Mean serum level of vitamin D was 21.96±24.87 and 19.31±11.15 ng/mL in patients and controls, respectively (P=0.400). Comparison between cases and controls demonstrated that while age group and education level had significant effects on the mean level of 25(OH)D, other demographic factors had no such effect (Table 2).
Table 2 The mean vales of 25(OH)D in two groups based on different variables
Note: Bold P-values are significant.
Abbreviations: HTN, hypertension; IHD, ischemic heart disease; 25(OH)D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
The association between vitamin D levels and CAP is given in Table 3, considering the sufficiency, insufficiency, and deficiency as 25(OH)D levels of >20, 10–20, and <10 ng/mL, respectively. Although there was no significant difference between the two groups for the mean of 25(OH)D, cases had a significant higher rate of deficiency than controls. According to these results, after controlling for age, the risk of CAP among individuals with insufficient vitamin D level was almost a half of individuals with sufficient levels. However, the risk of pneumonia among subjects with deficient vitamin D levels was 3.69 (95% CI: 1.46, 9.31) times of those with sufficient vitamin D levels (Table 3).
Table 3 The association between vitamin D levels and community-acquired pneumonia
Note: aAdjusted for age and smoking.
Also, regarding the odds ratio (OR) index, the relative chance (OR) of severe vitamin D deficiency in the case group was 4.16 (95% CI: 1.82, 9.85) times that of the control group.
The severity of CAP was assessed using the CURB-65 score and was also reflected by the length of hospital stay, admission to intensive care unit (ICU), and 30-day mortality rate. Although, when entering all of the vitamin D levels, there was no difference between the low- and high-risk patients identified based on CURB-65 (P=0.120); however, a significant impact of severe vitamin D deficiency on CURB-65 score was found with an OR of 3.15 (59.38% vs 31.71%, OR =3.15, 95% CI: 1.20, 8.25; P=0.018). The level of 25(OH)D was not significantly associated with ICU admission and death (Table 4). The mean length of hospital stay was 11.03±7.48 days in patients with severe deficiency compared with 9.47±6.06 days in patients with sufficient levels of 25(OH)D.
Table 4 Comparison of the mean values as well as the categorized levels of 25(OH)D based on CURB-65 score, ICU admission, and 30-day mortality in CAP patients
Notes: *t-test; **chi-square test.
Abbreviations: 25(OH)D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D; CURB-65, confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, low blood pressure, age 65 years or greater; ICU, intensive care unit; CAP, community-acquired pneumonia.
The purpose of this case-control study was to investigate the relationship between vitamin D levels and severity of CAP in a total of 149 subjects (73 cases and 76 controls). The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the case group was not greater than in the control group; however, patients with CAP had a higher rate of severe vitamin D deficiency in comparison with healthy participants. Furthermore, CAP patients with severe vitamin D deficiency had more severe disease (higher CURB-65 score). Although not statistically significant, patients with severe deficiency had a higher rate of ICU admission and a longer duration of hospital stay.
The results of our study showed that there was a significant association between severe vitamin D deficiency and CAP. Individuals with severe deficiency were 4.16 times more susceptible in acquiring CAP when compared to the people with higher levels of vitamin D. Our result is consistent with the recent studies conducted in other countries,27–30 although this relationship was observed for different levels of vitamin D in other studies. Kim et al in a study on hospitalized patients with CAP in South Korea found that vitamin D deficiency, which was defined as 25(OH)D less than 20 ng/mL, was observed in about 80% of patients.27 In a hospital-based case-control study by Wayse et al on 150 Indian children under 5 years of age, one of factors associated with significantly higher OR for having severe acute lower respiratory infection was serum 25(OH)D less than 10 ng/mL (OR =11).30 Aregbesola et al investigated the effect of 25(OH)D on the risk of incident hospitalized pneumonia in an aging general population in eastern Finland. They found that the subjects with the lowest level of serum 25(OH)D had a significant 2.6-fold (95% CI: 1.4, 5.0) higher risk of developing pneumonia compared to the subjects with the highest levels.29 They concluded that there was an inverse effect of serum 25(OH)D concentration on the risk of incident pneumonia in the aging population. Quraishi et al reported the result of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in a large nationally representative cohort of noninstitutionalized adults in the United States. They showed that after adjusting for demographic factors, clinical data, and season, 25(OH)D levels less than 30 ng/mL were associated with 56% higher risk for CAP.28 Holter et al investigated the vitamin D status and long-term mortality in CAP. They showed that high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy among hospitalized adults with CAP and patients with vitamin D deficiency at hospital admission resulted in a 91% increase in risk of death during long-term follow-up after discharge, but no significant difference in survival was observed in patients with vitamin D inadequacy, compared to patients with vitamin D sufficiency.31
Our results demonstrated that the severity of CAP using the CURB-65 score was associated with severe vitamin D deficiency, and the OR of patients with severe deficiency for severe disease based on CURB-65 score was 3.15. Similarly, Pletz et al in a study on randomly selected patients with CAP in Germany found that there was a significant inverse correlation between serum 25(OH)D concentration and CURB-65 score.32 Although we found no significant association between vitamin D levels and both ICU admission and mortality in CAP, some studies indicated a significant relationship; for instance, Remmelts et al in a prospective cohort study on hospitalized patients with CAP stated that vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased risk of ICU admission and 30-day mortality.33 Also, they showed that 25(OH)D status was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality and concluded that there was a relationship between deficiency and adverse outcome in CAP. An another study by Leow et al in a prospective cohort of 112 patients admitted with CAP during winter in New Zealand found that 25(OH)D deficiency is associated with increased mortality in their patients.34 Similar results were obtained in studies by McNally et al and Wayse et al.26,30
The results of our study indicated that low levels of 25(OH)D may lead to longer hospitalization, and there was a negative correlation between serum concentration of 25(OH)D and the length of hospital stay. Thus, patients with severe deficiency were hospitalized, on average, for 11.03 days, in comparison with 9.47 days in patients with sufficient levels of vitamin D. However, Choudhary and Gupta evaluated the role of oral vitamin D supplementation (1000–2000 IU per day for 5 days) for resolution of severe pneumonia in a randomized controlled trial on 200 children under 5 years of age.35 They found that median duration for the resolution of severe pneumonia was similar in both the groups (vitamin D supplementation vs placebo). Also, the two groups did not differ in duration of hospitalization and time to resolution of tachypnea, chest retractions, and inability to feed. They stated that short-term supplementation with oral vitamin D has no beneficial effect on resolution of severe pneumonia in under-five children.35 The fact that the short-term supplement of vitamin D cannot produce results in patients with CAP can be due to the long-term effects of vitamin D on the maturation and development of lymphocytes and other mononuclear cells in the immune system.
In this study, sexes were matched for cases and controls, but this was not feasible for age. Also, we did not take into account the etiologies (bacterial or viral or both) of pneumonia to compare the impact of vitamin D deficiency. As some of our study participants probably ignored or forgot their supplementations and this might have influenced the results. In addition, the lack of documented information about treatment history and also administration of over-the-counter medications are the main drawbacks in all studies conducted in Iran. Furthermore, some outlier values were not excluded that resulted in high SD values, although we calculated the confidence intervals for these data.
Based on our study, patients with vitamin D deficiency may develop more severe CAP, as well as longer hospital stay, higher rates of ICU admission, and 30-day mortality compared to patients with vitamin D sufficiency. It is suggested that more attention be paid to vitamin D deficiency in infectious diseases, particularly in CAP. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the allegation of higher incidence of CAP in vitamin D-deficient individuals.
This paper was extracted from a PhD thesis by Neda Muceli. Acknowledgment is given to Razi Pathobiology Laboratory for performing 25(OH)D tests.
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.
Vilar J, Domingo ML, Soto C, Cogollos J. Radiology of bacterial pneumonia. Eur J Radiol. 2004;51(2):102–113.
Kardas P, Ratajczyk-Pakalska E. Reasons for elderly patient hospitalization in departments of internal medicine in Lodz. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2003 ;15(1):25–31.
Wallihan R, Ramilo O. Community-acquired pneumonia in children: current challenges and future directions. J Infect. 2014; 69(Suppl 1):S87–S90.
Quinton LJ, Mizgerd JP. Dynamics of lung defense in pneumonia: resistance, resilience, and remodeling. Annu Rev Physiol. 2015;77:407–430.
Avni T, Shiver-Ofer S, Leibovici L, et al. Participation of elderly adults in randomized controlled trials addressing antibiotic treatment of pneumonia. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2015;63(2):233–243.
Cunha BA. The atypical pneumonias: clinical diagnosis and importance. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2006;12(Suppl 3):12–24.
Chong CP, Street PR. Pneumonia in the elderly: a review of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, microbiology, and clinical features. South Med J. 2008;101(11):1141–1145; quiz 32, 79.
Fung HB, Monteagudo-Chu MO. Community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly. Am J Geriatr Pharmacother. 2010;8(1):47–62.
Barnett JB, Hamer DH, Meydani SN. Zinc: a new risk factor for pneumonia in the elderly? Nutr Rev. 2010;68(1):30–37.
Fawzi WW, Mbise RL, Fataki MR, et al. Vitamin A supplementation and severity of pneumonia in children admitted to the hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998;68(1):187–192.
Hemilä H, Louhiala P. Vitamin C may affect lung infections. J R Soc Med. 2007;100(11):495–498.
Watkins RR, Lemonovich TL, Salata RA. An update on the association of vitamin D deficiency with common infectious diseases. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2015;93(5):363–368.
Youssef DA, Ranasinghe T, Grant WB, Peiris AN. Vitamin D’s potential to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(2):167–175.
Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med. 200719;357(3):266–281.
Gombart AF, Borregaard N, Koeffler HP. Human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) gene is a direct target of the vitamin D receptor and is strongly up-regulated in myeloid cells by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. FASEB J. 2005;19(9):1067–1077.
Alipour S, Saberi A, Seifollahi A, Shirzad N, Hosseini L. Risk factors and prevalence of vitamin d deficiency among Iranian women attending two university hospitals. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014;16(10):e15461.
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Ebrahimi M, Khashayar P, Keshtkar A, et al. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Iranian adolescents. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2014;27(7–8):595–602.
Habibesadat S, Ali K, Shabnam JM, Arash A. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its related factors in children and adolescents living in North Khorasan, Iran. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2014;27(5–6):431–436.
Hovsepian S, Amini M, Aminorroaya A, Amini P, Iraj B. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among adult population of Isfahan City, Iran. J Health Popul Nutr. 2011;29(2):149–155.
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Kim HJ, Jang JG, Hong KS, Park JK, Choi EY. Relationship between serum vitamin D concentrations and clinical outcome of community-acquired pneumonia. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2015;19(6):729–734.
Quraishi SA, Bittner EA, Christopher KB, Camargo CA, Jr. Vitamin D status and community-acquired pneumonia: results from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PloS One. 2013;8(11):e81120.
Aregbesola A, Voutilainen S, Nurmi T, Virtanen JK, Ronkainen K, Tuomainen TP. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and the risk of pneumonia in an ageing general population. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2013;67(6):533–536.
Wayse V, Yousafzai A, Mogale K, Filteau S. Association of subclinical vitamin D deficiency with severe acute lower respiratory infection in Indian children under 5 y. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004;58(4):563–567.
Holter JC, Ueland T, Norseth J, et al. Vitamin D status and long-term mortality in community-acquired pneumonia: secondary data analysis from a prospective cohort. PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e015856.
Pletz MW, Terkamp C, Schumacher U, et al. Vitamin D deficiency in community-acquired pneumonia: low levels of 1,25(OH)2 D are associated with disease severity. Respir Res. 2014;15:53.
Remmelts HH, van de Garde EM, Meijvis SC, et al. Addition of vitamin D status to prognostic scores improves the prediction of outcome in community-acquired pneumonia. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;55(11):1488–1494.
Leow L, Simpson T, Cursons R, Karalus N, Hancox RJ. Vitamin D, innate immunity and outcomes in community acquired pneumonia. Respirology. 2011;16(4):611–616.
Choudhary N, Gupta P. Vitamin D supplementation for severe pneumonia – a randomized controlled trial. Indian Pediat. 2012;49(6):449–454.
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19 Mar 2018 Andrew Maclean
1.4litre
2018 Abarth 595 Competizione quick spin review
Abarth's updated 595 Competizione is a baby hot hatch with a big voice
Abarth 595 Competizione video review
Feisty performance
Racy and retro style
Great handling
Your neighbours will hate the exhaust
It's not cheap
Lacks modern safety systems
It’s a pocket rocket that offers an entrée into Italian sports car ownership. The Abarth 595 Competizione is the spiciest version of Fiat’s cute-as-cuddles, born-again Cincequento and has recently been updated with more power and features.
How much does it cost and what do you get?
The Abarth 595 is available in two model grades, the standard version costing from $26,990 as a coupe and $29,990 as a convertible while the Competizione we’re testing is only offered as a hard top and ticks over the $30k barrier at $31,990 (plus on-road costs), which is fairly pricey for such a small car.
But there is nothing else like it on the road, and not only does it come with its own distinctive style but it features a digital instrument cluster, air conditioning and a new 5.0-inch colour touchscreen with Bluetooth, navigation and digital radio.
The Competizione version has a more aggressive appearance with 17-inch Corsa alloy wheels, exterior highlights in Tar Cold Grey, red painted brake callipers, leather sport seats, a carbon fibre steering wheel, Koni sports suspension and a dual-mode Record Monza exhaust system with four tailpipes.
2018 Abarth 595 Competizione. Photo: Lachlan Hinton
Our particular test car also featured optional Sabelt racing bucket seats, cloaked in a mix of leather and Alcantara.
What's under the bonnet?
All Abarth 595 variants are powered by a 1.4-litre turbo charged four-cylinder petrol engine. Where the base car produces 107kW and 206kW, the Competizione increases outputs to 132kW and 250Nm and can only be had with a five-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels.
That gives it the ability to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds with a claimed average fuel consumption of 5.8L/100km.
It’s a manic little machine in almost every regard. It’s not all that quick, like a genuine supercar, but it has a diluted degree of the same character that constantly puts a smile on your dial.
New Abarth 595 revealed
Hard-top Abarth 124 Spider revealed
Abarth 595 first drive review
Being such a lightweight and little car, the feisty engine spins up quickly to reveal a punchy mid-range that makes it feel faster than it is really is. With the Monza Record exhaust system, it has a throaty soundtrack that gives it some real character that you’ll love from inside the cabin but your neighbours will hate as it’s much louder from the outside.
The manual gearbox has a nice mechanical feel to its action, the steering is sharp and precise and the suspension is super stiff, all of which contribute to make it a fun car to punt around but also conspire against its level of comfort. It’s a harsh little machine that is busy over the bumps and can be twitchy when pushed hard on a twisty road.
It’s a charming little cockpit that fuses the 500’s retro style with elements of sportiness that few city cars can match.
The dash is cute and colourful and features a race-inspired digital instrument cluster and separate turbo boost gauge as well as a tablet-style infotainment system, but it is compromised with little in the way of small item storage.
The Sabelt racing buckets are super supportive and the Alcantara steering wheel is beautifully tactile, but the driving position isn’t the best with an odd ratio between the high-set seats and forward-angled wheel.
As for space, front seats occupants have decent headroom and good vision out of the glasshouse but the back seats are tiny and suitable only for small children.
While the Abarth 595 has character in spades, it misses out on any of the latest active safety features such as automated emergency braking, forward collision warning. It does have seven airbags within its tiny cockpit and basic driver aids like anti-skid brakes and stability control.
Would I buy it?
There’s a lot to like about the Abarth 595 Competizione, but it also comes with some serious character flaws. It’s charming and fun to drive, however it isn’t cheap or easy to live with everyday as the one and only car in the garage. I’d have it as a Sunday playtoy if I couldn’t afford a legitimate Italian sportscar.
What else should I consider?
There’s only a handful of baby hot hatches like the Abarth 595. The Ford Fiesta ST is about to be replaced by a new generation that promises to be even quicker than today’s model, even though it only has a three-cylinder turbo engine. The Renault Clio RS is another little funster, but one that is more practical with a five-door body. And the Suzuki Swift Sport offers an affordable entry into hot hatch land.
2018 Abarth 595 Price and Specifications
Price: From $31,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 132kW at 6500rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 3000rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Fuel use: 5.8L/100km
If you're interested in buying a new Abarth 595 visit our showroom for more information
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2018 Abarth 595
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3 Door Hatchback, 4 Seat, 1.4 Litre, ULP, Manual.
2 Door Convertible, 4 Seat, 1.4 Litre, ULP, Manual.
3 Door Hatchback, 4 Seat, 1.4 Litre, ULP, Sports Automatic Single Clutch.
Abarth 595 Summary See other Abarth 595 models
4 seater Hatchback
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2017 Abarth 595 Competizione
Deep Thought — 19 Mar 2018 14:30
The article did not point out if this comes with two blades and a catcher or four blades and the mulching feature. For Aussie buyers these are key decisions ... VIEW ALL
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Lines of Force
Created in Newsletter Library, Back, Body & Joint Pain
Most chronic joint-related problems involving the hip, knee, and ankle1,2 can be successfully managed with conservative treatment. Surgery for such conditions is typically a last resort and frequently does not work out well. Revision (repeat) procedures are common and represent a failure of appropriate patient selection. Severe, unrelenting, intractable pain is a suitable indication for procedures such as total joint replacement. But the best solution, of course, is to never get to such a set of circumstances in the first place. Chronic joint-related pain is often the result of faulty biomechanics. Abnormal mechanical stresses cause pain. The biggest part of the solution of such problems is learning how to correctly use your personal machine, that is, your own body.
We almost never think of what it takes for our body to work properly until something goes wrong. Usually what's going on physiologically is a seamless process, hidden from our conscious mind. However if we're experiencing chronic joint pain (or, better, at the first sign of such pain), it's time to become proactive.
Mechanical problems involving joints may be conceived as "crossing energies." Mechanical loads (such as forces of gravity) are best opposed by forces arrayed in parallel to, or perpendicular to, the force being supported. Such parallel or perpendicular forces may be thought of as "straight energies." Forces that are not "straight", that is, forces deployed at an acute angle, will cause mechanical stress to a joint over time. Such ongoing stress will damage muscles, tendons, and ligaments, resulting in strains and sprains. If these injuries are not corrected and become chronic, one may begin to experience a great deal of misery.3
Employing "straight" lines of force does not involve actually doing anything physically. Rather, such "straight energies" are activated by a process of visualization. You "see" the straight lines in your mind. To do this, you visualize a straight line running from your hip socket, through the center of your knee, across the center of your ankle, and down to the space between your first and second toes. The straight-line visualization connects your hip socket, knee, ankle, and first/second toe in both standing and bent-knee positions. Your mental image of these straight lines causes specialized nerve endings (proprioceptors) in your hip, knee, ankle, and foot to align these joints and align the mechanical actions of associated muscle-tendon groups. The result is balanced mechanical forces traversing these joints and, over time, reduction in pain. Time may be required for injured soft tissues to heal, but the typical long-term result is decreased pain and improved function.
The "straight" lines of force solution is low-tech and simple. Practice and consistency will go a long way toward successful management of chronic joint-related pain.
1Fox AS, et al: What is normal? Female lower limb kinematic profiles during athletic tasks used to examine anterior cruciate ligament injury risk: a systematic review. Sports Med 44(6):815-832, 2014
2Calatayud J, et al: Exercise and ankle sprain injuries: a comprehensive review. Phys Sportsmed 42(1):88-93, 2014
3Sidorkewicz N, et al: Examining the effects of altering hip orientation on gluteus medius and tensor fascae latae interplay during common non-weight-bearing hip rehabilitation exercises. Clin Biomech 2014 Sep 15. pii: S0268-0033(14)00213-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2014.09.002. [Epub ahead of print]
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Home » Report: North Dakota Receives Risperdal Settlement
Report: North Dakota Receives Risperdal Settlement
BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota will receive $3 million as part of a financial settlement that totals $1.2 billion in payments from Johnson & Johnson and $400 million from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, according to the Bismarck Tribune.
The settlements come from the resolution of both civil and criminal cases brought against Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary alleging that both companies engaged in unlawful marketing practices.
The $3 million North Dakota will receive includes approximately $923,000 paid directly to the state Medicaid program with the federal government receiving the remaining $2.07 million.
“This is a fairly common settlement that has happened over the years,” Brendan Joyce, administrator of Pharmacy Services for the Department of Human Services, said to the Bismarck Tribune.
The lawsuit resulted from the complaint of a whistle blower in which allegations that Johnson & Johnson was marketing Risperdal for unapproved uses were first made.
Our No-Fee Promise on Risperdal Cases
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Rhode Island Attorney General Announces Reported Settlements
Report: Hawaii Receives $1.4 million From Johnson & Johnson
List of Largest Pharmaceutical Settlements in the United States
Report: Risperdal Settlement To Pay Oregon $4.2 Million
Omnicare Settles Whistleblower Lawsuit For $124 Million
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Train crashes into station platform in Buenos Aires: trapped passengers saved by rescue teams
By Emergency Live Last updated Nov 6, 2013
The scene was just like in 2012, but luckily the death toll was not repeated. In Buenos Aires another accident occurred involving a commuter train in Once station, just like back in 2012, when 51 people lost their lives. This time the crash, in which the train came to a halt when it crashed into the platform, resulted in dozens of injured persons, who were promptly treated and evacuated using well-tested rescue procedures. Many suffered lesions, some had been hit by broken glass from the train windows, everyone was suffering from shock, made worse by having been trapped in the carriage, with the emergency exits not working. Ambulances and helicopters shuttled casualties to nearby hospitals.
http://youtu.be/fABIFmPzT8g
Ambulance: norms and rules to build a safe ambulance
Airway Management Guidelines could change quickly
How to respond to CBRNE incidents?
How to Become an EMT?
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In Which Ben Wittes Proves Ben Wittes Is NAKED
November 13, 2013 /12 Comments/in FISA, PATRIOT /by emptywheel
160 days ago, Jim Sensenbrenner released a letter to Eric Holder expressing concern about the way DOJ had interpreted Section 215. In it, he did some creative editing to hide that he had had an opportunity to learn about that interpretation before he voted to reauthorize the PATRIOT Act.
160 days ago, I was (I believe) the first person to point out that obfuscation.
In those 160 days, I have also documented the serial lies and obfuscations of people like Keith Alexander, James Clapper, Robert Mueller, Mike Rogers, Valerie Caproni, Dianne Feinstein, Raj De, and Robert Litt. (one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three; trust me, this is just a quick survey). The most recent of these lies came last week when Raj De and Robert Litt claimed Congress had been fully informed about the authorities they were voting on, a claim which the Executive Branch’s own record proves to be false.
In spite of the clear imbalance between the lies NSA critics have told and those NSA apologists have told, Ben Wittes has made it a bit of a hobby to use Sensenbrenner’s single (egregious) lie to try to discredit NSA critics (without, of course, pointing out the serial, at times even more egregious, lies NSA apologists were telling). Of late, Wittes has harangued that, because he told a lie 160 days ago, Sensenbrenner is operating in bad faith when he criticizes NSA’s programs now. (See also this post.)
I have never questioned the good faith of Senators Patrick Leahy, Ron Wyden, or Rand Paul. They are legislators with a perspective. That’s how Congress works.
Rep. James Sensenbrenner is a different matter.
Since the bulk metadata program broke, the former chairman of the House Judiciary Committee has been on a campaign of denunciation of both agency activity under the Patriot Act—the law he helped write. And he has been denouncing the administration for having misled him about how Section 215 is being used too. He has done so with a breathtaking dishonesty that puts him in a different category from those members who have a policy dispute with the administration. [my emphasis]
Mind you, Wittes did not examine the content of Sensenbrenner’s more recent claims. Had he done so, he might have realized that the record supports Sensenbrenner’s complaints, even if the messenger for those complaints might be less than perfect.
It ignored restrictions painstakingly crafted by lawmakers and assumed a plenary authority never imagined by Congress. Worse, the NSA has cloaked its operations behind such a thick cloud of secrecy that, even if our trust was restored, Congress and the American people would lack the ability to verify it.
Note, we’re still learning the full extent of how the Executive Branch blew off limits placed on the PATRIOT authorities.
Wittes might even have noted Sensenbrenner’s apparent commitment to do his own job better.
“I hope that we have learned our lesson and that oversight will be a lot more vigorous,” Sensenbrenner said.
Even ignoring Wittes’ remarkable double standard, in which he suggests Sensenbrenner’s one lie should disqualify him from speaking on this topic forever while Clapper and Alexander’s seeming addiction to lies apparently shouldn’t even be mentioned in polite company, a highly regarded expert recently laid out new evidence for why Sensenbrenner has good reason to be angry, regardless of his role in passing PATRIOT in 2001 or 2006 or 2010 or even 2011.
The expert?
Ben Wittes.
You see, Ben Wittes at least lent his name to this Lawfare post, which purported to describe the documents released by I Con on October 28. To be sure, the post is shockingly uninformed about the NSA programs in general, suggesting that a reference to the Internet metadata program — which has been mentioned in two earlier Executive Branch documents, the draft NSA IG report, statements in hearings, David Kris’ paper, and a slew of Ron Wyden statements — might be a new disclosure. (There are some other errors to that aren’t central to my point here.)
Nevertheless, the post at least managed to make two observations that show why Sensenbrenner has every reason to accuse the Executive Branch of undue secrecy.
The post notes that on August 16, 2010, DOJ provided all four key oversight committee chairs with various FISC materials that lay out “significant constructions or interpretations of any provision of FISA” dating back to before July 10, 2008.
In this August 16, 2010 letter from Weich, the Department of Justice informs the chairmen of the congressional judiciary and intelligence committees—Senators Leahy and Feinstein, and Representatives Conyers and Reyes—along with the respective ranking minority members and Judge Bates that pursuant to 50 U.S.C. §1871, it is “providing the Committees with copies of remaining decisions, orders, or opinions issued by the [FISC], and pleadings, applications, or memoranda of law associated therewith, that contain significant constructions or interpretations of any provision of FISA during the five-year period ending July 10, 2008.” The Department also let these chairmen know that the materials would only be redacted to the extent necessary to protect “the identities of targets and information concerning sensitive sources and methods.”
The letter itself doesn’t say it, but the government’s Vaughn Index in the ACLU FOIA that elicited release of this letter reveals this disclosure included 236 pages of documents pertaining to Section 215 (though the I Con makes it clear the documents pertain to Section 215; there may be other documents pertaining to other FISC authorities, including the Pen Register program, that were provided that date too, but those wouldn’t show up in the ACLU Vaughn).
In other words, a post that Wittes bylined establishes proof that the government withheld 236 pages of “significant constructions or interpretations of FISA” pertaining to Section 215 dating back years from even the four main oversight committees until months after PATRIOT was reauthorized in February 2010. There is reason to believe that package of documents may have included the original opinion authorizing the phone dragnet, an opinion former Assistant Attorney General David Kris has suggested may have been erroneous.
If I were Sensenbrenner, receiving “significant constructions or interpretations” of a law I had just reauthorized, if I didn’t receive those documents until 2 years after the Executive Branch was first obliged to provide them with the passage of the FISA Amendments Act, I’d be justifiably furious. I might even accuse the government of “cloak[ing] its operations behind [] a thick cloud of secrecy.”
The post, bylined by Ben Wittes, also reveals that the government did not tell the Judiciary Committees that it was using Section 215 to track location until at least 18 months after it first started considering obtaining the data and several days after it started doing so. And, once again, the Executive branch did not tell a key oversight committee — much less the rest of Congress — until after they had reauthorized PATRIOT twice, in February 2010 and again in May 2011.
More than a year later, on September 1, 2011, Ethan Bauman, the Director of NSA’s Legislative Affairs Office, sent a notification memorandum to the staff director and minority staff director of the congressional judiciary committees. In them, Bauman informs the committees that “in addition to the telephony metadata the [NSA] has been acquiring since 2006 under its counterterrorism Business Records (BR) [FISA] program, NSA has begun to acquire and analyze telephony metadata derived from cellular network or ‘mobility’ call detail records (CDRs).”
In other words, what this post bylined by Ben Wittes shows is that in spite of months of Ben Wittes accusing Congress of being NAKED, in fact the Executive Branch did not keep even the Judiiciary Committees adequately informed of both their legal interpretations of Section 215 or of what they were doing with the authority.
I do hope that Ben Wittes can explain to Ben Wittes that he has laid out several reasons why House Judiciary Committee member Jim Sensenbrenner has good reason to be angry.
After all, Wittes is perfectly entitled to continue to apply a double standard to those who lie about FISA programs; he is perfectly entitled to continue tilting at whatever windmills he chooses.
But given that no lesser authority than Ben Wittes has shown that the Executive Branch has failed to adequately inform even Jim Sensenbrenner and the rest of the Judiciary Committees about these NSA programs, I would hope that Ben Wittes would stop making false claims that the Executive has adequately informed Congress.
Tags: Ben Wittes, David Kris, Dianne Feinstein, James Clapper, Jim Sensenbrenner, Keith Alexander, Mike Rogers, Valerie Caproni
https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Logo-Web.png 0 0 emptywheel https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Logo-Web.png emptywheel2013-11-13 12:03:322013-11-13 12:28:48In Which Ben Wittes Proves Ben Wittes Is NAKED
Ouch!! That’s going to leave a mark!!
liberalrob says:
LOL. Yeah, don’t hold yer breath…
Wankers gonna wank.
the thing i find interesting about wittes at this point are answers to the questions:
– exactly who hired him to do p.r. for the nsa and
– how much is he being paid by that entity or another.
Greg Bean (@GregLBean) says:
LOL. Are there two Ben Wittes?
@OrionATL I emphatically agree with your Q1, but would open it up more broadly;
– who are the NSA PR staff, what media organizations do they work for, who owns these media organizations, and do they also own ANY organization that is benefiting from NSA activities?
Exposing this conflict of interest would be pretty damning and instead of just injuring the PR staffer, a symptom of the problem, would injure those who are the root cause.
By way of example, the GMO battle is much more winnable with Monsanto as a target.
bloodypitchfork says:
quote:”I do hope that Ben Wittes can explain to Ben Wittes that he has laid out several reasons why House Judiciary Committee member Jim Sensenbrenner has good reason to be angry.”unquote
Daihm! Whew. I’d hate to be around when you’re really mad.
harpie says:
@bloodypitchfork:
I really hope to be around at that time! ;-P
klynn says:
His methods are getting tiresome… that Ben Wittes.
Wish he was a Has Ben.
Rayne says:
*popping popcorn*
*settles in to watch the rest of the bloodbath*
@klynn:
oh, he will be, just not soon enough.
no question he has already merits a spot in the hall-of-historical-fools (located on the grounds of bucolic fort sumter – in case you’re not familiar with it).
wittes will have lots of much more distinguished company than himself there. dickhead cheney, for example, is a shoe-in as soon as the iraquis get to his pacemaker.
VAGreen says:
In fairness to Wittes, he is a towering intellectual giant when compared to fellow denialist Bob Cesca.
I thought Darth had managed to con them into giving him a new heart.
@P J Evans:
Bay State Librul on It Was All [Fruman’s] Contacts in Ukraine
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Lavabit and The Definition of US Government Hubris McClatchy Debunks the Latest Libyan Left Behind Novel
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« Hero Worship & Tommytards
Batman as Comedy »
Now in Audio Version
Why I Don’t Support Tommy Robinson
773 words / 5:32
Audio version: To listen in a player, click here. To download the mp3, right-click here and choose “save link as” or “save target as.” To subscribe to the CC podcast RSS feed, click here.
On Friday, May 25th, British anti-Muslim agitator Tommy Robinson was arrested outside Leeds Crown Court as he live-streamed accused members of a Muslim gang of child rapists who were entering the building for sentencing. After more than an hour, he was arrested.
He was then convicted of contempt of court. There were broad restrictions on reporting the trial until its conclusion. Violating this order could be used by the defendants’ lawyers to argue for a mistrial.
Yes, Robinson’s actions actually made it more likely the defendants would go free.
Robinson cannot, moreover, plead ignorance of the law, because last year he was arrested for the same offense at a gang-rape trial in Canterbury. In that case, his sentence was suspended under condition that he not reoffend for another 18 months. Because he violated the conditions of his suspended sentence, he was ordered to spend 13 months in jail. The judge also ordered that the case not be discussed in the press — probably because of the ongoing nature of the proceedings. Apparently, a new batch of defendants will be tried starting in September.
The fact that Robinson’s safety in jail is threatened by large numbers of non-white and Muslim prisoners is unfortunate. But that is not an argument against jailing him, since that would basically give him carte blanche to break the law with impunity. He should, however, receive special protection in jail.
There is understandably a great deal of distrust of the British government for their role in covering up the mass rape of white children by Muslim gangs. There is, furthermore, good reason to distrust the government for suppressing dissenting opinions on topics connected to race and immigration. So there has been an outcry in defense of Robinson, accusing the government of suppressing freedom of speech and covering up a scandal.
But we need to think this through.
No legal system is perfect. But outlawing contempt of court is not an illegitimate, Orwellian form of repression. Its purpose is to secure due process, on the assumption that this leads to justice. Again, by interfering in the court proceedings, Robinson actually made it less likely that the criminals will be punished. But he went to the courthouse anyway.
His motive is unclear. Given that he had already been arrested for the same offense, he clearly knew what he was doing. Thus he must have judged this publicity stunt worth the risk of setting a gang of child rapists free. That’s a breathtakingly selfish decision. I don’t see any way of avoiding the conclusion that Tommy Robinson is morally reckless and probably a bit stupid.
Tommy Robinson could have gone anywhere in the UK on Friday, May 25th to raise awareness of Muslim child rape gangs. But he chose to come to the one place where his presence might actually impede justice for the victims, not promote it. Mull that over a minute. It’s a rather amazing lapse of judgment.
Nationalists, therefore, should not be rushing to Tommy Robinson’s defense.
Loyalty to our team is admirable. But our first loyalty should be to our cause. And if people bring our cause into disrepute, we need to call them on it. Tommy Robinson has harmed the cause of justice for the victims of child rapists. He has made it harder, not easier, for these rape gangs to be successfully prosecuted.
White advocates have the whole system against us. Our only allies are truth and justice. Our greatest source of credibility is speaking the truth and defending justice.
But truth and justice are not on Tommy Robinson’s side. I hope he receives safe custody and the due process he would so casually deny others. But white advocates around the world need to guard our credibility, not squander it in what is essentially a white chimp-out based on the false premise that Tommy Robinson is a martyr for freedom of speech and the pursuit of justice for the victims of Muslim pedophile gangs. Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown were not innocent children martyred by racists. They were victims of their own poor judgment and reckless behavior. The same is true of Tommy Robinson.
The UK’s globalist, multiculturalist establishment is clearly resorting to totalitarian measures to retain its grip on power in the face of the horrific consequences of non-white immigration and the inevitable rise of white populism and nationalism. There are plenty of genuine cases in which the political establishment and press are covering up non-white crimes against whites. There are plenty of genuine cases of Orwellian censorship, surveillance, and persecution of pro-white dissidents in the UK. We should save our protests for real victims, not Tommy Robinson.
Published: May 28, 2018 | This entry was posted in Counter-Currents Radio, North American New Right and tagged articles, Greg Johnson, North American New Right, originals, pedophilia, podcasts, rape, the Muslim question, Tommy Robinson. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.
Konstantinos K
Greg is absolutely correct in his understanding, the defense of Justice and Truth in all its forms and in all areas is the most powerful weapon Western man has and the one the barbarians fear the most. As as divinely understood by our ancient forefathers the path towards truth and justice and using logic as our guide it is the only way for us to become as close to God/Gods as possible and elevate humanity. Every time you encounter something questionable throw it up against the wall and examine it carefully and ask, is it in line with logic truth and justice? If it deviates then call it out for what it is and then set it aside.
TR, a textbook example of controlled opposition
(((Tommy Robinson))) is a net negative for whites. He does nothing to solve (((real problems))) but he does draw attention away from them. Further, by making it seem like there is a legitimate opposition while there isn’t, he prevents or at least hinders the formation of one. Anyone who continuesly punches right, shills for Israel and its spawn and doesn’t talk about white genocide must not be supported by whites in any capacity.
This article by a so-called “conservative” is outrageous. So Tommy was ordered to not report honestly on the trial of Muslims grooming gangs, why? The logic of this article would be the same as if the government said, that for no reason at all, they were going to take your home and business, leaving you homeless and it’s illegal for you to speak out about it. You did speak out, were arrested and thrown in a prison full of hostile foreigners that hate you, but hey, according to the writer of this article you knew the law, didn’t you? The bottom line is simply this: does the UK want to be a free and open society in which the rights of the people including the right to free speech is respected, or does it want to devolve into some type of totalitarian dystopia that is totally unrecognizable from just a few years ago. You still get to choose, for now.
Fact-free moral posturing like this is a really ugly thing. Shame on you. You will be allowed to commend again only if you familiarize yourself with the basic facts of this case.
TR is not Cornelius Codreanu. Gents, focus on improving your own skills and capabities and don’t get sucked into the time sink of “rallying around” this activist type who wouldn’t return you the favor.
You have a false premise in your whole context: the premise that in this occupied country it is better to convict these rapists.
Our goal is not the useless revenge, nor to make UK relatively safer, nor to prevent these particular things from happening, but to regain the control of the state by destroying the current system and then preventing categorically all foreigners… until then we have to have MORE of chaos and suffering, not less.
Whatever destroys the system and makes whites’ (and immigrants’) lives unbearable is better than deluding ourselves by imagining that these countries are still somehow ours or salvageable to our purposes. There is no justice in legal affairs for justice have for a long time been exclusively illegal. And we should not look forward to prolonging this misery with high prison population (a time bomb) but instead pressure and escalate the situation as much as possible.
Have you read Siege dude?
On reflection, there is no necessary contradiction in acknowledging that Robinson’s imprisonment is legally-correct, but that we should support him and applaud his defiance.
He showed up at the one place in the UK where his presence could negatively impact prosecuting rape gangs, and dullards want to give him props for it. With patriots this stupid, I am afraid Cuck Island is doomed.
izhak ben haim
TR fights and the only his sin is he does not hate Jews. You and your cowardly crowd are afraid to confront those who really harass whites – blacks, muslims, latinos, leftists because they will respond violently and hurt you. Thus, you chose to bash timid meek Jews who just want to be left alone and make this world better place.
Franklin Ryckaert
“…Thus, you chose to bash timid meek Jews who just want to be left alone and make this world better place…”
Don’t you see the contradiction ? On the one hand the “timid meek” Jews want to be left alone, but on the other hand they want to “make this world a better place”.
That is your notorious motive of tikkun olam (“repairing the world”), which is based not in your “meekness” but in your arrogance. And your “repairing the world” is always destructive : communism, cultural Marxism, multiculturalism etc. , etc. . Just be genuinely “meek” and stop trying to “repair” our world.
I approved his comment for comic relief.
Aiser
“There are plenty of genuine cases of Orwellian censorship, surveillance, and persecution of pro-white dissidents in the UK. We should save our protests for real victims, not Tommy Robinson.”
If the articles about the Judge in this case are true, that the Judge acknowledged that Tommy Robinson will “most likely be killed in prison” by foreigners, then my question is this.
How can you say that we need to find “real victims” when the real possibility of murder is the ultimate form of victimization? Are you saying that someone like yourself with an unblemished record that might get censored is a bigger victim then a potential murder?
At a time like this when you face what is pretty much a death penalty, you need ALL the support you can get. Not be thrown by the way side in this manner.
Tommy Robinson has been in prison before and survived.
Don’t take this grandstanding fool’s words seriously.
If he fears for his life, he should receive solitary confinement.
On Sunday, Alex Jones had his video/cameraman on. He said that he was Ok, the jail wasn’t overwhelmingly Muslim and that had support inside.
Greg, could you give us a definitive answer as to whether TR is Jewish? There is considerable debate on Gab and it would help us understand the issue a lot better if this was a known fact.
He said he was Jewish, but I think he’s probably a liar.
Lenny Bogart
Tommy Robinson is not Jewish.
He is of English descent and has displayed strong ties and leanings towards Ulster Unionists and the Orange Order in Northern Ireland.
He has however, found Jewish allies such as Ezra Levant, and many other friends of Israel in the process of his actions. And as we know, certain Jewish factions live to create division amongst Christians, everywhere.
Charlie Farnsbarns
Tommy Robinson is rabidly pro-Zionist but he’s not Jewish.
The accusation that he is all seems to centre around one Tweet, the famous ‘I’m Jewish, mate’ one. Which sounds like an admission unless you know the context.
Someone on Twitter asked what the ‘racist Tommy Robinson’ was doing at a Millwall vs. Tottenham football match. Tottenham are a London club traditionally owned and supported by Jews. Their fans call themselves ‘the Yids’. So Robinson replied, jokingly, ‘I’m Jewish, mate’.
So it’s not an admission of his Jewishness, it’s just a bit of British football humour.
Oh, so the relevant “context” includes his Jewish-owned club but not his other Jewish and Zionist connections?
Nobody’s disputing he’s ridiculosuly pro-Israel and a Jewish shill but that doesn’t make him Jewish because he isn’t.
There’s enough to condemn him without promoting known lies. It makes us look bad. Like you said, the only thing we have left is our integrity.
The football context is important because people who don’t understand British football culture think he’s Jewish based on this Tweet.
Robinson’s club isn’t the Jewish one, Tottenham. He was just going to watch a football match. Robinson himself supports Luton Town, his local club.
Aschwin
I remember Tommy Robinson stating this, and it was clearly in jest. He was getting sick of Neo-Nazi’s calling him an agent of Mossad and what not. You immediately assume he was lying. I think that goes for most of the arguments you and Yorkshire have made in these article. Poorly researched, driven by incorrect assumptions and, deeply immoral.
Here’s Lauren Southern interviewing George, one of Tommy Robinson’s team members, refuting everything you have claimed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-OTJrb5TH0
Robinson is playing 4-D chess. Unfortunately, he is playing it against us.
mikehart
TR has courage. He is leading from the front. That’s his appeal. He’s blue collar white guy. He’s not an intellectual. He may not be fully aware of the (((tribe))) and how it is complicit in the Third World invasion of England and Europe. But he has experienced at first hand the threat of islamists and he is responding to that. He’s stand-up guy. That’s why his petition on Change.org is now over 500,000. Anybody else around here have that kind of charisma……? I’m disappointed by your position Greg. Makes you look small.
He’s aware of Jewish power enough to systematically suck up to Jews. That sounds like cunning, low-minded, cowardice to me.
Lyle Bright
I want to express my gratitude to Greg for bringing out the inner dimension of the Tommy Robinson affair. The previous article helped me to orient myself better about his (Tommy’s) position as a public figure. I find that with my full schedule of reading I do not have the time to devote to an in-depth analysis of a figure like Robinson. And the analysis I received here has been helpful in understanding Robinson as a ‘lite’ figure and also to be able to distinguish better how and why his position is, as they say, *cucked*.
A couple of observations nonetheless. Many, many average people will without doubt think and feel as Robinson does. And it must be seen as a first step in a politicization process. And given that there is a cultural war going on, a war of ideas and a war directed to influencing perspectives and opinions, it is imperative to see Tommy Robinson as he is. For that reason the analysis I have gotten here — which I likely would not have gotten for lack of time (and interest) —- is valuable and appreciated.
I got the impression that Richard Spencer’s personality problems were the source of his road to irrelevancy. As much as I appreciated his activism in the early days (his interviews of Bowden are what I remember), he seems to have become a figure I cannot much *support* and then there is the issue about ‘having done more harm than good’. A case could be made (though I still appreciate him).
It is quite possible that Robinson will burn brightly . . . and then drift toward irrelevancy. Or worse discredit the Identitarian Right. One has to be aware, in my opinion, that everything that is said and done is observed by intelligence agencies and those who, through subtle means, attempt to influence and direct a movement that threatens established systems. When the bickering and in-fighting begins I am always inclined to wonder if this is expolited. This is exactly what these agencies do. They are expert at it. They will seek to drive people out of the *extremes* (as they describe it) and to the *center* . . . and then work to coopt that center and channel it to their purposes.
I am still of the opinion that the Tommy Robinson Affair, and the phenomenon, is an opportunity to communicate with the middle-of-the-road generality. But I must say that gaining an accurate perspective on Robinson himself is a part of *seeing clearly* in our present. I do think that Greg’s perspective therefor — put up against certain opposition — has proven itself useful. In my case anyway.
Vagrant Rightist
I don’t believe it was Robinson’s intention to interfere with the path of justice, however let’s say he might have made a well-intentioned mistake, or felt driven into that course of action.
I’m not sure I like the idea that we abandon activists who share ground with us just because they make a mistake, especially if it was made for reasons they felt were just at the time. Unless those mistakes are appalling, intolerable and obviously damaging to all of us. That feels unwarranted, unnecessary – especially when there are so few public activists. When they are criticized from the Right, it can feel like we’re looking for flaws in them, to pull them down just ‘because’, or they don’t quite fit our tastes somehow, even if that criticism is intended for the good of the movement.
Then I think of powerful organizations within the Jewish community who will get behind the likes of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, Johnathon Pollard and Leo Frank, to bend justice and the narrative of history for one of their own, for no other reason for Jewish power to be publicly perceived to dominate ours.
His efforts in this case would have been better used elsewhere, but from what I’ve seen Robinson is capable of presenting at least some very powerful truths, and unless demonstrated otherwise, has shown considerable bravery. Along with any criticism about this specific action, I hope that can be welcomed and applauded.
Vauquelin
Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is a man who is reactionary in the purest sense. He is a regular British kid who saw his town go to shit on account of Muslim immigrants and his entire adult life has been him lashing out at that phenomenon. He is not a soul searcher, he does not look at the big picture. And that’s what makes him important, as this is the mindset of the vast majority of the people.
Stephen is at once incredibly proud to be British and wants the Mohammedans off his isles, but is still deathly afraid of being labeled a racist. This is the only reason he is seen sucking up to the Jews so much, it’s a way for him to shout “NUH-UH!” at the ever-baiting accusers of racism. His philo-semitism could be seen as a moral armor he tries to deck himself out with, to escape stigma, and naturally the Jews are all to eager to whisper in his ear and take him in, shaping his world view, seeing him as merely an asset. Stephen is one of us, he just doesn’t know it yet, and there’s people who would like to steer him and other alt-lighters like him away from a path of truth.
But his character as an Englishman trumps their attempts to sway his mind. Time and time again, shortly after each attempt to moderate himself, he gets back into trouble, he goes out, and kicks against the pricks of the establishment. Stephen is simply too simple to be ideologically persuaded to be a good goy. He is not a pseudo-intellectual, he isn’t looking to have his head enlightened by political theory – he just wants the Muslim bastards out, but without the ability to actually say it lest he’s put away for good! He wants them out and the system that enables them too. If only he, and most of the people like him, knew who this enabling system was created by.
I see no malice in Stephen’s actions, nor stupidity; I see instinct, barely curtailed by the leash of his handlers. Ultimately, this event is a huge boon to our cause, and to deny Stephen any support now would be to further isolate ourselves from the broader cultural fight. You can either get out there and fight it and support the fighters, or you can stay indoors and wax poetic about Hindu esotericism until the walls come caving in. This goes for Paul Nehlen as well; better to stick to the people out there who you agree with for 90% rather than break with them over the 10% of them you dislike. If you’re waiting for an ideal situation and the ideal leader, let me tell you, you’ll be waiting until the Kali Yuga.
To be intelligent in who you support is not sitting on the fence and denouncing everyone who isn’t ideal; what’s smart is to support the ones who help your side of the cultural struggle in the long run. It doesn’t matter if the rapists get out or not – all the better that they get out! Everyone knows they’re guilty and them being released back into the public will only make them angrier. We need anger, tremendous anger, in Europe right now, to nudge us out of our drugged-up stupid. We need all the anger we can get our hands on, and if these child rapists go free, it’ll be all the more wood for the fire.
Well said! As Pearse said when the Easter Rebellion was betrayed to the English and the Irish faced long dreary years of reorganizing: No, we go forward. We need a Blood Sacrifice.
If Tommy is going to do the time (or worse), let’s not do him the injustice of denying the significance of his sacrifice. And let’s not deny ourselves the significance either. To do so would to be penny wise and pound foolish.
Excellent analysis and strategy.
“…If you’re waiting for an ideal situation and the ideal leader, let me tell you, you’ll be waiting until the Kali Yuga.”
Since we are said to be in Kali Yuga (Age of Quarrel and Hypocrisy (Lies), you likely meant Satya Yuga : the Era of Truth. 🙂
Yes, support those who agree with you mostly, and who will bring more normies into our sphere of thought. That was also the topic of Gregs speech at Scandza 2018, not to purity spiral, and in a resent youtube interview with this australian jew I dont remeber the name of, to not cut ourselves of from the alt light. Robinson was arrested for breach of the peace, the english kangaroo court make up their story as they go along, thats what they did all along the grooming scandals. Sitting idly and trusting the system to deal with these things is what enabled the grooming, good on him for getting up and getting loud. Seeing somebody like him being abandoned by our movement, out of respect for the english legal systems supposed integrity is troublesome to me. Are there ulterior motives? Is it not purity spiralling? The victims will in no way get justice in the courts, the courts are not equipped to engage in the proper sense, as it is an ethnic conflict, as it is warcrimes. The victims will recieve justice when all marauders are going home, so these cases serve better as ammunition for the greater battle for Britain, than seen as individual cases with some economic handouts to the victims and a slap on the wrist for the muslims.
I don’t think you are wrapping your head around the most horrifying thing here: Robinson could have done a lot of things in a lot of places to raise awareness of rape gangs on May 25. Instead, he showed up at the one place where his presence could interfere with justice.
Instead, you are simply switching to a default cynicism about the whole British system, combined with Tommy dindunuffin. You have to believe that there is no justice in the British system, because you are confronted with something that completely refutes these dogmas: the system was prosecuting, and Yaxley-Lennon was harming not helping the cause.
Tommy Robinson behaved like a reckless retard, and his followers are behaving like retards rather than admitting the truth. It really is a white chimpout. It is not a good look for our movement, and it is going to keep us smaller and more marginal in the long run.
Greg, you’re factually correct here, and I’m personally torn on the issue. I just watched the Southern Dingo on YouTube and he is also pretty compelling on why we should be supporting Robinson. Maybe hear him out on this. https://youtu.be/p61TqOe-5t4
What I find interesting in this video presentation is that the *idea* here is one that comes out of the body of the people, if I can put it this way. This is the sort of sentiment that is growing among people who feel affinity with Tommy Robinson. I do not think that they are from the so-called intellectual class. But they are the people who bring motive power, will and energy to a social movement. Intellectuals and abstract thinkers may bring out *guiding ideas* but it is people and their lived sentiments that bring the ideas into manifestation. I think this corresponds to something Bowden said in Western Civilization Bites Back : motivating ideas rise out of a deeper level of Self.
https://youtu.be/6tL5exJg4ms
Prestoz
I see Greg’s point but I think we all have to go into bat for TR at this point in time. He has been hammered from pillar to post by the system in England already in a totally vexatious manner.
TR is Jewish but I don’t think he’s a Zionist. He’s a Luton supporter FFS! Hardly a Jew in possession of disproportionate power. I know English Jews who aren’t overly clever and are effectively normies who are loyal to Judaism out of simple-minded duty.
Dominique Malaparte
Can you substantiate claim that he is part Jewish? So far as I know, he is Irish Catholic in origin, real name Stephen Christopher Yaxley. Yaxley to my ear sounds like Yockey.
Yockey is an Anglicized German name.
Stronza
Like Jochum = Yoakam? What would “Yockey” have been originally?
Vortrekker
I suspect it is from Joachim.
David Appleton
tosh ..statement of facts
tommy never set foot on cort property
all info tomy gave was already in the public domain
the defendants names was read out from the BBC website
no laws was broken
his bail terms as can be seen was not broken
sh1t will hit the fan over this
Brooklyn Dave
They wanted his backside, and they made sure they got it.
The system actually put these rapists on trial.
Robinson showed up and may well have given cause for a mistrial.
In this case, the system was doing the right thing and Robinson was doing the wrong thing.
He is either really stupid, or something more sinister.
If you really care about those girls, then you should be furious with this reckless attention-whoring moron.
I think that smart out-competes stupid in the long run. We aren’t going to win by being stupid.
Active Pooter
this tommy incident is a gift from the establishment to white populism…why should we look a gift horse in the mouth?…no, maybe what tommy does is not perfectly in line with the rules of civil behavior…but we are in desperate straits here…
What a load of counter signalling bullshit.
Does Greg Johnson support Tommy Robinson being secretly trailed (his solicitor was told he was being moved to another facility, not a court trial) and a D-Notice being made making it (technically) illegal to report his 13 month jail sentence?
Likewise Greg, if you are aware of the social media content of Tommy’s film crew and other users who they communicate with (CR, LB) you will find they are ‘aware’ and ‘wise’ to race and (((them))).
On Zionism Tommy Robinson is loathed by nearly all British Jewish communal organisations and in a past tweet he has referred to the Board of Deputies of British Jews as a “far left” group after they attacked him.
In 2018 Tommy is perfectly ok promoting Generation Identity which is a implicitly Pro-White group so just because he said XYZ in 2009 separating himself from the BNP has no relevance to 2018, unless you want to bicker about stuff said nearly a decade ago rather than the vastly changed current circumstances.
This case is ‘waking’ a lot of people up and de-legitimising the Tory party and Greg wants to put it back into a box, just like establishment media personalities are attempting to do.
Leaving aside the travesty of Tommy Robinson’s faux-trial and 13 month sentence, and the concurrent news blackout of his present situation, Robinson realized both in Canterbury and in Leeds that whatever the limitation on reporting about these grooming gangs, the outcome of these trials would result in a slap on the wrist for those convicted. Robinson’s acts were ones of civil disobedience, knowing quite well what the current attitude and previous actions of British police, courts, and government have been. It’s an attitude in a sense of “screw it, I have to bring knowledge of these cases to the fore.” So Robinson, a working class man, not a stilted academic, isn’t worried about the intricacies of abiding by judicial gag orders and being in contempt of court. So thus, he is willing to civilly disobey a spineless system that has thoroughly disenfranchised most of white British society.
Robinson could have been anywhere else in England on Friday, doing a whole range of things to bring attention to grooming gangs and the failure of the authorities to prosecute and the press to investigate.
But instead Robinson was at the one place in England where the system was actually doing the right thing and putting these rapists away. And he did something that could give grounds for a mistrial.
That is breathtaking stupidity — or something entirely more sinister.
If you really want to take a “Burn baby burn!” stance toward the British system, why gravitate to the one place on Cuck Island where it is actually doing the right thing?
the best is ever the enemy of the good…yes, perhaps tommy could have done something better…perhaps…but he did do something good…this censorship by the establishment has the potential to backfire on a large scale…that’s good…good things are good..don’t look down on a good thing because there are better things.
this is a good thing, as martha stewart would say…
The “censorship” here is completely legitimate.
There is plenty of completely unjustified censorship that we should be rallying against.
HerculesJohnson
How are you not seeing that your dislike of Tommy Robinson’s anti-ethnonationalism has you siding with the same British government that protects gang rapists? Reporting is only “grounds for a mistrial” in a system so corrupt as to be unsalvageable.
I don’t have trouble with people who are not ethnonationalists as long as they are doing good work. Robinson could have talking about grooming gangs anywhere in the UK that day. Yet he chose the one place where his presence might impede getting justice for these people. That’s pretty stupid — if not something much worse.
Tobias Rieper
The main problem in Western European “political nationalism” is that everyone needs to be a kosher zionist supporter. Every party or politician that’s allowed to rise in politics has to shill for the Chosen Ones, or perish in lawfare and bogus arrests before the first election, with an exemption for muslims of course.
In my country of Belgium, even anti-Zionism is made equal to anti-Semitism by law, so even the slightest infraction leads to a maximum of 5 years in jail.
That’s why every sorry excuse for a rightwing politician, like Geert Wilders (a former kibbutzim), Marine Le Pen and almost everyone else is continuously cucking for Israel and the Zio-brigade. Even the edgiest ones, like a Filip De Winter from Vlaams Belang in Flanders, regularly takes trips to Israel to show his support for the ZOG.
If you tought only the US was cucking to the Chosen Ones, think again.
TR, like most, became their pawn, in exchange for some meagre pay and protection, which they dropped as soon as they could. Him getting arrested was a PR stunt gone wrong, because het tought they backed him up. The only way he can be useful to us is as a(n) martyr/example to convince normies of the way Western Europe in sinking into a quagmire of its own making.
If you follow Tommy Robinsons content he says next to zero about Israel vs Palestine, Hezbollah, Iran or Syria. In fact for Syria he has posted content supportive of Assad.
Also, people do not see him as connected to the Jewish issue. They see him as an anti-Islamic, English, European advocate; in the popular mind, TR straddles the line between implicit White racial advocacy and explicit White racial advocacy
Implicit to Explicit Spectrum (up for debate)
Silent-majority(?) passive ethnopatriots in the Conservative Party — UKIP — Tommy Robinson (jailed) and EDL and figures like Jayda Fransen (jailed) — BNP during its 2000s rise — National Front — hardest-line racial-nationalist Skinheads
Lenny Bloom
Yes the entire British legal system is in on a conspiracy to cover up gang rapes by Muslims or Tommy Robinson is just bigoted wanker with a history of assault, fraud, and inciting for his own self aggrandizement. Adios Tommy maybe you can write your memoirs like Hitler did while you spend tome for your much needed sabbatical
Rob Bottom
I agree with you Greg. It shows the extent of the alt-lite brigade’s devotion to their idols that they signal boosted Tommy’s arrest while ignoring that of Jez Turner. Most of these people don’t even know who Turner is. If I had a criticism, perhaps this would have been an opportunity for you to contrast Tommy’s situation with some of our heroes who were actually rounded up for their speech, instead of bringing up Trayvon Martin?
Haydon Murr
You assert that, ‘Robinson’s actions actually made it more likely the defendants would go free’ as though it were fact. It is not, it is pure speculation on your behalf. The determination as to whether court proceedings or due process have been, or MIGHT BE prejudiced through contempt is a matter for the the court to decide. It seems that in this case, one or other of these possibilities were assumed to be true by the presiding judge, but the view that Robinson ‘interfered in court proceedings’ may not be correct, especially since he was apparently careful to quote information already in the public domain (previously published by local & regional newspapers).
Tommy Robinson may well be ‘morally reckless’ & even ‘a bit stupid’, but your assertion that his actions have ‘harmed the cause of justice’ & ‘made it harder that rape gangs be successfully prosecuted’ remains speculative & rests on the premise that the judge in this case has not erred. At this point, Is remains to be seen whether justice has indeed been served by the judge’s actions. Given the lack of judicial transparency up until now, I am surprised that you are so ready to make that assumption.
There was a ban on reporting on the trial. Robinson breached that ban and was arrested. Any lawyer worth his salt will be looking into whether this gives cause for a mistrial. You can call that “speculative” if you want, but you are simply burying your head somewhere.
Perhaps not so straightforward: Robinson was apparently arrested for a ‘breach of the peace’, not reporting on the trial. Are you sure due process was followed leading to his imprisonment?
Which means, what? Being a public nuisance?
What difference does that make?
He was convicted and sentenced for contempt of court.
HaydonMurr
I thought you were concerned that Justice was administered fairly & that due process was observed.
‘What difference does that make?’ is not a question that seems to support that idea.
I’d like to know whether you believe TR was denied due process/justice, & what evidence do you have to support your answer?
You are quibbling, not adding anything to do discussion.
The question is one of equality before the law.
Why a reporting ban on these accused when there was no reporting ban on Rolf Harris or Max Clifford? I don’t recall a ban for the Rotherham, Oxford or Rochdale grooming gang trials. For that matter, there was no ban on reporting on Lord Janner or Jimmy Saville before charges were laid. The allegations in the media were so widespread that it would have prohibited the selection of an impartial jury, had the cases proceeded.
The contempt of court charge is entirely bogus. The accused were attending a sentencing hearing, which means the verdict had already been reached. How can “the case” be compromised? Is the judge admitting that he would be influenced by the media and not the facts of the case in pronouncing sentence? Perhaps the judge should be removed.
Were there no other reporters attending?
This is much bigger than Tommy Robinson, regardless of his opinions and behaviour. It is an attack on due process, which is a danger to all of us.
Saying that you “don’t recall” means that you really don’t have the facts here.
There are some reporting restrictions in all British trials.
Travis Hund
There’s so many false equivalences in this article I don’t even know where to begin.
This clearly has to do with Greg’s vendetta against Tommy for being a “larping entho – nationalist Zionist!” ; nothing more than an accusation with zero evidence to back it up.
Travis, you write of “Greg’s vendetta against Tommy for being a ‘larping ethno-nationalist Zionist!'”
You are a dirty liar.
First of all, putting quotation marks around “larping ethno-nationalist Zionist!” implies that you are quoting me. But I never said that.
Second, in fact I do not have a “vendetta against Tommy.” You simply made that up.
Casual liars like you are a disgrace to our cause. Shame on you.
Robinson was sentenced to 13 months jail in effectively a secret trial (his solicitor was told he was not going to go on trial but was being moved to another facility).
The political establishment then put a D-Notice making it technically illegal for INDIVIDUALS and media publications to report on that?
Why are you ok with that? Would you like that to happen to yourself or other Pro-White dissedents, let alone counter-jihad types?
Twochairs
Obviously we pay a cost for saying 2 + 2 = 5, or contempt of court = free speech, but praxiologically speaking, this cost maybe worth it, if it redownds to the delegitimization of the current British government, and increased hostility to its Muslim pets.
What did blacks and the media loose by gaslighting the American people about Mike Brown and Trayvon? Okay they got Trump. They made white Americans more “racially aware”, so yes, they overplayed their hand, and paid a high price. But Brittain’s Muslims and anti-white establishment are already “racially aware”. It is white Britons who fail to appreciate the nature of the threat. And many on center or Libertarian right seem galvanized by what they see (wrongly) as a double-standard being applied to TR.
Rejecting him, at this moment, even if based on facts and legitimate ethical concerns with his actions, is “beautiful-looserism”. “If you play by your enemies’ rules, you loose”.
Furthermore, there is a strong possibility, that at least one of the accusers in this case, really is lying about having been assaulted. A dumb and wicked thing to do: fine, but if the case is allowed to proceed, and these lies are exposed, the story will be used to discount and intimidate victims of Muslim sex-crime for generations (Americans still talk about Emmit Till for Christsakes’!?) It might very well be in the interest of our people to simply crash the case, and try to force a counter narrative of Tomm-as-martyr.
For God’s sake man, this is one case where the system is actually prosecuting these animals, and you think it is a smart revolutionary move to tank it with a mistrial?
Tommy Robinson could have done a lot of things and been at a lot of places to raise awareness of the problem of Muslim rape gangs last Friday.
Instead, he showed up at the one place where his presence could actually set these people free. He’s either stupid or something far more sinister.
I understand your frustration with the miscarriage of justice, and appreciate your hard work against right-wingers who do stupid and unethical things.
Tommy could have been anywhere else Friday, it’s true, and today he is jail being discussed very favorable by almost the entire anglophone “right”. Even (((Ben Shapiro))) has condemned the arrest. Tragic and shameful though it is, our your young are more motivated by “freeze peach” than by the safety and dignity of their own white sisters. Tommy’s arrest, rightly or wrongly, could turn out to be a major liability to the British government.
While I agree the truth is our greatest asset, we might do well in this case to follow Mark Twain’s advice and preserve it.
“In that case, his sentence was suspended under condition that he not reoffend for another 18 months. Because he violated the conditions of his suspended sentence, he was ordered to spend 13 months in jail.”
Even if he was a reoffender, I wonder whether the sentence length is abnormally long. I don’t understand how one jumps from zero to thirteen months. Moreover, do other people get charged for doing the same thing? Was there selective enforcement? We know the authorities seem to have used selective enforcement against him in other ways.
Also, I disagree that filming someone before a trial can ruin the trial. I could see not filming in the courtroom or on private property, but it seems unreasonable to prohibit it in public streets. I could see how banning filming people without their permission, even on public property, can protect us from being doxxed, but ideally the doxxing question should be addressed with legislation to protect against being fired for beliefs rather than against public filming. I also fail to understand how someone asking the defendant questions before the trial ruins the trial. The defendant can always remain silent, and if they choose to speak and if they tell the truth carefully, then they will have nothing to worry about. It was a stupid law. For me, breaking it isn’t a huge offense. It’s definitely not worth 13 months, even for a reoffense. It should be treated at worst as a repeat misdemeanor. The penalty should not be jail.
The question is when civil disobedience is useful. Either using or not using it can be advantageous. Socrates refrained from using it, and I think his decision to abide by his sentence made his teachings more popular. Rosa Parks used civil disobedience, and of course, the (((media))) made a martyr out of her. I could understand the argument that even if Robinson opposed that law, it would have been better to break a law specifically related to laws against criticizing immigration of Muslims rather than one involving trial procedure. But at some point, when the nation makes so many damn laws, it’s hard not to break one. I don’t think we should come down on him too harshly for doing so, particularly because the law seems unreasonable. I also want to make sure he wasn’t the victim of selective enforcement.
Robinson is not one of us, and we should criticize him for that, but it seems unrest over his sentence can only help us. Most people will view the sentencing as an attack on whites, and it seems to some extent they may be right, so I think we should use the incident to try to redpill them further.
Tommy Robinson is working hard for the Jews, not the English.
He is hated by the majority of British Jews and Jewish communal organisations, included the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
Apart from some pictures with a hard-line rabbi and in Israel he mentions next to nothing about Israel vs Palestine, Iran, Hezbollah, how Assad is so bad (he has actually put out content defending Assad) etc
I see why you have come to this conclusion but you are simply wrong. Firstly the d notices aren’t about creating a fair trail but managing public perception. They want to have the legal precedings over and done with and then a small story at a later date that can be downplayed by our left wing media. Also Tommy only repeated information that was all already published in the media such as defendants photos and names. He was also very careful not to contravene the previous contempt order which explicitly stated that he was not film on court property or infer guilt before sentencing. Neither did he intend to break the d notice by stating what sentence they had been given, which he made clear in the live stream. This was all pretty much confirmed by the fact that he was arrested on a false charge of breach of the peace which was then immediately dropped once in custody.
Without the EDL pushing these cases forward for so many years then all of this would never have come to trial so all the cunts trying to say he’s stupid and reckless should stfu.
Lastly for all americans reading this you don’t seem to understand the situation that us white working class are in over here, we’re unarmed and living in a authoritarian semi police state where you can end up in prison for wrong think with a load of jihadi cunts. Please have a bit more understanding this isn’t the time for nitpicking, Tommy’s about all we’ve got right now give him a break and don’t side with “their law”.
Erik L.
Usually I find myself agreeing with Greg Johnson on most issues. In this case it’s different. Western Europe, especially the UK, is so cucked that we need people who do good work like Tommy Robinson. Gregs logic is not at fault but the mistake of Tommy – and yes, it was a mistake of his – does not mean we should not support Tommy.
Tommy Robinson is someone who can reach normies. He’s done some amazing work. I’m not a big fan of street activism, but he’s got a decent following. Yes, he’s cucked on several issues but on this one thing (Islam/white replacement/rapefugees) he is not. He’s a gateway to being red pilled. He would be a UK version of an Alt-Light type before the Alt-right brand was damaged.
We need more ways to reach normies. More Tommy’s work better than less Tommy’s. If I listen to Greg Johnson interviews I know he thinks we need to engage the normie more as well. Hopefully this long time CC reader can pull you a little more in this direction Greg – I know you screen comments yourself – with this argument.
Yes. Do not slam a racial-nationalist figure at such a symbolic moment. There is nothing useful about doing so. The issue is a LOT bigger than the technicalities involved, which will be forgotten in time, to the extent that they are even understood now.
Support Tommy Robinson; it is as simple as that.
I disagree. What you think are technicalities are essential distinctions.
We should not support him when he acted wrongly and the state acted correctly.
The state was prosecuting these rapists. He risked a mistrial.
Press blackouts are reasonable to guard due process and ensure fair trials.
There are plenty of cases of genuine Orwellian suppression of free speech in England. Rally against those.
There are plenty of opportunities to bring attention to the grooming gangs and the coverups in the establishment and press. Robinson could have chosen any of those.
But instead he chose to show up in the one place in England where he could harm rather than help the cause. That’s either stupidity or something much worse.
Ben Reich
When you say, “something much worse”, are you implying that Robinson was just trying to bolster his brand / profile or that he is not exactly what he appears to be?
Those are both possibilities.
I’ve mixed feelings about him. I’m Irish American, and I love my fellow Irish rabble rousers, as Tommy’s parents are from Ireland. But I was disappointed in his decision to join (((Ezra Levant))) and Rabbi Media. I guess he needed an income.
The only way Tommy will become a martyr is if the UK goes full on shitlord. That is yet to be determined.
Tommy Robinson is a Zionist and always has been. When he founded the EDL, he chose the name because of the JDL, and had a Jewish division of the EDL. Photographs of the Zionist connection to the EDL can easily be found online. He also proudly poses with the Israeli army and sports a Mossad t-shirt when he visits Israel.
The sexual abuse has been systemic and structural across the UK. The girls involved enjoyed little privilege or even protection.
So it could be argued that’s it’s more important to get the British people to wake up even if there is an immediate downside for a particular prosecution.
Watch the Paxman interview with Robinson to see the arrogance of the British liberal elite.
There are all kinds of other ways to raise awareness about the problem without showing up with a camera at an ongoing trial, which endangers the cause of justice rather than promotes it.
It wasn’t an ongoing trial. The trial had finished. It was merely the post-trial sentencing that was happening that day.
1. The trial is not over until sentencing is complete.
2. There will be another round of hearings in September.
Robinson has been at the lonely forefront of this for quite some time.
https://youtu.be/Q96elyZaxq8
He was a working class guy who showed some courage. So for this maybe he deserves the benefit of the doubt.
There is definitely something to be said for courage.
Courage > Fault-Finding
This post I think was consciously written as click-bait. It is needlessly hostile to Tommy Robinson. Why not title it something less provocative than “Why I Don’t Support Tommy Robinson”? while making the same points.
No, intelligence is always better than stupid bravado.
You forgot to say that you are deeply concerned.
Gnome Chompsky
I agree with your legal and political analysis, but the fact is that between the police and media, *there is* a conspiracy in that nation to keep things as quiet as possible on such cases, and the effective gag order will continue after the perpretrators are given unreasonably short sentences, even shorter with parole.
I read the mainstream media from Britain, that is how it always works out.
Also feel sorry for Yaxley-Whatever for his earlier time inside, from my reading, the wardens essentially set him up to be attacked by Muslim inmates, they smashed just about all of his teeth, among other injuries. I wonder if any of his assaulters were awarded extra charges as a result?
Strongly agree re. the direction of groups like the EDL, people like (e.g.) Pamela Geller and Geert Wilders, if they refuse to recognise who brought the problem about (and in Geller’s case, she was very likely one of them in an earlier period), it is a major case of false consciousness.
In my browser bookmarks, I still have, for example, Gates of Vienna, worth reading at times, but I file it under neo-con, because, although I think the Baron privately disagrees, his wife takes the ‘Judaeo-Christian’ line with hook and sinker.
So, no criticism of jewish and Zionist propaganda and actions allowed, and they are on the more reasonable end of the fake extremists who are de facto neo-cons.
I agree that ‘Tommy’ and those of his ilk are far worse on such points.
You have often written about the need to create a deep meta-political and cultural shift in the West against hostile elites.
You also in a conversation with Mike Enoch said it wasn’t clear what red pills people or wakes people up.
Robinson seems to be trying to get the British people to wake up. Many smarter and better educated people have colluded with the Bobo elite in the indifference and hostility to the native working class.
We agree on the need to wake people up. And because it is so important, we should do it in the most effective way possible.
Robinson could have been anywhere in the UK on Friday, May 25th to raise awareness. But he chose to go to the one place where his presence could impede rather than promote justice for these rapists. That is astonishingly bad judgment.
Robinson did show misjudgement. He possibly agrees with you from his cell.
The British elite want to treat this as a legal and technical matter. Everything is under control. There’s a video where Robinson travels from London to Luton by train and passes through the insulated bobo suburbs and towns whose daughters are unaffected. The contempt toward elites he expressed was the same as you did on a recent YouTube discussion.
Maybe we need to wake the Saxon up by any means necessary. Sometimes the events and individuals that trigger changes in consciousness can be surpising and unexpected. Ride the Tiger!
What a nonsensical comment. Ciick-bait? That only works to bring revenue if the site is working with advertising networks or links to stupid sites that have ten-page short paragraph articles on pages with many ads and stupid photos.
As far as I can see, the only ads here are for the books, and the only links, by writers or commentors are to informative content or examples of what they are talking about.
The IRA of course murdered and assassinated Judges, Sheriffs and Prosecutors…
Or at least they were blamed for such killings.
Paul Booth
Tommy Robinson and his Zionist handlers don’t speak up for our people, so why on earth should we speak up for them? Robinson is a tool used to drum up Muslim hate while simultaneously signalling that he is A-Okay with with the browning of Britain and the white world. He is a lackey of Canadian Zionist Ezra Levant and a crypto-Jew himself. I sincerely hope he is murdered in prison as it will be one less fraud out there to disorient our people. Ditto for that disgusting old hag Katie Hopkins.
I would suggest to you that to wish for an activist’s murder when in prison is *unproductive* in the extreme. In addition to being morally wrong it is very bad strategy to wish such a thing and to express it on a public forum. If I were someone connected with Robinson’s work or who admired what he does, your comment would prejudice me against you (and rightfully so) and also against the forum and platform where it appears.
There are many different levels of activism and many of them — the *lite* versions included — dovetail with our concerns and ideas. But even among those of us who are more radical in our understandings of things we do not see eye to eye in all things. But what is to be gained by breaking ranks? What is to be gained by wishing someone to be killed? Nothing. And everything is to be gained by working thoughtfully and sincerely with people who are on the same side of the fence.
C. B. Robertson
Sun Tzu refers to the “moral law” as that which motivates men to take sides and to fight. Ultimately, it is more powerful than the state, and it is coming down — as it should — on the side of Robinson, and against Islam and the British State, as we see the British people take to the street. This is happening because Robinson’s actions clearly not only don’t challenge the likelihood of justice with these particular Muslim rapists, but are in large part the reason that justice is being carried out against them at all. No sane country would put him in jail, and the citizens of Britain are beginning to realize this.
I’m open to the position, and I get the argument, but to me it still seems absolutely insane to challenge the status quo for decades, to decry the foreign influence on our countries, and then when a man finally stands up to it successfully, and is subsequently cognitively punished based on nothing more than legalistic pedantry which no one else is held to, that we should take the side of the pedantry JUST as the population is rising to the cause.
I second CBR’s remarks. Further, Tommy Robinson has COURAGE, an extremely rare virtue in our times, and his core supporters among the football lads and military veterans rally to him for this reason. He also embodies a certain working class charisma.
Even though Tommy R is a bit muddle-headed on the actual issues (rather like Trump), he and his supporters are clearly our allies–they are our people–and my hope is that these protests are not a mere spasm, but the opening stages of a revolution, as the British people awaken from their slumber in the cold, cold shower of an openly hostile State.
Courage is a liability when not governed by intelligence.
Adrian Davies
An interesting thought, that, which we need to ponder. Nationalists like military similes. I can think of few things worse for a soldier than to be led into battle by an officer or NCO who is utterly fearless but also incompetent in command.
I do not believe that is the real Adrian Davies.
Greg is paraphrasing Aristotle. Courage as the mean between cowardice & recklessness. A disposition toward courage absent “phronesis” will degenerate into the pursuit of futile & self-destructive conflicts and adventures, or in this case a media stunt.
Aristotle remarks, however, that “most reckless men are reckless cowards, they put on a show of confidence when the situation permits, but do not stand their ground.” Clearly this cannot be said of Robinson, who has already suffered greatly at the hands of the State, and yet he remains unbroken.
Courage, in Aristotle, is foundational for the other virtues, as it inculcates self-control in the face of pain. A man who claims intellectual virtue, but lacks courage, is an empty cipher, a fraud, typical of our too-clever-by-half managerial elites.
T Robinson has something like courage. But he lacks the cunning of an Oedipus, the sound judgment of an Aristotelian citizen. He is rough & untutored. So let us say that he embodies *something* and that this something is (today) very rare & concrete. This is why the crowd chants not abstract slogans but “Tommy-Tommy-Tommy Tommy Robinson!” And also the converse, “Shame! Shame! Shame on you!”
He’s a working class bulldog.
Alison Chabloz
Was Robinson aware that the same defendants/witnesses are due to appear in a separate upcoming trial?
If so, then he is not quite as clever as some seem to believe.
Was Robinson egged on by his most-ardent Zionist supporters in a deliberate attempt to deflect attention from another important free speech trial the same day?
Also last Friday, I was found guilty of causing ‘gross offence’ by sending (=uploading?!) three of my own songs about the ‘Holocaust’ and Jewish power to YouTube.
Whilst Robinson was all over Count Dankula (the Nazi pug guy from Scotland), he has never breathed a word in defence of my freedom of expression. Why is that?
Alison, I love your songs, particularly this fine ditty, Too Extreme for the BNP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPYxOuO2hTc&bpctr=1527547273
Ms Chabloz.
Irrespective of what Tony Robinson may or may not be, the ridiculous charges made against you, and even more ridiculous conviction are a perversion of justice. So it is in Robinson’s case, albeit for different reasons.
You both are being re-educated just as in the Stalinist USSR. I suppose that is a small advantage over being executed in Mao’s China.
Elver Loho
You are shilling against Tommy Robinson, because you don’t support freedom of speech and you don’t want to create a precedent whereby a white nationalist becomes a martyr for the idea of freedom of speech. Because this would make freedom of speech a part of the foundation of a future white ethnostate. And you don’t want that.
You would get a lot more respect if you actually said this openly and honestly without hiding behind “let’s respect UK’s stupid laws”.
Nope. You just made all that up. Pot has made you paranoid and illogical.
Your metapolitics are showing, Greg. You’re easier to read than you think.
You are a kook. This will be your last comment.
You’re splitting hairs.
Robinson doesn’t want middle aged Muslims fucking white teenage girls.
CC could use a little less head, a little more heart.
If you want fewer child rapists, you should not interfere when the legal system finally starts prosecuting and jailing them.
But you need to use your head for a few seconds to see that.
That is precisely the opposite of the argument made by the English legal system when it comes to White paedophiles and rapists. They claim that the identities and the crimes of the perpetrators should be reported widely to encourage other victims to come forward.
Supporting double standards is not clever.
You are ignoring the context. There is a good reason why one cannot report on ongoing trials.
This is absolutely the line to put forward. Counter Currents is, by now, a major site; if this article gets wide publicity it will, I believe, only have a demoralizing effect. Any useful criticisms in it get lost quickly because the issue really is simple: “Side with Robinson and for the honor of European women an girls; side against Robinson and in favor of Muslim rape gangs.” How can Greg Johnson not understand this and write a major article slamming Robinson at this time?
I have recommended CC to many over the years but this is one article for which I have to criticize CC. Perhaps Greg Johnson will consider a kind of partial retraction or at least re-titling this post; Supporting Tommy Robinson is an easy Big-Picture win, regardless of the specifics and details.
No retractions, no soft-pedaling. I can’t control whether people try to frame what I have written in a completely dishonest manner.
I don’t support Robinson, but I don’t condemn him either, neither should you.
At least he does something and we can use his arrest to highlight the attack on free speech.
Like I said, the law against contempt of court is legitimate. There is no free speech when it interferes with due process.
Remember what Churchill said about Austen Chamberlain.
There are things with this Tommy I can respect, but down the line he is not fighting for white people or his country, he is just against Islam and Muslims. This rape catastrophe got nothing to do with religion but race and race only. Greg should not use the word Muslims rape gangs or whatever. They could be Christians or Hindu or whatever. Its all a matter of race.
No, the problem seems to be especially connected with Muslims.
It’s brown men picking on white girls. That’s the reality.
Its a reckless publicity whore showing up at the one place in the UK where his presence can set a pack of brown rapists free to pick on more white girls. Think, man!
He’s too close to zionists for anyone JQ aware to go out on a limb for him.
He wouldn’t accept anti-Semitic help either.
The IRA like I said, forced the hand of the legal establishment.
I still think that Tommy is self destructive though.
What will jail time of a few years do to deter brown Muslims from raping 12 year old white girls?
But I digress. Robinson is a complex problem given his association with zionists. I’m not sure what his agenda is. Banning Burkahs…what is that gonna do?
The arrest and jailing of Tommy Robinson is having an effect on the average people of Britain who likely have a kind of middle-of-the-road perspective on things.
While I have no knowledge of the jurisprudential details of this arrest (Greg’s revelations were new to me), it seems obvious that this event is far more related to the chilling of speech and will be understood as such. Along these lines I think it must be understood that there is now a world-wide effort to silence dissidents and also that intelligence agencies are involved in this. Meaning, there is a *cold cultural war* going on and we need to be aware that *they* will stop at nothing in their attempts to stem the dissemination of ideas that we are all involved in publicizing. The arrest and jailing of Robinson is an important event within the context of this cold cultural war and it is imperative to *support* him. However, my general position is that we must never break ranks with one another and even when we have definite differences we must not allow wedges to be driven between us. And that is what intelligence efforts will seek to do (are seeking to do and will do). If they can exploit divisions they will do it. If over a ten year period of time they can weaken the resolve of a social movement and *manage* it, they can succeed in coopting it. It has been done many times before.
The reaction to the arrest of Robinson will inevitably politicize many people and allow them to become more open to the srot of ideas we are comfortable with. Therefor, though I may differ from aspects of Robinson’s position I will definitely support him.
Whether these sex criminals go free or not is not really the issue. The issue is helping to stimulate a social movement within British culture, and European culture, in which it becomes seen as natural and good to turn back the tide of Muslim cultural invasion while simultaneously stimulating a Europe-wide reidentification with Europeanness. Even in Robinson’s *limited chauvinism* there is a great deal to be worked with. It is a starting point. People like Robinson — the sector of society he represents — will not move to our camp easily. Our radicalism even among ourselves has been a rather long process. I don’t think we should forget this.
Tommy Robinson only filmed after the trial had concluded, so there is no possible way in which he influenced the trial.
He did not film on Court property, but from an adjacent street.
In UK those accused of sexual assault are named, identified in the press, and their photographs published. Using this information, and the fact that those who arrive for sentencing typically carry some belongings in a bag, Robinson filmed the rapists, on the street.
I know there are reporting restrictions on events, but you could at least make some attempt to gather the pertinent facts.
The problem in this case is that the same defendants and/or witnesses are due to appear in a separate, upcoming trial in a different court.
The same contempt rules apply also for nationalists charged with several offences in separate trials. We cannot complain about such laws only when it suits us.
Alison is absolutely right. The same contempt of court laws forbid the naming of a well known nationalist who was convicted of several offences of inciting racial hatred at Preston Crown Court a few weeks ago and will be tried for other alleged offences of inciting racial hatred in the autumn.
The point is that in England the accused’s previous convictions cannot generally be led in evidence against him unless the accused chooses to put his character in issue or attack the character of a prosecution witness.
By naming the loathsome individuals convicted of raping young English girls, “Tommy Robinson” (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) has at the least put the trials of the same loathsome individuals charged with raping other young English girls at risk. Think about the implications of that.
Greg’s analysis is correct (and if I may say so, most impressive coming from someone with no training in English law).
You should make sure that people you don’t like get what’s coming to them.
Universal consistency is foolish.
Robinson is a garden variety anti-Islamist who has always been a bit of a mess – Starting LGBT, Jewish and “black and white unite” divisions of the EDL that never took off, attending Israel and showboating with the IDF (presumably to annoy Muslims) and ditching the EDL for government funded counter-extremism think tank Quilliam for being paid off under the table – quite likely so he could be exposed to the “white supremacist lone wolf” propaganda narrative. To the best of my knowledge he doesn’t advocate for mass deportations but closing down mosques, largely symbolic issues like banning halal meat and so on. It is my hope that more people ditch Robinson and come over to real British nationalism as advocated by people like Jez Turner. Where is the EDL for Jez??
I read this much :-
On Friday, May 25th, UK white advocate Tommy Robinson was arrested outside Leeds Crown Court as he live-streamed accused members of a Muslim gang of child rapists entering the building for sentencing. After more than an hour, he was arrested.
He was then convicted of contempt of court………
Then I stopped to comment!!.
Already after a few lines I halted what I was reading because yet again the wording and terminology for brainwashing coercion is immediately apparent. You are obviously another being who’s narcissistic personality believes others want to hear what you have got to say.
Mr Robinson/Yaxley-Lennon, like him or not and I am not a big fan at all, was doing absolutely nothing outside of the law!. It is a good job he was filming his actions for the public to see and recognise the type of corruption that goes on everyday in the UK and other countries alike. The system is gradually getting concerned by Mr Robinson and his ilk, eventually people will slowly start leaving the flock they are wrapped and brainwashed in. I am led believe, through intensive research, Mr Robinson and others have information on several “Closed Door Cases” that involved pedophilia and corruption and this was a great way to remove him. Bottom line and write what you like but don’t expect others who have a brain to take heed !!
My understanding is that:
Tommy Robinson was reporting on a trial that had already been concluded – the men involved were being sentenced, not tried.
With regards to filming, newspapers in Britain routinely carry photos of people both before and after they are convicted. I assume they are allowed to do so because they are sufficent distance from the court. Importantly, a clip exists of Robinson asking the officer outside the court where he could stand so he was outside the precincts of the court.
Moreover:
Robinson was arrested for breach of the peace – but that was not what he was accused of when he got to court.
Police told Robinson’s solicitor that Robinson was going to be released, so she did not travel to Leeds to represent him – consequently, Robinson was not represented by his usual brief (instead, he got a court solicitor, totally unsuitable given the political circumstances).
I agree that Robinson’s conduct last year, when he got his suspended sentence for filming suspects was foolish and wrong, but I regard him as in the right on this occasion.
Absolutely!. 100% agree!…
Agreed that speaking truth is one of our strongest assets, but is defending justice one as well? Since we have to toe the line precisely to avoid prosecution while our enemies are allowed a free hand – and abetted – by the courts to bend and break the law, it does not seem to make much sense to “defend justice.” If we do so to appeal to any sympathetic, fair-minded whites watching us then I understand your tactic regarding this issue.
Given that previous sentence lengths for other Muslim rapists have been mockeries of justice, is your contention that public outrage will be deflected away from the insanity of the United Kingdom’s ruling institutions by Mr. Robinson’s actions should they be released with prejudice? My credulity is strained thinking that these invaders would get the book thrown at them for their crimes.
Unfortunately, true.
Man… why do our good advocates shoot themselves in the foot so often, cf. Paul Nehlen (or maybe even take Heimbach if needs be)… just incredible.
We need to be operating with just enough visibility to attract high agency, high human capital people who can then network and defeat the metapolitical power structures of the left. ‘White chimp-out’ is the perfect term for this sort of behavour (assuming this Robinson character isn’t a Jew as rumour would have it).
Albert Mesrine
Robinson is anything but a “white advocate” he is a big supporter of the British Multicultural model. And he’s not a Nationalist either.
ster plaz
If Robinson is a big supporter of the Brit multicultural model, why would he be trying to expose and publicize the muslim rape gangs? I mean, I would think he would do the same as the other multiculturalists; do nothing to bring it to the public’s attention.
Perhaps because, one can at least hope, that the British Multicultural Model does not include industrial-scale gang-rape of White children by Muslims.
The British Multicultural Model does not advocate that muslims go out and gang rape White children but The Model certainly does not advocate vigorously exposing it and pointing fingers at the ones (muslims) that are doing it because the ones (muslims) doing it are the pet(s) of the Brit Multicultural Model i.e. the ones The Model want to flood this particular western society and turn it third world.
Just like here in the USA, the (jew dominated) news and entertainment media, who are four square for multiculturalism i.e. White destruction, are almost entirely silent as to who is committing the vast majority of violent crimes; negroes and meskins. Can’t go around exposing and socially criticizing the ones who are to be replacements of White Americans. Same kind of thing as in Britain.
So, again, if Robinson is a Brit Multiculturalist why would he be out publicizing who is doing all those rapes of British (i.e. White) girls?
Robinson is a Zionist. He is not racially motivated. He does have a family member whose life was destroyed by a Muslim rape gang.
The British Multicultural model does indeed advocate for industrial-scale gang rape of White girls. That is why the police facilitate it, and charge victims and their fathers who complain, with racism.
Excellent article Greg and a very interesting point about his actions perhaps causing an acquittal.
But could you please edit the first line where you call Robinson a ‘white advocate’ because that’s really factually incorrect. Robinson has said time and time again that he hates ‘neo-Nazis’ ‘racists’ etc., warns of the dangers of ‘far-right extremism’, calls the BNP racist and ‘wankers’ and basically is totally against any white person who looks out for white interests. He’s said that he would pass on details of any ‘racists’ to the police in the past as well.
A more correct description of him would be ‘anti-Jihadist campaigner’ or something similar because that, and now the Muslim child rape gangs, is all he concentrates on. He is totally against ethnonationalism so doesn’t think his own people have the right to their own homeland, considers any passing African or Asian to be just as English as Shakespeare and if Muslims could just stop blowing people up and raping children, Robinson wouldn’t have a problem with the Islamic demographic issue at all.
He must of forgot that when he defends and promotes Generation Identity.
Interesting how so many people have such energy to cause divisions based on stuff he said or did 9years ago.
By Roseanne Barr: The Mulatto Mafia Strikes Again, by John Derbyshire – open mind news on June 3, 2018 at 11:13 pm
[…] Tommy’s Robinson’s arrest and incarceration while filming outside the courthouse where yet another Muslim grooming scandal was being tried took place last Friday as I was already going to pixel with Radio Derb, so I come to this late. There’s been masses of comment on it, from all angles. YouTube has some good pro-Tommy pieces if you have time to watch videos: I recommend Stefan Molyneux, Black Pigeon, and Paul Weston. If text is your thing, Douglas Murray (author of The Strange Death of Europe) did what I thought was a good balanced piece at National Review. For an anti-Tommy argument from our side of the fence, I refer you to Greg Johnson at Counter-Currents. […]
By The Eurocast | The Z Blog on June 1, 2018 at 4:20 am
[…] 37:00: Britain (Link) […]
By Articles disponibles en français de Counter-Currents Publishing | GrandFacho.com on May 31, 2018 at 2:18 pm
[…] nationaliste blanc : « Pourquoi je ne soutiens pas Tommy Robinson » / Why I Don’t Support Tommy Robinson (By Greg Johnson. 28 May […]
By Un nationaliste blanc : " Pourquoi je ne soutiens pas Tommy Robinson " | GrandFacho.com on May 28, 2018 at 11:56 am
[…] Par Greg Johnson, dans Counter-Currents Publishing […]
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105.37 KB The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published an opinion on structured retail products, setting out good practices for firms when manufacturing and distributing these products.
11/12/2014 2014/1478 ESMA reviews supervisory practices on MiFID investor information Press Releases, Supervisory convergence Press Release PDF
136.83 KB The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has conducted a peer review of how national regulators (national competent authorities or NCAs) supervise MiFID conduct of business rules on providing fair, clear and not misleading information to clients. The peer review focused on NCAs’ organisation, supervisory approaches, monitoring and complaints handling in relation to information and marketing communications under MiFID. The Report found that there was overall a high degree of compliance amongst NCAs with the good practices identified in these key areas. However, a variety of approaches were observed, leading to different intensity of supervision. A number of areas for improvement were identified. They include: enhanced use of on-site inspections and thematic reviews; a specific focus on conduct of business issues in firms’ risk assessments; and greater efforts to detect failings by firms in a timely manner. The review was conducted on the basis of information provided by NCAs in a self-assessment questionnaire and complemented by on-site visits to the NCAs of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Steven Maijoor, ESMA Chair, said: “Providing fair, clear and not misleading information to clients is essential for investor protection and should be applied consistently throughout the EU. This review is a major step forward in ensuring that progress is being made towards convergence in this area by national regulators. “The report provides a thorough insight and analysis of national supervisory practices, facilitated by ESMA’s first on-site visits, and includes a number of recommendations which I urge national regulators to consider when reviewing their practices in this area”. Key Findings The review’s key findings covered the following areas: Ex-ante and ex-post supervision – supervisory systems are divided between ex-ante and ex-post reviews of marketing material. Within the ex-post approach there is also divergence in terms of the timeliness with which NCAs review the material following its dissemination and consider complaints made by clients of firms; Direct and indirect supervision – while some NCAs directly supervise firms’ compliance with their obligations relating to the provision of information and marketing material to clients, others rely on annual checks performed by external auditors. The latter approach may make it difficult to detect failings by firms in a timely manner due to the successive sampling process employed by auditors and then the NCA?s concerned; Complaints and Sanctions – a low level of complaints and equally low level of sanctions are reported by NCAs in the area of information and marketing to clients; and Definition of information and marketing communication - There is no precise definition of the term marketing communication in EU law: this would need to be further defined in order to build effective convergence of supervisory practices. Recommendations for future work The Report identifies a number of areas for future work by NCAs and ESMA which could promote a more coherent cross-EU application of the requirements. These include: establishing more robust structures and efficient coordination and cooperation arrangements between different supervisory units within NCAs; defining a clear set of information and marketing material to be supervised; assessing the frequency of NCAs’ monitoring of investor information and marketing; assessing the adequacy of monitoring the distribution channels used by firms including in the cross border provision of services; requiring investment firms to submit to their NCAs details of all information and marketing material to be provided including material used for cross-border business; considering the use of integrated databases to assist in supervision of information and marketing to clients; assessing the frequency and consistency of the use of sanctions by NCAs; and assessing the implementation and effectiveness of the guidelines for complaints-handling for the securities (ESMA) and banking (EBA) sectors. In addition, ESMA should continue its efforts, including the use of Opinions, in promoting the development of a level-playing field regarding the provision of information in an understandable format to clients and the quality of service to clients.
18/12/2014 2014/1568 Press Release- Investment-based crowdfunding needs EU-wide common approach Innovation and Products, Press Releases Press Release PDF
155 KB The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published an Opinion along with an Advice on Investment-based crowdfunding. The Opinion clarifies the EU rules applicable to crowdfunding, while the Advice highlights issues for consideration by the EU institutions to achieve greater regulatory and supervisory convergence within the EU.The Opinion is addressed to the national competent authorities (NCA) and provides clarity on how crowdfunding business models fit within the existing EU regulatory framework. It outlines how existing EU rules are likely to apply to crowdfunding platforms, depending on the precise business model used. It also provides guidance to NCAs who may be considering how to regulate platforms operating outside the scope of the harmonised EU rules on the key risks inherent to crowdfunding and the key components of a regulatory regime to address them.The Advice, addressed to the EU institutions – Commission, Parliament and Council, highlights the concern that strong incentives currently exist for crowdfunding platforms to structure their business models to fall outside the scope of regulation and asks them to consider policy options to reduce these incentives. Avoiding regulation presents risks to investor protection and makes it harder for platforms to grow their businesses.Steven Maijoor, ESMA Chair, said: “ESMA’s aim is to enable crowdfunding to reach its potential as a source of finance, while ensuring that risks to users of crowdfunding platforms are identified and addressed in a proportionate and convergent way across the EU. “We believe that there are benefits both for investors as well as for platforms by operating inside rather than outside the regulated space. Opinion to National Competent AuthoritiesConsidering the diverse business models used within investment-based crowdfunding and depending on the precise structures used different EU legislation may apply. The Opinion sets out an analysis of how the main business models map across existing EU rules, e.g., the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID), the Prospectus Directive, the Directive for Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMD) and other financial and banking regulations. In addition, the Opinion outlines what ESMA believes should be the key components of an appropriate regulatory regime for investment-based crowdfunding activities. ESMA’s Advice to the EU InstitutionsThe Advice to the EU institutions highlights gaps and issues in the current applicable regime where policymakers could consider taking action to ensure there is a regime protecting investors while also fit for purpose for crowdfunding platforms. These gaps and issues include: the impact of the Prospects Directive thresholds; capital requirements and the use of the MiFID optional exemption; and the potential development of a specific EU crowdfunding regime, in particular for those platforms that currently operate outside of the scope of MiFID The Opinion and Advice have been prepared in collaboration with and input from the European Banking Authority (EBA) on the regulation that falls within its scope of action, i.e. the Payment Services Directive, and constitute the first output of a co-ordinated programme of work with the next expected output being a publication by EBA on lending-based crowdfunding. In line with their respective remits, ESMA has focused on investment-based crowdfunding, while EBA has focused on lending-based crowdfunding.
25/02/2015 2015/495 ESMA publishes review on best execution supervisory practices under MiFID MiFID - Investor Protection, Press Releases, Supervisory convergence Press Release PDF
112.68 KB The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has conducted a peer review on how national regulators (national competent authorities or NCAs) supervise and enforce the MiFID provisions relating to investment firms’ obligation to provide best execution, or obtain the best possible result, for their clients when executing their orders. ESMA found that the level of implementation of best execution provisions, as well as the level of convergence of supervisory practices by NCAs, is relatively low. In order to address this situation a number of improvements were identified, including: . prioritisation of best execution as a key conduct of business supervisory issue; . the allocation of sufficient resources to best execution supervision; and . a more proactive supervisory approach to monitoring compliance with best execution requirements, both desk-based and onsite inspections. The review was conducted on the basis of information provided by 29 NCAs and complemented by on-site visits to the NCAs of France, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland and Spain.
11/02/2016 2016/284 ESMA publishes first supervisory convergence work programme Corporate Information, Press Releases, Supervisory convergence Press Release PDF
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its first Supervisory Convergence Work Programme 2016 (SCWP), which details the activities and tasks it will carry out to promote sound, efficient and consistent supervision across the European Union.
The publication of the SCWP expands on the high-level objective outlined in the Annual Work Programme 2016 and fulfils a key commitment in ESMA’s Strategic Orientation 2016-2020 to outline how it would refocus its resources from single rulebook to supervisory convergence work.
2016-203_2016_supervisory_convergence_work_programme.pdf
2015-1475_rev_2016_work_programme.pdf
2016-202_2016_regulatory_work_programme.pdf
29/03/2016 2016/406 ESMA publishes report on EU accounting enforcement in 2015 Corporate Disclosure, IFRS Supervisory Convergence, Press Releases, Supervisory convergence Press Release PDF
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its annual report on the enforcement and regulatory activities of accounting enforcers within the European Union (EU) in 2015. ESMA continued strengthening supervisory convergence in the area of financial reporting to improve the consistency and quality across the EU, notably by issuing guidelines, publishing statements on areas of focus and coordinating enforcement decisions.
ESMA and national enforcers examined 189 listed issuers’ compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), across 26 countries, in the areas identified by the 2014 European Common Enforcement Priorities. The examination resulted in enforcement action against 40 (21%) issuers with regulators finding shortcomings in the disclosure of assumptions and judgements related to the:
recognition, measurement and disclosures of deferred tax assets arising from tax losses;
assessment of control over an entity in the absence of majority equity interest or majority shareholding rights; and
classification of joint arrangements.
National enforcers also reviewed the interim or annual financial statements of around 1,200 issuers, representing approximately 20% of issuers of securities listed on EU regulated markets, which led to action against 273 (25%) of those issuers examined. Enforcers found the main deficiencies were related to the presentation of financial statements, impairment of non-financial assets and accounting for financial instruments.
07/04/2016 2016/582 ESMA finds room for improvement in national supervision of investment advice to retail clients MiFID - Investor Protection, Press Releases, Supervisory convergence Press Release PDF
2016-584_suitability_peer_review_-_final_report.pdf
2016-585_suitability_peer_review_-_annex.pdf
02/06/2016 2016/743 ESMA assesses usefulness of distributed ledger technologies Innovation and Products, Press Releases, Risk Analysis & Economics - Markets Infrastructure Investors Press Release PDF
30/06/2016 2016/1047 Press Release Prospectus Peer Review Prospectus, Supervisory convergence Press Release PDF
12/01/2017 ESMA71-844457584-322 ESMA calls for consistent application of MiFIR product intervention powers Innovation and Products Press Release PDF
09/02/2017 ESMA71-844457584-345 ESMA publishes 2017 Supervisory Convergence Work Programme Press Releases, Supervisory convergence Press Release PDF
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its 2017 Supervisory Convergence Work Programme (SCWP), which details the activities and tasks it will carry out to promote sound, efficient and consistent supervision across the European Union.
ESMA and national competent authorities (NCAs) will focus their supervisory convergence work on the following priorities:
the implementation of MiFID II/MiFIR and MAR including the underlying IT projects;
improving the quality to data collected by NCAs;
investor protection in the context of cross-border provision of services; and
convergence in the supervision of European Union CCPs.
These priorities have been developed taking into account different factors, including the market environment, legislative and regulatory developments, and NCAs’ supervisory priorities.
31/05/2017 ESMA71-99-469 ESMA issues principles on supervisory approach to relocations from the UK Brexit, Press Releases, Supervisory convergence Press Release PDF
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published an Opinion setting out general principles aimed at fostering consistency in authorisation, supervision and enforcement related to the relocation of entities, activities and functions from the United Kingdom. The opinion is addressed to national competent authorities (NCAs), in particular of the 27 Member States that will remain in the EU (EU27).
The opinion is a practical tool to support supervisory convergence in the context of increased requests from UK financial market participants seeking to relocate to the EU27. It covers all legislation referred to in the ESMA Regulation, in particular the AIFMD, the UCITS Directive, MiFID I and MiFID II.
esma42-110-433_general_principles_to_support_supervisory_convergence_in_the_context_of_the_uk_withdrawing_from_the_eu.pdf
13/07/2017 ESMA71-99-526 ESMA issues sector-specific principles on relocations from the UK to the EU27 Brexit, Press Releases, Supervisory convergence Press Release PDF
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published three Opinions setting out sector-specific principles in the areas of investment firms, investment management and secondary markets, aimed at fostering consistency in authorisation, supervision and enforcement related to the relocation of entities, activities and functions from the United Kingdom .
The opinions, building on the general opinion issued in May, are practical tools to support supervisory convergence in the context of requests from UK financial market participants seeking to relocate to the EU27. They are addressed to national competent authorities (NCAs) and are relevant for market participants considering relocating.
They provide guidance to NCAs aimed at ensuring a consistent interpretation of the requirements relating to authorisation, supervision and enforcement in order to avoid the development of regulatory and supervisory arbitrage risks.
18/07/2017 ESMA71-99-521 ESMA recommends improvements in financial information enforcement IFRS Supervisory Convergence, Press Releases, Supervisory convergence Press Release PDF
esma42-111-4138_peer_review_report.pdf
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IETF > Research > IETF Funded Research > Bishop Kelly High School Grant
Bishop Kelly High School Grant
The International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF) has donated funds to help underwrite travel expenses for the Bishop Kelly High School’s Engineering Design team, based in Boise, Idaho, when they participate in the 2011-2012 Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam program at the EurekaFest held at MIT in Boston. The student team is developing two tools that may one day assist people with essential tremor (ET).
Essential tremor (ET), a neurological condition that causes shaking of the head, hands and voice, is the most common movement disorder estimated to affect 10 million people in the U.S.
Each year the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Program awards grants to teams of high school engineering students. Thirteen Bishop Kelly students and two advisors, Dr. Guy Hudson and Dr. Lawrence Neznanski, comprise one of sixteen InvenTeams nationwide chosen for the exclusive opportunity to participate in the program. Each team receives grants up to $10,000 each to invent technological solutions to real-world problems of their choosing.
“The Bishop Kelly InvenTeam chose to develop magnetic assistive devices for people with tremor in their hands and arms, due to ET, Parkinson’s disease, or injury,” says Dr. Hudson.
MagWrite 2.0 is a device to help those with various types of tremor write more legibly. MagMouse is designed to work with a wireless computer mouse to lessen the effects of tremors while using a computer. This project consists of a nine-month process of designing and testing, followed by a debut of the finished prototype in June 2012 at EurekaFest.
“The IETF is proud to support high school students gaining valuable skills in an educational program in service of a project that may one day benefit those with essential tremor,” says Catherine Rice, Executive Director of the Foundation.
For more information about the IETF and ET, please contact Executive Director Catherine Rice. For information about the competition and team, please contact advisor Guy F. Hudson, Ph.D., Science Chairperson, Chemistry and Engineering Design Teacher and 2011-2012 Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Coach at ghudson@bk.org or (208)375-6010.
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Woman who died in Manningtree after 'lying in road' and being hit by car is named
The collision happened near to a sports club
Hope WoolstonMultimedia Reporter
A woman who died after 'lying in the road' and being hit by a car has been named.
Emergency services rushed to New Road in Mistley, near Manningtree, at around 6.35pm on October 21 to reports that a pedestrian had been hit by a car.
The crash happened near to Mistley Bowls Club, Mistley Cricket Club and St Mary and St Michael's Church, and the road was closed until the early hours for a police investigation.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, a woman was pronounced dead at the scene at 7.04pm.
The Spinnaker Colchester crash: Owners pay tribute to man who died after car smashed into wall
She has now been named as 59-year-old Gillian Rollings from Manningtree.
At an inquest into her death, which opened at Essex Coroner's Court this morning (Monday, November 4), coroner's assistant Marianne Robson revealed that a silver Volvo V70 travelling from Lawford hit her while she was "lying in the road."
A forensic post-mortem exam was subsequently carried out by Dr Swift at Colchester Hospital which gave a cause of death as multiple injuries.
Walthamstow stabbing sees teenager rushed to hospital
Senior Coroner for Essex Caroline Beasley-Murray revealed that there will be no prosecutions in relation to the collision.
Ms Rollings' full inquest was adjourned to June 2, 2020.
Essex Police
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Why Partial Confessions Make Liars Feel Worse
While liars may believe partial confessions are more palatable to society, new research says it comes at an emotional cost.
[Image: Flickr user Ricardo Diaz]
By Lindsay LaVine 2 minute Read
Confession is good for the soul. So says a recent study published in the February issue of the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. According to researchers, people who fully confessed after lying when given the opportunity to come clean felt better than those who partially confessed.
The research team (from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel) conducted a series of five experiments to determine what happens when people partially confess, or come clean about some aspects of a previous lie, but not completely.
Researchers surveyed 4,167 online participants across the country in various experiments. In one experiment, participants were told they were being tested for their ability to predict the outcome of 10 coin flips–heads or tails. Each participant was asked how many times he/she accurately predicted the outcome. For each correct prediction, participants had the opportunity to earn a 10-cent bonus. After they reported their results, participants were given the opportunity to confess if they over-reported their number of correct guesses, without penalty. Of the approximately 2,100 participants, 35% cheated. Of that group, approximately 18% (or 139 participants) confessed to cheating, with nearly 40% partially confessing and 59% making a full confession.
“Confessing to only part of one’s transgressions is attractive to a lot of people because they expect the confession to be more believable and guilt-relieving than not confessing. But our findings show just the opposite is true,” lead author Eyal Peer, Ph.D., told the American Psychological Association.
While previous studies focused more on the “all or nothing” decision of whether or not to confess, this study examined what happens when people are given the opportunity to partially confess.
Here are some other findings from the study:
Coming clean allows you to move on.
By telling the whole truth, participants may relieve their guilt and move on more readily. However, those who engage in partial confessions “feel bad about not doing good,” say researchers. By limiting the extent of their confession, the study suggests, the partial confessor actually feels worse than those who fully confessed.
Partial confessions may make you feel more credible, but it comes at an emotional cost.
Researchers suggest people who’ve been dishonest may decide to partially confess to appear more credible to others (as opposed to not confessing) while still being able to reap the benefits of their dishonest behavior. Partially confessing, however, aggravates guilt or bad feelings as opposed to alleviating them. “People seeking redemption by partially admitting their big lies feel guiltier because they do not take complete responsibility for their behaviors. True guilt relief requires people to fully come clean,” Peer said.
Hat tip: Los Angeles Times
Lindsay LaVine is a Chicago-based business and lifestyle freelance writer who's worked for NBC and CNN. Her work has appeared online in Entrepreneur.com, Reuters.com, Today.com, NBC News, MSNBC, Yahoo, Business Insider, BlogHer.com and Fox Business.
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Community amateur sports clubs
We consider the rules of Community Amateur Sports Clubs and their implications. If your club is in the Ripon, North Yorkshire area we, at F E Metcalfe & Co, can advise you on the CASC rules.
Local amateur sports clubs may wish to register with HMRC as Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) and benefit from a range of tax reliefs including Gift Aid. This factsheet considers the tax benefits and the registration requirements that clubs have to satisfy.
What kind of club can register?
Broadly a club seeking to register must:
be open to the whole community
be organised on an amateur basis
have as its main purpose providing facilities for, and promoting participation in, one or more eligible sports
not exceed the income limit.
Open to the whole community
A club is open to the whole community if:
membership of the club is open without discrimination
the club's facilities are open to members without discrimination, and
any fees are set at a level that does not pose a significant obstacle to membership or use of the club's facilities.
Discrimination includes:
discrimination on grounds of ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs
discrimination on grounds of sex, age or disability, except as a necessary consequence of the requirements of a particular sport.
Costs associated with membership and participation
Some objective tests have been introduced in order to determine whether costs of membership pose a significant obstacle:
clubs where membership and participation costs total £520 or less a year will be considered to be open to the whole community
clubs where membership costs (excluding participation costs) are above £1,612 a year will not be eligible
clubs where membership and participation costs total more than £520 a year must make special provisions for members on a low or modest income to participate for £520 or less.
HMRC examples of how to compute membership and participation costs in their guidance here.
Organised on an amateur basis
A club is organised on an amateur basis if:
it is non-profit making
it provides for members and their guests only the 'ordinary benefits' of an amateur sports club
it does not exceed the limit on paid players
its governing document requires any net assets on the dissolution of the club to be applied for approved sporting or charitable purposes.
Non-profit making
A club is non-profit making if its governing document requires any surplus income or gains to be reinvested in the club. Surpluses or assets cannot be distributed to members or third parties. This does not prevent donations to other clubs that are registered as Community Amateur Sports Clubs.
'Ordinary benefits' of an amateur sports club
The ordinary benefits of an amateur sports club include:
provision of sporting facilities
reasonable provision and maintenance of club-owned sports equipment
provision of suitably qualified coaches
provision, or reimbursement of the costs, of coaching courses
reimbursement of necessary and reasonable travel expenses and subsistence expenses incurred by players and officials travelling to away matches
sale or supply of food or drink as a social adjunct to the sporting purposes of the club.
HMRC, in their guidance provide examples of what are necessary and reasonable travel and subsistence expenses.
Payments to members
A club is allowed to:
enter into agreements with members for the supply to the club of goods or services or
employ and pay remuneration to staff who are club members.
So a CASC could pay members for services such as coaching or grounds maintenance but would not, for example, normally pay members to play. However under new regulations clubs are allowed to pay a maximum of £10,000 a year in total to players to play for the club
Eligible sports
Eligible sports are defined in the legislation by reference to the Sports Council’s list of recognised activities. This can accessed here.
Promoting participation in an eligible sport
A club must promote participation in an eligible sport and also provide facilities for playing the sport. To meet this objective, a club must ensure at least 50% of the members are ‘participating members’. To be a participating member they must participate in the sporting activities of the club on a number of occasions that is equal to or more than the club’s ‘participation threshold’. The participation threshold is based on the number of weeks in the club’s accounting period.
Some clubs have the main purpose of providing social leisure facilities. If this is the case they will not be able to register as CASCs, because these clubs are principally places for people to meet for social purposes even though some sporting activities take place.
The income limit condition
All CASCs must meet an income condition which aims to ensure that CASCs are mainly sports clubs rather than mainly commercial clubs with sports activities. The income condition applies to the turnover received from broadly commercial transactions with non-members, where the club is offering a commercial service or supply, for example sales of food and drink. Any income from renting out property is to be included e.g. renting out the club’s grounds. The maximum amount of turnover that a club may receive under the income condition is £100,000 a year, excluding VAT.
Clubs are able to generate unlimited income from transactions with their members. Investment income and donations received is also excluded from the income condition.
Tax reliefs for registered CASCs
CASCs can reclaim basic rate tax on Gift Aid donations made to them by individuals but CASC subscriptions are not eligible as Gift Aid payments.
CASCs are treated as companies for tax purposes. Therefore their profits may be chargeable to corporation tax.
CASCs can claim the following tax reliefs:
exemption from Corporation Tax on profits from trading where the turnover of the trade is less than £50,000
exemption from Corporation Tax on income from property where the gross income is less than £30,000
exemption from Corporation Tax on interest received
exemption from Corporation Tax on chargeable gains.
It should be noted that if trading turnover exceeds £50,000, all the trading profit is assessable to corporation tax.
A CASC runs a trade with turnover of £60,000 and profit of £6,000. Because the turnover exceeds the £50,000 limit the profit is taxable. The CASC also has gross rental income of £12,000. The gross rental income is below the exemption limit and is not taxable.
Claiming the tax reliefs
Where a CASC receives a tax return, relief can be claimed in the return. However most clubs do not receive a tax return each year. If the club has had tax deducted from its income or if it has received Gift Aid payments, it can claim a repayment from HMRC.
Corporate Gift Aid to the rescue?
Corporate Gift Aid is available for donations of money made by companies to CASCs. Companies are therefore allowed to claim tax relief on qualifying donations they make on or after 1 April 2014.
The corporate Gift Aid provisions encourage companies to make donations to clubs which are registered as CASCs but also encourage clubs with high levels of commercial trading to potentially benefit from CASC status.
A club with significant trading receipts may well not qualify for CASC status because of the trading receipts. It could however set up a trading subsidiary and donate the profits to the club. The donation received by the club will not be treated as trading receipts and thus the club could apply for CASC status. The new Gift Aid relief will eliminate the corporation tax charge on the profits of the company.
There are however other issues for the club to consider in the establishment of a trading subsidiary.
Non-domestic rates relief
CASCs in England and Wales get the same relief that would be available to a charity (80% mandatory relief) where the CASC property is wholly or mainly used for the purposes of that club. For CASCs in Scotland, the Scottish Executive has agreed voluntary relief with local authorities for the same amount.
Relief for donors
Individuals can make gifts to CASCs using the Gift Aid scheme. We have a separate factsheet giving further details of the Gift Aid scheme.
Businesses giving goods or equipment that they make, sell or use get relief for their gifts.
Corporate Gift Aid.
Gifts of chargeable assets to CASCs are treated as giving rise to neither a gain nor a loss for capital gains purposes.
If your club is in the Ripon, North Yorkshire area please contact us at F E Metcalfe & Co if you have any queries relating to the rules on Community Amateur Sports Clubs. We would be delighted to help.
Charities in England and Wales: trustees' responsibilities Charities in Scotland: trustees' responsibilities Community amateur sports clubs Insolvency Limited liability partnerships Money laundering Money laundering - high value dealers Social enterprise entity structures
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Current club: R.S.C. Anderlecht
Date of Birth: 10 April 1986
Birthplace: Uccle, Uccle, Brussels, Belgium
Position: Centre back
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Manchester City are reportedly set to compete with Manchester United in the race to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer.
Sergio Ramos desperate for China move
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has informed his club that he would like to leave Spain for a move to China, and has instructed his agent to do everything within his power to help secure a move abroad. Ramos had been hoping that after more than a decade of loyalty to Real, he could guarantee a free transfer move away from the club.
David Silva to depart Man City?
Premier League title-winning midfielder David Silva has been informed that he can leave the Etihad Stadium this summer, despite the Spanish star leading his club to a fourth Premier League title in 8 years. Silva has been linked with a move to the Middle East, with a transfer to Qatar in a mega-money deal being considered.
Manchester United face Manchester City battle for Leicester City ace?
Manchester United could reportedly face direct competition from Manchester City in the race to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City this summer.
Predicted Manchester City lineup (4-3-3) to face Schalke 04, Aguero and Sterling start
Manchester City will be aiming to make progress in the Champions League when they host Schalke 04 in the second leg of the round of 16 tonight.
Barcelona looking to sign Vincent Kompany?
Spanish giants Barcelona could reportedly make an approach to sign Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany at the end of the ongoing campaign.
Manchester City join race to sign World Cup-winning defender
Manchester City are reportedly prepared to tussle it out with Barcelona to acquire the services of Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard in the future.
Is Belgium's golden generation now ready?
Another victory for Belgium against Brazil in the World Cup signalled the country's unbeaten tournament so far. Is this finally Belgium's time to shine?
Nainggolan fails to make cut for Belgium squad
Radja Nainggolan is a surprise omission from Belgium's World Cup this summer. Roberto Martinez has named his final 23-man squad and Roma midfielder Nainggolan is a victim of the cull; with Martinez opting for a youthful looking squad.
Predicted Manchester City lineup (4-2-3-1) vs Liverpool, De Bruyne and Aguero start
Manchester City are at the Etihad Stadium for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Liverpool. The Citizens suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Anfield in the reverse fixture, and they now have a huge deficit to make up in front of their faithful.
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Tree Begins Life, Indians Still Live Here2015
Frontier Journals VII
Directed by Georg Koszulinski
A display of a fallen red cedar at Olympic National Park headquarters proclaims in 1349 "Indians live here." TREE BEGINS LIFE INDIANS STILL LIVE HERE produces a meditation on the territories of the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest, and invites an alternative interpretation of U.S. sovereignty over these lands.
Georg Koszulinski
Festivals & Awards information not available.
Immokalee U.S.A. 2008
Immokalee U.S.A.
A chronicle of the daily experiences of migrant farmworkers living and working in the U.S.A.
Cracker Crazy 2007
Cracker Crazy
Using archival materials and original Super 8 cinematography, this film examines Florida History from a decidedly different point of view.
Mythologies of the Conquerors 2013
Mythologies of the Conquerors
American 7m
The first entry in a series of personal essay videos that explores conceptions of the frontier.
In the Land of the Ancient Light Machines 2014
In the Land of the Ancient Light Machines
In a secluded part of the coastline that the filmmaker encounter a series of petroglyphs carved at the water's edge.
Aztec Baldwin Collage 2014
Aztec Baldwin Collage
Outside of Craig Baldwin's subterranean film lab, the filmmaker also observes a group of Mayan dancers during the Dia de los Muertos procession.
A Map of the New World 2014
A Map of the New World
From "the historical vantage point" where the Makah Tribe once observed early Europeans exploring the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the filmmaker considers the drawing of a new kind of map.
Spruce M.
Beautiful scenery can't hide a dense, frightening theme, without the distraction of materialism. The wapiti seems to be saying, "What have you done?" No turning back.
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United States: Judge rules against Donald Trump in case over immigration program
By: Associated Press |
Published: February 14, 2018 4:36:52 AM
A federal judge in New York has ruled President Donald Trump's administration didn't offer "legally adequate reasons" for ending a program that spared many immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the US as children.
US judge rules against Trump’s immigration policy
A federal judge in New York has ruled President Donald Trump’s administration didn’t offer “legally adequate reasons” for ending a program that spared many immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the US as children. US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis said in an order issued today the Republican president “indisputably” has the power to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program but relied on flawed legal positions in doing so.
Trump’s attorney general has said then-President Barack Obama’s decision to implement DACA was an unconstitutional exercise of authority. The judge says Trump’s administration relied on an “erroneous” belief the program was unconstitutional. His ruling mirrors one issued in San Francisco in January. The judge ordered Trump’s administration to allow people already in the DACA program to continue enjoying protections. He declined to extend the program for new applicants.
United States Judge rules against Donald Trump in case over immigration program
1US Senate Republican leader embraces Donald Trump’s immigration plan
2US proposes $336 mn aid to Pakistan, down by $10 million
3Bill, Melinda Gates turn attention toward poverty in America
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Computational modelling of corrosion processes at metal-electrolyte interfaces
Dr C Cucinotta
How good is research at Imperial College London in Chemistry
ICL Chemistry department is offering a fully funded studentship to a highly motivated candidate. The position is immediately available. The project will be based in the Computational NanoElectrochemistry group of Dr. Clotilde Cucinotta, in the framework of a multidisciplinary project https://gow.epsrc.ukri.org/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/P033555/1 on developing and applying new theoretical methodologies for the operando modelling of electrochemical (EC) systems.
Oxidation and corrosion in materials science and technology costing yearly billions of pounds to the UK economy and affecting multiple sectors, from metal consumption in biomedical implants to the corrosion of electronic circuits, from atmospheric corrosion, to the interrelated passivation and dissolution processes occurring in the eroding environments of the petrochemical industry.
In spite of the large variety of experimental and computational approaches adopted to rationalize different corrosion processes, relatively little is known of the electrochemistry of metal surfaces in realistic electrochemical environment, even for the simple case of metal aqueous electrolyte interfaces. Information on the local chemistry of the electrolyte in contact with the metal is essential e.g. to unravel the initial stages of metal oxidation.
In this project we will focus on the realistic simulation from first principles molecular dynamics of the interaction of metal (e.g. Cu, Ag, Fe, Ni and Mg) surfaces with the aqueous electrolyte, studying the formation and degradation of oxidising layers on the metal surfaces. In certain cases surface degrades (e.g. iron) in other cases protective films form (e.g. in stainless steel). We will develop molecular scale models for these processes with the aim of unravelling the fundamental mechanisms triggering surface degradation and protection.
Applications should be submitted ASAP through the College’s online application system, specifying Dr Cucinotta as a supervisor: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/apply/how-to-apply/apply-for-a-research-programme-/
Required documentation includes CV, research proposal or personal statement, transcript, 2 references and IELTS results. Outstanding applications submitted prior to January 10th will be shortlisted for the President’s scholarship.
Interested candidates can contact Dr Clotilde Cucinotta ([email protected]) for enquires, with a transcript and a motivation letter.
UK/EU students are eligible for this studentship, which will cover tuition fees at UK/EU rate plus a stipend for three and ½ years. The position is available immediately and will stay open until a suitable candidate is found. We also welcome applications from students who have alternative funding available.
Applicants should demonstrate excellent communication skills and an outstanding academic record in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, or related discipline. Prior experience in density functional theory based calculations would be an advantage.
How good is research at Imperial College London in Chemistry?
View all PhDs at Imperial College London
Computational Modelling of Charge-Transfer Interfaces for Perovskite Solar Cells
Developing a Combined 105Pd NMR and XRD/Neutron Diffraction Approach to Enable the Study of Pd Metal Nanoparticle Systems Used in Industrial Catalytic Processes
University of Warwick Department of Physics
Computational design of metal-organic framework photocatalysts for solar fuel synthesis
University of Reading School of Chemistry
Modelling the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks for continuous manufacture
University of Strathclyde Department of Chemical and Process Engineering
Computational modelling of intrinsically disordered proteins
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Premier League referees to be instructed to use pitchside monitors for decisions about red cards
India vs Australia: Kuldeep Yadav becomes fastest Indian spinner to take 100 wickets in ODIs
India vs Australia: Rajkot knock is the best that KL Rahul has ever batted at international level, says Virat Kohli
Trump considers delisting Chinese firms from U.S. markets - sources
Business Reuters Sep 28, 2019 02:06:12 IST
By Alexandra Alper and David Lawder
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration is considering delisting Chinese companies from U.S. stock exchanges, three sources briefed on the matter said on Friday, in what would be a radical escalation of U.S.-China trade tensions.
The move would be part of a broader effort to limit U.S. investment in Chinese companies, two of the sources said. One said it was motivated by the Trump administration's growing security concerns about their activities.
Major U.S. stock indexes slipped on the news, which came days before China celebrates the 70th anniversary of the birth of the People's Republic on Oct. 1, when the world's No. 2 economy will shut down for a week of festivities.
Shares of Alibaba Group Holding , JD.com , Baidu , slipped between 4% to 7% in afternoon trading.
It was not immediately clear how any delisting would work.
In June, U.S. lawmakers from both parties introduced a bill to force Chinese companies listed on American stock exchanges to submit to regulatory oversight, including providing access to audits, or face delisting.
Chinese authorities have long been reluctant to let overseas regulators inspect local accounting firms - including member firms of the Big Four international accounting networks - citing national security concerns.
"Beijing should no longer be allowed to shield U.S.-listed Chinese companies from complying with American laws and regulations for financial transparency and accountability," Republican Senator Marco Rubio said at the time.
A third source said the idea of delisting was the latest salvo in this longstanding dispute.
"This is a very high priority for the administration. Chinese companies not complying with the PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) process poses risks to U.S. investors," the source said.
Any plan is subject to approval by Trump, who has given the green light to the discussion, Bloomberg reported https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-27/us-china-trade-war-latest-us-weighs-limits-on-portfolio-inflows, citing a person close to the deliberations.
Officials are also examining how the United States could put limits on Chinese companies included in stock indexes managed by U.S. firms, the agency cited three sources as saying.
As of February, 156 Chinese companies were listed on the NASDAQ and New York Stock Exchanges, according to U.S. government data, including at least 11 state-owned firms. (https://bit.ly/2nUXQaD)
NYSE declined to comment on Friday, while Nasdaq, MSCI, S&P and FTSE Russell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
China's yuan currency, traded in offshore markets , fell against the dollar after the news to trade near its weakest against the greenback in about three weeks.
PLOY?
Trade talks between the United States and China are expected to be held Oct. 10-11 after months of tit-for-tat moves by both sides which have weakened global growth and driven rollercoaster moves in markets.
While the idea of delisting could be a manoeuvre ahead of those talks, the main aim was to counteract the civilian-military fusion of Chinese technology firms, the Made in China 2025 industrial development programme targeting key industries for domination and a growing surveillance state in Xinjiang, one of the sources said.
The source said there are longstanding concerns about U.S. capital enabling these activities, especially as the lines blur between state-owned and private companies in China.
"It's all very disruptive, it just adds to uncertainty and it's a big negative for business investment," said Scott Brown, chief economist at investment bank Raymond James. He noted, however, that both sides have used aggressive moves in the past ahead of talks.
"You never know if it's a ploy to get some leverage," he said.
Trump on Tuesday criticized Beijing's trade practices in a speech at the United Nations, but the next day stoked hopes that the nearly 15-month standoff could be nearing an end.
"They want to make a deal very badly... It could happen sooner than you think," he told reporters in New York on Wednesday.
China says it cannot allow its companies to submit to oversight by PCOAB because of rules prohibiting the storage, processing or transfer of any material considered to be state secrets or national security matters.
U.S. hedge fund manager Kyle Bass, a prominent critic of China, said on Friday that Chinese companies should have to play by U.S. rules if they want to sell to U.S. investors.
"The U.S. should require any securities sold in the US to adhere to US Securities Laws. Crazy huh?" Bass wrote on Twitter.
(Reporting by Alexandra Alper, Patricia Zengerle, Chris Sanders and in Washington and Shubham Kalia, Supantha Mukherjee and Ambar Warwick in Bengaluru; Writing by Sonya Hepinstall; Editing by Arun Koyyur, Patrick Graham and Daniel Wallis)
This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Updated Date: Sep 28, 2019 02:06:12 IST
Tags : Reuters
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1Trump considers delisting Chinese firms from U.S. markets - sources
2RIL consolidated profit surges 13.5% to record Rs 11,640 cr in Q3 on strong growth in telecom, retail verticals
3TCS Q3 net profit marginally up at Rs 8,118 cr, revenue 6.7% during quarter; company declares Rs 5 dividend
4HCL Technologies December quarter net profit rises 13% to Rs 2,944 cr; company adds 11,502 employees in Q3
5RBI should act as lender of last resort, provide liquidity to NBFCs against assets held by banks: SBI
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Trailer for Indie Musical 'The Song of Sway Lake' Starring Rory Culkin
"I gave you a home, I didn't give you my name!" The Orchard has debuted a new official trailer for an indie film titled The Song of Sway Lake, a funky musical fable of sorts about a boy who tries to steal a rare vinyl record from his own family's estate. Rory Culkin stars in this as Ollie, and the cast includes Robert Sheehan, Isabelle McNally, Mary Beth Peil, Elizabeth Peña, Jack Falahee, Brian Dennehy, and Anna Shields. This is actually, strangely enough, supposedly a musical featuring vocal performances by Brian Dennehy, John Grant, and The Staves. This looks wacky and weird and a bit too strange to actually be any good, but you never know. If you think any of this sounds compelling, then check out the trailer below.
Here's the new official trailer (+ poster) for Ari Gold's The Song of Sway Lake, direct from YouTube:
A young man's plot to steal a valuable jazz record from his grandmother’s lake house is derailed when his accomplice falls for the matriarch. Music collector Ollie Sway recruits his only friend, a rowdy Russian drifter, to help him steal a 78 record from his own family's estate. The Song of Sway Lake is directed by American actor-filmmaker Ari Gold, making his second feature film after Adventures of Power previously. The screenplay is written by Elizabeth Bull and Ari Gold. This premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival last year, and also played at the Tuscon and Woodstock Film Festivals. The Orchard will release Gold's The Song of Sway Lake in select theaters + on VOD starting September 21st coming up soon. Anyone into it?
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<img alt="dcsimg" id="dcsimg" width="1" height="1" src="//www.qsstats.com/dcs0hqs4610000ou3mn7tu0uc_5l6j/njs.gif?dcsuri=/innovation/cisco-uses-ai-to-bring-advanced-capabilities-to-the-network&dcsipa=1&WT.js=No&WT.tv=10.4.1&dcssip=www.eweek.com&WT.qs_dlk=XiIMTQrIhEQAABv8xvIAAABT&">
Cisco Uses AI to Bring Advanced Capabilities to the Network
By: Zeus Kerravala | June 18, 2019
NEWS ANALYSIS: At Cisco Live 2019, Cisco announces a number of advanced features to make the network smarter and more secure.
Download the authoritative guide: Artificial Intelligence Leaders: Top AI Vendors
Queue up Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long”:
“It was 1989, my thoughts were short, my hair was long, caught somewhere between a boy and man.”
What’s this have to do with networking? In addition to “Singing Sweet home Alabama all summer long,” 1989 was the year that Cisco held its first-ever Networkers customer event. Only a few hundred people attended that event as Cisco’s customer base and product portfolio was significantly smaller than it is today.
Fast forward 30 years and not only has the name “Networkers” been retired in favor of the broader and more modern Cisco Live brand, but attendance has grown to over 28,000 as Cisco has gone from a niche router vendor to one of the world’s most dominant IT vendors.
Networking Is What Cisco Still Does Best
Its portfolio has evolved and leadership and strategy have changed, but at its heart Cisco is still doing what it’s always done better than any other company, and that’s drive innovation into the network.
It’s been interesting to be a Cisco watcher for the past 30 years as the company has faced a barrage of threats to its success and even existence: Market maturity, ProCurve, Huawei, white box, software-defined networks and the cloud were each viewed as the thing that would destroy Cisco’s business. Of course, none of these did that, and Cisco is still enjoying dominant market share and well-above-average industry margins.
The secret to its success isn’t really a secret at all. Cisco has managed to stave off commoditization and low-cost threats by constantly driving innovation into its products. I believe very few markets actually ever become commodities. Apple has kept the innovation curve high on laptops and phones, and its business has been solid for years. Cisco has delivered a steady drumbeat of new features that has enabled it to do more than a company built on competitive products.
Cisco Is Advancing the Network With AI and ML
The network announcements Cisco made at Cisco Live 2019 last week were another example of innovation to deliver enhanced capabilities. However, these new capabilities had nothing to do with speed and feeds. Rather, they make the network smarter, simpler to manage and more secure through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). As part of its intent-based networking (IBN) strategy, Cisco announced software that enables IT teams to work faster through personalized network insights.
Complexity Is Killing IT
During his keynote address at Cisco Live, CEO Chuck Robbins mentioned that most businesses depend on their IT organization to transform digitally. The challenge for IT is that complexity has shot through the roof but headcount has remained relatively flat. IT needs to operate faster than ever in an environment that’s more complicated than ever. This is creating an untenable situation for IT pros.
AI and ML Enable Network Pros to See More and Secure Better
Cisco is doing its part to reverse this trend through the use of AI and ML. The company has a huge install base and gathers a massive amount of contextual telemetry data that holds many insights network operations can leverage for better security and simplified network operations. Cisco is using is using AI/ML to analyze the network data to provide IT teams with the following:
Improved visibility: Data is collected from the local network, and baselines are created for devices, users and applications. As the environment changes, IT operations are immediately informed through a dashboard. Bring your own device (BYOD), internet of things (IoT), the cloud and other trends have created an environment in which most organizations have no idea of how many cloud apps are being used and what devices are connected. The baselines continually learn and adapt as things change.
Relevant insights: Cisco has collected data from across its customer base. It then uses AI to process the information and establish industry-wide baselines and norms. Company-specific data is then compared to the aggregated data to discover insights where the network could be improved. This can also help predict problems so network engineering can proactively fix issues before users are impacted. This can be particularly helpful for WiFi issues, which are very difficult to troubleshoot.
Guided Actions: Machine learning is used to automate workflows to perform the logical troubleshooting steps that an engineer would execute to resolve a problem. This helps IT detect issues and vulnerabilities, analyze the root cause and execute corrective actions faster than ever.
Multi-Domain Networking Reduces Complexity
At Cisco Live, the company also announced IBN for operational consistency across every domain of the network—campus, branch, WAN, IoT, data center and cloud. Customers can now create policy and management uniformity everywhere. The low-hanging fruit use case for this is network segmentation. Almost every network pro I talk with is interested in segmenting the network for security purposes. The problem is that WAN segmentation is typically done independently of the data center, which is done separately from the campus and so on. Through the integration of SD-Access, SD-WAN and ACI, segmentation policies can be created to consistently authorize, on-board and segment devices and users regardless of where they are.
Another use case for multi-domain networking is creating policies for application performance. Most applications, particularly cloud ones, traverse numerous domains, making traffic prioritization difficult. Cisco’s multi-domain lets this be done through a centralized console.
The pace of change and dynamic nature of IT are making it very difficult for businesses to transform digitally. Cisco is combining the power of AI/ML with the massive amount of data it collects to simplify network operations to improve application performance and make the environment more secure. Cisco Live 2019 was a big one as it once again demonstrates that innovation will always trump commoditization.
Zeus Kerravala is the founder and principal analyst with ZK Research. He spent 10 years at Yankee Group and prior to that held a number of corporate IT positions.
Previous GridGain: Product Overview and Analysis
Next How IBM Powered Its Way to Top500.org Trifecta
By: Brian Solis | January 17, 2020
Druva Data Management: Product Overview and Insight
Rometty Uses CES Stage to Outline the Value of 'IBM...
DAILY VIDEO: CES 2019: Rometty details the value of "IBM underneath," and FireEye updates its...
Samsung Introduces Infinity Flex Display Folding Phone
DAILY VIDEO: SDC 2018: Samsung is innovating in folding phones, IoT and mobile UX; and users...
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APRA releases updated guidance on information security
26 Jul 2019 Iby Boztepe
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has been front page news for all the wrong reasons after an independent review has slammed the regulator. The capability review into APRA was initiated as a result of a recommendation from the ‘Hayne Royal Commission’ final report released in February. Of note was the recommendation 3.5: that…
APRA should seek to build strong allegiances with public and private sector experts, other regulators and financial firms to augment its internal capacity and to collaborate on ways to strengthen the cyber resilience of APRA’s regulated sectors
In response it has supported this recommendation as “APRA has identified cyber and technology as priority areas for focus across all APRA-regulated industries, and is developing a cyber and technology strategy that includes building strong allegiances with public and private sector experts.” It has updated the ‘Prudential Standard CPS 234, Information Security’.
What is APRA CPS 234?
Prudential standard CPS 234 requires an APRA regulated entity to demonstrate the maintenance of an information security capability that places ultimate responsibility for information security with the Board.
CPS 234 will also include the entity’s extended business environment, including third parties which manage its information assets. Specific requirements include:
Clear definitions of information security-related roles and responsibilities
Implementation of controls across the extended business environment, which are commensurate with the criticality of assets and the threat.
Systematic testing and assurance of controls effectiveness.
CPS 234 has raised the importance of cyber risk as having moved from an IT risk problem to an all of business risk problem.
This mandatory regulation dictates APRA-regulated entities to make cyber security a necessity and to become resilient against information security incidents (including cyber-attacks). The revised regulation has come into effect on 1 July 2019.
CPS 234 applies to all APRA-regulated entities which include the following authorised deposit taking institutions:
Private Health insurers
General Insurers
Non-operating holding companies
Life Insurers
Registered financial corporations (RFCs)
Obligations on entities under CPS 234 include:
Allocating roles and responsibilities:
Clearly define the information security-related roles and responsibilities of the board, senior management, governing bodies and individuals.
Information Security capability:
An entity must actively maintain its information security capability with respect to changes in vulnerabilities and threats, including those resulting from changes to information assets or its business environment.
Policy Framework:
Maintain an information security policy framework which provides direction on the responsibilities of parties and is commensurate with the entity’s exposures to vulnerabilities and threats.
Information asset identification and classification:
Implement robust mechanisms to detect and respond to information security incidents in a timely manner, including all relevant stages of an incident and escalation and reporting of information security incidents.
Implementation of Control:
Information security controls must be in place to protect its information assets, including those managed by related parties and third parties, that are implemented in a timely manner and that are commensurate with the following;
Vulnerabilities and threats to the information assets
The criticality and sensitivity of the information assets
The stage at which the information assets are within their life-cycle
The potential consequences of an information security incident.
Incident Management:
Review and test information security response plans to ensure they remain effective and fit-for-purpose.
Testing Control effectiveness:
The effectiveness of its information security controls must be tested through a systematic testing program. The nature and frequency of the systematic testing must be commensurate with:
The rate at which the vulnerabilities and threats change
The criticality and sensitivity of the information asset
The consequences of an information security incident
The risks associated with exposure to environments where the APRA regulated entity is unable to enforce its information security policies
The materiality and frequency of change to information assets.
Internal Audit:
Auditing Review the design and operating effectiveness of information security controls, including those maintained by related parties and third parties.
Notify APRA as soon as possible (and no later than 72 hours) after becoming aware of an information security incident; as soon as possible (and no later than 10 business days) after becoming aware of a material information security control weakness which is expected to not be able to be remediated in a timely manner.
CPS 234 has commenced on 1 July 2019 and is subject to transitional arrangements. Exigence can help your organization meet their CPS 234 compliance obligations including;
Exigence Information Risk Assessment / Cyber Security Review & Data Governance - In today’s ever dynamic world of cyber threats, it is essential that an organization understand where they are in relation to the security of their organization. This is where an Exigence Information Risk Assessment is beneficial.
Incident Response Readiness Assessment – The Exigence approach is to first understand all we can about your Enterprise and your industry. Then we methodically inspect and assess the levels of Incident Response Readiness from different viewpoints. Some of our more mature clients only need general guidance to set them on the right path, while others need a plan built from scratch – including an Incident Response Plan, Roadmaps, and Playbooks. An Incident Response Readiness Assessment will provide you and your stakeholders with a clear picture of current capabilities. Importantly, it will identify improvements and provide a roadmap of prioritized objectives.
Vulnerability Management – Exigence has many years of experience in protecting enterprise networks through our effective threat and risk management programs. As a result, we can assist with the development of a vulnerability management process through to the selection of appropriate supporting tools.
Cloud Security Review – Exigence can assist in navigating the cloud security environment. We can assess your cloud provider for key security elements such as data segmentation, regulatory practices and compliance. We can customize these queries to accommodate known issues based on a wealth of security experience, and tailor this to include your organization’s specific requirements or compliance commitments. Exigence can assess the maturity of your in-place cloud solution to ensure that your cloud provider is performing in line with your expectations.
Contact Exigence to discuss how our specialist services can help your organisation
Contact Exigence
Up next Cyber Attacks: Why Biotech, Life Sciences & Healthcare organisations fall victim to cybercrime & what you can do about it
© 2020 Exigence
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More History (5548)
Books > History > Hindu > Pilgrimage: Sacred Landscapes and Self-Organized Complexity
Pilgrimage: Sacred Landscapes and Self-Organized Complexity
by John Mckim MalvilleBaidyanath Saraswati
Pilgrimage involves movement of people, either as individuals or as members of a group, in search of the sacred. Spontaneous behaviour, miraculous events, and/or ecstatic visions of individual pilgrims have often resulted in complexity in ritual, meaning, and movement. Pilgrimages may start with individual ecstatic visions, unusual strange unworldly experiences, which are the experiences of “ordinary” people, certainly not of priests or politicians. Often they are uniquely human experiences which embarrass ecclesiastical authorities.
As a pilgrimage tradition evolves, sacred sites may become formalized in organized sociopolitical systems with economic overtone. Even in these structured situations, individual people may still have powerful individual experiences. Eventually a pilgrimage tradition may be taken over by religious and political authorities, lose spontaneity, and become frozen in time. But even in these situations, in which large numbers of people may gather, there is a tremendous amount of “primal” energy in which innovations and visions may be evoked. Using case studies from pilgrimages around the world, the volume explores the ways many of these traditions have started and evolved. A common perspective is that of self-organization of complex structures in space and time. The variety of pilgrimage described in the book is remarkable. The subcontinent of India is the location of many sites such as the temples to the nine planets in Tamil Nadu, the pilgrimage circuits of Varanasi, early Buddhist pilgrimages in Sanchi and Bodh-Gaya, the great ruined city of Vijayanagara, those associated with the Ramayana, and the death ceremonies at Gaya. Beyond India, the self-organization and stability of pilgrimage systems are analysed for pilgrimages in Nepal (Kathmandu), Japan, Mexico, the Caribbean, Peru, Norway, and the US.
J.M. Malville obtained his PhD in astrophysics from the University of Colorado. He has taught in the astronomy departments of the universities of Michigan and Colorado. At Colorado he served as the Chairman of the Department of Astro Geophysics. His research interests have ranged from the physics of the earth’s aurora and the sun’s corona, to the archaeoastronomy of India, American Southwest, Peru, and Egypt. As a visiting scientist at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Malville investigated the connections between astronomy, culture, and self- organized complexity. His is presently Professor Emeritus in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at the University of Colorado and an Adjunct Professor of Astronomy at James Cook University, Queensland, Australia. His books include A Feather for Daedalus and Prehistoric Astronomy in the Southwest.
B.N. Saraswati obtained his PhD from Ranchi University and specializes in the anthropology of religion and Indian civilization. He is the former UNESCO Professor at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. He was associated with the Anthropological Survey of India, Kolkata, for a decade, and another decade at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla. During this period he did extensive field work in rural India and conducted a detailed study of Varanasi. Most recently he has been drawing out relevant themes from traditional thought and modern science to build up indigenous anthropology from within. He has authored The Sacred Science of Man, Ascetics of Kashi, and The Nature of Man and Culture: Alternate Paradigms in Anthropology, as well as many other books and publications.
The present volume Pilgrimage: Sacred Landscapes and Self-Organized Complexity jointly edited by John McKim Malville and Baidyanath Saraswati is a collection of the proceedings of the international seminar “Pilgrimage and Complexity” held in the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi in January 1999. The contributors are from diverse disciplines and their papers cover a wide range of ideas in this connection. Pilgrimage is a worldwide phenomenon. There is a lot of philosophical, theological and textual content in the context of pilgrimage and an attempt has been made to include all these aspects in this volume.
The obligations and duties on the one hand and the penance and renunciation on the other are intimately related to pilgrimage, as the idea is of earning merit. People also expect miracles to be logically possible in such places. Places of pilgrimage are often identified by the mythical associations of their being abodes of gods, goddesses, prophets and religious preceptors or containing their body parts. The former is a mythical idea while the latter is believed to be supported by ‘material’ remains. This brings about an emotional connection in people regarding these places and gives them strength to encounter the vicissitudes of life. A few of the papers in this volume have explored the modern context of pilgrimage and vice-versa, i.e., pilgrimage in modem life. The transformation that is most noticeable lies in the provision of amenities like roads, transport, accommodation as well as encouraging tourism to develop in the places of pilgrimage which nowadays cater to not only those seeking a spiritual experience but also those who desire to travel. The divide between the sacred and the secular is gradually narrowing and getting more blurred as people are happy to mix both for a more complete experience.
Pilgrimage centres are hubs of economic activities and sometimes we find temple complexes functioning like an industry due to the variety and amount of services required. Often these centres become places where alternative medicine practitioners can practise their trade. These centres are also places supporting a wide variety of networking between visitors, service providers and business enterprises. There is almost a niche-based market economy that develops in these centres. Apart from the economic activities and spiritual experiences, places of pilgrimage perform the social function of providing shelter for the poor. In the context of India, old age homes and shelters find an appropriate ambience in these places, especially in those in which pilgrimage is not seasonal or linked with some festivals and occasions.
The broadening effects of travel are experienced in pilgrimage; it is a socially approved way of release from the humdrum of daily life, of heightening one’s awareness through travel, of learning about different ways of life and of stimulation of one’s aesthetic sensibilities. It may be the scenic beauty of the place, the wonder of architecture and carvings, the tranquility of the environs or it’s contrary like in some places, or even the feeling of brotherhood with other pilgrims – in short, enriching oneself.
Many of these aspects have been discussed in the papers in this volume which provide quite a vicarious experience to the reader who is free to make a pilgrimage to any place in this wide world. The papers are interesting and the book in its entirety traces the many forms of tradition and their transformation.
The 19 papers in this volume were presented at a five-day conference held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in January 1999. We are drawn to cosmos as a metaphor for pilgrimage for a number of reasons. The Greek word, kosmos, implies a universe as a harmonious system that has evolved out of chaos, which we feel is a fine metaphor for pilgrimage. In addition, many pilgrimages celebrate and re-enact the origins of the cosmos. Cosmic cycles of time play a major role in the scheduling of pilgrimages and in festival calendars.
Pilgrimage involves movement of people, either as individuals or as members of a group, in search of the sacred. Spontaneous behaviour, miraculous events, and/or ecstatic visions of individual pilgrims have often resulted in complexity in ritual, meaning and movement. As pilgrimage traditions mature, ecclesiastical or political authority may increasingly control them, suppressing spontaneity and innovation. But before that mature stage is reached, pilgrimage is an example of the complexity that arises from the combination of human individuality and group coherence. Pilgrims create an integrated whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.
In our planning for the conference, we proposed the following themes:
Complexity in space: By their movement, pilgrims create personal and universal maps of ritual spaces, which may involve vast amounts of territory. Cosmic geometries connect the macrocosm of the heavens with the microcosm of the pilgrimage landscape. These geometries may be cardinal or they may be influenced by local topography. Once a pilgrimage destination has been reached, circumambulation of the centre is a common experience. A spiralling path into the centre may symbolize the merging of the individual with the absolute.
Complexity in time: The development of the accurate pilgrimage calendar was a major achievement of human culture. The expansion of a pilgrimage from local to regional scale awaited the invention of precise methods for measuring and structuring time. Not only were precise observations of the cycles of the sun and the moon necessary to develop an accurate calendar, but also calendrical knowledge had to be communicated across the pilgrimage “catchment” area. Few other events of humankind involve such precise voluntary behaviour of ordinary people.
Complexity in symbol and meaning: An important aspect of pilgrimage centres is the presence of multiple interpenetrating levels of meaning and symbolism. The symbolic power of pilgrimage landscape may not only transform the individual, but also may transport the pilgrim into alternate realms that transcend time and space.
Ritual complexity: Pilgrimage involves highly complex ritual traditions that embrace continuity and change, predictability and surprise, order and chaos. Does complex ritual behaviour arise spontaneously from the pilgrims or does an authority impose it?
Social complexity: Pilgrimage is a major force of social integration. The pilgrimage mega community of shared ideals often achieves high degrees of complexity and stability. Societal stratification may grow out of a pilgrimage system, if leaders acquire ritual suzerainty.
Self-organizing systems: What is the origin of the rich multilevel complexity of pilgrimage systems? Most pilgrimages are not ordained by kings or hierarchical power, but emerge as the collective behaviour of free individuals, each in search of a spiritual ideal. Similar examples of complex self-organization are found in forest and ocean ecosystems. An essential quality of pilgrimage systems specifically and of self-organizing systems in general is their openness. The difference between open and closed systems is especially illuminating when one compares the longevity of pilgrimage centres with the brief florescence of the closed imperial city. In closed political systems, processes are put in place that suppress innovation and accident.
Visual astronomy: In addition to providing the cosmological setting for pilgrimage, astronomy plays roles in organizing time through the calendar and in visual rituals such as viewing astronomical objects, e.g., the sun at dawn. Organized by the pilgrimage calendar, vast numbers of people move across the landscape in resonance with the motions of astronomical bodies. Pilgrimage is one of the primary examples on our planet of a dynamic parallelism of macrocosm and the human microcosm.
Saraswati’s essay, which deals with a sacred theory of pilgrimage, abounds with cosmic themes and with issues related to the theory of complexity. One of the very profound emotions that humans can experience when gazing at the night sky is that of an infinite universe, filled with mystery, surprise and unfathomable meaning. Hinduism resonates with that vision of infinity when it refers to Brahman (in Saraswati’s words), “the ever-expanding Universe identified with both fullness and emptiness, and is beyond all kinds of dialectical opposition between formed and unformed, time and timelessness, mortal and immortal.”
The self-organization of the universe has proceeded through time. In the Hindu cosmos the flow of time is described in term of yugas, mahayugas, and immense Brahma-years. These periods of time are as vast as anything we know of in astrophysics, in which our present universe started approximately 15 billion years ago. These cycles of time may be embedded in even greater expanses of time, which are shared with multiple universes that appear out of and dissolve back into a boundless ocean of superspace and supertime.
Pilgrimage intertwines theory and landscape; both are necessary. Saraswati uses Kashi as a concrete example of the theory. The inner complexity of the (infinite) cosmic Kashi is made simpler and comprehensible in the (finite) earthly Kashi. Self-similarity and scale invariance could not be clearer: exact size is irrelevant. The shrine of Madhyameshvara, the Lord of the centre, is the centre of both the infinite and finite Kashi. The pilgrims move along the 3 concentric circles: the inner sanctum formed by 3 sectors represents the microcosm; pilgrimage in the radius of 5 kosa signifies the mesocosm, and the larger circle in the radius of 84 kosa stands for the macrocosm of Brahman where all the 33 crore of Gods and Goddesses reside. Pilgrimage follows a cycle of time, which contains elements that are similar to the large cosmic cycles of birth and death.
The paths of clockwise circumambulation may not form a perfect circle or triangle or quadrangle, but the pilgrims’ movement amplifies all the possible forms of cosmic geometries resulting in a complete picture of the Universe. Because of the principle of self-similarity, pilgrims visiting Kashi get the feeling that they moved into the boundless cosmic space in all its directions, all its constellations, planets, stars, and Gods through the 6 seasons, driven in the solar car. The earthly Kashi is a paradigmatic model that includes within itself the patterns of all other places of pilgrimage. All the sacred spaces, all the Gods and Goddesses, all the sacred rivers and mountains, and all the planets and stars are manifest in Kashi. The clockwise circumambulation of Kashi-kshetra may be conceived as an imitation of the great solar system.
The movement of the pilgrims around a fixed centre, e.g., temple, stupa, free, or deity, is like the movement of the Sun, Moon, and planets and hence is archetypical. What follows is the great principle of Life. Everything is moving. Even Dhruva (pole-star) is only relatively fixed, as, in fact, it also moves in the heavens. Numerical symbolism provides an abstract and profound link between the pilgrim and the invisible forces of God. The use of numerical concepts helps one to visualize the unity of places and peoples, objects and ideas, visibles and invisibles.
Malville introduces the idea of self-organization by contrasting the two types of stable systems that can be found in the physical universe: the death state of perfect equilibrium and the infinitely fertile condition of self-organization. The latter provides useful models for many complex features of the natural world, which are characterized by fractal geometries, cooperative behaviour, self-similarity of structures and power law distributions. He proposes that pilgrimage systems may be viewed as natural and self-organizing structures wherein complexity develops through the spontaneous and coherent behaviour of free people. Examples of such systems in the natural world range from earthquakes, schools of fish, forest fires and rain forests. Openness to the outside environment and coherent behaviour are necessary conditions for self-organization and the growth of complexity.
Forces that disrupt equilibrium may drive cultural systems and individuals into a state of metastability or self-organized criticality lying between frozen inactivity of equilibrium and disordered hyperactivity. As systems depart more from equilibrium the amplification of small fluctuations by non-linear processes may result in stress-releasing avalanche-like movement of people to pilgrimage centres. The resulting cultural systems may be highly non-adaptive as judged by prior paradigms. Self-organization lacks an overall goal or teleology because the future is an unfinished project. At each stage, along the trajectory of cosmic time, emergence of new purpose provides new meaning.
Because of a common conceptual framework that threads the system, a self-organizing system is characterized by self-similarity and scale invariance: similar patterns are repeated with different sizes or time scales without changing their essential meaning. The body, temple and universe are perceived as self-similar and fundamentally identical in many traditions. The pilgrim may follow a pathway that represents the universe from centre to periphery or that mimics the evolution of the universe from birth to death. In field studies at Mt. Kailasa and Varanasi Malville is able to show that circumambulation pathways have the characteristics of self-organization.
Bhardwaj combines the Hindu pilgrimage traditions of linear tirtha yatra and circular pradakshina-parikrama as interlinked concepts. He notes that the geographers, Vidal and Sore, identify circulation of people as a transformative process that can upset traditional cultural equilibria and encourages the growth of new lifestyles and paradigms. The stirring of the cosmic ocean by the devas and asuras is a fine example of such circulation which destabilizes but also creates something absolutely new and life affirming, amrita. Churning disrupted the calm of the Sea of Milk; swirls in the ocean have smaller and smaller self-similar eddies. There is another metaphor of circulation and holism in the form of the serpent as he encircles the mountain and is pulled back and forth by the devas and asuras, whose differences are momentarily dissolved.
Circulation of blood in the human body is a means of connecting the local to the whole and achieving coherence of the system. Another well-known example is that of Gaia, through which the whole biosphere has been unified and transformed into something entirely new through the circulation of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Bhardwaj observes that circulation not only diffused traditional ideas but also changed traditions. As a somewhat ironic consequence, tradition and change are converted from opposing entities to complementary components of a self-organizing system.
There is a “push-pull” quality to a pilgrimage centre. The centre has to have its power of place, but in order to be influenced and personally transformed by the pilgrimage process, there has to be a personal sentimental attachment to the place. “Aimless wandering” does not lead to pilgrimage; nor does trekking through an alien, albeit dramatic landscape such as adventure tourism.
The individual and his/her goals change through the process. The pilgrimage landscape is not like the wheel with its still-point in the fixed geometric centre and the repetitive revolutions of the rim, the image of perfection in the Greek world of movement without change. Pilgrimage is, instead, like a growing, changing living system.
As in the living system, circulation purifies and energizes both the moving agent and the system; both pilgrim and landscape are mutually transformed. The procession re-awakens, rejuvenates, re-energizes the land and city, as an internal cycle is necessary to maintain and energize a stable system. The circulation of people is often in resonance with the great cycles of the cosmos. That circulation brings the human microcosm and the macrocosm into synchronism.
Part of the springtime celebration involves returning to and union with the place of origin. A continuous cycle pilgrimage is consistent with the essential circulatory pattern of the world, which has no beginning and end. There is non-verbal communication between landscape, pattern of the movement, and individual pilgrim. One of the consequences of the processional circulation is social and symbolic integration of the individual into the system to achieve unity and holism.
These open systems in which there are great flows of people and ideas are subject to change. By contrast the equilibrium system has negative feedback loops, which suppress change. The non-equilibrium system has non-linear processes, which amplify small changes. The strange attractor has a complementary quality, as an endless journey and a goal. There is a centre toward which energy flows: it can only be approached but never fully reached. This is a classic existentialist dilemma of seeking the centre as if it were reachable, but knowing all along that it can never be reached.
Gutschow continues the discussion of circulation and pradakshina in his in-depth study of pilgrimages at Bhaktapur, Muktinath and Varanasi. He notes that circumambulations identify “inner” and “outer” spaces. In quoting Panikkar, “there is no outer without inner space,” which referred to human being, Gutschow acknowledges the condition of self-similarity, in which the size of the territory is irrelevant. Beyond the “inside” exists an “outer” space, which, on a different level, might be the “inside” of another entity with a different size. And so it goes, upward or downward, meaning and form are repeated.
The case of Varanasi reveals such circumambulatory routes, which enclose each other in order to incorporate an ever-increasing space. The case of Muktinath provides a different model. There, the six villages of the valley are circumambulated individually, while only on rare occasions are all six villages circumambulated in order to reconfirm a political entity. In the case of Bhaktapur all representations of “place” are worshipped on the occasion of New Year along a circular route that encloses the city.
A self-organized system must reject and eject those anti-entropic processes that lead to disintegration and loss of complexity. Bhaktapur is protected from those demonic forces by eight shrines to Ashtamatrika, which form a complex mandala that surrounds the sacred realm. Spring equinox is a “cosmo-drama,” celebrating renewal of the world on Mesha Samkranti. The celebration involves killing the serpent, which is associated with the darkness and water of the period between fall and spring equinoxes when the sun is below the cosmic ocean. The erected pole symbolizes the axis mundi, which pillars apart the world while uniting and stabilizing the world.
The procession re-awakens, rejuvenates, re-energizes the world. The circulation of people is in resonance and parallelism with the great cycles of the cosmos. The continuous cycle of the procession is consistent with the essential circulatory flow of energy that stabilizes the system, which has no beginning and end. There is non-verbal communication between the landscape, the pattern of the movement of people through the landscape, and individual pilgrim. One of the consequences of the processional circulation is social and symbolic integration of the individual into the system and every part thereof to achieve unity and holism.
Ritual circumambulation of the cultivated area of Muktinath is a festival of renewal that confirms and energizes the protective deities. The protecting Grandfather and Grandmother are located at the north and south poles of the land, which are themselves self-similar to the north-south axis of the cosmos. On the procession there are halting places at four cardinal roads, which are blocked by piles of stones to protect the interior from the threat of chaos and dissolution from the outside.
The outside is necessary as a place into which disorder and low grade energy can be exported. Without the outside, the interior world would dissolve into the meaninglessness of pure equilibrium. Thus, we can invert Panikkar’s dictum: there can be no inside without an outside.
The Caurasikrosi-yatra of Varanasi is a perfect circle with Madhyameshvara at its centre. It is an “ideal” figure, which is not walked today, and perhaps in reality when it was walked, it was not “perfect.” The Panchakrosi-yatra is an approximate oval but quite irregular, more natural, and apparently self-organized, as suggested by Malville’s measurements.
Foreword – R.K. Bhattacharya vii
Introduction – John Mckim Malville, Baidyanath Saraswati 1
Part I: Theory and Case Studies
1. Sacred Theory of Pilgrimage – Baidyanath Saraswati 19
2. Complexity and Self-organization in Pilgrimage System – John Mckim Malville 29
3. Circulation and Circumambulation – Surinder M. Bhardwaj 47
4. Pilgrimage and Space: Case Studies from Bhaktapur, Muktinath and Varanasi – Niels Gutschow 59
Part II: Pilgrimage in India, Tibet and Nepal
5. Kashi as Cosmogram: Panchakrosi Route and Complex Structure of Varanasi – Rana P.B. Singh 91
6. Death and Transformation at Gaya: Pilgrimage, Ancestors and the Sun – Rana P.B. Singh, John Mckim Malville & Anne L. Marshall 103
7. Earthly Presence of Heavenly Bodies: Navagraha yatra of Tamil Nadu – Marianna Kropf 115
8. Complex Landscapes and the Ramayana Legend – Amita Sinha 130
9. Traces of Buddhist Pilgrimage in Ancient India – Kurt Behrendt 142
10. Pilgrimage Places and Sacred Geometries – Robert L. Stoddard 163
11. Complexity and Economy in Pilgrimage Centres of the Vijayanagara Period – Alexandra Mack 178
Part III: World Pilgrimage
12. Adaption and Adjustment in the Shikoku Pilgrimage – Hiroshi Tanaka Shimazaki 201
13. Pilgrim in Individualistic Context – Kaj Noschis 217
14. Basilica of La Madeleine, Vezelay: Spatial and Symbolic Narratives in the Medieval Western Christian Church – Thomas Barrie 230
15. Pilgrimage and Ritual Movements in Cuzco and the Inca Empire – R. Tom Zuidema 248
16. Conchero’s Sanctuaries and Pilgrimages – Yolotl Gonzalez Torres 265
17. Transplanting Pilgrimages Traditions – Carolyn V. Prorok 285
18. Washington, D.C. and Power of Pilgrimage – Jeffrey F. Meyer 311
Part IV: Sacred Landscapes and Personal Transformation
19. Pilgrimage and Spatial Representation of Complexity – Pradeep A. Dhillon 321
List of Contributors 335
NAC359
Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts and D. K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
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FeatureMilitary
Dozing Dirt, protecting forces
By Dani Johnson
Garrison Public Affairs Office
Soldiers with the 615th Engineer Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, scarify, or break up ground, to provide a guide to create a berm for an assembly area March 10, 2017. The horizontal construction engineers were at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site March 3, 2017, to March 7, 2017, validating tasks assigned to the unit. (Photo by Dani Johnson)
Driving dozers and piling dirt into large mounds was the childhood dream for many.
Soldiers with the 615th Engineer Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, live that dream every day. The engineer construction company exercised at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS) from March 3, 2017, through March 7, 2017.
“The training being conducted today is to prepare defensive positions against a notional enemy,” said Capt. David Watts, 615th Eng. commander. “In one area, we are building a ditch that the enemy can’t cross without additional equipment and the other (area) we are building a berm to protect an assembly area.”
To ensure the protection of the resources at PCMS, the company can only operate between posted pickets.
Pfc. Jacob Stuart, horizontal construction engineer, 615th Engineer Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, provides overwatch security while other Soldiers in the unit create a defensive trench and berm March 10, 2017, at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site. (Photo by Dani Johnson)
After training was complete, an immediate basic remediation work plan was implemented and a full assessment for longer term remediation was conducted. Soldiers led the remediation at no cost to the installation. Fort Carson will use, if necessary, one of its re-seeding vehicles to immediately repair any land damage that resulted from the training.
The 24-hour scenario had one platoon building a 2-kilometer ditch with a berm and another platoon building a diamond-shaped berm.
“We’ve not done an event of this scale in several years,” said Watts. “It takes a lot to get digging approved (at PCMS) but the training is invaluable.
At Fort Carson we use Brown’s Quarry which has been dug so much the dirt is much looser. Here we are moving dirt that has not been often or ever moved.”
Spc. Montrey Pride, horizontal construction engineer, 615th Engineer Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, pushes dirt to create a berm for an assembly area during training at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site March 10, 2017. (Photo by Dani Johnson)
The platoon building the ditch used a “cut and push” method where one D7 Dozer pushed the dirt and rocks into a pile, creating the ditch, and a second dozer moved that dirt into a pile, building a berm.
Watts said the goal was to have the defensive obstacles built within 24 hours. He received hourly updates to determine if the platoons were on schedule.
“The rocky soil does slow the progress down,” he said. “Doctrine says that the ditch has to be so long by so deep, but we adjust (in training) to get the effect (in the time allotted).”
At the second location, a dozer scarified, or broke up, the ground to provide a guide to build the berm for a hasty assembly area or a more deliberate area, depending on the mission. A second dozer pushes dirt in a 3-6 inch layer to pile the dirt for the protective barrier.
According to Sgt. Tyler Greives, a 615th Eng. heavy equipment operator, determining how deep to take each layer is about getting a feel of the ground and the dozer.
Spc. Daniel Harraghy, horizontal construction engineer, 615th Engineer Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, cuts a ditch to create a defensive position March 10, 2017, during training at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site. (Photo by Dani Johnson)
“(The training) helps our Soldiers deal with figuring out the soil and what the rock is like underneath to know what needs to be done to build the berm,” said 1st Lt. Nicholas Antoniou, a 615th Eng. platoon leader. “There is nothing better than dirt to stop bullets and protect rounds from coming (into the area).”
Due to past operations tempo, this type of training has not been done in quite a while, said Watts.
“It’s important for the new Soldiers to get ‘stick time’ that we don’t always get on Fort Carson,” said Sgt. Jessica Schultz, a 615th Eng. team leader.
“Soldiers need time with the equipment to become proficient. The more time here, the better-oiled team we will be when we go out.”
Another way the exercise is testing the company is the location of the two platoons.
According to Watts, the unit is operating about 10 miles apart, which helps stress the communication systems between the two units.
“We’ve put in a lot of effort to test our Soldiers under stressful conditions,” the captain said. “If they can do it out here, stressed and tired, they will be able to do it well when we really need them to.”
Sgt. Jessica Schultz, team leader, 615th Engineer Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, provides guidance as Spc. Daniel Harraghy, right, uses a D7 Dozer to cut a ditch while Pvt. Monte Connors, prepares to push the dirt to create a berm March 10, 2017, at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site. The “cut and push” method is used to create a defensive position for fighting forces. (Photo by Dani Johnson)
Staff Sgt. David Hatcher, horizontal construction engineer, 615th Engineer Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, observes as Spc. Daniel Harraghy, right, cuts a ditch while Pvt. Monte Connors prepares to push the dirt to create a berm during training at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site March 10, 2017. The “cut and push” method is used to create a defensive position for fighting forces. (Photo by Dani Johnson)
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4th Engineer Battalion, 615th Engineer Company, engineer construction company, Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS)
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Woman removed from Southwest flight was racially profiled, lawyer claims
(FOX News) -- A lawyer for Anila Daulatzai is claiming that his client was not booted from her Southwest Airlines flight after complaining of a "life-threatening" allergy to the pets on the plane, but rather because she was the victim of sexism and racial profiling. Furthermore, he writes that she was pregnant at the time of the highly publicized incident, which went viral after footage of Daulatzai being removed from the flight was shared online.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Arjun S. Sethi of the Hall & Sethi personal injury firm, Sethi refutes earlier reports that Daulatzai, a 46-year-old professor, had been complaining of allergies. According to the statement, which Sethi shared on behalf of Daulatzai and her family, the woman had spoken with Southwest employees of her allergies prior to boarding the flight from Baltimore to Los Angeles, and agreed to take a seat near the back of the plane.
Sethi alleges that his client was merely grading papers in her seat when Southwest employees approached her and began barraging her with questions.
"She was never asked for medical certification, nor would she have needed to carry that, because her allergies are not life threatening," he writes. "Despite trying to convince the crew that she would be completely fine on the plane, she was asked by another Southwest representative to leave the plane."
He added that Maryland Transportation Authority Police had "humiliated her for the world to see in a now viral video" by tearing her pants and dragging her through the aisle of the plane. The statement also claims that police later "disparaged her, accused her of lying about her pregnancy, and made racist remarks about immigrants."
Read more + video at FOXNews.com
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NASCAR fans head to PIR for weekend of racing
By FOX 10 Web Staff
Anita Roman's Reports
PHOENIX (KSAZ) - NASCAR fans have been waiting all fall for this weekend.
"We love it, we've been doing it for about 10 years," Kaprice Collins said.
The Collins' family camps out in the infield at Phoenix International Raceway from Thursday through Sunday.
"It's just fantastic," Rory Collins said. "It's like a community out here. Everyone is camping from all over the country. You make friends, you have a good time."
This is the second-to-last race of the season.
"This race, we are calling it the Phoenix Four, so each of the series is getting eliminated down to four drivers that are eligible to win the championship next weekend in Homestead, Miami," Greg Fresquez said.
PIR spokesman Greg Fresquez calls them the playoffs and NASCAR K and N Pro Series driver Jesse Iwuji says fans can expect a lot of action during the NASCAR Camping World Series.
"Really, the big thing is there's a lot of tensions out there that are high this weekend," he said. "Drivers may get a little fussy, drivers may get a little hot."
For ticket information, click here.
Noon Weather - 1/17/20
Not easy being green: North Carolina dog births unique puppy
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Gas related news items and information about the gas industry and related topics
Prizio Increases Transparency in Oil & Gas Data in Allegheny County
December 2, 2019 /0 Comments/in News and Information /by Matt Kelso, BA
https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Allegheny-Lease-Map-front-page.jpg 573 2000 Matt Kelso, BA https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fractracker-Color-Logo.jpg Matt Kelso, BA2019-12-02 14:05:562019-12-18 11:21:43Prizio Increases Transparency in Oil & Gas Data in Allegheny County
Falcon Pipeline Moves Forward Despite Unresolved Concerns
December 21, 2018 /0 Comments/in Articles, News and Information, Our Perspectives /by FracTracker Alliance
Pittsburgh, PA – Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced their decision to issue a permit for the construction of Shell’s Falcon ethane pipeline project in southwest PA. FracTracker Alliance is extremely disappointed that DEP is allowing this project to proceed despite heavy opposition from the public and unaddressed concerns for the safety and well-being of nearby residents and the surrounding environment.
The past year has seen countless issues from the construction of new pipelines in the Commonwealth – from hundreds of “inadvertent returns,” (spills of bentonite drilling mud) along the path of the Mariner East II project to the catastrophic explosion of the week-old Revolution Pipeline in Beaver County. These reoccurring and serious incidents make it clear that oil and gas midstream companies are rushing to put infrastructure in place, and DEP and other regulatory agencies have been failing in their mission to adequately supervise the process.
According to data from the US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, there were 108 pipeline incidents in Pennsylvania between January 2010 and mid-July 2018, resulting in 8 fatalities, 15 injuries, requiring over 1,100 people to be evacuated from their homes, and causing more than $66 million in property damage. This track record, which does not include the Revolution Pipeline explosion in September of 2018, is frankly unacceptable.
Certainly, the Commonwealth has invested heavily in the Shell Ethane Cracker facility, offering steep tax subsidies and even paying the global petrochemical giant $2.10 for every barrel of ethane it consumes from Pennsylvania wells, equivalent to $1.6 billion over the next 25 years. It appears to FracTracker that these business arrangements have made the continued extraction and exploitation of hydrocarbons the priority for DEP, not protecting the environment and health and safety of Pennsylvanians, as the mission of the Department suggests is their focus. DEP’s decision also traces an unfortunate pattern of opaqueness and poor timing by announcing unpopular decisions right before the holidays.
Fundamentally, oil and gas companies like Shell exist to make profits, and will therefore make decisions to maximize earnings and limit their costs, if left to their own devices. This approach is often directly at odds with public safety, so Pennsylvania entrusts DEP to oversee the operations. FracTracker feels that with their decision to move forward with the project on December 20, 2018, DEP brushed over dozens of substantial concerns regarding the Falcon ethane pipeline project, and therefore failed in this mission. We remain unconvinced that the “appropriate construction techniques and special conditions” required by DEP will adequately protect the environment and health and safety of residents along the Falcon pipeline route.
Dec. 21st Update: After this article was written, FracTracker learned that Ohio’s EPA issued an air quality permit for the cracker plant in Belmont County, Ohio on December 21st. The short public comment period and the rush to issue permits again illustrates that significant public health and environmental concerns are given minimal importance versus corporate wishes and political expediency. The regulatory paradigm is broken. The public has been ill served by the agencies entrusted to safeguard their interests. A collective regional voice should be raised in protest.
Brook LenkerExecutive Director, FracTracker Alliance
Started in 2010 as a southwestern Pennsylvania area website, FracTracker Alliance is now a national organization with regional offices across the United States in Pennsylvania, Washington DC, New York, Ohio, and California. The organization’s mission is to study, map, and communicate the risks of oil and gas development to protect our planet and support the renewable energy transformation. Its goal is to support advocacy groups at the local, regional and national level, informing their actions to positively shape our nation’s energy future. www.fractracker.org
Learn more about FracTracker’s coverage of the Falcon ethane pipeline project by exploring the posts below:
The Falcon Public Monitoring Project
Shell Pipeline: Not Quite the “Good Neighbor”
The Shell Falcon Pipeline and Protecting Your Water
Webinar: A Pipeline Near You
Wingspan of the Falcon Pipeline
Pipeline Regulations & Impact Assessments, a Primer
The Falcon: Routes, Facilities & Easements
The Falcon: Water Crossings & Hazards
The Falcon: Class Locations, Buildings & Recreational Areas
The Falcon: High Consequence Areas & Potential Impact Zones
The Falcon: Protected Habitats & Species of Concern
Falcon Pipeline: Cumulative Development & Compounded Risks
The Falcon: Methods, Mapping, & Analysis
https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Pipeline-Clearing.png 400 900 FracTracker Alliance https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fractracker-Color-Logo.jpg FracTracker Alliance2018-12-21 13:23:492019-07-19 06:43:09Falcon Pipeline Moves Forward Despite Unresolved Concerns
A Sincere Thank You, 2018 Community Sentinel Award Recipients
December 4, 2018 /0 Comments/in Articles, News and Information, Our Perspectives /by FracTracker Alliance
Reflecting back on the Community Sentinel award reception, held on November 26th, I can’t help but be in awe of the raw grit and determination that filled the room. It was a cold, blustery day in Pittsburgh – and yet the hall felt warm from the passion each of the Community Sentinels awardees exuded. FracTracker Alliance and our many award sponsors and partners were so very proud to award Nalleli Cobo of California, Rebecca Roter and Ellen Gerhart of Pennsylvania, and Natasha Léger of Colorado with the 2018 Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship. (On a more personal note… This is the first year that all of the recipients have been women. Kudos!)
The Program on November 26th
As I nervously re-checked the AV equipment for the presentations to be led by our emcee from Rootskeeper, David Braun, attendees spent time networking and getting to know the awardees. We met people from all walks of life – each of them concerned about the negative impacts the oil and gas industry.
Rebekah Sale, of the Property Rights and Pipeline Center, kicked off the event with introductions, followed by David Braun to set the stage. Lauren Davis, of The 11th Hour Project, then graciously gave the keynote address. During her formative years as a funder, Lauren met many frontline communities – from the people facing the impacts of oil and gas development in their backyards to volunteers responding to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill along the Gulf. Working with these early community sentinels served as a critical juncture in her career. Lauren thanked them for the many lessons they taught her about perseverance, patience, and integrity.
Each year during the Community Sentinel Awards program we honor activists who valiantly fought against the harms of dirty energy but passed away in the past year in a presentation called “Legacy of Heroes.” During this year’s program we celebrated the lives and passions of Ben Stout of West Virginia, Ray Beiersdorfer of Ohio, and Carol Zagrocki of Pennsylvania. On behalf of all of the award partners and sponsors, a heartfelt thank you goes out to these incredible advocates who are truly leaving behind a Legacy of Heroes. Learn more about their inspiring work below.
And last but not least, the four recipients of the 2018 Community Sentinel award were presented with their awards.
David Braun introduced Nalleli Cobo, who became an activist at a young age after experiencing severe health impacts from nearby urban drilling. Nalleli has been a critical voice in the movement to end oil drilling in Los Angeles’ neighborhoods. Veronica Coptis of Center for Coalfield Justice presented the award to Ellen Gerhart, a renowned but reluctant activist in Pennsylvania. She has fearlessly stood in the way of Sunoco/Energy Transfer Partners for the past few years in order to protect her family’s home from the Mariner East pipelines. Matt Mehalik of the Breathe Project then introduced Natasha Léger. Natasha, a steadfast and eloquent lawyer by training, is currently leading a team of dedicated people in protecting the North Fork Valley of Delta County Colorado from irresponsible oil and gas development and fracking. Raina Rippel of the Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project then presented the final award to Rebecca Roter. Rebecca, who moved out of PA to escape the health effects of oil and gas development near her home, still works tirelessly to protect communities from fracking’s impacts through strategic advocacy and on-the-ground research.
On behalf of all those who benefit from your resolute endeavors – Thank You, Dear Sentinels.
Check out the Community Sentinels in action | Reception slideshow
More About the Awardees
Nalleli Cobo
At age nine, Nalleli Cobo unknowingly engaged in community activism. Her journey began when she noticed she was often ill. Her frequent headaches, stomach pains, nosebleeds, and body spasms worsened to asthma and heart palpitations. Soon after, Nalleli learned others in her community were also having similar problems. Nalleli lived in an apartment complex in South L.A. across from AllenCo’s oil drilling operations. Terrible odors would take over her community every day. After calling regulatory agencies, Nalleli noticed the smells from the oil well only getting worse. Nalleli and her neighbors took action – creating a grassroots campaign called People Not Pozos (Wells). Through grassroots activism, Nalleli strengthened her community’s voice by fighting the oil company poisoning her neighborhood. After a hard fight, AllenCo temporarily closed in November 2013. Her community is fighting to close it permanently.
Nalleli is a member of the South Los Angeles Youth Leadership Coalition. This group, along with Communities for a Better Environment Youth from Wilmington, sued the City of Los Angeles for environmental racism and violation of CEQA. Nalleli is a member of STAND LA (Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling – Los Angeles). STAND LA works tirelessly to establish a 2500-ft buffer between oil extraction, homes, and sensitive land.
Ellen Gerhart
Being an activist was not on Ellen Gerhart’s bucket list for retirement. She was born 63 years ago in Monaca, PA, a small steel mill town near Pittsburgh. She attended Penn State University, where she received a BS in linguistics, teaching certification in deaf-ed, English as a 2nd language, and biology and general science. Ellen also met her husband Stephen there. They bought a house in Huntingdon County, where they raised two daughters, Lyra and Elise. After 28 years of teaching, Ellen retired. That same year, 2015, the fight against the Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) Mariner East 2 pipeline began.
In the three years since, Ellen has had three acres of woodlands and wetlands seized through eminent domain; helped establish a resistance camp and aerial blockade known as Camp White Pine; supported tree sits on her property; been heavily surveilled, threatened, and harassed; and arrested 3 times (released from a 2-6 month jail sentence on September 26, 2018). She most recently attended an ETP unit holders meeting in Dallas, TX where she and other activists confronted CEO Kelcy Warren.
Rebecca Roter
Rebecca Roter grew up in West Philadelphia. Her parents’ involvement in the civil rights and anti-war movements instilled values of standing witness and speaking truth to power. In 1986, when she moved to Susquehanna County, she had no clue the Marcellus Shale under her feet would spur her advocacy for public health. After the first test well was drilled in the county in 2006, she organized an EPA citizen Marcellus listening session, spearheaded a grassroots community billboard campaign, gave guided tours and interviews to national and international media, facilitated the Duke University NEPA ground water studies, and worked with Clean Air Council – winning PA DEP public hearings for compressors. She networked at every turn with federal and state agencies advocating for scientific research, fact-driven discussion, and public health
In 2013, Rebecca co-founded the grassroots group Breathe Easy Susquehanna County (BESC) striving to unify a community long divided over natural gas, air quality, and public health. BESC arranged local radio interviews with health care professionals about air pollution, natural gas infrastructure and public health; collaborated with Public Lab to design a Community Formaldehyde Monitoring project; collected citizen science formaldehyde data used in a peer reviewed article; and has a seat on an academic stakeholder advisory board. BESC partnered with researchers from University of London for a citizen science air study generating seven months of continuous PM2.5 data county wide. Data near the Williams Central Compressor was shared with federal and state health agencies.
EPA follow up testing was used for an ATSDR Health Consultation. Two days after this consultation was publicly released , PA DEP announced plans for Air Quality Stations in shale counties. As of 10.25.18 , the continuous PM2.5 PA DEP monitoring station was operational in Susquehanna County; a victory for public health brought home by citizen science.
Natasha Léger
Natasha Léger is the Executive Director (Interim) of Citizens For A Healthy Community (CHC). CHC is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to protecting air, water and foodsheds in the Delta County region of Southwest Colorado from the impacts of oil and gas development. Before stepping in as Interim ED, Natasha served on the board. She brings to CHC legal, location, ecosystem, and industry analysis experience. Natasha is an international trade attorney, turned independent business consultant, turned editor of a location intelligence magazine, turned author of Travel Healthy: A Road Warrior’s Guide to Eating Healthy. She believes clean air, water, soils, and nouri (a word to describe what we should be eating for optimum health) are a basic human right.
Under her leadership, CHC has developed new strategic partnerships with state, regional, and national impacted citizens groups and environmental and conservation groups, and developed tools for empowering the community to respond to threats from oil and gas activity in the North Fork Valley. She championed the ground breaking community cost-benefit analysis of a proposed natural gas project, and contributed to the first food-shale production map to highlight the risks to our food supply of overlapping oil and gas activity with farms. She also exposed the regulatory black hole around rural gas-gathering pipelines. Her work in empowering the community has led to withdrawal of projects and leasing proposals that threaten the community, and an unprecedented number of public comments and widespread opposition to oil and gas development in the North Fork Valley, which serves a unique role in Colorado’s food supply, recreation economy, and biodiversity.
Legacy of Heroes Presentation
Use the slideshow controls on the right to learn about the dedication of Ben, Ray, and Carol.
Ben Stout of West Virginia
In the fleeting passage of days, FracTracker enjoyed a long history with Dr. Ben Stout. The infamous biology professor at Wheeling Jesuit University served on the FracTracker board since the inception of the organization in 2012. Brook Lenker, FracTracker executive director reflects: “While we didn’t get to spend as much time with him as we would have liked, each reunion was a pleasure, a reconnection with an old friend.”
Ben was wily and wiry, casual and confident. He exuded a passion for protecting people and nature from industry run amok. As a scientist and educator, he was thorough and curious, yet always bold and engaged; he genuinely cared about the Appalachian communities he knew so well. The Intelligencer in Wheeling noted how he was viewed as an environmental hero. He was too humble to accept such a label, but his revelatory research and staunch advocacy warrant the honor.
On August 3rd, at age 60, Ben died from recurring cancer. Even heroes can’t live forever, but this one’s legacy won’t soon fade away. Ben Stout’s work lives on as an inspiration to so many other people.
Ray Beiersdorfer of Ohio
Ray Beiersdorfer was a renowned professor at Youngstown State University who didn’t let his work stop at the walls of academia. His series of public lectures on Energy and the Environment were an example of that effort. He recruited top notch speakers explaining the technical, legal, social, economic, and environmental issues associated with energy production in a way that non-technical attendees could understand. He also gave countless lectures in person and virtually to lay audiences all over.
As Dr. Weatherington-Rice wrote in giving us her thoughts on Ray: “I agree that Ray and Ben Stout are huge losses this year. We simply are not making scientists of their caliber fast enough to replace their loss to the scientific community and to the greater community of this region. They leave huge holes in the fabric of our universe.”
Ray was an elegant and engaging presenter of the data that speaks to the myriad issues associated with quakes resulting from the injection of hydraulic fracturing waste into Class II injection wells. Such a complex issue is not the easiest topic to explain or make palatable to the general public, but he did it with ease. Ray passed away this year from complications of a heart attack.
Carol Zagrocki of Pennsylvania
Carol Zagrocki was dedicated to many environmental projects, and her passion shown in every aspect of her work. Her grants on behalf of the Colcom Foundation supported so many worthy causes – from watershed monitoring and grassroots organizing, to conservation groups and critical research at universities like Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne, and Wheeling Jesuit.
Her husband Rege writes: “Thank you for this honor being bestowed on Carol. She truly loved working with all her grantees. She took great pride in their accomplishments, and it did not matter to her if it was a one-person operation or a national organization, she was at her happiest when the grants got approved by her board.”
On a Saturday morning after breakfast, Carol died suddenly in her home of a heart attack – a condition that runs in her family. She went quickly and hopefully without pain. Carol’s passing was recognized by a humbling assortment of organizations, such as The National Aviary and Carnegie Library. The Pittsburgh Botanical Gardens will soon have a garden dedicated in her honor, as well.
The Sentinels’ program and reception requires financial support – for monetary awards, awardee travel, and many other costs. As such, each year we call upon dedicated sponsors and partners to provide resources to enable this endeavor to continue. The often-thankless jobs that community sentinels do each day in protecting our health and the environment deserve no less.
Thank you to our incredible 2018 award sponsors: The 11th Hour Project, The Heinz Endowments, The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds and a generous anonymous donor. We could not do this work without your support.
And a big thank you to our partners in presenting the award: Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance, Breathe Project, Center for Coalfield Justice, Crude Accountability, Earthworks, Food and Water Watch, Halt the Harm Network, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Property Rights and Pipeline Center, Save the Hills Alliance, Sierra Club, Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project, and Viable Industries.
This year, 23 people were nominated by their peers to receive this distinguished award (listed below).
Richard Averitt – Nellysford, VA
Odessa, Gunner, Kylan, and Nels Bjornson – Scenery Hill, PA
Mark Borchardt – Marshfield, NY
Shelley Brock – Eagle, ID
Genevieve Butler – Freetown, LA
John Childe – Dauphin, PA
Malinda Clatterbuck – Holtwood, PA
Nalleli Cobo – San Gabriel, CA*
Torch Can Do – Coolville, OH
Karen Feridun – Kutztown, PA
Friends of Buckingham – Buckingham, VA
Ellen Gerhart – Huntington, PA*
Bill Huston – Dimock, PA
April Keating – Buckhannon, WV
Natasha Léger – Paonia, CO*
Megan Mcdonough – Elizabeth, PA
Janice Milburn – Ligonier, PA
Misha Mitchell – Plaquemine, LA
Anne Rolfes – New Orleans, LA
Rebecca Roter – Montrose, PA and Nicholson, GA*
Douglas Shields – Pittsburgh, PA
Diane Sipe – Evans City, PA
Joe Spease – Overland Park, KS
* Denotes 2018 award recipient
Many thanks to the following judges for donating their time to review all of the nominations.
Jill Hunkler – Activist, Ohio
Raina Rippel – Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project
Dan Shaffer – Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance and Dominion Pipeline Monitoring Coalition
Elena Sorokina – Crude Accountability
Dan Xie – Student PIRGs (Public Interest Research Groups)
Reception Photo Gallery
Introductions from Rebekah Sale
David Braun, emcee, of Rootskeeper
Lauren Davis, Keynote Address, The 11 Hour Project
Lauren Davis, The 11th Hour Project
Remembering those who are no longer with us. Legacy of Heroes presentation
Slideshow presentation about the awardees
Nalleli Cobo's acceptance speech
Lauren, Nalleli, and David
Ellen Gerhart's acceptance speech
Lauren, Ellen, and Veronica
FracTracker's Executive Director and Sentinel Award Coordinator, Brook Lenker, looks on
Rebecca Roter's acceptance speech
Raina, Rebecca, and Lauren
Natasha Léger's acceptance speech
Lauren, Natasha, and Matt
A portion of the crowd during the award ceremony
https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Sentinels-2018-Feature.jpg 400 900 FracTracker Alliance https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fractracker-Color-Logo.jpg FracTracker Alliance2018-12-04 17:44:212019-07-19 06:43:10A Sincere Thank You, 2018 Community Sentinel Award Recipients
October 24, 2018 /0 Comments/in Articles, News and Information /by FracTracker Alliance
WASHINGTON, DC – As oil and gas representatives descend on Pittsburgh this week for the annual Shale Insight conference, four advocates working to protect their communities from the harms of oil and gas development have been selected to receive the 2018 Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship, coordinated by FracTracker Alliance:
Ellen Gerhart – Pennsylvania
Natasha Léger – Colorado
Rebecca Roter – Pennsylvania, now Georgia
Youth award: Nalleli Cobo – California
This year’s recipients have founded grassroots organizations to protect communities from nearby drilling, paired traditional advocacy with scientific savvy, protested pipelines on land taken by eminent domain, and organized to stop urban drilling despite persistent health problems related to the drilling activity.
“The impacts of the oil and gas industry are visible across the United States, but hope abounds in the volunteers working in their communities and cherished places to document, report, and confront fossil fuel harms,” remarked Brook Lenker, Executive Director of FracTracker Alliance. “We are proud to honor Ellen, Natasha, Rebecca, and Nalleli this year, whose noble actions exemplify the transformative power of caring, committed, and engaged people.”
These four steadfast advocates were nominated by peers and selected by a committee of community defense leaders: Raina Rippel of Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project (Pennsylvania); Dan Shaffer of Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance and Dominion Pipeline Monitoring Coalition (Virginia); Dan Xie of Student PIRG (Florida); Jill Hunkler- Native American activist (Ohio); and Elena Sorokina of Crude Accountability (Washington, DC).
The award recipients will each receive $1,000 for their efforts and be recognized at an evening reception at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Monday, November 26, 2018. The reception will also recognize heroes of the movement who recently passed away. Purchase tickets ($40).
This year’s major Community Sentinel sponsors include 11th Hour Project, The Heinz Endowments, and Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds. Award partners (to date) include Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance, Breathe Project, Center for Coalfield Justice, Crude Accountability, Earthworks, Food & Water Watch, Halt the Harm Network, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Pipeline and Property Rights Center, Save the Hills Alliance, Sierra Club, Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project, and Viable Industries. View current sponsors and partners.
To learn more about the fourth annual Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship and to purchase tickets to the reception on November 26th, please visit: fractracker.org/sentinel-award.
FracTracker Alliance is a national non-profit with regional offices in California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington DC. The organization’s mission is to study, map, and communicate the risks of oil and gas development to protect our planet and support the renewable energy transformation. Learn more at fractracker.org.
For Release on October 24, 2018
Samantha Rubright
malone@fractracker.org (preferred)
https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/SentinelAward-Feature.jpg 400 900 FracTracker Alliance https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fractracker-Color-Logo.jpg FracTracker Alliance2018-10-24 10:14:212018-10-24 10:14:21Four environmental stewards receive the 2018 Community Sentinel Award
Launching FracTracker’s 2018-19 Annual Fund – Letter from Michele Fetting
September 28, 2018 /0 Comments/in Articles, News and Information, Our Perspectives /by Guest Author
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has come a long way. While still challenged by air and water pollution, the sun shines on the city – my city – revealing a place of promise. Greenways embrace our rivers, solar energy sprouts on rooftops, innovation and entrepreneurship blossom block-by-block. The new Pittsburgh is vibrant, hopeful, and alive.
But an ominous cloud could darken the region for decades – and I’m not referring to the chaotic weather that climate change is already delivering.
No, the approaching storm is petrochemical development – from monstrous ethane crackers poised to inundate the world with toxic plastic, to an acceleration of destructive fracking and pipeline construction pumping fuel and feedstock to these hazardous facilities. Call it a dystopia, but if greed prevails, it will infest our region and others, as well.
I prefer a healthier, more colorful future – and I bet you do, too.
I am proud of the accomplishments of the many environmental organizations I work with every day. They all are impressive. Each offers unique strengths and talents to improve communities and protect the natural world. I have been an admirer of FracTracker Alliance for many years. Born in the Burgh, they’ve branched out and collaborate nationwide to show and tell about the harms of extraction (and everything it represents) through their amazing maps and data-driven insights. Whether it’s in local meetings, statewide hearings, or national reports, their information arms advocates for better energy development and sustainable solutions. Their cool digital apps equip anyone – and hopefully everyone – with tools they can use to report oil and gas impacts wherever they happen.
FracTracker is working for us, but they need our help.
We need to fight petrochemical expansion on every front. In addition to an army of caring people, the battle requires data, visualizations, outreach, and technology – services that FracTracker offers with abundance and often at no cost to the user. Please consider a donation to FracTracker as they launch their Annual Fund Campaign for 2018-2019.
They exist to support others, and here’s a chance to support them.
FracTracker is lean and efficient, but it takes ample funding to continue to do what they do so well. Please give. We have a long struggle ahead, but with generosity and fortitude our hope-filled vision will prevail.
Michele Fetting
Annual Fund Chair
Please Give Today
Contribute to FracTracker’s Annual Fund
https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/FT-annualfund-feature.jpg 400 900 Guest Author https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fractracker-Color-Logo.jpg Guest Author2018-09-28 10:20:372019-07-19 06:43:13Launching FracTracker's 2018-19 Annual Fund - Letter from Michele Fetting
Supporting accessible oil and gas lease data in Allegheny County
September 26, 2018 /0 Comments/in Articles, News and Information /by FracTracker Alliance
New bill introduces public O&G lease registry
PITTSBURGH, PA – At last night’s County Council meeting, Councilwoman Anita Prizio unveiled a new bill to create an oil and gas lease registry for Allegheny County, which would help the area’s residents and municipalities better plan for oil and gas development within their communities.
The legislation, which has been referred to committee, would establish a publicly-available database of drilling leases across the county, organized by address, municipality, and company lease holder.
In 2016, FracTracker Alliance noted many issues with the county’s existing system during a lease mapping project and supports the move to make county lease data more transparent. For example, entries in the current database recorded after 2010 do not list street addresses or parcel IDs, which are necessary for proper mapping of local drilling activity.
“The proposed oil and gas lease registry would be a step in the right direction for improving the industry’s transparency and accountability in an area surrounded by extensive drilling,” remarked FracTracker’s Manager of Data and Technology and Allegheny County resident, Matt Kelso. “These agreements are already public data, but they’re burdensome to access and essentially impossible to analyze in any comprehensive fashion.”
Industrial-scaled oil and gas development has steadily increased in Allegheny County, with permits for 258 unconventional wells, more than half of which are now operational. Based on its earlier mapping work, FracTracker estimates that 63,014 acres – roughly 18% of the county – are already under some kind of mineral rights lease or pipeline rights-of-way agreement, a calculation that did not include parcels that were not identified due to missing data.
The lease registry, which would disclose permitting statuses and well type, would also play a large part in supporting local zoning efforts and helping public safety officials prepare for incidents that could put residents and infrastructure at risk.
FracTracker Alliance is a national organization with regional offices across the United States in Pennsylvania, Washington DC, New York, Ohio, and California. Our mission is to study, map, and communicate the risks of oil and gas development to protect our planet and support the renewable energy transformation. We accomplish this by supporting advocacy groups at the local, regional, and national level – informing actions to positively shape our nation’s energy future. Check out FracTracker’s 2016 Allegheny Lease Mapping Project.
Interested in our work?
Join FracTracker’s mailing list for monthly email updates
https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/AlleghenyCounty-Map-Feature.jpg 400 900 FracTracker Alliance https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fractracker-Color-Logo.jpg FracTracker Alliance2018-09-26 12:40:032019-07-19 06:43:14Supporting accessible oil and gas lease data in Allegheny County
Governor Brown’s Climate Summit Heats up Political Climate
September 14, 2018 /0 Comments/in Articles, News and Information /by Kyle Ferrar, MPH
California has become a battleground for real climate action. The state Governor, Jerry Brown prides himself in his own climate leadership, and California has pushed EU nations and countries worldwide to take climate change seriously. As a final tribute to his own tenure as a term-limited governor, Brown has organized and hosted a Global Climate Action Summit, September 12-14th. The summit convenes an international invitation list of “climate leaders” to, in their words:
“Take Ambition to the Next Level.” It will be a moment to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of states, regions, cities, companies, investors and citizens with respect to climate action. It will also be a launchpad for deeper worldwide commitments and accelerated action from countries—supported by all sectors of society—that can put the globe on track to prevent dangerous climate change and realize the historic Paris Agreement.
Meanwhile, frontline communities, community organizers, and grassroots organizations contest the perspective that real change has been made. While investors and green capitalists celebrate, frontline communities fight daily for clean air and water. In solidarity with and led by frontline communities, activists have protested the summit, in an attempt to hold policy makers accountable to those most affected by the fossil fuel industry.
Rise for Climate, Jobs, and Justice
One quarter of a million people worldwide, and well over 30,000 in San Francisco hit the streets during the Rise for Climate last Saturday, September 8th. With over 900 actions taking place simultaneously people worldwide demanded real climate action from their local leaders. FracTracker Alliance staff helped coordinate and participated in events nationwide.
In San Francisco, the march was led by members of the Indigenous community, making up the Indigenous Bloc, on the frontlines of the action. The day officially started with prayers from Indigenous leaders and a moment of silence for Indigenous Peoples that have been most harmed by the effects of climate change. Dozens of various other movements followed the Indigenous Bloc in a parade of support. FracTracker took the opportunity to document this monumental event, and photos from the march are shown below.
March Photos
For California and international “climate leaders” in attendance, Rise kicked off a long week of climate action culminating with the Global Action Climate Summit. The week is full of activities geared towards movement building, including the Solidarity to Solutions Summit (#sol2sol) by It Takes Roots; Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice, hosted by Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network; and mass actions including a march and occupation of the Global Climate Action Summit!
To mark such a momentous movement, the Brown administration signed a new bill into law, SB100. The new law, authored by Kevin De León (D-Los Angeles), pledges that all of California’s electricity will come from clean power sources by 2045. Brown said, “California is committed to doing whatever is necessary to meet the existential threat of climate change.” This is the most ambitious state climate policy in the U.S. The legislation barely passed the state Legislature after nearly two years of debate, with opponents arguing that it would lead to higher electric bills for all Californians.
Opposition from Eco-Activists
In opposition to the feel-good, pat-yourself-on-the-back feelings from delegates at the summit, frontline communities and activists respond that the SB100 legislation does nothing to stop harms to frontline communities caused by extraction and the supply side of the fossil fuel economy. The Against Climate Capitalism campaign is a coalition of Diablo Rising Tide teamed up with Idle No More SF Bay, the Ruckus Society, It Takes Roots, Indigenous Environmental Network and the Brown’s Last Chance. Members of the coalition have been outspoken proponents organizing in support of real climate leadership. The coalition is pushing for Governor Jerry Brown and the California legislature to end the extraction of new fossil fuels in California. The green groups making up these larger coalition networks encompass a broad range research and advocacy groups, from international groups like Greenpeace to local grassroots movements from Los Angeles and California’s Central Valley. FracTracker Alliance is also a campaign member.
The goal of the campaign is to keep fossil fuels in the ground, and supports a just transition from a fossil fuel economy to clean energy sources. A petition to pressure California Governor Jerry Brown to end fossil fuel extraction can be found on their website. The California legislature and the Brown administration has consistently failed to address the impacts of extraction in its own backyard. While frontline communities are suffering, the Brown administration continues to take the easy way out with future legislation such as SB100, which does nothing to address the environmental justice spector of actual oil drilling and production. In response to SB100, the campaign has issued response:
Governor Brown has consistently failed to address the supply side of oil and the drilling in California, which is an indispensable step to avoid the worst effects of climate destruction.
Some 5.4 million Californians live within a mile of at least one oil or gas well, and this includes hundreds of thousands of children. Many suffer illnesses from toxic exposure and cannot wait for action.
Brown’s failure to act on this issue is a massive moral failure from which no bill signing can distract. Despite his signing of an important and historical bill he did nothing to draft or support, Governor Brown can expect to be greeted with energetic and committed protest at the Global Climate Action summit this week.
With these poignant criticisms, it begs the question; how can Governor Jerry Brown continue to ignore the actual cause of climate change? Brown has passed legislation ensuring that everyday Californians will bear the costs for clean energy utilities, but has done nothing to hold accountable the actual culprits responsible for climate change, the oil and gas corporations extracting the 5.7 million barrels of oil per year from California soil.
By Kyle Ferrar, Western Program Coordinator
Cover photo: Brown’s Las Change Billboard. Photo by Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle
https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/BLC_Liz-Hafalia_TheChronicle.jpg 400 900 Kyle Ferrar, MPH https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fractracker-Color-Logo.jpg Kyle Ferrar, MPH2018-09-14 08:40:122019-11-15 12:05:36Governor Brown's Climate Summit Heats up Political Climate
Heavy Rains and Risks to Pipelines
September 13, 2018 /1 Comment/in Articles, News and Information /by Erica Jackson
For many cities in the Eastern U.S., flash flood warnings and road closings characterized the summer of 2018. Now, hurricane season is upon us.
It’s been the wettest summer to date for Williamsport PA, Luray VA, and Baltimore MD. Several places set records for the wettest “year-through-August,” including Harrisburg PA and Wilmington NC. Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh are just two of many cities to reach their average yearly total rainfall with a third of the year left.
With the record-breaking rains come record-breaking floods, signaling devastation for local officials, residents, and… pipeline operators.
In June, construction on the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Virginia was suspended after heavy rainfall made it difficult for construction crews to control erosion. A landslide caused an explosion on the Leach Xpress Pipeline in West Virginia. The pipeline was built on a steep slope, and the weather made for challenging conditions to remediate the blast.
Then came the explosion of the Revolution Pipeline in Beaver County just this week on September 10th. Fire from the blast destroyed a house, a barn, two garages, several vehicles, six high tension electric towers, and shut down a section of a highway. Thankfully, residents were able evacuate their homes in time and no injuries were reported.
While the explosion is still under investigation, the cause of the explosion is believed to be a landslide, which occurred following days of heavy rain.
The burnt hillside near the site of the Revolution Pipeline explosion. Photo courtesy of Darrell Sapp, Post Gazette
How rain affects pipelines
Heavy rain can cause the ground to shift and swell, triggering devastating landslides, damaging pipelines, and creating leaks. Flooding can also make it difficult for crews to locate sites of leaks and repair pipelines.
Storms cause problems during pipeline construction, as well. Work areas and trenches can alter the flow of floodwaters and spill water onto farmland or backyards. At drilling sites, rain water can carry spills of bentonite, a drilling mud, into waterways.
Still, pipeline operators continue to plan and build along steep slopes, landslide prone areas, and through floodways and waterways. For instance, the route of Shell’s proposed Falcon Pipeline, in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, passes through many areas that are crucial for managing heavy rains.
Risks along the Falcon route
As highlighted by a recent Environmental Health News piece to which we contributed, Falcon’s route passes through 25 landslide prone areas, a few of which are in residential neighborhoods. In fact, one landslide-prone portion of the pipeline is just 345 feet from a home.
In Beaver County alone, the pipeline route passes through 21,910 square feet of streams, 455,519 square feet of floodway, and 60,398 square feet of wetland:
Map of the Falcon Pipeline’s route through Beaver County, with locations Shell has identified as prone to landslides.
Preventing disasters
What can be done to prevent pipeline leaks, explosions, and spills?
Along the Texas Gulf Coast, robust plans are in the works to protect oil and gas infrastructure. In August of 2017, Hurricane Harvey suspended a large portion of oil and gas operations in Texas. Now, the state has a $12 billion publicly-funded plan to build a barrier along the coast. The 60-mile-long structure would consist of seawalls, earthen barriers, floating gates, and steel levees. It will protect homes and ecosystems, as well as one of the world’s largest sites of petrochemical activity.
In July, the state fast-tracked $3.9 billion for three storm barriers around oil facilities. The industry is also moving inland to the Ohio River Valley, where it intends to build a petrochemical hub away from hurricane risk.
Herein lies the irony of the situation: The oil and gas industry is seeking refuge from the problems it is worsening.
Weather events are intensified by rising ocean and atmospheric temperatures. Scientists have reached a consensus on what’s causing these rises: increasing concentrations of greenhouse gasses (such as carbon dioxide and methane), released by burning fossil fuels. Protecting oil and gas infrastructure will allow the industry to continue polluting, thereby amplifying the problem.
In the short term, I suggest better protection of floodplains and waterways to keep residents and the environment safe. Accounting for frequent, heavy rains will help pipeline operators develop better erosion and sediment control plans. More protections for landslide prone areas near homes could save human and animal lives.
However, continuing to spend time, resources, and money to protect infrastructure from problems that the fossil fuel industry is exacerbating isn’t logical. Renewable energy will slow the effects of climate change that intensify weather events. Resources such as solar and wind also come with significantly less risk of explosion. Let’s be logical, now.
By Erica Jackson, Community Outreach & Communications Specialist
https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Shell-Pipeline-Violations-Feature.jpg 400 900 Erica Jackson https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fractracker-Color-Logo.jpg Erica Jackson2018-09-13 16:22:392018-09-13 16:22:39Heavy Rains and Risks to Pipelines
New report finds widespread use of proprietary fracking chemicals in PA
September 11, 2018 /0 Comments/in Articles, Data and Analysis, News and Information /by FracTracker Alliance
Keystone Secrets: Records Show Widespread Use of Secret Fracking Chemicals is a Looming Risk for Delaware River Basin, Pennsylvania Communities
A report released today by the Partnership for Policy Integrity (PFPI) found that between 2013 and 2017, drilling companies injected at least one hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) chemical with an identity kept hidden from the public into more than 2,500 unconventional natural gas wells drilled in Pennsylvania. The report, KeyStone Secrets, found companies injected secret fracking chemicals 13,632 times into 2,515 wells in total (explore map below).
Fracking in unconventional formations has significantly increased oil and gas extraction, making Pennsylvania the nation’s second-largest natural gas producer. The process has also sparked concerns about pollution and health effects, especially related to unidentified fracking chemicals. In response, Pennsylvania and 28 other states have enacted rules that require some public disclosure of these chemicals. However, most if not all of these rules have exceptions that allow companies to withhold chemical identities as trade secrets.
This report by Massachusetts-based Partnership for Policy Integrity (PFPI), with analysis of fracking chemical disclosure data by FracTracker Alliance, illustrates that drilling companies have used these exceptions extensively.
Records obtained by PFPI from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that non-disclosure of fracking chemical identities may leave people unknowingly exposed to harmful substances. Between 2003 and 2014, the EPA identified health concerns for 109 of 126 new chemicals proposed for use in oil and gas drilling and fracking. The manufacturers submitted information about the chemicals for review under a program that requires EPA to screen and regulate new chemicals for health and environmental impacts before they are used commercially.
Despite concerns by EPA scientists about the chemicals’ health effects, EPA approved most of the 109 chemicals for use, and 62 were later used in or likely used in oil and gas wells. Manufacturers took advantage of trade secret protections that are permitted by federal law to conceal 41 of the 62 chemicals’ identities. It is possible that some of these chemicals declared secret at the federal level are some of the same chemicals being used under trade secret protection in Pennsylvania.
Explore dynamic map full screen
Mapping of secret fracking chemical injection sites (above) show that use is heaviest in southwest Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh and in northeast Pennsylvania near the Delaware River Basin, tracking areas of intensive drilling.
The use of secret chemicals in Pennsylvania’s oil and gas wells is likely even higher than detailed in this report because of exemptions in Pennsylvania law, including:
No disclosure requirements for the chemicals used in drilling oil and gas wells – the portion of the oil and gas extraction process that precedes fracking;
No requirement that fracking chemicals for so-called “conventional” oil and gas wells be reported to an easily searchable electronic database; and
A reporting exemption for chemical manufacturers who are not required to disclose trade secret chemical identities even to emergency responders cleaning up a leak or spill.
In the coming months, the Delaware River Basin Commission is expected to consider a ban on fracking in the basin – fracking that would be most likely to occur in unconventional gas wells in Pennsylvania’s portion of the four-state area. There is currently a de facto moratorium on fracking in the basin that provides drinking water for New York City and Philadelphia – among other cities. The commission is also expected to consider whether to allow related activities inside the basin, including the treatment and discharge into waterways of fracking wastewater from outside the basin. Any fracking or discharges of wastewater would be likely to include some of the secret fracking chemicals discussed in this report.
People have a right to know the identities of chemicals used in oil and gas operations so that citizens, first responders, regulators, and scientists can determine the chemicals’ risks and act to protect health and the environment. Learn more about the proprietary fracking chemicals used in PA by reading the full report:
Read Full Report (PDF)
Report Author: Dusty Horwitt, Partnership for Policy Integrity
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Two positions available in FracTracker’s paid spring 2019 internship program
Spring 2019 Internships | FracTracker Alliance
Job Title: Data and GIS Intern
Internship Period: January 2019 – June 2019, 6 months
Application Deadline – Extended: November 16, 2018
Compensation: $11/hour, 15 hours per week
Locations: Oakland, CA and Pittsburgh, PA
FracTracker internships are dedicated to current college and graduate students, as well as recent grads. Each of our available 6-month internships runs from January through June 2019. Paid, temporary interns work 15 hours per week and are compensated $11/hour. This position is not eligible for health benefits, but travel expenses may be reimbursed. Please note this position is at will and subject to available funding.
This upcoming spring we are in need of interns in two of FracTracker’s offices, although some remote work is permissible if arranged in advance with their supervisor. Please select which of the two offices you are interested in working out of when applying online:
California: 1440 Broadway, Ste. 205, Oakland, CA 94612
Pennsylvania: 112 Sherman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15209
Interns will utilize GIS technologies to perform geo-spatial data collection, processing, and analysis. Tasks are typically associated with routine technical work in GIS, involving heavy amounts of database entry and management, generation of maps, and various types of research under the supervision of FracTracker staff.
The responsibilities of paid GIS interns revolve around the daily work of the other FracTracker staff, as well as time-sensitive projects. Responsibilities will vary, but may include:
Data mining, cleaning, management, and GIS mapping
Limited spatial analyses using GIS software
Translation of data into information and stories for the blog
Administrative support when needed
Participation in software development, integration, and system testing when needed
Working knowledge of: Geographic information systems (GIS) and Microsoft Office products (especially Word and Excel).
Ability to: Assist with researching spatial data availability from internal and external sources; collect, assimilate, analyze, and interpret data and draw sound conclusions; prepare oral and written reports.
Enrollment in or recent graduation from an accredited college or university is required. Majors can include geography, computer science, environmental science, public health, planning or a related field.
To apply for one of our spring 2019 internships, please submit the following materials by Friday, November 16, 2018 (deadline extended) through our online application form: cover letter, resume, and 3 references. Applications are not accepted via email, but you may address questions to Sam Rubright at malone@fractracker.org.
[Applications are no longer being accepted]
Deadline to apply: November 16, 2018
After November 16th, applicants will be contacted regardless of whether or not an interview is sought by us. Interviews will be conducted over the next two weeks, and a decision made by December 7th.
FracTracker Alliance studies, maps, and communicates the risks of oil and gas development to protect our planet and support the renewable energy transformation. Learn more about FracTracker Alliance at www.fractracker.org.
https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/InternButton-Feature.png 400 900 FracTracker Alliance https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fractracker-Color-Logo.jpg FracTracker Alliance2018-09-10 10:21:002019-07-19 06:43:14Two positions available in FracTracker's paid spring 2019 internship program
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The Most Important Restaurants of the Decade
13 influential spots that challenged longstanding notions of what a restaurant could be.
By Food & Wine Editors
Restaurants have never been just about what's on the plate, and in the 2010s, the recipe became even more complex. Instagram launched in 2010, opening a radical new dialogue between diners and restaurateurs, and spawning endless lines to snag iconic shots of Cronuts, ramen burgers, and sorrel pesto rice bowls. As the decade progressed, reservation and payment apps democratized the dining-out process—you no longer had to know a guy to nab a table—while an increasingly fraught political climate led consumers across all industries to take a closer look at just who that guy was, and what they were supporting with their hard-earned cash (or possibly Apple Pay). The places on this list, in their own wildly different ways, challenged longstanding notions of what a restaurant could be and who got to run one, and whet our palates for the next course. Here they are, ranked in the order in which they opened.
Scott Lynch (Smorgasburg) / Sunny Shokrae (Superiority Burger) / Thomas Schauer (Dominique Ansel Bakery) / @ashleeism (Sqirl Ricotta Toast)
Husk, Charleston, 2010
Jeff Greenberg/Getty Images
"If it's not from the South, it's not coming through the door." Sean Brock surely wasn't the first chef to focus on Southern ingredients—especially vegetables—but his doctrinaire approach had never been quite so spelled out, especially in a fine-dining restaurant. It was a gamble (and Brock admits, a source of stress sometimes), but the reverence for and spotlight on the region's products heralded a new era for Southern restaurants, as well as fresh focus for chefs and growers, and a renewed pride in a cuisine that had long been unfairly dismissed and marginalized by folks who hadn't yet heard the gospel. —Kat Kinsman, Senior Editor
Benu, San Francisco, 2010
Courtesy of Benu
From the day it opened in 2010, chef Corey Lee’s Benu was greeted with accolades. Lee, formerly chef de cuisine at The French Laundry under Thomas Keller, combined that restaurant’s micro-attention to technique and detail (and multi-course tasting menu) with influences drawn from a palette of Asian influences and ingredients. Groundbreaking at the time, Lee’s food now feels prescient; ditto the restaurant’s serene, elegant design with its black, white, and grey hues—a now much-replicated Japanese-ryokan-meets-The Matrix vibe. Yet it also feels as though Benu helped usher in the era of San Francisco ultra-high-priced destination restaurants: the menu, with its included service charge, runs $390 per person. Eating at Benu is an amazing experience, but “sell your tech startup first” might be useful advice. —Ray Isle, Executive Wine Editor
Vedge, Philadelphia, 2011
Vedge Restaurant Group
The expressions “plant-based” and “vegetable-focused” feel borderline cliché at this point, but that wasn’t always true, especially not in the elevated dining space, where patrons historically expect steep checks to include showy meats, or at the very least caviar. At Vedge, husband-wife chef team Kate Jacoby and Rich Landau made it dangerously easy to justify spending lots of money on vegetables—with surprising dishes like a giant wood-roasted carrot that easily rivals any steak, broccolini “carbonara” made with Israeli couscous, and a luxurious rutabaga fondue. Jacoby and Landau, who helped pioneer this new mode of plant-based dining back in the ‘90s with Horizons, cracked a new level of visibility with the critical success of Vedge. —Maria Yagoda, Digital Restaurant Editor
Next, Chicago, 2011
Christian Seel
While it's still not commonplace to pre-pay for a dinner seating (tip included, of course), the shock is nowhere near as seismic as when Alinea Group partners Nick Kokonas and Grant Achatz launched the Tock ticketing system at their innovative, ever-changing Next. It's restaurant as theatrical hall, completely reinventing both menu and experience every four months—an homage to the dishes of childhood and then poof, all grown up at El Bulli—and called for an equally thoughtful booking system to eliminate no-shows (and the cost of reservationists) and plot the meals' choreography to the nth degree. From this timed ticketing system, the Tock suite of hospitality tools evolved, allowing subscribing restaurants from around the world to seamlessly manage guests' experiences behind the scenes, freeing them up to simply enjoy the show. —K.K.
Dominique Ansel Bakery, New York City, 2011
Thomas Schauer
Nowadays we associate Instagram food with eye-catching gimmicks, like cynical milkshakes with foot-high candy garnish, or “pizzadillas” and other upsetting hybrids. But in 2013, when classically trained French pastry chef Dominique Ansel dropped the cronut—a gorgeous, flaky croissant-doughnut mashup—he launched a social media and real-life frenzy (those lines!) that many have tried to approximate, but no one has quite replicated. Far from a one-hit wonder, Ansel’s vital New York bakery—and his growing string of restaurants—provide some of the finest examples of American pastry today, while proving pastry chefs can be superstars, too. While perhaps the cronut is to thank for Ansel’s ascension to national stardom, but his ingenuity sustained it. —M.Y.
Smorgasburg, New York City, 2011
Scott Lynch/Smorgasburg
Why is this on a list of influential restaurants? What Smorgasburg lacks in being an actual restaurant, it makes up for in world domination. The outdoor market in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has become a food-stall empire with outposts in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, and annual pop-ups in Brazil and Japan. The popularity and money-making potential of other similar markets have undoubtedly helped fuel the food-hall trend in New York and other U.S. cities. It’s enabled small purveyors in expensive cities to gain fans and Instagram clout for much less money than opening their own spot would require. So, should it be in this story? Any operation that produced those lines for water cakes and ramen burgers shouldn’t be ignored. —Ryan Grim, Digital Executive Editor
Sqirl, Los Angeles, 2012
Jaime Beechum
There is no restaurant that better embodies the ethos of modern California cooking—highly seasonal, deeply colorful, produce-heavy, simple-but-not—than Sqirl. The restaurant’s menu of crispy rice bowls and thick toasts dripping with thick dollops of ricotta and fresh jams has kept people lining up down the block since 2012 and has launched a thousand copy cats nationwide since. Chef Jessica Koslow made it cool to keep things effortless and unfussy—though a closer look at her dishes reveals a chef with an arsenal of skills, like fermentation and pickling. It’s food that feels healthful, fresh, and sunny, as if you are eating the benefits of an L.A. lifestyle without having to actually take any of the yoga classes or suck down any of the green juice. —Khushbu Shah, Restaurant Editor
Superiority Burger, New York City, 2015
Sunny Shokrae
Brooks Headley had a laser-focused mission, succeeded wildly at it, and made the restaurant world a better place. Six years ago, he was an award-winning pastry chef who would make veggie burgers just for kicks. Then he did a veggie-burger pop-up, which eventually became a six-seat East Village institution with groups of people always eating outside. It’s not like Headley invented plant-based fast food, but he’s the best at it, and he’s influenced so many other concepts in the past few years. The Superiority staff never stops churning out experimental vegan hits, like their Italian hoagie, cold pizza salad, and tahini ranch romaine salad. Last year, Headley thought it’d be cool to get intensely into focaccia and sell it only on Fridays. May this place stay open for a thousand years. —R.G.
Bad Saint, Washington, D.C., 2015
Leandro Lagera
For years, experts like Andrew Zimmern and Anthony Bourdain shouted from the rafters that Filipino food was going to be “the next big thing” in America. That sisig and pancit would be as common at the dinner table as burritos and sushi are now. While the day that Filipino food gets its proper due has yet to come, one restaurant has demonstrated that the cuisine is ready for the national stage: D.C.’s Bad Saint. Out of a tiny (and we mean tiny, they aren’t able to accommodate parties larger than 4) space in a quaint residential neighborhood, Chef Tom Cunanan is churning out brash, flavorful cooking that delivers a punch of vinegar or a slap of acid in every bite. The cooking is truly of the flavor-to-the-face variety, and the unapologetic but nuanced dishes that mix both homestyle Filipino cooking and local ingredients have earned Bad Saint nearly every accolade possible: The top of several best restaurants lists, a James Beard award, and more. But the real accolade is that people continue to line up for hours down the block since the restaurant opened in 2015. —K.S.
The Grey, Savannah, Georgia, 2015
The Grey Market is now open in Savannah, Georgia, just a few blocks away from Mashama Bailey and Johno Morisano's award-winning restaurant, The Grey. photo: Courtesy
Walk into The Grey (assuming you can score a reservation after its team's numerous accolades, including a spot on our World's Best Restaurants list) and you'll find a Bronx-born fine-dining-trained Black woman cooking African-influenced seasonal Southern food in an exquisitely refurbished Greyhound bus station where just a few decades prior, she and her white, male business partner would not have been allowed to coexist in the same waiting area. The alliance of Mashama Bailey and Johno Morisano was, they admit, cautious at first, but has blossomed into a stunning force for hospitality and grace in fractious times. The food's damn good, too. —K.K.
Turkey and the Wolf, New Orleans, 2016
Douglas Friedman
The descriptor most frequently deployed for Turkey and the Wolf's cuisine is "stoner" and sure, a Grimace plate below your collard green melt or fried bologna sandwich might underscore that notion. But when it earned a berth in Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, and Eater's Best New Restaurants lists and a semifinalist nod from the James Beard Foundation in 2017, the message was clear: this goofy-ass place is seriously excellent. New Orleans reveres its sandwiches, as do chef-owner Mason Hereford and team, but what makes this Irish Channel iconoclast so noteworthy is its gleeful balance of high-end chef techniques, international culinary mash-ups, and just plain fun. —K.K.
Rodney Scott's BBQ, Charleston, 2018
Andrew Cebulka
Barbecue is one of the best things America ever did, and Rodney Scott is one of the best to ever do it. The South Carolina whole hog master, who opened a brick-and-mortar location in Charleston in 2018, not only makes some of the best pig in the country, but he has also helped revive and elevate the deeply sophisticated, mostly rural art of smoked whole hog. His Charleston counter service restaurant made a national impact, earning him a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast (he’s only the second pitmaster to ever win a Beard award). While there’s chatter that Scott may one day open in New York, he’s proved the vitality and impact of staying put and being the best. —M.Y.
LocoL, Los Angeles, 2018
MediaNews Group/Bay Area News vi/Getty Images
LocoL was Kogi chef Roy Choi’s fast-food project in the underserved L.A. neighborhood of Watts, with the aim of providing good, accessible food and jobs to the community. The late critic Jonathan Gold wrote a front page story on the 2016 opening, saying that Choi and his partner Daniel Patterson “aim to do nothing less than revolutionize the system of fast food in America.” After the restaurant and its San Jose outpost closed in 2018, following Oakland closures, Choi told us that LocoL couldn’t sustain the retail component or find investors, but that didn’t mean it was over. “LocoL was always a movement,” he said. “The extension of that movement as a retail fast-food counter was one facet of the movement. But the movement keeps moving.” In many ways, LocoL anticipated—and potentially offers a blueprint for—a new type of socially conscious restaurant that engages with its community in a meaningful way. —M.Y.
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Interest rates rise
The Bank of England has raised interest rates from 0.25% to 0.5%, the first rate rise in ten years.
The Bank of England (BoE) has raised interest rates from 0.25% to 0.5%, the first rate rise in ten years.
In explaining the reasons behind the rise, the BoE monetary policy summary states:
'CPI inflation rose to 3.0% in September. The MPC still expects inflation to peak above 3.0% in October, as the past depreciation of sterling and recent increases in energy prices continue to pass through to consumer prices. The effects of rising import prices on inflation diminish over the next few years, and domestic inflationary pressures gradually pick up as spare capacity is absorbed and wage growth recovers. On balance, inflation is expected to fall back over the next year and, conditioned on the gently rising path of Bank Rate implied by current market yields, to approach the 2% target by the end of the forecast period.'
Mark Carney, the Governor of the BoE, suggested that many mortgages, credit cards and loans would not be impacted in the short term by the interest rate rise. He also indicated that two more interest rate rises may be required by 2020 to help bring inflation back to the BoE's target.
Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Economist at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said:
'The decision to raise interest rates comes as no surprise, given the recent signals from the Bank and several MPC members, signalling their intention to vote for a change of course.
'Businesses will be watching the reaction of consumers closely, and what's important is the pace of any future rises. As rates creep up, it'll be important to keep an eye on the impact for those at the lower end of the income scale.'
Internet links: Bank of England news CBI news
Latest News for Business Archive
Review of the Disguised Remuneration Loan Charge
The government has announced it will make a number of changes to the loan charge rules.
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Eoin Morgan vows to play it his way after Cook backs England to win World Cup
By PA Sport
England captain Eoin Morgan has vowed to do things his own way as the clock counts down to the 2019 World Cup but is happy for his predecessor, Sir Alastair Cook, to talk his side up as tournament favourites.
Cook was axed as skipper shortly before the 2015 World Cup, with Morgan hastily installed ahead of the competition in Australia and New Zealand. It proved a disastrous campaign but the Irishman has overseen a white-ball revolution in the intervening four years leaving England as world number one’s in the 50-over format.
Cook, speaking with 100 days to go until the competition begins, became the latest high-profile pundit to back England, noting they are “feared throughout the world” and tipping them not to repeat the sins of past editions.
Morgan’s response came from Barbados, on the eve of the first one-day international against the West Indies, and he welcomed the plaudits.
“There’s a chance well go in favourites, we’ve spoke about it and don’t mind the tag,” said Morgan.
“We’ve learned to be at ease with it in the last few series. But it doesn’t really mean anything – you have to produce to be rewarded and have a bit of luck as well.
“To handle it my own way is first and foremost a priority, it’s something that I’ve done since I’ve been captain and will continue to do.
“Every series that we’ve played has almost been a rehearsal for the build-up for the big occasion so I can’t imagine anything is going to change.
“The reason we’re excited about it because we’ve been building to it for so long.”
Cook noted that England’s past errors include “major changes in key positions” – with his own dropping compounded by 11th hour change to the batting and bowling line-ups in 2015 – but added: “this is not going to happen this time”.
With most of the 15 squad places effectively locked down and at least nine of the first choice XI pencilled in, the only likely wild card this time comes in the form of Jofra Archer.
The Barbados-born 23-year-old is a star of the global Twenty20 franchise circuit and becomes available for England next month. He represents either a tantalising late addition for the selectors or the potential for a familiar eve-of-tournament disruption and Morgan was careful not to fuel either fire.
“We have asked a lot of questions about ourselves over the last few years, so you’d think no drastic changes like 2015,” he said.
“Probably one of the best attributes I have is to compartmentalise things. So until Jofra qualifies, he’s not really in our thoughts at the moment. The focus for us is on this series.”
While the main event of the white-ball calendar will understandably loom large over the Caribbean series – both teams are effectively fine-tuning their options over the next five games – Morgan was careful not to look too far ahead. England’s Test side were upset 2-1 in the recent series and a repeat in coloured clothing would not go down well.
“Expectations are high in that everyone expects us to win but the manner in which we do will play out differently to how people expect,” Morgan added.
“The West Indies will be tough and everyone in our dressing room knows that. It’s not an easy place to come and win particularly when they have a lot of match winners.”
Eoin Morgan
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Criminal Procedure And Evidence - Appeals (Ss 322-326)
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.highlight_word{
PART XXI
Appeals (ss 322-326)
[Ch0802s322]322. When execution of sentence may be suspended
The execution of the sentence of a magistrate's
court shall not be suspended by reason of any appeal against a conviction,
unless-
(a) the
sentence is that the accused be given corporal punishment, in which case the
sentence shall not be executed until the appeal has been heard and decided; or
(b) the
court from which the appeal is made thinks fit to order that the accused be
admitted to bail or, if he is sentenced to any punishment other than simple
imprisonment, that he be treated as an unconvicted prisoner until the appeal
has been heard and decided:
Provided that-
(i) when the
accused is ultimately sentenced to imprisonment, the time during which he is so
released on bail shall be excluded in computing the term for which he is so
sentenced; and
(ii) when the
accused has been detained as an unconvicted prisoner as hereinbefore provided,
the time during which he has been detained shall be included or excluded in
computing the term for which he is ultimately sentenced as the appellate court
may determine.
[Ch0802s323]323. Summary dismissal of appeal
Where an appeal against a conviction or sentence
from a magistrate's court has been duly noted, the appellate court, on perusing
the record of the case, including the appellant's statement setting out the
grounds upon which the appeal is based, and any due notice of amendment
thereof, and any further document which may have duly become part of the
record, may if it considers that there is no sufficient ground for interfering,
dismiss the appeal summarily:
Provided that no appeal shall be dismissed unless
the appellant or his counsel (if the court has been notified that he has a
counsel) has had a reasonable opportunity of being heard in support of the
[Ch0802s324]324. Notice of time, place and hearing
If the appellate court does not dismiss the appeal
summarily, it shall cause notice to be given to the appellant or his counsel,
and to the Director of Public Prosecutions, or in the case of a private
prosecution, to the complainant or his counsel, of the time and place at which
such appeal will be heard, and shall furnish the Director of Public
Prosecutions or, in the case of a private prosecution, the complainant or his
counsel, with a copy of the record of the case, including the appellant's
statement setting out the grounds upon which the appeal is based, and any due
notice of amendment thereof, and any further document which may have duly
become part of the record.
[Ch0802s325]325. Powers of appellate court
In case of any appeal against a conviction or
sentence which has not been dismissed summarily under section 323, the
appellate court may without prejudice to the exercise by the court of its
powers under section 62 of the Magistrates' Courts Act and under section 10 of
the High Court Act-
(a) confirm
the judgment of the court below, in which case if the accused, having been
convicted and admitted to bail, is in court, the appellate court may forthwith
commit him to custody for the purpose of undergoing any punishment to which he
may have been sentenced;
(b) order
that the judgment shall be set aside notwithstanding the verdict, which order
shall have for all purposes the same effect as if the accused had been
acquitted;
(c) give
such judgment as ought to have been given at the trial, or impose such
punishment (whether more or less severe than or of a different nature from the
punishment imposed by the court below) as ought to have been imposed at the
trial; or
(d) make
such other order as justice may require:
Provided that notwithstanding that the
appellate court is of the opinion that any point raised might be decided in
favour of the accused, no conviction or sentence shall be set aside or altered
by reason of any irregularity or defect in the record or proceedings, unless it
appears to the appellate court that a failure of justice has in fact resulted
therefrom.
[Ch0802s326]326. Order of court to be certified
The order or direction of the appellate court
shall be certified under the hand of the presiding judge to the Registrar of
the court before which the case was tried, and such order or direction shall be
carried into effect and shall authorize every person affected by it to do
whatever is necessary to carry it into effect.
Read the Terms of Use Agreement to see the terms that apply to your use of our products (including this website).
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Global-Regulation Inc. ©2015-2020
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Report / 17 мая 2017 г.
Jade and the Generals
Film reveals how Myanmar’s multi-billion dollar jade trade is contributing to ethnic armed conflict – and why natural resources must be a focus of peace talks.
မြန်မာစာ Твиттер Поделиться Конфликтные минералы Мьянма Пожертвовать
As Myanmar gears up for national peace talks, our new film reveals how the jade riches of Kachin State are helping to incentivise and fuel deadly armed conflict. Never before seen footage and interviews reveal the fear and destruction wrought by the powerful elites who came to control the multi-billion dollar mines during the days of military dictatorship.
Under Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the new civilian-led government has started to take action on the dirty jade trade but there is a long way to go. Upcoming peace talks offer a crucial opportunity to put the country’s natural resources on a new footing, and move closer to a lasting end to the ethnic conflicts which have caused so much suffering.
Watch the film to find out more – then share.
The film is also available on YouTube and Vimeo
Kachin’s cursed treasure
The film focuses on Kachin State in the north of Myanmar, home to the most valuable jade mines on the planet, and the site of some of the country’s worst ethnic armed conflict.
Since fighting in Kachin State resumed in 2011, 100,000 people have been driven from their homes and countless lives have been destroyed.
Local communities are calling for an end to the fighting and reform of the trade that is driving it. To find out more about the impact on local lives, and the steps needed to break the links between jade and conflict, see our multimedia photo story, Cursed Treasure.
To achieve peace the government must remove a key incentive for the fighting. The jade mines of Kachin State need to be managed in the interests of its people, not the men with guns.
See a joint statement signed by over 135 civil society members : Myanmar peace talks must address natural resource management
Please support their calls and help ensure the peace talks urgently focus on the role natural resources and jade plays in incentivising and fuelling conflict, by exposing the links between jade and the generals.
Watch and share our new film: Jade and the Generals on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/GlobalWitness/videos/1394028203991830/
or YouTube
#Kachin’s jade riches need to be managed in the interests of its people, not the men with guns https://t.co/YQEgdZF8A2 #Myanmar pic.twitter.com/qAUUqt75P2
— Global Witness (@Global_Witness) May 17, 2017
Paul Donowitz, Campaign Leader, Myanmar
A photographic journey into Myanmar’s famed jade mines and the links to the military and ethnic armed conflict which has engulfed the country for decades.
Конфликтные минералыPress release
Myanmar’s multi-billion dollar jade trade contributing to ethnic armed conflict, new film shows ahead of landmark peace talks
МьянмаДоклад
Jade: Myanmar's "Big State Secret"
As Myanmar's historic election approaches, our report reveals a secret jade trade worth up to US$31 billion, and controlled by military elites and drug lords.
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Briefing / 15 Februari 2019
A Dud Deal
How SOCO dumped Congo oil block in contentious Africa exit
Français Tweet Share Oil, Gas & Mining Congo-Brazzaville DONATE
Publicly listed SOCO International Plc disposed of one of its last Sub-Saharan Africa assets in a deal that breaches Congolese law and appears to make no commercial sense, our new investigation reveals.
For the second time in less than a decade, the small central African petrostate Republic of Congo is on the brink of bankruptcy.
Congo is Sub-Saharan Africa’s third largest oil producer, yet the revenues of this lucrative but finite resource do not appear to be making it into the state coffers.
Amidst this context, Global Witness scrutinised a deal over one of the country’s prime untapped offshore oil blocks, Marine XI. From London to Geneva, Congo to tropical archipelagos, we pieced together leaked documents, testimony and expert opinion to unpack what can only be termed as a dud deal – for Congo, and for London-listed oil company SOCO International’s shareholders, which include major pension providers.
SOCO’s exit marks end of a controversial history
The deal, which took place in June 2018, marks SOCO’s departure from Sub-Saharan Africa. The company’s history there has been mired in controversy.
From 2007 to 2015, it attempted to explore for oil in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park, a UNESCO-protected World Heritage Site, paying others who bullied or bribed anyone who got in its way.
Nonsensical deal leaves Congo block with uncertain future
SOCO EPC's office in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo
SOCO left Republic of Congo in a manner true to form. It sold its operating stake in Marine XI to an opaque shell company with no prior experience, cash or assets. That company promptly installed a close relative of the incumbent president, otherwise known as a ‘politically-exposed person’ (PEP), to manage its local business and started to transfer payments to at least one company connected to its CEO.
SOCO failed to inform or seek authorisation from Congo’s oil authorities prior to the sale, in breach of Congolese law.
SOCO’s deal does not appear to make commercial sense. It announced completion of the transaction without receiving any money and had at least one better offer, which it declined. Payment for the asset was conditional on certain terms, which ran an eighty to ninety-eight per cent chance of failure, the company reported shortly after the deal.
Overnight, the Congolese government found an empty shell company in control of one of its oil blocks and SOCO’s shareholders found themselves an asset short with nothing concrete to show for it.
Corruption signs
This is a story of cowboy capitalism among a tight network of industry insiders, which takes place against the backdrop of a country yet again seeking bailouts from foreign creditors.
For over two decades, Global Witness has investigated corruption in deals for natural resources. On first inspection, this one has many of the tell-tale signs, which require further scrutiny: a seemingly nonsensical deal; the absence of a competitive sale process; questionable payments to related companies; the use of anonymous companies registered in secrecy jurisdictions, which disguise their real beneficiaries; and the involvement of PEPs.
The Congolese oil authorities have begun to investigate; it is time UK regulators did the same.
Natasha White, Journalist
Martha Marcuson, Communications Advisor
Oil, Gas & MiningCountry page
The Republic of Congo is Sub-Saharan Africa’s third largest oil producer. Yet the country has flirted with bankruptcy three times in less than two decades, in part due to widespread corruption and mismanagement of the country’s resource revenues.
Oil, Gas & MiningBriefing
IMF must ensure kleptocratic regime in the Republic of Congo does not get another sweet deal
Despite its huge oil reserves, for the second time in less than a decade, the Republic of Congo is on the verge of bankruptcy. Find out why.
Oil, Gas & MiningArticle
Bailouts and bad business in Brazzaville
Two huge European oil companies and a former IMF official have had business ties to a middleman at the centre of a Portuguese corruption probe, our new investigation reveals.
Download Full Briefing Download Press Release
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TOQUILLA STRAW HATS
IKAT SCARVES
The process of making an authentic Toquilla Straw Hat is a long, meticulous one. Many artisans are involved in the process and it requires a technique that is passed from generation to generation.
Ironically, “Panama Hats” are originally and exclusively made in Ecuador, not in Panama as the name suggests.
Toquilla straw comes from a tropical rain forest plant named Carludovica Palmata. This plant grows exclusively near the coast of Ecuador, especially in the Manabi Province.
With the use of machetes, the new stalks are cut by hand, bundled and transported by horse or truck to weaving villages in Manabi and Azuay (Ecuador).
Preparing the Straw
Stalks are opened and split into thin straws. Straw is separated by thickness and then grouped in a length of one meter approximately.
Then the straw is cleaned and boiled in a big pot of water for about an hour and then hung to dry under the sun.
To give the straw a unified light color, it is put in a container with sulfur and lit charcoal over night.
The straw can also be dyed in diverse colors. This is made by boiling the straw along with dyes in a big pot.
When the straw is ready, the weaver selects the best straw and cuts it to the length he wants to work with. Always dipping their fingers in water, they split the fiber razor thin, and weave outwards from the center of the crown using a wooden crown form as support.
This kind of weaving is a unique skill handed down from generation to generation. The greatest weavers work only by the light of the moon or when the sky is overcast.
After the weaving
Once woven, the hat has four to six inches of loose straw remaining around the brim. This excess of straw is then woven backwards by “rematadoras”, forming a thin but strong band around the brim.
Next, an “azocadora” receives the hat to carefully tighten the brim’s edge and a “cortadora” cuts off the remaining excess straw from the hat.
Blocking and styling the hats
Blocking is the process by which a hat is given its final shape. This is achieved by hand using iron over a wooden form or with a steam hydraulic machine.
Finally, an internal band is sewn and a decorative trim is attached to the hat before the hat is ready for sale.
Ikat (from Malay “Mengikat”): to tie up
Ikat is a millenary and complex technique used to elaborate colorful patterned scarfs and shawls.
The difference between Ikat and other resist-dyeing techniques such as tie-dye and batik, is that in Ikat the threads are dyed before weaving.
With the Ikat technique the threads must be dyed before weaving. Through the use of skillfully made special knots, the dyes do not penetrate certain sections of the textile, thus obtaining a variety of tones to form the desired pattern.
Creating an ikat scarf or shawl takes anywhere from three days to two months, depending on the pattern and the fringe. The entire process of making an Ikat textile is 100% handmade.
The yarns to be dyed are arranged in a process called warp. They are ordered from 2,000 to 2,500 threads for each shawl to develop.
The strands are counted and separated to be tied up with special knots- a technique called Ikat. The knots will determine the design of each scarf.
When the dyeing takes place, the places where the knots are do not get “stained”, thus keeping the original thread color at that place. The bindings may then be altered and the thread bundles dyed again with another color to produce elaborate, multicolored patterns
After the dye is finished, the knots are cut and the warp is laid in an ancient warp loom for weaving the fabric by hand to interweave each strand of warp.
The weaving or tying of the fringe of the scarf is what gives the final touch to the ikat cloth. This is a continuation of the warp yarns. The design of the fringes could be: knotted, embroidery, or crochet.
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House Passes Short-Term Highway Extension
July 29, 2015 • by Deborah Lockridge
The House late Wednesday passed a short-term extension to keep federal highway funding going until October 29, right before members left on August recess, leaving the Senate to deal with before the looming Friday deadline.
The vote was 385-34, and the Senate is expected to pass it this week.
The House and Senate have been battling for weeks, with neither willing to budge in a game of "chicken."
The House had already passed a five-month extension, while the Senate as late as earlier this week was still trying to get its six-year plan (which actually only paid for three years) passed. House leadership had said it would not even take up the Senate bill, and the Senate bill's authors criticized House leadership for refusing to delay their August recess to work on the bill.
According to published reports, the Senate agreed to take up the three-month extension in exchange for promises from the House that a larger funding fix will be worked on soon after the August recess. The House has said it will develop a multiyear highway bill of its own in early September.
The Highway Trust Fund has been insolvent since 2008, limping along on transfers from the Treasury while Congress keeps kicking the can down the road.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on the Senate floor expressed lawmakers' frustration with the lack of progress. As quoted in the Wall Street Journal: “While I feel I have no choice but to support a short-term patch to prevent the Highway Trust Fund from expiring after this week, this short-term approach is not the answer. It needs to stop being the norm. It epitomizes Congress’s failure to govern sensibly.”
Read more about Highway Funding Highway Trust Fund U.S. Congress
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Media Company
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20 Must Visit Destinations
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Gambia Independence Day
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 18 of February, repeating indefinitely
Gambia Gambia + Google Map
The Independence Day of The Gambia is celebrated with great fanfare. Official celebrations are held at McCarthy Square in the capital Banjul.
Egypt Independence Day
Kingdom of Egypt Egypt + Google Map
People all over Egypt celebrate this day every year by having national parades and musical and dance performances in the country’s capital, Cairo and also by singing patriotic songs
Ethiopian National Day: Battle of Adwa
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 2 of March, repeating indefinitely
Ethiopian Empire Ethiopia + Google Map
Ethiopia celebrates the Victory of Adowa, also known as Battle of Adwa (Adowa or Adua in Italian), every 1st of March every year. The Battle of Adowa that sparked between Ethiopia and Italy on March 1, 1896.
Ghana Independence Day
Ghana Ghana + Google Map
The Independence Day of Ghana was officially announced on 6th March, 1957. The people of Ghana were under the rule of the British and finally with lots of struggle the country became free. Ghana was the first Black African country to gain its independence.
Tourism 101 Immersive Class, Tourism Training For Young Entrepreneurs
Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, 30 Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way
Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria + Google Map
The Tourism 101 Immersive Class, is to raise the level of awareness of young practitioners who have chosen to be entrepreneurs in the Tourism sector. Training 101 shall enlighten, empower and equip the increasing number of female entrepreneurs with the knowledge of Africa’s ecotourism spectrum including its richness, and highly sustainable economic activities necessary to supplement the dependence on oil/gas.
Eritrea Independence Day
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 24 of May, repeating indefinitely
State of Eritrea Eritrea + Google Map
The Independence Day of Eritrea is one of the most important public holidays in the country. It is observed on May 24 every year.
Djibouti Independence Day
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 27 of June, repeating indefinitely
Djibouti Djibouti + Google Map
The Djibouti Independence Day is an important moment in the country's history. Celebrated every year on 27th June the day marks the independence won by this country in Horn of Africa from their erstwhile masters France.
Congo DR Independence Day
Congo, The Democratic Republic of The Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The + Google Map
Democratic Republic of the Congo Independence Day is a national holiday, which is celebrated to commemorate the country's liberation from Belgium in 1960.
Burundi Independence Day
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 1 of July, repeating indefinitely
Burundi Burundi + Google Map
People of Burundi annually celebrate Independence Day on July 1. On this day Belgian colony Ruanda-Urundi split to form Rwanda and present-day Burundi.
Algeria Independence Day
Algeria Algeria + Google Map
July 5 is celebrated in Algeria as Independence Day, in remembrance of actual independence from France in 1962. After being taken by the French in 1830, Algeria remained under France’s control for 132 years.
Cape Verde Independence Day
Cape Verde Cape Verde + Google Map
Each year we celebrate Cape Verde Independence with a festival at Boston City Hall Plaza on the 4th of July containing music, arts and food festival and Flag Raising.
Central African Republic Independence Day
Central African Republic Central African Republic + Google Map
Central African Republic is known for its traditions and they do their best to safeguard their traditions and culture The oral traditions of the Aka Pygmies of Central Africa is one of the things which are remarkable and beyond any comparison.
Comoros Independence Day
Comoros Comoros + Google Map
The Union of the Comoros celebrates its Independence Day on July 6. This public holiday celebrates the day, when the Comoros gained independence from France.
Liberia Independence Day
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 26 of July, repeating indefinitely
Liberia Liberia + Google Map
The Independence Day is the day celebrated by the country to mark its freedom. The country gains independence after a lot of struggle. Once it gains freedom, it no more remains a part of any state or province.
Benin Independence Day
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 1 of August, repeating indefinitely
Benin Benin + Google Map
The Independence Day is a national holiday in Benin. Celebrations on this day take place on grand scale throughout the country.
Burkina Faso Independence Day
Burkina Faso Burkina Faso + Google Map
Burkina Faso celebrates its independence day every year on August 5th. This country got independent from French rule in 1960.
Côte D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Independence Day
Côte D’Ivoire Cote D'Ivoire + Google Map
Independence Day is observed nationwide in Côte d’Ivoire, and schools, offices, and general businesses are closed for the day. The day is marked by national cultural events organized locally by the government.
Chad Independence Day
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 11 of August, repeating indefinitely
Chad Chad + Google Map
Although Chad achieved her liberty on August 11, 1960, the Independence Day of Chad is celebrated on January 11 to avoid the monsoon in August. Like most of the countries.
Congo Independence Day
Congo Congo + Google Map
This day is declared as the National Holiday and celebrated by a host of events within The Republic of the Congo.
Gabon Independence Day
Gabon Gabon + Google Map
The Gabonese Republic celebrates its Independence Day on August 17. This national holiday commemorates the independence of Gabon from France in 1960. The festivities usually last for two days, August 16 and 17.
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Best Pulaski Woods Hiking Trail Illinois
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Sanford “Sandy” Friduss ~ Carbondale. Sanford Friduss, 83, passed away peacefully Monday, October 22, 2018 at his residence in Carbondale. Sandy was born May 19, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois; the son of the late Dr. Mandel and Ruth (Joffee) Friduss.
River Activity, Greg Farnham and the late Frank Schere, both Rockford, Illinois, for working in 11 counties and 41 communities to garner support for the Rock River Trails initiative that includes.
Best Amphibian Hiking Shoes For Galapagos Apr 01, 2011 · Hiking/water shoes: For land excursions during your Galapagos cruise you will be transferred from the cruise ship to the islands by panga ride (dinghy boats). Often this requires a wet landing, so we recommend dry/wet strap on sandals (Tiva style) that. Vezo, 61, died Friday on a hiking trip in the Rincon
Larry Faulkner, president emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, was involved in hiring Jim Avery to the faculty of the University of Illinois, where he worked. and radar that could look at.
At 370 acres, the site is larger than over a third of present-day National Historical Parks and contains three nature trails for hiking. of Mother Nature’s best work – from waterfalls and gorges to.
To truly appreciate the Mississippi, we leave the familiar territory of Huck and Tom and take a spin on the Great River Road as it runs alongside Old Muddy’s upper reaches through Illinois. 1921 by.
Choose from nearly 500 RV sites with full hook-ups and paved pads at Gulf State Park with options to sit lakefront or in the woods. It’s ideal for hikers. playground, biking and hiking trails, and.
Police blocked the street at 156th Street to the south and at Pulaski Road to the north until the scene. a fire station and the Calumet City Public Library. A bike trail runs through the woods just.
CALIFORNIA. Arcadia: Angeles National Forest The Angeles National Forest covers a total of 700,176 acres, protecting large areas of the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains. The Angeles National Forest offers 557 miles of hiking and equestrian trails which include 73 miles of National Recreation Trails and 176 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
On the second afternoon, we followed a trail to the banks of the Illinois River. Here. But they ultimately sought a way back to the woods. Gabe worked as a cook for an Appalachian Mountain Club.
Rehoboth Beach is a charming old town boasting one of the finest beaches in the nation. This is a laidback community that welcomes visitors with a warm spirit featuring shady tree-lined streets with vibrant colorful seaside cottages, artsy boutiques, dynamic galleries, and.
I’m on the lake’s northeast shore exploring Ontario’s 725-square-mile Pukaskwa National Park, hiking empty backcountry trails. degree wood-fired sauna is the best way to work up enough nerve to.
History. Centralia is named for the Illinois Central Railroad, built in 1853.The city was founded at the location where the two original branches of the railroad converged. Centralia was first chartered as a.
Looking for the best trails in the United States? TrailLink has more than 30,000 miles of trails so you’re bound to find a perfect trail near you! View detailed trail descriptions, trail maps, reviews, photos, trail itineraries, directions on TrailLink.
Add 3,126 miles of shoreline along the Great Lakes, and the state offers endless opportunities for overnight hiking trips. According to Backpacker Magazine, the best. growth woods, sparkling lakes.
Here, based on Air Force Times research, are the Air Force’s best bases in the United States: 1. (tied) Scott Air Force Base, Illinois One might not imagine. other trips have taken airmen to.
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
Alberta Home Gardening • The Documented Experiments of an Alberta Gardener • Author: Dave Trenholm • Location: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada • "I wanted to make this blog a site full of great hints, tips, and how-tos that will help you in your own quest for a beautiful space. I’ve experimented with greenhouses, mulching, square-foot gardening, landscaping, unique and exotic vegetables.
Joining a park ranger for a short walk, interpretive talk, or day hike is a great way to learn more about Kenai Fjords National Park. Self-directed Junior Ranger books, the Explorer App, Discovery and Art for Parks backpacks are also available to enhance your visit. Programs are offered between.
Olympus and is woven with gorgeous hiking and backpacking trails. Fall is the best time to do this road trip, with the fall foliage and lush green Green Mountains as a breathtaking backdrop. Stop.
The world is filled with beautiful women. They are prominetly featured in television shows, movies and magazines all the time. Here you have the top 100 most beautiful women of all time from movies,television and fashion, according to experts.
Novelist Susan Henderson often goes hiking for two or three hours. “For my first draft, I’ll go into the woods,” she says. of kinesiology and community health at the University of Illinois, as.
I grew up running through these woods. In elementary school. But here, I know where to find a seven-foot-deep swimming hole, a cool pine forest and a hiking trail for every occasion. On this trip,
A recent trip through these hills brought this writer back to her hiking days along the Blue. what it calls the While Lightning Artisan Trail: meandering through such dots on the map as Dublin,
Following US Highway 2, the epic Great Northern route is the most stunning and unforgettable (not to mention longest) cross-country American road trip.
Citypass For Clients Using Travel Agents with the objective to reach a new distribution agreement that provides mutual benefit and value to all constituents in the distribution landscape,” reads the email sent to Sabre’s travel agency and. This will last three years and ensure smooth entry at EU borders and airports, similar to the current ESTA scheme many tourists use to
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Labor Esq Reps INT'L
It's Official: U.K.'s Tinopolis Acquires 'Top Chef' Producer
3:20 AM PST 2/3/2014 by Stuart Kemp
David Moir/Bravo
"Top Chef"
Reality TV hit maker Magical Elves will give the British company an even stronger U.S. presence.
Magical Elves, the U.S. producer of hit format Top Chef, has finalized a deal to be acquired by Britain's Tinopolis Group.
Financial details of the deal weren't disclosed on Monday, but Magical Elves is believed to be worth more than $100 million.
The acquisition is the latest deal by a British TV company for a U.S. production outfit. U.K. TV giant ITV has acquired such U.S. firms as Cake Boss producer High Noon Entertainment, Duck Dynasty creator Gurney and Thinkfactory Media, the firm behind Kevin Costner drama Hatfields & McCoys.
PHOTOS: From Tony Soprano to Walter White: TV’s Top 17 Anti-Heroes
The transaction gives the U.K. producer and distributor with interests in unscripted, scripted, sports and digital a bigger West Coast presence and adds a third independent to Tinopolis’ roster of U.S. companies. It previously acquired A Smith & Co. and Base Productions in 2011.
Other Tinopolis-owned businesses include Pioneer Productions, Mentorn Media, Firecrackers Films and Passion Distribution.
In addition to Top Chef, which airs on Bravo in the U.S., Magical Elves produces Fashion Star and The Real L Word, as well as feature films such as Katy Perry: Part of Me and Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.
When word of the Tinopolis deal first emerged last week, Bravo announced it would bring back Top Chef for a 12th season.
Stuart Kemp
THRnews@thr.com @thr
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Haute People
Home Unlabelled One Love Festival 2014
One Love Festival 2014
By RANE At June 07, 2014 0
2014 One Love Jamaica Festival- Strengthening 50yrs of “One Love”
Tokyo, Japan – June 7, 2014 --- The 2014 One Love Jamaica Festival which had its’ beginnings in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, eleven years ago, will return there for another year’s staging of the annual event. The two day festival will take place on June 21st and 22nd from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm. It will be the first of four One Love Jamaica Festivals which have been planned to amplify the celebrations surrounding the 50th Anniversary of Jamaica and Japan’s diplomatic relationship. The other festivals will be held over a four month period. The dates slated are: August 16th and 17th in Nagano; September 20th and 21st in Nagoya and November 22nd and 23rd in Okinawa.
In keeping with true Jamaican flair for electrifying performances, this year’s Festival’s stage show is being headlined by renowned roots reggae singer, Kiddus I and six time Jamaica Festival Song winner, Eric Donaldson, who captured the hearts of Jamaicans with the song “Cherry O’ Baby”. Also in the lineup is Japan-based, Jamaican singer, Monique Dehaney, who launched her debut album, Love Song Sweet J Ballads, earlier this year. Japanese reggae singers, Rankin Taxi and Puppa U-Gee; saxophonist Akira Tatsumi and a number of other Jamaican and Japanese reggae artistes will complete the list of performers.
The JCDC World Reggae Dance Championship (WRDC) semi-finals will again be hosted at the Festival with last year’s Japan semi-finals winners, Yellow Yellow and 2013 WRDC champions, Attack Dem Squad sharing the stage with Jamaican dancer Daddy Rich. The world renowned L'ACADCO Dance Company based in Jamaica will also be a part of the line-up. L’ACADCO founder Dr. L'Antoinette Stines is the founder of the first primarily Black Dance Group in Miami in 1978. L'ACADCO dancers contribute to the development in Jamaican and Caribbean dance through their participation in demonstrations and workshops for the educating of younger dancers. Persons will also have a culture village, Jamaica village, live painting and kitchen and market areas to look forward to and sample foods from Jamaica and other countries.
“We have also partnered with the Peace Boat this year and are currently on a drive to collect new and used musical instruments. These instruments will be donated to the Alpha Boys School in Jamaica, a residential child-care institution that has been using music over the years to redirect the lives of boys in Jamaica,” said Gregory Arnold,
President of the One Love Jamaica Festival Committee (OLJFC). “Jamaica has given the world reggae music and we want to ensure that music- which lies in the core spirit of Jamaicans, continues to be nurtured. We are encouraging persons to donate and they can be assured that their instruments will be used effectively.”
Ambassador of Jamaica to Japan, His Excellency Mr. C.P. Ricardo Allicock states that “The Embassy of Jamaica considers the year 2014 to be particularly auspicious as it marks the fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Japan.” Chairman of the OLJFC, Mr. Ryuichi Tsuruno also shares his opinion. He states that this year’s production is a very major one because “the One Love Jamaica Festival was born out of the cultural exchange activities which were used to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Japan and Jamaica’s diplomatic relationship in 2004 and it has remained a flagship cultural event. It is ‘the’ cultural event that is being used to commemorate this Golden Anniversary.”
“Most Japanese people know about Reggae music, Blue Mountain Coffee, and Usain Bolt. Very few know about its culture or where Jamaica is located. The One Love Jamaica Festival is the biggest opportunity for everyone to get in touch with all that is uniquely Jamaican. Persons should come to our festival and feel alright as we have added a lot more authenticity to this year’s production,” states Mr Tsuruno
Ambassador Ricardo Allicock hopes that “visitors and that all those who participate [in the Festival] will have an opportunity to experience the joyous, transformative power of reggae, the music Jamaica invented. All interested patrons of the One Love Jamaica Festival [should] visit the Embassy’s booth so that we might share some Jamaican warmth and hospitality.”
With approximately 40,000 individuals coming out annually for the two day event at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, it can be said that the One Love Jamaica Festival has become a staple in Tokyo. The high quality organization of the Festival by the One Love Festival Committee continues to satisfy patrons of the event, giving the Jamaican community in Japan, a reminder of home and the Japanese and other ethnic groups, a taste of Jamaica.
See more at: http://www.onelovejamaicafestival.jp/
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18 Habits of the Happiest Families
By Amanda Gardner
Secrets to achieving a happy home.
Get happy
Sometimes it may seem like every member of your family is heading in a different direction: kids have school, sports, and extracurriculars, not to mention it's increasingly tough to tear them away from their smartphones. And if you're like 59% of two-parent American families, then both you and your partner have jobs outside the home.
But even if you often find yourselves embarking on separate paths, the most important relationships you can foster are those right at home—they make us who we are, after all. We asked top experts what the happiest families do to successfully come together and grow as a unit. Try bringing these 18 easy-to-adopt habits into your own home.
They create a family mission statement
Organizations and companies create mission statements as a way to articulate goals. Families can do it for the same reasons: to teach kids values and bring the family unit closer. Kids can even contribute to the process, although "the level of involvement would need to be adjusted based on the age," says Simon Rego, PsyD, director of psychology training at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. "Younger children would likely benefit from being informed about the family's mission statement then held to it, while older children may be invited to shape it." In any case, you're all partners.
They take family history trips
If you can afford to visit the haunts of your forefathers and mothers in Italy or Ireland, then great—but it doesn't have to be that complicated or expensive. You could even take your kids to the spot where you and your partner met, or the town where you or another relative grew up. "Making that family history come alive builds relationships," says AARP family expert Amy Goyer. Even better, invite grandma and grandpa along on the trip. They are, after all, the ultimate family historians.
They tell stories
Take a trip without ever leaving the house by sharing stories with your kids from your past, and by inviting your parents and grandparents to join in. "Sharing family stories with grandchildren passes on the family's culture and traditions and provides a sense of connection across the generations," says Carroll Tingle, chair of human development and family studies at the University of Alabama. One way to do this is to let the children interview their grandparents. "They might ask what the grandparent remembers about the day the grandchild was born," Tingle says. "Truth is, most children love best those stories where they are the main character."
The kids are close with their grandparents
Be sure the two generations have plenty of time to visit or at least talk. Grandparents can be a stabilizing influence: a study in the Journal of Family Psychology found that adolescents who had more grandparent involvement in their lives had fewer emotional problems and were more social than those who had less grandparent involvement. This was especially true in single-parent households and stepfamilies. "Connections between the generations have long-term benefits for grandparents, parents and children," confirms Tingle.
They have family meetings
If you're old enough to remember The Brady Bunch, you'll also remember the official family meeting. It's an idea worth borrowing, says Marcia Slattery, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. "It's designated time. Everybody has input and looks forward to it. It's sacred time you keep together." You can incorporate the family meeting into regularly scheduled programming such as Sunday dinner or make it a separate piece of the weekly schedule. "Agenda" items could include reviewing the past week, the upcoming week's schedule, new activities or problems at school.
They have family rituals
Establish a routine where all members of the family know that you're doing something together on certain days of the week—think watching movies together on Friday evenings, going to the farmers market with grandma on Saturday mornings, or making a new type of pizza every Tuesday. Or you could be more creative together, making old-fashioned photo books and adding captions to the pictures. "It's like an investment," says Rego. "You create structured time as a family and treat is as a commodity."
They thank each other often
Encourage your kids and spouse to keep secret journals where they record all the times they find family members doing something good like when a child clears the dinner table without being asked, goes to bed without an argument, or when Dad picks up the dry cleaning for Mom. At the weekly family meeting, everyone can take turns acknowledging someone else. "They consciously and deliberately thank each other for the good things they've noticed them doing," says Rego. It doesn't have to end here: One study found that kids who wrote gratitude letters were happier. Other studies have shown that being grateful in general can make us not only happier, but healthier too.
They volunteer together
Volunteering is gratitude-in-action, a time to express thanks by doing something positive for the community. Time spent in service teaches kids values and empathy and gives them new places to learn. It could be as simple as donating to a food bank, picking up garbage, or helping out at a homeless shelter. It could even be a way to exercise together: you could train for a Bike MS ride (a nationwide series of bicycle rides that benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society), or create a Relay for Life team (overnight walk-runs benefitting the American Cancer Society, and also held nationwide). "There an infinite number of ways we can engage in volunteerism or charity and any one of them help enhance the overall climate of the family," says Rego.
Each child gets one-on-one time
Time spent together as a group is important, but so is spending time with each of your kids individually. "Every child will be unique and needs to feel that parents are interested in them as much as any sibling," says Slattery. You can pick specific days of the week to spend dedicated time with each of your children, either at home or away from home. Or you can make sure you spend a portion of each evening (maybe before bed) with each child separately.
They have established sleep routines
Let's face it: well-rested family members are easier to be around. But science points to other benefits as well. One study found that infants and toddlers who kept to a consistent bedtime routine including a bath, applying lotion, and quiet activities, slept better and woke less often than those who had no routine. And children who go to bed at the same time every night had fewer behavioral problems than those who didn't have a regular bedtime, research shows. Children and adults who get enough sleep are also less likely to be obese.
They keep an activity calendar
Keep track of gymnastics practice, soccer games, music lessons, and whatever other activities your family is juggling on a whiteboard, wall calendar, or by using an app like Cozi (which is owned by Health's parent company). This facilitates communication and keeps everyone organized, says Slattery. This is useful even when your lives are less hectic, like when the kids are out of school and too much unstructured time creates anxiety. When that's the case, Slattery suggests creating slots for physical exercise, brain exercise (such as reading), social interaction, and playtime each week. "The big areas I emphasize are consistency and routines," she says. "The predictability and stability of what we do and when goes a long way."
They write out chores and expectations
Along with a mission statement, everyone should know what chores they're expected to do. Involve the kids in making the house rules (at least up to a point) by giving them options for their weekly responsibilities: Would they rather feed the dog, clear the table after dinner, or take out the garbage? "Make it specific and concrete and tangible," says Slattery. Tape the list to the inside of a cupboard door. "That takes away the 'I didn't say that' and 'What are you talking about?'" she adds.
They laugh together
Tell jokes, watch funny movies, and above all else, learn how to laugh at yourselves. "It's very important to integrate humor into the home on a regular basis," says Slattery. Research has shown that laughter can improve mood, boost our immune systems, and improve heart health. Private jokes (as long as they're not cruel or demeaning) can be another way of fostering connections within the family, adds Rego. Nicknames—maybe a teen child is still "Pooh Bear" because that was their favorite stuffed teddy as a child—can also foster connections.
They eat dinner together
Families that eat dinner together are healthier and happier, and family mealtime teaches kids to love good-for-you foods and to control their portions. "Taking the time to sit down and talk and share food is just one of many ways to catch up with each other," says Lynn Barendsen, executive director of the Family Dinner project, an organization that encourages family meals and family time.
Take it to another level by wearing your PJs at the dinner table. The wardrobe change helps set mealtime apart from other sitting times that may seem boring to kids, like school, say the Family Dinner Project experts.
They help the kids open up
If your kids tend to clam up during family meals—especially if they're teetering on the teen years—try "table topics." These are slips of paper in a bowl at the center of the table that have conversation starters and questions written on them. Fun, even nonsensical topics can be mixed in with nutrition questions so kids learn tips for a lifetime, says Wesley Delbridge, RD, a spokesperson with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Some suggestions: "If you could be any superhero, which would you be?" and "What is your favorite fruit and vegetable?" Topics can be tailored for any and all age groups.
They communicate consistently
Consistency is a good general rule for any household. This holds especially true for communication. "Open communication clearly has been shown to be helpful for kids to learn self expression and problem solving," says Slattery. Make an effort to communicate at consistent times such as during family meals and at bedtime. And make sure all family members have an opportunity speak and also practice active listening. "That means respectfully paying attention to what another family member is talking about and asking appropriate follow-up questions or comments to convey you've heard what they've said and are interested," says Slattery. "Don't interrupt and don't just talk about yourself."
They unplug once in a while
You don't want your kids' (or your) main relationship to be with an iPhone. Turn all screens off when it's designated time to talk to each other, like the family meeting or dinnertime, suggests Slattery. "This goes for parents too," says Slattery. "When kids approach parents, they should move away from their computer or phone and be there to respectfully listen." Among other things, this teaches active listening.
They use technology to their advantage
While you don't want to be immersed in a screen 24/7, there are times when it can be helpful—for keeping in touch with grandparents, for example. Tingle's grandchildren live five hours away but she reads to them "virtually" on a regular basis. "While I narrate, they sit looking at the illustrations (from my computer screen to theirs) just as mesmerized as if they were sitting in my lap," she says. She also sets her laptop on the kitchen counter so they can cook together. "Emails, text messages, and tweets are great ways to share laughs, encouragement, learning experiences and just to let them know you care," she adds. "I've sung lullabies via speaker phone to infant grandchildren who are resisting sleep."
1 of 19 Get happy
2 of 19 They create a family mission statement
3 of 19 They take family history trips
4 of 19 They tell stories
5 of 19 The kids are close with their grandparents
6 of 19 They have family meetings
7 of 19 They have family rituals
8 of 19 They thank each other often
9 of 19 They volunteer together
10 of 19 Each child gets one-on-one time
11 of 19 They have established sleep routines
12 of 19 They keep an activity calendar
13 of 19 They write out chores and expectations
14 of 19 They laugh together
15 of 19 They eat dinner together
16 of 19 They help the kids open up
17 of 19 They communicate consistently
18 of 19 They unplug once in a while
19 of 19 They use technology to their advantage
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Samuel Oduoye
How thugs attacked me after visiting Ekiti Assembly – Fayose
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Articles by Cassidy Smith
Cassidy Smith (WVU ‘21)
Cassidy Smith is a sophomore at West Virginia University pursuing a B.S. in journalism with a minor in political science. After graduation, she hopes to end up in New York City writing political pieces for a major news publication. In addition to writing for Her Campus, Cassidy has both written and photographed for the Daily Athenaeum.
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Wargaming Forum and Wargamer Forums > Fiction, Art and Roleplay Game Discussion > Black Library Book Reviews > Sonofmalice reviews the Heresy series (one...book...at...a time) > Reply to Thread
Thread: Sonofmalice reviews the Heresy series (one...book...at...a time) Reply to Thread
[QUOTE=SonofMalice;1298322]Review of "Horus Rising" by Dan Abnett Main Character(s): Garviel Loken-10th company captain, Luna Wolves Legion. Secondary Characters: Ignace Karkasy-Poet Remembrancer attached to the 63rd fleet. Euphrati Keeler-Imagist Remembrancer attached to the 63rd fleet. Mersadie Oliton-Documenter Remembrancer attached to the 63rd fleet. Tarik Torgaddon-2nd company captain, Luna Wolves Legion. Saul Tarvitz-Captain, Emperor's Children Legion. Background Characters: Horus-Primarch of the Luna Wolves. Ezekyle Abaddon-1st company captain, Luna Wolves Legion. Lucius-Captain, Emperor's Children Legion. Kyril Sindermann-Iterator attached to the 63rd fleet. Sanguinus-Primarch of the Blood Angels Name Drops: The Emperor-Master of Mankind. Malcador the Sigilite. Fulgrim-Primarch of the Emperor's Children. Antagonists: "Samus"-Warp Entity. Erebus-1st chaplain, Word Bearers Legion. Review summary: The book's beginning, Loken's story of Horus killing the "Emperor", starts the series off well. Immediately you get a sense of the power of the Adeptus Astartes of the Luna Wolves and their commander Horus. While the full extent of their abilities is only hinted at immediately visions of massively strong and skillful warriors are evoked. For all that they are still shown, immediately, to be mortal and not unbeatable. I approved of this since with all the talk of being "immortal" and also a head higher than genebulked elite soldiers they sounded invincible. The main character Loken seems possessed of good sense and a very strong set of ethics. Clearly a professional in an army of warriors he is well presented and his humility and modesty endear him to the reader. As the tale continues the elements of mystery and fear evoked by the Whisperhead incident and Samus is tempered with the war on Murder and the concluding contact with the interex. The book is divided into three parts and it definitely shows for while elements carry over from part to part it feels like you teleport straight from "terra" to Murder. Loken's character development is slow but good. You get a sense that he is naturally very reserved so getting to know him feels genuine. The supporting characters of the Mournival really help move this process along. The remembrancers, by contrast, largely bored me since They are used too sparingly and specifically for me to start to like them really. Ignace Karkasy is a great example of this. He appears in the first few pages, gets beaten up and then disappears for a long while only to pop up again when Loken talks to him. I would have been interested to see more from a human perspective. The war on Murder drips with descriptions and for the first time we get to see another Astares point of view. Tarvitz feels, however, for all the world almost exactly like Loken. He has the same kind of humility, the same response to problems, the same upright code of honor. If you removed the names it would be incredibly hard to tell that it wasn't Loken. The Emperor's Children seem to be composed of Tarvitz and the most arrogant pricks in the Imperium and nothing is really done to change that in this book. You like Tarvitz not because he is amazing but because he's not a prideful idiot like Lucius or Eidolon. The megarachnids sound pretty terrifying and the challenge they pose the space marines is pretty apparent though the reason for them staying to fight seems a bit stubborn and contrived. The last phase of the book is far the shortest of all and also the most scattered and frenetic. You meet the interex but just as you get to know them war breaks out and that's the end of that. Erebus is introduced about thirty pages from the end of the book and since his theft of the Anathema is the reason for the war it makes the end of this book kind of baffling. Horus' attempts at peace, in the face of everyone's resistance, seem out of place but by the end you have warmed to him as a character at least somewhat. Review proper: I liked this book but I liked the start far more than I did the conclusion. The characters are interesting but rough in many areas. I like Loken and I want him to succeed and I thought that some of the best scenes are him recounting his stories or in conference with the rest of the Mournival. Speaking of the Luna Wolves I think that the idea of lodges and the Mournival was very well used so far (at least the Mournival part) and I like the character of the legion as a whole. Not so thrilled with the humans though... In fairness they are not as incredible as Space Marines but other than Karkasy they seem colorless to me too. I expected that from the Astartes but certainly not from normal humans. It is an odd reversal. I also immediately questioned, with the rest of the legion, the need to include them in the crusade. I understand the need from a meta perspective but I feel that their inclusion as a human element could have been as easily done (and more believably) by using Imperial Army officers, Tech-priests, Navel officers etc. People appropriate to the campaign. The remembrancers aren't even allowed to see the SM in action, merely following in their rather bloody wake. So over all I wasn't impressed with them though I acknowledge the necessity for them. The whisperheads bothered me. It was so easily shrugged off as if this sort of thing happens all the time. Horus explains to a 100-200+ year old captain something that I would think would be VERY pertinent information as if it's just some interesting facet of the universe. This incident cost at least ten lives though, Jubal's whole squad and a fair chunk of another. A little more knowledge of the warp and a little more concern for it would have been more immersive. I do not like the Emperor's Children, I figured that out in about five pages. They are portrayed as arrogant, haughty, and rather shortsighted. The command structure seems to be comprised of sycophants and reckless idiots and the only level headed officer is treated with disdain that borders on outright hostility. After reading all the brotherly goodness in the Luna Wolves it was a bit jarring (even Ekaddon worked his issues out with Loken) and made me immediately hope they would all die except for Tarvitz. It only gets worse when the Luna Wolves arrive and Torggadon serves up a diatribe on Eidolon. The Lord Captain had just been rescued from damn near certain death and his first act is to start a pissing contest? Sanguinus is awesome, he and Horus fighting together is awesome x2 but I don't understand WHY. They had pulled everyone off Murder and have a big fleet of ships. Why not glass the whole planet? Doesn't seem to be valuable or strategically important. They commit their forces to months of war, war that costs even more casualties, for what reason? Because Horus wants to fight at the front again? This whole part seemed unneeded to me. Interex seem nice, shame they are paranoid to the point of murder. The hall that houses their weapons is burned? Must be the new guys. For a species that is supposed to be so advanced and who detest killing so much they leap really fast to armed confrontation. A simple "Ok, one of our weapons was stolen, the ones we showed you, would you kindly allow us to search you?" would have avoided so much. Horus seems to REALLY want to negotiate with them even when his men are getting shot (him too for that matter). Erebus....you sneaky snake. You just ignited a war to get a weapon that as far as I saw you had no way of knowing even existed. The interex meet the warmaster at murder, they talk in space at murder, only after weeks do they finally take them to Xenobia (really? Xeno right in the name?). Did Erebus know about this weapon before? If so how? Why is he such an amazing guy and yet perpetrating this? My knowledge of what is to come (having read all of these already) notwithstanding his actions are not so much mysterious as just strange. Not evil, just weird. Over all it was a good book, not a GREAT book though. The problem is that the author has to create the background, he has to show you enough of the world and set enough of the rules that what follows makes sense. In that capacity it does very well, it is a good springboard for more books but not the most amazing book. Since this is building to a crescendo I rather like this aspect of it. Too much awesomeness early on would have really over egged the series. Standalone Rating:3/5 Storyline Rating: 8/10 Total Rating:7/10-7.5/10 (Edited in accord with new rating system) Continuity-none so far[/QUOTE]
SonofMalice Review of “False Gods” by Graham McNeill
Main Character(s):
Garviel Loken-10th company captain, Sons of Horus Legion.
Tarik Torgaddon-2nd company captain, Sons of Horus Legion.
Secondary Characters:
Horus Lupercal-Warmaster, Primarch of the Sons of Horus Legion (Parts 1 and 2 of the book)
Ignace Karkasy-Poet Remembrancer attached to the 63rd fleet.
Euphrati Keeler-Imagist Remembrancer attached to the 63rd fleet.
Petronella Vivar-Documentarist Remembrancer, attached to the 63rd fleet.
Background Characters:
Ezekyle Abaddon-1st company captain, Luna Wolves Legion.
“Little Horus” Aximand-5th company captain, Sons of Horus Legion
Fulgrim-Primarch of the Emperor’s Children Legion
Maloghurst “The Twisted”-Equerry to Horus
Magnus the Red-Primarch of the Thousand Sons Legion
Name Drops:
Lorgar-Primarch of the Word Bearers Legion
Angron-Primarch of the World Eaters Legion
Eugen Temba-Planetary Governor of Davin
Erebus-1st chaplain, Word Bearers Legion.
This book starts off with the addition of a new documentarist to the remembrancers, Pertronella Vivar of House Carpinus and immediately picks up where the last book left off. The Warmaster has come to the Davin system to personally crush Eugen Temba’s revolt. The book backtracks a little bit and covers the name change of the Legion from the Luna Wolves to the Sons of Horus and also we start to get more of an insight into the mind of Horus himself, how he feels as the warmaster, and his own pride (something we only saw a little of in the previous book).
After dealing with a little bit of background the characters assemble on Davin and the situation is laid out for them. Eugen Temba, once loyal to the Emperor and Horus has gone rogue. This news is delivered by Erebus and his method of delivery is calculated to fan the fires of anger and pride in Horus’ heart(s). Loken has asked Karkasy to watch this meeting and afterwards Karkasy tells him that he thinks Erebus is lying and manipulating the Warmaster for some unknown reason. That said Horus has already made up his mind to personally lead an attack on Temba. Loken and the rest of the Mournival accompany him along with a full “speartip” of astartes, Imperial Army regiments and Titans from the Legio Mortis. Overkill does not even begin to describe it.
The actual battle on the Davinite moon is not what everyone expects though. The landing is unopposed and no sign can be found of the troops that Temba had been left with. In addition there is yet another eerie voice on the voxnet reminiscent of Samus. As the landing proceeds and the space marines move further and further towards the crashed (or landed…) flagship of Temba’s they are best by what can only be described as zombies. Surprisingly these are quite resilient and only massive damage or a shot through the head successfully kills them. As this continues Horus enters the crashed ship to seek out and destroy Temba.
While the space marines hold off the unliving the warmaster fights his way through strange beasts that, while numerous, are completely outclassed by the primarch. Finally reaching the bridge he finds the traitor Temba but he has been horribly changed by some corrupting force. In his hands is the Anathema and with this powerful weapon he is almost a match for Horus. Though in the end the warmaster strikes him down he is wounded by the blade. After the death of Temba the zombies collapse for good and all seems well until Horus falls and has to be carried quickly back to the Vengeful Spirit. When he arrives the space marines brutally club their way through the assembled humans killing several.
The warmaster is treated in by the various apothecaries but none of them can either discover the exact cause of his illness nor can they heal him. Loken goes searching for the Anathema since he believes that perhaps finding the weapon will give the apothecaries a clue as to how to treat the warmaster. In the meantime the various Lodge members are called together and Erebus proposes that they take Horus to one of the Davintie houses of healing. He claims it could restore him to health. Despite Torgaddon’s objections the do and seal him inside the temple to either heal or die. When Loken returns he hears of this and immediately confronts the other Mournival members but the decision has already been made.
Horus, while in the temple, is shown visions of a potential future where the Emperor is revered as a god and his name appears nowhere in the history books or immortalized in statue. He is guided through this by Erebus who has taken the form of Hastur Sejanus to manipulate him. Erebus is trying to convince him that the Emperor aims at becoming a god and is merely using Horus and the rest of the Primarchs as stepping stones to that end. At the tipping point Magnus the Red appears and rips the illusion from Erebus exposing him. Both Magnus and Erebus try to convince the warmaster what he should do, either stay the course and remain loyal or turn away from the Emperor and make war upon him. Horus says he trusts neither of them and that he will make his own decision.
The next part follows the war with the Technocracy, an advanced human group that seems to have ancient STC (Standard Template Construct) technology that is greatly revered and sought after by the Mechanicum. This is the first instance we what Horus’ choice was. HE murders the Technocracy’s ambassador in cold blood merely to foment a war that will allow him to win support from the adepts of mars. His manner seems more aggressive and outright devious in some cases. He confers with the Newly arrived Fulgrim and there seems to be an agreement reached between them though the specifics are not spelled out. Meanwhile he orchestrates the death of death of the Imperial Army Commander Varvus, stages the suicide of Karkasy (in retaliation for Karkasy’s poems against the brutal murder of civilians by the Astartes when they were bringing Horus back from Davin), and personally murders Petronella with his own hands so that the valediction he gave her when he was close to death will never see the light of day. The book ends with Loken and Torgaddon vowing to do what they have to in order to restore their legion and with Horus outlaying the plans he has for the coming war.
Review Proper:
The second part of a trilogy is often the hardest to put together but when it is done right it can not only shine on its own but also elevate the works that precede and follow it. This book does that. The characters that were less defined in “Horus Rising” grow in leaps and bounds in this book to become strong forces moving the story. Loken is better than ever and Torgaddon is now a main character in his own right. The remembrancers and other humans are far better utilized and each seems important to the story and the deaths (or in Keeler’s case coma) that they suffer as a result of their actions makes the story a lot more engaging. Erebus is well written as a cunning antagonist as is Temba (though of a more tragic sort). Overall the book pushes the story forward quickly but very carefully.
That being said there are a few things that stood out as flaws. I will jump right in with the big one since the others are more nitpicks. I don’t really like how Horus turns evil. Oh I love the result of it and I understand that he is being manipulated but the whole thing just doesn’t work very well for me at a gut level. The problem is that for a book and a half we see only how good Horus is, how strong, how intelligent, and on and on. He is the most beloved of the Emperor and also his chosen successor. Honor and glory literally drip off of him. All it takes is a dreamstate and an imposter showing him fanciful visions to change his loyalty.
Before people start saying that the warp is a corrupting force and that he was already twisted and weaned by the wound he suffered think about that for a second. If he chooses to be evil (or at least to turn against the Emperor he does so really fast for having known him from 200+ years and been his most favored. If not then it isn’t really his choice in the first place, he is pushed into it by the Dark Gods. In the first option he seems too ready to cast aside loyalty for no real reason other than a fancy dream and appeals to his pride. In the second he is little better than a puppet and the whole dream is irrelevant in any case. This is the crux of the issue for the entire series and, in an otherwise amazing book, it was the one part I felt was lacking.
Granted I don’t expect the writers to do a slow six books as he is shown more and more reasons to turn but I feel that having him presented as so magnificent and transcendent makes it very hard to believe he throws it all away simply on a whim. Yes it is his pride that is pricked by the treatment he receives from the Terran bureaucrats and he doesn’t want his legacy to be forgotten but as Magnus tells him there are many possible futures, this is just one that is being shown to him to manipulate him. Frankly the fact that he ignores Magnus and doesn’t instakill Erebus once he discovers who he is doesn’t seem like the Horus I had been getting to know.
This aside (and I could go on) once he turns “evil” I like where he goes with it. He immediately starts courting followers and removing or isolating rivals. He tells Russ to go kill Magnus (or at least it is VERY heavily implied that he does so), starts a war just to win over the Mechanicum, silences the few human voices that were raised against him and at his war council basically outlines (and hindsight is nice when reading this) the entire Heresy up to “Fear to Tread”. The last line is chilling even if you don’t know about Istavaan. You get a sense of finality and that he is not going to do anything by half measures. If the first book set the stage this one is a perfect cliffhanger. You know that shit is going to go down but you have to wait, like the characters themselves, until the right moment.
In summation a great read and a perfect follow up to “Horus Rising” The few criticisms I had of that last book are mostly dealt with here and the new path introduced (if a bit rockily) is very strong and compelling.
Standalone Rating: 4/5
Rating for advancing the series 9.5/10 (I’d give it a 10 for outlining most of the rest of the series but that seemed excessive)
Total Rating: 8.75-9
Continuity-97/100 (The anathema is described as flinty and silvery in Horus Rising and golden in False Gods. Yes it is the same sword, Loken recognizes it on Fulgrim’s hip and it is described as golden when wielded by Temba. A minor but important detail)
SonofMalice I've been considering what you say about ratings and I suppose it begs the question "what would work better?" I did spend a lot if time trying to decide on how to rate this. On the one hand its a good book but not the best either. On the other it is one of the better intros to the series. I will probably end up having to revise my ratings to account for this. Thoughts?
ckcrawford
Originally Posted by SonofMalice View Post
As to Chaos, I do get it that they don't know but from both the micro view I am affecting and the macro view of the series as a whole I NEVER understood exactly who knows what about chaos. Mortation speaks of sorcerous powers and how terrible they are, Magnus' Sons use Tutilaries, and in living memory (for some) such daemons have been summoned and yet the Luna Wolves know nothing about this? It just strains my belief a little too much. Granted that this is a question that will never be answered but I don't understand why you wouldn't tell the SMs about the dangers of Chaos. Not doing so is what brings the whole thing down any way. Pet peeve perhaps :p
But isn't this something done on purpose? Chaos has many forms, but all have so far are minor. Chaos in its stronger form has not presented itself to the Galaxy and humanity to where the Imperium knows this thing called chaos and that it should be fought against. Magnus was the exception, but that was because the Emperor was using Magnus for the Golden Throne.
Also on the subject of Chaos it DOES have a foothold (and Fulgrim is awesome btw). A lot of the stories that come up later in the series show strong chaotic evidence. The Laer as an example, the wraith singers in the next books, Mortarion's home, The world that the Alpha Legion are fighting on (that black cube and all). It is around and it was fought, they mention fighting similar things several times throughout the series.
I agree, but its so minor that to much of the Imperium non-existant. There are cases, sure, but thats why Samus was used in the novel. It was a brief case of "wtf" and the people who knew more of it just saying... don't pay attention to it. Shit happens. And this was also the purpose of the Emperor. Had the Imperium known of Chaos they would probably have to deal with cultists and traitors which would in return slow down the progress of the Great Crusade.
As to Horus fighting on Murder I get his ego and I understand how the martial honor thing works but it was just shortsighted. I would see it if it were and Angron or Mortarion or even Russ but Horus is supposed to be a strategic genius of the first order. This doesn't show that. It also served no purpose. How would the effect on the story have changed if the Interex had showed up just after extracting the EC? The same discussion could have happened and the story proceeded sans battle. That was my beef with it. From a dramatic stand point it wasn't really needed. I would have liked to hear more about the Interex and less about the megarchnids. After all the Interex weapon is of such importance in the coming books that a discussion of the culture that created it should also have a lot of juicy facts. (Ok, I am a bit of a xeno lover)
Fair enough, though with all the novels and redoings of codex's, introducing the interex would build another front to the 40k world or at least thats what I believe. I think it maybe done, but the Interex is something purely invented by Dan. And though any author could pick it up, i don't think authors like middling in other author's work.
Samus is an antagonist in that his power is what warped Jubal and caused several deaths, he apparently has been manipulating things at least a little so he just seemed to fit there.
... it was so small a part, that if I read just then first page I'd go.... where the hell is Samus in all this. Not really. He has a psychological effect in the story, but pretty much ever other character in the story has a bigger part than Samus.
My thanks for the comments, half the reason I wanted to do this was to discuss such things and yours have been quite to the point. I suspect that the next review will solve the issues that you see in this one since it is a strong bridge and enhances the two other books around it. Keep challeging me good sir!
No problem. Thanks for the review. It takes effort to go back in a series and rate books. A note though, because there are not that many reviews in the heresy about the earlier books, if I googled your review, and I know you explained you rate differently, and I saw 6-10. I'd be a bit skeptical. afterall, even though ratings aren't really grades, they do look so.
SonofMalice Always good to have feed back of course and I do appreciate the quick review .
As my ratings indicated it is above average by itself but as the start to the series as a whole and (admittedly I am breaking my rule about not thinking about the books to come) it is a gripping book. 6/10 by itself isn't bad at all, as a piece of background, which you mention, it is one of the best in the series though at 8/10. To be fair I have only three books that count as above a 9 to me so it IS a good work and as many have indicated it is part of a trilogy kind of.
The reason for the low stand alone rating is because, like Iron Man 2, it sacrifices a lot to drive the story forward. It is a great start for the series but if you read it and stopped it wouldn't be the best of the lot (to my mind that would probably be The First Heretic or a Thousand Sons).
I agree about Loken incidentally, he IS a strong character (and gets oh so much better as the series continues). I like that he is the straight man though at times he's just a tad too stiff in his bearing. Still he is dynamic and interesting. About the other legions I suppose I was taking it that since Tarvitz is the one narrating his own story that it was how the Emperor's Children actually were. I really like Saul in the next books but he does feel a lot like Loken to me, not a bad thing as I do think that he is a good straight man. The EC just don't sound all that nice, even the book mentions this with one of the Luna Wolves remarking on their haughtiness so I feel my thoughts their are at least well founded.
I liked this book but I liked the start far more than I did the conclusion. The characters are interesting but rough in many areas. I like Loken and I want him to succeed and I thought that some of the best scenes are him recounting his stories or in conference with the rest of the Mournival. Speaking of the Luna Wolves I think that the idea of lodges and the Mournival was very well used so far (at least the Mournival part) and I like the character of the legion as a whole. Not so thrilled with the humans though...
In fairness they are not as incredible as Space Marines but other than Karkasy they seem colorless to me too. I expected that from the Astartes but certainly not from normal humans. It is an odd reversal. I also immediately questioned, with the rest of the legion, the need to include them in the crusade. I understand the need from a meta perspective but I feel that their inclusion as a human element could have been as easily done (and more believably) by using Imperial Army officers, Tech-priests, Navel officers etc. People appropriate to the campaign. The remembrancers aren't even allowed to see the SM in action, merely following in their rather bloody wake. So over all I wasn't impressed with them though I acknowledge the necessity for them.
The whisperheads bothered me. It was so easily shrugged off as if this sort of thing happens all the time. Horus explains to a 100-200+ year old captain something that I would think would be VERY pertinent information as if it's just some interesting facet of the universe. This incident cost at least ten lives though, Jubal's whole squad and a fair chunk of another. A little more knowledge of the warp and a little more concern for it would have been more immersive.
The warp during the 30k period is hardly explainable. And at this time, "chaos" is known only to very few who have the will to not freak out over it. In the 40k human setting, not many human beings know of daemons either. If they had knowledge they most likely would be killed in fear of spreading fear and cultism.
I do not like the Emperor's Children, I figured that out in about five pages. They are portrayed as arrogant, haughty, and rather shortsighted. The command structure seems to be comprised of sycophants and reckless idiots and the only level headed officer is treated with disdain that borders on outright hostility. After reading all the brotherly goodness in the Luna Wolves it was a bit jarring (even Ekaddon worked his issues out with Loken) and made me immediately hope they would all die except for Tarvitz. It only gets worse when the Luna Wolves arrive and Torggadon serves up a diatribe on Eidolon. The Lord Captain had just been rescued from damn near certain death and his first act is to start a pissing contest? (Wait until you read Fulgrim. But at the rate you perceive the Heresy I fear you may not enjoy it enough to go that far.)
Sanguinus is awesome, he and Horus fighting together is awesome x2 but I don't understand WHY. They had pulled everyone off Murder and have a big fleet of ships. Why not glass the whole planet? Doesn't seem to be valuable or strategically important. They commit their forces to months of war, war that costs even more casualties, for what reason? (They are finishing the Great Crusade. You should go back to the part of the book where it talks about the reasoning of the Great Crusade. If you don't want to, you should go to lexicanum.com)Because Horus wants to fight at the front again? This whole part seemed unneeded to me. (not really, he's the warmaster and has a record to uphold).
Interex seem nice, shame they are paranoid to the point of murder. The hall that houses their weapons is burned? Must be the new guys. For a species that is supposed to be so advanced and who detest killing so much they leap really fast to armed confrontation. A simple "Ok, one of our weapons was stolen, the ones we showed you, would you kindly allow us to search you?" would have avoided so much. Horus seems to REALLY want to negotiate with them even when his men are getting shot (him too for that matter). ( I don't think you are grasping the concept of Chaos. Chaos is a corrupting thing that causes thousands and millions to have warped minds and put the galaxy into anarchy. At this point in time, Chaos has very little footing in the Galaxy. Of course the Interex aren't taking the theft of a warped weapon that eventually causes the heresy so prudently.
Erebus....you sneaky snake. You just ignited a war to get a weapon that as far as I saw you had no way of knowing even existed. The interex meet the warmaster at murder, they talk in space at murder, only after weeks do they finally take them to Xenobia (really? Xeno right in the name?). Did Erebus know about this weapon before? If so how? Why is he such an amazing guy and yet perpetrating this? My knowledge of what is to come (having read all of these already) notwithstanding his actions are not so much mysterious as just strange. Not evil, just weird.
Over all it was a good book, not a GREAT book though. The problem is that the author has to create the background, he has to show you enough of the world and set enough of the rules that what follows makes sense. In that capacity it does very well, it is a good springboard for more books but not the most amazing book. Since this is building to a crescendo I rather like this aspect of it. Too much awesomeness early on would have really over egged the series.
Rating:6/10
Rating for advancing the series 8/10
Continuity-none so far
I added some comments to your review. I do appreciate you writing a review for Horus Rising because it has yet to have received a review on this website (mostly because its an older novel). However, it vexes me that you came out of this novel not understanding many important things.
For example, you ask why Horus keeps on fighting right after Murder. You might as well ask why there are space marines, and why the hell humanity is doing out in space to begin with. In truth, I'm surprised you didn't have a headache reading this.
I also am not sure of your understanding of Chaos generally speaking. You do understand that Loken and the humans he is with know nothing about daemons or chaos except for fairy tales in old books.
As a whole, I am surprised you rated this novel so low. Even if you looked at it as someone who knows little to nothing of the lore, it explains the Great Crusade, the Emperor, the Primarchs, and Horus' becoming to Warmaster. I'm talking from personal experience because I knew nothing of the Heresy, Chaos, the Great Crusade when I read this novel many years ago. If anything this novel got me to start looking for more related fluff because I wanted more information, which is the purpose of this novel. Loken I thought, was written particularly well. As you read about the other Legions, you can see Dan wrote them through perspective, which was done intentionally to make stereotypes and generalizations of the legions.
What might be more troublesome for people reading this review is that your review is a complete outlier to what most people have rated this book. And I'm basing it off polls and peoples top ten or five novels. At worst I have seen this book rated an 8. I mean, it probably has the best written character in the warhammer world and is considered the best introductory novel in the series. If you don't like this one, I'm afraid you may not like the others. Or at the very least, the whole series may seem confusing to you. People have different reasons to grade books a certain way. But a six usually means the fluff in the work makes no sense or in a series, the fluff really didn't present anything new to what you already know. Which is fair if you really feel like that.
Anyhow, I'm not trying to get down on you. You may genuinely not like the lore of the Heresy Series and think its cheesy. But if you are interested, and you have read and liked the other novels in the series, I suggest you read and look at the novel again.
p.s. I'm also surprised you mentioned Samus as an antagonist. He really doesn't come off as a character worth mentioning at all. What makes "it" important in the novel is the simple fact it introduces characters to the warp.
SonofMalice
Horus Rising
Review of "Horus Rising" by Dan Abnett
Garviel Loken-10th company captain, Luna Wolves Legion.
Mersadie Oliton-Documenter Remembrancer attached to the 63rd fleet.
Tarik Torgaddon-2nd company captain, Luna Wolves Legion.
Saul Tarvitz-Captain, Emperor's Children Legion.
Horus-Primarch of the Luna Wolves.
Lucius-Captain, Emperor's Children Legion.
Kyril Sindermann-Iterator attached to the 63rd fleet.
Sanguinus-Primarch of the Blood Angels
The Emperor-Master of Mankind.
Malcador the Sigilite.
Fulgrim-Primarch of the Emperor's Children.
"Samus"-Warp Entity.
The book's beginning, Loken's story of Horus killing the "Emperor", starts the series off well. Immediately you get a sense of the power of the Adeptus Astartes of the Luna Wolves and their commander Horus. While the full extent of their abilities is only hinted at immediately visions of massively strong and skillful warriors are evoked. For all that they are still shown, immediately, to be mortal and not unbeatable. I approved of this since with all the talk of being "immortal" and also a head higher than genebulked elite soldiers they sounded invincible. The main character Loken seems possessed of good sense and a very strong set of ethics. Clearly a professional in an army of warriors he is well presented and his humility and modesty endear him to the reader.
As the tale continues the elements of mystery and fear evoked by the Whisperhead incident and Samus is tempered with the war on Murder and the concluding contact with the interex. The book is divided into three parts and it definitely shows for while elements carry over from part to part it feels like you teleport straight from "terra" to Murder. Loken's character development is slow but good. You get a sense that he is naturally very reserved so getting to know him feels genuine. The supporting characters of the Mournival really help move this process along. The remembrancers, by contrast, largely bored me since They are used too sparingly and specifically for me to start to like them really. Ignace Karkasy is a great example of this. He appears in the first few pages, gets beaten up and then disappears for a long while only to pop up again when Loken talks to him. I would have been interested to see more from a human perspective.
The war on Murder drips with descriptions and for the first time we get to see another Astares point of view. Tarvitz feels, however, for all the world almost exactly like Loken. He has the same kind of humility, the same response to problems, the same upright code of honor. If you removed the names it would be incredibly hard to tell that it wasn't Loken. The Emperor's Children seem to be composed of Tarvitz and the most arrogant pricks in the Imperium and nothing is really done to change that in this book. You like Tarvitz not because he is amazing but because he's not a prideful idiot like Lucius or Eidolon. The megarachnids sound pretty terrifying and the challenge they pose the space marines is pretty apparent though the reason for them staying to fight seems a bit stubborn and contrived.
The last phase of the book is far the shortest of all and also the most scattered and frenetic. You meet the interex but just as you get to know them war breaks out and that's the end of that. Erebus is introduced about thirty pages from the end of the book and since his theft of the Anathema is the reason for the war it makes the end of this book kind of baffling. Horus' attempts at peace, in the face of everyone's resistance, seem out of place but by the end you have warmed to him as a character at least somewhat.
I do not like the Emperor's Children, I figured that out in about five pages. They are portrayed as arrogant, haughty, and rather shortsighted. The command structure seems to be comprised of sycophants and reckless idiots and the only level headed officer is treated with disdain that borders on outright hostility. After reading all the brotherly goodness in the Luna Wolves it was a bit jarring (even Ekaddon worked his issues out with Loken) and made me immediately hope they would all die except for Tarvitz. It only gets worse when the Luna Wolves arrive and Torggadon serves up a diatribe on Eidolon. The Lord Captain had just been rescued from damn near certain death and his first act is to start a pissing contest?
Sanguinus is awesome, he and Horus fighting together is awesome x2 but I don't understand WHY. They had pulled everyone off Murder and have a big fleet of ships. Why not glass the whole planet? Doesn't seem to be valuable or strategically important. They commit their forces to months of war, war that costs even more casualties, for what reason? Because Horus wants to fight at the front again? This whole part seemed unneeded to me.
Interex seem nice, shame they are paranoid to the point of murder. The hall that houses their weapons is burned? Must be the new guys. For a species that is supposed to be so advanced and who detest killing so much they leap really fast to armed confrontation. A simple "Ok, one of our weapons was stolen, the ones we showed you, would you kindly allow us to search you?" would have avoided so much. Horus seems to REALLY want to negotiate with them even when his men are getting shot (him too for that matter).
Standalone Rating:3/5
Storyline Rating: 8/10
Total Rating:7/10-7.5/10 (Edited in accord with new rating system)
Sonofmalice reviews the Heresy series (one...book...at...a time)
Initial rubric for review:
I have long wanted to undertake this project, rereading and analyzing all of the Horus Heresy series that are out, but only recently have I found the time to do so. I will add reviews as I finish the books and, school and work permitting, will finish them with reasonable haste. First though I will outline my process so that anyone reading a review will understand where I am coming from.
Point 1: These books are read as if by a person with NO knowledge of Warhammer 40k whatsoever. I am approaching this as if it were simply a fantasy/sci-fi series in its own right.
Point 2: My rating system is as follows: (Edited on the advice of CKCraford)
As the ratings I had initially decided to use looked deceptively low I am changing the rating system. I have not read a HH book that wasn’t at least a 6 on my previous scale.
[1 out of 10: Abysmal-Nothing whatsoever redeeming about this work.
2 out of 10: Horrid-The only thing keeping this work from being a 1 is some random element that might strike a person’s fancy.
3 out of 10: Disappointing-Something about this work is good but is overshadowed by a host of other things that are substandard.
4 out of 10: Below average- This is almost run of the mill and nothing special but some aspect of it drags it down.
5 out of 10: Average-This is benchmark, the line in the sand. It is neither so good that it is hugely memorable nor is it so bad that it is actively repellant. It is simply neutral, nothing too good or too bad to say about it.
6 out of 10: Above average-This work has something about it that pulls it up. Could be good characters, could be good use of language, it could even be a unique plot but it elevates the work.
7 out of 10: Engaging-A work that inspires you and makes you want to read more with no obviously bad material included.
8 out of 10: Gripping-You don’t want to put this book down. The story arc is well crafted and the characters are interesting and relatable.
9 out of 10: Stellar-This is a book that you will remember whole parts of after a first reading, it sticks in your mind. At this point every character is important and lends something to the story. The story itself is multilayered and subtle.
10 out of 10: Perfection-No work is truly “perfect” but from your perspective this one is. You go back and reread it and it never loses quality. ]
Since that is the case I will change the ratings as follows.
Standalone 1-5.
1 out of 5: Worthless (equates to a 1-2 above)
2 out of 5: Average (equates to a 3-4 above)
3 out of 5: Above Average (equates to a 5-6 above)
4 out of 5: Excellent (equates to a 7-8 above)
5 out of 5: Perfect (equates to a 9-10 above)
Story as a whole 1-10.
The total rating of the book will be the sum of the two ratings divided by two out of a possible ten stars overall. Some books are great by themselves but don’t add a ton to the narrative as a whole while others are great for story but not the best by themselves. I feel this will address the earlier issue with Horus Rising more effectively and also give a better approximation of what a first time reader would think if they read it.
Point 3: I will break down characters into several groups.
1. Main Characters/Protagonists
2. Secondary Characters
3. Background Character
4. Name Drop
5. Antagonists
A main character is the focus of the story or its main narrator. How good a main character is depends on how well the advance the story and retain the interest and empathy of the reader.
Secondary characters are important though not the main focus. They will have their own adventures that tie back to the main character.
Background characters are not given many lines or thoughts and are present to facilitate the story but not add their voice to it.
Name drop characters are not present in the work but their name and prestige cast a shadow over the actions of the other characters.
Antagonists are quite obviously the personified obstacle that the protagonist must overcome.
Point 4: As I reread everything I will continually update a scale of how well I think the series is doing as a whole. This will be 0 to 100 and will move up or down according to the total picture provided.
Point 5: Everything is subjective. I have already read all of these and liked them all to some degree. I tend to mention things I don’t like more than things I do. Assume that if I don’t heap praise or scorn on everything that those things not mentioned are acceptable but not exceptional.
Point 6: Since some of these characters are written by different authors I will also rate continuity and point out things I think break it. I don’t usually mean glaring differences between books (there usually aren’t such things or if there are there is a reason) but rather characters acting, well, out of character. If space marine x is always portrayed as humble, five books later he is described as arrogant as an example.
I will answer comments on my review but please remember that this is all subjective. If you love Deliverance Lost and I don’t, for example, neither of us are wrong, we just have a difference of opinion.
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According to DataLight, analyzing transactions by using the top 100 Bitcoin exchanges and discovering that more than 22 million users are from the United States, followed by Japan with 6 million users and South Korea with 5 million.
In general, it takes up to 6 plus countries to reach the number of US traders.
Notably, Korean trading platforms such as Bithumb reported large trading volumes, but this number could be completely fake.
According to CNN, many exchanges are also involved in trading operations, in which users will be rewarded for making transactions, or in other words, when they pump up the trading volume.
DataLight's report notes some interesting findings, including the number of impressive traders in Turkey.
"For example, Turkey last year witnessed strong fluctuations in the value of the lira when the political situation shook the country. Interestingly, in August 2018, the 10% decline of the lira was accompanied by a sudden increase in trading volume on LocalBitcoins.
CNN has casually reported on issues users had with the Sistemkoin trading platform.
Turkey's population reached nearly 80 million people, including 2.4 million traders. The figure is equivalent to 3% of the country's population, compared with 7% of the US population participating in pre-coding transactions.
Meanwhile, nearly 6% of Britons trade electronic money.
These numbers are relatively high, however, the DataLight report does not analyze the transaction frequency. Data will be more impressive if the level of transaction of each country is indicated.
The number of pre-encrypted traders currently reaches 68 million and will continue to increase
However, the US is still a legal nightmare for pre-encrypted traders as many agencies declare jurisdiction over pre-encrypted transactions.
Recently, finCEN, a little-known agency in the field of electronic money, fined a Bitcoin trader. Law enforcement agencies, including SEC and CFTC, are also involved in managing pre-coding.
The situation is so confusing that the Token Taxonomy Act has been reintroduced with the aim of simplifying the entire asset class. Under the proposed law, exchanging in kind up to $ 600 will not be considered taxable income and the SEC will lose jurisdiction over encrypted currencies.
America's largest trading platform is Coinbase, which boasts more than 10 million of the 22 million US users.
Some other data will play a more useful role in DataLight's research analysis. As stated earlier, the trading frequency and transaction amount and trading time are important information.
According to DataLight, there are a total of about 68 million people transacting money around the world, outnumbering the UK population.
CEO of the trading floor Binance, Changpeng Zhao, believes that the number of future users of encryption will exceed the current number of Internet users.
Finance – Stock Virtual money Virtual money information
High Tech Brain: It is forecasted that the amount of pre-encrypted users will explode in the future, even surpassing the number of Internet users
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7aRMRrQcOaU/XNGRMw6eRXI/AAAAAAAAMhc/XF6A8NjhgRsxdgmwNtgg4QSAmKPqXughgCLcBGAs/s640/bitcoin.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7aRMRrQcOaU/XNGRMw6eRXI/AAAAAAAAMhc/XF6A8NjhgRsxdgmwNtgg4QSAmKPqXughgCLcBGAs/s72-c/bitcoin.jpg
https://www.hightechbrain.com/2019/05/it-is-forecasted-that-amount-of-pre.html
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Wings' Vanek out another week with lower-body injury
Forward Thomas Vanek will miss Sunday's game against the Panthers and at least the next week
Wings' Vanek out another week with lower-body injury Forward Thomas Vanek will miss Sunday's game against the Panthers and at least the next week Check out this story on Freep.com: http://on.freep.com/2f1TVAF
George Sipple, Detroit Free Press Published 3:44 p.m. ET Oct. 30, 2016 | Updated 5:25 p.m. ET Oct. 30, 2016
Sharks goalie Martin Jones stops a shot from Red Wings left wing Thomas Vanek in the first period of the Wings' 3-0 win Saturday, Oct. 22 at Joe Louis Arena.(Photo: Paul Sancya, AP)
Detroit Red Wings forward Thomas Vanek will miss his third consecutive game with a lower body injury today against the Florida Panthers (5 p.m., FS-plus). Wings coach Jeff Blashill said the injury, which general manager Ken Holland said was a lower muscle strain, is worse than they originally thought and he doesn’t expect Vanek to play in any upcoming games this week. The Wings visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, then host the Winnipeg Jets on Friday and the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.
“It looks like it will be more of a week to week injury than a day to day,” Blashill told reporters this afternoon at Joe Louis Arena. “I don’t know the exact number of days, but it’s longer than shorter right now.”
Steve Ott gets heavy fine for spearing Zdeno Chara
Vanek among six forgotten players off to fast starts
Blashill said there are no immediate plans to call up anyone from the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate.
“If we needed to, there’s some (salary) cap wiggling that we’d have to do involving long-term (injured reserve) and stuff like that,” Blashill said. “But right now, we like the group that we have. So we’ll see.
“It’s a credit to Thomas that we’re talking about him this much.”
Vanek, who signed a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Wings in July, has four goals and four assists for eight points in seven games.
“He’s had a good impact early on our team,” Vanek said.
In and out: Blashill put defenseman Xavier Ouellet back in the lineup against the Panthers and made Ryan Sproul a healthy scratch, apparently because he wasn’t happy with his recent play.
“First of all, I want to get X back in,” Blashill said. “It’s a back-to-back. But I thought X played three real good games and then one okay one. I think Sproully played a couple good games and a couple okay ones.”
Ouellet came into the game with no goals and one assist and a plus-2 rating in four games with no penalty minutes.
Sproul has no goals, two assists and a plus-1 rating with no penalty minutes in five games.
Check out our Red Wings Xtra app on Apple and Android!
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Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
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Methods ARTICLE
Front. Mol. Neurosci., 24 September 2015 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2015.00056
A retrograde adeno-associated virus for collecting ribosome-bound mRNA from anatomically defined projection neurons
Denise R. Cook-Snyder1,2†, Alexander Jones1,3† and Leon G. Reijmers1*
1Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
2Department of Biology and Neuroscience Program, Carthage College, Kenosha, WI, USA
3Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
The brain contains a large variety of projection neurons with different functional properties. The functional properties of projection neurons arise from their connectivity with other neurons and their molecular composition. We describe a novel tool for obtaining the gene expression profiles of projection neurons that are anatomically defined by the location of their soma and axon terminals. Our tool utilizes adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9), which we found to retrogradely transduce projection neurons after injection at the site of the axon terminals. We used AAV9 to express Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP)-tagged ribosomal protein L10a (EGFP-L10a), which enables the immunoprecipitation of EGFP-tagged ribosomes and associated mRNA with a method known as Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP). To achieve high expression of the EGFP-L10a protein in projection neurons, we placed its expression under control of a 1.3 kb alpha-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (Camk2a) promoter. We injected the AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP virus in either the hippocampus or the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) of the mouse brain. In both brain regions the 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter did not confer complete cell-type specificity around the site of injection, as EGFP-L10a expression was observed in Camk2a-expressing neurons as well as in neuronal and non-neuronal cells that did not express Camk2a. In contrast, cell-type specific expression was observed in Camk2a-positive projection neurons that were retrogradely transduced by AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP. Injection of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP into the BNST enabled the use of TRAP to collect ribosome-bound mRNA from basal amygdala projection neurons that innervate the BNST. AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP provides a single-virus system that can be used for the molecular profiling of anatomically defined projection neurons in mice and other mammalian model organisms. In addition, AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP may enable the discovery of protein synthesis events that support information storage in projection neurons.
Projection neurons are responsible for the transmission of information between brain regions, and thereby play a central role in many physiological and pathophysiological processes in the brain. The classification of projection neurons is traditionally based on the location of their soma and their axon terminals. In addition to their anatomical heterogeneity, projection neurons are also heterogeneous at the molecular level (Arlotta et al., 2005; Sugino et al., 2006; Doyle et al., 2008; Heiman et al., 2008; Zeisel et al., 2015). A deeper understanding of this molecular heterogeneity can elucidate mechanisms by which projection neurons process and store information, and identify therapeutic targets for brain disorders that impact projection neurons (for example Shepherd, 2013). Achieving this will require improved methods that enable efficient molecular profiling of the large variety of projection neurons in the brain.
Different classes of projection neurons that project to different brain regions can be intermingled at the level of their soma. In addition, projection neurons are usually intermingled with other cell types. This complex cellular environment makes it challenging to collect biomolecules (for example DNA, RNA, or proteins) from a single class of projection neurons. Three types of methods are currently used to address this challenge (Okaty et al., 2011). First, samples from single projection neurons can be collected by aspiration through a micro-pipette or by laser-capture microdissection (Van Gelder et al., 1990; Lambolez et al., 1992; Kamme et al., 2003). Second, projection neurons from a single defined class can be collected by dissociating cells from brain tissue followed by sorting using a fluorescent reporter protein or a surface protein that is exclusively expressed within that class of projection neurons (Arlotta et al., 2005; Sugino et al., 2006; Dugas et al., 2008). Third, an epitope-tag can be exclusively expressed within a single class of projection neurons. By attaching the epitope-tag to a protein that binds to a group of biomolecules, for example a RNA-binding protein, immunoprecipitation can be used to collect these biomolecules from homogenized brain tissue (Doyle et al., 2008; Heiman et al., 2008; Sanz et al., 2009; Ekstrand et al., 2014).
Here, we present a novel viral tool for the molecular profiling of projection neurons that are anatomically defined by the location of their soma and axon terminals. Specifically, we developed a retrograde virus that expresses an epitope-tagged ribosomal protein. Injection of this virus at the site of the axon terminals results in expression of epitope-tagged ribosomes in retrogradely transduced projection neurons. After dissecting and homogenizing the brain region that contains the soma of these retrogradely transduced projection neurons, the epitope-tagged ribosomal proteins and associated mRNA can be collected using the Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP) method (Heiman et al., 2008). We show that our viral tool can target various types of projection neurons with different locations of soma and axon terminals, and demonstrate its utility by collecting mRNA from basal amygdala projection neurons that innervate the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST).
All animal procedures were performed in accordance with the National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and were approved by the Tufts University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Wild type male C57BL/6J (JAX Stock Number 000664) and Friend Virus B-type (FVB; JAX Stock Number 004828) mice were given food and water ad libitum and were housed three to five animals per cage until the start of the experiment (8 weeks of age or older). Mice were kept on a regular light-dark cycle, and all experimental manipulations were done during the light phase. For this study a total of 10 mice were used in three experiments. Experiment 1, intrahippocampal adeno-associated virus (AAV) injection followed by immunohistochemistry: 3 C57BL/6J mice and 1 FVB mouse. Experiment 2, intra-BNST AAV injection followed by immunohistochemistry: 3 C57BL/6J mice. Experiment 3, intra-BNST AAV injection followed by TRAP: 3 C57BL/6J mice.
Virus Production
Construct cloning and packaging of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-alpha-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (Camk2a)-TRAP was performed by Virovek. The Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP)-L10a fusion protein coding sequence from pLD53.SC.EGFP-L10a (gift from Nathaniel Heintz, Rockefeller University) was cloned into a plasmid containing a 1.3 kb fragment of the mouse Camk2a promoter (Dittgen et al., 2004) to create a Camk2a-TRAP construct (Figure 1A). The construct was packaged into an AAV vector containing AAV2 inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) and AAV9 capsid protein (AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP). Viral titer was 2.18 × 1013 viral genomes/ml. The Camk2a promoter sequence in AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP was verified using an ABI 3130XL Automated DNA Sequencer (Life Technologies) at the Tufts University Core Facility.
Figure 1. Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP)-L10a expression in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex after injection of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-alpha-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (Camk2a)-Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP) in the hippocampus. (A) The AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP virus contains a 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter that drives expression of EGFP-tagged ribosomal protein L10a. ITR, Inverted terminal repeat; WPRE, woodchuck hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element; hGH polyA, human growth hormone polyA sequence. (B) AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP was injected into the hippocampus (bregma: −2.18 mm, hippocampus highlighted in green; coronal diagram modified from Paxinos and Franklin, 2001). (C–F) Injections were done in wild type C57BL/6J (Bl6) (C–E) or Friend Virus B-type (FVB) (F) mice using three different dilutions of the virus (1:1, 2.18 × 1013 viral genomes/ml; 1:10, 2.18 × 1012 viral genomes/ml; 1:100, 2.18 × 1011 viral genomes/ml). Immunohistochemistry was performed to label EGFP-L10a in the hippocampus (green). (G) Following AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP injection in the hippocampus, EGFP-L10a expression was also observed in the entorhinal cortex (bregma: −2.80 mm, entorhinal cortex highlighted in green). (H–K) Layers in the entorhinal cortex were delineated using the neuronal marker NeuN (cyan) and the nuclear marker 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) (blue) (layers are labeled with roman numerals). Each entorhinal cortex image shown was obtained from the same brain as the hippocampal image on its left side. (C–F,H–K) Scale bars 100 μm.
Stereotaxic Surgery
Mice were anesthetized with isoflurane, held in a stereotaxic apparatus (Kopf), and bilaterally injected with AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP in the hippocampus (1000 nl; AP −1.45 mm, ML ± 1.6 mm, DV −1.6 mm), or the BNST (150 nl; AP + 0.65, ML ± 1.00, DV −4.25). All coordinates are relative to bregma. After injection, the needle was left in place for 10 min before slowly retracting. The incision was sutured, and mice were weighed and monitored to ensure recovery.
At 14 days after stereotaxic surgery, mice were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine and transcardially perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde. Brains were extracted, post-fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 24 h, transferred to 30% sucrose for 72 h, and flash frozen in isopentane. 20 μm coronal sections were sliced using a cryostat (Leica), and stored in cryoprotectant at −20°C until use. For immunolabeling, free-floating sections were incubated in blocking solution (0.1 M phosphate buffered saline, 5% normal goat serum, and 0.25% Triton X-100) for 1 h at room temperature. Sections were incubated in blocking solution with the following primary antibodies for 72 h at 4°C: chicken anti-GFP (1:500, Aves, GFP-1020), rabbit anti-GFP (1:2000, Invitrogen, A-6455), chicken anti-MAP2 (1:10,000, Abcam, ab5392), mouse anti-neurofilament (1:5000, Abcam, ab24574), rabbit anti-Camk2 (1:2000, Abcam, ab52476), mouse anti-GAD67 (1:10,000, Millipore, MAB5406), chicken anti-GFAP (1:2000, Abcam, ab4674), mouse anti-NeuN (1:2000, Millipore, MAB377). The immunohistochemical staining patterns obtained with these antibodies (Figures 1–5) were in agreement with the known expression patterns of the corresponding proteins, both at the cellular and subcellular level, supporting the specificity of these antibodies. Sections were incubated in the following secondary antibodies for 2 h at room temperature (all from Jackson ImmunoResearch): goat anti-chicken Dylight488 (1:500) or Cy3 (1:1000), goat anti-rabbit Dylight488 (1:1000) or Cy3 (1:2000), goat anti-mouse Dylight647 (1:500). Sections were mounted to glass slides using Prolong Gold Anti-Fade Reagent containing DAPI (Invitrogen), coverslipped, and stored at 4°C until imaging.
Figure 2. The 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter does not confer complete cell-type specific expression. (A) AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP was injected into the hippocampus of wild type C57BL/6J (Bl6) or FVB mice (1:1 viral titer, 2.18 × 1013 viral genomes/ml; images of Bl6 1:10 and Bl6 1:100 are shown in Supplementary Figure 1). (B,C) Images of the CA1 region of the hippocampus showing immunohistochemical labeling of EGFP-L10a (green), the neuronal somatodendritic marker MAP2 (red), and the axon marker neurofilament (NF, cyan). (D) Quantification of the percentage of EGFP-L10a cells in the CA1 region that overlap with Camk2a (red), and GAD67 (cyan) (total number of EGFP-L10a cells analyzed: 1:1 Bl6, n = 479, 1:10 Bl6, n = 247, 1:100 Bl6, n = 27, 1:1 FVB, n = 350). (E,F) Images of the CA1 region showing immunohistochemical labeling of EGFP-L10a (green), Camk2a (red), and GAD67 (cyan). (G) Quantification of the percentage of EGFP-L10a cells in the CA1 region that overlap with the astrocyte marker GFAP (red), and the neuron marker NeuN (cyan) (total number of EGFP-L10a cells analyzed: 1:1 Bl6, n = 460, 1:10 Bl6, n = 272, 1:100 Bl6, n = 29, 1:1 FVB, n = 427). (H,I) Images of the CA1 region showing immunohistochemical labeling of EGFP-L10a (green), GFAP (red), and NeuN (cyan). Examples of EGFP-L10a expression in NeuN cells for Bl6 1:1 can be found in Supplementary Figure 2J. (B,C,E,F,H,I) Scale bars 12.5 μm, filled arrows indicate cells positive for the red channel, open arrows indicate cells positive for the cyan channel, overlay includes DAPI, see Supplementary Figure 2 for the location of images within the CA1 region.
Figure 3. AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP retrogradely transduces Camk2a-positive neurons that project to the hippocampus. AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP was injected into the hippocampus of wild type C57BL/6J mice (1:1 viral titer, 2.18 × 1013 viral genomes/ml). (A–C) Images of the entorhinal cortex (A: highlighted in green) showing immunohistochemical labeling of EGFP-L10a (green) with various cell-type markers (B: Camk2a, GAD67; C: GFAP, NeuN). (D–F) Images of the basal amygdala (D: highlighted in green) showing immunohistochemical labeling of EGFP-L10a (green) with various cell-type markers (E: Camk2a, GAD67; F: GFAP, NeuN). (B,C,E,F) Scale bars 6.25 μm, filled arrows indicate cells positive for the red channel, open arrows indicate cells positive for the cyan channel, overlay includes DAPI, see Supplementary Figure 3 for the location of images within the entorhinal cortex and basal amygdala.
Figure 4. EGFP-L10a expression in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) after injection of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP in the BNST. (A) AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP was injected into an area containing the anterodorsal, anterolateral, and oval subdivisions of the BNST of wild type C57BL/6J mice (1:1 viral titer, 2.18 × 1013 viral genomes/ml; bregma: 0.26 mm, targeted BNST subdivisions highlighted in green). (B,C) Low magnification images of the BNST showing immunohistochemical labeling of EGFP-L10a (green) by itself (B), and together with the axon marker NF (cyan) and nuclear marker DAPI (blue) (C). White matter tracts demarcating the BNST are easily identified with the NF labeling. Scale bar 100 μm. (D–F) High magnification images of the BNST showing immunohistochemical labeling of EGFP-L10a (green) with various subcellular and cell-type markers [D: neuronal somatodendritic marker MAP2, axon marker NF; (E): Camk2a, GAD67; (F): GFAP, NeuN]. Scale bars 12.5 μm, filled arrows indicate cells positive for the red channel, open arrows indicate cells positive for the cyan channel, overlay includes DAPI, see Supplementary Figure 4 for the location of images within the BNST.
Figure 5. AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP retrogradely transduces Camk2a-positive neurons that project to the BNST. AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP was injected into the BNST of wild type C57BL/6J mice (1:1 viral titer, 2.18 × 1013 viral genomes/ml). (A–C) Images of the basal amygdala (A: highlighted in green) showing immunohistochemical labeling of EGFP-L10a (green) with various cell-type markers [B: Camk2a, GAD67; (C): GFAP, NeuN]. (D–F) Images of the lateral hypothalamus (D: highlighted in green) showing immunohistochemical labeling of EGFP-L10a (green) with various cell-type markers [E: Camk2a, GAD67; (F): GFAP, NeuN]. (G–I) Images of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (G: highlighted in green) showing immunohistochemical labeling of EGFP-L10a (green) with various cell-type markers [H: Camk2a, GAD67; (I): GFAP, NeuN]. (B,C,E,F,H,I) Scale bars 4 μm, filled arrows indicate cells positive for the red channel, open arrows indicate cells positive for the cyan channel, overlay includes DAPI, see Supplementary Figure 5 for the location of images within the basal amygdala, lateral hypothalamus, and paraventricular thalamic nucleus.
Image Collection and Analysis
A confocal laser-scanning microscope was used for all image acquisition (Nikon A1R), except for Figure 6C where a wide-field epifluorescence microscope was used (Nikon E800). Confocal image stacks were collected with a 2 μm step using 10×, 20×, or 60× objectives. The settings for PMT, laser power, gain, and offset were identical between experimental groups.
Figure 6. Collection of ribosome-bound mRNA from basal amygdala neurons that project to the BNST. (A) AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP was injected into the BNST of wild-type C57BL/6J mice (1:1 viral titer, 2.18 × 1013 viral genomes/ml). 14 days later the mice were subjected to a single fear conditioning trial, which was immediately followed by collection of tissue punches from the basal amygdala. Tissue punches were subjected to TRAP, which separates mRNA into immunoprecipitate (IP) and supernatant (SN) fractions using anti-GFP-conjugated magnetic beads. The IP contains mRNA bound to EGFP-L10a containing ribosomes present in retrogradely transduced basal amygdala projection neurons, while the SN contains mRNA from other sources. (B) Freezing behavior was determined during fear conditioning (n = 3; ***p < 0.001 vs. 60 s by one-way ANOVA plus Newman-Keuls post hoc testing; black arrows indicate footshocks). (C) Representative image of a basal amygdala tissue punch (white: DAPI; dotted line indicates basal amygdala; scale bar 100 μm). (D) Camk2a and GFAP mRNA was quantified in the IP and SN fractions by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), followed by calculation of the Camk2a/GFAP ratios in these fractions (n = 3; ***p < 0.001 IP vs. SN by paired t-test).
Fear Conditioning
At 14 days after stereotaxic surgery, mice underwent a single contextual fear conditioning trial in a specialized chamber (H10-11RTC, 120W × 100D × 120H; Coulbourn Instruments). The trial lasted 500 s with 2 s, 0.7 mA foot shocks administered at 198, 278, 358 and 438 s. Freezing behavior was measured using Actimetrics FreezeFrame software during two intervals before the first shock (0–60 s, 60–180 s), and during intervals starting 20 s after each of the four shocks (220–260 s, 300–340 s, 380–420 s, and 460–500 s).
Tissue Dissection for TRAP Analysis
Immediately following fear conditioning, mice were anesthetized with isoflurane and their brains were promptly removed in ice-cold dissection buffer (1 × HBSS, 2.5 mM HEPES-KOH, 35 mM glucose, 4 mM NaHCO3). Brains were frozen in liquid nitrogen, and manually sliced into coronal sections (~1 mm thickness) using a sterile scalpel blade. Brain sections were kept frozen on a cold plate at −10°C (TCP-2D, Thermoelectrics Unlimited), and tissue punches were taken from the basal amygdala using a 24-gauge NIH style neuropunch tool (Fine Science Tools, 18036-24) under a dissection microscope. Coronal sections were placed in 4% paraformaldehyde overnight, moved to 30% sucrose for 24 h, and stained with DAPI. Correct placement of the basal amygdala punch was confirmed for the anterior and posterior faces of each coronal slice. For each mouse, three correctly placed tissue punches (~1 mm thick and ~0.31 mm in diameter) were pooled prior to immunoprecipitation.
RNA Collection Using TRAP
Collection of RNA was performed using a modified version of the TRAP protocol (Heiman et al., 2008), as described previously (Ainsley et al., 2014; Drane et al., 2014). We have previously verified that this protocol results in low background when brain tissue is used from mice that do not express EGFP-L10a (Ainsley et al., 2014; Drane et al., 2014). Briefly, a monoclonal anti-GFP antibody from the Monoclonal Antibody Core Facility at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (purified form of HtzGFP-19C8) was bound to magnetic epoxy beads (Invitrogen), and the beads were treated with bovine serum albumin to reduce nonspecific binding. For each mouse, three tissue punches were pooled, homogenized, centrifuged to pellet debris, and incubated with the beads at 4°C for 1 h. The supernatant (SN) was saved and the beads were washed five times with a KCl buffer. Trizol LS was used to extract RNA from the beads and the SN followed by back extraction to improve yield. Organic contaminants were removed with butanol and RNA was precipitated with isopropanol, NaOAc, and linear acrylamide overnight at −80°C. After two washes with 80% EtOH, RNA was resuspended in 10 ul of nuclease-free water.
Reverse Transcription and qPCR
RNA samples were treated with DNase to remove potential contamination with DNA. Expected RNA amounts for each sample were in the picogram range based on a previous study (Ainsley et al., 2014). Because of the low expected amounts of RNA, no RNA was used to perform precise quantification and RIN analysis of the total amount of RNA. Instead equal volume amounts were used for each quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Reverse transcription was carried out using Superscript III (Invitrogen) primarily as described by the manufacturer with the exception that both random hexamers and anchored oligo-dT were used for priming. qPCR was performed with SYBR green master mix (Applied Biosystems) on a Mx4000 thermal cycler (Agilent) using the following primer sequences: Camk2a forward primer, 5′-TTTGAGGAACTGGGAAAGGG-3′; Camk2a reverse primer, 5′-CATGGAGTC GGACGATATTGG-3′; GFAP forward primer, 5′-CGGAGACGCATCACCTCTG-3′; GFAP reverse primer, 5′-AGGGAGTGGAGGAGTCATTCG-3′. Camk2a/GFAP ratios for both the immunoprecipitate (IP) and SN fractions were calculated as 2(CTGFAP—CTCamk2a) (CT: qPCR Cycle Threshold).
AAV9 Retrogradely Transduces Entorhinal Cortex Neurons that Project to the Hippocampus
We made a construct in which a 1.3 kb fragment of the Camk2a promoter drives the expression of a fusion protein consisting of EGFP attached to the N-terminus of the ribosomal protein L10a (Figure 1A). As the expression of EGFP-L10a can be used for TRAP (Heiman et al., 2008), we will refer to this construct as Camk2a-TRAP. To express the Camk2a-TRAP construct in the brain, we packaged it in an AAV9. After injection of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP into the dorsal hippocampus of C56BL/6J mice, we observed widespread expression of EGFP-L10a in the hippocampus (Figures 1B,C). This expression was more sparse when the virus was diluted (Figures 1D,E), and was similar in a different strain of mice (FVB; Figure 1F).
Since both retrograde transport and anterograde trans-synaptic transport of AAV9 has been observed in previous studies (Cearley and Wolfe, 2006, 2007; Masamizu et al., 2011; Löw et al., 2013; Castle et al., 2014a), we analyzed EGFP-L10a expression in the entorhinal cortex, a brain region that has strong reciprocal connections with the hippocampus (van Groen et al., 2003; van Strien et al., 2009). We observed EGFP-L10a expression in the entorhinal cortex that, similar to the hippocampus, was more sparse when the virus was diluted (Figures 1H–K). Entorhinal cortex expression was predominantly observed in layer II, with additional expression in layer III (Figures 1H–K). We observed only sporadic expression in layers V and VI (data not shown). Most entorhinal cortex neurons that project to the hippocampus reside in layers II and III, while most entorhinal cortex neurons that receive input from hippocampal neurons reside in layers V and VI (van Groen et al., 2003; van Strien et al., 2009). Therefore, the observed entorhinal cortex expression pattern indicated that the intra-hippocampal injected AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP was taken up by axon terminals of entorhinal cortex projection neurons, and retrogradely transported to their soma for transcription and translation of EGFP-L10a.
A 1.3 kb Camk2a Promoter is Insufficient to Confer Complete Cell-Type Specific Expression
To confirm that EGFP-L10a protein expressed by AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP is functional, we determined the subcellular localization of EGFP-L10a. EGFP-L10a protein was present in the soma and dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons, but not in axons (Figures 2A–C, Supplementary Figures S1A–C, S2A–E), in agreement with the previously reported somatodendritic localization of ribosomes in neurons (Bodian, 1965; Steward and Levy, 1982; Ostroff et al., 2002). To verify whether the 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter restricted EGFP-L10a expression to neurons that express endogenous Camk2a, we compared EGFP-L10a expression in the hippocampal CA1 region with the expression of endogenous Camk2a protein and several other cell type markers. This revealed that in the CA1 region the majority of EGFP-L10a expressing cells were Camk2a-expressing CA1 pyramidal neurons (Figures 2D–F, Supplementary Figures S1D,E, S2F–I). However, a fraction of EGFP-L10a expression was detected in CA1 cells that do not express Camk2a, including GAD67-positive interneurons (Figures 2D–F, Supplementary Figures S1D,E, S2F–I), and GFAP-positive astrocytes (Figures 2G–I, Supplementary Figures S1F,G, S2J–M). This lack of complete cell-type specificity was observed in both C57BL/6J and FVB mice, and when 10× and 100× diluted virus was injected in C57BL/6J mice (Figures 2D,G). To ensure that the lack of cell-type specificity was not the result of one or more mutations in the 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter, we sequenced the promoter. This confirmed that the 1289 bp Camk2a promoter sequence in AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP completely aligns with a 1289 bp sequence located within the Camk2a promoter region of the mouse genome (chr18: 60, 924, 430–60, 925, 718, UCSC Dec. 2011 mm10 assembly), with the exception of 1 bp at the location of a single-nucleotide polymorphism that is common among mouse strains (dbSNP build 138 rs30301076).
Retrogradely Transduced Projection Neurons are Camk2a Positive
We next performed cell-type analysis of cells in the entorhinal cortex that expressed EGFP-L10a after injection of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP in the hippocampus. Within the entorhinal cortex, almost all of the EGFP-L10a expressing cells were Camk2a-positive neurons, with no EGFP-L10a expression found in GAD67-positive interneurons and GFAP-positive astrocytes (Figures 3A–C, Supplementary Figures S3A–C). This pattern is in agreement with a retrograde transduction of neurons that project from layers II-III of the entorhinal cortex to the hippocampus (van Groen et al., 2003; van Strien et al., 2009), as opposed to passive diffusion of the virus from the hippocampus to the entorhinal cortex. In case of passive diffusion, some EGFP-L10a expression would be expected in GAD67-positive interneurons and GFAP-positive astrocytes similar to the observed expression pattern around the injection site in the hippocampus (Figure 2). We also observed EGFP-L10a expressing cells in the basal amygdala, in agreement with the existence of Camk2a-expressing neurons that project from the basal amygdala to the hippocampus (Pitkänen et al., 2000; McDonald et al., 2002). Accordingly, almost all of the EGFP-L10a expressing cells in the basal amygdala were Camk2a-positive neurons, with no EGFP-L10a expression found in GAD67-positive interneurons and GFAP-positive astrocytes (Figures 3D–F, Supplementary Figures S3D–F). These results illustrate the ability of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP to retrogradely transduce multiple classes of Camk2a-expressing projection neurons.
AAV9 Retrogradely Transduces Neurons that Project to the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis
To verify that the retrograde transduction capacity of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP is not limited to intra-hippocampal injections, we injected the virus in a second brain region. Injection of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP into the BNST (anterodorsal, anterolateral, and oval subdivisions) resulted in widespread EGFP-L10a expression around the site of injection (Figures 4A–C, Supplementary Figures S4A–D). In agreement with its incorporation into ribosomes, EGFP-L10a expression was somatodendritic without expression in axons (Figure 4D, Supplementary Figure S4B). Similar to the hippocampus, EGFP-L10a expression was not completely cell-type specific. Though many EGFP-L10a expressing cells around the site of injection were Camk2a-positive, EGFP-L10a expression was also observed in GAD67-positive neurons and GFAP-positive astrocytes (Figures 4E,F, Supplementary Figures S4C,D).
We next determined potential retrograde transport of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP by analyzing EGFP-L10a expression in three brain regions known to contain neurons that project to the BNST: the basal amygdala, the lateral hypothalamus, and the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (Arluison et al., 1994; Dong et al., 2001a; Li and Kirouac, 2008). In all three brain regions EGFP-L10a expression was observed (Figure 5, Supplementary Figure S5), and in all three brain regions EGFP-L10a expression was cell-type specific and restricted to Camk2a-expressing neurons (Figure 5, Supplementary Figure S5). Since the BNST subdivisions surrounding the injection site do not contain neurons that project to the basal amygdala (Dong et al., 2001b; Dong and Swanson, 2004, 2006), the observed EGFP-L10a expression in basal amygdala neurons did not result from a previously reported trans-synaptic anterograde transport of AAV9 (Castle et al., 2014a). These data further confirm the retrograde transduction capacity of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP.
AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP Enables the Collection of mRNA from Anatomically Defined Projection Neurons
To test whether mRNA can be collected from projection neurons that are retrogradely transduced with AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP, we injected the virus in the BNST and performed TRAP analysis of microdissected basal amygdala tissue (Figure 6A). A critical requirement for the successful application of TRAP is that the mRNA in the cell-type of interest is bound to GFP-tagged ribosomes. Since the level of ribosome-association is expected to increase during increased levels of translation, and since neuronal activation has been reported to increase translation (Kelleher et al., 2004; Costa-Mattioli et al., 2009), we attempted to activate the basal amygdala neurons that project to the BNST immediately before microdissection of the basal amygdala. For this we used contextual fear conditioning, which activates basal amygdala projection neurons (Stanciu et al., 2001; Reijmers et al., 2007). Intra-BNST injection of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP did not prevent the acquisition of conditioned fear (Figure 6B). The brains were dissected immediately after a single fear conditioning trial, rapidly frozen, and cut into coronal sections. The basal amygdala was microdissected using a tissue puncher, and the correct location of each microdissection was verified with a microscope (Figure 6C). Basal amygdala microdissections were processed for TRAP, and mRNA from both the IP and SN fractions was analyzed with a qPCR of Camk2a and GFAP. We observed a higher Camk2a/GFAP ratio in the IP as compared to the SN, in agreement with the expression of EGFP-L10a in basal amygdala projection neurons that are Camk2a-positive and GFAP-negative (Figures 5A–C, 6D). These data indicate that AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP enables the collection of mRNA from anatomically defined projection neurons.
In this study we performed a detailed histological analysis of mouse brains injected with an AAV9 that expresses EGFP-L10a under control of a 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter (AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP). Two conclusions can be drawn from this analysis. First, the 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter does not confer complete cell-type specific expression around the site of injection, as we observed EGFP-L10a expression in cells that do not express endogenous Camk2a. Second, injection of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP enables the expression of EGFP-L10a in projection neurons defined by their projection target. This expression can be used for TRAP analysis, as illustrated by the collection of mRNA from retrogradely transduced neurons that project from the basal amygdala to the BNST. Employment of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP in combination with RNA-Seq should enable the genome-wide molecular profiling of anatomically defined projection neurons in mice, as well as other mammalian species (Masamizu et al., 2011; Löw et al., 2013).
We found that the 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter was insufficient to confer complete cell-type specific expression of EGFP-L10a around the site of virus injection in two different brain regions (hippocampus and BNST). Most EGFP-L10a expression was observed in Camk2a-expressing neurons, in agreement with previous studies that employed the 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter to drive transgene expression in Camk2a-expressing projection neurons in various brain regions (Dittgen et al., 2004; Nathanson et al., 2009; Johansen et al., 2010; Lee et al., 2010; Stuber et al., 2011; Tye et al., 2011; Jennings et al., 2013; Nieh et al., 2015). The EGFP-L10a expression in hippocampal GABAergic interneurons observed in our study is in agreement with previous studies that also reported expression in GABAergic neurons after injection of AAV containing the 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter (Nathanson et al., 2009; Johansen et al., 2010; Jennings et al., 2013; Nieh et al., 2015). Our data clearly establish that the 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter can drive expression in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells that are Camk2a-negative. In contrast, we and others previously found that a transgenic Camk2a promoter of 8.5 kb length is sufficient to confer cell-type specificity in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and in other regions of the brain (Mayford et al., 1996; Ainsley et al., 2014; Drane et al., 2014). This suggests that the 8.5 kb Camk2a promoter contains critical regulatory sequences that are missing in the 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter. Alternatively, complete cell-type specificity might require some form of epigenetic regulation that is missing when the Camk2a promoter is placed in AAV, due to the episomal nature of the AAV genome in transduced cells. It should be noted that the ITR region of AAV has been reported to drive expression in brain cells in the absence of a promoter, though with low efficiency (Haberman et al., 2000). Therefore, it can not be ruled out that the ITR in AAV-Camk2a-TRAP may have contributed to the observed expression of EGFP-L10a in Camk2a-negative cells. Despite being imperfect as a cell-type specific driver, the 1.3 kb Camk2a promoter is useful for achieving high transgene expression in projection neurons that are subsequently analyzed or manipulated outside the sphere of passive virus diffusion. This can be achieved with the retrograde targeting of the soma, as was done in this study, or with the anterograde targeting of axons using a virus that expresses an optogenetic or pharmacogenetic effector protein combined with local administration of the light or drug to the axon terminals only (Lee et al., 2010; Stuber et al., 2011; Tye et al., 2011; Jennings et al., 2013; Stachniak et al., 2014; Nieh et al., 2015).
The ability of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP to retrogradely transduce projection neurons, and subsequently drive expression of EGFP-L10a in these neurons, opens up the possibility of collecting ribosome-bound mRNA from anatomically defined projection neurons. Accordingly, we were able to collect mRNA from projection neurons defined by the location of their soma in the basal amygdala and the location of their axon terminals in the BNST. Three points need to be considered when employing AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP in future studies. First, though we were able to target a sufficient number of BA to BNST projecting neurons for the successful performance of TRAP, the practical utility of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP will need to be validated on a case-by-case basis for each new group of projection neurons. Depending on the density of axon terminals, and the efficacy of AAV endocytosis and retrograde transport, different groups of projection neurons are likely to express different amounts of EGFP-L10a, and as a result will be more or less suitable for subsequent TRAP analysis. It should be noted that a high titer AAV9 preparation appears essential for the targeting of sufficient numbers of projection neurons (Figure 1). Even at the highest titer used in our study, the average number of retrogradely transduced BA neurons following injection of AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP into the BNST was less than the average number of retrogradely labeled BA neurons following injection of the retrograde tracer Cholera Toxin B into the BNST (~6.5% for AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP, Supplementary Figure S5C, vs. ~23% for Cholera Toxin B, data not shown). A higher retrograde transduction rate might be achieved by further increasing the viral titer, and by injecting more viral solution (at a lower injection rate to prevent viral spread outside of the target region). Second, the Camk2a promoter, though not conferring complete cell-type specificity, does favor expression in Camk2a expressing neurons (Figure 2). It is therefore unlikely that AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP can be used for sufficient retrograde targeting of projection neurons that do not express Camk2a. This can be resolved by replacing the Camk2a promoter in AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP with a different promoter that is known to drive high expression in the projection neurons of interest. Third, it has become clear that intermingled projection neurons with overlapping projection targets can have different molecular identities (McDonald et al., 2012; Jennings et al., 2013; Nieh et al., 2015). In those cases, the use of our AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP tool might result in the collection of ribosome-bound mRNA from two or more classes of projection neurons that have different molecular profiles. Follow-up experiments that combine a retrograde tracer with multiplex in situ hybridization could resolve whether a defined projection pathway is molecularly heterogeneous.
Our AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP tool bears similarity with a related tool that is based on the expression of an EGFP-nanobody tagged ribosomal protein L10a (NBL10: nanobody-L10a) (Ekstrand et al., 2014). By co-expressing NBL10 and EGFP in anatomically defined projection neurons using the retrograde canine adenovirus, ribosomes can be indirectly tagged with EGFP through binding of EGFP to NBL10. This enabled the collection of ribosome-bound mRNA from anatomically defined projection neurons using an immunoprecipitation protocol that is similar to the one used for TRAP (Ekstrand et al., 2014). The NBL10 tool requires the injection of two viruses or the use of a NBL10 transgenic mouse. In contrast, AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP can be readily employed with a single virus injection in any mouse model without additional breeding. This will be especially useful for the molecular profiling of projection neurons in genetic mouse models for brain disorders. On the other hand, the dual-component nature of the NBL10/EGFP system enables an intersectional strategy for achieving a higher level of cell-type specific targeting. Future studies comparing the two tools side-by-side will be useful for determining conditions where the use of one of these tools is preferable. An important consideration should be that the two tools are based on two different retrograde viruses, AAV9 vs. canine adenovirus. Though these two viruses seem to use similar machinery for retrograde axonal transport in cultured neurons (Salinas et al., 2009; Castle et al., 2014b), it is possible that they have different retrograde transduction properties in vivo. A future study that directly compares the in vivo retrograde transduction efficacies of AAV9 with canine adenovirus, and other retrograde viruses such as lentivirus pseudotyped with rabies virus glycoprotein (Mazarakis et al., 2001), would therefore be extremely useful.
There are two general points of consideration when molecular profiling is done through the employment of epitope-tagged ribosomal proteins such as EGFP-L10a, NBL10, or other variants (Heiman et al., 2008; Sanz et al., 2009; Ekstrand et al., 2014). First, use of an antibody is needed to IP the epitope-tagged ribosomes and associated mRNA. Since antibodies are rarely completely specific, some mRNA-protein complexes might be collected without being associated with an epitope-tagged ribosome. The resulting non-specific background mRNA signal in the IP fraction can be filtered out post hoc by focusing on mRNAs that are enriched in the IP fraction vs. the SN or input fraction (Heiman et al., 2008; Sanz et al., 2009; Dougherty et al., 2010; Ainsley et al., 2014; Drane et al., 2014; Ekstrand et al., 2014). Second, epitope-tagged ribosomes enable the collection of translated, but not untranslated, mRNA. As the translational state of mRNAs can be regulated by neuronal activity (Kelleher et al., 2004; Costa-Mattioli et al., 2009), it is important to control the various environmental and internal factors that could alter the activation state of the projection neurons that express the epitope-tagged ribosomes. This is illustrated by previous TRAP studies that observed changes in the pool of ribosome-bound mRNA when the activation state of the neurons was altered (Heiman et al., 2008; Schmidt et al., 2012; Huang et al., 2013; Ainsley et al., 2014). In our current study we controlled the activation state of BA to BNST projecting neurons by performing TRAP analysis on mice that were sacrificed at the same time-point after a single fear conditioning trial. It will be of interest to perform future studies that employ AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP in separate groups of mice with different activation states, including mice at baseline. Comparisons between these groups could identify proteins whose synthesis is activity-regulated within an anatomically defined class of projection neurons, which could lead to the discovery of novel molecular mechanisms that support information storage in these neurons.
Obtaining a complete molecular profile of a defined class of projection neurons will require the employment of various methods, including methods that are not based on epitope-tagged ribosomes. For example, dissociation of neurons from brain tissue enables the collection and analysis of all types of RNA, including untranslated mRNA and non-coding RNA. Dissociating neurons that are labeled with a retrograde tracer (Cholera Toxin B, Fluoro-Gold, latex microspheres) enables the collection of all types of RNA from target-defined projection neurons (Arlotta et al., 2005; Sugino et al., 2006; Dugas et al., 2008). However, dissociating neurons from brain tissue causes the loss of the RNA pool that is located in neuronal processes such as dendrites, which can contain more than half of the cellular volume of a neuron (Ulfhake and Kellerth, 1981; Holt and Schuman, 2013). Two recent studies reported the RNA-Seq analysis of transcriptomes collected from single neurons from mouse and human brain (Darmanis et al., 2015; Zeisel et al., 2015). These single-cell methods enable the molecular profiling of projection neurons with high specificity, but still require dissociation of neurons. An alternative to sequencing RNA collected through epitope-tagging or the dissociation of neurons is provided by in situ detection of RNA. Highly multiplexed in situ detection of RNA in neurons has recently become possible, thereby enabling molecular profiling of neurons while retaining the precise subcellular localization of the RNAs within the soma and processes (Lee et al., 2014; Chen et al., 2015). It remains to be determined whether these multiplex in situ methods can achieve the same sensitivity as RNA-Seq for the quantitative detection of low abundance mRNA.
In conclusion, we report an AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP tool that can retrogradely transduce projection neurons in the mouse brain after its injection at the site of axon terminals, resulting in EGFP-tagged ribosomes in projection neurons defined by their projection target. This enabled the collection of ribosome-bound mRNA from basal amygdala neurons that project to the BNST. As AAV9 has been reported to retrogradely transduce neurons in rat and monkey brains (Masamizu et al., 2011; Löw et al., 2013), we anticipate that the AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP tool can be used for the molecular profiling of anatomically defined projection neurons in a wide variety of mammalian species. In addition, future studies can employ AAV9-Camk2a-TRAP to perform genome-wide analyses of ribosome-bound mRNA collected from anatomically defined projection neurons after various experimental manipulations, which might shed light on protein synthesis events that support information storage in projection neurons.
We thank J. Sasaki Russell and L. Drane for help with image acquisition. This work was supported by NIH grants DP2 OD006446 and R21 MH099794 to LGR, and P30 NS047243 (PI: R. Jackson) to the Tufts Center for Neuroscience Research. DRC-S was supported by K12 GM074869 (PI: C. Moore).
The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnmol.2015.00056/abstract
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Keywords: AAV9, Camk2a, EGFP-L10a, TRAP, projection neuron
Citation: Cook-Snyder DR, Jones A and Reijmers LG (2015) A retrograde adeno-associated virus for collecting ribosome-bound mRNA from anatomically defined projection neurons. Front. Mol. Neurosci. 8:56. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2015.00056
William Wisden, Imperial College London, UK
Mark Ungless, Imperial College London, UK
Andrew J. Murray, Columbia University, USA
Copyright © 2015 Cook-Snyder, Jones and Reijmers. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution and reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Leon G. Reijmers, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA, leon.reijmers@tufts.edu
† These authors have equally contributed to this work.
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Cities & Precincts
Property & Built Environment
Retail & Packaging
Place Visioning
DESIGNING BEHAVIOURS, JOURNEYS AND CONNECTIONS
Is CX the Future of Retail?
Old habits are hard to break. But retailers are at a crossroads and the direction they decide to tak
Old habits are hard to break. But retailers are at a crossroads and the direction they decide to take in the next couple of years will be their make or break.
Reinventing the physical retail environment is nothing new, but for some reason, retailers in Australia are still hesitant.
The relationship between CX and brand
Why should brand and CX be linked?
In an age where people increasingly only believe in the word of other customers, having them speak highly of your service and product is exactly what brands should be aiming for. Customer Experience Lead at Frost*collective, Jeanne Ogilvie explains...
The Path of Least Resistance
Intuitive Wayfinding
Fine tuning the movement of people is the complex science of way finding and cognitive mapping, it's what makes a place inherently functional. Urbanite's Environments Design Director, Maria Briganti explains ...
Actions Speak Louder Than Logos
How does destination branding connect people to places?
Destination marketing has become integral to the success of countries, cities and places. It’s necessary for destinations to communicate what makes them great. But what makes a destination great? Is it the food? Natural landmarks? Nightlife? A great place to raise kids? Quirky locals? Whatever it is, the branding of a destination is a promise of its value—and to truly be successful, it’s a promise that needs to be kept.
Teach a Brand to Fish
How thoughtful design strategies can promote new connections between people and products.
In November 2009 Vince Frost was approached by Woolworths South Africa (a vast retail company and department store in the vein of Marks & Spencer, with 400 locations and 20,000 employees), to reposition the country’s leading retail brand and to evolve, implement and oversee the new brand identity produced by Massimo Vignelli.
Talking 'Bout A Revolution
How do you begin to make positive changes to social behaviour?
We chat with Ronni Kahn, Australian social entrepreneur, best known for founding the food rescue charity, OzHarvest.
How to influence behaviour with creatively optimistic design strategies.
Dr. Dean Ornish, Professor of Medicine at the University of California and founder of the Preventative Medicine Institute in the U.S., in a 1993 study took 33 patients with severely clogged arteries, helped them quit smoking and adopt a strict low-calorie, vegetarian diet.
Sky Shaper
What is the future of urbanisation, and where will this journey take us?
Carlo Giannasca, Head of Urbanite, chats with the Chief Executive Officer of the Committee for Sydney, Dr. Tim Williams.
What is the science behind how we journey through different environments?
And once orientated, how do we engage with its purpose? Facilitating the movement of people from one area to another may sound simple. Add some arrows and other directional graphics and, presumably, we’re done. Well, not quite. Wayfinding is a science to orientate people within a space—it’s really about how and why we move and make the decisions we do.
Can disrupting mindsets change behaviour?
How we behave is the direct result of both how we think and our emotional response to particular activities. Exercising for instance, is a common example where we might have a willing and capable body, but an unmotivated or uninspired mind. Provoking the mind to react physically takes a lot more than just telling it what to do. The approach needs to resonate with people on any number of levels—emotionally, spiritually and physically.
Happy Space
Can design inspire emotional wellbeing and healthy behaviour?
Cavemen evolved a sensitivity to their surroundings in order to survive, to avoid being hunted, trampled or frozen to death. Despite the fact that we no longer have those problems, it’s instinctive to seek out environments with certain qualities.
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Finnish Social Science Data Archive
FSD Bulletin
Issue 48 (1/2018)
Researchers Will Soon Have Access to Thousands of European Datasets through CESSDA Catalogue
Return to Frontpage
New Data Releases
Data Management Planning Guidelines
Text: Kaisa Järvelä, photo: CESSDA ERIC/Eivind Senneset
The Consortium of European Social Science Data Archives was granted the status of European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) last summer. This year, a new data catalogue providing access to thousands of data sets across Europe will become available. In addition to providing access to data, CESSDA supports research in the social sciences by training European data archiving professionals and researchers.
How will European researchers benefit from CESSDA, Director Ron Dekker?
"We work on better accessibility of data. It is crucial for researchers to have seamless access to relevant social science data in a safe and secure way.
As CESSDA service providers, European data archives are also regularly developing tools and services to simplify and improve the depositing of data.
CESSDA emphasises safety in data preservation and reuse. Researchers must have safe and secure access to data, including sensitive data.
This is why all CESSDA service providers should aim to receive the CoreTrustSeal certification, awarded to trusted digital repositories."
CESSDA became an ERIC in June 2017, and the celebrations were held in Bergen, Norway. Ron Dekker is the second from the right.
What kinds of services will CESSDA offer to researchers?
"The data catalogue, which will be available in 2018, will contain the metadata of all data in the holdings of CESSDA service providers. It will be a one-stop-shop for search and discovery, enabling effective access to European research data for researchers.
The catalogue is a big technical feature and one which CESSDA has been meticulously working at for several years, under the stewardship of the CESSDA Technical Group.
Alongside data technology improvements, CESSDA will also provide a number of trainings. Technology and training go hand in hand.
The CESSDA website itself is a useful resource for researchers as they can find out more about the archives and services in each country in one place. Regular news items and postings on social media channels also mean that researchers can easily follow happenings within CESSDA. These channels provide easy access to information on upcoming trainings, for example."
What kind of trainings will be provided by CESSDA and who will organise the training in practice?
"CESSDA Training has established itself as a trademark for high-quality trainings in both digital preservation and data management, as well as a 'train the trainers' programme.
We provide trainings and material for both data archives and researchers. Training is a key aspect of our mission to support and facilitate teaching and learning in the social sciences.
Providing training is a joint CESSDA activity which involves the CESSDA Main Office, as a facilitator, and the service providers, as the experts."
What added value will CESSDA bring to the services offered by individual service providers?
"CESSDA enables service providers to join forces and expertise. CESSDA's role is very much to be the hub where knowledge is shared, and new skills are developed in the field of social science data.
On trust issues, we provide support and advice for service providers wishing to obtain or renew their DSA-certification – we take care of the quality of the services that they provide.
CESSDA is an ideal partner in European projects in the framework of the European Commission's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, as it gives access to relevant expertise in the field of social science data across a range of countries.
In addition, we coordinate and submit grant proposals to acquire funding for projects. Once the project is awarded, all CESSDA service providers have the opportunity to be involved in aspects of the project where they have expertise and knowledge.
CESSDA is also an interesting partner for other European or national infrastructures to cooperate with, as demonstrated by our current SERISS (Synergies for Europe's Research Infrastructures in the Social Sciences) project which brings together three infrastructures in the social sciences: ESS – European Social Survey, SHARE – Survey for Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe, and CESSDA.
CESSDA gives its data archives a united voice, which is beneficial in political decision making at the EU level."
What are the most important developments planned for CESSDA for the coming years?
"CESSDA wants to be recognised as a leading European technical infrastructure. This means technological development will be high on our agenda.
Both data producers and data users are in constant need of new and better tools and services to carry out their research. One of the goals of the CESSDA Technical Group is to meet the needs of researchers.
CESSDA intends to be actively engaged in the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and realise a social science data platform.
Naturally, we also wish to widen our membership and reach full European coverage. One aim is that all our service providers should be acknowledged as trusted data repositories."
What changed when CESSDA became an ERIC in the summer of 2017?
"Being an ERIC gives CESSDA extra visibility and acknowledgement in Europe. It is a signal of long-term commitment not only by its members, which are national ministries, but also by the European Commission.
We are looking forward to featuring in the ESFRI 2018 Roadmap which will be launched early this year and which will secure CESSDA's place in the ERIC family."
What are you proud of when you think about CESSDA at the moment?
"I am especially proud of the people. The CESSDA Main Office has a committed team and I am grateful to the service providers for the multitude of highly-qualified and motivated staff.
CESSDA already offers plenty of tools and services, and many are in the pipeline. Moreover, there is an abundance of expertise and ideas throughout the consortium.
Our job at the CESSDA Main Office is to organise it all and turn this collaboration into value for all of our stakeholders: funding agencies, data service organisations, data producers and data users."
Åkerlundinkatu 5 B, 4th floor
FI-33014 Tampere University
e-mail: if.inut@dsf
Redflow Inc.
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Home » #G2B4 » blog » events » film » Multimedia » News » radio » Ray Betzner » television » From Gillette to Brett IV - Something for Everyone
From Gillette to Brett IV - Something for Everyone
by Scott Monty September 18, 2014
The third in our series of recaps of #G2B4
By Ray Betzner, BSI
There is a memorable moment in “The Red-Headed League,” where Holmes sits in St. James's Hall listening to Sarasate and “wrapped in the most perfect happiness.”
Such was the case in the Indiana University Cinema when a theater packed with Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts and a few dozen college students were enraptured by a 75th anniversary screening of The Hound of the Baskervilles starring Richard Green, Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. To be in a real movie theater, have the lights dimmed, the curtain raised and the familiar story unfold as it was designed to do would have been enough; but to be with fellow devotees who mouthed “Mr. Holmes, there were the footprints of a gigantic hound” along with the scene chewing Lionel Atwill was a “most perfect happiness" indeed.
And that is really the point of a gathering like From Gillette to Brett IV, which was held Sept. 12-14 at the University of Indiana under auspices of Steve Doyle and Mark Gagen's Wessex Press While we all acknowledge the primacy of the original Canon, so many of us interact with Holmes through film, television, radio and digital media today that a weekend devoted to its explication is entirely appropriate.
The primacy of the originals was certainly acknowledged early on, as we toured the treasures of the university’s Lilly Library. Have you ever picked up an incredibly good copy of Beeton’s Christmas Annual for 1887? I have. I had to give it back, of course, but Lilly Director Joel Silver was enormously generous, offering up opportunities to see treasures that a collector might take a lifetime to view. Of particular interest was the hand-written note Sherlock Holmes left at the Reichenbach and acquired by David A. Randall, the library’s first director. To have such a treasure before you brings goose-bumps.
Holmes letter to Watson from "The Final Problem" - Conan Doyle Manuscript at the Lilly Library
I won’t recount in detail each presentation from Saturday, except to say there were insights and delights galore: Bonnie MacBird, the screenwriter behind such films as the original “Tron,” thoughtfully drew parallels between the BBC Sherlock series and the Canon; Kristina Manente, founder of The Baker Street Babes, educated us old Sherlockians into the ways of “headcanon” and other path of the newest generation of enthusiasts; David Stuart Davies left us crying with laughter as he showed that Sherlaugh Holmes was not a misprint; and Burt Coules walked through more than 80 years of Holmes on the radio with particular attention to the BBC radio adaptations of the complete Canon starring Clive Merrison. It made me sad that radio drama no longer flourishes on U.S. airwaves.
Finally, Paul Annett discussed his involvement in the early years of the Granada television series starring Jeremy Brett. The early adaptations were lovingly recreated from both Arthur Conan Doyle’s words and Sidney Paget’s illustrations. Which makes it strange that Brett, who so looked the part when he started, wanted to wear a putty nose and use a funny walk as Holmes. Annett wisely talked him out of those notions and the series has gone on to become a beloved touchstone.
The huckster’s room had a nice selection of wallet-depleting treats, including treasures from the collection of Steve Doyle, which were not for sale.
Basil Rathbone's tweed hat
Paxton Whitehead's hat from "The Crucifer of Blood"
In all, it was the kind of event that blended old-school Sherlockians with new breed “Sherlock”-ians in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
We all hope that a fifth act of this long-running show will come along in three years or so.
Photos courtesy of Wessex Press (Facebook)
#G2B4, blog, events, film, Multimedia, News, radio, Ray Betzner, television
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NBS, SORS: Annual inflation in August at 2.6%
According to data of the Serbian Statistical Office, inflation measured 0.3% in August. Consumer prices were led by seasonally higher prices of travel packages, fresh fruits and apartment rentals. Seasonally lower prices of clothes, footwear and fresh vegetables worked in the opposite direction. Annual inflation continued to move within the target tolerance band of 3±1.5%. It measured 2.6% in August. Relative to the same month a year before, core inflation (consumer price index excluding the prices of food, energy, alcohol and cigarettes) remained low at 1.1%.
Source: NBS
NBS: FX resrevs in Agust at EUR 11.3bn
NBS FX reserves stood at EUR 11.3bn at end-August, down by EUR 77.7 mn from end-July. The August reduction in FX reserves reflects the government’s effort to scale down the FX portion of public debt (thus changing the debt currency structure and reducing its overall size), with a view to mitigating the country’s exposure to FX risk. The outflows prompted by early and regular repayment of FX loans, maturing securities and other (EUR 340 mn net) were largely compensated for by the inflows from NBS interventions in the IFEM (purchases worth EUR 200 mn).
Al Dahra officially the only bidder for PKB purchase – Financial bid to be opened subsequently
Al Dahra Agricultural Company from United Arab Emirates, with a field office in Serbia, submitted the offer to purchase PKB and all the documentation complied with tender conditions, the tender commission confirmed yesterday after opening the only received bid. The deadline for submitting bids for the purchase of PKB assets at the initial price of EUR 104,5 million expired on Monday, September 10.
Source: Ekapija
Croatia's annual inflation remains at 2.1% in August
Croatia's consumer price inflation stood at 2.1% year-on-year in August, following an equal rise in prices in the previous month, the country's statistical office said on Friday. On a monthly comparison basis, Croatia's consumer price index (CPI) was unchanged in August, after dropping 0.9% in July, the Bureau of Statistics said in a monthly inflation report. Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which have the biggest weight of 27.90% in the consumer basket, rose 1.1% year-on-year last month, after rising 1.5% in July.
Source: Seenews
S&P 500 ekes out 5-day winning streak as chipmakers rise, European markets finish on an upbeat note as autos, miners climb
The S&P 500 posted a marginal gain on Friday to end the week as chipmaker stocks rose. Gains were capped, however, as reports said President Donald Trump wants to move forward with tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods. Financials also pushed the S&P 500 slightly higher, gaining 0.7 percent as the benchmark 10-year note yield hit 3 percent for the first time since Aug. 2. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 8.68 points higher at 26,154.67 while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.1 percent to 8,010.04.
European stocks ended Friday's session on a positive note, as a strong performance by markets overseas lifted sentiment. The pan-European STOXX 600 closed up 0.35 percent, however, on the week, it soared 1.09 percent.
Ahold Delhaize, the Dutch operator of grocery chains in the United States and Europe, slumped to the bottom of the index, finishing down 4.4 percent, after UBS slashed its stock recommendation to "sell" from "neutral."
Danske Bank closed in the red, after the Wall Street Journal reported, citing documents and a person familiar with the matter, that law enforcement agencies in the States were investigating the lender over allegations of money laundering flows from Russia
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Thirty Brief Tales from England and Spain
By A R Lowe
Flash fiction, Short stories, New adult fiction | eBook
A R Lowe
Thirty very short stories from the author of 'Barry Braithwaite's Last Life', 'Spanish Journals: Posthumous Diary of an Expat' and 'The Year that Crime Paid'. Humorous, touching, moral and amoral; each is a thought-provoking flash of life.
A.R.Lowe was born in Lancashire in 1966. He lived abroad for almost half of his life and has now returned to his home town. He reads, writes, runs, and endeavours to play the guitar. He is happy to discuss his novel, 'Barry Braithwaite's Last Life', his humorous diary, 'Spanish Journals - The Diary of an Expat' (Part One - Integration & Part Two - Invasion), and his crime humour novella, 'The Year that Crime Paid', at the following email address: arlowe.barrybraithwaite@gmail.com
A.R.Lowe was born in Lancashire in 1966. He lived abroad for almost half of his life and has now returned to his home town. He reads, writes, runs, and endeavours to play the guitar. He is happy to discuss his novel, 'Barry Braithwaite's Last Life', his humorous diary, 'Spanish Journals - The Diary of an Expat' (Part One - Integration & Part Two - Invasion), and his crime humour novella, 'The Y...
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Home/SCIENCE, TECH & AUTO/Blind amphibian named after Donald Trump
SCIENCE, TECH & AUTOTOP NEWS
Blind amphibian named after Donald Trump
IBC News Bureau December 19, 2018
A newly discovered amphibian that buries its head in the sand has been named after US President Donald Trump, apparently in response to his comments about climate change, media reported.
“Dermophis donaldtrumpi is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and is therefore in danger of becoming extinct as a direct result of its namesake’s climate policies,” said EnviroBuild co-founder Aidan Bell in a statement on Tuesday.
The small, blind, creature is a type of caecilian that primarily lives underground. It was discovered in Panama and named by the head of a company that had bid $25,000 at an auction for the privilege. The company said it wanted to raise awareness about climate change, the BBC reported.
Although US presidents tend to receive their fair share of honours, with Bell drawing an unflattering comparison between its behaviour and Trump’s, the 45th president might want to ignore the latest.
“Burrowing (his) head underground helps Donald Trump when avoiding scientific consensus on anthropomorphic climate change,” Bell wrote.
The world’s leading scientists agree that climate change is primarily human-induced, but Trump, whose administration has pursued a pro-fossil fuels agenda, has accused those scientists of having a “political agenda” and cast doubt on whether humans were responsible for the Earth’s rising temperatures, the BBc report said.
“I don’t know that it’s manmade,” he said in an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes in October. “I’m not denying climate change but (temperatures) could very well go back,” he added, without offering evidence.
In November, Trump questioned a report by his own government that found climate change would cost the US hundreds of billions of dollars annually and damage health.
“I don’t believe it,” he told reporters at the time.
After taking office he announced that the US would withdraw from the Paris Climate accord, which commits countries to keep a limit on rising global temperatures.
He justified his decision by asserting that he had been elected to serve the citizens of Pittsburgh and not Paris and the deal disadvantaged US businesses and workers. (IANS)
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The women driving Dubai Design Week
Written by Rita Lobo
Dubai Design Week is the biggest the most commercial of the Middle Eastern design events, and the two women running the main events mean business, writes Rita Lobo
As far as design weeks go, Dubai is pretty unique. Firstly, it’s unashamedly commercial; its main goal is to connect regional buyers with local talent. Secondly, it’s spearheaded by a largely female team. Rue Kothari and Rawan Kashkoush, are Fair Director of Downtown Design and Head of Programming of Dubai Design Week respectively and have been the driving forces pushing the event forward.
Seizing on the emirate’s entrepreneurial spirit, Kothari and Kashkoush are leading the way in a field that is still woefully male dominated, in the Middle East and beyond. ‘It's a very entrepreneurial environment,’ says Kothari, ‘Women in Dubai are really good at supporting each other in business, and everyone's kind of pushing each other up the ladder.’
Rawan Kashkoush is Head of Programming Dubai Design Week
‘There's a very exciting celebration of women taking over roles that traditionally men shy away from in the Middle East especially,’ says Kashkoush, who works alongside William Knight the Dubai Design Week director. ‘I think what it is is not so much gender specificity as it is filling a void that may be a little bit of a cultural restriction has left open for us. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but the more and more we devise creative roles as high earning professions the more it becomes a competition between the men and the women. One of the issues that we still have is that men are mostly or predominantly the architects, and that's something that I'd like to change.’
The fourth edition of Dubai Design Week takes place 12-17 November 2018, and encompasses events like Kothari’s Downtown Design and its showcase dedicated to limited-edition design, Downtown Editions, as well as Global Grad Show that brings together works from 100 of the most innovative universities across the world; and Abwab, the curated and interactive project containing original design from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
Dubai Design Week is the biggest in a growing number of Middle East events, including Sharjah, Beirut, and Casablanca. ‘We work very closely with the neighboring design weeks,’ says Kashkoush. ‘But what sets Dubai apart is there is no denying the international recognition and the international excitement with the high-speed development that the city is going through. With the hyper-development of Dubai, there's a global eye on us, and that means that we get to act as the neighborhood design week more than just the Dubai Design Week. We harness the talent from our neighboring states and our neighboring cities, and we celebrate a sense of unity in design.’
‘But what we aim to do is to bring a larger audience because I think Dubai is culturally and geographically a lot more accessible,’ adds Kothari. ‘People already know how to do business in Dubai. We want to be able to offer designers to around the region at platform too much more easily access the market and the commercial opportunities that come with that.’
Rue Kothari heads up Downtown Design
Both women came to the Dubai design industry in roundabout ways. Londoner Kothari first moved to Dubai in 2002 looking for a change of scene and ended up staying eventually becoming the inaugural editor of Harper’s Bazaar Interior Arabia. She took over the reins of Downtown Design four years ago and has been using her nous to make the event a must-do stop on the international design calendar. ‘the original director had done an amazing job of establishing the DNA of the brand and ensuring that what was presented was of high quality,’ she says. ‘But at that stage, there wasn't enough focus on what the commercial return would be for people who were participating. When I came on board, we doubled the size of the fair that year. It was an interesting challenge for me because I've never done that job in my life. It was scary, but we filled the fair with good brands and this is the most important thing for us is the curation element that it is. I have to ask: ‘Not only is it high quality but is it relevant to the market?’’
Kashkoush grew up in Jordan and ‘a few other Arab places, so I'm really a reflection of this kind of far-reaching Middle Eastern designer’, she says. ‘The reason I joined Dubai Design Week and what I do in Dubai Design Week is devise content that helps build careers for designers from the Middle East. It's basically about highlighting, promoting regional design talent, and finding ways to commission that talent to create really sensational projects that stay on the minds and in the hearts of our visitors.’
That is the sentiment that unites Kothari and Kashkoush and defines Dubai Design Week – it does not want to compete with bigger European or North American events, but wants to cater to regional buyers and incentivise the local industry. ‘We bring buyers from all over the region to come and engage with brands, with designers, network, do business, and for us to become a kind of conduit for that as opposed to just a space with stuff in it,’ explains Kothari. ‘How do we facilitate the business side of things, it isn't just about showing pretty things? And also to subvert the weird notions that people have coming from the outside that Dubai was all about superlative luxury because actually, it's so not there.’
Dubai Design Week is certainly a work in progress, but it’s growing fast. In 2017, over 60,000 visitors flocked to the Emirate for the event in November, a 50% increase from the year before. The success is largely down Kothari and Kashkoush who spend a lot of their time talking up the event, and building invaluable partnerships with international brands. This year Kothari has attracted big global names like Cappellini, Moroso, Artemide, and Preciosa – who are bringing their Breathe of Light interactive installation – and she is keen to make introductions between these global players and local talent. Part of the ‘It's so key for the growth of the industry and being able to support regional designers it's something that's very important to me personally and I think to the industry because as much as it's great that we're doing all these international names, if you don't feed and nurture our own industry, we won't have longterm growth and exports, which is what we need.’
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Hockey >
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Updated February 11, 2017 | Infoplease Staff
Division I All-America Team for College Hockey's 1997-98 Season
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Enough Is Enough, Saraki Tells Kwara Governor
Bukola Saraki, former senate president, has kicked against Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, governor of Kwara state’s move to “destroy his father’s legacy”.
Saraki while speaking on Saturday in reaction to the governor’s decision to revoke a land occupied by his family in Ilorin, the state capital, said Abdulrazaq plans to wage war against his family.
Rafiu Ajakaiye, chief press secretary to the governor, had in a statement on Friday revealed that the land was originally meant for government secretariat and parking space of a clinic, but was unlawfully allocated to one of Saraki’s late father’s private firms without any record of payment to the state government.
Reacting, in a statement personally signed by him, Saraki who once governed the state, said contrary to Ajakaiye’s claim, the land was duly allocated and a Right of Occupancy title issued on it.
Read Aldo: Kwara Takes Over Land Occupied By Saraki’s Family
“It should be noted that the excuse given by Abdulrazaq in his revocation order holds no water since it is clear that this is the height of his vengeance against my father, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki and I,” Saraki said.
“This action is clearly a manifestation of vengeance … in his narrow-mindedness, he believes his victory at the polls is empowerment, entitlement and enablement to settle scores, provoke and pursue inter-family rivalry. They expected development and fulfilment of promises.”
He accused the governor of waging “a war of attrition” against the legacy of his father and everything that belongs to the late politician, including moving to rename a university named after him.
“Seven months down the line, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has shown that its cardinal Programme is to wage war against my late father and I. He has demonstrated that his only competence and astuteness is in the area of viciously assailing the late Oloye Saraki and I. Definitely, he is a man with no sense of history. Enough is enough. Now, he has crossed the line,” the statement read.
“Perhaps, I should let it be known that if Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq thinks he is taking all these actions to get at me, he is only deceiving himself. There is no basis for competition between us. Our paths cannot cross because of the status that he is struggling to attain, Almighty Allah has given it to me many years before now.”
The former senate president said he will contest revocation done by a “parochial, vicious and vindictive administration” through all legal means, and asked the governor to devote his time and energy to providing good governance.
“With all his subterranean and open moves against my family, person and property, I remain unmoved,” he said.
“However, his open antagonism against my late father and his legacies is unwarranted and will not be tolerated. He has definitely gone beyond bounds as he cannot be allowed to ride roughshod on the deceased. In this war against my late father, he will not win.”
abdulrahman abdulrazaq, bukola saraki, kwara state
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What’s it all about, that ‘black coffee’ principle?
By: Svend Jacobson
Every company has its crown jewels and at INNOCOM they are the people. Why? Because time after time I see a good mix of perseverance, pragmatism and humanity in my colleagues. Not that I have never come across this at other companies, but at INNOCOM this blend is a basic requirement. During my job application – more than nine years ago – I myself first had to ‘survive’ four interviews before I could see the big boss. Just before I was about to sign the contract, he just wanted to check: “Are you sure, Svend? At INNOCOM you always walk on the tips of your toes, like a ballerina.” No other words could have convinced me more that I had to sign immediately. And fortunately, I still haven’t had to wear a pink tutu.
At INNOCOM we put everything into our customers’ projects to ensure they succeed. This means we make a crucial difference. With this in mind, we often talk about the ‘black coffee’ principle. As soon as you add even a single drop of milk to black coffee, it will never become truly black again. No matter how much coffee you keep adding. So the corresponding principle is really a story about pledging loyalty to yourself and never deviating from this.
Doubting means constantly improving yourself
I myself have often doubted whether the coffee I served my customers was sufficiently black. A doubt that I know my colleagues also experience. Something that is to their credit, because this is essentially the ongoing quest for excellence. But for those who spend a long time searching, the doubt can turn into despair and even cynicism: “Black coffee? Weak tea, more like!”
Black coffee goes beyond the big bang
I always thought that black coffee was about making a spectacular impact, in which large, long-running problems were finally resolved decisively and structurally. Looked at this way, much of what a typical consultant does is indeed comparable to weak tea. But recently I have realized that to really make a difference you need to build on the already existing solid foundations of the current organization and processes and to continue growing gradually, working with the management team and at the pace they set. You have to appreciate what already exists and help this to develop further by sharing some of your expertise. In this way you transfer your knowledge and the organization can operate independently of you.
So black coffee has more to do with ‘enjoy in moderation’ than the ‘kick’ of caffeine. I first had to grow myself to understand that. Just like I now appreciate an Italian cappuccino so much more than three mugs of strong coffee.
INNOCOM
Heiststeenweg 131, 2580 Beerzel, Belgium
email info@inno.com
© 2020 INNOCOM
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Weir Group on track for 'strong recovery' in 2017
Glasgow-based engineering group reports full-year forecasts lin line with expectations
Scott McCulloch
Weir Group reports current full-year forecasts are so far in line with expectations with the group on track for “strong recovery” in 2017.
The Glasgow-based engineering group, which supplies specialist pumping equipment to the oil and gas and mining industries, said oil and gas orders rose 50 per cent in the first quarter “driven by significant growth in North America”.
Weir, who reported a 47 per cent drop in oil and gas orders in Q1 of 2016, said pricing in the North America oil and gas has “remained at low levels”.
Weir Group offloads two renewables units
The group notes Q1 oil and gas orders were “slightly ahead of prior expectations”, reflecting increased activity levels in North America.
However progress in North America was “partially offset by a slight decline in the Middle East where customers continued to reduce activity and postpone orders and maintenance”.
Weir said first quarter like-for-like order input rose 15 per cent in Q1, excluding the impact of acquisitions, with minerals aftermarket orders up 13 per cent and original equipment orders up four per cent.
However Flow Control orders were down 11 per cent as downstream and power markets “continued to be challenging”, with original equipment orders down 18 per cent like for like on the 32 per cent drop in orders reported in Q1 2016.
Aftermarket orders in Flow Control were also down three per cent like-for-like on last year when orders had fallen 17 per cent.
Weir said Flow Control's full-year performance will be “second half weighted as a result of project delivery delays” and full year divisional operating margins will be lower than previously anticipated and significantly second half weighted as a result of “market conditions and legacy contract delivery challenges in the Gabbioneta business”.
Weir Group chief joins Scotland Office in advisory role
Weir Group reported a 31 per cent drop in annual profits for the 2016 year to December, which it said was largely down to the “significant downturn in oil and gas markets”.
Commenting on first quarter trading, Weir Group chief executive Jon Stanton said: “Mining and oil and gas markets continued to grow in the first quarter, supporting the view that we are at the beginning of a cyclical upturn in our main markets and I'm confident the group is well positioned to benefit.
“Demand for the group's mission-critical technology was supported by miners investing in productivity gains and a significant increase in North American onshore oil and gas activity, although pricing in this market remained at low levels.
“Power, mid and downstream markets, which are later cycle, continued to be challenging and will take longer to recover.”
Stanton added: “Assuming commodity prices remain supportive, we continue to anticipate good growth in constant currency revenues and strong cash generation, with full year profits anticipated to be in line with current market expectations and weighted towards the second half.
“The Minerals division is expected to perform as anticipated with more challenging conditions in Flow Control partially offsetting additional momentum in Oil & Gas.”
Shares in Weir Group were down 0.6 per cent in early trading.
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Weir Group
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Startups & SMEs
htxt.africa
Vodacom launches emergency services app for the deaf and hearing impaired
Brendyn Lotz
Vodacom has launched its 112 Emergency Services app with a number of improvements specifically designed to assist deaf and hearing impaired persons.
The app allows anybody with a hearing or speech disability to contact ER24’s emergency contact centre 24 hours a day. Users are able to request help from police, fire services, sea rescue, an ambulance and traffic services.
“As an organisation that aims to include all members of society through our different product suites, we realised that there’s a gap in the market. Most emergency services are predominantly accessible via voice calls. We recognised that this was a barrier for the deaf and hearing impaired market segments, hence the birth of this app,” says Vodacom’s Karen Smit.
The Vodacom 112 Emergency Services builds off of Vodacom’s SMS Emergency Service that was launched in 2018. That service is not being discontinued and Vodacom says the app simply provides another channel through which emergency services can be contacted.
The app is only available to Vodacom contract and pre-paid customers.
The Vodacom 112 Emergency Services app from the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store. Just as an aside – the app sports the ER24 logo and is published by Mediclinic so don’t be confused when you don’t see the Vodacom logo.
Once downloaded users need to register for the service from within the app.
Like this story? Share it!
ER24.
Brendyn Lotz writes news, reviews, and opinion pieces for Hypertext. His interests include SMEs, innovation on the African continent, cybersecurity, blockchain, games, geek culture and YouTube.
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The top 6 low-tech innovations that we love
Much of Concern Worldwide's programming involves low-tech innovations to improve the lives of the communities we work with.
Sun September 9, 2018
Kristin Myers
Communications Officer, Concern Worldwide
Afghanistan Agriculture Bangladesh Burundi Concern Worldwide Ethiopia Haiti Innovation Sierra Leone Somaliland
We are often told that when thinking of humanitarian work, many people picture someone dressed like Indiana Jones, air dropping food, or something else equally exciting. While airdrops do happen, and some of our staff dress a bit like they’re in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the fact is simple: much of humanitarian work isn’t nearly as thrilling as you imagine it. You might think an innovation is a fancy and high tech gadget, but sometimes, helping a community can involve some pretty low-tech initiatives. Today, we bring you some of our favorites.
RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
Also known as rain harvesting, rainwater catchment systems are painstakingly simple: gutters catch water when it rains and connect to tanks that can hold thousands of gallons of water. Systems like this are important for communities that struggle with finding water or maintaining a consistent supply throughout the year. For many, the issue is not a lack of rain, but rather, that water is lost due to runoff. But rain harvesting changes that, providing water that can be used to water crops, for livestock to drink, and by schools and clinics. And during dry seasons, rainwater can help communities make it through until the rains come again. We’ve brought rainwater harvesting to communities in Haiti, Sierra Leone, Burundi, and more!
A rainwater catchment system fills a water tank on the community latrine built by Concern Worldwide in the east of Freetown, Sierra Leone Photo: Michael Duff
EARTHEN BERMS
As we’ve already mentioned, water runoff can be a real problem for communities that sometimes experience dry seasons or drought. For farmers, this runoff can mean that their crops aren’t being watered adequately. Well that’s where earthen berms come in! A berm, quite simply, is a raised barrier. Farmers create these berms out of soil and build them around their fields. Berms also protect the top soil that is often washed away during floods and storms. When the rains come, the berms act as a barrier and prevent all the water and topsoil from being lost. It’s a very simple thing that has made a world of difference. We’ve seen berms help farmers in Afghanistan and also in places like Somaliland where the dry season makes the earth dusty and then easily carried away in times of rain.
Earthen berms built around land which has been reclaimed from a floodbed in Rustaq district, Takhar province, Afghanistan. Photo: Kieran McConville
SOLAR DRIERS
Solar drying is exactly that — using the power of the sun to dry fruits, veggies, wood, and more! But to make the process a little more effective, we use a little engineering. By building a covered box, you can put items inside to be dried more quickly, and uniformly. The science is pretty easy to understand: as the inside of the box heats up the hot air rises to the top of the box, where there are vents for it to escape. This also allows for moisture and water vapor to escape, properly drying the contents of the solar drying box. Solar drying is important for families to preserve fruits and vegetables to be eaten later, especially during lean seasons when food supplies are low.
TIPPY TAP & VERONICA BUCKETS
A twofer! We’ve talked about tippy taps and Veronica buckets before, but they’re so simple and important, that we had to include them on this list! Both tippy taps and Veronica buckets are hand washing stations. In much of the developing world, diarrheal diseases and other infections are a major cause of illness and death. But thanks to these two innovations, communities can properly wash their hands in an easy and cost-effective way.
Did you know that trees are a great humanitarian tool? In places like the Sundarbans in Bangladesh, deforestation has had profound effects on communities that rely on the land and surrounding waters to live. Without trees, soil becomes loose and prone to mudslides, and also exposes the land to erosion and increased salinity (which makes it harder for crops to grow). So what’s the best way to combat this? By replanting trees! We encourage communities to cultivate tree nurseries like the one so that the trees can protect the land and the areas surrounding it. Trees have made huge differences to communities in Ethiopia, and Afghanistan.
The Paribartan project supported Indrojit to start a mangrove nursery which could provide saplings to be planted on local embankments. Planting trees and plants on the embankments helps to prevent erosion and make them stronger. Photo: Shafiqul Alam Kiron/Map Photo Agency
SACK GARDENS
Limited space doesn’t mean that a family can’t grow plants and vegetables it needs to maintain a diversified and nutritious diet. In areas where there isn’t enough healthy soil to grow crops, not a lot of water, or very little room to create large kitchen gardens, a sack garden is a great alternative. By planting vegetables in a sack (with holes for air and drainage), a family can grow the food it needs for a diversified diet with less soil and water. Sack gardens are being used in South Sudan and will be implemented Bangladesh. With 800,000 Rohingya crammed in the Cox’s Bazar area, available land is in short supply. Sack gardens will help families eat, without taking up much space.
To improve access to food security and diet diversity, the Mother to Mother Support Groups are supported with vegetable seeds and provided with technical support to establish and maintain kitchen gardens in the PoC. The kitchen gardens allow mothers/caregivers to prepare a nutrient-rich diet for their family using local ingredients. Photo: Michael Mulpeter/ Concern Worldwide
This blog post was originally published at www.concernusa.org
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Swiss bank penalized for undisclosed U.S. accounts
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Home News From the Regulators Swiss bank penalized for undisclosed U.S. accounts
DoJ revises deal with Union Bancaire Privée over secret accounts
The discovery of a handful of undisclosed offshore accounts is costing a Swiss bank another US$14 million.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has revised its non-prosecution agreement with a private Swiss bank, Union Bancaire Privée, UBP SA (UBP), which previously admitted to managing almost 3,000 accounts for U.S. taxpayers.
Under the initial agreement in 2016, the bank agreed to pay a US$187.8 million penalty in order to avoid possible criminal prosecution in connection with its unreported U.S. accounts.
The revised deal will see the bank pay an additional US$14 million after the DoJ found that UBP failed to report another 97 accounts that should have been disclosed under the original agreement.
“In reaching today’s agreement, UBP acknowledges that there were additional U.S.-related accounts that it knew about, or should have known about, but that were not disclosed,” the DoJ said, adding that the bank “fully cooperated” after discovering the additional accounts.
The DoJ reached non-prosecution agreements with 80 Swiss banks between March 2015 and January 2016, and imposed more than US$1.36 billion in penalties under the program.
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Monika Merz
monika.merz@univie.ac.at
External Homepage CV
Network Program Areas
Labor in the Macro Economy
heterogeneous labor markets
income taxes on labor supply
interactions between markets
job search models
macro labor
simulation based inference
time-use in households
Monika Merz is a Professor of Economics at the University of Vienna. She was previously on the economics faculty at the University of Bonn (2001-2010). She received her Ph.D. (1994) from Northwestern University and held an appointment as assistant professor of economics at Rice University in Houston prior to coming to Bonn. Her research primarily focuses on macroeconomic aspects of labor markets. She currently investigates time-use patterns of households and aggregation issues in the labor market. Recent publications are in the American Economic Review and the Journal of Monetary Economics.
Monika Merz joined IZA as a Research Fellow in November 2001.
IZA Publications
IZA Discussion Paper No. 11791
The Price of Capital, Factor Substitutability, and Corporate Profits
Philipp Hergovich, Monika Merz
IZA Discussion Paper No. 7699
Aggregation and Labor Supply Elasticities
Alois Kneip, Monika Merz, Lidia Storjohann
Women's Hours of Market Work in Germany: The Role of Parental Leave
published in: R. Goméz-Salvador et al. (eds.), Labour Supply and Incentive to Work in Europe, Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2005
IZA Discussion Paper No. 965
Labor and the Market Value of the Firm
Monika Merz, Eran Yashiv
published in: American Economic Review, 2007, 97 (4), 1419 - 1431
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Learn About Religion
Youtube Gospel Songs 2018
Download latest Nigerian gospel songs, video of your favourite artiste. FAST Download latest Nigerian gospel music 2019. Gospel music and gospel artists are gaining more recognition for their work day by day. Naija gospel praise and worship songs. naija gospel songs, nigeria christian music
At this point, hip-hop has officially become the most dominate genre in popular music. We run down the best rap songs of 2018.
Nov 9, 2018. London (CNN) In the run-up to the festive season, British retailers vie to release Christmas TV commercials that will tug heartstrings and open.
This week’s most popular Gospel songs, ranked by radio airplay audience impressions as measured by Nielsen Music, sales data as compiled by Nielsen Music and streaming activity data provided by.
The most popular songs on YouTube. Magazine. Customer Service; Subscribe; Buy this issue; Billboard biz. The online extension of Billboard Magazine, billboard.biz is the essential online.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun. The class led by StepNicely Dance teaches line-dancing to R&B, old school, jazz and gospel music. — Linda Mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Muir award goes to Conservancy," 9 July 2018 Though gospel music fell out of fashion and became less marketable with the arrival of soul, the Blind Boys of Alabama decided to stick with it.
We then compared their numbers on streaming platforms like Music+, YouTube and Spotify and compiled a list of the top 10 most streamed Nigerian songs of 2018. flirted with gospel music last.
Faith Promise Giving Sermon In addition to giving spiritual oversight, they are responsible to train and equip the people. Faith Promise giving for missions, sacrificial giving for facilities and. Pulpit Ready Sermon Outlines 1-20. by Dr. Ken Matto. ALL SERMONS LISTED APPEAR IN EXACT ORDER ON SERMON PAGE (Text in Parenthesis) 1. WHY WE STRAY (Acts 20:28-29; Amos 8:11)
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world.
Gospel Artist Kevin Terry Saint Daniel The Prophet Catholic Church Mass for Pauline S. Bruton, 77, of the Southwest Side, will be said at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. Daniel The Prophet Catholic Church, 5330 S. Nashville Ave. Mrs. Bruton died Sunday in Christ Hospital. A. Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents
The GospelMixShow. Time Change Due To Daylight Savings. AddThis. The song is called "If You Love Me". Be sure to visit us at KJLHradio.com and check out.
Monterey Peninsula Gospel Community Choir home page. 2019 continues the vision to share Gospel Music with the Monterey Peninsula community AND BEYOND
Updated: Check out the best new Christian songs of 2019!. Here are the best Christian songs of 2018, including new music videos and artist names. Christian music sometimes tops regular music charts in addition to the Christian charts.
Check out the video here on YouTube but watch the language. Asbury Park’s Deal Casino followed their muse in 2018 with their album. and an impressive range on the gospel jazz track. Dobken is the.
Mar 08, 2018 · People may talk about generations as though they proceed in some orderly parade, but it’s really more like a tug of war: Whichever age group outnumbers the.
Find out the Nigerians songs that are truly relevant in the times that we live in. These are the songs that matter right now in Nigeria (Festac Xclusive, Fortune Shotz, Konbini, YouTube/Mr Eazi.
All told, it was a good—if uneven—year in music. Rapper Cardi B finally released her long. DC band’s excellent Constant Image album—is actually a send-up of circa-2018 YouTube culture. Over the.
Limited Time Offer: 20% Off. Have fun with these easy songs! Break them down by learning the chords first, then working on your strumming pattern. Once you can play, add in your vocals if you want to, working in small sections and just letting the songs progress until they feel natural to you.
Here are the best 2018 karaoke songs, so start listening and get practicing. The best. Photo: via YouTube. Entertainment The Best Karaoke Songs Of 2018.
Twelve months ago, Karen Gibson was travelling around London giving workshops in gospel music, when she received. sensation with more than 10 million views on YouTube. A former IT worker and music.
No wonder she understood country music so well. Beverly Keel Word of Roy Clark’s death in November at age 85 prompted an outpouring of memories from fans around the globe, and sent plenty down an.
Prior to 1Xtra, her interviews with artists like AJ Tracey, Stefflon Don, Rich The Kid, Kurupt FM and Big Shaq racked up millions of views on YouTube. With her striking. she grew up in was.
Jan 2, 2019. Here, our roundup of the best cover songs of 2018 sung by a range of talented artists from YouTube stars to low-key singers to famous pop.
The Lord works in mysterious ways, including via video. Rising gospel music star Isabel Davis said it’s incredible that more than 3.5 million YouTube viewers have clicked on her heartfelt hymn "The.
Gospel Music Youtube Channels List. The Best Gospel Music Youtube Channels selected from thousands of Gospel Music channels on youtube and ranked based on youtube channel subscribers and popularity. Data will be refreshed once a week.
Being Stuck Spiritually The label of depression, the diagnosis and the over-identification with it as an illness may cause us to get stuck in a limited. am ill” can stop us from being able to step away from our. The Christians don’t understand how an angel of G-d can try to seduce people to disobey G-d, so they
The gospel scene too has. one of the most watched songs on YouTube. Wizkid’s ‘Fever’, Olamide’s ‘Motigbana’ and Davido’s ‘Assurance’ make up the list of most searched songs on Google Nigeria for.
Below is a link to a YouTube playlist called “Gospel Music Through. Works Cited “African American Gospel Music,” Encyclopedia of Appalachia, 2018, Encyclopedia of Appalachia. 23 Apr 2018.
Gospel Music YouTube Music. Gospel Music music videos on youtube and vevo, these are the most relevant videos found on the music category on youtube for Gospel Music, hear youtube music songs related to "Gospel Music".
We take our love songs very seriously, and if the past year is any indication of the bullshit we’ll continue to encounter in 2019, we’re going to need them. Of course, there will always be a.
Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed their excitement over the psalmist and gospel music evangelist. said he is super happy about the hallelujah challenge of 2018.
We’re not sure why Laura and Lydia Rogers are called the Secret Sisters, but certainly after you hear their songs and voices, you’ll be spreading the news that this Muscle Shoals, Alabama duo are.
BYU Speeches has a vast, free, searchable 1000+ database of devotional, forum, and commencement addresses with transcript, video, and audio archives.
"Ghetto Gospel" is a song by rapper Tupac Shakur, which was originally released as the second single on his posthumous 2004 album Loyal to the Game.
Dick Clark created the American Music. AMAs 2018: On the red carpet The show airs live from Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 8 EDT on ABC. Fashion fans can stream the red.
2. Lebo Sekgobela – Lion of Judah ‘Lion of Judah’ is among the list of South African gospel songs that have gained most believer’s favor and therefore managing to cross South African borders.
Tuko.co.ke News ☛ Read on to this article for the best of ★SOUTH AFRICAN GOSPEL SONGS★If you are a fan of South African songs, then gospel songs should be in your list as they are so calming and entertaining. Get the best from here
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs and albums in the United States and elsewhere. The results are published in Billboard magazine. Billboard biz, the online extension of the Billboard charts, provides additional weekly charts. There are also Year End charts. The charts may be dedicated to specific genre such as R&B, country or rock, or they may cover all genres.
Required Listening: The Best Love Songs of 2018. And on the seventh day, God blessed us with Frank Ocean.
Top gospel singer, Sinach Joseph, is presently on cloud nine, as her song, Way Maker. views on video sharing website, YouTube. Recall that in December 2018, Davido’s Fall became the first.
Prayer Lay Me Down To Sleep It was called the "White Paternoster." I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Thy love guard me through the night, And wake me with the morning light. Some have also tried to blunt the fear of death in this. Second, as a child you may have been taught a bedtime prayer that begins, "Now
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.
As a longtime gospel music listener, I’ve always been intrigued to hear artists who are known for their mainstream work perform sacred songs. Last week, we heard Harry Connick Jr. lead the crowd in.
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Tales from the Garret Jaine Fenn
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Some of us haven't. But most of the Great British Public has been happily distracted by assorted sideshows involving royal family disputes and broken clocks, just like the Tories want them to be, and they're in for a nasty shock. https://t.co/7pTvgnQ2pi, 8 hours ago
Feeling well chuffed at my editor at [redacted]'s reaction to my idea for a [redacted] in my [redacted] novel. Damn, I really wish I was allowed to talk about this book..., 8 hours ago
It's raining, I'm on a diet, my PLR payment won't cover my speeding fine & I'm waiting on 2 new pieces of work* while falling behind schedule on the current novel. *both of which will come in at the time & need to be done NOW. How's your Thursday going? #JaineIsTetchy, Jan 16
Fascinating news about #Betelgeuse but hoping I've misremembered my astronomy lecturer talking about the lethal levels of gamma radiation likely to be released when it does blow & how, even from 642 ly away, it could reach Earth. We've got enough to worry about down here already., Jan 15
Mild indigestion prompted me to review what I've eaten so far today: - sugary cereal - peanut butter sandwich - handful of jelly beans Should probably have a salad for dinner or something. Or just put it down to comfort eating and go get that last piece of cake from the kitchen., Jan 14
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Khesh City floats above the surface of the uninhabitable planet of Vellern. Topside, it's extravagant, opulent, luxurious; the Undertow is dark, twisted and dangerous. Khesh City is a place where nothing is forbidden ...
Consort of Heaven
Damaru is ‘skytouched’ – he appears simple, but he is able to affect matter. All skytouched are tested by the Beloved Daughter, the living goddess who rules the world from the City of Light. If he’s found worthy, Damaru will become a Consort of the skymothers, the Gods of this world.
Most people believe the Sidhe are long dead, exterminated centuries ago when the males of the race rose up and fought alongside the humans subjugated and enslaved by the female Sidhe. But Jarek Reen knows better ...
Jarek Reen is trying to save a lost world. He discovered the primitive theocracy of Serenein by accident, and now he wants it to take its place in human-space. To do this he needs the Sidhe. Most people think the Sidhe are long dead, but Jarek knows better ...
The Sidhe look like us. They live amongst us. What they lack in numbers they make up with their fearsome mental abilities and the considerable physical resources at their disposal. But no one believes they exist. Almost no one.
With a foreword by Alastair Reynolds (author of 'Revelation Space' and the recent 'Blue Remembered Earth', as well as 'On the Steel Breeze'), 'Downside Girls' is a standalone collection of interlinked stories, that also shines new light on characters from 'Principles of Angels', first novel in the 'Hidden Empire' series.
Hidden Sun
Rhia Harlyn is a noble in Shen, one of the dozens of shadowlands which separate the bright, alien skyland. She has a missing brother, an unwanted marriage proposal and an interest in science considered unbecoming in her gender. Her brother's disappearance coincided with a violent unsolved murder, and Rhia impulsively joins the search party headed into the skyland - a place whose dangers and wonders have long fascinated her. The dangerous journey brings her into conflict with a young rebel stuck between the worlds of shadow and light, and a charismatic cult leader who believes he can defeat death itself.
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Some people were getting worried that I might be dead or experiencing bad times because I haven’t blogged since May, which is understandable. Back in 2014, a blogger I liked stopped blogging abruptly and I’ve always wondered what was up. Her sporadic tweets imply she’s still alive. (Or her murderer got her password!) I used to think it was kinda rude to drop off the face of the internet, but after taking my own sabbatical from blogging, I don’t think that anymore. It’s been refreshing to step away from the post button. I understand why someone might bounce without making a big deal out of it.
Anyway, I’m fine. I haven’t been blogging, but I’ve kept writing for my own personal pleasure. I’ve spent so many years writing things for public consumption that it’s been nice to write for myself for a while. I guess one could do both at the same time, but I don’t have the energy. And social media has gotten so toxic in the past few years that I’ve made a conscious effort to dial back my time spent online.
So, what happened this year?
I moved across town
In 2016, I moved back to Indiana from North Carolina in a bit of a rush (and thank goodness I did because the state government in NC is no longer categorized as a democracy by the Electoral Integrity Project). I got an apartment at the place I’d lived before, and I had to take what I got. What I got was the second noisiest apartment in the complex.
The unit was next to the pool and grilling patio. The pool noise was tolerable, but the talking, shouting, and laughing from the patio was insufferable. It was worst on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer. I bought a pair of noise-cancelling headphones specifically so I could watch TV while my neighbors were out there yakking.
The bedroom faced the walking trail, which had been restricted to usage during daylight the last time I lived there, but was now open 24 hours. Drunken people would serenade me at 3am as they stumbled home. A lot of strange noises came from the woods. A barred owl drove me crazy singing “I am the Walrus.” Koo-koo-cachoo! Koo-koo-cachoo-oo-oo!
The parking lot was outside my bedroom window, so I’d hear car doors slamming and people talking on the way to their vehicles at all hours.
The bedroom was also right by the recycling room, so I’d hear people slam the door loudly when dumping items. At least twice, someone stood there with a dozen boxes, opening and slamming the door after they broke down each one. MURDER, MURDER, MURDER!!!
When the lawn crew used the leaf blowers once a week, I would hear them for at least 1-2 hours straight due to the position of my unit which was in direct sight of 50% of their work.
I had an upstairs neighbor and a downstairs neighbor who made variable levels of noises depending on who was living there at the time. On Christmas night, the guy downstairs yelled, “Merry fucking Christmas!” loudly twice. I was tempted to scream, “Merry Christmas to you too!” but restrained myself because it was scary and I didn’t want to die.
The plumbing was really loud, so when the woman upstairs took a shower every night at 7pm it was hard to hear the TV. When a guy moved in after her, I could hear him peeing at 2am, which he did basically every night. Awkward!
The only apartment that had it worse than me was the one downstairs because it was closer to the ruckus on the patio and also above the laundry room, so you could probably hear the washers and dryers rumbling down there.
When I lived in a different unit ten years ago, it was really quiet. I had to ask the guy downstairs to turn down his music once, and a crazy chick kept banging on my neighbor’s door at 1am one time, but that was it. And I lived there for three years. What they say about real estate is true; it’s all about location, location, location.
In September, I moved to an apartment on the south side of Indy so I’d be closer to my mom and my younger brother. I got a nicer place for the same amount of money because this is basically the redneck side of town. I enjoyed living in the Broad Ripple area in the late-aughts, but they’ve started building monster condos and parking garages up there and I’m so, so, over it. It’s no longer the quaint little place I loved ten years ago. And if I’m being honest, I’m at a stage in my life where I’d rather live close to the 24-hour grocery store than the cute little shops and brewpubs. But I do miss the Trader Joe’s.
I also no longer have to drive through downtown at night after visiting my mom, which is a relief. I didn’t drive through the parts of town where the murders happen, but I was traveling through the murder-adjacent areas and it made me a bit uneasy. Did I mention Indianapolis has a murder problem?
But it’s still noisy
As for the noise…unfortunately, it’s not much better here. Most of the noise problems at my old place were seasonal and went away in the winter. The problems here are year-round, if not individually as loud.
I knew children were noisy, but I was unaware that they emit high-pitched wails that penetrate sheet rock like a pick axe. There’s a child next door who screams her head off and it’s like listening to a smoke detector going off all day. I’ve nicknamed her Little Banshee. My biggest concern is that one day she will be in need of actual assistance and I will ignore her screams for help because it’s just another day in the neighborhood.
I also sometimes hear thumping sounds against the wall next to my office, which is where that family’s kitchen is, but I’m not convinced they’re just chopping vegetables. I think a kid is throwing a ball against the wall. My only coping mechanism for that has been to blast Smells Like Teen Spirit as loud as my laptop speakers will let me. I was never that into Nirvana, but this child is making me appreciate grunge in a way I never did before.
The people who live below the screaming child use oxygen in their apartment, which I learned when I saw a sign on their door warning visitors not to use open flames. Now I’m paranoid about the building exploding. That’s what you get for being a good neighbor and hand delivering mail that got stuck in your box by mistake. I should have just dumped it in the outgoing mail slot.
As for my downstairs neighbor…one day I shall write about my downstairs neighbor when I no longer live above her. It will be a long, sad, entry. All I can say is that I’ve lived here for less than three months and I’ve already cried in front of the apartment manager.
On the plus side, I don’t have to walk by a swimming pool full of people every time I go to the grocery. Even my younger brother thought that was awkward and he’s a salesman who talks to people for a living. It made me anxious to have a crowd of people outside whenever I was coming and going. You’re always being watched. Like most people, I prefer to be watched surreptitiously by electronic devices that contain cameras and microphones, not by living, breathing people.
One time, I had to take the garbage out, but I was wearing sweats and t-shirt without a bra and I didn’t want to walk past a dozen people in swimsuits. But there was no way in hell I was dressing up to take out the damn garbage, so I had to wait until they’d all left after sunset.
Now I live at a place where the mail arrives by three o’clock! I don’t know why this makes me happy, but it does.
I am old (and not in an ironic way)
I turned 38 this year, and as my older brother put it, we’re no longer old young people, we’re young old people. True, true.
One of the annoying things about getting older is that there are more and more people who are younger than me. I checked, and the median age of the US population is 38, so literally half the country is younger than me at this point.
I’m encountering more and more professional situations where the people I’m seeking help from are younger than me, be it doctors or dentists or the lady at the Verizon store helping my mom switch her phone over from Sprint. (If my older brother is reading this, you owe me big time for that.) I have a bias that anyone who knows more than me should also be older than me. But now I’ve been around long enough that people younger than me have had time to become experts in their fields.
Sometimes, I will go to the Tumblr trending topics page just to discover what the kids these days are talking about and I don’t recognize half the topics.
The upside of being older is that I feel more confident and comfortable with who I am than I ever have before. And I don’t take half the shit I used to, which has been really empowering—and financially beneficial! I complained about slow service at The Olive Garden a few months ago and they gave me a $20 gift card. And when I got truly terrible service at a different restaurant a month before that, they gave us our meal for free. Then, when I was rude to the Starbucks barista who’d spent two minutes chatting to a guy in front of me before taking my order, she gave me a free drink! Being a bitch pays. Literally.
There are a few bands I discovered in the past year that I want to mention, in case they make it big, so I can rub it in that I found them first.
VHS Collection. I really love this band and hope they become massively successful. Their Spotify artist profile describes them as a distinct alt-rock, electronic, and disco-influenced sound. All I know is that I’ve listened to their song “Sign” almost 600 times according to last.fm, so I must really love it. I’m listening to it again right now and it never gets old. I’ve never listened to a song this much and not gotten sick of it. They released their first full-length album, Retrofuturism, a month ago and it did not disappoint.
The Band CAMINO. This band wrote a song called I Spend Too Much Time in My Room and I was like, “How did you get inside my head?” They also wrote a song that mentions the Berenstein/Berenstain Bears Conspiracy Theory, so you gotta’ love ’em for that.
Faouzia. This is an upcoming singer/songwriter from Manitoba. For some reason she took down the song that made me notice her on Spotify, Knock on My Door but someone posted it on YouTube. Thanks!
Avril Lavigne – Head Above Water. I would never have guessed I’d be in love with an Avril Lavigne song. I never connected with the punk, skater vibe, of her earlier music. But this song written about her battle with Lyme Disease really got to me because of my own experience with chronic illness. Avril Lavigne – Head Above Water
Those are the highlights of the past year. I don’t know if I’ll return to regular blogging or not. I do occasionally tweet, so you can follow me on Twitter at @jennettefulda if you don’t already. Twitter is a toxic hell hole in general, but I’m not really an Instagram person.
Thanks for reading! I’ll be back whenever.
Photo by Diego / CC BY-NC 2.0 (The comments on this are pretty funny because some lunatic repetitively tries to pick a fight and Diego is just chill about it.)
Leave a Comment (9) Read more about: 2018, aging, move, moving, music, old, wrap up
Done moved
A long white hair
The Big Move: The who, what, when and why, why, oh why?
Later: RENT! No day but today. (Except for this Sunday.)
Earlier: Proof of life. Also Migraine.com blogging
mo pie says
Yay a Jennette post!!
Sarah Wolfe says
I’m glad you’re still around and doing well! Sorry about apartment dwelling being crazy times. Happy New Year 🙂
Nice to hear your updates for 2018! Sorry that your move didn’t solve your noisy neighbor problem. I am also an apartment dweller and therefore I understand the saga. I would listen to my loud neighbors above and wonder why they seem to re-arrange their furniture seemingly every evening. They also had an infant, which was one set of loud crying noises, but when that kid started running around it was unbearable. I was so relieved when they moved out this year.
Nice to hear from you. I wish though, that when you finally update like this that you would address the two issues that brought most of us to your blog originally; those two issues being your weight loss and later, your headaches. Could you update your old faithful readers on that, please?
I was just thinking a couple days ago that it had been a long time since you posted! It’s good to see that it’s just different priorities, and nothing drastic.
The blogworld has really changed since I started reading. Life moves on.
momtaxijulie says
you’re too funny I love your writing. Nice to see you posting. Totally laughed at the you owe me big for taking mom to get the phone switched over. My mom knows just enough about the internet/phone to give me a headache haha
Thanks for the update! I’ve missed you. Welcome back to this mess of a state.
Kathleen Conery says
That Avril song is really good! But then, I kind of liked her punk/skater vibe too.
Welcome back! I don’t do Twitter. Won’t. But maybe I’ll hear from you here again. And fingers crossed a better apartment comes up sometime for you!
Annette Meyer Tolles says
I love reading your posts, Jennette! I am always guaranteed laughs and smiles. I hope you publish a novel some day. I’m sure it would be wonderful!
Love, Aunt Annette
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IMPRS-HD alumni 2015
Fabo Feng (21.1.) - Julian Stuermer (29.1.) - László Szűcs (30.1.) - Elena Manjavacas (3.2.) - Mei Sasaki (4.2.) - Siddharth Hegde (4.2.) - Nikolay M. Kacharov (4.2.) - Robert A. Singh (4.2.) - Siyi Feng (6.2.) - Salvatore Cielo (15.2.) - Alberto Nardin (17.14.) - Ruoyu Liu (10.6.) - Sven Meyer (15.6.) - Eduaro Banados (30.6.) - Camilla Penzo (7.7.) - Michael Maseda (8.7.) - Maria Kapala (10.7.) - Anahi Caldu Primo (10.7.) - Alex Buedenbender (16.7.) - Britta Zieser (17.7.) - Fabrizio Arrigoni Battaia (22.7.) - Christian Baczynski (23.7.) - Frederik Schönebeck (23.7.) - Akin Yildirim (30.7.) - Anders Thygesen (14.10.) - Andreas Bauer (14.10.) - Aiara Lobo Gomes (29.10.) - Terese Hansen (4.11.) - Benjamin Henricks (18.11.) - Simona Ciceri (7.12.) - Jan Rybizki (8.12.) - Dennis Kuegler (9.12.) - Christine Koepferl (9.12.) - Eleonora Sarli-Waizmann (18.12.) - Agnese Fabris (18.12.)
Agnese Fabris ( Italy ) 18.12.2015
Light and shadow on gravitational flexion measurements (thesis pdf, 8 MB)
Is gravitational flexion reliably measurable in realistic observational conditions? To address this question we undertook an exhaustive investigation into the problem of estimating flexion. By means of synthetic data, we tested the ability of different methods to recover the shape of faint background galaxies with the level of detail necessary to account for the spin-1 and spin-3 distortions caused by flexion. Three different methods for weak lensing measurements have been extended in order to measure the high-order moments of surface brightness necessary to quantify the flexion-induced deformations. We observed that, for the two methods which exploit a weight function to control the noise and afterwards correct for the impact of this procedure, a successful outcome depends upon numerous assumptions on the properties of the objects investigated, making these techniques less appealing for practical applications. The third method we tested employs a principal component analysis algorithm to de-noise the images. Even though, in the most strict observational conditions, we could not achieve a precise measurement of the high-order distortions, this method stood out as a promising technique for shape measurements in weak lensing applications. Our analysis shows that a deeper understanding of the impact of pixel noise on the flexion estimators is required before measurements of flexion in real data can be carried out and, finally, used to exploit the vast potential of gravitational flexion.
Supervisor: Matthias Bartelmann (ITA)
Eleonora Sarli-Waizmann ( Italy ) 18.12.2015
An algorithm for the reconstruction of the projected gravitational potential of galaxy clusters from galaxy kinematics (thesis pdf, 7 MB)
In this work we develop a method to incorporate the information from galaxy kinematics into the reconstruction of the two-dimensional, projected gravitational potential of galaxy clusters.
We start by deprojecting the observed line-of-sight velocity dispersions of cluster galaxies with an application of Bayes' theorem, the Richardson-Lucy method, requiring the assumption of a shape for the cluster. Assuming spherical symmetry, after the deprojection we obtain an effective galaxy pressure, i.e. the density-weighted radial velocity dispersions of the cluster galaxies, which is then related to the three-dimensional gravitational potential by using the tested assumption of a polytropic relation between the effective galaxy pressure and the density. The two-dimensional gravitational potential can finally be found by straightforward projection along the line of sight. We test the method with a numerically simulated triaxial galaxy cluster and the galaxies identified therein and perform the reconstruction for three different lines of sight, initially assuming sphericity. Expanding the gravitational potential in the cluster's geometrical ellipticities yields second-order corrections to the spherical reconstruction. By comparing our results with the projected gravitational potential directly obtained from the simulation, we show that the deviation between the projected potential obtained with our reconstruction method and the potential directly extracted from the simulation is $\lesssim10~\%$ within approximately the virial radius ($1.5\,h^{-1}\mathrm{Mpc}$) from the cluster centre in the case of a spherical cluster and remains moderate (below $10\,\%-25\,\%$) within the same radius in the case of an ellipsoidal cluster.
Jan Rybizki ( Germany ) 08.12.2015
Inference from modelling the chemodynamical evolution of the Milky Way disc (thesis pdf, 15 MB)
In this thesis, the field star Initial Mass Function (IMF) and chemical evolution parameters for the Milky Way (MW) are derived using a forward modelling technique in combination with Bayesian statistics. Starting from a local MM disc model, observations of stellar samples in the Solar Neighbourhood are synthesised and compared to the corresponding volume-complete observational samples of Hipparcos stars. The resulting IMF, derived from observations in the range from 0.5 to 8Msun, is a two-slope broken power law with powers of -1.49 +- 0.08 and -3.02 +- 0.06 for the low-mass slope and the high-mass slope, respectively, with a break at 1.39 +- 0.05 Msun. In order to constrain the IMF for stars more massive than 8Msun, a fast and flexible chemical enrichment code, Chempy, was developed, which is also able to reproduce spatial and stellar population selections of observational samples. The inferred high-mass slope for stellar masses above 6Msun is -2.28 +- 0.09, accounting for the systematic effects of different yield sets from the literature. This shows that constraints from chemical modelling, similarly to hydrodynamical simulations of the Galaxy, demand a Salpeter high-mass index. This is hard to recover from star count analysis given the rareness of high-mass stars.
Supervisor: Andreas Just (ARI)
Christine Koepferl ( Germany ) 09.12.2015
Global Star Formation Properties Extracted from Synthetic Star-forming Regions:
Measurements, Analysis, and Calibration (thesis papers see this link)
In the field of star formation, there are still open questions regarding the transition from gas to stars. When addressing these questions, we need to ensure that the star formation properties, such as the gas mass, the stellar mass, and the star formation rate (SFR) are measured accurately. In this compilation, we test the accuracy of commonly used measurement techniques to infer star formation properties through radiative transfer modeling. We present a tool called the FluxCompensator, which can produce realistic synthetic observations by modeling all the effects introduced by a telescope and a detector. We show that in the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ), the main-sequence stars can be misclassified as Young Stellar Objects (YSO), contaminating the SFR estimated directly from young stars by at least 60%. We describe, in detail, how to produce reliable, realistic synthetic observations of synthetic star-forming regions that originate from particle-based hydrodynamical simulations, and we present ≈5800 realistic synthetic multi-wavelength observations at different evolutionary stages, distances, and orientations. The recovered properties extracted from the commonly applied modified black body fitting technique such as gas mass, dust density, and dust temperature show large errors, especially in the presence of star formation. We show that globally calibrated indirect diffuse star formation tracers, which are used to infer the SFR from infrared emission, do not work for single star-forming regions, but rather there is a relation between the infrared emission and the stellar mass. We find that the counted YSOs follow the instantaneous SFR much better than the diffuse tracers.
Supervisor: Thomas Robitaille (MPIA)
Dennis Kuegler ( Germany ) 09.12.2015
On the application of machine learning approaches in astronomy:
Exploring novel representations of high-dimensional and complex astronomical data (thesis pdf, 45 MB)
The goal of the presented work is the application of data-driven methods on complex and high- dimensional astronomical databases. The focus of the work is the exploration of novel data representations in order to enable the use of statistical learning approaches in the analysis of data. With the help of diverse science cases, the advantages of the introduced approaches for classication, visualization and regression tasks are shown by applying the developed methodology to astronomical data. In the first part, an alternative approach for estimating redshifts of spectra by using the knowledge about the redshifts provided by the SDSS pipeline is presented. A novel data repre- sentation is employed which contains only information relevant for estimating the redshift and the detection of multiple redshift systems. Subsequently, a novel data representation for regu- larly sampled light curves based on recurrent networks is presented. This allows an explorative investigation of huge databases with unlabeled data. Finally, a new way of representing the static part of irregularly sampled light curves by a mixture of Gaussians is discussed. This represen- tation is more general than the extraction of features, as it allows the inclusion of photometric uncertainties and avoids the introduction of observational biases.
Supervisor: Jochen Heidt (LSW)
Simona Ciceri ( Italy ) 07.12.2015
Characterizing Transiting Extrasolar Planets (thesis pdf, 35 MB)
The detection of the first planets outside our solar system two decades ago has spurred growing efforts to detect new planets. Thanks to improvements in spectroscopic and photometric technology fed by ten years experience, more and more planets have been found showing an astounding diversity of physical and orbital characteristics. At the same time, great efforts are spent on the characterization of the known planets in order to understand their composition, especially as this can give insights into planet formation processes. The work presented in this thesis is pointed on one side towards the identification and confirmation of new exoplanets, on the other side towards the characterization of known transiting exoplanetary systems. Regarding the first science case, two different works are reported: the discovery of two new planetary systems within the HATSouth (HATS-15 and HATS-16) collaboration and the confirmation of the planetary nature of the Kepler candidate Kepler-432 b. HATS-15 b and HATS-16 b are two massive planets (with masses of ∼ 2.2 MJup and ∼ 3.3 MJup respectively) orbiting around two old G-type stars (age ∼ 10 Gyr). The short rotation period of HATS-16 b points towards a tidal interaction with the planet that resulted in a spun-up. Kepler-432 is a sub-giant star ascending the red-giant branch. It hosts a massive planet (∼ 5 MJup) orbiting on a moderately eccentric orbit. Among other planets around evolved stars, Kepler-432 b is extremely rare being one of the few on a tight orbit (a < 0.5 AU), challenging evolution and dynamical theories. The main idea of the latter project is to perform follow-up observations of known transiting extrasolar planets in order to accurately characterize their systems. Further information, such as planetary atmosphere composition or stellar spin-orbit alignment, can be achieved by using different observing strategies: monitoring the same transit with two different facilities or perform simultaneous observations in different bands with instruments as BUSCA (CAHA) or GROND (La Silla). The characterization of six planetary systems and the successful exploit of the two observing strategies are presented. Two planetary systems were observed simultaneously from two sites: HAT-P-16 and WASP-21. For HAT-P-23, WASP-45, WASP-46 and WASP-48 we obtained multi-band observations. For all the systems studied, a preciser measurements for the physical parameters was obtained. Moreover, all the planets are smaller than previously known. The planetary densities are therefore higher and in some cases the variation is significant (e.g. WASP-45 b), leading to a planet’s size compatible with a model predicting a core 50 M⊕ .
Supervisors: Thomas Henning , Luigi Mancini (MPIA)
Benjamin Hendricks ( Germany ) 18.11.2015
Reading the Chemical Evolution of Stellar Populations in Dwarf Galaxies (thesis pdf, 45 MB)
In this thesis I present observations and analyses addressed to understand the individual evolution of dwarf galaxies and the interdependency with their local environment. My study focuses on the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy, which is the most massive galaxy of its type in the Local Group, hosting stars with a broad range in age and metallicity. Additionally, it is the only intact dwarf spheroidal with an own globular cluster system. Therefore, it provides a superb laboratory to gain insights about the formation and chemical enrichment processes of baryonic matter in Galactic halos. In particular, I have used individual alpha-element abundances obtained from high-resolution spectra to characterize, for the first time, the chemical evolution of Fornax over its entire age and find a surprisingly low early chemical enrichment efficiency with respect to other dwarf galaxies. Comparison with chemical evolution models show that Fornax must have experienced a systematically increasing star formation efficiency with time in order to bring the observations in agreement with the model predictions. One emerging evolutionary scenario is that Fornax experienced major accretion events in the past, so that its current properties are not indicative of the chemical enrichment environment at ancient times. A similar chemical analysis for the globular cluster H4 and nearby field stars in Fornax reveals, that H4 is depleted in all analyzed alpha-elements and falls on top of the observed field star [alpha/Fe] sequence, while its abundance pattern disagrees with the properties of Milky Way halo field stars and clusters. Thus, I propose a chemical enrichment coupling of the globular cluster population and field stars in Fornax. This finding provides tight constraints on the origin of alpha-depleted globular clusters in the Milky Way and will enable the chemical enrichment characterization of distant galaxies from integrated-light cluster analysis where field stars are too faint for detailed chemical analysis.
Supervisor: Andreas Koch (LSW)
Terese Hansen ( Denmark ) 04.11.2015
An observational study of metal-poor stars (thesis pdf, 4 MB)
The outer atmosphere of the first generation of low-mass stars retain to a great extent the original composition of the interstellar medium at the time and place of their birth. Hence the earliest phases of Galactical chemical evolution and nucleosynthesis can be investigated by means of studying the old, metal-poor stars. A minority of these stars exhibit dramatic enhancements in their abundances of heavy neutron-capture elements and/or of carbon. The key question for Galactic chemical evolution models is whether these peculiarities reflect the composition of the natal clouds, or if they are due to later (post-birth) mass transfer of chemically processed material from a binary companion. If the latter is the case, these stars should all be members of binary systems. This thesis presents high-resolution elemental-abundance analysis for a sample of 23 very metal-poor (VMP; [Fe=H] lt. -2.0) stars, 12 of which are extremely metal-poor (EMP; [Fe/H] lt. -3.0), and 4 of which are ultra metal-poor (UMP; [Fe/H] lt. -4.0). T he results of radial velocity monitoring of 17 r-process enhanced stars (r-I and r-II stars), 24 CEMP-no stars, 18 CEMP-s and four CEMP-r/s stars, are also presented. The stars, for which the abundance analysis were performed, were targeted to explore differences in the abundance ratios of Li, C, N, O, the alpha-elements, the iron-peak elements, and a number of neutron-capture elements. These are elements that constrain the possible astrophysical sites of element production. This sample has substantially increased the number of known carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) and nitrogen-enhanced metal-poor (NEMP) stars. The sample of stars include eight that are considered "normal" metal-poor stars, six CEMP-no stars, five CEMP-s stars, two CEMP-r stars, and two CEMP-r/s stars. One of the CEMP-r stars and one of the CEMP-r/s stars are p ossible NEMP stars. Lithium is detected for three of the six CEMP-no stars, all of which are Li-depleted with respect to the Li plateau for metal-poor dwarfs found by Spite and Spite. This suggests that whatever site(s) produced C either do not completely destroy lithium, or that Li has been astrated by early-generation stars and mixed with primordial Li in the gas that formed the stars observed at present. Carbon and nitrogen abundances for the CEMP stars reveal, for the majority, that a small degree of mixing has happened in their progenitor stars ([C/N] > 0). However, signs of a larger degree of mixing ([C/N] lt. 0) is found in some CEMP-no stars, but these stars are only found at the lowest metalicities ([Fe/H] lt. -3:4). CEMP-no stars with large enhancements in Na, Mg, and Al are also only found below this metallicity. This sample confirms the existence of two separate bands in the absolute carbon abundances of CEMP stars, as suggested by Spite et al. The derived abundances for the alpha-elements and iron-peak elements of the stars are similar to those found in previous large samples of metal-poor stars.
Finally evidence for a 'floor' in the absolute Ba abundances of CEMP-no stars at A(Ba) ~ -2.0 is also presented. Binary frequencies of 18%, 17%, and 75% are found for the r-process enhanced, CEMPno and CEMP-s stars, respectively. These results show that the nucleosynthetic processes, responsible for the strong carbon excess in the CEMP-no stars, and the r-process element enhancement in the r-I and r-II stars, are unrelated to their binary population. Instead, the element excess was imprinted on the natal molecular clouds of these stars by an external, distant source. The high frequency of binary stars found for the CEMP-s stars however, demonstrate that the peculiar abundance pattern of these stars is coupled to the binary nature of the stars.
Supervisor: Norbert Christlieb (LSW)
Aiara Lobo Gomes ( Brasil ) 29.10.2015
Planet-disk interactions in non-isothermal disks (thesis pdf, 17 MB)
Protoplanetary disks control the formation and evolution of planets, in reaction the planets also influence the disk structure. Disk gas and dust are the building materials of planets. Tidal forces between planet and disk determine the radial movement of the planet (migration); the planets simultaneously influence the disk, possibly carving out a gap. The interplay between planets and disks is important to understand the variety of exoplanets observed and constrain planet formation theories. This thesis studies new aspects of planet-disk interactions in non-isothermal disks; an important step to a better description of this subject. To this end, radiative-hydrodynamical simulations of planet-disk interactions are performed. Firstly, a Newtonian cooling law is used to investigate the dynamics of vortices, which are generated by the planet and amplified by the convective overstability. The formation of density rings beyond the position of a planetary gap carved out by a high mass planet is studied, as well as the migration rates of low mass planets. Finally, radiative-hydrodynamical simulations are performed. The coupling of radiation transfer to hydrodynamics yields a more accurate determination of the disk temperature in the planet’s vicinity, which has a strong influence on the formation and properties of gaps in disks.
Supervisor: Hubertus Klahr (MPIA)
Andreas Bauer ( Germany ) 14.10.2015
Reionization in the Illustris Universe and Novel Numerical Methods (thesis pdf, 25 MB)
Numerical simulation methods provide powerful tools to study astrophysical processes in cosmic structure formation. Further advancing their utility requires to improve their accuracy and to account for more of the relevant physics. In this thesis, we pursue this goal by developing novel numerical approaches for studying the epoch of cosmic reionization and for simulating hydrodynamical flows with accurate higher-order methods. We introduce a novel GPU-based radiative transfer code designed to study cosmic reionization. Our implementation of radiative transfer uses either a cone-based or a moment-based advection method and is able to accurately follow the epoch of cosmic reionization in postprocessing. To validate our methods, we consider a number of standard reionization test problems. We then apply our implementation to the state-of-the-art Illustris simulation of galaxy formation. We find that the stellar populations of the galaxies forming in Illustris are able to reionize the universe at an epoch consistent with observations. In particular, our results reproduce Lyman-alpha constraints for the reionization history and yield an optical depth towards the surface of last scattering of tau = 0.065, which is in reassuring agreement with recent Planck observations. In our simulations, reionization proceeds ‘inside-out’ and predicts an evolving size distribution of ionized bubbles that is characterized by ever larger maximum sizes of the bubbles with time, whereas the abundance of small bubbles stays relatively constant over an extended period until reionization is completed. The results obtained with both of our radiative transfer schemes are rather similar, suggesting that the details of these methods are not a major source of uncertainty.
We also present the implementation of a novel hydrodynamics solver based on a discontinuous Galerkin method. To this end we design and add an adaptive mesh refinement module to the hydrodynamical moving-mesh code AREPO. As a first application of this new tool, we discuss simulations of driven subsonic turbulence. There, we find an enlarged inertial range for our discontinuous Galerkin simulations compared with finite volume methods for an equal number of degrees of freedom. Furthermore, the overall compute time to solution at a prescribed accuracy is shorter as well for the new discontinuous Galerkin code, demonstrating the potential of this technique for future astrophysical applications.
Supervisor: Volker Springel (HITS)
Anders Thygesen ( Denmark ) 14.10.2015
Magnesium isotopes as a probe of the Milky Way chemical evolution (thesis pdf, 8 MB)
The study of elemental abundance ratios from spectroscopy of stars has for a long time been used to investigate the structure and the chemical evolution history of the Milky Way. However, even with the ever-increasing number of stars with detailed abundances, many details about the Milky Way evolution are still not understood. While elemental abundance measurements already provide a lot of information, nucleosynthesis models predict not only bulk abundances of an element, but also its isotopic composition. When these can be measured, additional details about the nucleosynthesis can be obtained. The isotopic composition of elements in stars has only been measured for the lightest elements and even for these, observations of the highest quality are needed. In addition, detailed modeling of the line-formation in the stellar atmospheres is needed to correctly interpret the data.
The purpose of this thesis is to: - Investigate the chemical evolution history of the massive, high metallicity globular cluster 47 Tucanae, by performing an extensive study of a range of elements in cool giants. - Perform the first study of Mg isotopes in this cluster, to further constrain its chemical evolution history. In addition, this work represents the first study ever of the effects of using 3D stellar atmospheric models to derive the Mg isotopic mixture. - Perform the first study of Mg isotopes in stars in the inner disk of the Milky Way and the Milky Way bulge, including stars in the globular cluster NGC 6522. - Demonstrate that this type of study is feasible for stars in the bulge, and show how the Mg isotopic ratios can be used to constrain chemical evolution models for this part of the Galaxy.
The Mg isotopic ratios were successfully measured in all 21 observed stars and provided additional constraints on the chemical evolution history of 47 Tucanae. In addition, the first results for Mg isotopes with 3D stellar atmospheres gave improved fits to the MgH molecular features, compared to 1D. This also resulted in an increase of the measured fraction of 25Mg, improving the agreement with chemical evolution models.
For the inner disk and the bulge, we reached a level of accuracy on the Mg isotopic ratios that will allow us to distinguish between different chemical evolution models. For the one field star in the bulge, we see an indication of more efficient star formation compared to the disk, but a larger sample of stars is needed before firm claims can be made
Akin Yildirim ( Germany ) 30.07.2015
Compact Elliptical Galaxies (thesis pdf, 9 MB)
In this thesis, a sample of nearby, compact, elliptical galaxies with high central stellar velocity dispersions are studied. By means of high quality photometric and spectroscopic observations, we analyse their structural properties and construct state-of-the-art orbit-based dynamical models to constrain their total mass budgets, including the contribution of stars, dark matter and a supermassive black hole. We demonstrate that our sample of compact ellipticals are outliers of the local population of elliptical galaxies, but their properties are consistent with massive and non-star forming galaxies at much earlier times (z=2). We postulate that our sample has passively evolved since z=2, which allows us to investigate these relic galaxies in unprecedented detail. All our objects are disky fast-rotators, devoid of a prominent pressure supported bulge, with a dominant stellar mass component inside one effective radius. We were able to detect an over-massive supermassive black hole in one galaxy and suspect that more will be detected in our sample. This strongly indicates that the growth of a supermassive black hole is not necessarily linked to the growth of a bulge. Finally, we show that at least three out of seven galaxies in our sample are embedded in a dark halo, with unambiguous evidence for a very massive dark halo in one particular object. The dark halo in this object, NGC 1281, consitutes 90 per cent of the total mass content within 5 effective radii, and the dark matter distribution cannot be reconciled with that predicted by cold dark matter simulations.
Supervisor: Glenn van de Ven (MPIA)
Frederik Schönebeck ( Germany ) 23.07.2015
Velocity Dispersion Measurements of Milky Way Globular Clusters with VLT/X-shooter Spectroscopy (thesis pdf, 59 MB)
We have observed 29 globular clusters in the Magellanic Clouds and the Milky Way with VLT/X-shooter, a spectrograph with an exceptionally large spectral range from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared at moderately high resolution. The observations have been performed in drift-scan mode, where the telescope is slewed across the cluster during integration. Our comprehensive cascade of reduction steps allows for an uncertainty less than 10% in the absolute flux calibration and less than 0.02 angstrom in the wavelength calibration of the reduced spectra. For a subset of eleven clusters, for which accurate Hubble Space Telescope photometry is available, we construct detailed synthetic composite spectra based on their stellar populations, and subsequently use them as spectral templates to measure the velocity dispersion profile and radial velocity profile for each cluster. The obtained radial velocities indicate ordered rotation of some clusters. We use the central velocity dispersions to compute the dynamical masses and mass-to-light ratios for our sample. The sample median mass-to-light ratio is 1.7 M_sun / L_sun and fully consistent with a cluster mass that is entirely made up of stars and their remnants. In conjunction with our kinematic results follow-up numerical simulations will help to constrain the cluster mass profiles.
Supervisor: Eva Grebel (ARI)
Christian Baczynski ( Germany ) 23.07.2015
Numerical Modeling of Chemistry-coupled Radiative Transfer (thesis pdf, 9 MB)
In this thesis a fundamental physical process, radiative transfer, is modeled numerically. The implementation as a code module for the hydrodynamical simulation code Flash 4 is presented. The coupling to an efficient chemical network that explicitly tracks the three hydrogen species H, H_2, H+ and the two carbon species C+ and CO is described as well as the modeling of all relevant thermal stellar feedback mechanisms, i.e. photoelectric heating, pumping of molecular hydrogen by UV photons, photoionization and H_2 dissociation heating. These modeled processes coupled to the chemical network, make it possible to capture the non-equilibrium time-dependent thermal and chemical state of the present-day interstellar medium and dense molecular clouds affected by radiative feedback of massive stars. All included radiative feedback processes are extensively tested. The results obtained with this code module are compared to ones calculated from dedicated photo-dissociation region (PDR) codes. Good agreement is found in all modeled hydrogen species once the radiative transfer solution reaches equilibrium. In addition, it is shown that the implemented radiative feedback physics is insensitive to the spatial resolution of the simulation mesh and under which conditions a well-converged evolution in time can be obtained. The last test cases explore the robustness of the developed numerical scheme in treating the combined ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. In a follow-up study, different simplified numerical radiative transfer models are compared in the context of ionization front instabilities. The growth of unstable modes is found to be strongly dependent on the coupling of the thermal state to the ionization state. Depending on the implemented model, radically different conclusions can be drawn. For an equilibrium ionization model with a bimodal temperature structure for ionized and ambient gas, the swept up surrounding shell is found to be unstable. However, if the temperature of the ionized gas is calculated from the equilibrium ionization heating rate no instability is found. Finally, a damped ionization front instability is obtained from the newly implemented code module, which is unable to impact and perturb the shell sufficiently for it to break up.
Supervisor: Ralf Klessen (ITA)
Fabrizio Arrigoni Battaia ( Italy ) 22.07.2015
Characterizing the Circumgalactic Medium in Emission (thesis pdf, 94 MB !!!)
In this thesis I focus on understanding the physical properties of extended Lyman-alpha emitting gas at high redshift, from the circumgalactic medium (CGM) and intergalactic medium (IGM). First, I investigate the physics of giant, luminous Lyman-alpha nebulae known as Lyman alpha blobs (LABs). The mechanism powering the emission of LABs is poorly understood, although they are now often associated with active galactic nuclei (AGN). Our poor understanding results primarily from the lack of information beyond the Lyman-alpha line. Targeting 13 LABs, I thus conduct a deep search for the HeII1640 and CIV1549 lines, which probe the volume density, the metallicity, and the ionization level within the nebulae. Although I did not detect any emission down to unprecedented surface brightness levels, I show that LABs could be still consistent with photoionization from an obscured AGN. Second, I led a narrow-band imaging survey (FLASHLIGHT) targeting the Lyman-alpha line around 25 quasars at redshift of about 2. FLASHLIGHT is the deepest line imaging study ever undertaken around quasars, and aims to uncover the emission from their CGM. During this campaign, I took part in the discovery of the largest (about 500 kpc) Lyman-alpha nebula known at high redshift: UM287. Its bright large scale emission is in tension with our current understanding of the physical state of gas in massive dark matter halos. As for the LABs, I obtained even deeper HeII and CIV spectroscopy of UM287, and again failed to detect emission. Using photoionization modeling I show that the extended Lyman-alpha emission is likely arising from remarkably dense and compact clouds, which are clearly unresolved in current cosmological simulations. Lastly, by stacking the FLASHLIGHT data, I obtain the first measurement of the average Lyman-alpha emission from the typical quasar CGM. Combined with absorption line measurements on the total CGM gas mass, this provides the first measurement of the gas density in the quasar CGM. Given this low surface brightness, the next generation of telescopes is probably needed to routinely detect CGM emission around individual quasars. Nevertheless, this thesis paves the way for the understanding of the CGM in emission, which is timely given the upcoming instruments.
Supervisor: Joe Hennawi (MPIA)
Britta Zieser ( Germany ) 17.07.2015
Probing the matter distribution on intermediate and large scales with weak light deflections (thesis pdf, 3 MB)
Gravitational lensing can constrain the cosmic density field, its evolution and spacetime geometry. In the first part of this dissertation I demonstrate how information about the internal structure of galaxy clusters can be gained from observations of weak gravitational lensing. I present a novel approach which does not rely on symmetry assumptions or parametric models, but is instead built on a translation-invariant geometric description using Minkowski functionals. An integral measure of the convergence is constructed from the shear field. The behaviour of excursion sets of this estimator for varying thresholds characterises the morphology of the mass distribution. An intrinsic scale in the density profile manifests itself in a change of the logarithmic slope of the first Minkowski functional. I show how the characteristic noise profile of the density estimator affects the measurement and develop a strategy which permits the discrimination between a scale-rich profile and a power law. In the second part I study cross-correlations between weak lensing and the integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect. I treat cosmic shear as a three-dimensional observable and develop a formalism in which the covariance of both signals can be calculated. For the numerical evaluation a highly efficient method was implemented, the performance and reliability of which I demonstrate in a Fisher analysis. For a data set of the quality of upcoming survey missions like the Euclid satellite, taking the cross-correlation between the two signals into account lowers the error on cosmological parameters by ten per cent.
Alex Buedenbender ( Germany ) 16.07.2015
Enlighten the dark in the Milky Way with dynamical models (thesis pdf, 10 MB)
Since the first studies of galactic rotation curves we have seen evidence of a dark mass component in the halos of galaxies we can not observe directly. As the motion of astronomical objects are sensitive to the underlying gravitational potential, we can use dynamical models to infer the distribution of dark matter in galaxies including the Milky Way. An accurate determination of the dark matter density in the solar neighbourhood is therefore important for understanding the nature and distribution of dark matter in the universe. We begin by analysing the coupled motion of G-type dwarf stars in the solar neighbourhood using data from the Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Exploration survey. The coupling is illustrated by the tilt of velocity ellipsoid, which we find to be close to the alignment with the spherical coordinate system and hence pointing to the Galactic centre. We proceed then by introducing a novel axisymmetric Jeans model that accounts for the tilt of the velocity ellipsoid. We apply it to the sample of G-type dwarf stars and make use of a discrete likelihood method to measure the local dark matter density to be 0.013 +- 0.0015 M_sun / pc³ and the baryonic surface density to be 52 +- 3 M_sun pc². If we ignore the coupled motion in the axisymmetric Jeans model, we will underestimate the local dark matter density by at least 33%. We next measure the dark matter distribution in the Galactic halo by applying our axisymmetric Jeans model to K-giants out to a heliocentric distance of 100 kpc. As the halo contains many substructures affecting the velocity distribution of our K-giants, we develop a model that accounts for the variable velocity distribution of the largest of them, the Sagittarius stream. In this way, we are able to robustly estimate the mass profile of the galaxy of M(r<100kpc) = (8.8 +- 0.7) * 10^11 M_sun. At the same time, we estimate the virial mass and the mass concentration of the dark halo to be M_vir = (12.6 +- 1.8) * 10^11 M_sun and c_vir = 15.3 +- 2.3. We conclude that a sensible value for the tilt in dynamical models is as important as the correct characterisation of the tracer density. If we consider our estimated halo mass, we cannot relax the tension on the cosmological small scale problem, in which the number of predicted sub-halos in cosmological simulations differ from the number of observed satellite galaxies of the Milky Way. Furthermore, it is unlikely with a total mass within 200 kpc of (12.5 +- 1.2) * 10^11 M_sun that the distant satellite galaxy Leo I is bound.
Anahi Caldu Primo ( Mexico ) 10.07.2015
Molecular Gas Velocity Dispersion in Nearby Galaxies (thesis pdf, 9 MB)
Despite the fact that molecular gas in galaxies is the most essential ingredient for the star formation process, its thorough characterization has not yet been accomplished. A common assumption is that molecular gas emission (mostly traced by CO) arises from molecular clouds with observed velocity dispersions of 2-5 km/s. In this thesis, I present the results obtained from investigating the velocity dispersions measured in the molecular gas disks of nearby galaxies. On 0.5 kpc scales (the average spatial resolution), the measured CO velocity dispersions have a mean value of ~12 km/s (1sigma dispersion of 3.9 km/s). These values are higher than previously expected, and are comparable to those measured for neutral atomic gas. To investigate the origin of these large dispersions, a comparison between interferometric and single-dish line width measurements for NGC 4736 and NGC 5055 (at ~0.5 kpc resolution) and for the neighboring Andromeda galaxy, M 31, (at ~100 pc resolution) is presented. Despite the different scales studied, the single-dish line widths are ~50% greater than the corresponding interferometric ones. Additionally, the interferometer recovers only a fraction (50 – 90%) of the flux that is measured by the single-dish. After stacking the high-sensitivity M 31 data, an analysis of the resulting spectral profiles from the two distinct instruments is performed in detail. The results are that single-dish spectra are better described by two components, one narrow (FWHMN !7.5 +- 0.4 km/s) and one broad (FWHMB ~ 14.4+-1.5 km/s); while for the interferometric data, one component suffices (FWHM ~7.1+-0.4 km/s). The overall implication is that molecular gas is present in two distinct phases: one that is clumpy and organized as molecular clouds, and another one that is more diffuse and has larger velocity dispersions.
Supervisor: Fabian Walter (MPIA)
Maria Kapala ( Poland ) 10.07.2015
A Herschel Space Observatory View of the Andromeda Galaxy (thesis pdf, 9 MB)
In this thesis we study the energy balance that sets the structure of the interstellar medium (ISM) phases, which in turn control the processes of star-formation (SF). Understanding the energy balance of the ISM is an essential step towards understanding the processes which shape evolution of galaxies across the cosmic time, and lead to the diversity of galaxy properties in the Universe. This work focuses on M31, an ideal laboratory to study the ISM due to its proximity, external perspective, and as it is a representative of the large, star-forming, metal-rich galaxies where most of the SF in the local Universe occurs. We present the Survey of Lines in M31 (SLIM) with contributing new Integral Field Spectroscopic Herschel [CII] and Calar Alto Halpha data, which allow us to study the dominant neutral gas coolant – [CII] on ~50 pc scales. We combine archival ISO [CII] measurements in the bulge of M31 with ancillary data to identify potential heating sources responsible for gas heating in the absence of young stars. For the first time in extragalactic studies, we directly constrain the ISRF intensity and spectral shape, based on PHAT modelling of the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and extinction of the individual stars in M31 from the PHAT. We find that a significant amount (~20–90%) of the [CII] emission comes from outside SF regions. We find that the [CII] – SFR correlation holds even at the small scales (~50 pc), although the relation typically has a flatter slope than found at larger ~kpc) scales, where [CII] traces the SFR approximately linearly. The photoelectric (PE) heating mechanism seems as the largest contributor to gas heating (where FUV flux is generated by evolved stellar populations), however photoionization and cosmic rays heating mechanisms are likely to be responsible for the observed [CII] “excess” in the bulge. We also find that the attenuated UV energy relative to the total attenuated energy correlates well with the [CII]/TIR ratio, suggesting that it is the soft photon heating of dust that is driving the variation in the [CII]/TIR ratio across this disk. We propose that a better method to approximate the PE heating efficiency (than [C ii]/TIR) is an estimate of the energy absorbed by dust in the PE heating wavelength range (UVatt), that together with the [CII] emission allows us to determine the “true” PE efficiency [CII]=UVatt. Our preliminary results suggest that the UVatt is generated predominantly by B0–B3 type stars (~60%), and only approximately 30% is coming from O-stars. This means that in M31, SFR tracers such as UV & [C ii] might be dominated by heating generated by stars ~10 Myr old, not only recent SF, which would lead to the overestimate of SFRs.
Supervisors: Karin Sandstrom, Brent Groves (MPIA)
Michael Maseda ( USA ) 08.07.2015
Starbursting Dwarf Galaxies at z > 1 : a near-infrared spectroscopic study (thesis pdf, 6 MB)
The episodic star-formation histories of dwarf galaxies with present-day stellar masses 10^9 solar masses present a challenge to our current understanding of galaxy formation and evolution. Hydrodynamical simulations predict that star formation in these galaxies was very burst-like in the past, with feedback in the form of supernovae and winds that heat and deplete the central cold gas reservoirs. Repeated starburst events have been cited as the driving force behind intense feedback that can change the central dark matter profile, potentially addressing one of the principal challenges to the standard Cold Dark Matter cosmological model. Until recently, dwarf galaxies have only been studied in the local universe. Here we use a combination of multiwavelength photometry and near-IR grism spectroscopy to identify an abundant population of extreme emission line galaxies (EELGs) at z > 1. Sophisticated modeling of their spectral energy distributions reveals that EELGs, selected only based on their large equivalent widths, have low stellar masses. Our high-resolution follow-up spectroscopy in the near-IR shows that the emission lines are very narrow, implying low total dynamical masses. Emission line ratios are consistent with low gas-phase metallicities and also demonstrate that the strong emission comes from hot young stars. Therefore, these objects show all the signatures of dwarf galaxies at z > 1. By developing a novel method to detect strong emission line sources in grism spectroscopic data, we trace the evolution in the number density of EELGs with cosmic time, observing that they are more than an order of magnitude more common at z = 2 than locally. This observationally supports the importance of bursty star-formation in low-mass galaxies at z > 1, implying that most stars in today’s dwarf galaxies formed in a small number of these early bursts. Taken together, these results constitute the first comprehensive observational study of dwarf galaxies at high redshift.
Supervisors: Arjen van de Wel, Hans-Walter Rix (MPIA)
Camilla Penzo ( Italy ) 07.07.2015
Galaxy and Structure Formation in Dynamical and Coupled Dark Energy (thesis pdf, 18 MB)
In this thesis I study the effects of different Dark Energy models on galaxy formation via numerical simulations. I investigate systems around and be- low Milky-Way masses and describe the effects of dark energy at galactic and sub-galactic scales. Firstly, I analyze high-resolution hydrodynamical simulations of three disc galaxies in dynamical dark energy models. While overall stellar feedback remains the driving mechanisms in shaping galaxies, the effect of the dark energy parametrization plays a larger role than pre- viously thought. Secondly, I broaden the galaxy sample by simulating a 80 Mpc/h side cube of our universe using the same dynamical dark energy mod- els. I show that resolution is a crucial ingredient so that baryonic feedback mechanisms can enhance differences between cosmological models. Thirdly, I investigate the effects of dynamical dark energy on dwarf mass scales. I find that there is more variation from object to object (due to the stochasticity of star formation at these scales) than between the same object in different cosmological models, which makes it hard for observations to disentangle different dark energy scenarios. In the second part of this thesis I investi- gate the effects of coupled dark energy models on galactic and sub-galactic scales via dark matter only high-resolution simulations. I find that coupled models decrease concentrations of (Milky-Way-like) parent haloes and also reduce the number of subhaloes orbiting around them. This improves the agreement with observations and, hence, makes these cosmologies attractive alternatives to a cosmological constant.
Supervisor: Andrea Maccio (MPIA)
Eduaro Banados ( Chile ) 30.06.2015
The discovery and characterization of the most distant quasars (thesis pdf, 4 MB)
Luminous quasars at high redshift (z>5.5) provide direct probes of the growth of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies at the epoch of cosmic reionization, which is one of the current frontiers of astrophysical research. In this thesis, z>5.5 quasars are studied from different angles. (1) The criteria to identify high-redshift quasars using the Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System 1 (Pan-STARRS1, PS1) survey are presented. These selection criteria have resulted in 54 newly discovered quasars at z>5.5. These new discoveries almost double the number of known z>5.5 quasars and increase the number of quasars at z>6.5 from four to eight. The quasar sample spans a factor of ~20 in luminosity and shows a diverse range of properties, including a number of weak-line and radio-loud quasars. (2) Using the available data in the literature, the radio-loud fraction (RLF) of quasars at z~6 is constrained to RLF=8.1^{+5.0}_{-3.2}%. This result is consistent with a non-evolving RLF of quasars up to z=6. (3) High-redshift quasars are thought to reside in massive dark matter halos and should therefore be located in regions with an overdensity of galaxies. To find such overdensities, the first search for galaxies using narrow-band imaging in the field of a z=5.7 quasar is performed. No overdensity of galaxies is found around the quasar, with the possible implication that high-redshift quasars may not reside in the center of the most massive dark matter halos. (4) A strong [CII] emission line (an effective cooling line of the interstellar medium) in the host galaxy of a PS1-discovered quasar at z=6.54 is reported. This is the brightest quasar known at z>6.5 and given its high rest-frame UV and [CII] luminosities, it has the potential of becoming an important laboratory for the study of star formation and of the interstellar medium only ~800 Myr after the Big Bang. As a final note, the number of quasars at z>5.5 presented in this thesis marks the transition phase from studies of individual sources to statistical studies of the high-redshift quasar population, which was impossible with earlier, smaller samples.
Sven Meyer ( Germany ) 15.06.2015
Evolution of linear perturbations in Lemaître-Tolman-Bondi models and effects on light propagation (thesis pdf, 10 MB)
Spherical void models of Gpc-scale have widely been discussed in the literature as a possible alternative to the spatially homogeneous Friedmann models with dark energy. In this framework, the local universe is modeled by an exact solution of Einstein's field equations, the so-called Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) metric, which constitutes a spherically symmetric spacetime that is solely filled by pressureless dust. In extension to recent multi-probe analyses of void models in a cosmological context, we study the evolution of linear, gauge-invariant perturbations on top of LTB backgrounds starting from a full spectrum of Gaussian initial conditions. The relativistic framework of perturbation theory on radially inhomogeneous spacetimes is substantially more complicated than in standard homogeneous models of FLRW type, because the spacetime is intrinsically dynamical already at first order which causes gauge-invariant perturbations to couple. As shown by Clarkson et al. in 2009 (\cite{clarkson_perturbation_2009}), their evolution is constrained by a system of linear partial differential equations which need to be integrated numerically. We present a new numerical scheme based on finite element methods to solve this equation system and generate appropriate scalar initial conditions in the homogeneous asymptotic limit of the LTB patch. In this context, we involve realisations of Gaussian random fields with an underlying power spectrum for the Bardeen potential. After spherical harmonic decomposition, the initial fluctuations are mapped to the corresponding LTB gauge-invariant variables and those evolved into the radially inhomogeneous LTB regime. Estimates of angular power spectra of each gauge-invariant quantity are computed as functions of redshift on the past null cone. This enables us to analyse the coupling strength in a statistical way. We find significant couplings up to $25\%$ for large and deep voids of Gpc scale as required to fit the distance redshift relations of SNe. As a major complication, LTB gauge-invariant perturbations are abstract mathematical objects that, although in principle observable, cannot feasibly be transformed to physically meaningful quantities. We therefore adapt a relativistic framework of light propagation to perturbed LTB models that allows to map the combined contribution of gauge-invariant metric and matter perturbations to sources of the optical tidal matrix. The corresponding Sachs equation is derived for generically perturbed LTB spacetimes and numerically investigated in case of negligible perturbation coupling.
Ruoyu Liu ( China ) 10.06.2015
Constraining sources of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays and shear acceleration mechanism of particles in relativistic jets (thesis pdf, 3 MB)
Ultrahigh energy cosmic rays are extreme energetic particles from outer space. They have aroused great interest among scientists for more than fifty years. However, due to the rarity of the events and complexity of the process of their propagation to Earth, they are still one of the biggest puzzles in modern high energy astrophysics. This dissertation is dedicated to study the origin of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays from various aspects. Firstly, we discuss a possible link between recently discovered sub–PeV/PeV neutrinos and ultrahigh energy cosmic rays. If these two kinds of particles share the same origin, the observation of neutrinos may provide additional and non-trivial constraints on the sources of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays. Secondly, we jointly employ the chemical composition measurement and the arrival directions of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays, and find a robust upper limit for distances of sources of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays above ∼ 55EeV, as well as a lower limit for their metallicities. Finally, we study the shear acceleration mechanism in relativistic jets, which is a more efficient mechanism for the acceleration of higher energy particle. We compute the acceleration efficiency and the time-dependent particle energy spectrum, and explore the feature of synchrotron radiation of the accelerated particles. The possible realizations of this mechanism for acceleration of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays in different astrophysical environments is also discussed.
Supervisor: Felix Aharonian (MPIK)\
Alberto Nardin ( Italy ) 17.04.2015
On the Stäckel potential approximation in the extended solar neighbourhood (thesis pdf, 4 MB)
The problem of the third integral of motion has been studied for decades. Its existence was determined at the beginning of numerical experiments with orbits in an axisymmetric potential and by observations of triaxiality in the velocity dispersion of nearby stars. In general it is not possible to derive an exact expression for a general axisymmetric potential analytically. One way to find an exact third integral of motion is to approximate the gravitational potential with a potential of the Stäckel form. In addition to the third integral of motion, another important property of the Stäckel potential is that it separates the Hamilton-Jacobi equation in confocal spheroidal coordinates. This results in an alignment of the velocity ellipsoid with the spheroidal coordinate system in the meridional plane. In this thesis we construct a Stäckel model, fixing the focal point of these coordinates based on recent observations of the velocity ellipsoid (Binney et al. 2014a). The aim of this PhD thesis is to show how a universal Stäckel potential works. This Stäckel model is focused on the region of the extended solar neighbourhood, up to 2 kpc radius around the Sun. The free parameters are constrained with the observational values of the local volume and surface density. Studying the vertical structure we can predict the behaviour of the local vertical force and radial dependencies at 1.1 kpc far from the plane. The value of the focal point is very important, because for different values we obtain different profiles for the radial density, different values for the scale length and different behaviour for the vertical force at large heights. We derive again the orientation of the velocity ellipsoid in the meridional plane based on RAVE data. The result for the tilt angle is in agreement with Binney et al. (2014a), both for the complete sample of red clump giants and also for different metallicities. This result is a confirmation of the derived Stäckel model.
Salvatore Cielo ( Italy ) 15.02.2015
Numerical Models of AGN Jet Feedback (thesis pdf, 19 MB)
Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) power the most luminous sources in the Universe, and generate very energetic large-scale radio jets. These processes are important in galaxy formation models and numerical simulations, which require energy from AGNs to prevent central gas from overcooling. In this thesis we use hydrodynamical simulations to explore the impact of jets on the intra-galactic medium of individual halos, with particular focus on massive galaxies. The simulations are performed with the FLASH code, and we took advantage of the Adaptive Mesh Refinement scheme to deal with the complex, multiscale physics of AGNs on scales ranging from Megaparsec down to a few tens of parsecs. In the first part of this thesis we describe in detail the first few millions years of AGN jets, identifying precise evolutionary stages and testing our findings against theoretical models. We discuss gas circulation within the “cocoon” carved by the jet as a possible self-regulation mechanism for jet activities. In the second part, we extend the analysis to cosmologically relevant timescales, and carry on a detailed thermodynamyc analysis of the jet-gas system, including mechanical work, global energy transfer and volume fraction of the heated gas. Finally, we present a few extensions of our model such as multiple jet events, and take a few steps towards direct comparison with X-ray observations.
Siyi Feng ( China ) 06.02.2015
Chemical Substructure of High Mass Star Forming Regions (thesis pdf, 49 MB)
High mass stars (stars with mass M > 8 Msolar) are one of the most fundamental building blocks in the Universe. Deeply embedded in the dense clouds at further distances than their low mass counterparts, the forming processes of these fast evolving objects are still unclear. In the earliest phases of the high mass star forming regions (HMSFRs), many complicated astrophysical processes, such as fragmentation, accretion, inflows and outflows are coexistent that dynamic studies are not enough to understand all the mysteries. Therefore, chemistry has developed into a powerful tool in probing the nature of them. With the aim of understanding the chemical and physical processes in the very beginning of high mass star formation, I selected a series of HMSFRs at different evolutionary stages, and studied their chemical-physical properties via high spatial resolution observations at (sub)mm wavelengths. The results can be summarised shortly as follows: 1. At a spatial resolution of < 1500 AU, fragmentation process is observed in the continuum maps of all the resolved sources. Above all, the fragments in 4 starless clumps are on average more massive (with M > 10 Msolar) than the Jeans mass of the large-scale clump, indicating that thermal motions is not the dominant support to against collapse, and high mass stars may form in a “scaled up” version similar to the low mass stars. 2. Observations at a spatial resolution of 1 000 AU resolve NGC 7538 S into at least 3 fragments, having comparable sizes and masses derived from continuum emissions. However, these fragments exhibit distinguishing spectral line emissions at 1.3 mm wavelength, revealing different evolutionary stages. Combing with a 1-D gas-grain model fitting, for the first time, this project suggests that these fragments may result from different warm-up paces after synchronised fragmentation, and that the warm-up processes from one stage to another is rapid. 3. Chemical variations at small scales may be caused by the evolutionary stage diversity of fragments, but may also come from chemical difference of molecular species. With the first complimentary data obtained from both interferometric and single-dish telescopes at 1.3 mm, I analysed the continuum and spectral line features at a spatial resolution of 1 200 AU in Orion-KL. From the central warmer condensations to the cooler outflow regions, gas temperatures and densities differ, leading to spatial distribution inhomogeneity and abundance diversity of nitrogen (N-) bearing, sulfur (S-) bearing and oxygen (O-) bearing molecules. 4. Even at a spatial resolution of 1 000 AU, NGC 7538 IRS1 remains unresolved. At 1.3 mm, this core has a unique spectrum at the continuum peak: a majority of the lines exhibit absorption feature, while at least 3 lines from CH3OH and HCOOCH3 exhibit strong, pure emission. I proposed several hypotheses, attempting to interpret this by source geometry and/or line excitation states. 5. Complex organic molecules (COMs) are ubiquitously detected in the hot molecular cores (HMCs). Thanks to the high sensitivity observations, I identified several low abundant COMs demonstrating complicated chemistry in my sources. 6. In addition to the fragmentation process, the high mass starless cores are not completely chemically quiescent. None line detection in 4 infrared dark clouds at 1.1 mm may indicate these regions are in the early, cold evolutionary stage. However, detection of several dense gas tracers (> 5rms) especially at 3 mm, implies the presence of active gas phase chemistry. From our study, chemistry is an efficient tool in diagnosing evolutionary events coexistent at the small scales of HMSFRs.
Supervisor: Henrik Beuther (MPIA)
Robert A. Singh ( Germany ) 04.02.2015
The true nature of LINER galaxies, weak AGN or strong stars (thesis pdf, 41 MB)
Galaxies consist of dark matter, stars, dust and substantial amounts of mostly hydrogen gas and other elements. A particular sub-class of galaxies are those which exhibit low-ionisation nuclear emission line regions (LINERs) whose spectra predominantly show emission lines from weakly ionised atoms. When first identified in 1980, it was clear that the necessary radiation field had to be different than stemming from all previously known galaxies with an accreting super massive black hole, i.e. with an active galactic nucleus (AGN). Various explanations were put forward, ranging from shock-ionisation, via young hot stars, to the favoured ionisation by low-luminosity AGNs. The latter explanation has since become generally accepted. The analysis is based on a new dataset that combines, for the first time, a complete spectral and spatial view on galaxies, whereas before either the spatial component was missing or spectral coverage for the LINER diagnostic was insufficient. All regions across all individual galaxies are classified based on the standard emission line ratio diagnostic (BPT) and show that regions with LINER-like emission at larger galactocentric radial distances show a significant excess in flux than what would be expected from AGN illumination. Furthermore evidence in support of the hypothesis of ionisation by hot old (post-AGB) stars is obtained. These results have two immediate consequences: it necessitates a substantial revision of previous work on properties of AGN and their host galaxies where LINERs were assumed to be fully powered by the accreting black hole, and secondly it also implies a possible simplification for unified models of black hole accretion and feedback. In conclusion, our data rejects the low-luminosity AGN explanation as the sole ionisation mechanism in LINER galaxies and supports the hypothesis of ionisation by hot old stars.
Supervisors: Knud Jahnke / Glenn van de Ven (MPIA)
Nikolay M. Kacharov ( Bulgaria ) 04.02.2015
Chemical abundances and kinematic properties of Galactic globular clusters (thesis pdf, 9 MB)
High-resolution spectroscopic studies of globular clusters (GC) have been a major break-through in our understanding of these ancient stellar systems. The observations carried out in the last decade revealed a very heterogeneous population of objects – not only have GCs undergone a complex star formation history resulting in large chemical inhomogeneities common amongst all of them, but there are also non-negligible cluster-to-cluster differences in both chemistry and kinematics that are not yet fully understood. In this thesis, we present the first ever high-resolution studies of two poorly known GCs M75 and NGC4372. M75 is a massive, relatively metal-rich, outer halo GC with extremely broad horizontal branch. We found that, besides the typical light-element variations, it shows a marginal spread in metallicity and likely has a small s-process rich population. Surprisingly for its metallicity, the majority of the analysed stars lack s-process enrichment, which hints to a formation in an environment that built metals very quickly. On the other hand, NGC4372 is one of the most metal-poor GCs in the Galaxy. It is found in the inner halo and has experienced multiple disk crossings. The chemical analysis revealed it as a standard representative of the old, metal-poor halo group. More interesting are its structural and kinematic properties as the cluster has an unusually high intrinsic rotation for its metallicity and appears to be rotationally flattened. Furthermore, since GCs trace the chemical properties of their environment, the thesis also includes the first homogeneous study of the Galactic halo evolution of the poorly studied a element sulphur traced by GC stars covering a large metallicity span.
Siddharth Hegde ( India ) 04.02.2015
Remote Detection of Life in Extreme Exoplanetary Environments ( thesis pdf, 200 MB !!)
The search for a second genesis of life outside Earth is now well and truly underway with the first rocky exoplanets detected in the central star’s liquid water habitable zone. Recent results based on population studies show that small planets are abound in our galaxy. With the next generation of spaceand ground-based telescopes on the horizon, it is critical to determine the best candidate exoplanets to follow up on for potential habitability and life.
This PhD thesis shows how colors of extreme Earth-like planets can be used as a first characterization when prioritizing exoplanets for spectroscopic follow up. We build a strong interdisciplinary link between geomicrobiology and observational astronomy, by exploring the color signatures of extremophiles as well as the various extreme niches that those organisms inhabit on Earth. In addition, we provide the first database of surface signatures of terrestrial life for a broad range of pigmented microorganisms, including ones isolated from Earth’s most extreme environments. Our spectral library provides a broader and more realistic guide for the search for surface features of extraterrestrial life. The work presented in this thesis provides a first step toward characterizing a second Earth, in preparation for the next generation of space- and ground-based instruments, which will increase the chances of detecting life.
Supervisor: Lisa Kaltenegger (MPIA)
Mei Sasaki ( Japan ) 04.02.2015
Statistical properties of dark matter mini-haloes and the criterion for HD formation in the early universe (thesis pdf, 3 MB)
The aim of this work is to explore how dark matter structures and astronomical objects (the first generation of stars) formed in the high-redshift universe. We investigate properties of dark matter mini-haloes and clarify the process of primordial star formation that takes place in different dark matter mini-haloes. The specific questions that we aim to answer in this work include how dark matter mini-haloes found at z >= 15 differ from their more massive lower-redshift counterparts and what determines the amount of HD that forms in primordial gas at the initial stage of protostellar collapse. We ran a high-resolution N-body simulation that has the highest mass resolution ever achieved for a representative cosmological volume at these high redshifts, and made precision measurements of various physical properties that characterise dark matter haloes. As expected from the differences in the slope of the dark matter density power spectrum, the dependence of formation time on dark matter halo mass is very weak in the case of the haloes that we study here. Despite this difference, dark matter structures at high redshift share many properties with their much more massive counterparts that form at later times. We ran a separate set of cosmological hydrodynamical simulations to study gas starting to collapse in dark matter haloes. We found that in some of our simulated mini-haloes, HD cooling became important during the initial collapse, and investigated in detail why this occurred. We compared HD-rich and HD-poor mini-haloes in our simulations and found that the amount of HD that forms is linked to the speed of the gravitational collapse. If the collapse is rapid, dynamical heating prevents the gas from cooling to temperatures low enough for HD cooling to become important, but if the collapse is slow, HD cooling can come to dominate, resulting in a minimum gas temperature which is lower by a factor of two. We investigated what properties of the mini-haloes were responsible for determining the collapse time, and showed that, contrary to previous suggestions, the mass of the mini-halo and the rotational energy of the gas appear to have little in uence on the speed of the collapse. We therefore suspect that the main factor determining whether the collapse is slow or rapid, and hence whether HD cooling becomes important or not, is the degree of turbulence in the gas.
Elena Manjavacas ( Spain ) 03.02.2015
Physical Characterization of Brown Dwarfs (thesis pdf, 19 MB)
The initial mass function describes the distribution of masses for a population of stars and substellar objects when they are born. It defines the evolution of a population of stars and provides constrains on the star formation theory. The determination of the initial mass function in the substellar regime is still an open question in Astrophysics. Brown dwarfs do not have enough mass to sustain hydrogen fusion. As a consequence, mass and age are degenerate for these objects. An older high mass object may be indistinguishable from a younger low mass object. In this PhD thesis, through the characterization of brown dwarfs using several observational methods, I work towards solving the general problem of constraining the substellar initial mass function. In my first project, I calculated trigonometric parallaxes of a sample of six cool brown dwarfs. I determined the luminosity for our objects and I found that one of them might be a brown dwarf binary. In my second project, I confirmed the youth of seven brown dwarfs (ages between 1 and 150 Myr) using spectroscopic data. In the last project of this PhD thesis, I aimed to refine the brown dwarf binary fraction using spectroscopic data in the optical and in the near infrared for 22 brown dwarfs. I found six new brown dwarf binary candidates, two of them were previously known. The determination of distances, ages and the refinement of the brown dwarf binary fraction in this PhD thesis contribute to the determination of the initial mass function. In the next years, the Gaia satellite, the JamesWebb Space Telescope and the E-ELT will provide new data, allowing the discovery of new brown dwarf binaries, the constraining of atmospheric and evolutionary models, and the refinement of the intial mass function.
Supervisor: Thomas Henning (MPIA)
László Szűcs (Hungary) 30.01.2015
Chemical evolution from diffuse clouds to dense cores (thesis pdf 9 MB)
Star formation is linked to molecular gas, which predominantly resides in giant molecular clouds within the galaxy. The chemical composition of these clouds and the newborn stellar population within them are in an intricate relation. On one hand, the star formation rate and the mass function of the resulting stars are sensitive to the gas temperature, which is affected by molecular heating and cooling processes. On the other hand, the ionizing and photodissociative radiation from the young stars may initiate the formation of more complex molecules through ion-molecular reactions, or it may very efficiently destroy them. Furthermore, the molecular clouds are not just the birth environments of stars and stellar systems but also provide the raw material for their formation. Precursors of the large chemical diversity that we experience in our Solar System have been found in numerous molecular clouds and dense cores, heated by new-born protostars. The molecular emission also provides us with an insight into the physical conditions of the star forming material, and traces the velocity, (column) density, temperature and the dynamical history of the gas. Therefore, understanding the main chemical pathways for formation and destruction of molecular coolants, determining the chemical initial conditions of highand low-mass star formation, finding species that preserve the dynamic history of the gas and calibrating the chemical tracers of cloud properties are amongst the major interests of today’s astrophysics and astrochemistry. New observatories, like ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) and NOEMA (Northern Extended Millimeter Array) will provide previously unseen sensitivity, resolution and amount of data to address these issues. The new complexity of observational data requires, however, increasingly complex, multi-dimensional and time dependent theoretical models to explain and predict them. Fortunately, parallel to the advancement of observational facilities, the theoretical understanding of the relevant physical and chemical processes, as well as the numerical methods and computational resources developed swiftly, allowing us to model a variety of processes (magneto-hydrodynamics, chemistry, radiation propagation) self-consistently within a single simulation. In this thesis I present three-dimensional, turbulence-supported hydrodynamical simulations of Giant Molecular Clouds and dense cores, linked with implicit or explicit chemical models, and describe synthetic molecular emission maps to be compared with observations. First, I investigate how the active chemical fractionation and isotope-selective photodissociation affects the 12CO/13CO isotope ratio and implicitly the 13CO emission based CO column density estimates. Then I benchmark the most frequently used CO emission based molecular mass measurement techniques for a large range of cloud properties. Finally, I present a new approach for modelling the formation and destruction of complex molecules, many of which form exclusively on grain surfaces, in three-dimensional, time dependent hydrodynamical simulations, that was previously only possible with major simplifications either dynamics-wise or chemistry-wise.
Supervisors: Simon Glover, Cornelis Dullemond (ITA)
Julian Stuermer ( Germany ) 29.01.2015
Technologies for improving the precision of radial velocity measurements with high-resolution, fibre-fed échelle spectrographs (thesis pdf, 60 MB)
The objective of the dissertation is to investigate instrumental limitations of highprecision radial velocity measurements with fibre-fed échelle spectrographs and to develop technologies to overcome these limitations. It is composed of two parts:
The first part investigates the optimal use of opticalfibres to reduce the sensitivity of spectrographs to unstable coupling conditions at a telescope. In the framework of CARMENES, a high-resolution spectrograph project, optical properties of appropriate fibres are investigated with the aim of determining the optimal solution for the particular requirements of this instrument. Scrambling and focal ratio degradation behaviour of non-circular fibres are measured and optical simulations of the stability performance of CARMENES are presented. The results provide a strong indication that a 1 m/s radial velocity measurement precision, which is the goal ofCARMENES, can be reached by combining an octagonal with a circular fibre.The second part describes a novel method of stabilizing a broadband Fabry-Pérot etalon for spectrograph calibration. By using Doppler-free saturated absorption spectroscopy, a single etalon transmission peak is locked to hyperfine transitions of rubidium. For reasonable astronomical integration times, a locking precision of 3 cm/s is demonstrated.
Supervisor: Andreas Quirrenbach ( LSW )
Fabo Feng (China) 21.01.2015
Investigations into the impact of astronomical phenomena on the terrestrial biosphere and climate ( thesis pdf, 5 MB)
This thesis assesses the influence of astronomical phenomena on the Earth’s biosphere and climate. I examine in particular the relevance of both the path of the Sun through the Galaxy and the evolution of the Earth’s orbital parameters in modulating non-terrestrial mechanisms. I build models to predict the extinction rate of species, the temporal variation of the impact cratering rate and ice sheet deglaciations, and then compare these models with other models within a Bayesian framework. I find that the temporal distribution of mass extinction events over the past 550 Myr can be explained just as well by a uniform random distribution as by other models, such as variations in the stellar density local to the Sun arising from the Sun’s orbit. Given the uncertainties in the Galaxy model and the Sun’s current phase space coordinates, as well as the errors in the geological data, it is not possible to draw a clear connection between terrestrial extinction and the solar motion. In a separate study, I find that the solar motion, which modulates the Galactic tidal forces imposed on Oort cloud comets, does not significantly influence this cratering rate. My dynamical models, together with the solar apex motion, can explain the anisotropic perihelia of long period comets without needing to invoke the existence of a Jupiter-mass solar companion. Finally, I find that variations in the Earth’s obliquity play a dominant role in triggering terrestrial deglaciations over the past 2 Myr. The precession of the equinoxes, in contrast, only becomes important in pacing large deglaciations after the transition from the 100-kyr dominant periodicity in the ice coverage to a 41-kyr dominant periodicity, which occurred 0.7 Myr ago.
Supervisor: Coryn Bailer-Jones ( MPIA )
/37261/2015
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Will Smith says he was ‘insecure’ about wife Jada’s relationship with Tupac
Hollywood star Smith met his future wife in 1994.
Will Smith has admitted being ‘deeply insecure’ about wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s relationship with the late rapper Tupac Shakur (Ian West/PA)
By Keiran Southern, PA Los Angeles Correspondent
January 14 2020 1:23 AM
Will Smith has admitted being “deeply insecure” about wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s relationship with the late rapper Tupac Shakur.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/will-smith-says-he-was-insecure-about-wife-jadas-relationship-with-tupac-38859739.html
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/47229/38859737.ece/AUTOCROP/h342/ipanews_112266f7-7198-4bcd-ae84-c60fe352d026_1
Pinkett Smith met Shakur in high school and they remained close friends until his death in 1996.
Hollywood star Smith, who began his career as a rapper, met his future wife in 1994 on the set of his TV show The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.
Will Smith has revealed his regrets over not befriending the rapper Tupac Shakur (Isabel Infantes/PA)
The two started dating the following year but Smith, 51, has now admitted he struggled to befriend Shakur.
Speaking on The Breakfast Club radio show, he said: “I could never open up to interact with Pac. You know, because we had a little bit of a thing. You know, they grew up together and they loved each other, but they never had a sexual relationship.”
Smith, who has two children with Pinkett Smith, said he and Shakur, who was shot dead at the age of 25, would not speak to each other even if they were in the same room.
He told how it was a “huge regret” the two never became friends.
“I couldn’t handle it,” he said. “I was the soft rapper from Philly and he was Pac. You know what I mean? I was deeply, deeply insecure and I wasn’t man enough to handle that relationship.”
Pinkett Smith has previously spoken of her relationship with Shakur, who she called an “icon”.
Speaking on her Red Table Talk show, she said: “I’ve had a lot of loss. So many of my close friends gone. They didn’t make it to 30. They didn’t make it past 25.
“A lot of people talk about my relationship with Pac and figure that out. That was a huge loss in my life.”
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By Lucy Mapstone, PA Deputy Entertainment Editor Royal wedding musician Sheku Kanneh-Mason has set a new record as he is now the highest-charting cellist of all time in the UK.
Eminem criticised for comparing himself to Manchester Arena bomber
By Tom Horton, PA Eminem has been criticised for comparing himself to the perpetrator of the Manchester Arena terror attack by the brother of one of the victims.
BTS drop new single Black Swan accompanied by artistic dance film
By Laura Harding, PA Senior Entertainment Correspondent BTS have released their new single, Black Swan, accompanied by a striking artistic dance film.
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I May No Longer Be Able To Support President Trump & You’re Next … Here’s Why: Digital Genocide
Mark Sidney| Odds are you are not going to like what I have to say.
Let me start off by saying that I have spent the last 4 years of my life promoting, defending and supporting Donald Trump, first as a candidate, then as President of The United States. I have dedicated my life to publishing opinion content supportive of the nationalist/populist movement and its current leader, Donald J Trump.
It was the millions of people like you and me who got Donald Trump elected. While the mainstream media went on and on about how much of a joke they wanted you to think Trump was, you and I were on Facebook defending him and exposing the lies of the news, nightly. It was you and I who showed the American people that they were not alone in their support for an outsider as President.
Clearly, I am not the only one who came to the conclusion that Facebook, and the independent grassroots conservative activists on the platform, were the reason Trump won in 2016. As soon as Trump was announced the winner of the election, the left & the mainstream media blamed Facebook for allowing “Russians” (read: “conservatives speaking out with blogs, Facebook Pages & Facebook accounts”) to infiltrate the platform. Supposedly the “Russians” were the reason Trump won. I can assure you that it was not the “Russians” who won Trump the election, it was YOU. “Russians” became the excuse to de-platform anyone, including many Americans, who a spouse views antithetical to that of the oligarchs of Silicon Valley.
Here we are, almost 3 years out from the historic victory in 2016, and 95% of the websites & Facebook Pages who supported President Trump have been deplatformed and deleted, the remainder have been shadow banned or unpublished. Those of us who still manage to survive are running skeleton crews, trying to combat the 90-99% reductions in reach & what appears to be a conspiracy among ad networks not to work with, and to financially strangle websites supportive of President Trump.
I will not name companies, but a prominent ad company, who used to stand up for the liberty of speech told me explicitly it was my support for President Trump that was causing my earnings to drop by 75%. But do not fret for me, I am only of the fortunate ones, most activists, including my partner on Spreely, a fre speech alternative to FB, Terry, have had everything everything stolen from them, I believe because we were fighting to support the President.
Through all this, we soldier on. The point of this article is not to get you to feel sorry for us. I know that you have been dealing with the same things we have … multiple bids in FB jail for absurd reasons, inability to see the content you chose, ads and establishment media posts spammed into your newsfeed instead of the pages you followed, the reduction in reach of any posts supportive of the President and more, much more.
The purpose of this article is to ask President Trump What the **** is he waiting for to stop the destruction of the 1st Amendment by Facebook? If (or WHEN, as it is only a matter of time) this were happening to leftists, we would be the first in line to defend their right to speak freely to on social media ( I know that is easy to say but it is the truth). It would be easy for Trump to ignore it if his critics were being censored, immoral, but easy. However, that is not the case, it is those of us who worked tirelessly and dedicated ourselves to promoting Trump while combating the barrage of lies the media has told about him day in and day out for the last 4 years. It is us, his die hard supporters, who are the ongoing victims of this unprecedented digital genocide.
The President has done less than nothing that I am aware of to stop Facebook and other Tech Left speech cartel members from pissing all over the natural right to freedom of speech. One media outlet recently said that “Facebook faces no existential threat under the current administration” but suggested they would from a leading Democratic candidate. The fact of the matter is that is it already too late. Trump blew it, he let us all be destroyed, he’s allowed our collective voice to be silenced and now there are only a handful of sites left who are still able to support him and there will be less tomorrow than there were today.
Fox News has seemingly sold their soul and made their deal with the devil as they move further to the left and prepare to throw Trump under the bus in 2020, delivering out nation to the no, IMHO, openly socialist, Democratic party.
Mr. Trump, I (and thousands, if not millions of others) have supported you from the jump, I have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, together we have spent BILLIONS, and billions upon billions of collective hours working to amplify your message. Why have you abandoned us? Why have you refused to defend us from these tyrannical attacks on our right to speak freely by the most powerful, most corrupt and most despotic corporation in recorded history? At the end of the day it is your ox that is being gored. Each time they kill one of us, your chances of winning the battle against the fake news media become less and less.
While most people just took it on the chin, packed up their tent and went home, we (and a handful of other social media operators) have been working tirelessly making contacts, collecting evidence and building legal cases that can stop Facebook’s insatiable appetite for control, money and power dead in its tracks. “We” have the evidence, the data, the legal strategies and the path to bring these digital ghetto operators to justice all you have to do is help us, help the American people. We need your support now.
I could go on and on, and I will most likely write a follow up to this, but this is it for now. If you too DEMAND that President Trump does something to stop Facebook from destroying online Freedom of Speech, please spread this article like crazy. If you own a blog, website, social media account, news network, feel free to copy and paste it, hell, take credit for writing it if you like, it does not matter to us. All that we want is the Internet Speech Cartel’s (Facebook, Google, Twitter) assault on truth.
Note: Yes, I still support Trump and his war on the DS, however, FB has taken my voice away, and without it my support means less and less each day.
bobbykenny 10 October 2019 at 19:36
FB Controls your speech. They cut you off, they edit your words and they shut down your accounts. Use the terms "Does Not meet Community Standards" Hate Speech and clearly states: This message is just for your information. It is not in response to anything you've posted, and does not mean we've removed any of your content.
Our Community Standards help keep Facebook safe and welcoming for everyone. If we find that content in a group goes against the Community Standards, we remove it from Facebook. We may also tell the group's admins which standard the content violated, and in some cases we may allow the group admins to see the removed content for up to 7 days. And Folks that's that. What first amendment?
norm 12 October 2019 at 04:48
If you do not like Facebook you should cancel your account and not use it. Its a for profit business and not ran by the government.
Steven A 12 October 2019 at 06:35
I agree with this whole heartily. We’re you President Trump. How do stand on this distraction of our 1st Amendment Rights if Free Speech?
Geno 13 October 2019 at 12:13
Hell, he aided in real blood and guts genocide this past week, you think he gives a rats ass about you ?
bj 13 October 2019 at 20:47
Trump is not empoweredto shut down a us company. But Noones won his first case against Twitter and now other cases are going through.and FB etc have been sued!
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Does Detroit think they can beat the Yankees?
The Yankees brought their bats with them in last nights easy win over the Tigers. Though the Yankees go with Freddy Garcia in game two, the Tigers will go with Max Scherzer in game two and Rick Porcello in game three. Obviously, with the game one starters pushed back in the series, their impact was not felt in the way it should have been. And with the Yankees going back to CC Sabathia in game three, it baffles me that Detroit will wait until game 4 (if necessary) to bring back Justin Verlander, the best pitcher in MLB this season. We'll see if anything changes if the Tigers lose game 2, but there is no positive spin to put on this from a Tigers perspective. If the Tigers lose game two and don't pitch Verlander, then they may not have him at all if they get swept. If they pitch Verlander in game three down 2-0, they still have to win two more games after he pitches without him assuming he wins. The best scenario would be to let Verlander pitch game two with a chance to bring him back on short rest on game five. He commented to the media that he said that he was ready to go and was ready to pitch game two. The Tigers had their word cut out for them coming in to the series. Pitching Verlander in game four has made this an impossible series for them. Let me know what you think.
john pielli
Great job by Leyland changing his mind and going with Verlander in game three. Tigers would not have won game three with Porcello on the mound. Verlander matched Sabathia though both were touched and Detroit has a chance to win this series.
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Home > Newsroom > Press Releases > Kantar awarded national radio measurement currency service in Sweden
Kantar awarded national radio measurement currency service in Sweden
Solution: Audience Measurement
Pioneering measurement solution provides unified currency across local and national radio.
Stockholm, 10th October 2019: Kantar, the world’s leading data, insights and consulting company, is today announcing that it has secured the contract to deliver the radio ratings currency in Sweden for the next four years.
This announcement builds on Kantar’s strong relationship with the Swedish radio industry, having provided a radio ratings service in Sweden since 2005.
As part of this new service, Kantar will issue 1,500 panellists with a personal RateOnAir Meter – developed and operated by Médiamétrie in France - and undertake CATI interviews with over 30,000 panellists per year over the four-year period.
The service will deliver minute-by-minute ratings across Sweden’s national radio networks whether live or time shift on FM, web or DAB platforms. Measurement of local radio using the CATI panel will deliver ratings of local radio stations with five-minutes granularity.
Integrated to the service is a unique headphone modelling solution introduced in Sweden in 2018 together with new data science solutions efficiently combining the two measurements. This unique research design supports the creation of a unified currency of local and national radio – making the Swedish radio market one of the most advanced in the world.
The new service will begin 1 August 2020 and is ready made to incorporate technical measurement of podcast and on demand audio.
Commenting on the announcement, Christer Modig, CEO NENT Group Radio AB stated, “We are pleased to have achieved a measurement of radio listening that is future-proof and can capture radio listening in an increasingly complex world. By showing a unified picture of radio listening - regardless of platform - I am convinced that our customers will see the medium of radio as an even more relevant advertising medium, while at the same time giving us the opportunity to more precisely drive our own program strategy into the future.”
Yvonne Pernodd, CEO Kantar Sweden added, “I’m delighted to be continuing our long-standing relationship with the Swedish radio industry with this unique new radio ratings service which combines Kantar’s expertise in audience measurement with Médiamétrie’s technology in order to deliver a world-class solution for the market.”
Benoît Cassaigne, Executive Vice President Médiamétrie completed “We are thrilled to once again work alongside Kantar to collaborate on such an exciting radio audience measurement service partly based on one of our innovative technologies. Our RateOnAir meters will automatically capture listening of radio or podcasts wherever the panellists are - at home, at work or travelling - for a fully consumer-centric measurement approach.”
About Kantar: Kantar is the world’s leading data, insights and consulting company. We understand more about how people think, feel, shop, share, vote and view than anyone else. Combining our expertise in human understanding with advanced technologies, Kantar’s 30,000 people help the world’s leading organisations succeed and grow.
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Emmy Awards won't have a host this year
Fox Entertainment's CEO said the decision to go hostless will give more time to salute departing shows.
Author: Associated Press
Published: 3:40 AM PDT August 8, 2019
Updated: 3:40 AM PDT August 8, 2019
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — The Oscars did it, and now the Emmys will too. There will be no host at the ceremony honoring TV's best next month.
Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier said Wednesday that going hostless allows more time to salute departing shows, including "Game of Thrones."
The HBO fantasy saga, which ended its run this past season, is the top nominee with a record-setting 32 nominations.
Collier said producers would have considered possible hosts and checked on their availability for the Sept. 22 ceremony. The Fox executive didn't directly address whether anyone had declined.
RELATED: Georgia productions snubbed in 2019 Emmy nominations
RELATED: Emmys 2019: List of nominees
The Emmy show rotates among the top broadcast networks.
The Oscars ran into trouble when last year's planned host, Kevin Hart, stepped down following a backlash over his past homophobic tweets. The search for a replacement proved fruitless.
Emmy statuettes appear on stage prior to the start of the 71st Primetime Emmy Nominations Announcements at the Television Academy's Saban Media Center on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
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How to use points and miles for Super Bowl tickets
Unless they've got lots of cash to burn, football fans will want to explore avenues to use points for scoring a ticket or two to the Super Bowl.
Author: Richard Kerr
Super Bowl LIV, scheduled for Feb. 2 in Miami, is now just weeks away. We don’t yet know which two of the eight remaining teams will meet at Hard Rock Stadium. But if you have any desire to attend the big game, now is the time to review your options for locking in what is always one of the hottest tickets of the year.
The cheapest cash price for a Super Bowl ticket is currently around $5,000 after service fees through Stubhub, VividSeats and similar ticket resale sites. Depending on which teams make it to the championship game, we could see prices skyrocket or plummet. Since the New England Patriots are already eliminated, along with their fan base with Super Bowl fatigue, I see the potential for prices for this year’s matchup — in a warm and party-friendly environment — to be some of the highest in recent memory.
Unless you’ve got (lots of) cash to burn, you probably will want to explore avenues to use points for scoring a ticket or two to Miami.
Marriott Moments
You can guarantee yourself a ticket to the game using points by winning a Marriott Moment auction. There are four different Super Bowl experiences available, each with a varying number of packages for auction. Each package has two tickets, and there are currently 16 packages up for auction across the four different experiences. At the time of writing, the lowest auction price for two tickets was 702,500 Bonvoy points and most are over a million points. That price includes two tickets, game-day brunch and bar stool seats in a suite during the game (including food and beverages).
The top-tier package consists of brunch on Feb. 1 with former NFL quarterback turned broadcaster Tony Romo, a game-day brunch, three nights in a Marriott property and two suite tickets in stadium seats to the game, complete with food and beverages. There are three of these packages available and, at the time of writing, the lowest winning bid was 1,614,175 Bonvoy points. These auctions close on Jan. 8, at 1 p.m. Eastern, which means you’ll be buying without knowing if your team is in the game.
The Marriott Moments auctions all close between between January 8–10, with the last package — and your last chance at bidding on Super Bowl tickets with Marriott points — closing at 1 p.m. on Jan. 10. Whether you think redeeming this many Bonvoy points for the game is a good idea is largely a subjective exercise based on how much you want to attend the game and what else you wanted to do with your Marriott points.
The Super Bowl suite tickets I can find on the open market run around $20,000 each, making your 1.6 million points worth ~$40,000. Given TPG’s current valuation of Marriott points at 0.8 cents each, we’d value your 1.6 million points at $12,800, making the suite tickets redemption a pretty great deal for football enthusiasts.
NFL Extra Points Card
The no-annual-fee card issued by Barclays is the official credit card of the NFL and comes with associated perks at reasonable redemption levels. Each year, you can redeem your points for Super Bowl experiences like player meet-and-greets, press conference tickets, NFL Players Association party tickets and for actual Super Bowl game tickets.
This year, the redemptions for Super Bowl tickets started on Nov. 18. As usual, each package includes a pair of tickets. An upper-level ticket package is 175,000 points, mid-level is 225,000 points and lower-level (closer to the field) is 275,000 points. The credit card carries no annual fee and earns 2x points on NFL ticket and team purchases and 1x points on all other spending. At 87,500 points per ticket, this puts the Super Bowl within reach of a lot of small business owners who can reasonably charge a large volume of purchases each year. If you didn’t make the spend to get tickets this year, consider it a solid strategy to use points for two tickets to Super Bowl LV in 2021.
Delta SkyMiles Experiences is auctioning two tickets to the big game, access for two people to meet NFL Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez and two Delta travel certificates valid for one round-trip economy flight within the continental U.S. and Canada to Miami. At the time of writing, the auction is at 511,000 SkyMiles, with a closing date of Jan. 19 at 2 p.m.
United MileagePlus
United’s MileagePlus Experiences is auctioning off round-trip economy United flights for two to Miami, two nights in the Essex House by The Clevelander, a rental car and two tickets to the game (exact seat location TBD). The auction closes Jan. 16 at noon, and the current bid is a rather reasonable 345,000 miles at the time of writing (however, there is plenty of bidding time left).
Cash-back cards
With the cheapest game tickets coming in at $4,000 to $5,000, on a 2% cash back card you’d need to spend $200,000 to earn enough cash back for a single ticket. On a flat 2.5% cash-back card like the Alliant Credit Union Visa Signature, $160,000 in spend would earn you enough cash back to cover the $4,000 ticket. If you have this much spend and are after Super Bowl tickets, the NFL Extra Points card would be a better strategy for you to use in the future because of the significantly smaller spend required on it to get two tickets. I don’t encourage you to use your cash-back earnings towards game tickets in the future as there is a better way to earn the points to get you there.
You have a few days left to use Marriott Bonvoy points for Super Bowl tickets if you your Marriott account is overflowing in points. You could even plump up your Bonvoy account further by transferring in American Express points. Amex currently has a transfer bonus to Marriott, but we don’t really recommend doing that given all the other much more lucrative ways you can redeem Amex points.
Whether you’re considering Marriott, Barclays, Delta or United, you’ll need a large points account balance to pull off scoring “free” Super Bowl tickets. If you’re an avid football fan, or just someone who has an overzealous bucket list that includes attending pinnacle events, you can book Super Bowl tickets using points or miles — you’re just going to need a whole bunch of them.
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BTS Has A Secret Version Of “Run” That You May Not Know About
You need this version in your life too.
BTS fans know every single song that BTS has put out over the years. While most fans know about all of the extra versions of songs that the group has released too, there is one secret version of “Run” that some may not know exists at all!
Since 2015, BTS have charmed viewers with their top-notch visuals during their promotions for PUMA and stunned everyone with their looks when they were announced as global ambassadors for the brand in 2018!
In addition to all of their amazing pictorials throughout the years, the members have also stunned in promotional videos. The one for 2016 is particularly interesting because, in addition to their longer behind-the-scenes video, they also remade their popular hit “Run”.
The #BLAZE_TIME promotion tag that went with that year perfectly corresponded to their charismatic poses and fiery dance moves. Check out the secret version of “Run” as well as the original below.
5 Male Idol Stars With Best Sexy Shoulders
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Christian College Claims Inaccuracies In Story But Is Mum On Details
By Megan Wood / inewsource
Photo by Megan Wood / inewsource
Above: The San Diego Christian College campus in Santee is pictured in this undated photo.
At close-of-business Tuesday, an official at San Diego Christian College emailed parents and students alleging our investigation about questionable expenses “presents information regarding SDC that is inaccurate.”
It is the policy of inewsource to correct all mistakes in reporting immediately. However, in this case, despite our requests, the college would not say what was wrong with the story.
Robert Jensen, the vice president for advancement and administration, who wrote the letter to parents and students, did not respond to our call Wednesday asking for details. We then reached out to the executive office of the college, Kelly Buchanan, executive assistant to the college’s president, told inewsource that officials had no comment and referred us to the school’s attorney, Tracy Warren.
Warren did not respond to phone calls by the time of this publication.
The email sent to parents and students on Oct. 31, 2017.
Our story published Monday found San Diego Christian College, a private, nonprofit school in Santee, can’t account for more than $20 million in expenses that are supposed to be detailed on its public tax returns.
The money was spent from in fiscal years 2012 to 2014, but recorded only as “other” in tax documents. School officials could not explain how the money was spent.
In September, inewsource sat down with the college’s chief financial officer, Steve Chaney, to discuss the school’s history and its finances. Following are excerpts of the interview, edited for brevity and clarity.
Missing attachments in tax documents
Megan Wood: I'd like to talk about San Diego Christian College’s 990 (tax return) for Fiscal 2014. I had a question about “other expenses.” Although required, they're not listed in Schedule O.
Steve Chaney: Well we have to electronically file this. Because we have over 250 instances of filing a report. An instance could be a W2, a1098, a1099, quarterly returns...
Ultimately the detail ... didn't get broken out on the Schedule O because of a system glitch. I called the IRS and they said don't worry about amending it because there's nothing owed.
MW: Did they give you any documentation when you reached out to the IRS?
SC: No.
MW: No tracking number or anything for the issue?
SC: I didn’t ask them. I have a tracking number for the filing. In their opinion there's no issue. What information did you want to know?
MW: I wanted to see a breakdown of these expenses.
SC: Other fees for services. How much is it?
MW: $6.3 million.
SC: I don't know. I'm going to have to refresh my memory if that’s what you want to know.
Accreditation, lawsuits and student concerns
MW: I wanted to go over a few things that I came across and give you a chance to respond to them. In April 2016, the WASC Senior College and University Commission (accrediting agency) said their team is concerned about the financial sustainability of the institution given the expenses related to the recent move, a less-than-aggressive fundraising program and troubling composite scores.
In 2016, a food vendor claimed to be owed more than $100,000 in a lawsuit. Then in 2017, a vendor claimed to be owed money, I believe it was for rent. In one of those lawsuits, a plaintiff described the school's conduct as “reckless, willful and in conscious disregard” of their rights. I’ve interviewed a former teacher and a student who said they were frequently told there was little money for hiring new teachers, sporting equipment, things like that.
Taken together, this looks like there are a lot of financial problems with this institution. Should students be worried about the future of the school?
SC: No, and let me tell you why. We just had a review from WASC recently, probably within the last six months if that. Maybe even sooner (inewsource fact-check: The last accrediting review was in March 2016). I'd have to give you the exact date. It's my recollection. I’ve learned enough testifying before people you always say it’s my recollection. It’s very recent but we got a glowing review. When we came out of the June 2014 year, remember we had that loss that made our (composite financial score) 0.1, we told everyone in the community we have a two-year process to get out of this.
Have you ever like, when you leave your parents home and you go get that first apartment or that first home and you're like, “Oh my goodness I gotta buy the drapes, I gotta buy this, I gotta buy that, I gotta buy everything.” It costs a lot more, right? … We knew this but it was things that happened that are one time, what we call extraordinary events.
So we were very transparent with this community, saying we have a two-year plan of where we’re gonna be completely back to where we were. So the plan has been just a little bit longer than we thought, but we are just now in the process of reverting that... This institution is on solid footings. WASC gave us an eight-year confirmation. An eight year. Nobody gets higher than eight years. They go up to ten, but now nobody's getting more than eight years...
There are other things I can’t talk to you about because of disclosure, stuff that you brought up. It would involve personnel issues, it would involve settlements to some degree, not huge ones. We’re talking minor.
Audit findings
MW: In the audited financials for Fiscal 2014, there are several things found not in compliance with the Department of Education and other federal requirements. In your experience, do you think that's a lot? What they found?
SC: For the financial Aid, yes. We did agree to that. That's why we hired Clifton Larson Allen. Because we wanted a national firm. They are experts in Department of Education and in higher education… So they are top level. Because of the changes that we went through with the leadership and that entire department and then hired in a consultant. I'm going to refresh my memory on the timeline for that.
But because of that, the board with the audit committee decided that we would leave Capin Crouse which had been doing our audits for years because they were associated with the church…
But, when we went through this change, came here on campus … Clifton Larson Allen found these issues. Now the journal entries that you referred to — the payroll — there was a response to all of those. So you didn't see the response because we disagreed with those ...Our payroll is reviewed by multiple levels before it's ever processed.
… If you would have looked at our managerial reports years before with Capin Crouse year after year after year: perfect, perfect, perfect, perfect, perfect.
When we came over here decided as a management team and as a board and leadership team we said we want to have somebody come in and really scrutinize every part about it. Because when you have a financial aid department completely have turnover and student accounts complete turnover, you're like, let’s just get everything right. And that was our desire. We had nothing to hide.
And Clifton Larson Allen did a great job for us. We put everything into place and into action and we really leveraged the value they gave us.
MW: So why did you not continue with that firm the next year?
SC: Because we didn't want to pay another $100,000 a year fee….
KPBS' daily news podcast covering local politics, education, health, environment, the border and more. New episodes are ready weekday mornings so you can listen on your morning commute.
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To view PDF documents, Download Acrobat Reader.
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Newsom Cheers Kaiser $25M Pledge To California Housing Fund
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Goings-on in our Navy town | Kitsap Military Times
by Terryl Asla
Friday, December 23, 2016 1:21pm
Kitsap Military TimesNewsKitsap Military Times
Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent explains the origins of Wreaths Across America in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Ivy Green Cemetery in Bremerton, during the Dec. 17 Wreaths Across America ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo)
Across the nation, thousands of people placed wreaths on the graves of veterans Dec. 17.
Capt. Edward A. Schrader, commanding officer of Naval Base Kitsap, served as keynote speaker for the local event at Ivy Green Cemetery, Bremerton. Kitsap No. 46 of he Navy Wives Club of America was instrumental in raising necessary funds and organizing this annual project.
Fun and games on the USS Turner Joy
From 4-7 p.m. Jan. 14, gamers (21 and older) are invited to play the popular board game “The Settlers of Catan” aboard the Vietnam-era destroyer USS Turner Joy (DD 951). The cost is $30 per person and includes wine and appetizers provided by Ralph’s Red Apple Market in Bremerton. The game is being hosted by Game Wizards & Blue Sky Hobbies, 603 Fourth St., Bremerton.
Tradition wins
Navy leaders are reversing their controversial decision to eliminate sailors’ ratings and will restore job titles across the fleet, the Navy Times reported Dec. 21. Enlisted sailors immediately regain their ratings, the traditional job titles that have defined enlisted career tracks for generations, Navy officials said. Some ratings, such as boatswain’s mate, date back “to the founding of the service,” the Navy Times reported.
“The extraordinarily rare move comes after a fierce backlash from the fleet that became a distraction from the Navy’s broader effort to reform the antiquated personnel system,” Navy Times reported.
“Adm. John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, called it a ‘course correction’ and acknowledged the overwhelmingly negative reaction from the fleet was a key factor in the decision.”
Largest donation of the year
On Dec. 22, the Navy Reserve Chief Petty Officer Association presented the USS Turner Joy with a check for $2,500. The Navy and Navy Reserve use the retired destroyer for their Legacy Programs for CPOs.
“This is our largest donation of the year,” said John Hanson, president of the Historic Ships Association that oversees Turner Joy.
Seventy-five years ago
The Dec. 19, 1941 Kitsap County Herald reported that “although the wires have been busy since the attack on Pearl Harbor, carrying messages to relatives of the safety of Honolulu residents, news has come of the death of one former Kitsap County resident, Robert N. Brooks, 21.”
— Terryl Asla reports on military and veterans affairs for Kitsap News Group. Contact him at tasla@soundpublishing.com.
Kitsap Transit service affected by Christmas, New Year’s holidays
Honored to help our brethren in blue | Bremerton Police Department Weekly Update
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NBA Summer League 2019
Thread: NBA Summer League 2019
Jul 14, 2019, 01:31 #166
@NYPost_Berman
Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson wanted to play tonight's consolation game. Wanted another chance to get a run with their rookies RJ Barrett and Ignas Brazdeikas. Admirable, especially when you look at all the lottery picks who didn't play in Vegas.
Culture is forming, character is being built... the “core” gets it! We got some kids who want to work, who desire to be more than just rich ballers... they want to make a career for themselves, grow their game — they want to be great.
MRob, Knox, Trier, Iggy, RJ, Wooten... these 6 have a feel about them, in the collective sense. We may not have an all star in there, or we may have a DPOY and another possible MVP on our roster.
Who knows, really?
“We’ll keep building with him,’’ said Knicks summer-league coach Jud Buechler, who had indicated beforehand Barrett wouldn’t play the consolation game. “He learned from this summer league. He’ll watch film between now and training camp. He’ll have a much better idea what he needs to improve on.’’
Barrett has yet to decline an invitation from Team Canada for the World Cup, according to a source, but it would seem to be too much of a grind.
As for Barrett, his summer league received mixed reviews
“When you pick [at No.] 3, you’re trying to get an All-Star, and he definitely doesn’t look like that,’’ one NBA scout said. “But he looked like he’ll be an NBA player for a long time.’’
They beat we can probably admit right now, is we (most likely) have the core of our roster moving forward in place... they may be complimentary starters and reserve rotation types, or they’re the nucleus....
Regardless, I feel confident we have 4-5 young kids that’ll be a part of this team for the next 5-6 years.
They have help, too.
The weight of the franchise will be on Payton, Portis, DSJ and Randle’s shoulders for the next 2 years. 1 was brought here in the KP trade and the other our buggiest free agent acquisition since Timmy. The 3rd is a Perry guy and will be left to salvage the “all important” PG position of DSJ falters... The 4th is a backup big, 3-sniper lottery ticket.
With these 4 carrying the load, they’ll be a group of 6 kids to go to battle with, and this core-10 or so foundation pieces will be reinforced by a Calvary of Vets...
Bullock and Ellington
Morris and Taj
Meanwhile, Allen and Knits will battle for the final spot...
4 prime players plus 6 kids, 4 vets, and a spare part.
15 dudes... all NBA verifiably players.
Will it work? 44 wins. 7th seed?
28 wins, but battled? 13-32 and this is blown up at deadline?
The NBA scout who said that RJ “definitely” didn’t look like an All-Star is hilarious. Yup, no upside at all to RJ and his near triple doubles.
What happened to that kid Ellenson that had good couple of games for us last season, had some skills for a big man, he left the SL team but is he still on the Knicks?
Originally Posted by tiger0330
Free agent F Henry Ellenson is signing a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets, Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
The Woj bombs are more like fire crackers these days, and Ellenson failed to make much of a splash in Detroit last season. The Nets are loaded, so It would likely take injuries to make Ellenson relevant this season, and it will be interesting to see how much time he spends in the G League.
RJ Barrett averaged 15.4 points (34 percent shooting), 8.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists in five Vegas Summer League games for the Knicks.
Believe it or not, he became the first player in the history of the Las Vegas Summer League to average more than 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists. New York's prized rookie got off to a rough start in Vegas, but finished on a high note and made a little history in the process
Funny that the day I mention him, the next day he signs a deal with the Nets. Now we know why he left the SL squad. Has some skills for a big man, he's got NBA experience so he should get some burn with the Nets.
When you are a die hard Knicks fan you know how poor and clueless our Knicks coaching-staff has been the past decade (poor defense/offense system), knowing that, and recalling why we been having a 30 win or less season team since having a Triangle-System lineup of rookie KP, Melo, Lopez, Afflalo, and Calderon. Our coaching-staff and team system has sucked for years.
Hint: The past 3 years RJ Barrett has been performing under some very good Team-Ball head-coaches ....
It took the Knicks summer-league coaching-staff a few games to focus on getting Team-Ball-Movement, and movement without the ball from certain players this off-season. The Knicks final 2 summer games performance the Knicks did look more team-orient.
However, in the first summer league game the Knicks had one to many selfish Isolation-players in the rotation (Trier, Knox, and RJ), an 11 team assist game. Iso-Zo isolation performance had to be taken out of the Knicks summer league team .. too much Iso!
Big change in the Knick final 2 summer games ....
Last year Knox never threw one lob-pass to MitchRob in all their summer league games.
In our last two summer league games we finally seen Knox throw Lob passes to MitchRob for 2 pts.
Our slow coaching-staff are why RJ Barrett started off slow !!!!
Congrats to MItch!!!
Jarrett Allen has been named to the Summer League first team, the NBA announced. Allen is joined by Mitchell Robinson, Brandon Clarke, Kendrick Nunn and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. His Summer League ended on a sour note after
Chris Boucher was named to the Summer League second team, the NBA announced. Boucher is joined by Anfernee Simons, Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes and Lonnie Walker.
Aug 01, 2019, 17:41 #174
Knicks fans hope this isn't RJ comparison, Wiggins isn't a bust but he's not the transcendent talent people expected him to be. RJ also isn't the number one pick in this year's draft either so if we wind up with RJ being a clone of Wiggins you can't knock the Knicks pick, he'll be a good player just not a superstar type player which is something I don't expect anyway.
An NBA scout says New York Knicks rookie RJ Barrett “is like a lefty version” of Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Andrew Wiggins.
This scout says Barrett has more passion for the game and is a better passer than Wiggins. The Knicks have tough veterans such as Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, Taj Gibson and Marcus Morris who won’t be afraid to get in Barrett’s face. That’s something this scout says might work in Barrett’s favor.
"I want to like the kid, but I have worries.” the scout told Keith Smith of Real GM. “Is he Wiggins 2.0? I think he's got more fire than Wiggins, but he is like a lefty version of him for me somewhat. The best thing the Knicks did was bring in some vets who will kick his ass if he's too cool. I will say he passes it better already than Wiggins ever has. Maybe he's Evan Turner 2.0?"
RJ Barrett got off to a terrible start at Summer League, but played well in his final three games.
Barrett scored just 10 points on 22.2 percent shooting from the field in the Knicks' Summer League opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. The lefty followed that up with an eight-point, 10-rebound game versus the Phoenix Suns. Barrett shot just 20.0 percent in that game and the media was already killing him. Both Andrew Wiggins and Barrett are volume scorers who aren’t efficient.
The next three Summer League games were good for Barrett, though. He put up 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while shooting 42.9 percent overall against the Toronto Raptors, posted 21 points and 10 rebounds versus the Los Angeles Lakers, and finished Summer League with 21 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists against the Washington Wizards. Needless to say, the Knicks were relieved internally to see Barrett show some flashes of dominance.
At Duke, Barrett averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 45.4 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from beyond the arc and 66.5 percent from the free-throw line.
I wonder if that scout doesn't know the names of many NBA players. RJ and Wiggins don't seem like similar players to me at all outside of their position and size.
Scout clearly admits RJ has greater passion for the game.
RJ at 18 is probably a wiggins type player. But, with a fire in his belly, RJ’s passion will propel him beyond any comparison a scout can make.
Who saw Kawhi or Giannis?
At this level, talent only goes so far. The dudes with passion, love of game and drive to be great.... they improve weaknesses, grow their skills exponentially.... And... RJ at 25.... after 6 years in the lab developIng.... that’s the Barrett Perry rolled the dice on.
Quote Originally Posted by tiger0330 View Post
LMBO .. Wasn't Barrett one of the dynamic tandem that gave Duke the highest rating each week they perform ???
I dont know what games the scout been watching of RJ Barrett (i guess the summer league games.), but im sure the scout did not watch half of Duke's game last season .. when I watched Barrett & Zion perform for Duke .. Both players showed a top All-Round performance on both sides of the court each game by performing at a high IQ for a win to be notice as the NBA number # 1 pick !!!
Sep 06, 2019, 13:23 #178
After missing all of Summer League with an “illness”, Kris Wilkes’ 2-way contract with the Knicks has now been voided for health reasons. Must be something serious. Best of luck to him.
NBA Rookie Survey after the 2018 Summer League Games
By Kiyaman in forum NY Knicks
Last Post: Sep 08, 2018, 00:17
Last Post: Aug 12, 2018, 13:42
By Broadway in forum NY Knicks
Last Post: Jul 11, 2016, 17:20
By DaTPRiNCE in forum NY Knicks
NBA Summer League Link
By jpz17 in forum NY Knicks
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The Landlord Association: Follow two simple steps when letting a property
👤Landlord Expert 🕔08:08, 28.Mar 2013
If your tenant slips on a poorly tiled floor and injures themselves, you, the landlord, need to make sure you are covered in case they decide to make a claim against you. Standard household insurance won’t suffice. The moment you
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Are letting agents worth the money?
Buy-to-let investors have traditionally had two choices when it comes to finding tenants and managing properties – pay a letting agent a sizeable fee or do it themselves. Lettings agents will typically offer a “let-only” service, where they will find,
Government efforts has given buy to let investors "arbitrage of immediate return"
Rightmove says government efforts to bolster lending had created an “arbitrage of immediate return”. Britain’s biggest property listings website today said investors were piling into buy-to-let for “blindingly good returns” after the government’s efforts to bolster lending had created an
Property Investment is a free for all Buffett
We are hard-wired to run from danger, which made sense when our principal concern was not getting eaten but is less helpful today when trying to make money in the markets. The first reminder came in Warren Buffett’s annual letter
Top 5 tips for buy to let investors
Robbie Fowler, the former Liverpool and England footballer, set up a “property academy” for would-be investors after becoming one of the biggest private landlords in the North West. He is estimated to be worth £28m. But you don’t necessarily need
Anyone can be part of the latest buy to let boom, from single mothers to accountants…
Capital to spare? Then you have almost certainly considered buying to let. It is as popular today as it was in the heady years leading up to the credit crunch. But if it was controversial then, it is even more
Landlord possession claims continue to rise
The government’s latest Court statistics show that there were 103,329 landlord claims in 2012 that led to an order for possession being made and it is estimated that between 67 and 80% of claims led to a possession order. The
Buy to let school set up by Robbie Fowler
Robbie Fowler, the former Premier League footballer, has launched a “property academy” to teach the secrets of buy-to-let investing. The former Liverpool star, who is said to be worth £28m, built a portfolio of properties across the North West during
Ex Tennant in arrears
👤Landlord Expert 🕔12:59, 9.Mar 2013
My ex tennant is 3 months in arrears and I have already contacted him with a chance to provide a payment plan. He has not done so, therefore I am now forced to take the next steps. He is a
Can I sell my house?
I have tenants in my house on an AST which commenced 26th October 2012 for 1 year. Recently they have started to mess me about with the rent, Missed Feb completely, £50 short in April and now £250 short in
Boiler and Agent Problems
Hi, I would be grateful if you could advise me on this issue. I am a new landlady and as such asked for a letting agent to manage the property. Once things started to happen with finding a tenant I
Tenant negligence over a faulty boiler
My tenant let me know that the water was going cold while she was having a shower, and that she was resetting the boiler after each shower. I had taken out British Gas insurance for boiler problems, and offered either
Banks and Building Societies seem to favour landlords
This month, a reader in Yorkshire submitted the following question to our Personal Effects column: “I wish to avoid my investments being used to support the buy-to-let racket. Is there a building society that only loans for owner occupation rather
My letting agent is no longer trading.
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(-) Remove Florida filter Florida
Org. development Oklahoma British Columbia Florida Board giving Education Remove All
Keith Fountain Law PLLC
Representing organizations and landowners in all phases of conservation real estate transactions, including land and conservation easement sales and donations, conservation easement amendments, and exchanges. Conservation Advisors LLC secures public and private conservation capital, and analyzes and implements conservation and business strategies.
Strategic planning Easement drafting Transactions Acquisition Leadership
Deland, Florida 32721
Conservation Impact
Conservation Impact and Nonprofit Impact are client-centered practices of our mission-driven company dedicated to helping organizations become more impactful, successful, and sustainable.
501 S Cherry Street
Fidelity Foundation
The Fidelity Foundations are a group of private, non-operating foundations that fund a diverse set of programs on a national scale, with particular focus on Boston and New England. In addition, the Foundations fund nonprofit organizations that strengthen the primary communities in which Fidelity Investments employees live and work. The Foundations’ values of responsibility, integrity, compassion, and expertise guide its investments in education, arts and culture, health, conservation, and community services.
Community Conservation education
7 Water Street
Heart of the Rockies Initiative
The Heart of the Rockies Initiative is a land trust partnership that works to conserve both continentally significant ecological values at the landscape scale and community values that are prized locally. This partnership provides strategic vision, the latest science, and international cooperation to the strong collaborative work being done by 22 land trusts, protecting critical habitats and private ranch, farm and timberlands in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and Alberta.
120 Hickory Street
In 1982, a group of pheasant hunters saw the connection between upland habitat loss and declining pheasant populations. An organization dedicated to wildlife habitat conservation was needed, and Pheasants Forever was formed. Pheasants Forever’s mission work quickly garnered it a reputation as “The Habitat Organization,” a tagline the nonprofit conservation group uses proudly to this day. Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education, and land management policies and programs. Unique among national conservation organizations, chapters of Pheasants Forever retain 100 percent decision-making control over their locally-raised funds. This allows chapter volunteers to develop wildlife habitat projects and conduct youth conservation events in their communities, while belonging to a national organization with a voice regarding state and federal conservation policy.
1783 Buerkle Circle
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55110
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Israel's International Airport Saw Surge in Passengers in 2016
11% more passengers went through Ben-Gurion International Airport last year.
Gili Melnitcki
Send me email alerts for new articles by Gili Melnitcki
Ben-Gurion International Airport, August 2016.David Bachar
Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport was jam packed with travelers last year, with traffic up 11% over 2015 – to 2.13 million passengers.
Tel Aviv's boutique hotels and hostels compete for business travelers
Israel mulling to end monopoly on cab rides from airport
Ben-Gurion airport by the numbers: Some 4 million passengers in July and August alone
But it wasn’t tourists coming to Israel, but Israelis flying abroad that was responsible for the growth, the Civil Aviation Authority said on Sunday.
“Seventy percent of all the traffic for the year at Ben-Gurion was Israeli travelers and only 30% was [foreign] tourists,” said Shmuel Zakai, the airport’s director general, saying the proportion of foreign tourists was the lowest it’s been for five years.
Tourist arrivals are only now showing signs of recovery after the blow they suffered during the 2014 Gaza war, when rocket attacks briefly closed the airport at the height of Israel’s summer tourist season. Arrivals rose 2% this year, though they remain down from 2013 levels.
“It’s a worrying figure for Israeli tourism, but it’s good news for the positive change that came from Open Skies and lower airfares for Israeli consumers,” said Zakai., referring to the 2013 pact Israel signed with the European Union opening up the airline market to more competition.
Turkey and its airlines have emerged as a major force in Ben-Gurion, according to the authority. Turkey accounted for the biggest destination for fliers going through Israel’s main international airport – 1.6 million travelers, although nearly all of them were using Istanbul to connect to third countries.
The United States was second with 1.45 million travelers, and Germany next with 1.2 million.
With 5.5 million passengers in 2016, El Al Airlines, Israel’s flagship carrier, was by far the biggest carrier in and out of Ben-Gurion, but Turkish Airlines was next with 932,000. The low-cost carrier EasyJet flew 719,000 and Aeroflot 704,000, which flies to Moscow and other cities, followed by Israel’s Arkia with 650,000 and Israir with 548,000.
Haaretz Contributor
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Why buy locally
Where to Learn
Hampshire Charcuterie
What is Hampshire Fare?
Hampshire Food Festival
My Hampshire Fare
All the latest from hampshire fare
Hampshire Food Festival Wins Gold
Hampshire Fare has been awarded Gold for ‘Tourism Event of the Year’ at the Beautiful South Awards for Excellence 2014-2015, held by Tourism South East.
The winning event, the Hampshire Food Festival, is organised by Hampshire Fare. It began as a weekend event in Winchester with the core focus of promoting local produce, and over the years the Festival has developed into a countywide, month-long celebration of Hampshire’s food and farming.
In 2014 Hampshire Food Festival included 76 different events hosted by 65 businesses and organisations involving farms, producers, pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels, town centres, and community groups. A vibrant events programme included brewery, farm and vineyard tours, markets, tastings and workshops.
Hampshire Food Festival encourages visitors and residents to discover and enjoy local food and drink, meet local producers and understand how food is reared, grown and produced in Hampshire. It is one of the only food festivals to allow visitors to go ‘behind the scenes’ in this way.
Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare, and Mike Wright, Chairman, Hampshire Fare, received the award at a special presentation event celebrating elite visitor experiences across the South and South East of England and recognising their contribution to the tourism industry.
Tracy commented: “We were genuinely surprised to win the Gold Award for Excellence as we felt that the other entries in this category were so strong, but we were also delighted to receive this accolade as recognition of the value of the Hampshire Food Festival to the county’s cultural life and to the local and rural economy.
“I know the Hampshire Food Festival is of huge importance to the county’s food and drink community, and we would like to thank the efforts of all those Hampshire Fare members and, indeed, many non-members, who contribute to the event.
“The Hampshire Food Festival goes from strength to strength. Next year will be our 15th anniversary of the Festival and we promise it will be even more spectacular and special than ever.”
Established over 20 years ago, The Beautiful South Awards help raise standards by rewarding excellence, quality, innovation and customer service in the tourism industry. As a recipient of this Award, Hampshire Fare has now been invited to champion the South East at the national VisitEngland awards in 2015.
Commenting on the awards, Peter Colling, Managing Director, Tourism South East, said: “This year the overall standard of entries was higher than ever making it extremely tough for the judges. The winners truly are the best of the best and a match for any in the country. We are now looking forward to our winners taking the spoils at Visit England’s National Tourism Excellence Awards.”
Hampshire Fare members also achieved notable success on the night. Other Gold Award winners included: Blackwood Forest, Micheldever; Careys Manor, Brockenhurst; Chewton Glen, New Milton; and Montagu Arms, Beaulieu. Silver Awards were given to Holiday Inn, Winchester, and Marwell Zoo, Colden Common. Bronze was awarded to: Lainston House, Winchester; Marwell Hotel, Colden Common, and The Old Vine, Winchester.
Get the latest food news, events and competitions straight to your inbox with our monthly e-newsletter.
Do you grow, rear, make, sell or serve local food, drink or craft?
Hampshire Fare is here to support your business with event opportunities, marketing and PR support, routes to market and much more.
Hampshire Fare
@HampshireFare
Don't miss! On soon! Watch out for #Watercress #Hampshire heritage crop @TheWatercressCo with @jamieoliver… https://t.co/HLws1Vrm4Y
Just a week to go to Local Produce Trade Show (Fri 24 Jan) @BizSouth @TheAgeasBowl. It's not too late for producers… https://t.co/H8PV187WVZ
Hampshire Fare, Rownhams House & Gardens, Rownhams, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 8LS
Tel: 02380 733830 email: info@hampshirefare.co.uk
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Mental Health Conditions ‘Account For 31% Of Sick Notes’
Author: Ann Ingham
Categories: counselling
A new report from NHS Digital has found that mental health and behavioural conditions made up 31 per cent of all sick notes issued by GP practices in England between December 2014 and March this year.
During that period, nearly 1.8 million notes were issued by doctors where the diagnosis was mental health or behavioural concerns. And of these episodes, approximately one in five notes were for a period of absence of over 12 weeks.
Anxiety and stress-related conditions appear to be concerning, with the number of notes written for this climbing by about 14 per cent between 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. January of this year saw the highest number of notes handed out, with 556,000 issued by surveyed practices over the month.
Chief executive of NHS England Simon Stevens commented on the findings and was quoted by the BBC as saying: “These figures explain why the NHS is now putting mental health front and centre, in what was recently independently described as ‘the world’s most ambitious effort to treat depression, anxiety and other common mental illnesses’.”
And Jed Boardman of the Royal College of Psychiatrists made further comments, saying that more now needs to be done to help people get back to their jobs. This could include staggered work days or coming up with agreed goals for the person returning to work – which GPs will suggest on these fit notes.
Do you think you need depression counselling in Warrington? Give us a call today to see how we can help.
Get in touch now to discuss your needsMobile phone or text 07970 723565 E-mail Me!
Subscribe to Life-Goals Psychotherapy Counselling Coaching by Email
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Life Advocacy Briefing
Stop Cornelia Pillard! / House Voting to Defund ObamaCare / Replacing ObamaCare?
Radicals Rejected / A Chance to Ban Late-term Abortions / Taking the Truth to Students
Noteworthy Quote / House Decides to Act
Stop Cornelia Pillard!
THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CLEARED liberal Georgetown Law School professor Cornelia Pillard for a full Senate vote on her nomination to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, a major goal of the Obama White House. The committee vote was 10 to 8.
We urge our readers to call their two home-state US Senators (via the Capitol switchboard at 1-202/224-3121) and seek a “no” vote on the Pillard nomination or to block Senate consideration of Ms. Pillard.
The controversial nominee, notes Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins in his July 22 Washington Update, “argues that abortion is necessary to help ‘free women from historically routine conscription into maternity.’
“As if her militant feminism wasn’t apparent enough,” Mr. Perkins continues, “she takes the opportunity in some of her writings to slam anyone who opposes the abortion-contraception mandate as ‘reinforc[ing] broader patterns of discrimination against women as a class of presumptive breeders.’ Those ideas,” Mr. Perkins writes, “bleed into Pillard’s extreme pro-abortion views, which suggest that technology is somehow manipulating Americans to consider the personhood of the unborn. In one of her most jaw-dropping statements,” he notes, “the President’s nominee even criticizes the ultrasound.”
Mr. Perkins quotes the nominee again in his Sept. 12 Washington Update, in which he cites her argument that “pro-life laws only ‘enforce women’s incubation of unwanted pregnancies,’ which projects a ‘vision of the woman’s role as mothers and caretakers.’” Shocking.
And we note again, as we did last week in warning of the then-pending committee vote, Ms. Pillard’s expressed opinion that abstinence education is somehow unconstitutional. (Her opinion does not extend to sex education in general.)
We agree with Mr. Perkins in his statement: “America can’t afford to give a lifetime appointment to a radical ideologue!” And we add our own observation that the appellate court to which she has been nominated is a pivotal post, often a key stepping stone to the Supreme Court on matters of federal policy.
House Voting to Defund ObamaCare
HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH) ANNOUNCED THURSDAY the House would vote Friday – after our deadline for this week’s edition – on a Continuing Resolution to extend FY 2013 appropriations into the 2014 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. Excluded from the CR, he indicated, would be any spending to implement ObamaCare. We expect to publish the roll call in next week’s Life Advocacy Briefing.
We urge our readers to contact their two home-state US Senators and ask them to support the House-passed measure to defund ObamaCare while maintaining legitimate government services. They may be contacted via the Capitol switchboard at 1-202/224-3121.
The White House Thursday issued a statement vowing to veto the spending measure in the event it passes the Senate; such a veto would precipitate a temporary shutdown of some government services. A poll released last week by Rasmussen indicated a majority of Americans would consider defunding ObamaCare worth risking a temporary shutdown, as more Americans recognize the dangers in going forward on the massive federal takeover of the American medical care system.
We close this edition of Life Advocacy Briefing with a commentary on the House decision released Wednesday by Family Research Council.
Replacing ObamaCare?
THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE last week released a comprehensive package to replace the ObamaCare law, refuting White House claims the GOP had offered no alternative.
The proposal comes from a group of nearly 190 House Members, chaired by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA). It would restore and reform the medical insurance market, going back to a system of privately arranged coverage of medical expenses. Under the Study Committee plan, Americans would be “able to purchase what they prefer,” explained Rep. Scalise in a report by Neil Munro in the Daily Caller.
Details can be reviewed on the Internet website of the group at rsc.scalise.house.gov.
Radicals Rejected
WHEN COLORADO VOTERS OUSTED TWO STATE SENATORS in a special recall election Sept. 10, the principal issue provoking the voter-initiated action was the vocal embrace of tighter gun control by the two veteran lawmakers. But the Denver Post acknowledged after the stunning vote that the abortion issue had also been injected into the campaign – as usual – by Planned Parenthood and its allies. The paper’s story, by reporter Lynn Bartels, was headlined, “Use of Abotion Rights in Colorado Recall Failed to Gain Traction.” How distressing for the abortion industry and its fellow travelers in the political world.
The vote took out the Senate president, Sen. John Morse, who had long been elected from a district in the Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs area, and Sen. Angela Giron from Pueblo. They are being replaced by Republicans whose names were on the ballot as alternatives in the recall.
“Opponents of an effort to recall [the] two … for supporting stricter gun laws borrowed a page from an earlier playbook,” writes Ms. Bartels, “arguing reproductive rights were in peril if the lawmakers were kicked out of office. But the message – so effective in keeping Republican Ken Buck from becoming a US Senator in 2010 – failed to protect” the Senate president and his embattled colleague.
An outfit called “Planned Parenthood Votes Colorado,” reports Ms. Bartels, “billed [Senators] Morse and Giron as ‘fierce advocates of women’s health’ and urged constituents to keep them in office.”
The liberal publication Mother Jones, hoping, no doubt, to claim an I-told-you-so once the recalls would have been defeated, declared the day before the recalls, as quoted by Ms. Bartels, “‘What started out as a genuine grassroots effort born out of anger over the gun vote has grown into something much bigger – a national proxy war on not just gun control but also reproductive rights.’”
Thanks, Mother Jones. We’ll take that interpretation! Voters are uncomfortable with extremists, including those who advocate against commonsense abortion law reform and against justice and mercy for women and children. And this time, they figured out just who was radical.
A Chance to Ban Late-term Abortions
ALBUQUERQUE VOTERS WILL VOTE IN NOVEMBER on a proposed ordinance banning abortions in the city on gestating babies old enough to experience pain – that is, vulnerable little boys and girls who have developed at least 20 weeks; that’s five months. Though a poll published Sept. 9 by the Albuquerque Journal showed 54% supporting the ban, the campaign for justice and mercy will no doubt be fierce.
The referendum was set by the city council last week in response to petition signatures from nearly 27,000 Albuquerque voters, a stunning achievement for pro-life activists in a drive lasting just 20 days. The number of valid signatures needed was just 12,000.
Though the law requires the council either to enact a petition-proposed ordinance or to submit it to referendum, four of the nine voting officials voted against the referendum, claiming erroneously that similar laws had been ruled unconstitutional by “‘every court that’s reviewed this type of law,’” reports Operation Rescue (OR).
“‘We’re following the (City) Charter,’” Council President Dan Lewis retorted, quoted in the OR report. “‘It’s not really our purview … to decide whether this is constitutional or not.’”
OR notes the objection did not match the facts. “Only one lower court in Arizona out of 11 states that have passed a similar abortion ban has found the law unconstitutional,” reports OR. What is more, “That decision is on appeal,” OR continues, “and is far from the final word.”
Banning late-term abortions holds special significance for those Albuquerqeans who take pride in their city and hope to attract business and new residents who value a town’s culture. Albuquerque, you see, has become notorious as a late-term abortion destination as home to Southwestern Women’s Options, which is proud of featuring two former employees of Wichita’s late, notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller. From SWO’s website: “We are honored to have Dr. Susan Robinson and Dr. Shelley Sella, both of whom worked with Dr. Tiller, join our staff in 2010 to perform abortions in all trimesters.” The website further notes the two “specialize in third-trimester abortion care.”
What a blot on Albuquerque! What an opportunity now to clean up the city.
Taking the Truth to Students
STUDENTS FOR LIFE OF AMERICA (S.F.L.A.) “HAS LAUNCHED an 18,041-mile tour,” the group announced in a news release, to expose the truth to college students about Planned Parenthood.
“The tour will visit 41 universities and 20 states,” the group announced, “over the next eight weeks.”
Information about the tour – including a list of the campuses to be visited – can be seen on the Internet at www.plannedparenthoodproject.com, which also exhibits an excellent 3-1/4-minute cartoon-style video aimed at young minds. The “ground-breaking video,” notes the SFLA release, “detail[s] Planned Parenthood’s unhealthy business cycle for youth” and notes that some “79% of Planned Parenthood facilities are within five miles of a college campus, proving college-aged women and men prime targets for the organization.”
Featured on the tour will be a visual display “made up of 915 pink crosses to represent the 915 preborn children that die each day inside of Planned Parenthood,” notes the SFLA release. “In addition, the display has five billboards that cite Planned Parenthood’s own annual report numbers and testimony from former employees to call into question their ‘caring’ image.”
Said SFLA president Kristan Hawkins in the release, “Our goal is simple: We want to educate this generation about Planned Parenthood’s real motives and business model in order to turn them against the abortion Goliath and towards pro-life pregnancy resource centers, where they can go for honest, real help.”
Noteworthy Quote
Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel Michael J. Norton in an ADF statement, quoted in a report by National Review Online’s Alec Torres concerning a Sept. 17 federal appeals court order exempting the two families which co-own Cherry Creek Mortgage Co. from the ObamaCare abortifacient mandate: “People of faith in this nation, including business owners, have the constitutionally protected freedom to live and do business according to their faith. The Obama Administration should not be attempting to deprive Americans of this cherished liberty. Former US Sen. Bill Armstrong, together with the other members of his family and the May family, who own Cherry Creek Mortgage Co. have long desired to honor God in all they do. Today’s court order allows them to continue to do that while this case proceeds so that they are not forced to act contrary to their religious convictions.”
House Decides to Act
Sept. 18, 2013, Washington Update by Tony Perkins, president, Family Research Council
The House wasn’t planning to be in session next week, but after today’s announcement it’s a good thing they’ve changed their minds. Members will need all the time they can get to launch the most aggressive strike against ObamaCare yet. To the cheers of conservative activists everywhere, Republican Members of the House emerged from a closed-door meeting this morning with the news everyone was waiting for: the GOP is ready to fight.
After weighing dozens of options, House leaders are going “all in” on the push to defund the worst mistake of Obama’s presidency. “It’s time,” said Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), “to protect American families from this unworkable law.” For now, “protecting America” means backing Rep. Tom Graves’s (R-GA) plan, which would hitch the vote to defund ObamaCare to the continuing resolution (or CR, the short-term budget bill).
Before the government’s cash officially runs out at midnight on Sept. 30, conservatives are offering to raise the debt ceiling for a year and keep Washington running with a $988 billion budget extension. In exchange, they want to put ObamaCare on ice until 2015. But here’s the best part: If Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) doesn’t take the deal, his party will be forced to shut down the government – to protect a law that a majority of Americans don’t even want! Unlike other proposals, Tom Graves’s measure would not only solve the problem of abortion funding in health care, but put a ceasefire on conscience violations.
Obviously, it’s a politically risky strategy for both parties. Even if Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rand Paul (R-KY) are ready to take on the Senate, there’s still the very real possibility that the President won’t take the dare. At this point, though, even the temporary reward outweighs the “what ifs.”
As outraged as Americans are over ObamaCare, their frustration with the GOP’s handling of the situation is a close second. For some of them, this debate is eerily similar to the “cut, cap and balance” debate – when House leadership voted to slash spending, only to throw up its arms when the real negotiating with the Senate began. Conservatives applaud the GOP’s decision and expect them to stand their ground against this unprecedented attack on faith, family and freedom – regardless of what Harry Reid does.
If it does come to a government shutdown, 51% of voters will back them up. According to Rasmussen, a majority of Americans would support cutting off Washington if it means putting off ObamaCare. Eighty percent of GOP voters agree with us: it’s more important for their party to stand for what it believes in rather than cower to the President’s liberal demands. And while 79% of Democrats think a shutdown would be bad for the economy, it won’t be nearly as bad as ObamaCare is proving to be.
“Every Member in this room is for defunding ObamaCare while letting the rest of the government continue to operate,” said Speaker Boehner. “We’re going to put ObamaCare defunding directly in the CR. And then we’re going to send it over to the Senate, so our conservative allies over there can contribute to the fight. That’s where the fight is.” For now, America’s fate is tied to the bill by Tom Graves. Voters put Republicans in power; now let’s see them use it.
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Autism is usually identified in children at around age 3. Getting the right support early can help the child to live well with the condition.
Toolkit aims to fill gaps in support when waiting for autism assessment
Research by charity Ambitious About Autism found 46% of parents report their child(ren) waited over 1.5 years from referral to receiving an autism diagnosis. In light of this the charity has created a toolkit to support parents in supporting their children.
Asperger's reclassification continues to spark controversy
When the team behind the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) 5 redefined Asperger's Syndrome as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 2013, it would spark a conflict that continues to rage. Here, Darren Devine speaks to one of the psychiatrists behind the controversial move.
Exploring voice hearing through film
'What It Feels Like' is a short film that looks at a form of auditory hallucination known as voice hearing. Steven Fraser created the film to show a side of voice hearers that is rarely represented in the media.
“I may have a disability but I am still human": United Response highlight prejudices
Disability charity United Response launches their Am I Your Problem? campaign which aims to challenge the indifference, hidden discrimination, and sometimes outright hostility faced by people with learning disabilities and autistics.
Autistic young people create resource to tackle loneliness amongst peers
Ambitious about Autism's Youth Council have created a resource to help tackle loneliness amongst peers and make youth groups more accessible.
United Response call for autism-awareness training for public transport staff
Rahman Kebbie, 29, and Murtaza Ali, 37, are on the autism spectrum and are supported by the disability charity United Response. The two men have travelled to the busiest of European airports and train stations alone.
“It is unacceptable that children are being physically injured and traumatised": the use of restraint and seclusion in schools
Darren Devine discusses the widespread nature of the use of restraint and seclusion in schools for learning disabled children, and speaks to those campaigning to change this.
Why the "high/low-functioning" labels are harmful to autistic people
Andy Burns is a 26-year-year-old YouTuber who uses his own experience and knowledge to create autism-related content.
Whilst the world marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the NHS is experiencing a shrinking supply of learning disability nurses
As of today, there are currently 40,000 NHS vacancies for nurses and, by 2020, almost 50% of all nursing staff will be eligible for retirement. Where does this leave the NHS?
Charity hosts photography exhibition showcasing disability talent
United Response is inviting the public to come along to a special four-week-long photography exhibition showcasing Torbay talent.
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