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INDIANAPOLIS – Saturday’s emphatic win over the Chicago Bulls was the Indiana Pacers’ most shining example of the offense they aspire to be this season.
Through six games, coach Nate McMillan has added more wrinkles, more sets and more offensive principles for his veteran team. If the preseason was about players learning one another through a free-flow approach, the regular season has served as McMillan’s way to build more structure within the up-tempo offense.
“What we’ve talked about mostly is organizing,” McMillan said after Saturday’s game. “When you don’t have a break, taking a quick shot is not what we want. We don’t want to play a run-and-gun game. I thought (Saturday) was the best night we did that.”
The Pacers scored 111 points Saturday, their fifth time exceeding the century mark, yet they showed more discipline in how they scored. They used most of the shot clock. They probed through all their choices before shooting. They even attacked the Bulls in transition without being out of control.
All those factors led the Pacers to shoot an impressive 53.5 percent from the field. Even more pleasing for McMillan was how six of the Pacers finished Saturday’s game with 10 or more points.
Since the season began, McMillan said he has added a new play or two each day. More knowledge of his roster, he said, should allow the Pacers to become less predictable to opponents. Against the Bulls, McMillan called several plays once the Pacers on the court realized they didn’t have an advantage in transition.
Pacers at Hornets, 7 p.m. Monday, FSI
Doyel: Paul George is more than an ugly headline
To start the game, McMillan used a middle pick-and-pop set with Jeff Teague and Myles Turner, a play that many opponents have struggled to defend. Turner received the ball open just below the 3-point line and swished the jumper. When Al Jefferson entered the game, McMillan added a new wrinkle. Thaddeus Young cut to the basket from the baseline once the Bulls double-teamed Jefferson. The pass from Jefferson resulted in an easy layup for Young. Paul George used a screen on the wing to free himself from Jimmy Butler to make a 3-pointer.
“We want to score off the second and third options,” Turner said after the game. “Teams are going to game plan for your first option. I think that’s the beauty of our offense. It’s not limited to a couple of sets. We can just keep flowing into things.”
Perhaps McMillan’s most impressive modification was how he created better shooting opportunities for Teague. In a game where George was ejected, Teague was effective shooting from midrange when he used screens from Turner. After previous games in which McMillan implored his point guard to shoot 3-pointers when he was open, Teague was not hesitant against the Bulls, as he made three shots from behind the arc. Teague also did less one-on-one attacks to the baskets that had resulted in missed shots in earlier games.
“That’s the Jeff that we thought we were getting,” McMillan said. “I thought he just played a nice, controlled game. I thought his defense was good on (Rajon) Rondo. He was aggressive and he wasn’t forcing anything. His shot was falling. When he’s playing that way and the rest of our guys are playing the way they did, they showed they’re a pretty good team.”
Monta Ellis, in a role he rarely showed last year, was the ultimate facilitator. Although Ellis attempted just two shots, he improved the Pacers’ ball movement with a game-high eight assists. Ellis played the most minutes (32) and had the best plus/minus (plus-21) of any Pacer.
“We’ve just got to share the ball,” Ellis said. “Move the ball and everybody will get open shots and get whatever they want. We did that.”
Insider: Despite Paul George’s ejection, Pacers produce most complete game in win over Bulls
George, after the Pacers were bullied in their Oct. 29 loss to the Bulls, felt the team needed more structure on their offense to help their transition defense. Since then, the Pacers have won two if their three games with McMillan giving more direction. George, as a result, has handled the ball less with Teague and Ellis sharing the responsibility of initiating the halfcourt offense.
“That was one of the best things,” George said after Saturday’s game. “We get Jeff because he takes a lot of pressure off Monta, and vice versa, as you saw tonight. It’s good. It allows Jeff to be pretty good. It allows him to attack from different angles. I thought both of them were pretty good.”
The task now for the Pacers is to see how often they can replicate Saturday’s performance. Their first chance will be Monday night at Charlotte.
Turner is excited to see how the Pacers continue to develop their chemistry and trust. McMillan, of course, wants to see his team demonstrate more discipline and good shot selection. Jefferson believes the Pacers’ success on offense begins and ends with each player’s level of selflessness.
“(McMillan) can put us in that position, but we’ve got to make plays and have the mindset – and that’s moving the ball,” Jefferson said.
“When we talk about playing the teams that we’re going to have to play to get to where we need to go, we’re going to have to do that. That’s the way great offenses play. They move the ball.”
Call IndyStar reporter Nate Taylor at (317) 444-6484. Follow him on Twitter: @ByNateTaylor.
Hot-shooting C.J. Miles keeps coming up big for Pacers
Get insight on the Pacers by downloading our app: http://bit.ly/1BR4fDs
Pacers at Hornets, 7 p.m. Monday, Fox Sports Indiana
HORNETS’ STRONG START: Entering Sunday’s game, the Hornets were tied for second place in the Eastern Conference with the Toronto Raptors. Kemba Walker appears to be pace to be a first-time All-Star. The Hornets won all three games from the Pacers last season because Indiana couldn’t limit Walker. “We owe them, man,” Turner said after Saturday’s game. “They swept us last season, so we have to go in there and go in with a take-no-prisoners mindset.”
PACERS SHOOTING WELL: It’s early, but the Pacers have been impressive from behind the 3-point line. In Saturday’s win over the Bulls, the Pacers made 12 3-pointers, a season high. Indiana has four players in McMillan’s rotation – George, Miles, Young and Aaron Brooks – who are shooting 38 percent or better from beyond the arc.
A TELLING QUOTE: “I feel like we know what each other do a little bit more now. The first couple of games we were still trying to get a feel for one another. We didn’t get a chance to establish our chemistry in training camp. As the games have been progressing, I feel like it’s gotten better in that aspect.” – Turner on the development of Pacers’ chemistry through six games.
PREDICTION: The Hornets are solid and have played well so far. The Pacers should keep it close, but their first road win will have to wait. Hornets 105, Pacers 101.
– Nate Taylor
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Home Politics Patience Jonathan’s True Confession: ‘I Underwent Surgery During Presidential Campaign’
Patience Jonathan’s True Confession: ‘I Underwent Surgery During Presidential Campaign’
The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Sunday revealed that she battled with another round of ill-health during the re-election campaigns of her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan.
Mrs Jonathan, who was flown abroad about two years ago for medical treatment, said the latest attack, which she attributed to the devil, was so severe that she had to be sneaked out of the country to Germany in January for a major surgery.
She spoke during a thanksgiving/farewell service organized in honour of the First Family at the Aso Villa Chapel.
Mrs Jonathan said before she left the German hospital after the operation, she was billed for another in a bigger hospital immediately after the elections but by divine providence, she was declared free of the health challenge.
Like her previous health challenge about two years ago, President Jonathan’s wife did not disclose the nature of the last ailment.
She said, “During the last campaign period, the devil struck again. I was in pain and was rushed to the hospital in January and the doctors told me, ‘mama, you have to go for a major operation now now’.
“What again? I asked. The campaign was still going on and I wondered how we were going to explain to Nigerians.
“You know that even when you go for medical check-up, they will be writing in newspapers, saying all sorts of things.
“I said my husband will continue with his campaign until the last day. That was how I went in for the first major operation (surgery) in the end of January.
“By God’s grace, I went for the operation (surgery) and came out. On my return from there, I went straight to the campaign ground.
“They said to me when I was leaving the hospital: ‘mama, there is another bigger operation that you have to go in for again. This one will not be in this hospital. This hospital is too small for the type of operation you need when you come back. You have to go to a bigger hospital’.
“I said ‘ha! While will you tear my body again after I had done 12 operations within one month last year?
“I said my God will see me through because he created me for a purpose. I told my prayer partner to continue praying for me. I said to myself that I will never be used for a sacrifice.
“I was booked for the operation in a bigger hospital and I was asked to go back to Nigeria and return after the campaign. They gave me a date. When I went back, I paid for everything and just when I was to be taken into the theatre, the doctors said, ‘let’s check her again’.
“By then, my husband had lost the election. I had packed out of the Villa. Behold! I went to four hospitals again and the thing was said to have vanished. My doctors were surprised; they didn’t believe that that could happen”.
The first lady recalled that many people thought it had ended for her two years ago when she underwent 12 surgeries in a space of one month.
She said although she was “dead”, God sent her back to complete her work.
But the President’s wife added that her husband’s electoral loss was an indication to her that the assignment given to her by God had been completed.
She said, “I thank God for keeping me alive today. God is so wonderful. Just two years ago, I went through operations upon operations. Within one month, I passed through 12 operations.
“Some people said I was dead, yes, I was dead but God resurrected me.
“God told me, ‘my daughter, go back, I will give you a second chance, go and finish your work’.
“And since my husband lost the election, I believe God has made me to finish the work”.
Mrs. Jonathan said she would forever remain thankful to God because many people had prophesied that either she or the President would not leave the Presidential Villa alive.
She recalled that that was what happened in the case of Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who died while her husband was still in office.
She, however, expressed thanks that both she and Mr. Jonathan would be leaving the Villa on May 29 hale and hearty.
Mrs. Jonathan said she would continue to thank God for His mercies because she never dreamt of becoming the wife of a deputy governor much less, a President’s wife.
She said, “I never thought in my life that I will be First Lady. I never dreamt of being the wife of a deputy governor because my husband was not a politician. But God made it possible and God lifted us up from deputy governorship position and here we are.
“We should be grateful to God for what he has done. To me and my family, we praise God.
“To our followers, today, it might not be too good but I want them to be grateful to God because they have followed us for a long time from deputy governor, governor, Vice President to President.
“You know that no position is for a life-time. There is no permanent thing so I want you to take it in good faith that it is the will of God. You should be praising God. God is really wonderful”.
The event was attended by several ministers, lawmakers and other public officials.
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When Eagles & Dragons Hunt Pirates: US and China Join Forces to Crack Down on Counterfeiting
August 21, 2013 in Infringement, IP Reform, Patents, US0by Editor
The United States and China have joined forces in a combined operation to crack down on counterfeit goods, seizing more than 243,000 counterfeit electronic products, including popular consumer items made by Apple, Samsung, Dr. Dre and Blackberry.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the month-long operation was the biggest bilateral customs enforcement effort ever conducted by the United States. It focused on seizures of goods in ports as they were exported from China or imported into the United States.
The operation fulfilled a commitment between CBP and the General Administration of Customs, People’s Republic of China (GACC) to produce tangible Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement results by the Fifth Strategic & Economic Dialogue (S&ED). At the S&ED last month, CBP and GACC committed to further cooperation on IPR enforcement, including additional joint operations.
A Global Problem
China is the primary source of counterfeit and pirated goods in the United States and accounts for 72 percent of all seizures relating to intellectual property rights. Theft of intellectual property rights is estimated to cost U.S. businesses $320 billion a year, equivalent to the annual value of U.S. exports to Asia.
The two countries agreed in recent high-level talks that they would work together to try to stem the large quantities of counterfeit goods flowing between China and the United States. Although the operation resulted in only one arrest of a U.S. citizen, U.S. officials said they see it as a sign that the Beijing government is finally acting on their complaints of Chinese theft of intellectual property.
“The theft of intellectual property is a global problem and cross-border efforts are needed to fight it. CBP looks forward to a continued partnership with the People’s Republic of China General Administration of Customs in confronting this critical trade issue,” said CBP Acting Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski. “Robust enforcement of intellectual property rights allows innovators and creators – whether in a small start-up or an international corporation – to profit from their efforts, and gives consumers confidence in the products they buy.”
A Bilateral Solution
China’s Vice Minister of the General Administration of China Customs, Zou Zhiwu, said both countries need to work together to effectively curb the movement of counterfeit products.
“IPR infringement is a global issue involving not only the process of production and export, but also that of import and circulation,” he said. “Enforcement agencies around the world should work more closely to crack down (on) these illegal activities.”
The operation spanned locations in both countries. The main U.S. ports involved were Anchorage, Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Newark. Meanwhile, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen were the primary ports in China under the scope of the operation.
“The fight against criminal counterfeiters overseas presents a great deal of challenges to U.S. law enforcement,” said Daniel Ragsdale, deputy director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “But it is a fight we are committed to, and through the international partnerships we forge with foreign customs and law enforcement agencies, we are making an impact.”
The Signs of a Growing Regime
As has previously been reported on this blog, with a reputation for producing counterfeits and knockoffs, Canadians have rarely looked to China for leadership in innovation and invention. Nevertheless, as an ever-growing giant on the world’s economic stage, China has been taking steps to remedy this deficiency.
In 2011, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) published its National Patent Develop Strategy (2011-2020) (the Strategy), a document containing tactics to significantly increase the nation’s patent production. The Strategy aims to reach 2 million patent filings per year by 2015 and to double both domestic and overseas applications. The Strategy outlined approaches to achieve this; one such suggestion was to increase patent examination and approval efficiency by cutting down wait times to as little as 3 months, doubling the number of patent examiners to over 9000, enhancing the benefits of utilizing patents, and protecting the rights of patent holders by improving patent law and regulations.
China’s intellectual property system is relatively young compared to other developed countries (its first intellectual property law only coming into force in 1985). During the 1990s, the country’s system was heavily influenced by the German approach to intellectual property protection. This recent bilateral operation is particularly interesting because it suggests that SIPO may begin taking cues from the USPTO as it continues to implement its ten-year strategy.
In light of last Friday’s resignation of Victoria Espinel (U.S. President Barack Obama’s Intellectual Property Chief), it will be interesting to see how the next administrator will direct the relationship between the U.S. and China and how that relationship will affect the development of China’s intellectual property regime.
Beatrice Sze is an IPilogue Editor and a JD Candidate at Osgoode Hall Law School. In the fall of 2013 she will be spending a semester at Hong Kong University studying the intellectual property and commercial laws of China.
Beatrice Sze china
The Legal Considerations of Live-Stream Shopping
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it-sa: Artificial Intelligence – new technology with old roots
27 July 2017 // NürnbergMesse
Artificial Intelligence – new technology with old roots
© istockphoto.com/NicoElNino
The latest ransomware attacks, and their many victims, have led to feverish efforts to find ways of providing protection. The results achieved with Artificial Intelligence have gained a lot of attention. More and more security products are being promoted on the basis of this technology, but the term covers some very different approaches.
It normally happens only in films: computers battle each other, try to get past each other’s security features and gain control over their opponents. Last year, seven networked systems competed to try to hack into each other and take out the $2 million prize for the winner of the Cyber Grand Challenge.
The computers taking part in the challenge analysed their opponents’ network traffic, independently wrote entirely new programs, repaired security loopholes and modified attack tools. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, was the magic word that gave the machines the ability to learn what they needed, and enabled them to follow paths that hadn’t been pre-programmed for them. The excitement following the competition was huge, since the systems discovered security loopholes that were entirely unknown up to that point.
From expert knowledge to machine learning
If Artificial Intelligence had not been a top focus of IT security before this event, it certainly has been since. But it isn’t a new technology by a long shot: the heyday of Artificial Intelligence was back in the 1980s, when it involved expert systems that were designed to reflect fuzzy knowledge using extensive rule sets. Such knowledge cannot be formalised; it is often generated based on experiences and usually covers a number of fields of knowledge.
One example is medical diagnoses, in which experienced and inexperienced doctors will often produce very different results. If the doctors have to incorporate the patients’ personal circumstances or mental states, they need to draw on additional knowledge from other professional fields. The extremely complex structure of the “knowledge base” has proved to be a disadvantage in this regard. A handful of experts need to spend a quite lengthy period of time documenting their knowledge in the form of rules that computers can work with – which can take weeks or even months.
This led to the idea of developing algorithms capable of building up a knowledge base on their own, in other words, capable of learning. Neural networks are among the most successful machine learning processes. They have also been around since the 1980s, but have only become suitable for everyday use thanks to the power of modern processors. Neural networks are the attempt to represent in digital form the knowledge of how nerve cells function that has been obtained from research into the brain. Essentially, turning zeroes and ones into neurons and synapses.
Neural networks generate their knowledge through training with sample data. Only once they have been fed with countless examples can they learn what’s important, and only then can they make appropriate decisions. To do this, the network gets feedback on its performance with each new training example, which it then uses to keep on adjusting its various parameters until the functionality for particular tasks has been established. That could mean recognising images or speech, or identifying malware or breaches.
Previously, customers of providers of traditional antivirus products had to rely on laboratories to discover and investigate bugs. Only at that point could traditional agents be prepared at the end points to recognise them. That means that traditional solutions can act only against known attacks and malware. The superiority of neural networks, on the other hand, lies in the fact that they can recognise new variations with no need for them to have been analysed in the laboratories run by the security specialists.
In the network and on the host
AI products are available in various forms. Agents on terminals are just as common as special network components, known as appliances. While the former try to detect harmful files and unusual operations in the operating system, the latter examine data traffic in the network for anomalies. But not every procedure is suitable for everything. Ransomware is easier to detect on the host than in the network, but if a harmful program that has penetrated the network scans the LAN for interesting devices or open ports, a box listening in from within the network will spot it more effectively than an agent on the host.
The form that training takes also differs: some neural networks are regularly trained with new bugs at the manufacturer’s end, until their switching is arranged in such a way that they will recognise these attack patterns. Unlike traditional products, however, the neural network is then capable of identifying an entire category of new malware of a given type, not just an individual instance. The manufacturers buy in extra malware for this type of training.
Duelling neural networks
Other products train themselves using data packets discovered in the company network. The behaviour patterns occurring in these networks will often depend on the company. Machine learning also takes place quite unobtrusively in the Internet: major network operators and Internet service providers run global platforms to recognise anomalies in global Internet traffic, to make it possible to respond rapidly to attacks with a global ambit.
Thanks to the success of machine learning, almost all manufacturers of security software now highlight the use of AI methods to promote their software products, and it has become difficult for customers to distinguish between them. Even so, development continues: the latest thing in AI research is “adversarial networks”, in which two networks face up to each other, the second evaluating the results from the first, and effectively mirroring the battle between the systems in the Cyber Grand Challenge.
You will also find news about all aspects of it-sa and the IT security environment in the it-sa Security Newsletter.
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Homeword of pressJade Garden continues elegant Chinese dining tradition | Press Release
Jade Garden continues elegant Chinese dining tradition | Press Release
It was in 1980 when Chinese cuisine in Manila changed forever- when the dreams of entrepreneur and visionary Joseph Henry Ng reached its peak with the opening of Jade Garden. The first restaurant was particularly located at the former Automat, one of the most popular dining places during that time, also a masterpiece of Joseph Henry Ng.
It was as if diners were transported to Hong Kong, the country of origin of Jade Garden.
The best chef on Cantonese cuisine was flown to Manila, tapestries, china, and silver were imported from Hong Kong, chandeliers were raised, and carpets were rolled out for the opening of the most pompous Chinese restaurant in the country.
For the first time, eating Chinese cuisine in the city was like dining in the presence of an emperor – suckling pigs with electronic glowing eyes, chicken wrapped in hardened “mud”, and the Peking duck that was served three ways were the main courses, of course, it was accompanied by the indulgent shark’s fin soup and succulent abalones. The interiors were state-of-the-art, bar none, with crystal chandeliers reflecting light in soft hues around the hall, the silverware gleaming, and chinaware pristinely white.
Opening Jade Garden in the Philippines was the result of years of preparation, planning, and practice until everything was perfect. “We pulled out all the stops when we opened Jade Garden in 1980. The service, the linens, the interiors, and the dishes – all were impeccable. There was no room for mistake,” said Peter Ng, the second-generation owner of Jade Garden who also runs the family-owned Makati Supermart group of malls and supermarkets.
It has been 25years since Jade Garden first opened its doors in Makati City’s then premier commercial district, the Makati Commercial Center.
But the opulence that Jade Garden serves has stood the test of time. The restaurant, which was opened by the inimitable First Lady Imelda Marcos, was the brainchild of some of the best minds in business and restaurant operations on this side of the planet.
Joseph Henry Ng was introduced to Mr. S.T. Wu, Chairman, of the Maxim’s Caterers, Ltd. Hong Kong, one of the largest restaurant chains in Hong Kong. The introduction was made by industrialist and esteemed Washington Sycip. Manila’s need for a fine dining Chinese restaurant that could rival those in Hong Kong was realized during that same meeting.
“From the conceptualization, we have always wanted to raise the bar in Chinese dining in the country. When Jade Garden opened, there was no other restaurant who served the way we did. A number of our staff were sent and trained in Hong Kong – they had to master how to change plates; how the suckling pig was sliced and served; the way to cut the Peking duck; and even how to change the table cloth in a swift but neat manner,” Ng added.
Today, dining at Jade Garden is like traveling back in time, when everything was glorious and opulence was the menu.
The façade of the original Jade Garden restaurant in Makati was a symbol of unparalleled dining – reminiscent of the opulence of Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The present-day Jade Garden may have a new façade and updated interiors, but it still offers the best dining experience – a cuisine of elegance and prosperity.
Jade Garden press release word of press
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Discuss Japan > Back Number
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Changing Relationship between a Company and an Individual due to the Crisis
OWAN Hideo
Owan Hideo, Faculty Fellow, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI), Professor, Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University Much attention has been paid to how the external shock of the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the relationship between companies and workers. The aging of Japan’s traditional employment system has long been an issue, but even before the Corona crisis, large companies had been working on reforming their personnel systems along with their work styles reform efforts. One example of such attempts is the introduction of “job-based” employment by Hitachi, Ltd.[1] Some believe that the COVID-19 crisis will accelerate the trend. In this article I summarize what has changed due to the crises and explore for what changes are likely in the future. Seniority and late promotion have been cited as problems with the Japanese conventional employment model. These two features were ... ... [Read more]
A Review of Abenomics: Results in Terms of Escaping Deflation and Positive Economic Change
ITO Takatoshi
ITO Takatoshi, Professor at Columbia University, Senior Professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) Key points The “first arrow” succeeded, but the “Price Stability Target” of 2 percent has not been reached Building a framework for monetary and fiscal collaboration to combat COVID-19 Success in terms of TPP11 coming into effect and attracting tourists to Japan The reason the Abe administration stayed in power for such a long time was that it maintained an approval rating of more than 40%. Moreover, a major contributing factor to that high approval rating was positive macroeconomic change through the success of Abenomics. This paper mainly discusses the Abe administration from December 2012 to September 2020. Let us compare the inflation rate, unemployment rate, and Nikkei Stock Average during the Abe administration with those of cabinets since 1998 (short-lived cabinets are totaled) (see ... ... [Read more]
COVID-19 Pandemic and the Economy: Need Sound Public Finance for Maintaining Social Safety-Net
Nobuhiro Kiyotaki
Nobuhiro Kiyotaki, Professor of Economics, Princeton University Key points Should corporate bankruptcies increase, credit crunch may follow Postponing retirement is more effective than high inflation for fiscal consolidation Promoting open economy is important for growth after the containment of COVID-19 Following COVID-19 pandemic and government restrictions on social and economic activities, the global economy plunged into the deepest recession of the postwar era and the lives of people have been affected profoundly. This article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, policy responses and the future direction from a macro-economic perspective. The COVID-19 pandemic makes it difficult to engage in activities that involve social contact and possibility of infection. Consumption, especially services consumption in restaurants, leisure and hospitality, has decreased significantly. Let us look at consumption and employment in the United States by referring to data collected by Professor Raj Chetty of ... ... [Read more]
Can Japanese Diplomacy Talk about Universality?—Rebuilding public diplomacy strategy
WATANABE Yasushi
Amidst the flux of the liberal international order, Japan’s public diplomacy, which relies solely on its cultural uniqueness, is inadequate. The author proposes new principles for an age where the diplomatic sphere is expanding from negotiation tactics to agenda setting and norm setting. In the fall of 2017 when there was a succession of major events—the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and US President Donald Trump’s visit to China—I visited Peking University and had an opportunity to exchange opinions with many experts and specialists. What impressed me in particular was that the Chinese side emphasized the negative aspect of democracy and used it in justification of the Communist Party’s monopoly on power. The Chinese experts and specialists said the following: Democracy could just consider short-term profits like companies operating under a capitalist system. The only interest of politicians and political ... ... [Read more]
Thirty years of clambering up and slipping back down— A comprehensive look back at the Heisei period
KITAOKA Shinichi vs INOKI Takenori
What kind of period was Heisei (1989–2019) Kitaoka Shinichi: My image of the Heisei period is of a crab at the bottom of a washbowl trying to climb up but then slipping and falling right back down. Heisei began with the bubble bursting in 1991 (Heisei 3) and Japan tried to respond to it in various ways. Although there was political reform and administrative reform, the Asian currency crisis came in ’97, before these trials showed any effect, and it looked like it was all over for Japan. But in 2001, Koizumi Junichiro appeared as Prime Minister, promised to “destroy the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),” and became hugely popular. Yet the LDP wasn’t particularly destroyed, and it’s hard to say that anything has moved forward. Then in 2008 there was the global financial crisis, and in 2011 the Great East Japan Earthquake and ... ... [Read more]
The True Home of Japan Studies Is Not Japan: Academic rivals are skilled at reading cursive script and transliterating classical Chinese into Japanese
MATSUDA Koichiro
Who really “owns” Japan studies? In the list of academic fields eligible for Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, no such field as “Japan Studies” exists. If one searches the list for the keyword “regional studies,” there is “East Asia,” “South East Asia,” “South Asia,” “West and Central Asia,” etc., but there is no “Japan.” Although there are research and education organizations with Japan studies in their title (I also conduct joint research with them), I think that they take an extra effort when applying for research funds. It is not my intention in this article to criticize how, within Japan, Japan studies are treated as if they do not exist in that grant scheme. Yet, if it is true that the readers of this article (including specialist researchers) assume that Japan studies are mostly undertaken ... ... [Read more]
Osaka Naomi’s BLM Activism Wins More Worldwide Respect Than Her US Open Victory
WATANABE Yuko
Watanabe Yuko, consultant, freelance writer On September 12, 2020, Osaka Naomi won her second US Open women’s singles title, a victory which clinched her third Grand Slam title. Her opponent in the final was former world number one Victoria Azarenka. After losing the first set in a nightmare start, Osaka recovered brilliantly to turn the match around and triumph. This dramatic comeback also caused a sensation, as it was the first time in 26 years the women’s final was won by the player who lost the first set. On September 13, the day after her victory, the New York Times featured a large photograph of Osaka and sang her praises across two pages. The headline of the article read “Naomi Osaka, While Rallying for Social Justice, Wins U.S. Open Title.” I cannot remember the last time the face of a Japanese – politician or sportsperson – ... ... [Read more]
We Are Approaching the Limits of Having Only Policies that Preserve Employment!: The Largest Number of People Taking a Leave of Absence Since World War II—What Has Happened in the Labor Market?
GENDA Yuji
Genda Yuji, Professor, University of Tokyo Only a Slight Increase in Unemployment in April When the declaration of a state of emergency was issued for all of Japan due to the spread of COVID-19 in April 2020, the survival of many companies was in jeopardy and the Japanese workplace faced unprecedented difficulties. Job opportunities collapsed and there was concern that we might see workers lose their jobs and struggle to survive. According to the Labor Force Survey by the Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, released at the end of May, the number of workers across Japan was reduced by 1.07 million (seasonally adjusted) in just one month from March to April when infections rapidly spread. As a great reduction from the previous month since May 1953 when comparisons can be made, it was second to the 1.13 million workers from January ... ... [Read more]
Infectious Disease and Civilization in the Twenty-first Century: Invisible Calamities Attack Modernity and the Spirit of Civil Virtue Developed by the Japanese People
YAMAZAKI Masakazu
Yamazaki Masakazu, Playwright and Critic Editor’s note: Professor Yamazaki Masakazu passed away on August 19, 2020. This article, written in early May 2020, is published in translation here with the permission of the bereaved family and the original publisher. Going back to a previous time in world history The current spread of COVID-19 can be considered a “historic” event in two senses. Firstly, of course, it is an epoch-making tragedy and turning point in contemporary history, because the epidemic is likely to have a lasting influence on future civilization. Secondly, and of greater significance, the tragedy pours cold water on the hidden arrogance of modern people, and we can imagine it encouraging a return to the human civilization of the past: a time when urban civilization arose. The epoch that we call the “modern age” has had a number of stages—and as humanity ... ... [Read more]
From the Frontlines of Defense to Aegis Ashore: Japan’s changing security environment and Japan-U.S. Alliance
KAWANO Katsutoshi
Serving as Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, the highest ranking officer of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), for five years, Mr. Kawano enjoyed the confidence of then Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and was thoroughly informed about all aspects from the frontlines to the center of command. Now that he has retired from office, he speaks about the security arrangements from his own experience. Kawano Katsutoshi, Former Admiral, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff ―― Mr. Kawano, your career coincided with major changes in Japan’s security arrangements after the end of the Cold War. How has the role of the JSDF changed over time? Kawano Katsutoshi: The turning point was the Gulf Crisis in August 1990 followed by the start of the Gulf War in January 1991. It was the first global military crisis to occur after the end of the Cold War, and ... ... [Read more]
KANEHARA Nobukatsu
Kanehara Nobukatsu, Former Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary, Professor of Doshisha University Interview by Nakamura Kiichiro, Editor-in-Chief of Gaiko (Diplomacy) ――Professor Kanehara, you were appointed Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary with the formation of the second Abe Cabinet. Prof. Kanehara Nobukatsu: I remember suddenly being told to go to the Prime Minister’s Office on December 28, the day the Abe Cabinet was formed. When forming the Cabinet, a team of three was set up under Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sugita Kazuhiro. It consisted of Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary for Internal Affairs Sasaki Toyonari (from the Ministry of Finance) (later replaced by Furuya Kazuyuki), Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary for Security Takamizawa Nobushige (from the Ministry of Defense), and myself who was in charge of External Affairs. We had excellent teamwork. ――What was the feeling at the time of ... ... [Read more]
What of the United States? Or Japan? New Visions of Leadership under COVID-19: How Will Leaders Engage the Libertarian Youths Sweeping over the World?
UNO Shigeki vs WATANABE Yasushi
Uno Shigeki vs Watanabe Yasushi The True Nature of Leaders Uncovered in Crisis ―What are your views on the success stories and failures of different countries’ leaders in their COVID-19 responses? Uno Shigeki: When it comes to COVID-19 measures, it’s said that the East Asian countries that have taken a micro approach of tracking individual behavior have been more successful that the European countries that have focused on lockdowns. However, the causal link between differences in policy and the infectious spread is complex. It’s true that the exposure of political leaders has surged due to increasing social media contact by staying at home, but it’s still unclear what difference it’s made in terms of preventing infections. Having said that, it’s also not so that it’s the same the world over. As the first stage of focusing solely on preventing the spread of the virus ... ... [Read more]
Feature Article on Scientific Advice: Paradigm Shift in Scientific Advice Responsible Innovation, Post-Normal Science, and Ecosystemic Approach
by HIRAKAWA Hideyuki, Professor, Osaka University
Growing expectations and skepticism about “scientific advice” “Scientific advice,” which provides the government, corporations and individuals with useful technical information, knowledge and judgments on the policy issues related to science and technology, such as “risk” issues in food safety, emerging infectious diseases, climate change, earthquakes, nuclear power and cyber security, and as promotion of science, technology and innovation, is expected to play an increasingly vital role in contemporary society. Scientific advice in Japan has hitherto been undertaken by various deliberative bodies and organizations, including councils and committees attached to government ministries and agencies, regulatory bodies such as the Food Safety Commission, and, regarding comprehensive policies for the promotion and regulation of science, technology and innovation, the Cabinet Office’s Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI) and academic organizations such as the Science Council of Japan (SCJ). In addition, since the Great East Japan Earthquake ... ... [Read more]
Feature Article on Scientific Advice: Between Science and Administration The Politics of Scientific Advice
by ONAI Takayuki, Ryutsu Keizai University
(1) Is It Reactionism? Members of the Subcommittee that deliberated on the draft of the Basic Energy Plan were replaced following a government changeover. In a blatant selection of personnel, the LDP almost exclusively appointed new experts who advocate maintaining or promoting nuclear power generation. The Agency of Natural Resources and Energy has already sent officials to an LDP working group meeting for explaining the draft of the Basic Energy Plan, wherein LDP-affiliated Diet members raised questions about the draft, which positions nuclear power as an important base power source and spells out steady promotion of the nuclear fuel cycle.The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident on 11 March 2011 has been taken as an opportunity to question the ideal form of giving scientific and expert advice to administrative authorities. A variety of criticism has been heard and many proposals made concerning this question, ... ... [Read more]
The Choice of Collective Self-Defense—Getting Out of the Galapagos Security Perspective Winning a Mandate in the House of Representatives Election — We Will Continue to Consult with New Komeito
by Ishiba Shigeru, Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General (currently, Minister in charge of Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan, Minister of State for the National Strategic Special Zones)
Ishiba Shigeru, Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General (currently, Minister in charge of Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan, Minister of State for the National Strategic Special Zones) Japan Cannot Operate Only with a Right to Individual Self-Defense The use of the right to collective self-defense has long been discussed in the context of Japan’s national security. Why do you think Japan should shift its defense policy and decide to endorse the use of the right to collective self-defense now? Ishiba Shigeru: The biggest reason is that the security situation surrounding the post-Cold War Asia-Pacific region is very unstable. The balance of power between the United States and the former Soviet Union was stable during the Cold War. In that situation, the seeds of conflict, such as religion, race, territory and political structure, did not surface. We see China rising and increasing its ... ... [Read more]
Udo Yumiko’s My Fair Person: What Can Be Seen from the COVID-19 LINE Survey―Miyata Hiroaki, Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Health Policy and Management of Keio University
UDO Yumiko vs Prof. MIYATA Hiroaki
UDO Yumiko vs Prof. MIYATA Hiroaki Udo Yumiko: Nice to meet you, Professor Miyata. This is my first time talking online with someone that I’ve never met in person before. Professor Miyata Hiroaki: I’m honored! Udo: Professor Miyata, you proposed the “Early SNS-Based Monitoring System for the COVID-19 Outbreak in Japan: A Population-Level Observational Study,” gathered massive amounts of health data from many people, and continue with efforts that utilize the next move in COVID-19 measures in cooperation with local governments and the Cluster Response Team of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). Miyata: Of the approximately 83 million LINE users in Japan, we received responses from about 25 million during the first survey, held from March 31 to April 1. With a response rate of about one-third, it was the second largest survey in Japanese history, excluding the national ... ... [Read more]
Three Experts Discuss: Will the China Model Conquer the World? What Will Happen? The Xi Jinping System After COVID-19
MIYAMOTO Yuji, KAWASHIMA Shin, AKO Tomoko
Miyamoto Yuji (former Ambassador of Japan to the People’s Republic of China, Chairman of the Miyamoto Institute of Asian Research), Kawashima Shin (Professor, University of Tokyo), and Ako Tomoko (Professor, University of Tokyo) What COVID-19 Has Brought to Light Miyamoto Yuji: COVID-19 has shaken many of the world’s fundamentals, revealing things that hadn’t been visible before. One is US–China relations. For example, the US’s strictest policy against China is decoupling, but COVID-19 has stopped the movement of people, severed supply chains, and had a major negative impact on the US economy, so is it really possible to establish a decoupling relationship with China? Also, until now, the Xi Jinping administration has talked about the “China Dream” to build a country peerless in the world by the mid-century, but isn’t that a dream founded on extremely optimistic predictions? I hope that China can make this experience ... ... [Read more]
Legacy of “Japonisme 2018” (II): From a Japanese Art Exhibition to a Manga Exhibition at the British Museum
MIURA Atsushi
Miura Atsushi, Professor, University of Tokyo The gist of my previous blog entry was that, although unknown to what extent the organizers were aware of this, from a historical point of view, the monumental event that was “Japonisme 2018” was an exhibition of Japanese culture that had its roots in the Japan exhibitions at the international expositions of the nineteenth century while also connecting to the national policy of exporting culture in anticipation of a second Japonisme boom. I want now to comment on the actual exhibitions with a focus on the art exhibitions, but it is not that I was able to see all the exhibitions. Because I went to France in the third week of December 2018, I missed “FUKAMI: Une plongée dans l’esthétique japonaise” (Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild), “Jakuchu: Le royaume coloré des êtres vivants” (Petit Palais), “Jomon: Naissance de ... ... [Read more]
Challenges in the Post-coronavirus World
Kojima Akira, Member, Board of Trustees, and Adjunct Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Trustee, Chairman of the World Trade Center Tokyo In mid-April, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced a significant downward revision of its growth projection for the world economy in 2020, from the 3.3% it had announced just three months prior, to -3.0%. Nonetheless, the new estimate is based on the assumption that economic activities will normalize after the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak is contained in the latter half of the year. The IMF has even started to use the term “the Great Lockdown.” Although the quick development of an effective drug is expected, it should be assumed that the coronavirus pandemic may be prolonged or that a second or third wave of the coronavirus outbreak may occur. It is essential to resolutely deal with the current situation ... ... [Read more]
Legacy of “Japonisme 2018” (I): Transitioning from International Expositions to Exhibitions of Japanese Culture
Miura Atsushi, Professor, University of Tokyo I still remember the large cultural event titled “Japonisme 2018,” which was held in France in 2018. That year marked the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and France, the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration, and the 150th birthday of Paul Claudel, the writer and diplomat who contributed to French-Japanese relations. Such a large-scale event themed on Japanese culture was rare in France, although anniversary events are common. It was magnificent that over fifty intriguing projects representing Japanese culture were implemented across France from July 2018 to February 2019, such as fine art, acting, movies, food, literature, dance, manga and anime (Fig. 1). I was lucky to see four exhibitions related to “Japonisme 2018” when I visited Paris in December 2018. Based on the impression from my visits, I would like ... ... [Read more]
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A guide to the Enterprise Investment Scheme
Posted by Jonathan Lea on Nov 28th, 2011 | Last modified on Jun 7th, 2016
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) was introduced in 1994 to help foster entrepreneurialism and broaden access to finance by encouraging individuals to invest in small, higher risk trading companies, primarily through income and capital gains tax relief.
The following article highlights the main factors to consider when looking to invest in a UK company in accordance with the scheme:
Tax relief for investors
The total income tax liability of the investor is reduced by 20% of the sums invested, provided that the shares are held for at least three years. So, for example, if in 2008/09 James invests £300,000 in subscribing for new ordinary shares in a qualifying company, James’s income tax liability for 2008/09 is reduced by £60,000 (20% of £300,000). It is possible to obtain relief by adjusting the PAYE coding of a taxpayer who is employed and pays tax through the PAYE system.
If the shares are held for three years after the investment is made, any subsequent gain on them is not subject to capital gains tax. Also, the investor can claim deferral of capital gains (no limit) on any other assets, by reinvesting all or part of the gain into an EIS company within one year before, or three years after the gain occurred. The gain will become chargeable in the tax year when the subscription shares are sold.
Conditions relating to the investor
The subscription must be made for genuine commercial reasons and not for tax avoidance. The investor cannot hold a stake in the issuing company exceeding 30% of the issued share capital or 30% of the loan capital and issued share capital or 30% of the voting rights, wither personally or with associates. Although the investor may become a paid director of a qualifying company, EIS relief will not be available if he or she was previously connected with the qualifying company (as an employee or paid director) or was involved in carrying on the whole or any part of the trade to be carried on by the qualifying company or any of its subsidiaries.
Conditions relating to the investee company
Gross asset test
The value of the investee company’s gross assets must not exceed £7 million immediately before the shares are issued and £8 million immediately afterwards.
Investee must be unquoted
The investee company has to be unquoted when the shares are issued with no arrangements to become quoted. A company admitted to AIM will not be regarded as quoted for these purposes.
Qualifying trade
The company must exist wholly for the purpose of carrying on a qualifying trade. Most trades are qualifying trades provided that they are conducted on a commercial basis with a view to making profits and the trade does not include a substantial amount of excluded activities. These excluded activities include dealing in land, shares or commodities, property development, farming, the operation of hotels or nursing homes, financial activities and leasing. The policy behind the excluded activities is that companies carrying on these activities are typically asset-backed and, as such, have assets which could be used as security to raise finance. Although there is no statutory definition of “substantial”, HMRC will regard non-qualifying/excluded activities as substantial if they account for more than 20% of the total activities of the issuing company or, as the case may be, the group. There are a number of measures that may be regarded as appropriate in measuring activities, although comparing income/turnover is most common.
Independence requirement
The investee company must not be a 51% subsidiary of another company or under the control of another company at any time from the date of the share issue to the three year anniversary of it.
Purpose of share issue
The shares must be issued in order to raise money for the purpose of a qualifying trade and issued for genuine commercial reasons and not for tax avoidance purposes.
Use of money raised
All the money raised by the share issue must be employed in a qualifying trade within two years.
UK activities requirement
The EIS rules require that at all times in the period commencing with the issue of shares and ending three years later, more than 50% of the qualifying trade must be carried on in the UK. HMRC indicate that relevant factors in determining this will be where the capital assets of the trade are held, where any purchasing, processing, manufacturing and selling is done and where the employees are located.
The investee company must have fewer than 50 full time employees at the time of the first qualifying share issue only.
£2 million investment limit
The investee company cannot raise more than £2 million in total over a 12 month period under the EIS.
Applying for EIS clearance and formal approval
Usually, to ensure the EIS relief will be available, the investee company will seek advance assurance from the HMRC Small Company Enterprise Centre, providing it with all relevant information. The obtaining of advance assurance should allow the transaction to go ahead with some certainty that EIS reliefs will be available to investors.
Application for formal approval will need to be made, although it can’t be made until after the issue of shares or our months after the investee company has started to trade or the research and development for which the funds were raised has been carried on.
Withdrawal or reduction of EIS relief
A qualifying company is subject to ongoing review by HMRC until, broadly, three years after the EIS shares are issued. EIS relief for investors may be withdrawn or reduced in circumstances including where the EIS investor disposes of his shares within three years, if the EIS investor grants a call option which binds the investor to sell any of the relevant shares, a person grants the EIS investor a put option which, if exercised, would bind the grantor to purchase any of the relevant shares or the EIS investor receives value from the investee company (including the repayment of a loan made to the company).
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Science News and Information Today
5. Most Americans see science-related entertainment shows and movies in either a neutral or positive light
By Cary Funk, Jeffrey Gottfried and Amy Mitchell
Medical and forensic television shows – such as Grey’s Anatomy, House and the CSI franchise – have popularized how diverse fields of research, including DNA profiling, differential diagnosis and forensic anthropology, enable investigators to solve crimes and identify diseases. And, over the decades, inventors of the mobile phone, tablet computer, and even spacecraft propulsion systems have credited science fiction, like Star Trek, as the source of their ideas; this genre now is commonplace in entertainment media offerings.
Still, most Americans believe that science-related TV shows and movies focus more on entertainment than getting the facts right – an assessment that they apply to both science fiction and more “realistic” genres. And, although these programs and films frequently employ poetic license in their portrayal of science, viewers credit them with creating a favorable image of how science, technology and medicine work.
Science-related entertainment media draw a diverse audience
The vast majority of Americans watch science-related entertainment media. About eight-in-ten (81%) U.S. adults say they at least sometimes watch one or more of three types of shows and movies: criminal investigations, hospitals and medical settings, or science fiction. About two-in-ten (18%) say they hardly ever or never watch these three categories of entertainment.
People who watch these types of shows and movies at least sometimes encompass all demographic, educational and political groups. For example, a roughly equal share of men and women, as well as highly educated and less educated adults view at least one of these genres fairly regularly (i.e., “often” or “sometimes”). Further, 78% of uninterested science news consumers report viewing one or more of these types of programs at least sometimes, as do 82% of casual and 90% of active science news consumers.
Viewers of science-related entertainment media tend to see such shows as giving a positive impression of work in science, technology and medicine
While popular entertainment can inspire and inform, it can also create misconceptions. Many in the scientific community have worried over how such media influence people’s impressions of, support for, and understanding of scientific inquiry, knowledge and careers in these fields.13 For example, some express concern that Hollywood’s portrayal of science creates unrealistic standards for criminal evidence in the public mind. Although studies about this “CSI effect” remain inconclusive,14 the issue was deemed serious enough to merit inclusion in a report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and helped launch an advisory network to connect scientists and engineers with entertainment industry professionals.15
This study finds viewers of science-related entertainment believe that these films and shows provide, on the whole, a positive impression of working in science, technology and medicine. A majority of Americans (56%) who fairly regularly watch shows about criminal investigations say these programs give a positive impression of working in science, technology and medicine; by contrast just 9% say the shows and movies create a negative impression. A similar pattern occurs among viewers of shows focused on hospitals and medical settings. About half (51%) of those who watch such shows at least sometimes say they provide a positive image of working in science, technology and medicine; just 12% say they create a negative image.
And, while science fiction sometimes presents a dystopian view of the future, 44% of Americans who fairly regularly watch such shows and movies say the genre offers a favorable impression of the future of science, technology and medicine. Only 15% of this group says science fiction creates an unfavorable impression, and four-in-ten say the overall impression is neutral.
When it comes to realistically portraying science, majorities of Americans say that each of these types of science-related entertainment tend to focus more on entertainment than on getting the facts right. For example, when it comes to science fiction, 79% say such shows focus more on entertainment, while only 18% say that these programs portray science, technology and medicine in a realistic way.
While such views might be expected with regards to science fiction – a genre that purposefully veers from reality – the public holds similar perceptions of crime and medical shows. By a margin of roughly two-to-one, Americans think medical-oriented shows and movies prioritize entertainment (66%) over accuracy (32%). Similarly, Americans say crime shows focus more on entertainment than portraying science, technology and medicine in a realistic way by a margin of 62% to 35%.
Most Americans see entertainment media as doing no harm; more say it helps than hurts their understanding of science, technology and medicine
A central question surrounding science-related entertainment is whether the tendency of this genre to take poetic license undermines public understanding of science. From the public’s perspective, the answer appears to be no. Most Americans say that both crime and medical shows and movies have no particular effect on their understanding of science, technology and medicine; those who do are much more likely to consider the effect positive than negative.
About half of frequent viewers of crime-focused shows (51%) say these programs have no effect on their own understanding of science, technology and medicine. More say these shows help than hurt their understanding by a margin of 40% to 9%.
Frequent viewers of medicine-oriented programs judge the effect of these shows on their own understanding in a similar way. About half of this group (49%) says these shows and movies make no difference to their own understanding of science, technology and medicine, 38% say these shows help and just 12% say these shows hurt their understanding.
When it comes to science fiction, nearly seven-in-ten (68%) of frequent viewers say these shows and movies make no difference to their understanding of science, technology and medicine.
Kirby, David A. 2017. “The Changing Popular Images of Science.” In Hall Jamieson, Kathleen , Dan M. Kahan and Dietram A. Scheufele, eds. “The Oxford Handbook of The Science of Science Communication.” ↩
Shanahan, James. 2017. “What Do We Know About the Entertainment Industry’s Portrayal of Science? How Does It Affect Public Attitudes Toward Science?” In Hall Jamieson, Kathleen, Dan M. Kahan and Dietram A. Scheufele, eds. “The Oxford Handbook of The Science of Science Communication.”. ↩
Kirby, David A. 2011. “Lab Coats in Hollywood: Science, Scientists and Cinema.” ↩
Next: 6. Citizen science, science-related hobbies and participation in informal science activities Next Page → ← Prev Page
2017 Pew Research Center Science and News Survey Dataset
1. Most Americans express curiosity in science news, but a minority are active science news consumers
2. General news outlets are the most common science news source; most-seen stories highlight discoveries and “weird” findings
3. Niche information sources are most trusted to get the facts right about science
4. Most Americans see at least some science posts on social media but tend to distrust what they see
6. Citizen science, science-related hobbies and participation in informal science activities
Appendix A: Detailed tables and regression analysis
News Use Across Social Media Platforms in 2020
Pew Research CenterDec 15, 2020
Most Republicans Approve of Trump’s Post-election Messaging, but About a Third Say It Has Been Wrong
Pew Research CenterNov 23, 2020
Americans Paid Close Attention as Election Returns Came In
Trust, Facts and Democracy
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On 13 November 2016, the Fotomuseum in Winterthur awarded its new prize, the Post-Photography Prototyping Prize, or P3, to the American artist Brenna Murphy. Organised in collaboration with the Julius Baer Foundation, the aim of the P3 prize is to support developmental work by young artists in the arena of digital art and photography known as post-photography.
Selected from a shortlist of five, Brenna Murphy’s prototype project ’Domain, Wrap, Exclude’, is a worthy winner of the first edition of the prize. The judges were impressed by the ambition of her project, pushing into areas as yet little explored in contemporary art practice. Murphy’s prototype revealed a strong process of development and an ability to innovate across physical and virtual realms in both sculptural and photographic form. Her ‘wrapping’ of the photographic image around structural elements reveals a distinctive ambient aesthetic for computer generated environments, creating new modes of photographic vision. Utilising the latest VR technologies, Murphy brings a poetic element to her psychedelic computational structures, forging a distinctive artistic voice.
Duncan Forbes, the Director of the Fotomuseum, said: “We are very pleased to award the P3 prize this year to Brenna Murphy. Her exploration of the combination of virtual and physical environments is highly innovative, pushing at the boundaries of photography within computer generated worlds. Brenna’s computational poetics in photography points to the complexity and potential of an emerging post-photographic vision.”
Julius Baer’s Chief Communications Officer Jan A. Bielinski added: “The P3 Prize was developed in close collaboration between Fotomuseum Winterthur and the Julius Baer Foundation. The inaugural prize highlights the growing importance of post-photography in the arts. We are pleased that the prize has been received with great interest among many young artists from all over the world and we congratulate the first prize winner Brenna Murphy from the US.”
Brenna Murphy will receive CHF 10,000 to further develop her original prototype.
Founded in Winterthur, Switzerland in 1993, Fotomuseum is a leading venue for the display and discussion of photography. Through exhibitions, publications, events, and the building of a collection (dating from 1960 to the present day) the museum explores the diversity of photographic media. The programme presents the history of photography with the ambition of visualising that history differently. The museum also seeks to understand the rapidly expanding nature of photographic technology and aesthetics today, especially through its commitment to research and its engagement with young artists.
The Julius Baer Foundation
The Julius Baer Foundation was established in 1965 and represents the philanthropic engagement of the Julius Baer Group. Its goal is to provide support for charitable causes as well as for arts and sciences in Switzerland and abroad. Over the last years, the foundation’s engagement focused on helping children and young adults, besides supporting other social projects.
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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7 Episode 2 Review: Know Your Onions
To kill or not to kill the father of the future leader of HYDRA before he creates the aforementioned leader, that is the question.
The team was split on whether or not to get rid of Freddy Malick as to prevent HYDRA, and therefore S.H.I.E.L.D., from being formed on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7 Episode 2.
Both sides of the argument made valid points, but we have all consumed enough media to know that messing with the past can lead to dire consequences. Thankfully, they managed to escape 1931 partly unscathed.
I say partly because they managed to leave Enoch behind in 1931 while the rest of the team jetted off to another time period.
The consequences of this action are unknown, but given the lax nature of the last scene between Enoch and Ernest Koenig in the speakeasy, it might be safe to say that the timeline is safe, for now.
Enoch, this looks like the start of a marvelous friendship.
Of course, they are going to have to get Enoch back somehow because they are not heartless enough to forget about him.
Since he is a Chronicom and a true survivor, odds are that they find him wherever, or whenever, they go next. Enoch will just have to wait for however many years it is between 1931 and their next destination.
All of this is just speculation, but we have come to know and love Enoch — and his friendship with Fitz — so it would be awful to lose him this easily.
Or maybe the next time we’ll see him, he will be with Fitz.
Oh Fitz, where are you? It does not feel like a final season without him because he has been an integral part of the S.H.I.E.L.D. team since Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1.
His presence has been felt through the time jumps, as he is the one controlling them, but it would be much preferred if he reunited with the team sooner rather than later.
I have a feeling I might be writing about how much Fitz is missed a lot though as the episodes continue.
Daisy, Yo-Yo, and Deke were all for killing Freddy, while Coulson, Simmons, and Mack were against it.
It is tempting to know that you can erase so many of the world’s problems by eliminating the threat that would go on to cause them, but there is no telling what other issues may arise as a result.
Plus, the domino effect that would occur would also include Steve Rogers never becoming Captain America, and for that reason alone, Coulson, Simmons, and Mack were right for wanting to save Freddy.
Simmons: The compound is part of a formula that first appeared in Germany during World War II.
Ernest: During World War II? I think you’re half-cocked on the moonshine.
Simmons: It was synthesized by a German scientist named Abraham Erskine.
Coulson: I don’t like where this is going.
Simmons: And first used by a man named Johann Schmidt.
Daisy: The Red Skull.
Simmons: Freddy Malick is about to deliver the key ingredient used to create the Super Soldier serum.
Ernest: You give a name like that to your juice, it better have a hell of a kick.
Coulson: You have no idea.
The world is not perfect and it never will be. There will always be villains who threaten peace and stability, and with keeping Freddy alive, they knew the threat the world would face. By killing him, they had no idea what would become of it.
Daisy, however, ordered Deke to kill Freddy anyway, reminding us of who she was when she went by Skye.
Daisy has gone through many transformations during her time on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., usually marked by a different hairstyle.
Based on the last couple of episodes on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7, Daisy seems to be taking on some of the traits from her past self.
Freddy: Faster! They’re gaining on us!
Mack: This boat won’t go any faster!
Freddy: You gotta give them the slip!
Deke: Yeah, and we gotta lose them too.
She has always been quick to jump the gun, but her stubbornness and drive to be right resurfaced when she argued that they should get rid of Freddy.
It’s hard to blame her though when she has been put through so much at the hands of HYDRA.
Mack was there to prevent Deke, who was a little too onboard with Daisy’s plan (is the show ever going to go there with Daisy and Deke?), from killing Freddy, but I am sure that this is not the last time we see Daisy argue for the team to change the past.
While the team was trying to get to Mack, Deke, and Freddy, May was trying to do the same, but Enoch, the good Chronicom he is, got in her way.
We all know that May is unbelievably strong, but anyone who dies and then comes back to life usually has to rest for a few days before they engage in an intense fighting sequence.
May is definitely not acting like her normal self, but at least she knows who the good guys are as we were worried that she turned bad after seeing the last scene of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7 Episode 1.
And even though everyone knew something was off about her, they all, the audience included, expected for May to have an extreme reaction to seeing Coulson as an LMD.
May: You’re not Sarge.
Coulson: No, I’m not.
May: You’re not Coulson either.
Coulson: Well, yes and no. Aren’t you at all surprised? I mean, I was dead.
May: You still are.
But she continued to surprise us and was indifferent to the situation. She was not mad, happy, or sad, and her face held no expression. And just like that, she is also reminiscent of the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1 version of herself.
If this is the end of HYDRA’s presence on the final season, might we see the team encounter more previous villains as the episodes go on?
Since the writers knew this would be the show’s swan song, they are bound to play their greatest hits as a treat to the fans.
And that is why most — I won’t commit to saying all — final seasons of television shows that are made aware of their fate before making the last episodes are some of that show’s best.
I’m a doctor, not a dame.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is committed to leaving their fans with great memories and storylines that will forever be epic. They have started strong with the throwback to HYDRA, and I cannot wait to see where they go next.
If only that included Fitz as well.
What did you think Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Fanatics?
Was it the right call to save Freddy? What is wrong with May? And where in time do you think the agents will end up next?
Let me know in the comments and do not forget that you can watch Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. online right here via TV Fanatic!
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs on Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.
Sarah Little is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter.
Bachelor’s Kelley Flanagan Reveals She’s Still Moving to New York City Despite Peter Weber Breakup
Flora And Ulysses Drops Its First Trailer, Here’s Why It’s Headed Straight To Disney+
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WELCOME TO THE 2021 JOHNSTON IOWA LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION!
Please note if you're from Johnston, Rhode Island (https://www.jllri.com), or are looking for girls softball in Johnston, Iowa (https://www.johnstongirlssoftball.org/), you've inadvertently navigated to the wrong location.
If you're looking for Johnston Iowa Little League Baseball (coed), you are exactly where you want to be!
This registration session will allow you to complete contact information, sign up for participation and submit payment. To complete registration through our secure site, please have your Visa or MasterCard account information available.
If payment is an issue and you'd like to apply for a scholarship, JLL is participates in the T-Mobile Little League Call-up Grant Program. Navigate to https://www.littleleague.org/call-up-grant-program/ and apply there. Then forward the resulting confirmation to [email protected] and we'll work with you to get your player registered.
Big Bat (4U/5U)
Designed as an alternative to tee-ball for young players just learning the sport, Big Bats utilized a big red bat and wiffle ball. Key advantages over tee-ball include lighter bats that are easier for young kids to swing, being able to hit balls pitched by their coaches, and confidence in the field that they won't be hurt by a heavier tee-ball. Overall, feedback for this division has been very positive as an introduction to the sport of baseball. Games are limited to 1 hour, and played on Mortgage Producers field sized specifically for this age group. The season starts a bit later for this age group to avoid cooler spring days, typically running from April 15th - June 15th.
The 6 & 7 year old coach pitch division is played with coaches pitching to their own players, with a tee available to ensure everyone is able to put the ball in play. The season generally starts around April 15th and runs through June 15th with games primarily played on Bob Brown and Dragons (formerly Legends) field.
The A Minor division is the first opportunity for players to pitch. Here players pitch unless/until a batter receives 4 balls, at which point the batter's coach pitches until the ball is put in play. The season runs from approximately April 15th - June 15th. Games are typically played on Bob Brown and Dragons (formerly Legends) field at Lew Clarkson Park.
The AA Minor division is the home to the 9U age group. After the 8U transition to player pitch, this is the first year the players are the only ones on the field. Umpires are provided for this division and which tends to see a lot of walks while players get used to pitching on the full size (46/60) field. This division targets an April 15th start date and is the first where players evaluations are held and players are drafted to evenly matched teams. Games run through June 15th and culminate in a season ending tournament. The primary field where AA Minor games are played is Coldwell Banker at Lew Clarkson Park.
10 & 11 year old players will now register for the AAA Minor division, and 11 year-olds will be "called-up" to play in the Major division during the player draft based off their tryout. All registered players will be placed on either a AAA Minor or Major team, but not both. The season runs from approximately April 15th to June 15th. 10 and 11 year old players will be eligible for nomination and selection to the 11 and 10 year old JLL all-star teams, regardless of whether they play in the AAA Minor or Major division during the regular season. Doctors Now serves as the primary field for games in this division.
Intermediate (50/70) - (12U/13U)
The Intermediate division serves as a transition from the Little League field dimension of 46/60 to the full size 60/90 dimensions on which the Juniors & Seniors division is played. This division is played on 50/70 field dimensions, and opens the game up to include leading off and the nuances of the pitching game that accompany that change. Players in this division can also play in the Junior/Senior (for 13 year old players) or Major (for those that are 12) divisions and those players registered to play in this division and another will receive a $70 discount on their second registration. This is the first year for inter-league play, as JLL teams typically compete against teams from surrounding Little League programs, though most are within 15 minutes of the Des Moines metro. Games hosted at JLL are played on Iowa Realty and McDonalds, which are convertible between the 46/60 and 50/70 dimensions. Games are targeted for week days, with priority given to eliminating conflicts with the Junior/Senior schedule and minimizing conflicts for those playing Major. The Intermediate division also allows for a competitive All-Star season with a national tournament. New in 2021, the regionals for this division will be held in Ankeny!
Junior/Senior - (13U-16U)
In prior years JLL has fielded both Junior and Senior division teams. As 9th grade high-school players now devote their spring to the JHS program, older 8th graders that are league age 15, and 15 & 16 year olds interested in playing recreationally outside the HS program didn't have a division in which to compete. Therefore, JLL now combines the Junior and Senior division age groups and charters a Senior division open to all 13-16 league age players. The division plays on the full-size 60/90 field dimensions on both United and Avaux fields. The season runs from April 15th through June 15th, essentially functioning as the Junior program had in prior seasons. Priority is given to preventing scheduling conflicts such that 13 year old Junior/Senior players can also play for a team in the Intermediate division. The expected make-up of the division by age group is 30%-13U, 55%-14U, 10%-15U, and 5% 16U. This division's intention will be to play intra-league, with all games at Lew Clarkson Park. However, if participation number aren't sufficient, inter-leaguing similar to the Intermediate division will be employed. JLL will field a Junior All-Star team eligible to advance to World Series play from those league age 13 & 14. A Senior All-Star team will only be fielded if numbers warrant that path.
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Meet our Center for the Arts Executive Director...Cristy Dunn
Cristy received a B.A. in Mathematics with a minor in Art History from East Tennessee State University in 1998. She spent more than ten years teaching high school Mathematics then Art in Carter and Johnson County schools. During her time as a teacher, Cristy received numerous awards, including a Crystal Apple award, Unaka High School Teacher of the Year, SADD club Teacher of the Year and Kiwanis/Kids First Teacher of the Year awards. Cristy has a special interest in inclusion for special education students, and her experience in the field of Mathematics proves useful in implementing STEAM integration programming. She serves as Vice President of Johnson County Arts Council, Co-Chair of the Long Journey Home Board, and a member of Johnson County JAM Board of Directors. She is also a member of National Art Education Association and American Women Artists.
As an artist, Cristy creates paintings and murals that tell the stories of Makers and of the power of the Arts to uplift the human spirit. Her traditional oil portraits incorporate the techniques of the old masters. Glazes create light filled surfaces. Silver leaf adds an ethereal element. In her current series, Makers, Cristy explores the sacred realm that a person enters when he is intensely involved in creating. "When someone sees my work I want them to feel a connection to the sacredness within us all."
Cristy's recent work in preserving the culture of Old Time music and arts in her community has sparked a true revival of interest in the history and music of her hometown. She received the President's Award from the Johnson County Arts Council for her work on the Musical Heritage Mural Project and Best in Show and People's Choice in the Arts Council's Long Journey Home Art Shows. She has shown her work throughout the region, and her art is treasured in many homes and businesses. You can find more of Cristy's work at www.cristydunn.com.
Cristy is very excited to serve as Director of the Arts Center, combining her passion for Appalachian Heritage and the Arts with her love of education.
According to Cristy, "an Arts Center for Johnson County is a dream come true. I am honored to have the opportunity to help preserve and honor our rich heritage and nurture our community through providing greater access to the Arts." The Center for the Arts is grateful to have such a talented artist and visionary leader for this exciting venture to benefit Johnson County and the surrounding area
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“My Tollywood career will never take a backseat” – Harshvardhan Rane
Though his first Hindi film could not set the cash registers ringing, his performance received quite a good response from those who watched the film. After working in Telugu films over the last couple of years, Harshvardhan Rane has his eyes set on Bollywood now. In this interview, the actor talks about being a part […] More
by Anish Mohanty PUBLISHED: August 25, 2016, 4:48 am UPDATED: January 4, 2020, 7:20 am
in Current Film Releases
Mohenjo Daro Movie Review
Ashutosh Gowariker is one of the few filmmakers who have tasted success while making period dramas. Though the director had a rough start what with two of his first films, ‘Pehla Nasha’ and ‘Baazi’ (both unofficial remakes of Hollywood films), turning out to be damp squibs, he found his ground with ‘Lagaan’. ‘Lagaan’, a period […] More
by Anish Mohanty PUBLISHED: August 15, 2016, 7:44 am UPDATED: January 2, 2020, 10:08 pm
“The music of Happy Bhag Jayegi has a mix of traditional and contemporary sound” – Sohail Sen
::cck::1548::/cck:: ::fulltext:: In his eight year long career as a music composer in the Hindi film industry, Sohail Sen has left his mark in the industry and is someone whose name is associated with quality music. Though his filmography does not boast of too many films, he has scored the music for films like ‘Khelein […] More
by Anish Mohanty PUBLISHED: August 11, 2016, 8:33 pm UPDATED: March 31, 2019, 7:28 am
Baar Baar Dekho Music Review
It would not be unreasonable to expect good music from a romantic drama that features two gorgeous looking actors and is backed by heavyweights like Karan Johar (Dharma Productions), Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar (Excel Entertainment). ‘Baar Baar Dekho’, directed by debutante Nitya Mehra, was supposed to have music scored by Amit Trivedi. Trivedi had […] More
by Anish Mohanty PUBLISHED: August 9, 2016, 8:00 pm UPDATED: June 19, 2019, 10:13 am
“I am doing something which I love to do” – Mohini Shri Gaur
Mohini Shri Gaur is a professionally trained singer. Since 1998, she has done a lot of recordings for movies like ‘Icy N Spicy’ (2007), ‘Rivaaz’ (2011), ‘College Campus’ (2011) and the recently released ‘Murder Madhuri’ (2016). Her collaboration has been with Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Hari Haran, Vinod Rathod, Shaan and Sunidhi Chauhan. She has […] More
by Gianysh Toolsee PUBLISHED: August 7, 2016, 7:36 pm UPDATED: January 4, 2020, 7:24 am
Budhia Singh: Born To Run Movie Review
Budhia Singh, then a 6 year old from the Indian state of Odisha, made news all over for being the youngest marathon runner in the world. Biranchi Das, Budhia’s coach and the man solely responsible for all the fame and acclaim the wonder kid garnered during a short span of time, was shot dead several […] More
by Anish Mohanty PUBLISHED: August 6, 2016, 8:58 am UPDATED: January 2, 2020, 9:45 pm
Aarya Babbar’s next with Sunny Leone ‘Tera Intezaar’ goes on floors
::cck::1544::/cck::::fulltext:: The upcoming romantic musical thriller ‘Tera Intezaar’, starring Sunny Leone, Arbaaz Khan and Aarya Babbar, commenced shoot recently. Aarya Babbar who was last seen in the Bollywood movie ‘Bangistan’ will be donning a different avatar in ‘Tera Intezaar’. Aarya is all set to play the baddie in the movie and is very excited for […] More
by News Desk PUBLISHED: August 4, 2016, 5:12 am UPDATED: March 30, 2019, 5:39 pm
Prateik Babbar appointed as Goodwill Ambassador of Maldives
::cck::1543::/cck::::fulltext:: From thrilling the audience in the web series ‘Shockers’ to proving his acting mettle in his recent play titled ‘6’, Prateik Babbar has a number of projects in his kitty. Prateik has now been appointed as the goodwill ambassador of Maldives. He will leave for Maldives today on August 3, 2016. Elated on associating […] More
“Sherni is just me” – Hard Kaur
How would you describe yourself? I have a big mouth, I would say! (Laughs) I like to be as honest as possible. I don’t like to be too diplomatic about stuff. That’s why I always had that reputation when I was a kid, when I first tried to rap and do hip-hop, I have been […] More
Randeep Hooda to play Havlidar Ishar Singh in ‘Saragarhi’
::cck::1541::/cck::::fulltext:: After proving his mettle yet again and garnering acclaim for ‘Sarbjit’, Randeep Hooda is now gearing to go into battle with a period action-drama based on the historic battle of Saragarhi. Randeep will portray the role of Havlidar Ishar Singh, the military commander of the 36th Sikhs, today known as the fourth Battalion of […] More
by News Desk PUBLISHED: August 1, 2016, 3:32 pm UPDATED: March 30, 2019, 5:39 pm
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Robert De Niro Walks Out Of Interview
Legendary actor claims a British journalist was asking questions with a ‘negative inference’
Robert De Niro has walked out of a junket interview with a British magazine journalist after objecting to what he perceived as a “negative inference” in her questions.
The legendary actor was promoting his latest film The Intern, a generation gap comedy in which he stars opposite Anne Hathaway, when he apparently became aggravated by questions about how he avoids slipping into autopilot during shooting and the growing number of bankers living in his New York neighbourhood.
Emma Brockes reports in this week’s issue of the Radio Times that De Niro asked her to pause her tape recorder and informed her that was halting the interview because of what he called a “negative inference”.
When she asked, “What, about the bankers?!”, De Niro replied, “All the way through. Negative inference,” and then told her, “I’m not doing it. I’m not doing it, darling.”
Asked again to explain what he considered negative, De Niro replied: “The question about being on autopilot – negative inference.”
Later in their exchange, Brockes told the actor, “I have to say, now that you’re going on about it, it makes me think you were on autopilot and you’re super-sensitive about it,” but De Niro simply repeated: “I’m not doing this, darling.”
The actor has yet to respond to Brockes’ write-up of the uncomfortable interview, but the journalist told The Independent today: “I have sympathy with De Niro because nobody wants to be there for these choreographed junket interviews. I was expecting him to be a little quiet but the combination of hostility and condescension irritated me and I ended up losing my cool.
“I certainly didn’t go in looking for an argument but when it happened I did think, ‘at least he’s finally saying something.'”
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Sales For Bulletproof Backpacks Soar In The United States
It’s enough to make your stomach churn.
The rise of deadly mass shootings in American schools has led to a sharp increase in the sale of bulletproof backpacks.
Roman Zrazhevskiy of ReadyToGoSurvival.com told the Houston Chronicle that sales have spiked massively in the wake of a spate of shootings in recent weeks.
“Our baseline is 100 units a month,” Zrazhevskiy said. “We sold 300 units just over the last few days.”
‘Ballistic bulletproof’ inserts for backpacks are going for $127 (188AU) and are a terrifying reflection of the state of the country.
But they’re not necessarily all legit.
Kelly Laco, a Justice Department spokeswoman who spoke on behalf of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) said
“The National Institute of Justice — the research, development and evaluation agency of the Department of Justice — has never tested nor certified ballistic items, such as backpacks, blankets or briefcases, other than body armor for law enforcement,” Laco said.
“Marketing that claims NIJ testing or certification for such products is false.”
Many are pointing to yesterday’s knife-attack in the CBD to highlight the difference between Australia and America after the man was able to be restrained without the use of firearms.
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Tags: alternative protein, Food Systems, Food& Agriculture, Plant-Protein, State of Green Business 2020
Categories: alternative protein, Food Systems, Food& Agriculture, Plant-Protein, State of Green Business 2020
Trend: Nutrient diversity goes beyond meatless meat
The following is adapted from State of Green Business 2020, published by GreenBiz in partnership with Trucost, part of financial information and analytics giant S&P Global.
The alternative protein market is beefing up. That’s because it’s not just beef anymore.
Imagine: Pigless pork. Chickenless chicken. Eggless eggs. Fishless fishmeal to feed fish. Not to mention fishless fish.
It’s not science fiction — they’re in labs today and on store shelves tomorrow. The past few years have seen major booms in synthetic biology and biotechnology investment, along with changing consumer tastes, which have enabled the creation of more “fake meat” options than ever before.
It’s good timing, too. The changing climate and its impacts are threatening the world’s food supply — temperatures and the frequency and severity of weather events on land and water are increasing, while crop yields are going down. Modern agri-food production systems also contribute to climate change, both directly from livestock emissions and indirectly through deforestation and biodiversity loss.
Global consumption of meat surged by 8 percent from 2013 to 2017, mainly due to rising incomes in developing countries.
Meanwhile, the population of the world is growing, along with its appetite for protein and, along with it, the size and emissions of the animal livestock industry. In fact, global consumption of meat surged by 8 percent from 2013 to 2017, mainly due to rising incomes in developing countries. (Also leading to higher qualities of life and longer lives for these new animal protein consumers.)
The potential of lab-grown and plant-based protein as a solution to climate change and world hunger already has generated a great deal of buzz. Much of it has focused on the two first and most successful companies so far: Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat. The former is currently valued about $2 billion, although it’s still privately held, while the latter’s initial public offering (IPO) far exceeded expectations. At year-end 2019, Beyond Meat’s stock had roughly tripled from its $25 IPO price seven months earlier, for a market cap of nearly $5 billion.
Together, these companies’ offerings are redefining the veggie burger — and the typical veggie burger consumer. Both companies have designed their offerings to maintain a realistic taste and mouthfeel to beef. Impossible’s is made primarily from a soy-based version of the protein found in meat, while Beyond Burger’s comes from mixing green pea protein and beet juice extract for color.
According to market research firm NPD Group, 228 million servings of plant-based burgers were bought at quick-service restaurants in 2019, up about 10 percent year over year.
According to market research firm NPD Group, 228 million servings of plant-based burgers were bought at quick-service restaurants in 2019, up about 10 percent year over year. Interestingly, 95 percent of the people who purchased a plant-based burger during 2019 still eat conventional meat, NPD found. The reasons consumers give for buying are generally to improve health and reduce environmental impacts.
A great deal of that growth is due to the uptake of plant-based burgers on the menus of fast-food and fast-casual chains, including White Castle, Burger King, Hard Rock, Qdoba and TGI Fridays. However, due to the alternative protein’s still-small production scale, prices remain higher than for beef. While partnerships such as these increase the accessibility (and visibility) of alt-proteins, the significant expense of production leads to prohibitive costs that can be barriers to purchase for many, at least until production levels increase.
But more restaurants and foodservice operations, big and small, are sinking their teeth into these foods, helping to bring the technologies and offerings to scale. Commercialization is the key to delivering on the promise and potential of feeding the world with minimal impact on the climate.
Of course, there’s more than one way to create alt-meat. Some companies are going full plant-based, using proteins from different plants to create realistic meat-like substances via fermentation processes, such as the Impossible Burger. Some companies are using compounds pulled out of the air, processed by microbes and probiotics, to create edible protein powder, such as the startups Solar Foods and Air Protein. Others, such as Perfect Day and Finless Foods, are using cellular agriculture, which takes isolated animal cells from meat, fish, eggs and dairy and grows them in a lab. A few are 3D-printing meat cells, such as Aleph Farms and Redefine Meat.
There’s more than one way to go to market, too. Many of these innovators have joined forces with bigger, more established partners to increase distribution channels, access to facilities or simply receive cash infusions.
Take Tyson Foods, the biggest meat producer in the United States. It invested early in Beyond Meat — $34 million between 2016 and 2017, giving it a 6.5 percent ownership stake — an early vote of confidence in meat alternatives. It exited after Beyond Meat went public, only to go on to form its own alternative protein lines in-house, producing plant-based chicken nuggets along with burgers and sausages that blend real and alternative meat.
The food giant has investments in a veritable stampede of alt-protein startups. They include the Berkeley, California-based Memphis Meats, which produces meat from animal cells in a lab; Jerusalem-based Future Meat Technologies, which grows animal cells in bioreactors; Denver-based MycoTechnology, which uses vegetables in a mushroom-based fermentation process to produce protein-heavy ingredients; and San Leandro, California-based New Wave Foods, which is creating plant-based shrimp from algae and other ingredients. Its “shrimp” should be in grocery stores this year.
For Tyson, ingredients such as these represent new product lines. “For us, this is about ‘and’ – not ‘or,’” says Noel White, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. That is to say, traditional burgers aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Other companies seem to be taking a bite out of Tyson’s strategy. Nestlé, the world’s biggest food company, last year announced its own yellow pea protein-based offering: the ebulliently branded Awesome Burger, from Sweet Earth Foods, which Nestlé acquired in 2017. One of the biggest consumer products companies in the world, Unilever, last year acquired plant-based startup the Vegetarian Butcher. Food producer Cargill, the biggest privately held company in the United States, invested in cultured meat through Aleph Farms and pea protein through Puris, Beyond Meat’s pea protein ingredient provider.
It looks as if Big Meat is embracing these startups to become Big Protein.
Such acquisitions, partnerships and investments could help smaller startups — many still in development mode — commercialize their products more quickly and efficiently. Those products, from “air meat” to vegan cheese, are already finding widespread acceptance among consumers. Now, they’re approaching the right price point. They might be “alternative” now, but pretty soon, they’ll just be “proteins.” Increasing access to these protein alternatives promises to divert climate-change-causing land use while providing equitable access to necessary proteins.
As the market expands, there’s money to be made. Barclays predicts the alt-meat market could hit $140 billion in the next decade by capturing a 10 percent share of the $1.4 trillion meat market. By any measure, that’s a whopper.
You are here: Home » Trend: Nutrient diversity goes beyond meatless meat
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Kanye West says he considered suicide and shares what helped him
Kanye West wants you to know he didn't say what you think he said.
In an interview with The New York Times published Monday, West said people didn't understand what he actually meant by his now-famous comment about slavery.
"I said the idea of sitting in something for 400 years sounds -- sounds -- like a choice to me, I never said it's a choice," West told the publication. "I never said slavery itself -- like being shackled in chains -- was a choice."
West has considered suicide
The album opens with the single, "I Thought About Killing You."
Some fans have wondered whether West meant he wanted to off his public persona, which also appears to be his personal one.
He said he's considered it.
"Oh yeah, I've thought about killing myself all the time. It's always a option and [expletive]," West said. "Like Louis C.K. said: I flip through the manual. I weigh all the options."
West appears to be in a better place now, saying later in the interview, "I'm just having this epiphany now, 'cause I didn't do it, but I did think it all the way through. But if I didn't think it all the way through, then it's actually maybe more of a chance of it happening."
His wife summoned Tony Robbins to help
West said his wife, Kim Kardashian West, engaged life coach Tony Robbins to talk to him after all the upheaval, which included the musician's erratic behavior and a hospitalization.
"He could look at me and you know, I don't know why he mentioned suicide, but he could tell that I was very low," West said. "Really medicated, shoulders slumped down, and my confidence was gone, which is a lot of the root of my superpower, because if you truly have self-confidence, no one can say anything to you."
Robbins instructed West to go into a warrior pose and scream.
"I was so self-conscious about the nanny and the housekeeper that I didn't want them to hear me screaming in the living room," West said. "I think that that's such a metaphor of something for the existence of so-called well-off people that they're not really well-off -- they won't even scream in their own house."
But he did scream and it helped, according to West.
West doesn't agree with all of Trump's policies but...
West's vocal support for President Donald Trump has angered some in his fan base.
From wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat to saying that they both share "dragon energy," West has not shied away from linking himself with Trump.
And while he told The Times he doesn't agree with all of Trump's policies, West said he is determined to have his own opinion and doesn't feel pressure to speak for African Americans as a whole.
"Having a political opinion that's overly informed, it's like knowing how to dress, as opposed to being a child -- 'I like this,' " he said. "I hear Trump talk and I'm like, I like the way it sounds, knowing that there's people who like me that don't like the way it sounds."
West used more than one child analogy in the interview.
"We need to be able to be in situations where you can be irresponsible," he said. "That's one of the great privileges of an artist. An artist should be irresponsible in a way -- a 3-year-old."
He wondered if his wife would leave him
The track "Wouldn't Leave" on the "Ye" album speaks to how tense things may have been in the Kardashian-West marriage after the TMZ slavery comment controversy.
Related: Kim Kardashian West on Kanye revealing their marital drama
He told The New York Times it raised concern.
"There was a moment where I felt like after TMZ, maybe a week after that, I felt like the energy levels were low, and I called different family members and was asking, you know, 'Was Kim thinking about leaving me after TMZ?'" he said. "So that was a real conversation."
krxm drake
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Protests erupt after second Tunisia opposition figure assassinated
Medics carry away the body of slain opposition politician Mohammed Brahmi for an autopsy as protesters gather outside a hospital in Tunis, Tunisia.
(Mohamed Messara / European Pressphoto Agency)
By Jeffrey Fleishman and Radhouane Addala
TUNIS, Tunisia — A Tunisian opposition figure was shot to death at his home Thursday, igniting widespread protests after the second high-profile political assassination this year in a country strained by the conflict between Islamist and secular forces.
Mohammed Brahmi, a member of parliament, was shot 11 times in front of his wife and daughter by men on a motorbike, according to news reports. Brahmi, an Arab nationalist, served on the contentious panel that wrote Tunisia’s proposed constitution.
His death followed the assassination in February of Chokri Belaid, a passionate leftist and frequent critic of the country’s dominant Islamist party, Nahda. Belaid’s slaying led to days of nationwide demonstrations that threatened Tunisia’s economic stability and forced a reshuffling of the government.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attack, which was similar to the shooting of Belaid. Brahmi’s death quickly renewed criticism of Nahda, which leads the government, for not reining in Islamic extremism in this North African country, which was the birthplace of the so-called Arab Spring uprising in 2011.
Brahmi’s son, Adnen, told a private radio station, “Nahda is responsible for the murder of my father.”
But Nahda was quick to issue a statement that condemned “this cowardly and despicable crime” and urged the government to “arrest those who committed this crime and reveal those behind them who have targeted the stability of the country.”
Thousands of protesters gathered in Tunis and other cities after the attack, many of them chanting, “Down with the rule of Islamists.” The Nahda headquarters and the municipal building in Sidi Bouzid were set on fire. Civil rights groups called for an investigation of the killing and warned that the nation’s democratic transition was in danger.
“Little has been done by the authorities to ensure that reported attacks against members of the opposition are adequately investigated and those responsible are brought to justice, fueling a climate of impunity and increasing political polarization,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy Middle East and North Africa program director at Amnesty International.
The government has said that at least six extremists plotted Belaid’s slaying. Tunisian security forces have grown increasingly concerned about Islamic militants, including foreign fighters, who are operating in the provinces.
Brahmi was a member of the People’s Movement party, but he left the group this month to form his own organization. His assassination came on the 56th anniversary of Tunisia’s becoming a republic after years of French colonization.
“This was the second horrible episode of a plot in the true sense of the word, whose goal is to put the country in a critical situation,” said Hamadi Jebali, a Nahda member who resigned as prime minister after Belaid’s death.
jeffrey.fleishman@latimes.com
Times staff writer Fleishman reported from Cairo and special correspondent Addala from Tunis.
Jeffrey Fleishman
Jeffrey Fleishman is foreign and national editor at the Los Angeles Times. Previously, he was a senior writer on film, art and culture. A 2002 Nieman fellow at Harvard University, Fleishman was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in feature writing. A longtime foreign correspondent, he served as bureau chief for The Times in Cairo and Berlin, and was previously based in Rome for the Philadelphia Inquirer. He has been a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting and a finalist for the Center for Public Integrity’s Award for Outstanding International Investigative Reporting. He is the author of three novels: “My Detective,” “Shadow Man” and “Promised Virgins: A Novel of Jihad.”
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Diversity campaign strives to move beyond tolerance
Maggie Brickner
Last year, the President’s Committee on Diversity Affairs started a new campus-wide campaign entitled “Respect the Other: Moving Beyond Tolerance” to promote acceptance of diversity on campus.
As the name indicates, the new campaign focuses on the idea that simply tolerating diversity is not enough to create harmony and understanding on campus. According to junior Timeka Toussaint, chair of the Committee on Diversity Affairs, this is an important step because “with tolerance, you don’t always learn to respect.”
The Respect the Other campaign was started last year after the President’s Committee on Diversity Affairs went over the campus climate survey and noted that there seemed to be a need for greater diversity awareness on campus.
This year, the responsibility of the campaign was passed on to CODA, the Committee on Diversity Affairs, an LUCC subcommittee composed of student leaders of different on-campus diversity groups, faculty and staff advisors, the Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs and other on-campus leaders.
Toussaint noted that the campaign is challenging students to explore different groups on campus with the hope that, by “going to one group outside your comfort zone,” students will be more aware that other on-campus groups support one another.
Although CODA is responsible for the overall campaign, a number of other diversity groups on campus are also contributing to the Respect the Other campaign.
Since the campaign has started, it has been pulling in a variety of diversity groups, including GLOW and VIVA. Both groups have events planned for the rest of Spring Term, which will be put together under the umbrella of “Respect the Other.”
In the last year, huge steps have been made on campus to promote the campaign. Although most of the campus events are awareness events, a visit from leadership trainer Paul Wesselmann last term was specifically tailored for Lawrence. Wesselmann visited in March to talk with RLAs, RHDs and other campus staff and students. He returned again at the beginning of this term for a follow-up visit.
A mask-making event, sponsored in part by the Lifeline suicide prevention grant, was also a part of the campaign.
Looking toward the end of the year, CODA has planned a variety of other events. In addition to t-shirts and stickers, Ormsby Residence Hall Director and Diversity Center Programs Coordinator Rose Wasielewski has been collecting quotations about diversity from students that will be posted around campus.
Looking forward to other events this spring, Paul Rusesabagina, upon whose life the movie “Hotel Rwanda” is based, will be visiting campus April 25.
The Lawrentian Staff - April 8, 2011
Maggie Brickner Last year, the President’s Committee on Diversity Affairs started a new campus-wide campaign entitled “Respect the Other: Moving Beyond Tolerance” to promote acceptance of diversity on campus. As the name indicates, the new campaign focuses on the idea that simply tolerating diversity is not enough to create harmony and understanding on campus. According…
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Spain - One of the Leading European Countries for the Production of Fruits and Vegetables
Spain is one of the leading European countries on the production of fruits and vegetables. Spain ranks as the first country for the production of pumpkins, growing 115,000 tonnes a year. Those who want to open a company in Spain in the agricultural industry should know that the country was the first European country on the production of fruits at the level of 2016, providing 33% of the total European production. Our team of Spanish lawyers can assist with legal advice on the business permits required for this business activity.
New Tax Regulations to Protect the Interests of Spanish Self-Employed Persons
The Spanish government has signed a new legislation concerning the tax system applicable to natural persons who work as self-employed, which will protect the interests of this category of businessmen. The regulations are presented in the General State Budget 2019 and they aim at creating a fairer system concerning the contributions of self-employed persons to the tax system in Spain.
Spain - the 6th Position in the European Top of Automation of Industrial Production
The field of automation of industrial production is highly developed in Spain, which is one of the leading European destinations regarding this business activity. More importantly, the country has one of the highest rates in terms of using robots in the manufacturing sector, as stated by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) and our team of Spanish lawyers can provide in-depth legal assistance on the requirements for operating in this industry.
Investment Project of EUR 10 Million for the Tourism Industry in Andalucia
The region of Andalucia will benefit from a new investment project carried out in the field of tourism, which aims at developing its less visited areas. The investment project has a total value of EUR 10 million, allocated in two tranches with a value of EUR 4.75 million. The municipalities located in the inland Andalucia will also receive grants of EUR 60,000, provided that they have less than 10,000 residents. Our team of lawyers in Spain can assist businessmen with advice on the grants available for businesses operating in this industry.
Tourism, the Top Employer in Spain
The tourism industry in Spain became the largest employer of the country, accounting for 2.65 million employees. Out of the total employment market in the tourism sector, 2.17 million are represented by waged employees, while the rest are represented by private contractors. Our team of Spanish lawyers can offer in-depth assistance on the main employment regulations and the employment contracts available in this country to businessmen who want to start a company here.
SMEs in Spain Financed by the National Innovation Enterprise
Businesses in Spain operating as small and medium sized companies (SMEs) can benefit from a wide range of programs designed by the National Innovation Enterprise (ENISA). Such financing programs are created to sustain different types of corporate needs, in order to assist businesses in expanding their activities on the local market. Our team of lawyers in Spain can offer legal advice on the applications required for each of the programs mentioned below.
Spanish Programs for the Development of the Renewable Energy Sector
Spain is one of the countries with the highest rate of development in the field of renewable energy. The sector is sustained by the local government through several programs, addressed to both local and foreign investors. The programs are available under the Renewable Energies Action Plan (PANER) for 2011-2020, the latest plan to sustain the growth of renewable energy activities in Spain. Our team of Spanish lawyers can provide in-depth information on the programs that are designed for foreign investors.
Incentives for Job Creation in Spain
As Spain was affected by the economic crisis that hit European countries a few years ago, the local government created a set of policies to sustain the development of the employment market. In the last two years, the Spanish employment market marked a relevant expansion and there was observed an increase in the number of full-time contacts. Amongst the numerous employment policies available in Spain, one addresses to the employment of vocational employees, under the Royal Decree 395/2007. Our team of Spanish lawyers can advise on the incentives available under this program, as well as on other incentives, mentioned below.
Investing in Renewable Energy in Spain
Businessmen who are seeking to invest in Spain in the renewable energy sector have to know that the country stands out as the most important market in Europe for this activity. From the energy market in Spain, the most developed sub-sector is represented by the renewable sources of energy, an industry in which the country is a world leader. Our team of lawyers in Spain can offer legal assistance on the main rules of law that regulate the activity of businesses providing renewable sources of energy.
Spain, World's Leading Economy on the Production of Olives and Olive Oil
Spain is the world’s leading economy for the production of olive oil, as it has the largest crop of olive trees. From the total crop of olive trees (more than 750 million trees), 95% are located in the Mediterranean region. Out of these, more than 350 million can be found in Spain, which is the main country for the production of olive oil (approximately half of the entire production derives from this country).
Mallorca Registered the Lowest Unemployment Rate in the Whole Country
Following the beginning of the economic crisis that hit the European countries, Spain struggled with high levels of unemployment. However, in the last years, the policies on this matter have provided solid results, and the employment rate is increasing at a steady rate. More importantly, certain Spanish regions, such as Mallorca, hit record employment levels. In this particular case, the employment rate is higher than the rate registered before the economic crisis, reaching a historic number of employees, a situation that has not been yet achieved by other regions of the country.
New Regulations for Selling Carrier Bags in Spanish Shops
Starting with 1st of July 2018, carrier bags will be charged by all shops operating in Spain. Prior to the new regulation, supermarkets registered in Spain already imposed the payment of a small fee per each bag, but not all retailers had to do so. As a general rule, the carrier bags are usually imposed with a fee of approximately 2 eurocents for small bags, while a charge of approximately 10 cents is imposed in the case of larger bags. Our team of Spanish lawyers can advise businessmen on the environmental regulations that are available for all types of retailers performing business activities in this country.
Underwater Tunnel to be Built Between Spain and Africa
A new investment project, with a total value of EUR 8 billion, is currently discussed by the Spanish authorities, who are verifying the feasibility of the project. The investment, which refers to the construction of an underwater tunnel, will connect Spain and Africa through the Strait of Gibraltar. The project will be the first of this kind, being the first underwater tunnel that will connect the two continents and, if the authorities will find a suitable construction method to buit this tunnel, it will have a lenght of 38 km. Our team of Spanish lawyers can advise businessmen on the regulations referring to the construction sector in Spain.
Spanish Traders to Accept Card Payments for any Purchase Above EUR 30
All traders in Spain will soon be required to provide card payment solutions for any purchase concluded in Spain which has a value of more than EUR 30. This will be imposed under a new rule of law created by the Spanish authorities, following a European directive on this matter – PSD2, which refers to payment services. Our team of lawyers in Spain can advise on the new proposed rule of law.
The Advantages of the New Ireland - Spain Ferry Route
A new ferry route was established between Spain and Ireland, connecting the cities of Cork (in Ireland) and Santander (in Spain). The ferry that will deliver the services has a capacity of 500 passengers and it can also transport approximately 200 vehicles. One of the main advantages deriving from this new transportation activity refers to the fact that haulage companies can directly transport goods between Ireland and Spain. Our team of Spanish lawyers can assist foreign investors on the regulations concerning the transport of goods by sea.
The Spanish Luxury Products Market to Double its Value by 2025
The Spanish luxury products market will double its value by 2025, when it is expected to have a total value of EUR 20 billion. More importantly, this segment is growing in Spain twice as fast compared to the global average and businesses operating in this sector can increase their activities by entering the Spanish market.
Spain at the Forefront of the Technological Evolution in Europe
Spain is taking a big step towards the digital revolution by embracing new technologies like blockchain and the Internet of Things. The country has every chance of becoming a new European hub for blockchain companies and other tech businesses as it encourages and welcomes the technological revolution. Our lawyers in Spain highlight the main advantages for tech investments in Spain and how investors can easily open a business in Spain.
A Brief Description of Spain's 2018 Tax Compliance Strategy
The Spanish Tax Agency released its 2018 tax compliance and customs control plan. It includes the main tax control and enforcement measures for the current year and it focuses on key issues such as campaigns for tax compliance information and assistance and the investigation of high-risk taxpayers. Our team of attorneys in Spain can provide complete information about the requirements set forth by the Tax Agency.
The Investments in Digital Startups Increased by 45% in 2017
The investments in digital startups registered in Spain increased by 45% at the level of 2017, with Barcelona and Madrid standing out as some of the top locations at a European level for digital talent. The total amount of investments in this sector reached EUR 779,3 billion and, compared to 2016, Spain registered 3,258 startup companies, which represented an increase of 20%. Our team of Spanish lawyers can advise local and foreign businessmen on the incentives available for companies registered in this industry and may also advise on the registration procedures available in this case.
Spanish Credit Rating, Upgraded to "A-" by Standard&Poor's
The Spanish economy has been increasing in the last years and more and more macroeconomic indicators are yielding positive results. The market is more stable and the international credit rating agency Standard&Poor’s (S&P) has recently modified the country’s credit rating, from “BBB+” to “A-” on account of economic and budgetary performance. Those who want to set up a business in Spain should know that the recent issues concerning the Catalan region did not have a negative impact on the country’s overall economic growth. Our team of Spanish lawyers can advise foreign businessmen on a suitable region in which they can invest, depending on the operations they want to set up here.
ICT and Automotive Sectors, Top Investment Industries in Spain
The ICT and automotive are highly developed fields of activity in Spain and also important contributors to the Spanish gross domestic product (GDP). The automotive sector in Spain accounts for 10% of the GDP, while the ICT represented at the level of 2016, 4.2% of the total GDP. Those who want to set up a company in Spain in one of these business sector should know that the country represents an attractive market for both industries. For instance, Spain is the second largest automotive manufacturer at a European level and the 8th at a global level. Our team of lawyers in Spain can offer advice on the regulations addressing to the ICT and automotive sectors.
Spain to Prepare Favorable Tax Legislation for Blockchain Companies
As bitcoin activities are increasing across the world, Spain, as well as other top investment destinations for cryptocurrency investments, is preparing a legal framework that can protect the interests of all the parties involved in this activity. The Spanish authorities are currently creating a legal framework that will provide advantageous tax regulations for the investors operating in the cryptocurrency sector, and the legislation may completed during 2018. Our team of lawyers in Spain can advise on how to start a business operating in the cryptocurrency sector and may assist investors in launching initial coin offerings in this country.
Spain Maintained its Economic Growth at 0.7% in Q4 2017
Spain’s economy grew by 0.7% in the final quarter of 2017, compared to the previous one. The data was released by the Spanish Statistical Office and it confirms that the overall economic situation in the country is one that has a positive evolution. Our team of lawyers in Spain can help foreign investors interested in entering the Spanish market who want to leverage on the economic boost.
The Average Property Price of Spanish Real Estate to Increase by 6.1% in 2018
The property market recovery began in Spain in 2012-2013. Since then, the prices for real estate properties started to increase and, beginning with March 2014, the National Institute of Statistics in Spain (INE) registered steady increases for each month up until this moment. Businessmen interested in investing in the real estate sector must know that the highest rate of purchases was recorded in the regions of Balearics and Almeria.
Changes to the Spanish Residency Law for Tax Purposes
According to a recently released ruling, the Spanish Supreme Court changed the traditional requirements for physical presence and intention of the resident for personal income tax purposes. Our team of lawyers in Spain discusses these changes and can help you in all tax residency related matters.
April' 2018 (2)
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Lawyers go to war in Prince Andrew sex abuse case
By Felicity Nelson|09 January 2015
Courtesy of J E Theriot
Suits and accusations are flying left, right and centre in a case involving Buckingham Palace and high profile law professor and advocate Alan Dershowitz.
Dershowitz and Prince Andrew, Duke of York were recently linked with an under-age sex ring for “politically connected and financially powerful people”.
Dershowitz is now being sued by the lawyers acting for the woman who made the allegations. Paul Cassell and Bradley Edwards claim that Dershowitz attacked their character and reputation through the media.
After beginning proceedings on January 5 to remove his name from court documents that name him as having had sex with an under-age girl, Dershowitz publically denounced the lawyers for “unethical” behaviour warranting disbarment.
Cassell and Edwards are seeking damages but Dershowitz has said he is “thrilled” to have the chance to prove the lawyers wrong.
Dershowitz was quick to comment when the allegations arose calling the claims "unequivocally and completely false". Buckingham Palace also denied the allegations, saying they lacked “any foundation”.
The scandal arose when two women sued the US government for entering into a plea bargain with Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused of facilitating the sexual abuse of under-age girls by powerful people.
Epstein was jailed in 2008 for a sex offense with a minor and has pled guilty to charges of prostitution.
Another woman launched a case alleging that Epstein trafficked her and forced her to have sex with Prince Andrew three times between 1999 and 2002 when she was a minor.
Prince Andrew was friends with Epstein prior to his conviction but later apologised for the relationship.
Dershowitz is a semi-retired 76-year-old Harvard Law professor who made a name for himself defending celebrities, including actor and athlete OJ Simpson and Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
He has taught criminal and constitutional law, published over 1,000 articles and 30 books and taken on a number of death row cases pro bono.
Former student and colleague of Dershowitz Martin Weinberg told the Boston Globe, "For 50 years, [Dershowitz has] consistently defended the rights of the least popular citizens of the United States of America.
“Few people can be counted on to take the right side of something so consistently and no matter how unpopular it is. He's the most courageous advocate I know, to both clients and causes."
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Ringing in a New Era with Redbrick
Posted by The Leadpages Team | Mar 02, 2020 Mar 04, 2020
We’re thrilled to announce that Leadpages has been acquired by Redbrick, a leading Canadian tech company with a thriving portfolio of digital businesses. As our teams converge, we’ll continue to operate under the Leadpages brand, keep our Minneapolis offices, and champion small businesses in everything we do.
As Steve Jobs once said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.” And when we look back at where Leadpages has come from and how we’ve changed along the way, perhaps we’ve been following the yellow—that is—Redbrick road all along.
What began as a community of small businesses and a marketing blog would, in 2013, become Leadpages. The software—and the team behind it—was founded on conversion and fueled by the belief that small businesses deserve the easiest to use, most effective tools to market their work and build something that lasts. Over the years, our platform has evolved and our community has grown to more than 40,000 users.
Now, by joining forces with the Redbrick team, we’re tapping into a wealth of new resources and expertise that will fuel us into the future. We’re expanding our marketing capacities and gaining executive leadership that has shepherded numerous tech companies to growth and greater impact. Together, we will continue developing the tools and technology that empower digital entrepreneurs around the world.
What about Drip?
As you may recall, in 2016, Avenue 81, Inc.—the company that, prior to this acquisition, Leadpages conducted business under— acquired email marketing startup Drip. Over the years, the two companies have diverged to serve distinct audiences with unique offerings.
Drip will remain as an independent operating company under the leadership of CEO John Tedesco, who is “truly excited to see Leadpages enter into a new chapter of business growth with Redbrick” and “looks forward to furthering Drip’s growth in the e-commerce space and to witnessing Leadpages’ evolution under Redbrick.”
While there will be some changes to come, much will remain the same. Our unrelenting commitment to our customers, to the quality of our platform, and the exceptional support we provide will remain at the forefront of our plans.
In Redbrick, we have joined forces with an exceptional team of digital pioneers and we look forward to sharing more about our work together in the coming months. Stay tuned!
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New Glencar/Manor GAA Story
editor@leitrimobserver.ie
A fabulous and brand-new enlarged edition of the Glencar/Manorhamilton GAA Story, which has just been printed, is now on sale in Manorhamilton.
This is a general and social history of the GAA locally, including Ladies Football, from 1903 to 2020 covering the Manorhamilton, Glencar, Lurganboy, and Mullies which is the current Glencar Manorhamilton Club catchment area.
The first edition of The Glencar Manorhamilton GAA Story which was launched on August 3, 2019 by Tommy Moran in The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton coincided with the Glencar Manorhamilton GAA Club’s Golden Jubilee.
The new enlarged edition covers an additional two years which includes the golden jubilee year celebrations, the official opening of the new Boggaun pitch and facilities, the winning of the Senior Championship for the seventh time and the Ladies Senior team’s winning the championship for the first time in 2020.
The book has new stories and is populated with many photographs capturing the sporting achievements, plus the enjoyment and participation of the community over the years.
Hurling was the first Gaelic sport played in the area when a team called Manorhamilton Shamrocks was formed in December 1903. They won the senior County Championship in 1906 but this cannot be verified. Over the next thirty years there are only a few records of hurling been played. From the mid to late 1930s and the 1950s there was a very good Manorhamilton hurling team.
Hurling petered out after this and it was in the early 2000s before hurling was re-established and has gone from strength to strength. It was the Manorhamilton Shamrocks Hurling Club that proposed the forming of a Gaelic football club in May 1905, called the O’Rourke’s Gaelic Football Club.
The first reported Gaelic football game was played under the Shamrocks Club name in January 1908 against Ballintogher in the Bee Park. There are few records of football been played during the World War I, the 1916 Rising and its turbulent aftermath.
In the mid-1920s there was a renewed effort to revive football. The Seán McDermott’s Gaelic Football Club in Manorhamilton was officially set up under the auspices of the GAA at a meeting held on April 20, 1932 in McGloin’s Hall. The forming of the North Leitrim Board the same year heralded the commencement of club football GAA rules competitions in North Leitrim.
The Lundon Cup competition which commenced in 1933 made a huge contribution to the promotion and development of Gaelic football in the Northern half of the County. P.J. Lundon, a Tipperary native donated the cup to the North Leitrim Board.
The Sean McDermott’s Club was in existence until 1964 but didn’t affiliate a team that year. Glencar formed a Club in 1964 and competed in Leitrim at Junior level for five years.
On the December 28, 1968 at a meeting held in St. Clare’s National School, Manorhamilton, agreement was reached between those present from the Glencar Club and the old Sean McDermott’s Club to amalgamate and form a new Club called St. Patricks, Glencar – Manorhamilton GAA Club. This far-reaching decision has left a very important legacy to the people of the area.
The Club is now over fifty years in existence and is one of the premier clubs in the county, not alone on the playing fields but through its phenomenal success in Scór. This history was first considered at the AGM on December 16, 1983 for the GAA Centenary year.
In 1990 another effort was made and this time a number of people commenced researching the history, and this culminated in the shooting of a four-hour video history with Paul Brady and Thady McTernan doing the interviews. Johnny Keaveney and the late Pat O’Callaghan called a meeting for October 2, 2014 in the Bee Park Community Centre with a view to forming a history Committee, thirty-one years after the first consideration of a history book.
The Officers and Committee that was formed included Thady McTernan (Chairman), Paul Brady and Johnny Keaveney (Joint Secretaries), P. J. Leddy (Treasurer), Pat O’Callaghan, Philomena Flynn, Oliver Haslette and Sean Farrell, Terry McManus, and Pat McMorrow.
A further meeting was convened on the October 9, where Pat O’Callaghan presented a proposal which has formed the basis of what should be covered in the book. The Committee was dealt a serious blow on November 12, 2015 with the sudden death of Pat O’Callaghan RIP.
The main sources of the research were the Leitrim Observer, Fermanagh Herald, Anglo Celt, and Sligo Champion. Some material came from interviews and from the 1992 video history, the Bee Park reopening book and official Club minutes from the 1980s and 2000 to 2019.
This history covers the GAA in the area over the last one hundred and seventeen years with a sprinkling of social history. Its sure to evoke many memories and much debate. Should there be errors, omissions or if people feel left out, they were genuine oversights.
2020 was a surreal year with the spread of Covid 19. In Ireland sport came to a shuddering halt as did all other activities countrywide in mid-March under “lockdown.”
It is hoped all readers will enjoy the new enlarged Glencar/Manorhamilton GAA Story edition and that it will be inspirational for all the area’s people. It is available in MacManus Pharmacy, Caz Cards, Gurn’s Milestone Lounge, McCormack’s Mace, Killasnett Co-Op, and Mullin’s Petrol Station Shop.
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Lance Bass Says ‘Pump Rules’ Stars Katie Maloney and Tom Schwartz Aren’t Married and Wait, What?
Spilling the tea! Lance Bass claims that Vanderpump Rules stars Katie Maloney and Tom Schwartz aren’t legally married despite having a wedding three years ago.
“We just found out Tom and Katie are not married,” the 40-year-old said during a recent interview on the “REALITY BYTES!” podcast. “They did not send in their materials right, so, they are not married.”
The former ‘NSync boybander also revealed that this marriage issue “might be a little story line” in the upcoming season of the Bravo series. Katie, 32, and Tom, 36, tied the knot in Northern California in 2016. Fellow cast member Lisa Vanderpump officiated their wedding.
Meanwhile, Lance officiated Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright’s wedding ceremony, which took place on June 29, in Kentucky. It turns out the place they decided to marry is pretty special to Jax’s dad, who died in late 2017.
“The location is just a place that we went to a few times and we really like it. It’s a place that my father, when he visited here, he really, really loved,” the 40-year-old told Us Weekly after proposing to his now-wife. “You can see the sun setting, the dolphins are out and surfers, so it’s kind of just fun to have some crabs and dinner there, so I thought I would do it there just because it meant so much to me and my father and us. It had a lot of meaning all around.”
On the anniversary of his dad’s passing, the reality star shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram along with a throwback photo of him and his father. “I know you are with me because too many positive things have happened to me this year and I have seen so many signs of you,” he wrote in December 2018. “We still get to have our talks but now they take place at church on Wednesdays and when I take your ashes with me on my cruises with the guys. BTW, Dad, everyone loves your Corvette and I promise I am taking great care of it.”
A post shared by Jax (@mrjaxtaylor) on Dec 27, 2018 at 9:32am PST
“I am getting married this year dad,” Jax wrote at the time. “I don’t know how I am gonna do it [without] you physically standing by me, and helping me with my tie like the old days at hockey tournaments, God I miss those days. But I know you will be with me.”
Aw, we’re sure he was.
Katie Maloney-Schwartz
Irina Shayk Shares a Sizzling Photo of Herself Rockin' a Teal Lingerie Set
Nikki Bella Flaunts Her Toned Tummy at the Cedars-Sinai and Sports Spectacular Gala
LOL: John Mayer Has a Hilarious Response When a Fan Asked 'How Are You Still Single?'
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Selena Gomez Had Something to Say About the “Pretty” Snapchat Filters
Even with Facebook and Instagram creating their versions, Snapchat is the pioneer and the best when it comes to face filters. Almost all celebrities are using this app, including Selena Gomez.
The singer recently pointed out in a Snapchat video that many of the “pretty” filters turn the user’s eyes blue, and when you use the “funny” ones, they don’t change it at all.
Here’s what she had to say in the long-expired video: “Literally every single Snapchat filter has blue eyes,” Gomez said. “But…what if you have brown eyes? Am I supposed to have these eyes to look good?” In another clip, she tried out the enlarged-nose filter and the filter that turns your mouth into an over-sized lemon shape. “They use my brown eyes for this one,” she said about the latter. “I don’t understand; they have all the blue eyes for the [filters] that are really pretty.” Snapchat has a particular effect on society, and while it’s never wrong to play around with the app’s filters, don’t let it negatively impact your standard of beauty, and mess up your sense of self. Gomez ended her post by reminding her followers that “brown eyes are beautiful.” And she couldn’t be more right about that!
I John Lennon came from a broken family. His father was a merchant seaman who supported them financially but was always away. When he finally came home to take care of his family, Johns mother was pregnant with another man. It is said that John Lennon was once forced to choose between his parents, and ended up living with his aunt Mimi.
II John Lennons aunt wasnt optimistic enough regarding his musical inclinations, although he would tell her that he would be popular one day. His mother Julia supported him in his ambitions and taught him how to play the banjo and the piano. She also agreed to buy him a guitar as long as it was delivered to her residence.
III As a young man, John Lennon was known as a troublemaker. He was not a conformist and his friends parents were concerned about him being a bad influence. He didnt do very well in school either and failed his O-level exams. But he was good enough to be accepted into art school.
IV Before The Beatles was formed, John Lennon started a band called The Quarrymen. He was only fifteen and he met Paul McCartney during the bands second performance. Feeling like they had some good musical vibes going together, they decided to form a new band and McCartney recommended that George Harrison become their lead guitarist. Lennon was hesitant to agree as he doubted Harrison was ready, being only 14 years old at the time.
V In 1974, John Lennon had turned to heavy drinking and got into an argument with a waitress. He was out with Harry Nilsson at the time at the Troubadour Club and both created a ruckus with Lennon sticking a menstrual pad in his forehead. During another drinking spree, they were ejected for badgering the Smothers Brothers.
VI In Lennons song Nobody Told Me the lyrics go "There's a UFO over New York and I ain't too surprised." Both John Lennon and his girlfriend May Pang claimed to have spotted a flying saucer while they were on the balcony of his apartment on August 23rd, 1974. None of the photographs they took were good enough to stand as proof though.
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by Naomi Danis
Feminists in Focus: In Darkness on the Shortlist
In Darkness, a film by Polish director Agnieszka Holland (Europa, Europa), is based on the true story of Leopold Socha (Robert Wieckiewicz), a Catholic sewer worker and petty thief who, though not especially fond of Jews, is willing to court danger in 1943 Nazi-occupied Lvov in order to make some easy cash, and hides a group of Jews underground for over a year.
Jolanta Dylewska’s startlingly beautiful color cinematography lends a heartbreaking immediacy and vividness to all the lives depicted, and the film’s photographic feat creates a powerful contrast between the above ground light and the underground darkness, conveying more than a metaphorical moral gravitas. Shot in Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, German, Yiddish and even a little Hebrew–all with English subtitles–the film feels thankfully un-Hollywood, and it depicts a humanity replete with kindness and selfishness, cruelty and courage,fortitude and desperation, hope and goodness, with the Jewish characters, too, shown in all their human frailty.
There were moments in the film when I wanted to cover my eyes, like one of the characters who covered her own eyes and her daughter’s, but however troubling and terror-filled, this compelling film tells an important story we may never understand, but ignore at our peril. As the director noted, it continues to echo in different places in the world, from Rwanda to Bosnia.
The Polish entry, In Darkness has been shortlisted for an Academy Award for best foreign film, and opens in New York on February 10 at the Angelika Film Center & Lincoln Plaza Cinemas.
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Coronavirus latest - people told they might need to stay at home, 200 care homes minimise family visit and events in Lincolnshire are cancelled
Sporting events such as Lincoln City's match with Tranmere could be played behind closed doors
Spectators wearing masks to protect against coronavirus (Image: PA)
The coronavirus outbreak could see people forced to stay at home as the virus spreads.
The UK is expected to be moved out of the 'containment' phase and into the 'delay' phase when a Cobra meeting is chaired by Boris Johnson later today.
That could spark a number of changes in the country.
Schools could be closed for a month in a bid to reduce the speed at which the virus is spreading.
Football matches may also have to be played behind closed doors.
200 care homes in the UK are minimising visits for family members while events in Lincolnshire have also been cancelled.
The latest figures for deaths and cases will be revealed later today - so far there is only one confirmed case in Lincolnshire.
Follow the latest updates here.
Today’s rise in confirmed cases in the UK from 456 to 590 is the largest day-on-day increase since the outbreak began.
It is a jump of 134, which is 29% up on the equivalent figure for Wednesday.
It is also the first time the day-on-day increase has been in three figures.
One week ago, on March 5, the total number of cases stood at 115.
Today’s total of 590 is more than five times greater than the equivalent figure one week ago.Today’s rise in confirmed cases in the UK from 456 to 590 is the largest day-on-day increase since the outbreak began.
Rumours that Euro 2020 will be moved due to coronavirus
https://twitter.com/tancredipalmeri/status/1238113671605354504
More than 100 new UK cases of coronavirus reported
A total of 590 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Thursday, up from 456 at the same point on Wednesday, the Department of Health said.
Closing schools would increase risks for elderly patients, expert warns
Closing schools could increase the risks for elderly grandparents and reduce the number of NHS workers available for the frontline fight against coronavirus, an expert has said.
Keith Neal, emeritus professor of the epidemiology of infectious diseases at the University of Nottingham, said it was still too early to say whether steps taken in Ireland were a “sensible precaution or an overreaction for the current stage of the epidemic”.
He added: “Different countries are at different stages of the epidemic so what one country should do will not apply to others, we need to be guided by the local epidemiology and the science.
“This is why currently the UK has not followed these measures. Schools will close soon for the Easter holidays which will give some idea of the impact of this measure. Parents have already planned for childcare during these weeks.
“Closing schools has a number of known consequences. It might make the epidemic or ability to manage the consequences worse.”
He said closing schools could lead to a reduction in the health and social care workforce as people have to look after children.
It could also lead to an increase in grandparents delivering childcare.
“This age group is at much greater risk,” he said.
He added that closing schools may lead to the increased movement of children to different places across the UK.
“Children do not seem to get serious illness with Covid-19 and we do not yet know what role they play in significantly spreading the virus,” he said.
“The UK should adopt UK-appropriate measures and not give in to the demand for something to be done otherwise this will result in inappropriate actions at the wrong time.”
Dr Thomas House, reader in mathematical statistics at the University of Manchester, said: “Deciding when to take action such as shutting schools is difficult.
“On the one hand, it helps to contain the spread of infection, but on the other it creates wider problems in society, like missing out on education.
“And if the closure is not carefully managed then children may spend more time with, and thereby increase the infection risk of, their grandparents, who appear to be more vulnerable to complications from coronavirus.”
Universities in Ireland have also been closed in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
On Thursday, Durham University said from March 16, all classroom teaching will end and be replaced with online lectures as much as possible for the final week of term.Closing schools could increase the risks for elderly grandparents and reduce the number of NHS workers available for the frontline fight against coronavirus, an expert has said.
DofE: 'Schools are to remain open for now'
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
“As the Chief Medical Officer has said, the impact of closing schools on both children’s education and on the workforce will be substantial, but the benefit to public health may not be. Decisions on future advice to schools will be taken based on the latest and best scientific evidence, which at this stage suggests children are a lower risk group. The advice from Public Health England continues to be for schools to remain open, unless advised otherwise.”
The WHO cancel nationwide tour
After serious consideration, it is with much regret that THE WHO have postponed their UK tour, including a date at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Friday 3 April 2020. The dates will be rescheduled for later in the year. All tickets will be honoured.
The fans’ safety is paramount and given the developing Coronavirus concerns, the band felt that they had no option but to postpone the shows as a precaution.
Singer Roger Daltrey assures fans that the shows will “Definitely happen and it may be the last time we do a tour of this type, so keep those tickets, as the shows will be fantastic.”
Pete Townshend said the band, ”Haven’t reached this decision easily, but given the concerns about public gatherings, we couldn’t go ahead.”
Sadly, THE WHO will also be unable to appear at the Royal Albert Hall on March 28th as part of the annual Teenage Cancer Trust shows.
A new rescheduled date will be announced soon. Customers are advised to retain their ticket for the rescheduled show as all tickets will remain valid for the new date.
In the unfortunate event that customers are unable to attend the rescheduled date, full refunds will be available from point of sale.
Family advised to avoid visiting 200 care homes
Barchester Care Homes, which runs more than 200 care homes in the UK and has more than 11,000 residents, sent a letter to residents, patients and visitors saying it was stopping family members and friends making routine visits to its homes. It later said it meant visits should be “minimised”.
Coronavirus 'could close UK schools for a month'
Schools in England could follow Ireland in all being closed as part of the bid to reduce the rate at which Covid-19 is spreading. Read more here
Lincolnshire events cancelled
As a Chamber we have been closely monitoring the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, with the interest and safety of our colleagues and businesses being our number one priority.Following guidance from international and local health organisations, we have taken the difficult decision to
postpone all of our events for the next two weeks.We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused, however we believe this decision to be the correct and most sensible approach at this current time.
We will be providing further updates in due course.
As a Chamber we have been closely monitoring the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, with the interest and safety of our colleagues and businesses being our number one priority.
Following guidance from international and local health organisations, we have taken the difficult decision to
postpone all of our events for the next two weeks.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused, however we believe this decision to be the correct and most sensible approach at this current time.
All schools closed in Ireland
Irish premier Leo Varadkar has announced that all schools, colleges and childcare facilities in Ireland will close until March 29 as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
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LI Past & Present
Long Island’s Teddy Roosevelt: King of the Hill
Spencer Rumsey
In the fading twilight at Sagamore Hill, a century suddenly seemed to slip away as a stout gray figure in a tweed overcoat wearing pince-nez glasses and a curving mustache emerged from the stately residence and stood on the walkway for a moment. Then the front door opened again, and a Park Ranger came out and shook hands with the man who uncannily resembled Theodore Roosevelt.
It wasn’t him, of course; he was an actor. Roosevelt died on Jan. 6, 1919, and more importantly the setting for this recent event, “Christmas with the Roosevelts,” didn’t exist when he was alive. Old Orchard, the Georgian-style mansion that’s now a museum, was built in 1938 by Ted Roosevelt Jr. and his wife Eleanor Alexander in an apple orchard hundreds of yards away from the main house for which the National Historic Site in Oyster Bay is named.
James Foote, a former Long Island machinist who has been embodying T.R. since 1979, appreciated the momentary confusion he’d recently caused this observer.
“I still got it!” laughs the 65-year-old. But call him “a re-enactor,” Foote insists, because “an impersonator sounds like someone who forges checks!”
Foote had kept his mustache when he got out of the Navy, but only after he started wearing glasses did people remark that he resembled the 26th president. He went to a costume party as Roosevelt and then was invited to be part of a Memorial Day parade in Sea Cliff, where he grew up. Next came requests for repeat performances, which required further research.
“I made a conscious decision that I better learn something about this fellow!” says Foote. “Once you start reading up on Roosevelt, you become infatuated with him. As historians say, it’s like being bitten by the Colonel!”
Over the years he’s appeared on Stephen Colbert’s show and the History Channel. Asked how long he’ll continue his portrayal, Foote slipped into character and, in Roosevelt’s characteristic high-pitched voice, said, “I wish not to cling to the fringes of departing glory!”
Sagamore Hill after the North Room was added in 1905 (photo courtesy the National Park Service
“There are a lot of people out there who think they have met T.R. personally,” says Amy Verone with a smile. For 23 years she’s been the curator at Sagamore Hill. She knows that apart from mistaking James Foote for the man himself, this is the closest many will ever come to experiencing the life Roosevelt led.
From 1902 to 1908, Sagamore Hill served as his summer White House. It was in T.R.’s library on the first floor where he brought the envoys of warring Russia and Japan face to face, and from that encounter came a conference in New Hampshire that produced a treaty in 1905, earning Roosevelt the Nobel Peace Prize a year later.
“We probably have 90 to 95 percent of the original furnishings,” says Verone. “When visitors come here, they see the house as Roosevelt had it… That’s a huge point in our favor in terms of our being able to connect the public to the life that the Roosevelts lived here.”
T.R.’s connection to the area started when he was 15 and his father brought him and his siblings to Oyster Bay for their summers. “We children, of course, loved the country beyond anything,” T.R. later wrote. “We were always wildly eager to get to the country when spring came, and very sad when in the late fall the family moved back to town.”
In Oyster Bay T.R. first met Edith Carow, his “little Edie,” as he called her, who would later become his second wife.
But it was with his first fiancée Alice Hathaway Lee that T.R. had purchased the 155-acre property on Cove Neck in 1880 (he’d later sell off 60 acres to relatives). Then he had architectural plans drawn up. Tragically, on the same day in 1884, both T.R.’s mother and his new wife died—and she had just given birth to their daughter Alice. As T.R. wrote in his diary, “The light has gone out of my life.”
For the next two years, T.R. was about as far away from Oyster Bay as he could get, becoming a cattle rancher in the Dakota Territory. Disaster struck in the winter of 1886-1887, almost wiping out his entire herd. But he came back east with an appreciation of wilderness conservation and an enthusiasm for the cowboy life. With the former he was inspired to lay the groundwork for the National Park Service; with the latter he formed a cavalry unit known as the Rough Riders, which achieved national recognition during the Spanish-American War when he helped lead them to victory up San Juan Hill in Cuba.
Teddy Roosevelt and his wife Edith strike a characteristic pose as T.R., a prolific reader, keeps his place marked in the book he’s holding.
(Photo courtesy National Park Service)
Unprecedented President
He’d come a long way from being the youngest member ever elected to the Assembly when he was 23—and only 5-foot-8 and 135 pounds—according to biographer Paul Grondahl in I Rose Like a Rocket: The Political Education of Theodore Roosevelt. In fact, Grondahl writes, T.R. was then so scrawny that a Tammany Hall enforcer named “Big John” McManus, a former heavyweight boxer, planned to haze the young Republican in public. But T.R. heard about it and angrily confronted him in the corridor outside the Assembly chamber, shouting, “McManus, I hear you are going to toss me in a blanket. By God! If you try anything like that, I’ll kick you, I’ll bite you, I’ll kick you in the balls.”
Needless to say, the big bully was cowed by the young bull. And the political world began to take notice of the man who would become NYPD commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and governor of New York, and one day lead a nation to greatness and set the standard for progressive Republican politics that has rarely been equaled.
“The vast individual and corporate fortunes, the vast combinations of capital which have marked the development of our industrial system, create new conditions and necessitate a change from the old attitude of the State and the nation toward property,” the then-Vice President Roosevelt said at the Minnesota State Fair in the summer of 1901. “More and more it is evident that the State, and if necessary the nation, has got to possess the right of supervision and control as regards the great corporations which are its creatures.”
Later that year, while hiking Mount Marcy, the highest peak in the Adirondacks, T.R. learned that President William McKinley had been assassinated in Buffalo. A little more than a decade afterward, while campaigning in Milwaukee against his former vice president William Howard Taft, who had the Republican line, and Woodrow Wilson, the Democratic candidate, T.R. himself was shot in the chest, yet the bullet had been slowed by a folded speech and a metal eyeglasses case in his inside pocket.
“Friends, I shall ask you to be as quiet as possible,” continued Roosevelt. “I don’t know whether you fully understand that I’ve just been shot. But it takes more than that to kill a bull moose!” He spoke for an hour and a half. The bullet was never removed.
“If he were in the Republican Party today, he’d have to be in the liberal wing,” says Brother Lawrence Syriac, a revered social studies teacher at Chaminade High School and current chairman of the Friends of Sagamore Hill, a nonprofit group of volunteers dedicated to preserving T.R.’s legacy, which sponsored the recent holiday event after federal budget cuts curtailed the Park Service’s involvement. Because of the 2013 sequester, Sagamore Hill held no Memorial Day or July 4th commemorative ceremonies.
For more than half a century, Syriac has been teaching American history, and he ranks T.R. right under George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
“He seemed to know what was going on in the world,” Syriac says. “He was also the president of many firsts.” Among T.R.’s achievements, he was the first president to fly in an airplane, to go on a submarine, and to leave the U.S. while still in office and visit the Panama Canal.
And he was the first president to entertain a black man in the White House. As Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Edmund Morris described it, Roosevelt had had “a momentary qualm” but his “hesitancy made him ashamed of himself, and all the more determined to break more than a century of precedent.” And it seemed to Roosevelt “so natural and so proper,” as T.R. himself later put it, to have Booker T. Washington at his dining table on Oct.16, 1901.
But the social occasion raised a national uproar, especially down South—it didn’t matter to southerners that T.R.’s mother was from Georgia and that his uncles on her side of the family had fought for the Confederacy. He was condemned in the press, but he didn’t care. T.R. was morally convinced that “my action was absolutely proper.” Indeed, he’d already hosted African Americans at his governor’s mansion in Albany and his home at Sagamore Hill.
An ardent adventurer, T.R. continued to pioneer after he was president. An uncharted river that he mapped in the Amazon rain forest still bears his name: Rio Teodoro. His wife Edith had stern words for Kermit, who was to accompany his dad in 1914. “Apparently, one of the last things his mother said to him was: ‘Bring your father back!’” says Verone. And the son nearly failed when T.R. was wracked with a leg infection and severe fever.
A spitting image of the old Rough Rider himself standing tall at Sagamore Hill is personified by Sea Cliff’s own James Foote, who has been embodying the nation’s 26th president near and far to wide acclaim. (Photo courtesy Joni Burke-Foote)
Roosevelt had intended to call his Oyster Bay estate “Leeholm” to honor his first wife, but once he was going to remarry, he picked Sagamore Hill after Sagamore Mohannis, a local 17th Century Native American chief who “had signed away his rights to the land,” as T.R. wrote. Starting in the spring of 1887, he and Edith made it their home—except when duty or curiosity called him away. Three of their six children, Theodore Jr., Kermit and Ethel, were born there.
“He was here to spend time with family and friends,” says Verone. “He spent his days hitting tennis balls with the kids, going rowing on the bay with Mrs. Roosevelt, hiking in the woods…”
In a letter to his daughter, Ethel, in 1906, Roosevelt wrote that “…fond as I am of the White House, and though I much appreciated my years in it, there isn’t any place in the world like home—like Sagamore Hill…where things are our own…”
Since 2012, the 23-room Queen Anne-styled mansion at Sagamore Hill has been closed to the public while undergoing a $7.2 million rehabilitation slated for completion in 2015. According to Park officials, the work is on schedule.
“I wonder if you will ever know how I love Sagamore Hill,” he told his wife as he lay ill on Jan. 5, 1919. He’d been suffering from severe bouts of rheumatism and malaria. About 4 a.m. she had gotten up to check on him. Newspapers soon reported what she found: “Colonel Theodore Roosevelt died in his sleep.”
T.R. was only 60 years old. Edith outlived him another 29 years. They share a grave in Youngs Memorial Cemetery, at the top of a little hill overlooking Oyster Bay. Their burial place is reached by 26 stone steps, in honor of his being the 26th president.
Only a mile separates T.R.’s favorite spot on the planet when he was alive from where his remains were finally laid to rest. Years ago, his father had worried whether T.R. would ever overcome his debilitating asthma, warning his then-11-year-old son that “you have the mind, but you have not the body. You must make your body.” Certainly, all that T.R. subsequently accomplished in his life showed that he took his father’s words to heart.
“Only those are fit to live who do not fear to die,” T.R. wrote, “and none are fit to die who have shrunk from the joy of life and the duty of life. Both life and death are part of the same great adventure.”
It’s fitting that on Long Island, he did both.
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Spencer Rumsey has worked on dailies, weeklies and monthlies, including New York Newsday and the New York Post, the East Village Eye and the supermarket tabloid Star Magazine. Starting at the Press in 2010, he’s written award-winning stories on planning, politics and policy, to name a few topics.
White Christmas Composer Irving Berlin’s Time at Camp Upton
The Story of Long Island’s True First Thanksgiving
The Legend of The Red Owl: An Uneasy Spirit’s Flight Over Brentwood
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Photo by Tom Zytaruk
Surrey high school student found guilty of sexual assault
His identity is shielded by the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The name of the school has not been disclosed
A Surrey teenager who was accused of groping five girls he attended high school with has been acquitted on nine charges against him but found guilty of three that involved two of the girls.
The boy, who was under 18 at the time, was charged on a 12-count indictment with sexual assault and touching for a sexual purpose girls under age 16. In one of the two girls’ cases he was found not guilty of sexual assault but guilty of the included offence of common assault.
His identity is shielded by the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The name of the school has not been disclosed.
Judge Mark Jetté noted in his reasons for decision that the girls described the boy as being a popular student and “something of a jokester and class clown.”
Four of the complainants were in Grade 8 at the time, and the fifth had been in Grade 9.
The complaints involved unwanted grabbing or groping of their buttocks or chest, either on top or underneath clothing, and in some cases physically restrained was alleged.
Health care industry is a prized target, experts say in wake of LifeLabs hack
President Donald Trump impeached by U.S. House on two charges
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4 Reasons Investors Are Jumping on Psilocybin Mushrooms
Home / Blog / 4 Reasons Investors Are Jumping on Psilocybin Mushrooms
At a time when the stock market is feeling the brunt of the COVID-19 economic impact, there is one sector that is seeing an interesting escalation of activity and investor speculation. While medical cannabis continues to enter mainstream medicine and is legalized in 33 American states, another type of prohibited substance is undergoing a similar shift towards medical and public opinion. You may know it as shrooms, or magic mushrooms, however, the technical term is psilocybin mushrooms.
Only specific types of mushrooms that are found in the tropical regions of Mexico, South American, and sub-tropical areas of the United States, contain psilocybin. These mushrooms have been classified as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act and are currently illegal to cultivate, possess, or use.
Several countries, including Canada, have started to create a buzz about the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin for mental health treatments. Researchers are defining controlled therapies for diagnosed conditions like depression, clinical anxiety, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and trauma. As a result, many believe psilocybin can be used as a possible medical intervention to curb the growing rate of suicides.
What are the benchmarks in the regulatory activity that has investors paying close attention to the potential legalized medical use of psilocybin (psychedelic mushrooms) for clinical care? Will the next wave of business growth in the healthcare sector come from clinics that can provide controlled and safe psychedelic therapies for patients?
Understanding the Potential Therapeutic Benefits of Psilocybin: How Does it Work?
Psilocybin is an entheogen, which is a psychoactive compound that alters perception, cognition, mood, and behavior for the duration of the effect or ‘trip.’ We know that entheogens, specifically certain strains of mushrooms, have been used medicinally and in spiritualism practices since the Pre-Columbian era.
When a human ingests or absorbs psilocybin, it is converted to psilocin. Hallucinogenic effects typically occur within 30-minutes and last 4-6 hours depending on the dose. Psilocybin is not chemically addictive, and there are no physical withdrawal symptoms after a patient stops using it. Patients may develop a tolerance to psilocybin with extensive therapeutic use.
Several countries, including Canada, have started to create a buzz about the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin for mental health treatments
Psilocybin derived from mushrooms can create an elevated sense of happiness, relaxation, and wellbeing for patients who are administered small doses in a controlled and safe environment. Therapeutic testing has included a “safe room,” which is designed to promote relaxation for the patient. It comes complete with comfortable furnishings, dimmed lights, a blanket and pillow and/or aroma, and sound therapy for a spa-like experience.
In a treatment setting, the patient would sit in a comfortable reclined chair in the “safe room.” After an injection of psilocybin, the patient is permitted to relax and enjoy the psychedelic cognitive experience of the hallucinogenic drug. A therapist is required to monitor the patient throughout the “trip” for safety purposes.
Some psilocybin treatments can involve a psychotherapeutic session immediately following the end of the psychedelic effects of the drug. The reason for this is that the patient is more relaxed and open to cognitive behavioral therapy techniques after the effects of the psilocybin have passed.
Cancer treatment with psilocybin remains a promising therapeutic application. Patients with a life-threatening cancer diagnosis have a higher than normal rate of severe depression, which further reduces immune system response and recovery rates.
What is not completely understood, however, is whether medications and treatments administered to cancer patients increase their risk of developing depression and other mood disorders. Approximately 40% of cancer patients are diagnosed with moderate to severe depression.
Researchers Have Been Evaluating Psilocybin Mushrooms for Decades
From 1960 to 1962, the “Harvard Psilocybin Project” researched the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin for the treatment of depression and psychiatric disorders. The “Berkley Foundation” was established in 1998 to champion global drug policy reform, and conduct research into psychoactive substances and the potential of Schedule I drugs as a non-traditional treatment resource for mental and physical wellness.
Psilocybin was banned from clinical research in the United States from 1970 to the early 1990s when the international medical community began reporting trials and suggesting clinical applications for patients with treatment-resistant health diagnoses.
Today, there are more than 3 million pages on Google about psilocybin research. Most clinical research is focused on determining how psychedelic mushrooms may breakthrough treatment-resistant medical conditions such as severe depression, drug addiction, schizophrenia, and trauma therapies.
Why Are Investors Watching the Regulatory Progress of Psilocybin Mushrooms in the US?
In 2016, the global antidepressant drug market was valued at $13.7 billion, with a projected growth to $15.9 billion dollars by 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.1% or more. Pharmaceutical drugs within this category treat patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, severe anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Today, there are more than 3 million pages on Google about psilocybin research.
One study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, estimated that treatment-resistant depression cost American employers more than $48 billion per year. The figure summed the loss of productivity, absenteeism, and healthcare costs for employers. With increasing awareness of the side-effects of long-term opioid use, a natural alternative like psilocybin could reduce reliance on opioids and harmful psychotropic medications.
Below are some indicators of regulatory movement in the direction of legalized psilocybin treatments in Canada and the United States, and why investors are closely watching the development of the next wave of alternative medicine.
1. The Opioid and Psychotropic Medication Epidemic Commands Better Treatment Alternatives
The myths and bad publicity—created by “the war on drugs”—against natural psychedelics, like mushrooms, are starting to dissipate. This is thanks to growing bodies of research and response to the opioid epidemic in North America. Growing clinical evidence suggests that long-term opioid use can exacerbate and even cause clinical depression when used therapeutically for pain.
The relationship between treatment-resistant depression and opioids is not fully understood. However, we do know that patients with mood disorders are twice as likely to abuse opioids (whether they have chronic pain or not). Approximately 16% of Americans have mental health disorders, but they account for more than 50% of all opioid prescription volume.
Some of the side-effects of long-term use of opioids include respiratory problems, gastrointestinal damage, cardiovascular disorders, endocrine, and immune system impairment, musculoskeletal problems (bone fragility), and central nervous system damage. By comparison, psilocybin is not addictive and has no physiological withdrawal symptoms.
2. ‘Numinus Wellness’ Received Regulatory Nod for Psilocybin Mushrooms Research in Canada
In June 2020, Numinus Wellness (CVD: NUMI) announced that Health Canada had approved an amendment request to the existing company license to allow research to standardize the extraction of psilocybin from mushrooms.
Numinus Wellness has been testing psychedelic therapies (Numinus Bioscience) that address mental health needs and addiction step-down therapies for patients. The Numinus R&D division is creating global partnerships with leading research groups to advance clinical psilocybin treatments and define treatment length, dose strength, and patient support modalities.
The goal is to document results for patients with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), moderate to severe anxiety, and other mental health conditions. This is the first step in standardizing approved therapies for patients at the Federal level.
Numinous, based in Vancouver, Canada, has a license for cannabis testing through its subsidiary company, Salvation Botanicals. The company has been awarded an expanded dealer’s license. This allows the company to purchase inventory and test MDMA, psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, and mescaline.
The expanded license awarded to Numinous in Canada will allow the company to escalate research and trials of psychedelic controlled substances for the therapeutic treatment of physical and emotional health disorders. Once the research is completed, regulators and Federal agencies in Canada may approve patient treatments. The special license also permits Numinus to develop the research into intellectual property exclusively for product development.
3. The FDA Fast-Tracked Three Psychedelic Medicines Through Clinical Trials
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fast-tracked three different psychedelic medications to expedite clinical trials. In November 2019, the FDA granted the Usona Institute a “breakthrough therapy designation” for advanced research of psilocybin therapeutic benefits to treat patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).
In fact, this was the second time that the FDA had granted the “breakthrough therapy” designation for psychedelic mushroom research. The first time in American history where a psychedelic drug was fast-tracked for approval by the FDA involved special designation to Compass Pathways, a company in the United Kingdom that is researching mental health treatments involving psilocybin.
Compass Pathways has formulated a synthetic version of psilocybin called COMP 360. The clinical trials are being conducted in North America and in Europe. A Therapist Training Programme is now provided by Compass Pathways for mental health practitioners, to prepare for the regulation and implementation of psychedelic treatment therapies.
The Usona Institute was granted permission for a Phase 2 clinical trial and an 80-person study to determine the efficacy of one-time oral doses of psilocybin for the treatment of depression. Usona provides cGMP psilocybin to qualified researchers at no cost, through the Investigational Drug Supply Program, to advance therapeutic research in the United States.
4. The Investment Potential of a New Psilocybin Healthcare Industry is Lucrative
From psilocybin retreats to in-office psychotherapeutic sessions for trauma and treatment-resistant depression, the commercial potential of legal therapies is limitless. If regulation of psychedelics (including psilocybin) in the United States happens, investors will be looking at pharmaceutical companies, mushroom cultivation, processing and manufacturing businesses, physician training and credentialing, and treatment clinics.
There are several psilocybin stock opportunities that are generating the most interest and investors. Champignon Brands (CSE: SHRM) was the first company to IPO, followed by MindMed (NEO: MMED) completed a successful IPO one day later. In Canada, Revive Therapeutics (which optioned in January 2020) is another company on the investor watch list (CSE: RVV).
Watching the performance of psilocybin research and product development companies in 2020 have been, for the most part, an orbital rise in stock value. The activity in both Canada and the United States in terms of research approvals for therapeutic applications of psilocybin and human trials has so far mirrored the progression of the legalization of medical cannabis in both countries. That may bode very well for early investors, but most importantly patients who want to explore naturally-derived therapeutic alternatives.
This article was originally published on Energy & Capital.
A Patient Story About Endometriosis and Chronic Pain
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August 4, 2006 - MARKEY CONDEMS LATE DISCLOSURE OF SANCTIONS AGAINST INDIAN ENTITIES FOR TRANSFER OF WMD TECHNOLOGY TO IRAN
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Department of State formally announced the imposition of sanctions under the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 against two Indian entities for the transfer of WMD equipment and technology to Iran. According to the Department of State public notice, the sanctions determination was made on July 25, 2006, the day before a historic House vote changing long-standing U.S. nonproliferation laws to allow nuclear trade with India. The sanctions report had been due to Congress long before the vote took place, but was not delivered until afterwards.
Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), the Co-Chairman of the House Bipartisan Task Force on Nonproliferation said today in reaction to the belated release of the sanctions listing, “I am appalled that the Bush administration, which must have known for weeks if not months that it was going to sanction these two Indian companies, withheld this information from Congress until after the House voted to grant India a special exemption from U.S. nuclear nonproliferation law on India’s behalf. The plain fact of the matter is that the proliferant behavior of these and other Indian companies indicates that India is not successfully guarding its most dangerous technologies.
“This continues the Bush administration’s long practice of withholding vital information from Congress, information that could drastically affect Congress’s views were it known.”
Rep. Markey organized a July 24, 2006 letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, signed by Reps. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) and Barbara Lee (D-MA). The lawmaker's letter called for the release of the sanctions report before the House voted on President Bush’s proposal for nuclear trade with India.
On July 26, 2006, Rep. Markey offered an amendment on the floor of the House which would have required the President to certify that India was fully cooperating with U.S. efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring WMD before nuclear trade could commence. That amendment lost by a vote of 192-235, and the India nuclear deal legislation was then approved by a vote of 359-68.
On July 28, 2006, following press reports confirming that two Indian entities were to be sanctioned for providing WMD-related technologies to Iran, Rep. Markey joined Reps. Ellen Tauscher and Barbara Lee in sending a letter to the State Department Inspector General demanding an investigation into whether the State Department had knowingly withheld this vital sanctions package from Congress until after the India vote.
Rep. Markey concluded, "The belated release of this information only confirms my belief that we need to enact a binding condition on any U.S.-India nuclear cooperation agreement requiring the President to certify that India is fully and actively cooperating with U.S. efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and the means to manufacture and deliver them. As the world watches Hezbollah terrorists fire Iranian-supplied rockets into Israel, we need to take tougher action to halt the flow of sensitive technologies to Iran, and Indian companies have clearly been a major supplier of WMD-related materials and technologies to Tehran."
CONTACT: Israel Klein
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Can I get coronavirus from a package being…
Can I get coronavirus from a package delivered from China?
Why your new purchase won’t make you sick
In this file photo, a sales clerk at a pharmacy rings up a purchase of face masks as fears of the coronavirus continues, Friday, Jan 24, 2020 in Chicago. A Chicago woman had become the second U.S. patient diagnosed with the dangerous new virus from China, health officials announced Friday. Late Saturday, officials announced a confirmed case in Orange County, California. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via AP)
By Lisa M. Krieger | lkrieger@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: January 27, 2020 at 10:48 a.m. | UPDATED: March 13, 2020 at 7:59 a.m.
Residents at the epicenter of China’s mysterious viral outbreak are quarantined. But their mailed shipments are not. Does that pose a risk?
It’s a legitimate question — especially in California — because we import so many products from China.
But U.S. health officials said on Monday that there is no evidence to support the transmission of the new coronavirus through imported goods.
“In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures,” Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the Center for Disease Control’s Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a Monday morning press briefing.
CLICK HERE if you are having a problem viewing the photos or video on a mobile device
Even in the worse case scenario — say, a sneezing person packaged your $700 used Apple iPhone 11, bought on Amazon and shipped to your home by air via United Parcel Service or FedEx — isn’t dangerous.
To be sure, there isn’t research about the specific resiliency of this virus, because it is so new. But studies show that its cousin viruses, SARS and MERS, only live for few hours on the surface of an object. They are spread most often by respiratory droplets from one person to another.
It typically takes at least three days for a package to get from China to California, according to UPS and FedEx. So the virus wouldn’t be able to survive long enough to get you sick.
What about animals or animal products imported from China? The CDC does not have any evidence to suggest they pose a risk — but the shipment of animals and animal products into the U.S. is much more strictly regulated than other trade, such as electronics.
On Monday, the CDC said it is monitoring 110 people across 26 states who might have the coronavirus, but said that there were no new cases confirmed overnight and the risk in the U.S. remains low.
Two cases of illness have been reported in California, in Los Angeles and Orange County. Three others have been confirmed in Chicago, Seattle and Tempe, Arizona.
“We don’t know if this virus will behave in exactly the same way” as SARS and MERS, said Messonnier. “But there is no evidence to support transmissibility and there are no cases in the U.S. from imported goods.”
Lisa M. Krieger | Science/Research reporter
Lisa M. Krieger is a science writer at The Mercury News, covering research, scientific policy and environmental news from Stanford University, the University of California, NASA-Ames, U.S. Geological Survey and other Bay Area-based research facilities. Lisa also contributes to the Videography team. She graduated from Duke University with a degree in biology. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, backpacking, swimming and bird-watching.
lkrieger@bayareanewsgroup.com
Follow Lisa M. Krieger LisaMKrieger Follow Lisa M. Krieger @lisamkrieger
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Stumped by transgender pension case, UK top court seeks EU help
LONDON (Reuters) – A complex legal dispute involving a transgender woman’s pension rights over a period when her gender had not been officially recognized has divided Britain’s Supreme Court, which referred the issue on Wednesday to the European Union’s top court.
Britain voted to leave the EU in a referendum on June 23, but the terms of its exit will take years to negotiate and in the meantime it continues to be subject to EU law.
The impact of EU legislation on domestic law was one of the topics of debate in the run-up to the referendum. Pro-Brexit campaigners argued that unaccountable EU judges were chipping away at British sovereignty, while their opponents said EU laws were sensible and had improved human rights protection.
The Supreme Court made it clear it required EU guidance to resolve the case of a woman, named only as “MB” in court documents, who was registered as a boy at birth but has lived as a woman since 1991 and had gender reassignment surgery in 1995.
MB turned 60 in 2008 and applied for a state pension, which under British law women born before 1950 are entitled to from that age. Men born before 1953 become entitled at the age of 65.
MB was turned down because she did not have a full gender recognition certificate, an official document she could not obtain because she remained married to a woman. At the time, same-sex marriage was not legal in Britain.
The case echoes a number of legal disputes in the United States over complex issues involving transgender people, including a dispute over bathroom rights that has reached the U.S. Supreme Court and received extensive media coverage.
In Britain, the laws affecting MB’s circumstances have since changed. Same-sex marriage became legal in 2014 and a full gender recognition certificate can now be given to a married transgender applicant with the consent of their spouse.
But that did not change MB’s situation and she was told she could not be treated as a woman for state pension purposes and would only become eligible when she turned 65.
MB took legal action against the government, arguing that its approach to her case breached an EU directive on the equal treatment of men and women in matters of social security.
Article 4 of that directive says there must be no discrimination on ground of gender either directly, or indirectly by reference to marital or family status.
The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, which said it needed help from the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union on how to interpret the directive.
“The Supreme Court is divided on the question, and in the absence of Court of Justice authority directly in point, considers that it cannot finally resolve the appeal without a reference to the Court of Justice,” it said in a ruling.
(Editing by Stephen Addison)
Chinese wary about U.S. missile system because capabilities unknown: experts
Bangladesh arrests Islamist militant who urged killing of foreigners
Ex-CIA spy freed in Portugal, avoids extradition over kidnapping
German SPD trims Merkel’s lead in Forsa poll
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Buscopan Ampoules 20mg/ml solution for injection
Buscopan Ampoules 20mg/ml solution for injection.
Each 1ml ampoule contains 20 mg hyoscine butylbromide.
For excipients, see 6.1.
A colourless or almost colourless, clear solution
Buscopan Ampoules are indicated in acute spasm, as in renal or biliary colic, in radiology for differential diagnosis of obstruction and to reduce spasm and pain in pyelography, and in other diagnostic procedures where spasm may be a problem, e.g. gastro-duodenal endoscopy.
One ampoule (20 mg) intramuscularly or intravenously, repeated after half an hour if necessary. Intravenous injection should be performed 'slowly' (in rare cases a marked drop in blood pressure and even shock may be produced by Buscopan). When used in endoscopy this dose may need to be repeated more frequently.
Maximum daily dose of 100mg.
Elderly: No specific information on the use of this product in the elderly is available. Clinical trials have included patients over 65 years and no adverse reactions specific to this age group have been reported.
Not recommended for children.
Buscopan Ampoules should not be taken on a continuous daily basis or for extended periods without investigating the cause of abdominal pain.
Diluent:
Buscopan injection solution may be diluted with dextrose or with sodium chloride 0.9% injection solutions.
Buscopan Ampoules are contraindicated in patients with:
- hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1
- narrow angle glaucoma
- hypertrophy of the prostate with urinary retention
- mechanical stenosis in the gastrointestinal tract
- paralytical or obstructive ileus
- megacolon
- tachycardia
- myasthenia gravis
Buscopan Ampoules should not be given by intramuscular injection to patients being treated with anticoagulant drugs since intramuscular haematoma may occur.
In case severe, unexplained abdominal pain persists or worsens, or occurs together with symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel movements, abdominal tenderness, decreased blood pressure, fainting, or blood in stool, appropriate diagnostic measures are needed to investigate the aetiology of the symptoms.
Buscopan Ampoules can cause tachycardia, hypotension and anaphylaxis, therefore use with caution in patients with cardiac conditions such as cardiac failure, coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia or hypertension, and in cardiac surgery. Monitoring of these patients is advised. Emergency equipment and personnel trained in its use must be readily available.
Because of the possibility that anticholinergics may reduce sweating, Buscopan should be administered with caution to patients with pyrexia.
Elevation of intraocular pressure may be produced by the administration of anticholinergic agents such as Buscopan in patients with undiagnosed and therefore untreated narrow angle glaucoma. Therefore, patients should seek urgent ophthalmological advice in case they should develop a painful, red eye with loss of vision after the injection of Buscopan.
After parenteral administration of Buscopan, cases of anaphylaxis including episodes of shock have been observed. As with all drugs causing such reactions, patients receiving Buscopan by injection should be kept under observation.
The anticholinergic effect of drugs such as tri- and tetracyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, quinidine, amantadine, antipsychotics (e.g. phenothiazines, butyrophenones), disopyramide and other anticholinergics (e.g. tiotropium, ipratropium, atropine-like compounds) may be intensified by Buscopan.
The tachycardic effects of beta-adrenergic agents may be enhanced by Buscopan.
Concomitant treatment with dopamine antagonists such as metoclopramide may result in diminution of the effects of both drugs on the gastrointestinal tract.
There are limited data from the use of hyoscine butylbromide in pregnant women. Animal studies are insufficient with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). As a precautionary measure Buscopan is not recommended during pregnancy.
There is insufficient information on the excretion of hyoscine butylbromide and its metabolites in human milk. A risk to the breastfeeding child cannot be excluded. Use of Buscopan during breastfeeding is not recommended.
No studies on the effects on human fertility have been conducted.
No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However, patients should be advised that they may experience undesirable effects such as accommodation disorder or dizziness during treatment with Buscopan Ampoules. Therefore, caution should be recommended when driving a car or operating machinery. If patients experience accommodation disorder or dizziness, they should avoid potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinery.
Many of the listed undesirable effects can be assigned to the anticholinergic properties of BUSCOPAN.
Adverse events have been ranked under headings of frequency using the following convention:
(≥ 1/10)
(≥ 1/1,000 to <1/100)
(≥ 1/10,000 to <1/1,000)
Not known*: anaphylactic shock including cases with fatal outcome, anaphylactic reactions, dyspnoea, and other hypersensitivity.
Common: accommodation disorders
Not known*: mydriasis, increased intraocular pressure
Common: tachycardia
Common: dizziness
Not known*: blood pressure decreased, flushing
Not known*: skin reactions (e.g. urticaria, rash, erythema, pruritus), abnormal sweating
Not known*: urinary retention
Injection site pain, particularly after intramuscular use, occurs.
Hyoscine butylbromide, the active ingredient of Buscopan, due to its chemical structure as a quaternary ammonium derivate, is not expected to enter the central nervous system. Hyoscine butylbromide does not readily pass the blood-brain barrier. However, it cannot totally be ruled out that under certain circumstances psychiatric disorders (e.g. confusion) may also occur after administration of Buscopan.
*This adverse reaction has been observed in post-marketing experience. With 95% certainty, the frequency category is not greater than common, but might be lower. A precise frequency estimation is not possible as the adverse drug reaction did not occur in a clinical trial database of 185 patients.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Serious signs of poisoning following acute overdosage have not been observed in man. In the case of overdosage, anticholinergic symptoms such as urinary retention, dry mouth, reddening of the skin, tachycardia, inhibition of gastrointestinal motility and transient visual disturbances may occur, and Cheynes-Stokes respiration has been reported.
Symptoms of Buscopan overdosage respond to parasympathomimetics. For patients with glaucoma, pilocarpine should be given locally. Cardiovascular complications should be treated according to usual therapeutic principles. In case of respiratory paralysis: intubation, artificial respiration should be considered. Catheterisation may be required for urinary retention.
In addition, appropriate supportive measures should be used as required.
Buscopan is an antispasmodic agent which relaxes smooth muscle of the organs of the abdominal and pelvic cavities. It is believed to act predominantly on the intramural parasympathetic ganglia of these organs.
After intravenous administration hyoscine butylbromide is rapidly distributed (t½α = 4 min, t½β = 29 min) into the tissues. The volume of distribution (Vss) is 128 L (corresponding to approx. 1.7 L/kg). Because of its high affinity for muscarinic receptors and nicotinic receptors, hyoscine butylbromide is mainly distributed on muscle cells of the abdominal and pelvic area as well as in the intramural ganglia of the abdominal organs. Plasma protein binding (albumin) of hyoscine butylbromide is approximately 4.4%. Animal studies demonstrate that hyoscine butylbromide does not pass the blood-brain barrier, but no clinical data to this effect is available. Hyoscine butylbromide (1 mM) has been observed to interact with the choline transport (1.4 nM) in epithelial cells of human placenta in vitro.
The main metabolic pathway is the hydrolytic cleavage of the ester bond. The half-life of the terminal elimination phase (t½γ) is approximately 5 hours. The total clearance is 1.2 L/min. Clinical studies with radiolabeled hyoscine butylbromide show that after intravenous injection 42 to 61% of the radioactive dose is excreted renally and 28.3 to 37% faecally.
The portion of unchanged active ingredient excreted in the urine is approximately 50%. The metabolites excreted via the renal route bind poorly to the muscarinic receptors and are therefore not considered to contribute to the effect of the hyoscine butylbromide.
No particular pharmacokinetic studies concerning hyoscine butylbromide have been performed in children.
In limited reproductive toxicity studies hyoscine butylbromide showed no evidence of teratogenicity in rats at 200 mg/kg in the diet or in rabbits at 200 mg/kg by oral gavage or 50 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection. Fertility in the rat was not impaired at doses of up to 200 mg/kg in the diet.
Unopened: 36 months
Once opened, use immediately and discard any unused contents
Store in the outer carton.
1ml colourless glass (Ph. Eur. Type I) ampoules with coloured identification rings, marketed in cartons containing 10 ampoules.
For single use only. Any unused solution should be discarded.
Aventis Pharma Limited, trading as Sanofi
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14-Karat Gold Coin - 150th Anniversary of the Québec and Charlottetown Conferences - Mintage: 2,500 (2014)
Canadian history commemorated in a beautiful design!
This stunningly engraved, finely finished $100 gold coin celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Québec conferences—important steps on Canada's path to nationhood.
An excellent addition to your coin display focused around history or Canadiana. Order your coin today!
• Our world-renowned annual $100 gold coin
• Commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the Québec and Charlottetown conferences that helped to lay the foundation of Canada
• Intricate design features the buildings in which the conferences took place
• The architectural elements have been carefully polished to showcase the buildings as they stood in 1864
• Presented in a beautiful proof finish – frosted raised elements on mirror background
• Certified 14-karat gold
• Limited mintage of only 2,500 worldwide
ABOUT THE 1864 CONFERENCES
The history of North America is one of epic struggle as European nations fought for control. Long after the American Revolution and the War of 1812, the threat of American invasion remained ever-present.
It was in this atmosphere, in September 1864, that representatives from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and the Province of Canada (Ontario and Québec) met in Charlottetown, PEI, to discuss a maritime union. The meeting, however, took on a new dimension when Sir John A. Macdonald proposed the idea of uniting all colonies from east to west.
A second meeting was held the following month in Québec City, and it produced the landmark document that laid the basis for the British North America Act, which ultimately led to Confederation in 1867.
While many years would pass before the final province and territory joined
Confederation, the Charlottetown and Québec Conferences were the critical catalysts that propelled the vision for “Canada” forward.
Inspired by 19th century engravings, the coin brings to life finely detailed images of the two buildings in which the Charlottetown and Québec conferences took place.
The top half of the coin features the Charlottetown Colonial Building, now called Province House. Graceful pine trees flank the building's pillared façade.
The lower half showcases the Québec Parliament Buildings that stood in the place now occupied by the Château Frontenac. The structure is set atop a cannon-lined battlement, overlooking the harbour at Cape Diamant.
The two images are separated by a scroll featuring the text "CHARLOTTETOWN 1864 QUÉBEC."
• Encapsulated and presented in a maroon clamshell with a black beauty box
Composition14-karat gold
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Laos IP Policy, Trademark Legislation: DIP Begins Accepting Multi-Class Applications
August 18, 2016 January 31, 2018 by mirandah
The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of Laos began accepting multi-class applications as of February 1, 2016. On December 20, 2011, the DIP announced that Article 33 of the Intellectual Property Law of Laos would be revised to allow the filing of more than one class through a single trademark application. Prior to this announcement, only single class trademark applications were accepted in Laos. The revised measures, however, were not implemented until February 1, 2016.
It is expected that the new measures will prove advantageous to trademark owners for the following reasons:
Efficient examination of trademark applications—filing a multi-class application will mean all the classes will be examined simultaneously and the registrar’s decision will be handed down for all classes at the same time;
Cost effectiveness—trademark owners will save costs by not having to file separate applications for each class. However, the government fees will be payable on a per class basis; and
Easier renewal—all classes that a trademark proprietor wishes to renew can be renewed at once.
However, it is important to note that these measures mean that a refusal issued with respect to one class would also delay the acceptance of the other classes filed within the same application. Furthermore, there are no provisions currently in place to allow the division of a registered mark. This would make it difficult for a trademark proprietor to undertake a partial transfer of the trademark in question.
With the implementation of this new measure, Laos has now joined the ranks of other ASEAN countries such as Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Brunei, where multi-class applications are accepted. This measure is expected to bring Laos closer to the international standards followed by most IP regimes and will allow trademark owners to better devise their filing strategy in accordance with their requirements
This article was first published in INTA Bulletin on August 1, 2016. For further information, please visithttp://www.inta.org/INTABulletin/Pages/INTABulletin.aspx.
Thailand Trademark Legislation: Amends Act
Singapore Mirandah and Trademark cases: CAESARSTONE Prevails over CAESAR
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Theatre Arts»Annaleigh Ashford ’05
2005, B.F.A. in Acting and Musical Theatre
Annaleigh Ashford '05
“I always knew that my opportunity to become a better artist would start with living in New York City. I could further my education as a performer with all the best resources at my fingertips. Marymount Manhattan College and New York City were a perfect match for me.”
– Annaleigh Ashford ’05 (2015 Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress in a Play for You Can’t Take it With You. Other Broadway credits include: Sunday in the Park with George, Kinky Boots, Wicked, and Legally Blonde. TV and Film credits include: Masters of Sex, American Crime Story: Versace, Columbia in The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Fox, Nurse Jackie, The Big C, Law&Order SVU, Smash, Unicorn Store, Sex and the City, Better Off Single, Top Five, Rachel Getting Married, and Frozen.
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Reviews R'US: Will read your guide!
Creator: Nighthawk July 30, 2011 11:04am
This thread is locked
PLEASE NOTE: This thread has been locked by the moderators. You cannot reply to it.
Forums Build & Guide Discussion Reviews R'US: Will read your guide!
147 posts - page 1 of 15
<Veteran>
Renowned (684)
Permalink | Quote | PM | +Rep July 30, 2011 11:04am | Report
Thanks to Jhoi for the EPIC wallpaper! +rep her if you can! :D
Read this before you post a guide!
And make sure to read this too! :D
In this thread i'm only aiming to give guides some publicity. Around 600 guides PER DAY are posted on Mobafire and not very many ever make it anywhere. Most of them don't even have any comments on them. I hope that by reviewing threads I can give some of those guides some publicity and open peoples eyes to them.
In order to have your guide reviewed by me, use this format:
Guide For (champion):
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed:
What I'd like you to focus on:
Guide Link:
After you do that, i'll give you my review in this format on your own guide's comments:
A wild NIGHTHAWK appeared! Wild NIGHTHAWK used Review Guide!
Review for: Your name here Champion Guide
Points of possible improvement
Overall Thoughts on Guide.
Head on down to My Review thread If you want to have some more comments on your build or if you want to discuss it some more :D
I will also post in this thread about what I read in your guide in this format:
Name + Champion + Guide
Possible Improvements:
What do I expect in return? Nothing, really. The only thing that would make me happy is some +rep. However I do this for you, not me :D
If you also want a second opinion, you can head on down to Jhoijhoi's Review thread
New rule! I will be ignoring all guide's where the user has less then 100 posts until I get back on track with my reviews!
(^ means i'll get to yours after I do the rest)
[quote=Nighthawk][center] [img]http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h380/thejhoijhoi/wallpaper-3.jpg[/img] Thanks to Jhoi for the EPIC wallpaper! +rep her if you can! :D [color=#D00C0C][url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/making-a-guide-101506?page=1]Read this before you post a guide![/url][/color] [color=#D00C0C][url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/forum/build-and-guide-discussion/what-people-look-for-in-a-guide-6167?page=1]And make sure to read this too! :D[/url][/color] [color=#ff0000]In this thread i'm only aiming to give guides some publicity. Around 600 guides [b]PER DAY[/b] are posted on Mobafire and not very many ever make it anywhere. Most of them don't even have any comments on them. I hope that by reviewing threads I can give some of those guides some publicity and open peoples eyes to them.[/color] [/center] In order to have your guide reviewed by me, use this format: [color=#008000]Guide For (champion): Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: What I'd like you to focus on: Guide Link:[/color] After you do that, i'll give you my review in this format on your own guide's comments: [b][color=yellow]A wild NIGHTHAWK appeared! Wild NIGHTHAWK used Review Guide![/color][/b] [color=#ff0000] Review for:[/color] Your name here [[Champion]] Guide [b][color=#ff0000]Constructive Criticism[/color][/b] [list] [*] Points of possible improvement [/list] [color=#ff0000]Verdict:[/color] Overall Thoughts on Guide. Head on down to [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/forum/build-and-guide-discussion/reviews-rus-will-read-your-guide-6949]My Review thread[/url] If you want to have some more comments on your build or if you want to discuss it some more :D I will also post in this thread about what I read in your guide in this format: [url=linktoyourguidehere]Name + Champion + Guide[/url] [color=#ff0000]Verdict[/color]: [color=#008000]Possible Improvements[/color]: [center]What do I expect in return? Nothing, really. The only thing that would make me happy is some +rep. However I do this for you, not me :D If you also want a second opinion, you can head on down to [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/forum/build-and-guide-discussion/will-review-for-food-i-will-read-your-guide-6053?page=1]Jhoijhoi's Review thread[/url] [b]New rule! I will be ignoring all guide's where the user has less then 100 posts until I get back on track with my reviews![/b] (^ means i'll get to yours after I do the rest) [/center][/quote]
Reserved for Verdicts of Guides!
AngelPixe's Akali Guide
Verdict: Good guide, good build. Pretty good explanations too.
Possible Improvements: Runes, Masteries and grammatical and spelling errors :D
Jebus Mcazn's Amumu Guide
Verdict: Extremely good guide with tons of detail. Probably the best tanking guide for Amumu on the site.
Possible Improvements: Runes and masteries feel the need to be a bit better, also appears to have a huge wall of text at points which can turn the reader off.
Jhoijhoi's Ashe Guide
Verdict: Real pro guide, nice mix of damage and survivability + great explanation.
Possible Improvements: Masteries, Runes, maybe some item changes too.
Scrax's Janna Guide
Verdict: Def a good guide, nice humour, nice explanations, hot chick. It's all there.
Possible Improvements: Maybe use images a bit more? Items are a bit to healthy lol, imo you need either some AP for your shield or some more tankiness.
Sacull_Kinslayer Jarvan IV Guide
Verdict: Very good guide, nice explanations, nice format.
Possible Improvements: Jungle Jarvan > Lane Jarvan.
Piksel4o's Malzahar Guide
Verdict: A very good guide with a lot of good things to it. Explain's pretty well too.
Possible Improvements: Runes should probs be fixed. IMO DFG would fit in well.
Palzm's Master Yi Guide
Verdict: Good guide. Short and sweet.
Possible Improvements: Items, explanations.
th3BlackAngel's Nidalee Guide
Verdict: Good guide. Items/Runes imo could be a bit better, however explanations are good.
Possible Improvements: Feels a bit short tbh. Lengthen up the explanations and it'll be good I imagine.
The_Nameless_Bard's Soraka Guide
Verdict: Good guide for an AP/Tank/Support Soraka.
Possible Improvements: Items, runes, masteries.
Sacull_Kinslayer's Vladimir Guide
Verdict: Good guide. Some nice insight into Vlad.
Possible Improvements: Items and runes is about it.
[quote=Nighthawk][color=yellow]Reserved for Verdicts of Guides![/color] [center] [[Akali]] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/shadow-killer-on-duty-85584]AngelPixe's Akali Guide[/url] [color=#ff0000]Verdict[/color]: Good guide, good build. Pretty good explanations too. [color=#008000]Possible Improvements[/color]: Runes, Masteries and grammatical and spelling errors :D __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [[Amumu]] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/amumu-wrapping-up-the-jungle-37186?page=1]Jebus Mcazn's Amumu Guide[/url] [color=#ff0000]Verdict[/color]: Extremely good guide with tons of detail. Probably the best tanking guide for Amumu on the site. [color=#008000]Possible Improvements[/color]: Runes and masteries feel the need to be a bit better, also appears to have a huge wall of text at points which can turn the reader off. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [[Ashe]] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/ashes-to-ashes-67331]Jhoijhoi's Ashe Guide[/url] [color=#ff0000]Verdict[/color]: Real pro guide, nice mix of damage and survivability + great explanation. [color=#008000]Possible Improvements[/color]: Masteries, Runes, maybe some item changes too. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [[Janna]] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/janna-a-harmless-breeze-for-competitive-ranked-play-87766]Scrax's Janna Guide[/url] [color=#ff0000]Verdict[/color]: Def a good guide, nice humour, nice explanations, hot chick. It's all there. [color=#008000]Possible Improvements[/color]: Maybe use images a bit more? Items are a bit to healthy lol, imo you need either some AP for your shield or some more tankiness. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [[Jarvan IV]] [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/the-exemplar-of-tanking-jarvan-iv-the-tank-y-dps-64686]Sacull_Kinslayer Jarvan IV Guide[/url] [color=#ff0000]Verdict[/color]: Very good guide, nice explanations, nice format. [color=#008000]Possible Improvements[/color]: Jungle Jarvan > Lane Jarvan. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [[Malzahar]] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/malzahar-come-mortal-witness-your-demise-103561]Piksel4o's Malzahar Guide[/url] [color=#ff0000]Verdict[/color]: A very good guide with a lot of good things to it. Explain's pretty well too. [color=#008000]Possible Improvements[/color]: Runes should probs be fixed. IMO DFG would fit in well. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [[Master Yi]] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/master-jungler-100462] Palzm's Master Yi Guide[/url] [color=#ff0000]Verdict[/color]: Good guide. Short and sweet. [color=#008000]Possible Improvements[/color]: Items, explanations. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [[Nidalee]] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/nidalee-olympic-gold-medalist-javelin-toss-97712] th3BlackAngel's Nidalee Guide[/url] [color=#ff0000]Verdict[/color]: Good guide. Items/Runes imo could be a bit better, however explanations are good. [color=#008000]Possible Improvements[/color]: Feels a bit short tbh. Lengthen up the explanations and it'll be good I imagine. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [[Soraka]] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/ap-soraka-no-my-horn-doesnt-poke-through-my-deathcap-104646]The_Nameless_Bard's Soraka Guide[/url] [color=#ff0000]Verdict[/color]: Good guide for an AP/Tank/Support Soraka. [color=#008000]Possible Improvements[/color]: Items, runes, masteries. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [[Vladimir]] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/the-blood-bank-a-post-nerf-vladimir-resource-94933] Sacull_Kinslayer's Vladimir Guide[/url] [color=#ff0000]Verdict[/color]: Good guide. Some nice insight into Vlad. [color=#008000]Possible Improvements[/color]: Items and runes is about it.[/quote]
Nighthawk wrote: I might not have the most posts but i'm pretty sure I have the most *****.
Searz wrote: ^ QFT
Reserved in case anyone else wants to review guides here! :D
Guides I still need to review:
VKZ95 wrote:
Guide for: Mordekaiser
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: I want to know what experienced players think of my guide
What I'd like you to focus on: items (what could be changed)
Guide Link: Mordekaiser
ChefoSLR wrote:
Champion Guide for: Leona
Reasons why I want you to review it: I think it's a very in-depth guide on Leona, I worked on it for 4 days. If I can get some comments from a real pro, that would be great. =)
Things I want you to focus on: My choice for masteries and runes and whether my explanations are good enough for everyone to understand.
Link: Leona, Bloodstained Light (Updated)
palzm wrote:
Guide For: Kassadin
Why: to improve. getting no attention either :O
What I'd like you to focus on: All of it
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/void-ninja-104144
Guide For : Nocturne
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: I'd like some feedback from pros.
What I'd like you to focus on: Build order, format of the guide, what i should add, etc. Pretty much just anything I can change in it.
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/fedturne-that-dark-thing-in-the-jungle-107889
Keels wrote:
Guide for: Singed.
Why I want it reviewed: I think I finally have all my coding down. I learned what /center meant, a criticism of my renekton guide. So tell me if I've reached the mountaintop, because that's probably gonna be my last guide.
Do I need more humor? Videos? Results? Graphs(I hate making graphs)?
Aharan wrote:
Guide for: Corki
Why: To help make it better, also I love criticism, helps me make things better.
What'd I like you to focus on: Is it aesthetically appealing? Can I liven things up?
(P.S I already asked Jhoijhoi to review it, and she has, but I would like more then one opinion)
Guide link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/corki-insert-creative-name-here-90103
xIPainIx wrote:
Guide For (champion): Wukong
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: i'd like to know what i could add to make it better :)
What I'd like you to focus on: Anything you think can be added or changed.
Guide Link:http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/wukong-that-funky-monkey-detailed-guide-106047
ShadowNet wrote:
Guide for (champion): Mordekaiser
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: To help me improve it. I need some good criticism.
What I'd like you to focus on: Everything.
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/carry-me-morde-108278?page=1
Dante Rebellion wrote:
Guide for (champion): Shaco
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: I want more attention and +1's.
What I'd like you to focus on: How awesome the guide is.
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/shaco-ahueahueahue-86236
Bryun wrote:
Guide For (champion): Akali
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: Anything jhoijhoi missed. (Don't mention a gameplay section though, I'm getting to that...)
What I'd like you to focus on: Anything that's not right.
Guide Link: Akali: The Epitome of an Assassin.
Xiron wrote:
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: Wanna get your opinion
What I'd like you to focus on: Anything (maybe some sort of spelling check due english is not my mother tongue - nah. forget that one.)
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/wukong-u-no-steal-bananas-108211
guiken wrote:
Hi this is my first attempt (Although trying to be extremely competent and thorough in execution) To write a MobaFire Guide. I've chosen Leona since I've played her constantly, every day since her release.
Guide For (champion): Leona
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: I am always looking for ways to improve the information presented to really create a valuable resource for the community not just an opinion based build.
What I'd like you to focus on: The usefulness of the information presented, any errors/omissions and any further improvements in readability.
Guide Link: Leona: Try to leave a Dent! [Full Guide]
Delandel wrote:
Guide For (champion): Lee Sin
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: First guide, poor ratings, unsure of what to improve.
What I'd like you to focus on: Anything
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/lee-sin-done-right-videos-included-108880
CryMoarHoar wrote:
Guide For : Cassiopeia
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: I'd like the constructive criticism (I haven't written too many guides, but I really think this one is decent.)
What I'd like you to focus on: All of it :D
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/cassiopeia-spamming-is-required-109390
Guide For : Janna
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: To see if people think it's viable.
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/janna-harmless-breeze-my-***-108097
Guide For (champion): Kennen
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: It haven't got any votes for a while. I would like you to look at it :) And all publicity is good publicity.
What I'd like you to focus on: Item build. And general build "look" and "writing style".
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/kennen-the-off-tank-ninja-102793?page=1
kin333x wrote:
Probly the worst thing i have ever written... It was fun but painful
Beware me cause seisures
Guide For (champion): Nasus
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: BECAUSE ITS PRO
What I'd like you to focus on: THE PRONESS
Guide PRO NASUS GUIDE
ShadowReign757 wrote:
Guide For: Rumble
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: Some criticism and rune help
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/rumble-only-cute-on-the-outside-103558
InfamousJoker wrote:
Guide For: Wukong
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: It's my first guide and I'm the type of person that is never happy with my work so I always always try to fix things and it'd be nice to get another point of view on my guide
What I'd like you to focus on: Your first impression from just scrolling down the guide. The information. Does it look good? Does it keep you interested throughout the whole reading experience does it make you feel like I'm a reliable source of information for Wukong?
Guide Link: Click on my signature :)
Fakfejs wrote:
Guide For (champion): Kog'Maw
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: to improve its quality and insides ;]
What I'd like you to focus on: Overall, visuals, formatting and ofcourse idea of champion made that way
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/kogmaw-as-ad-masacre-109665
Ikaax wrote:
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: For check if i can improve some more things on it
What I'd like you to focus on: Anything you can see
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/wukong-on-the-cloud-107787
Ragnarson wrote:
hey. just need some formatting stuff, but anything would be great!
Champion: Maokai
Why i'd Like this reviewed: using a new format/had previously unappealing guides
what i would like you to focus on: mainly the formating, though i will take any advice offered on the context of the build.
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/maokai-the-devoted-partner-offtank-and-spell-pen-109962
thanks again! and awesome work so far!
Could also use some tips on just general build improvement
Champion: Gragas
Why i would like this reviewed:using new format/want to make sure my logic is sound
what i would like focused on: logic errors in build(runes and masteries)
Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/gragas-hes-a-tank-109814
Lakapooty wrote:
Guide for: Olaf
Why I wanted you to review this: I got great criticism from JhoiJhoi on my first guide and I want to see if I got guide writing down this fast.
What I'd like to focus on: The format of the guide. It would also be FANTASTIC if you could try out the build in game to see if it works for other's, not just me.
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/olaf-the-jungle-berserker-110047
Siveo wrote:
Guide For (champion): Shen
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: First guide I've made and looking for some comments to make it even much better!
What I'd like you to focus on: Right items, masteries, runes, ... for my way of playing
Guide Link: Shen
deathalo44 wrote:
Guide for Amumu the Sad Mummy
Why I'll like this to be reviewed : I want to help more people :D And in the same time frame get some rep :P
What I'll like you to focus on : Dunno, anything you like :)
Guide link : In my descript, the Amumu one :D (The rest is also possible, but I didn't format them yet)
Bellator wrote:
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: General publicity that comes along with guides being reviewed on popular threads (What? At least I'm honest.) Also, always looking for opinions and criticism that can help improve my guide!
What I'd like you to focus on: Nothing in specific, skim it over, tell me what you like, tell me what you don't like. You know the drill, eh?
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/stranger-dangers-master-of-metal-100056
gwadzila wrote:
Guide For:Gragass
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: I want best guide on site!!!1!!
What I'd like you to focus on: writing within the guide, ability to understand
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/gragas-the-jack-of-all-trades-86691
shamwoww wrote:
Guide for : Wukong
Why I'd like this to be reviewed: My first guide and no one has commented or voted :(
What I'd like you to focus on: Mostly item build but could you look at every thing else
Link:http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/wukong-see-my-huge-stick-106428
2Much4Yoh wrote:
Guide For (champion):Rumble!
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed:For constructive criticism,guidance,and an overall opinion XD.
What I'd like you to focus on:Mostly the organization and typical guide layout,but the actual build and stuff would be really nice.
Guide Link:http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/rumble-im-on-a-boat-110860
[quote=Nighthawk]Reserved in case anyone else wants to review guides here! :D Also: [b][color=yellow]Guides I still need to review:[/color][/b] [quote=VKZ95] Guide for: [[Mordekaiser]] Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: I want to know what experienced players think of my guide What I'd like you to focus on: items (what could be changed) Guide Link: [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/ap-spell-vamp-morde-105999]Mordekaiser[/url] [/quote] [quote=ChefoSLR] [color=#ffff00]Champion Guide for:[/color] Leona [color=#808000]Reasons why I want you to review it:[/color] I think it's a very in-depth guide on Leona, I worked on it for 4 days. If I can get some comments from a real pro, that would be great. =) [color=#ff8000]Things I want you to focus on:[/color] My choice for masteries and runes and whether my explanations are good enough for everyone to understand. [color=#ff0000]Link:[/color] [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/leona-bloodstained-light-updated-107137]Leona, Bloodstained Light (Updated)[/url] [/quote] [quote=palzm] Guide For: Kassadin Why: to improve. getting no attention either :O What I'd like you to focus on: All of it Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/void-ninja-104144 [/quote] [quote=RosePhoenix] Guide For : Nocturne Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: I'd like some feedback from pros. What I'd like you to focus on: Build order, format of the guide, what i should add, etc. Pretty much just anything I can change in it. Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/fedturne-that-dark-thing-in-the-jungle-107889 [/quote] [quote=Keels] Guide for: Singed. Why I want it reviewed: I think I finally have all my coding down. I learned what /center meant, a criticism of my renekton guide. So tell me if I've reached the mountaintop, because that's probably gonna be my last guide. Do I need more humor? Videos? Results? Graphs(I hate making graphs)? [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/singed-his-chemical-romance-ap-hp-mpen-99768]Buh[/url] [/quote] [quote=Aharan] Guide for: [[Corki]] Why: To help make it better, also I love criticism, helps me make things better. What'd I like you to focus on: Is it aesthetically appealing? Can I liven things up? (P.S I already asked Jhoijhoi to review it, and she has, but I would like more then one opinion) Guide link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/corki-insert-creative-name-here-90103 [/quote] [quote=xIPainIx] Guide For (champion): Wukong Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: i'd like to know what i could add to make it better :) What I'd like you to focus on: Anything you think can be added or changed. Guide Link:http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/wukong-that-funky-monkey-detailed-guide-106047 Thanks in advance [/quote] [quote=ShadowNet] Guide for (champion): Mordekaiser Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: To help me improve it. I need some good criticism. What I'd like you to focus on: Everything. Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/carry-me-morde-108278?page=1 [/quote] [quote=Dante Rebellion] Guide for (champion): Shaco Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: I want more attention and +1's. What I'd like you to focus on: How awesome the guide is. Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/shaco-ahueahueahue-86236 [/quote] [quote=Bryun] Guide For (champion): Akali Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: Anything jhoijhoi missed. (Don't mention a gameplay section though, I'm getting to that...) What I'd like you to focus on: Anything that's not right. Guide Link: [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/akali-the-epitome-of-an-assassin-80578][color=#808000]Akali: The Epitome of an Assassin.[/color][/url] [/quote] [quote=Xiron] Guide For (champion): Wukong Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: Wanna get your opinion What I'd like you to focus on: Anything (maybe some sort of spelling check due english is not my mother tongue - nah. forget that one.) Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/wukong-u-no-steal-bananas-108211 [/quote] [quote=guiken] Hi this is my first attempt (Although trying to be extremely competent and thorough in execution) To write a MobaFire Guide. I've chosen Leona since I've played her constantly, every day since her release. Guide For (champion): Leona Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: I am always looking for ways to improve the information presented to really create a valuable resource for the community not just an opinion based build. What I'd like you to focus on: The usefulness of the information presented, any errors/omissions and any further improvements in readability. Guide Link: [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/leona-try-to-leave-a-dent-full-guide-102432]Leona: Try to leave a Dent! [Full Guide][/url] [/quote] [quote=Delandel] Guide For (champion): [[Lee Sin]] Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: First guide, poor ratings, unsure of what to improve. What I'd like you to focus on: Anything Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/lee-sin-done-right-videos-included-108880 [/quote] [quote=CryMoarHoar] Guide For : Cassiopeia Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: I'd like the constructive criticism (I haven't written too many guides, but I really think this one is decent.) What I'd like you to focus on: All of it :D Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/cassiopeia-spamming-is-required-109390 Guide For : Janna Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: To see if people think it's viable. What I'd like you to focus on: All of it :D Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/janna-harmless-breeze-my-ass-108097 [/quote] [quote=Whated] Guide For (champion): Kennen Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: It haven't got any votes for a while. I would like you to look at it :) And all publicity is good publicity. What I'd like you to focus on: Item build. And general build "look" and "writing style". Guide Link: [url]http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/kennen-the-off-tank-ninja-102793?page=1[/url] [/quote] [quote=kin333x] Probly the worst thing i have ever written... It was fun but painful Beware me cause seisures Guide For (champion): Nasus Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: BECAUSE ITS PRO What I'd like you to focus on: THE PRONESS Guide [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/pro-nasus-guide-109600]PRO NASUS GUIDE[/url] [/quote] [quote=ShadowReign757] Guide For: Rumble Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: Some criticism and rune help What I'd like you to focus on: Anything Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/rumble-only-cute-on-the-outside-103558 [/quote] [quote=InfamousJoker] Guide For: Wukong Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: It's my first guide and I'm the type of person that is never happy with my work so I always always try to fix things and it'd be nice to get another point of view on my guide What I'd like you to focus on: Your first impression from just scrolling down the guide. The information. Does it look good? Does it keep you interested throughout the whole reading experience does it make you feel like I'm a reliable source of information for Wukong? Guide Link: Click on my signature :) [/quote] [quote=Fakfejs] Guide For (champion): Kog'Maw Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: to improve its quality and insides ;] What I'd like you to focus on: Overall, visuals, formatting and ofcourse idea of champion made that way Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/kogmaw-as-ad-masacre-109665 [/quote] [quote=Ikaax] Guide For (champion): Wukong Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: For check if i can improve some more things on it What I'd like you to focus on: Anything you can see Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/wukong-on-the-cloud-107787 [/quote] [quote=Ragnarson] hey. just need some formatting stuff, but anything would be great! Champion: Maokai Why i'd Like this reviewed: using a new format/had previously unappealing guides what i would like you to focus on: mainly the formating, though i will take any advice offered on the context of the build. Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/maokai-the-devoted-partner-offtank-and-spell-pen-109962 thanks again! and awesome work so far! Could also use some tips on just general build improvement Champion: Gragas Why i would like this reviewed:using new format/want to make sure my logic is sound what i would like focused on: logic errors in build(runes and masteries) Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/gragas-hes-a-tank-109814 [/quote] [quote=Lakapooty] Guide for: Olaf Why I wanted you to review this: I got great criticism from JhoiJhoi on my first guide and I want to see if I got guide writing down this fast. What I'd like to focus on: The format of the guide. It would also be FANTASTIC if you could try out the build in game to see if it works for other's, not just me. Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/olaf-the-jungle-berserker-110047 [/quote] [quote=Siveo] Guide For (champion): Shen Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: First guide I've made and looking for some comments to make it even much better! What I'd like you to focus on: Right items, masteries, runes, ... for my way of playing Guide Link: [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/dont-mess-with-the-shen-98615]Shen[/url] [/quote] [quote=deathalo44] Guide for Amumu the Sad Mummy Why I'll like this to be reviewed : I want to help more people :D And in the same time frame get some rep :P What I'll like you to focus on : Dunno, anything you like :) Guide link : In my descript, the Amumu one :D (The rest is also possible, but I didn't format them yet) [/quote] [quote=Bellator] Guide For (champion): [[Mordekaiser]] Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: General publicity that comes along with guides being reviewed on popular threads (What? At least I'm honest.) Also, always looking for opinions and criticism that can help improve my guide! What I'd like you to focus on: Nothing in specific, skim it over, tell me what you like, tell me what you don't like. You know the drill, eh? Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/stranger-dangers-master-of-metal-100056 [/quote] [quote=gwadzila] Guide For:Gragass Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: I want best guide on site!!!1!! What I'd like you to focus on: writing within the guide, ability to understand Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/gragas-the-jack-of-all-trades-86691 [/quote] [quote=shamwoww] Guide for : Wukong Why I'd like this to be reviewed: My first guide and no one has commented or voted :( What I'd like you to focus on: Mostly item build but could you look at every thing else Link:http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/wukong-see-my-huge-stick-106428 [/quote] [quote=2Much4Yoh] Guide For (champion):Rumble! Why I'd like this to be Reviewed:For constructive criticism,guidance,and an overall opinion XD. What I'd like you to focus on:Mostly the organization and typical guide layout,but the actual build and stuff would be really nice. Guide Link:http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/rumble-im-on-a-boat-110860 [/quote][/quote]
Jebus McAzn
<Retired Moderator>
Esteemed (457)
Permalink | Quote | PM | +Rep July 30, 2011 12:48pm | Report
I'd always appreciate more opinions on good old Amumu.
Guide For: Amumu
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: MOAR CRITICISM. MOAAARRRR
What I'd like you to focus on: Anything that's wrong or needs improvement. Feel free to be as harsh as you like.
Guide Link: Click on Knight Amumu in my signature.
[quote=Jebus McAzn]I'd always appreciate more opinions on good old Amumu. Guide For: Amumu Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: MOAR CRITICISM. MOAAARRRR What I'd like you to focus on: Anything that's wrong or needs improvement. Feel free to be as harsh as you like. Guide Link: Click on Knight Amumu in my signature.[/quote]
th3BlackAngel
Permalink | Quote | PM | +Rep July 30, 2011 1:01pm | Report
I need some more insight on my Nid guide, since I plan on re-releasing it.
Guide for: Nidalee
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: Insight on anything that might help. Format, items, runes.
What I'd like you to focus on: All of it.
Guide Link: Link on my sig.
[quote=th3BlackAngel]I need some more insight on my Nid guide, since I plan on re-releasing it. Guide for: Nidalee Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: Insight on anything that might help. Format, items, runes. What I'd like you to focus on: All of it. Guide Link: Link on my sig.[/quote]
Nidalee - Olympic Gold Medalist Guide <-- Recently Updated
Thanks to JEFFY40HANDS for this amazing sig
What People Look For In a Guide
Distinguished (252)
No idea if I can handle more criticism after that bomb from Jhoi (lololol), but shoot.. Let's.
Guide for: Janna
Why I'd like this to be reviewed: More criticism = better guide.
What I'd like you to focus on: As always: My reasoning.
Guide link: Here
[quote=Scrax]No idea if I can handle more criticism after that bomb from Jhoi (lololol), but shoot.. Let's. Guide for: [[Janna]] Why I'd like this to be reviewed: More criticism = better guide. What I'd like you to focus on: As always: My reasoning. Guide link: [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/janna-a-harmless-breeze-for-competitive-ranked-play-87766]Here[/url][/quote]
Reviewing Next! :D
Jebus McAzn wrote:
[quote=Nighthawk][color=yellow]Reviewing Next! :D[/color] [quote=Jebus McAzn] I'd always appreciate more opinions on good old Amumu. Guide For: Amumu Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: MOAR CRITICISM. MOAAARRRR What I'd like you to focus on: Anything that's wrong or needs improvement. Feel free to be as harsh as you like. Guide Link: Click on Knight Amumu in my signature. [/quote][/quote]
Piksel4o
Guide For: Malzahar
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: Criticism. That way I can improve as a guide writer/player :P
What I'd like you to focus on: Is the information easy enough to follow? Are my explanations good enough for the people to understand? Also, are there any distractions (ex. colours, unnecessary humour attempts, things like that)
Guide Link: Clicky
[quote=Piksel4o]Guide For: [[Malzahar]] Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: Criticism. That way I can improve as a guide writer/player :P What I'd like you to focus on: Is the information easy enough to follow? Are my explanations good enough for the people to understand? Also, are there any distractions (ex. colours, unnecessary humour attempts, things like that) Guide Link: [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/malzahar-come-mortal-witness-your-demise-103561]Clicky[/url][/quote]
Thanks to Alexanpt and wRAthoFVuLK for the AWESOME sigs!
My Malzahar Guide
Sacull_Kinslayer
Guide For (champion): Vlad
Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: To improve it.
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/the-blood-bank-the-post-nerfed-vladimir-resource-94933
Guide For (champion): Jarvan
Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/the-exemplar-of-tanking-jarvan-iv-the-tank-y-dps-64686
[quote=Sacull_Kinslayer]Guide For (champion): Vlad Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: To improve it. What I'd like you to focus on: All of it. Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/the-blood-bank-the-post-nerfed-vladimir-resource-94933 Guide For (champion): Jarvan Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: To improve it. What I'd like you to focus on: All of it. Guide Link: http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/the-exemplar-of-tanking-jarvan-iv-the-tank-y-dps-64686[/quote]
Did I manage to assist you in any way? Hook me up by hitting that nifty +Rep button.
All guides have been archived due to my not being able to play LoL currently. The information is still there and is good but until I return they will be archived. I am able to keep them updated and current though.
Vladimir's Blood Resource. Designed for beginner's and beyond.
Vladimir's Blood Resource: Post Nerf Edition.
The Exemplar of Tanking: Jarvan IV .
Making a Guide by jhoijhoi This is everything you need to know about making a guide. Amazing.
...and Buffy staked Edward. The End.
Jebus's review is done and up at the top (or in his guide).
Reviewing Next
Piksel4o wrote:
[quote=Nighthawk]Jebus's review is done and up at the top (or in his guide). [color=yellow]Reviewing Next[/color] [quote=Piksel4o] Guide For: [[Malzahar]] Why I'd like this to be Reviewed: Criticism. That way I can improve as a guide writer/player :P What I'd like you to focus on: Is the information easy enough to follow? Are my explanations good enough for the people to understand? Also, are there any distractions (ex. colours, unnecessary humour attempts, things like that) Guide Link: [url=http://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/malzahar-come-mortal-witness-your-demise-103561]Clicky[/url] [/quote][/quote]
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TRAVEL, SEX, DRUGS, MURDER ...
"The Exorcist," "Bug" and "Killer Joe"
"THRILLING ... A GREAT READ"
"INTENSE ... GREGORY W. BEAUBIEN
IS A MASTER OF SENSORY DETAILS"
Arts in Review
Sex, Violence of Psycho
Shower Scene Dissected in Documentary 78/52
Conflicting emotions of audience as both
voyeur and victim were Hitchcock’s point
By GREG BEAUBIEN Nov. 11, 2017
“COLOR BLOOD WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO REPULSIVE,” Alfred Hitchcock says, explaining why he filmed his classic 1960 movie Psycho in black and white.
By now it’s well known that diluted Hershey’s chocolate syrup was used to simulate blood spattering and then pouring into the bathtub during the film’s legendary shower scene—in which the embezzling, adulterous blonde played by Janet Leigh is knifed to death by what appears to be an old woman but is later revealed as her son, Norman Bates, played by Anthony Perkins. But a wealth of new insights into Psycho and its shower scene in particular emerge in the excellent new documentary 78/52, from writer/director Alexandre O. Philippe.
The documentary’s title refers to the 78 camera set-ups and 52 fast edits that went into the harrowing three-minute shower scene, which are discussed and dissected by actors, directors, writers and editors including Peter Bogdanovich, Guillermo del Toro, Bret Easton Ellis, Danny Elfman, Elijah Wood—and Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Leigh’s daughter.
Through their comments, we come to appreciate the artistry of Psycho and its shower scene even more than before, further realizing the brilliance of a film which when released seemed like a strange, B-movie choice from the director whose previous picture had been the lush, color masterpiece North by Northwest.
In one archival interview clip, Hitchcock claims that Psycho was intended as a joke. But the idea that we are not safe even while taking a hot shower, a moment when we stand naked and most vulnerable—and that the mothers of idealized 1950s America could destroy us—was made all the more unsettling by Hitchcock’s device of turning audiences into voyeurs alongside the psychopathic Bates, while also being attacked by him.
Janet Leigh in the shower scene from director Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 movie Psycho.
To the shrieking beats of Bernard Herrmann’s classic score, the glinting butcher knife slashed not only Leigh’s body but at the camera and the audience themselves, seeming to stab straight through the screen at the screaming theater patrons in their seats. From varying angles, we become killer and victim, seeing the knife raised as if in religious judgment before coming down at Leigh and at us, again and again. In the documentary we learn that the scene’s sound effects were achieved by plunging a knife into melons and a slab of beef.
A true artist, Hitchcock defied convention and expectations with Psycho’s black-and-white film, overt sexuality, near nudity and murder of its leading lady early in the movie. The fact that Leigh is suddenly attacked and killed, and in such an intense way, has not lost its power to shock but must have been especially terrifying to viewers seeing the movie for the first time.
The knife that penetrates her is a deadly phallic proxy
wielded by the sexually repressed Norman Bates.
Among the interviews in 78/52 are people involved with the 1998 remake of Psycho, which should not have been included (arguably the new version should never have been made). Credit is given to the wide-ranging cultural impact the original film has left on movies, television shows and music. In one archival sound recording, director Martin Scorsese explains that he modeled a fight sequence in his boxing movie Raging Bull after the shower scene in Psycho.
One important point never acknowledged during 78/52 is the naked truth that the scene it celebrates involves the brutal murder of a woman. Setting aside the technical and artistic ingenuity of the filmmakers, it’s a horrible thing to witness. Leigh’s character, Marion Crane, is lethally punished for stealing money from her employer and having sex with a married man. The knife that penetrates her body becomes a deadly phallic proxy wielded by the sexually repressed Norman Bates and directed by the malignant spirit of his dead mother—both of whom were extensions of Hitchcock himself.
The documentary 78/52 will leave you with a heightened understanding and appreciation for Psycho, but also a queasy sense of guilt for taking pleasure in something so horrific. But the conflicting emotions of being voyeur and victim were Hitchcock’s point. As Mexican director del Toro says in the documentary, “You knew you were in the hands of a master.”
Greg Beaubien’s first novel is the critically acclaimed psychological thriller Shadows the Sizes of Cities.
You will also like:
The fateful rise—and penetrating cinema—of director William Friedkin
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Postponed: New York International Auto Show
by HJ Pizarro on March 13, 2020
Late Tuesday afternoon, the organizers of the New York International Auto Show announced that its annual show was postponed. Originally scheduled to run April 10-19th, the show was rescheduled for August 28th through September 6, 2020. Mark Schienberg, President of the New York Automobile Dealers Association, said the move was being made to protect “attendees, exhibitors, and all participants from the Coronavirus.”
A Century of Shows
The show was first organized in 1900. This is the first time the show schedule has been disrupted since World War II. During the war, the show was canceled for two years. Since then, the event has grown to be one of the most respected in the automotive industry, with manufacturers often having big debut events for new models.
CHONGQING, Feb. 7, 2020 — Volunteer driver Guo Gaoping cleans a commute car for frontline health workers in Yunyang County, southwest China’s Chongqing, Feb. 6, 2020. | Photo by Wang Quanchao/Xinhua via Getty
The show was originally scheduled a month from now, but the uncertainty around Coronavirus has many organizers of all near term large events waiting to see what happens. The Coronavirus has spread so quickly that the World Health Organization on their website Wednesday declared, “COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.” So, event organizers around the world are taking a step back to gauge the still unknown health impact.
Ford Motor Co. signage on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange | Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The virus has not been playing nicely with world markets either. They are grappling to identify how it will affect their worker’s lives and productivity. According to the press release posted on the New York International Auto Show website, the show contributes $330 million to the local economy.
Rescheduling the auto show may buy some time for the world to come together and agree on the best course of action in responding, containing, and treating the Coronavirus. Until then, the New York International Auto Show has fallen into the uncertainty that organizers of all large events are currently facing. Yet, the responses have been inconsistent. Last month the annual Geneva Auto Show was canceled. But, just Wednesday morning, the organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix determined to embrace the race and hold their event as scheduled this weekend.
Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton | Marco Serena/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Over one million people visit the Javits Center every year just for the New York International Auto Show. To make even small changes, such as installing additional sanitization stations, becomes a tremendous undertaking for the organizers. Securing enough sanitizer and handwashing stations could become a sourcing problem when the rest of the world is looking to do the same thing for all of their large events. New York is not a stranger to doing things big, though.
Not Like Geneva
The Geneva Motor show was canceled only a few days before it was scheduled to open its doors due to new government restrictions on the large gatherings. Auto manufacturers also use that event for big announcements. The late announcement meant manufacturers had to scramble to come up with digital unveilings. The New York show will be different because it is being postponed, not canceled. So, unveilings are still something to look forward to. However, many vendors that were preparing for the show may already have unrecoverable costs.
Tags: Coronavirus NYIAS
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How to sound like an NFL fan while watching the Super Bowl
If you're among the millions of people who watch precisely one NFL game each year, yet want to sound like a real football fan during Sunday's Super Bowl, The Associated Press has you covered.
This guide includes talking points for some of the biggest storylines and critical characters that everyone will be watching and discussing when the New England Patriots face the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51 in Houston:
TOM BRADY: Brady is New England's 39-year-old quarterback, their superstar with the cover-boy looks and the Brazilian supermodel wife. He is certain to be the most yapped-about player in the game - and not merely because he is trying to become the first starting QB to win a fifth Super Bowl ring and first player at any position to win a fourth Super Bowl MVP award. As he throws passes to Chris Hogan (whose college lacrosse days are worth knowing about) or hands off to one of three running backs who could be important, you'll hear plenty about Brady's four-game suspension at the start of this season for what became known as ...
'DEFLATEGATE': The NFL determined the Patriots intentionally underinflated footballs used during their AFC championship game victory two years ago and said Brady had a role. Eventually, after a federal court sided with the league, Brady served his punishment ; the NFL fined the Patriots $1 million and took away two draft picks - all of which is why if New England beats Atlanta, all eyes will be on ...
ROGER GOODELL: The commissioner of the NFL could be put in the awkward position of sharing a postgame stage for the trophy ceremony with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Brady. Goodell avoided going to Foxborough, Massachusetts, for either of New England's home playoff games last month (he attended two games in Atlanta) and was mocked by Patriots fans' chants of "Where is Roger?" This wasn't the first time Goodell punished the Patriots for running afoul of league rules while they've been coached by ...
BILL BELICHICK: Considered by some the greatest coach in NFL history, branded as a cheater by others, Belichick can break the record for most Super Bowl championships for a coach by collecting No. 5. A flop with the Cleveland Browns in the early 1990s, Belichick then infamously resigned one day after getting the top job with the New York Jets in 2000, heading instead to New England. Long before "Deflategate," there was "Spygate," when the Patriots videotaped signals being sent in by Jets coaches during a 2007 game, earning a $500,000 fine for Belichick. While his offense flourishes thanks to Brady, Belichick is a defensive mastermind, a trait that comes in handy against ...
MATT RYAN: Known as "Matty Ice" for his cool demeanor, Atlanta's quarterback is coming off one of the best seasons in NFL history, including 38 touchdown passes and seven interceptions, making him a favorite to win the MVP award Saturday night. Ryan threw TDs to a record 13 receivers as part of a versatile ...
FALCONS OFFENSE: Orchestrated by offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan - expected to be hired soon to coach the San Francisco 49ers, he is the son of Mike Shanahan, who led the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowl trophies - Atlanta led the NFL by averaging 33.8 points. Receiver Julio Jones can score whenever he touches the ball, Mohamed Sanu is talented, too (and played QB in college, so look for a trick play with him throwing), and Taylor Gabriel is a speedster. Running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman gain yards on the ground and as pass-catchers. The Patriots allowed a league-low 15.6 points per game. In six previous Super Bowls between the No. 1 offense and No. 1 defense , the defense went 5-1. Another trend: Six previous Belichick-Brady Super Bowls (New England is 4-2) were all decided by four points or fewer, so a key role could be played by ...
THE KICKERS: It's been more than 25 years since a Super Bowl extra point was missed, but don't head to the fridge when New England's Stephen Gostkowski and Atlanta's Matt Bryant line up to kick. While both have had successful careers - although Gostkowski did miss three field-goal tries and two extra points in the first seven games this season - kickers all around the NFL had trouble with extra points in 2016, the second year with those attempts taken from 33 yards away, instead of 20. In one week alone this season, 12 extra points were missed, four more than in all of 2014.
Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich
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How old is Sean Connery?
Sean Connery was born on 25 August 1930. Sean Connery died on 31 October 2020 at the age of 90 years.
What was the exact age of Sean Connery?
Sean Connery's exact age was 90 years 2 months 6 days old. Sean Connery lived for total 32,940 days.
What would be the age of Sean Connery if alive?
Sean Connery's exact age would be 90 years 4 months 21 days old if alive. Total 33,016 days.
What is the zodiac sign of Sean Connery?
Zodiac sign of Sean Connery is Virgo.
Sean Tommy Connery was a famous Scottish actor, filmmaker, producer, and philanthropist. He was born in 1930 in a poor family and his path to his successful acting career was really long and winding. He took plenty of various jobs, from bodyguard to carpenter, in order to make the ends meet and have an opportunity to develop his acting skills. He appeared on a serious theater stage in 1951, and his first cinema debut took place in 1955. After accepting a few roles, in the 1960s Connery became a loved and famous actor with his amazing portrayal of James Bond. He took part in 7 consequent movies about Agent 007 and still is considered to be one of the best Bonds in the whole cinema history. He continued accepting various roles from such famous movie directors as Hitchcock, Lumet, Houston, Boorman, and others. In the late 1970s Connery got bored of the image of James Bond and started experimenting with the roles, taking part in such movies like The Wind and The Lion, Robin and Marylin, the Highlander, Indiana Jones, and his performance in The Untouchables brought him his only Academy Award. Such movies as The Rock where he starred together with Nicolas Cage, or The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, are considered to be among the best in the whole career of the actor. He won three Golden Globe and two BAFTA Awards. A few times Sean Connery was named the sexiest man alive. He was also a knight and a very respectable person in the Hollywood community. He was married twice and had a son who is also an actor and cinema producer. Connery died peacefully in October 2020, at the age of 90...
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Black and Gold Wallpaper
Download Black and Gold Wallpaper for free, use for mobile and desktop. Discover more 1080p Wallpaper, android Wallpaper, background Wallpaper, cool Wallpaper, cute Wallpaper, elegant Wallpaper, geometric Wallpaper, Glitter Wallpaper, high resolution Wallpaper, iphone Wallpaper, Lock Screen Wallpaper, rose gold Wallpaper.
DOWNLOAD Black and Gold Wallpaper
“Black and Gold” is the lead single from Australian singer Sam Sparro’s eponymous debut album. The song was written by Sparro (Sam Falson) and Jesse Rogg. It has been remixed by Max Sanna and Steve Pitron, Paul Epworth, Al Usher, Kings of the Universe, Kromatik and Russ Chimes. The original version of the single was made available online on 23 March 2008, with the entire album available from 31 March, On 7 April, the CD, 12-inch, and limited edition 7-inch singles were released.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_Gold
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Trump booed, cheered at UFC fight in New York City
His appearance at Madison Square Garden was the first in his hometown since announcing he was changing his permanent residence to Florida.
Trump receives boos and cheers at UFC match
Nov. 3, 2019, 4:15 AM UTC
By Dennis Romero
President Donald Trump was greeted by a mix of boos and cheers Saturday night as he walked into Madison Square Garden to attend an Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts bout.
The appearance was his first in New York City since announcing he was changing his permanent residence to Florida and also marked the first time a sitting president attended an MMA event.
The reaction came only six days after Trump was roundly booed at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., where he attended a World Series game.
Here is President Trump entering MSG for UFC 244. 📽 @jasonrubin91 pic.twitter.com/AVbbFHk6Av
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 3, 2019
Although UFC president Dana White is a Trump supporter, the sport featuring many Latino, African American and immigrant fighters isn't naturally friendly political turf for the president. Perhaps reflecting its large Latino fan base, Mexican beer Modelo last year replaced Bud Light as the organization's official brew.
Trump attended the event with sons Donald Jr. and Eric, as well as a group of congressional Republicans, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, Mark Meadows of North Carolina and Peter King of New York.
Some MMA fans held signs reading "Remove Trump" and "impeach Trump."
Later, Donald Trump Jr. tweeted that his father's reception was "overwhelmingly positive."
"@danawhite said it was the most electrifying entrance he seen in 25 years of doing this," he tweeted.
Several dozen demonstrators, including members of local anti-fascist groups, gathered outside the venue in Midtown Manhattan to protest Trump's visit, some holding placards that read "Impeach Trump" and chanting "Out now!"
President Donald Trump looks on during UFC mixed martial arts fights Saturday night in New York City.Evan Vucci / AP
The president's late nemesis, Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, was an early critic of mixed martial arts and, in 1996, at a time when the sport was sometimes staged in seedy bars, famously described it as "human cockfighting."
Trump hosted boxing at his defunct Atlantic City venues, and he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 after participating in occasional pro wrestling side shows. Recently, he's become a friend of the Las Vegas-based UFC, and White endorsed him for president in 2016.
White said Trump wanted to attend the 2017 "superfight" between boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and UFC champ Conor McGregor but decided against it because he didn't want to overshadow or "ruin" the occasion.
In the main event Saturday between welterweights Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal, a technical knockout was called in the third round in favor of Masvidal because a doctor was concerned about a cut on Diaz's face.
Dennis Romero
Freddie Tunnard contributed.
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Chris Herren Speaks at Naperville North from Naperville News 17 on Vimeo.
Chris Herren Speaks at Naperville North
Former NBA star and motivational speaker Chris Herren came back to Naperville North High School.
Normally Herren waits four years between visits to one place, but this was his second visit to North in two years – the students wanted to see him again.
“So many of them came back and said his message was so powerful and it transformed our school community and Naperville’s community, ‘so can you please bring him back so that his spirit and his message can never be lost amongst the student body,’” said Jessica Freed, Dean of Students at Naperville North High School.
Herren’s story is one about the dangers of drug use. He lost his professional basketball career because of his addiction. As a recovered addict, he works to inspire students to live sober lives.
He delivered his presentation, “Rebound: The Chris Herren Story” twice. Once during the day to all Naperville North students, and once in the evening in an event open to parents and other community members.
“We had students that he changed their lives, they came to us and said to us that it was the most memorable thing, maybe ‘I was thinking about doing something negative in my life and he convinced me that being myself 24/7 is who I should be,’” said Jennifer Baumgartner, Dean of Student Activities at Naperville North High School.
Herren’s speech was in line with North’s “Be You 24/7,” motto, which is meant to encourage students to be proud of themselves, and to not change for others.
Student organizations, parent booster clubs, and anonymous donors all raised funds to bring Herren back in a school-wide effort.
Naperville Community Television’s Blane Erwin reports.
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NAMI DuPage
2020 marks the 35th anniversary of NAMI DuPage, a local nonprofit that provides support, education and advocacy to individuals living with mental illness and their families. Since that time, NAMI DuPage has served tens of thousands of people annually, including more than 30,000 last year. But instead of planning the typical anniversary celebrations, NAMI DuPage has spent much of 2020 responding to the evolving pandemic, pivoting to online platforms and expanding programs to meet the increased need for high quality, low-cost mental health services.
NAMI DuPage was started in 1985 by parents of adult children with mental illness, all of whom had experienced decades of little support, lack of information, and disparate medical care. In many cases, they also were profoundly isolated. With an indomitable spirit, they began by identifying what they believed were the unmet needs of their children and their families and strategized how they could build on existing programs and services. In spring of 2020, NAMI DuPage also underwent a strategic analysis of programs and services to determine how to best reduce anxiety, depression, and one of the key mental health risks in the pandemic—social isolation.
These are some of the accomplishments of NAMI DuPage during the past few months:
Transitioned its support groups to online format within the first week of the stay at home order, and offered NAMI affiliates without the technical capabilities an opportunity to join ours;
Continued its Living Room respite program in-person at regular hours. The Living Room is an alternative to the Emergency Room for those experiencing heightened mental health symptoms, but which do not rise to the level of Emergency Department assistance.
Contacted more than 1800 households within 2 months to offer assistance and check on well-being
Offered online and telephonic peer-to-peer counseling
Provided resource assistance via phone and email
Presented workshops/seminars on timely topics such as suicide awareness, parenting through the pandemic, and developing coping skills
Presented an online employment class and started an online job club
Maintained its onsite print shop (social enterprise) in conjunction with its Supported Employment Program
Offered an in-person and online Remembrance Ceremony for those who have lost a loved one to suicide
Offered online recreation activities including trivial pursuit, bingo, book club and art class
Hosted an Octoberfest (in-person) at the DuPage County Fairgrounds with 3 bands, including the Northwestern/CDH physicians and medical providers group, The Vital Signs. In addition, there was a kids Halloween costume contest, balloon animals for children, and baby goats to play with! (We can provide pictures, too!)
We know that even when the pandemic has lost its grip on our health and economy, mental health issues will remain. Hundreds of thousands of American families have lost a loved one, millions of people have lost jobs or businesses, abused alcohol or drugs, and destroyed relationships. Many are facing food insecurity, eviction, and in some cases, imprisonment. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for trauma, but there is recovery. It is hard work and often a lifelong process, but at NAMI DuPage, our peers and speakers who are themselves in recovery, will tell you, “No matter your situation, there is always hope.”
Spotlight Guest
Geri Kerger, Executive Director
More from Spotlight
Watch more interviews with local nonprofit organizations serving the Naperville area.
Naperville Hurling & Camogie Club is an international sports organization whose mission is to spread knowledge of the Irish sports of hurling & camogie.
Naperville Hurling & Camogie Club
The Naperville Men’s Glee Club seeks to inspire audiences, nurture youth in music appreciation, support community, and provide fellowship for men of all ages.
The Naperville Men’s Glee Club
National Charity League is a nonprofit mother-daughter organization that serves our community through philanthropy work.
National Charity League of Greater Naperville
SCORE is a National Organization that is the largest network of business advice volunteers with over 10,000 individuals across 300 chapters in the United States.
SCORE Fox Valley
The DuPage Symphony Orchestra provides inspiration and cultural enrichment through musical excellence, educational programs, and community outreach.
DuPage Symphony Orchestra
The Alive Center is a teen-led, teen-driven center focused on empowering the youth of today to become the impassioned, resilient leaders of tomorrow.
Alive Center
Local experts weigh in on COVID-19’s impact on Naperville’s collective mental health.
Impact of COVID-19 on Employment, Food and Housing Hardships in Naperville.
Impact of COVID-19 on Employment, Food and Housing Hardships
2020 marks the 35th anniversary of NAMI DuPage, a local nonprofit that provides support, education and advocacy to individuals living with mental illness and their families.
The Naperville Noon Lions Club is part of the rich history of Lions Clubs International which began as the dream of Chicago businessman Melvin Jones in 1917.
Naperville Noon Lions Club
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A critical appraisal of the scientific basis of commercial genomic profiles used to assess health risks and personalize health interventions.
Janssens ACJW., Gwinn M., Bradley LA., Oostra BA., van Duijn CM., Khoury MJ.
Predictive genomic profiling used to produce personalized nutrition and other lifestyle health recommendations is currently offered directly to consumers. By examining previous meta-analyses and HuGE reviews, we assessed the scientific evidence supporting the purported gene-disease associations for genes included in genomic profiles offered online. We identified seven companies that offer predictive genomic profiling. We searched PubMed for meta-analyses and HuGE reviews of studies of gene-disease associations published from 2000 through June 2007 in which the genotypes of people with a disease were compared with those of a healthy or general-population control group. The seven companies tested at least 69 different polymorphisms in 56 genes. Of the 56 genes tested, 24 (43%) were not reviewed in meta-analyses. For the remaining 32 genes, we found 260 meta-analyses that examined 160 unique polymorphism-disease associations, of which only 60 (38%) were found to be statistically significant. Even the 60 significant associations, which involved 29 different polymorphisms and 28 different diseases, were generally modest, with synthetic odds ratios ranging from 0.54 to 0.88 for protective variants and from 1.04 to 3.2 for risk variants. Furthermore, genes in cardiogenomic profiles were more frequently associated with noncardiovascular diseases than with cardiovascular diseases, and though two of the five genes of the osteogenomic profiles did show significant associations with disease, the associations were not with bone diseases. There is insufficient scientific evidence to conclude that genomic profiles are useful in measuring genetic risk for common diseases or in developing personalized diet and lifestyle recommendations for disease prevention.
Commerce, Genetic Diseases, Inborn, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Genome, Human, Genomics, Health, Humans, Polymorphism, Genetic, Risk Factors
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Home > Catholic Encyclopedia > A > St. Arialdo
St. Arialdo
Martyred at Milan in 1065, for his attempt to reform the simoniacal and immoral clergy of that city. He was of noble extraction, born at Cutiacum, near Milan, and after his studies, at Laon and Paris, was made a canon in the cathedral city. For inveighing against abuses he was excommunicated by the bishop Guido, but was immediately reinstated by Pope Stephen, who bade him continue the work of reformation. He succeeded in having the bishop excommunicated because of his repeated lapses, but a riot ensued, resulting in serious injury to Arialdo. Previously an attempt had been made on his life with a poisoned sword. Later, when on his way to Rome, he was set upon by the emissaries of Guido and slain. Ten months after, his body was found in Lago Maggiore in a perfect state of preservation, and emitting a sweet odour. It was carried with great pomp to Milan, and exposed in the church of St. Ambrose from Ascension to Pentecost. It was subsequently interred in the church of St. Celsus, and in the following year, 1067, Alexander II declared him a martyr.
APA citation. Campbell, T. (1907). St. Arialdo. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01707b.htm
MLA citation. Campbell, Thomas. "St. Arialdo." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01707b.htm>.
Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Anthony A. Killeen. A.M.D.G.
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The Lady Panthers, ranked third in the NCAA-II coaches' poll, improved to 28-2 and ended UMSL's season with a 21-6 record. Drury's win snapped the Tritons 14-game winning streak while the Lady Panthers won their 13th straight.
Drury started the fourth quarter trailing 52-46 and found themselves behind by five, 62-57, with 2:15 remaining. The Lady Panthers chipped away with three-pointers from seniors Alice Heinzler and Heather Harman and took advantage of a UMSL turnover that put Hailey Diestelkamp at the free throw line with 25 seconds left. The sophomore from Owensville sank both giving Drury their first lead in the second half, 65-64.
Heinzler grabbed her seventh steal of the game 11 seconds later, was fouled and her two free throws put the Lady Panthers ahead by three.
UMSL, the fourth seed in the tournament, still had a chance to tie as Arielle Jackson was fouled on a three-point attempt with four seconds on the clock but only connected on two of the three tries. Heinzler then sealed the game with two more free throws.
"Our seniors did what they needed to do in crunch time, and that's make big plays," said Drury head coach Molly Miller. "We had to have some persistence, and our group just had the will to win this game."
Harman led Drury with 19 points while Heinzler finished with 18 and scored 14 of those in the fourth quarter.
Jackson led the Tritons with a game-high 24 points.
UMSL shot 51 percent from the field hitting 27 of their 53 shots and went 6 for 15 from the three-point line. The Lady Panthers shot 41 percent connecting on 23 of 56 attempts and were 8 for 21 from long-range. Drury was out-rebounded 37-20.
"UMSL is one of the best teams we've played all year," said Miller. "This was the toughest game we've played to date. They deserve a lot of credit. They are a well-coached team...they're very talented, and they defended and rebounded really well.”
Drury will play second-seeded Southern Indiana for the GLVC championship on Sunday. The Lady Panthers will be looking to win back-to-back GLVC tournaments for the first time in program history. Tipoff is at 1 p.m. at the Vadalabene Center in Edwardsville, Illinois.
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Storming the plants, seizing past profits, jailing energy executives—have we gotten to the point where the radical is reasonable? Find out in part two of an SN&R special report.
By Steven T. Jones
SACRAMENTO, Aug. 14, 2001—California officials yesterday launched what many involved in the energy crisis see as a revolution against the power-generating corporations that have drained this state’s bank accounts and caused a summer of unprecedented blackouts.
After filing a petition last week of eminent domain in Sacramento County Superior Court, officials from the newly renamed California Department of Water and Power, accompanied by sheriff’s deputies, yesterday seized 23 power plants around the state.
These were the plants—owned by Duke, Reliant, Mirant, AES, Enron and Dynergy—that were purchased in the wake of California’s 1996 effort to deregulate the state’s electricity generation system, which has proved to be a disaster.
“This was an action I was forced to take to protect the people of California,” said Governor Gray Davis during a press conference outside a seized plant in Morro Bay. “These companies had more than adequate opportunity to avoid this fate, but they refused to restrain their greed.”
Company officials responded angrily to the seizures, vowing an aggressive legal fight and using labels that included “un-American,” “communist,” and “downright evil.”
“California’s governor is behaving like a Third World dictator,” said Jan Smutny-Jones of Independent Energy Producers Association. “This is outright thievery.”
Davis had been threatening to seize the plants since his State of the State speech in January. Even as the state’s two major utilities were driven into bankruptcy and California consumers endured nearly a month’s worth of rolling blackouts this year, Davis was reluctant to make good on the threat.
That changed last week when average prices for a megawatt-hour of electricity reached $1,900 and blackouts rolled across the state each day. California also saw its credit rating lowered once again after spending more than $15 billion to purchase power for its citizens.
Still, Davis sought to avoid the plant seizures by signing a bill that created a buyer’s cartel among all electricity consumers in California that would buy power for no more than $150 per megawatt. When some energy executives publicly indicated they might not sell to Californians at that price, Davis ordered the plant seizures.
“These companies left me with no other choices,” Davis said.
While some experts have speculated that the seizures could cause disruptions in the power supply, a Davis spokesman said no plant was powered down during the transition. That was due to utility workers with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245 and Utility Workers Union of America, who welcomed the new owners. Both unions have for several months urged the governor to seize the plants.
While California now controls its power plants and sets wholesale prices, the eminent domain action could spend the next few years in the courts as government and corporate lawyers argue about the value of the plants.
Although the corporations paid just $3.2 billion for the 23 plants, the generators are expected to argue that high wholesale and future’s market prices make them considerably more valuable.
Lawyers for the state, on the other hand, will likely point out to the court that most of the corporations have had their plants reassessed at far lower values than their original purchase prices for the purpose of lowering their property tax obligations.
Meanwhile, yesterday also brought progress in California’s other recent radical actions against power generators, including the indictment and arrest of more than a dozen energy company executives on felony unfair business practice charges.
After winning a motion to consolidate their cases, the energy executives yesterday pleaded not guilty during their arraignment in Sacramento County Superior Court. As the executives appeared in business suits with a phalanx of attorneys, the scene was a marked contrast to images of them in handcuffs that were broadcast around the world last week. Their trial is expected to begin by the end of the year.
The executives also experienced a setback yesterday when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to issue an injunction blocking California’s efforts to retroactively recover energy company profits that exceeded costs plus the 15 percent profit allowed for under the new windfall profits tax law.
Those windfall profits are expected to reach into the tens of billions of dollars. That revenue will be used to offer rebates to ratepayers in California and to help the state pay for the power plants it seized.
While the near-futuristic news story above is obviously fictional, it is a fiction based on present-day reality, and a story with the potential to appear in the nation’s newspapers by summer’s end.
Proposed laws to levy a windfall profits tax, to create a buyer’s cartel that sets wholesale prices and to file felony criminal charges against price-gouging energy executives are all now winding their way through the California Legislature.
While some involved in the crisis may question the bills’ appropriateness and details, or argue about the fallout, few question their basic legality.
In fact, when Great Britain’s utility deregulation scheme (on which California’s was partially based) also created skyrocketing prices and corporate profits, the British government in 1997 levied a windfall profits tax on various utility companies that recovered more than 5 billion pounds in past profits.
Duke Energy’s Morro Bay power plant, and the 22 other plants that public utilities sold off after the market was deregulated, could be among the first seized by the state using eminent domain.
Courtesy Of New Times San Luis Obispo
The governor and the soon-to-be-formed California Public Power Authority also enjoy near-absolute power to immediately seize power plants in California, according to both legal scholars and California case law.
“It’s ironclad,” John Sprankling, an associate dean at the McGeorge School of Law, said of the state’s right to seize the plants. “I think it would be simply a valuation case. The public purpose and necessity standards are clearly met.”
So the question is not whether California can pursue radical actions against the profiteering power generators; it is whether it should, how it would work and what the likely fallout would be.
Getting radical
It begins with the will to change the system, to get aggressive in actions and not just rhetoric, to decide that it’s in the state’s best interests to end the deregulation experiment and kick the energy corporations out of California.
It begins when Davis decides he really meant his recent comment that we’re at war with these corporations and decides to pull out the heavy artillery. It begins when the radical starts to seem reasonable.
Maybe it’s already begun.
California Treasurer Phil Angelides, who will head the California Public Power Authority when it’s formed in August, is already making contingency plans to start seizing plants and going after excessive profits.
“What’s most important is the generators understand that we’re willing to do it and we will do it,” Angelides told SN&R. “There are times when private property must be taken for the public interest.”
Similarly, Davis has repeatedly pledged to start seizing power plants and to sign windfall profits tax legislation if the generators’ profiteering continues, even as he claims to be philosophically opposed to both actions. Preparations are already being made for plant seizures.
“We have explored all the legal options involved and if the need arises, we will be prepared,” said Davis spokesman Steve Maviglio, although neither he nor Angelides would go into details about exactly how the seizures would work or which plants would be involved.
Angelides rejects the notion that seizing corporate assets is “radical,” pointing out that the people and government have traditionally had direct control over the power system. Deregulation, he said, was the radical action.
“Across the whole economy, we have public interest protections, but we have lost that in the energy sector in this state,” Angelides said. He cites Sacramento’s use of eminent domain 60 years ago to seize Pacific Gas & Electric assets and create the Sacramento Municipal Utility District as an example of how aggressive governmental action can benefit the public.
Angelides noted that increases in spot market energy prices this summer would invalidate Davis’ energy plan and either cripple the state or cause triple-digit increases in residential utility rates, a situation that would force the state to take drastic action: “I think we are on the verge.”
“The word ‘radical,’ I won’t really use that to talk about what we’re doing,” said Paul Van Dyke, the legislative director for Senator Nell Soto, who is sponsoring bills to levy a windfall profits tax and make it easier to form municipal utilities districts. “Radical is just a matter of what policy options that you have at the time.”
And in the wake of a deregulation scheme that Van Dyke, like Angelides, does consider radical, he said California now has few weapons to control the energy market except those that require aggressive action.
“I think we’re going to see proposals once regarded as radical be considered more mainstream,” he said, citing the notion of sending energy executives to jail as an example.
Assembly Bill 67X, sponsored by Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza and others, would impose felonies on energy generators and marketers who gouge or game the market to increase rates. Attorney General Bill Lockyer’s office is also investigating whether generators have violated any existing laws against collusion or other unfair business practices, and a spokesperson confirmed that arresting energy executives is one possible outcome of the investigation.
Cardoza spokesman Doug White denies that the threat of jail is hollow or merely symbolic: “We envision that someone would actually be locked up,” he said. “We can send CEOs, directors and CFOs to jail.”
He and others say there is evidence that generators have withheld electricity at key times as a way of driving up prices, something he sees as akin to robbing the people of California.
“If someone came in and robbed your house,” White said, “it wouldn’t seem radical to throw that person in jail.”
The idea that executives at companies like Reliant and Mirant are robbing the people of California—and should be punished accordingly—is based on many studies that have shown that plants have been taken off-line for no legitimate maintenance reasons, but simply as a means of diminishing supply to increase prices.
Among the radical solutions California could pursue are new laws that would subject energy executives to criminal charges and even jail time for price gouging.
Price fixing is already a crime punishable with both criminal and civil penalties, but proving that crime requires showing collusion between at least two companies, and that’s the smoking gun that has yet to be unearthed.
The Legislature could create new categories of crimes, just as it did with Three Strikes and hundreds of other tough-on-crime laws passed during the ’90s, making it a criminal act to withhold vital resources like energy from the public, and setting penalties however it sees fit.
For example, if California had a law making it illegal for a chief executive officer to allow his company to decrease the output of a power plant in California without prior approval from the Public Utilities Commission, and it was proved that Enron decreased its output without justification, then CEO Kenneth Lay could be arrested, booked and face whatever penalties the law prescribed.
As with the windfall profits tax, creating criminal penalties for price gouging would mostly be intended as a behavior modification measure, with the idea being executives facing jail time or seized profits would simply stop gouging consumers.
“The purpose of the windfall profits tax is not to make money, but to make it uneconomic to gouge us,” said Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which supports the tax.
Yet there are those who would take the windfall profits tax a step further by making it retroactive, something that couldn’t be done with new criminal statutes. While Soto’s current windfall profits tax bill is not retroactive, Van Dyke said she has received some pressure to do so and amend it to go after past profits.
If so, California could be looking at extracting tens of billions of dollars that have been drained from the state. The California Independent System Operator has estimated that generators used unfair market power to overcharge utilities by $6.8 billion during a recent 10-month period. Most gouging estimates are even higher.
Soto’s bill originally set the fair price for power at $80 per megawatt-hour, authorizing the state to seize any profits companies made beyond that charge and to return it to the consumers in the form of rebates. Van Dyke said the bill would be modified to allow the PUC to set that figure based on generating costs plus a reasonable profit, probably 15 to 20 percent.
If the original bill had been in place in February of this year, when the ISO said 16.5 million megawatt-hours of electricity were sold at an average price of $363 per megawatt-hour, the total overcharge that could be recovered for just one month would be an astounding $4.7 billion.
While the legality of efforts to impose a windfall profits tax or jail generators would depend on the details of the legislation and likely be dragged out in court for months or years, California’s most serious radical threat—seizing power plants—is also its most immediate and legally solid weapon.
Government officials have used eminent domain throughout our nation’s history to create the country’s infrastructure, and to seize parts of that infrastructure when deemed to be in the public interest.
As Angelides points out, even the recently released energy plan of President George W. Bush, that champion of the free market, calls for using eminent domain to seize land needed to expand the country’s electricity distribution system.
A common law principle dating back centuries, eminent domain powers have only been strengthened over the years by changes in the law, including an extensive revision of California’s eminent domain law in 1975. The basic standard for seizing property is that it be for a broadly defined “public use,” and that “just compensation” be paid for that property.
The California Supreme Court has found that “the power of eminent domain is an inherent attribute of sovereignty,” and that, “when properly exercised, that power affords an orderly compromise between the public good and the protection and indemnification of private citizens.”
That second quote came in the 1982 case of City of Oakland vs. Oakland Raiders, when the California Supreme Court ruled that even a government entity’s proposed seizure of a football franchise was a legitimate “public use.” On the federal level, the U.S. Supreme Court has validated eminent domain seizures even when government seizes property for private sector, job-creating projects.
Seldom have the courts ruled against a government entity acquiring property by eminent domain, the most notable being when the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated President Harry Truman’s 1952 order seizing most of the country’s steel mills, an action taken to thwart a threatened strike by steel workers.
Opponents use that seizure to question the legality of California seizing power plants, but a review of the court’s ruling in the case, Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. vs. Sawyer, shows it was a narrowly tailored ruling that does little to limit government’s broad right to seize property for public use. The court questioned whether the seizure was actually for public use and noted how the justification of the action violated federal labor law.
“We are within our rights to seize these plants,” Angelides said. “It is the absolute authority of the state to do this.”
Seizing plants
If state officials walked into power plants tomorrow and seized the facilities, Bernardo Garcia and Eric Wolfe say that they would be welcomed with open arms by the workers who run the plants.
“Our opinion is the state should have seized plants months ago. I don’t know what Governor Davis is waiting for,” said Garcia, western regional director of the Utility Workers Union of America, which represents about 7,500 power plant workers in California.
That sentiment was echoed by Wolfe of IBEW 1245, the state’s other major power plant workers union with 18,000 California members: “Our union has been promoting the seizure of power plants for some months now. We think it’s long overdue.”
While the generating companies have been raking in record profits, Garcia said none of that windfall has trickled down to the workers, many of whom have seen their pay and benefits slashed and working conditions deteriorate under deregulation.
The New York Stock Exchange and other Wall Street financial entities would take a dim view of California pursuing some of the more aggressive solutions to the power problem.
“As far as the workforce is concerned, the ability is there for there to be a very seamless transition,” Garcia said. “Our workforce, we wouldn’t abandon the plant if the owners left. We are committed to serving the public.”
As long as the state was willing to honor current contracts and working conditions, Wolfe agreed that the transition could go smoothly: “The workforce is in place, the procedures are in place, and I would think they would be able to keep operating the plants.”
To seize property, all a government body must do is file an eminent domain action in any county court, post a bond or other guarantee with the court that the money will be there to compensate the landowner, and seize the property, with the help of county sheriff’s deputies if necessary.
Efforts to seize power plants still owned by Pacific Gas & Electric would be more complicated because of that company’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. To seize those plants, the state would have to get permission from the bankruptcy judge.
While the state could begin eminent domain proceedings today—and indeed, many are urging that very thing—most of the political leaders who would carry it out prefer to couple the threat with other demands, sort of a “do this or else.”
Angelides said he would like to see California and perhaps other Western states organize consumers into a buyer’s cartel that sets the price it is willing to pay for electricity. Then, if the generators aren’t willing to sell at that price, he would begin seizing plants.
“It’s a matter of who blinks first,” Angelides said.
Such a buyer’s cartel would be created by Assembly Resolution 2XX, sponsored by Assembly members Paul Koretz and Fred Keeley. Koretz’s chief of staff, Scott Svonkin, said the measure would create de facto wholesale price caps, the kind Davis and his supporters claim can only be created by the federal government.
If the generators refused to sell at those prices, “the public outrage would be deafening,” Svonkin said, and that outrage would spark broad support to begin seizing power plants.
“We are so deep into the problem that if we don’t do something bold and aggressive,” Svonkin said, “we aren’t going to get out of this as fast as we need to.”
Susan Abbott doesn’t mince words when talking about how the Wall Street investment community would view the seizure of power plants by California: “Draconian, and I would say evil, really.”
Abbott is the managing director of the power group at Moody’s Investor Services, one of the country’s top financial analysts, whose credit ratings influence the bottom lines of both states and corporations by driving up or down what entities must pay to service their debt.
Abbott said the idea of a windfall profits tax is something with which Wall Street has some experience and understanding after many American companies invested in Great Britain had to return profits under that country’s windfall profits tax. But the idea of seizing corporate property is antithetical to everything Wall Street holds dear.
“The state of California would be viewed as a place where nobody would want to do business or invest,” Abbott said. “The ripple effect would be there would be no further investment in the state of California, and there could be a big disinvestment.”
Abbott chastised Angelides for his public support of radical measures like the seizure of power plants, saying that such a seasoned financial professional, a man well thought of on Wall Street, “ought to know better.” Angelides scoffed at the criticism.
“If the price of new investment in this state is $1,900 per megawatt for power and triple-digit rate increases, that’s not the kind of investment we want,” Angelides said.
He said those on Wall Street who are critical of the radical rhetoric coming out of California are misplacing their blame: “The investment community in New York ought to be down on the generators for threatening to push California’s and the nation’s economy into a recession.”
Yet Abbott defends the power companies, saying they are simply playing by the rules that California officials created: “The companies haven’t done anything illegal as far as anyone can prove.”
Similarly, she said the idea of charging business people with crimes simply because they made their companies lots of money would scare investment away from California.
“It’s very radical. You can’t just go and arrest someone if you don’t like what they’re doing,” she said. “What happens if they decide they don’t like the technology sector, or the price of strawberries?”
To many in the business sector during these days of deregulation, eminent domain is akin to the nationalizing of assets that occurs in communist countries.
“Seizing private property didn’t work well in Cuba and I don’t think it would work here,” said Jan Smutny-Jones, executive director of the Independent Energy Producers Association, which represents many of the large generators. “It obviously would be viewed with a great deal of hostility.”
He said most of the generating companies would vigorously oppose the eminent domain action, and it would be a long and costly legal battle.
Through public protests and rallies like this Teatro Campesino performance outside the Capitol in March, activist groups have been urging state seizure of power plants since the beginning of the crisis.
Photo By Jill Wagner
Tom Williams of Duke Energy said solving the current energy crisis requires companies like his to make investments to bring more power on-line and to do it as cheaply as possible: “Seizing plants and the windfall profits tax are completely counterproductive to those goals.”
As supercharged as all the rhetoric has become in Sacramento, and as desperate as many politicians are to find some way out of this mess, Smutny-Jones said, “I take it all seriously, because anything at this point in time is possible.”
Yet if California pursues any of the more radical ideas out there, Smutny-Jones said state officials had better be prepared to go all the way.
“You would immediately need to be in the power business completely, because I don’t think anybody would invest here,” Smutny-Jones said. “It sends a message that this is an unstable place to do business.”
Cost-benefit analysisDefenders of deregulation criticize both wholesale price caps and aggressive actions against generators as missing the point of the crisis: “Price caps do nothing to reduce demand and they do nothing to increase supply,” President George Bush said during his recent California visit.
Yet a recent Field poll shows most Californians don’t see the current energy crisis as simply a problem of supply and demand. They see price gouging as the main problem, and they also believe that supplies of electricity have been withheld from the market at key times to drive up prices.
Those two short-term problems would be largely solved by California’s seizure of power plants because public officials would be in the direct position of controlling the output of plants and setting the price of that output. The more plants the state controlled, the more influence it could have to bring down prices.
“I would assume that the state wouldn’t withhold power, and that would help the situation,” said Severin Borenstein of the University of California Energy Institute. Borenstein and others have done studies that he said conclusively show the generating companies have withheld power with no operational reasons for doing so.
Over the long term, the impact of taking over the power system is a mixed bag. On the positive side, it would end the deregulation experiment that most Californians regard as disastrous, making the state’s power-generation system directly accountable to public will.
Yet one of the biggest drawbacks of seizing power plants in California is the fact that most of them are old and in need of expensive upgrades. For that reason, some believe the state’s resources would be better put to building new plants than seizing the old ones if state officials want to get more directly involved in the market.
“The plants that these companies bought are old clunkers that you really don’t want to own,” said Ed Smeloff, a former director for the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District who this month begins his new role as head of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
Seizure doesn’t just give the state control of the plants, but also of the land on which they sit, land approved for electricity generating operations that could house the next generation of power plants. “The property on which the plants sit is more valuable than the plants,” Smeloff said.
But in general, he is critical of the notion of seizing power plants: “It would be extremely disruptive at a time when you need all the plants on-line,” he said. “So I think seizing plants is a bad idea.”
Still he calls the windfall profits tax “an idea that is very appealing and worth looking at,” and he supports the idea of the state taking over the transmission system as a means of gaining more control over the market.
The Independent Energy Producers has estimated the value of all the power plants and transmission lines in California—although Angelides and consumer groups dispute the figure—to be around $42 billion, a sum that even California, the sixth largest economy in the world, would have a hard time paying.
“And that’s for a system that is largely antique,” noted Smutny-Jones.
While the age and cost of California’s power plants seem to be the most compelling arguments against state seizure, a new proposal by Assemblyman Juan Vargas would seem to mute both those criticisms, leaving only philosophical reasons for opposing the seizure.
Vargas’ Assembly Bill 35XX would require the State Public Works Board to immediately use eminent domain proceedings to seize power plants and to retain possession for just 18 to 24 months before returning them to their current owners.
Such a temporary seizure would give California all the short-term benefits of controlling the power system without the long-term hassles and drawbacks—and at a fraction of the price that permanent seizure would entail. For Californians, it would be like leasing the plants until the power supply increased, rather than buying them.
“The valuation that the PUC or a judge would place on the cost is a lot lower in the temporary scenario,” said Colin Rice, Vargas’ chief of staff. “That’s why we’re so excited about this idea.”
Vargas, a Harvard-educated lawyer, said the legality of temporary seizure is just as strong as a permanent taking. The federal government seized and returned a laundry plant during World War II, and just last year, the state of Louisiana seized a for-profit juvenile detention facility, reformed abuses and returned it to the Wackenhut Corporation.
The bill on Tuesday cleared the Assembly Judiciary Committee on a 6-3 vote, and will be heard on Monday, June 18, by the Assembly Energy Cost and Availability Committee. While the governor could seize plants temporarily even without this legislation, the bill is intended to raise the profile of the seizure issue and create a public dialogue.
Rice anticipates a legal fight with generators over the temporary seizure, but that would take place after the state took control of the plants and fixed the current problems. And by the time push comes to shove, more supplies could be on-line and the state would be ready to return the seized plants: “This problem could be over in 18 months.”
If that’s true, temporary seizure could be the silver bullet against the market’s current dysfunction and the gouging of generators. But IBEW’s Wolfe paints a different picture, concerned that deregulation is such a fatally flawed idea that some form of long-term state takeover of the system—however difficult—is the only way out.
Today, short supplies and other factors have created skyrocketing prices. But what happens when all the generating capacity now being planned comes on-line and makes supplies abundant? What happens when competition realizes its promise of providing cheap, abundant electricity?
Wolfe points to the same basic economic principles they raised in opposition to deregulation in the early ’90s, the same ones that are hurting us now. If supply increases substantially, prices will drop sharply, threatening the bottom lines of some companies, who could shut down power plants if prices don’t cover their costs.
Such is the nature of the free market.
“The state needs to regain regulation of the system,” Wolfe said. “Or we could be going through this same thing again in five years.”
Meltdown!
Hey Gray, want to solve California’s power crisis?
Not in SAF keeping
For years, the Sacramento AIDS Foundation was the area’s leading AIDS service provider. These days, it’s still raising money but providing more controversy than anything else.
Armando’s last ride
Armando Magri was the king of Northern California’s motorcycle racing scene. His exploits on a Harley-Davidson were legendary, and he kept riding almost until the day he died.
tales from the river city
Summer is a mixed blessing…
calendar - ALL THE FUN UNDER THE SUN
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FILE – In this April 2, 2020 file photo, a United States Postal Service worker makes a delivery with gloves and a mask in Warren, Mich. A group of states suing over service cuts at the U.S. Postal Service is asking a federal judge to immediately undo some of them, saying the integrity of the upcoming election is at stake.(AP Photo/Paul Sancya,File)
SEATTLE (AP) — A group of states suing over service cuts at the U.S. Postal Service is asking a federal judge to immediately undo some of them, saying the integrity of the upcoming election is at stake.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has already said he’s halting some of the changes, including the removal of distinctive blue mailboxes and of sorting machines at some processing facilities.
However, two remain in effect, the states argue, noting the Postal Service is no longer treating election mail as the equivalent of first class mail, and the so-called “leave behind” policy requires that postal trucks leave at certain times, whether or not there is additional mail to load.
In a motion filed in U.S. District Court in Yakima, Washington, late Wednesday, the 14 states — including the election battlegrounds of Nevada, Michigan and Wisconsin — said mail delays have eased since the service cuts first created a national uproar in July, but on-time deliveries remain well below their prior levels, meaning millions of pieces of mail that would otherwise arrive on-time no longer are.
That’s troubling as millions more voters are expected to vote by mail this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the states said.
The states, led by Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, asked Judge Stanley A. Bastian to order the Postal Service to treat election mail, including ballots and registration forms, as first class mail, ensuring it is delivered promptly; end the “leave behind” policy; and replace or reinstall any removed sorting machines needed to ensure timely processing.
In a declaration filed along with the motion, information technology consultant Mynor Urizar-Hunter, who helped start a website tracking the USPS changes, noted that 78% of the machines slated for removal were in counties won by Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016.
“Despite overwhelming evidence of the safety and security of mail-in voting, President Trump has waged a months-long crusade to undermine mail-in voting,” the states wrote. “The changes at issue escalate this crusade by creating a substantial likelihood that the states will not be able to deliver, receive, and tally ballots cast in time to be counted.”
Postal Service spokesman David Partenheimer declined to comment Thursday on the states’ motion. DeJoy, a former supply-chain CEO and major donor to Trump and the GOP, has repeatedly insisted that handling ballots is the organization’s top priority, and he has warned Americans to request and send back their ballots early to ensure they arrive in time to be counted.
DeJoy is scheduled to meet with the election committee of the National Association of Secretaries of State on Sept. 17, the same day the judge has scheduled oral arguments on the states’ motion.
“The United States Postal Service is fully capable and committed to delivering the nation’s ballots securely and on time,” Partenheimer said in an emailed statement.
The lawsuit, filed last month, argues that federal law requires the Postal Service to go through specific procedures before making changes that affect nationwide service, including a review by the Postal Regulatory Commission and a public comment period. It also alleges that the changes interfered with the states’ ability to administer their elections.
Along with Washington, those suing include Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin — all led by Democratic attorneys general.
Pennsylvania and New York are each leading separate coalitions of states suing over the changes. Montana filed its own lawsuit Tuesday.
Ferguson’s motion, which was supported by hundreds of pages of declarations and exhibits, noted some of the issues the changes have already wrought. Michigan spent $2 million earlier this year on envelopes that met election mail standards — only to learn that the Postal Service wouldn’t treat them as first class mail. In Madison, Wisconsin, the number of ballots that weren’t counted because they arrived late for the August primary doubled from the August 2018 primary.
The delays have also hurt the ability of people to receive prescriptions and government benefits on time, the states said. In Minnesota, delays in delivering unemployment and medical leave paperwork to employees meant some employers missed deadlines for contesting those claims. The state itself is paying such benefits to employees it otherwise would have contested.
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NASA's THEMIS mission (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) studies the causal relationship between the energy releases from the Earth's magnetosphere known as substorms and the origin of the aurora.
THEMIS was selected by NASA in March 2003 as a medium-class explorer (MIDEX) mission. In February 2007, five small satellites were launched onboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in order to study the tail of the Earth's magnetosphere in a precisely defined constellation.
IWF contributed to the mission concept and is involved in the magnetometer instrument (developed under the leadership of the TU Braunschweig) and scientific data analysis.
More information about THEMIS can be found at the University of California, Berkeley and NASA.
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Timbercreek Senior Mortgage Investment Corporation Appoints David Melo Chief Financial Officer
Timbercreek Senior Mortgage Investment Corporation
Toronto Stock Exchange: MTG
TORONTO, March 26, 2014 /CNW/ - Timbercreek Senior Mortgage Investment Corporation (the "Company") is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors (the "Board") has appointed David Melo as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), effective March 25, 2014. As CFO, Mr. Melo will be responsible for overseeing financial and taxation reporting, treasury and corporate financings for the Company.
"As Managing Director, Finance at Timbercreek Asset Management (the Manager of the Company), David has taken on steadily increasing responsibility for the financial operations of Timbercreek Senior Mortgage Investment Corporation since inception of the business and especially during our transition from the investment fund regime," said Blair Tamblyn, Chairman of the Company. "Given the increased reporting requirements associated with the corporate issuer regime, we feel it is appropriate to appoint David as the Company's CFO. This appointment, as well as the previous appointment of Andrew Jones to CEO, further enhances our commitment to shareholder reporting and strong governance."
Mr. Melo joined Timbercreek in November 2004 and is Managing Director, Finance and Chief Compliance Officer for the Timbercreek group of companies. Mr. Melo holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Honours from McMaster University and holds the Chartered Accountant designation.
The Company provides investors with an opportunity to invest in a diversified portfolio of first-only mortgage investments originated and underwritten by its manager, Timbercreek Asset Management Inc. (the "Manager"). The Company focuses on capital preservation and the generation of attractive, stable returns, allowing for the payment of monthly dividends to shareholders.
Certain statements contained in this news release may contain projections and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "may", "would", "should", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "objective" and similar expressions may be used to identify forward looking statements. By their nature, forward looking statements reflect the Manager's and the Company's current views, beliefs, assumptions and intentions, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, including, without limitation, risks disclosed in the Company's public filings. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by these forward looking statements. The Company does not intend to nor assumes any obligation to update these forward looking statements whether as a result of new information, plans, events or otherwise, unless required by law.
SOURCE: Timbercreek Senior Mortgage Investment Corporation
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The truth about Spring Fever
The vernal equinox ushering in the first day of spring on March 20 is symbolic of rebirth and new beginnings when the barren landscape comes alive with flora and fauna.
The term “spring fever” is associated with warmer days, wild flowers, and in some areas rolling green hills, as well as lazy days in idleness. But why would such a seemingly contradictory term transform modern folk into blissful contemplation? In previous centuries, however, bliss was not the first consideration upon the arrival of spring.
Tales about the maladies of winter that thinned the blood were remedied in spring by partaking strange brews like sulphur and molasses. The medicinal effect of drinking the liquid would supposedly thicken the blood. Rural remedies included some from the Farmer’s Almanac advising readers to drink sassafras tea and rhubarb mixtures to cleanse the body of winter’s ills.
Modernity, however, has a different perception of spring fever. As the days are longer and warmer, the tendency is to gaze out a window with longing to be anywhere except sitting at a desk inside. Is this just a myth, or is it real phenomenon?
Two University of North Carolina medical professionals believe that spring fever is a real condition.
“Spring fever is a term that describes the physical and psychological symptoms associated with the ending of winter and the coming of spring. Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn said, ‘When you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!’”
Finn’s emotional ambiguity in spring speaks to the feelings of wanting to be anywhere except where you are. Anyone who has worked in an office all day can bear witness to experiencing spring fever.
In terms of a biorhythm, the condition from March-April refers to an increase in energy, vitality, and for some an increase in sexual urges.
The researchers believe it is hormonal with an increase in serotonin. This hormone depends on daylight and is characterized by feelings of well-being. Conversely melatonin responsible for sleepiness decreases.
The advent of spring is also responsible for bursts of endorphins telling us all is right with the world, and the hormones associated with urges like testosterone and estrogen.
Measuring the effects of spring fever is juxtaposed with seasonal affective disorder, which is the opposite of spring fever. People who experience low energy and moodiness, particularly in the northern hemisphere, are afflicted with this disorder.
“We know from studies of big populations of people that the incidence of depression goes up in the fall and winter,” says Dr. Thomas Koonce, associate medical director at the UNC Family Medicine Center. “And we think that that's affected mostly by decreased sunlight hours.”
The truth then about spring fever is that it exists because we can compare it to its darker relative seasonal affective disorder present in the dark days of winter.
Poets have been describing spring fever for centuries without actually saying “spring fever” from Virgil to W.S. Merwin. One poet, however, captures the enigma of the vernal equinox in a mystery. E.E. Cummings challenges the “usual” and draws us into his poetry of inferences.
He describes spring as a “perhaps hand,” and indeed it is like an invisible hand of possibility beckoning us to be somewhere else in the ether, whether it’s a balcony, a porch, a vegetable patch or a faraway place we have never been. It’s your journey—he is merely the gentle conductor.
Spring is like a perhaps hand
(which comes carefully
Out of Nowhere) arranging
A window, into which people look (while
People stare
Arranging and changing placing
Carefully there a strange
Thing and a known thing here) and
Changing everything carefully
http://www.emaxhealth.com/1506/spring-fever-real.html
http://www.poets.org/text/poems-spring
is retired and lives in Clearlake, California. She has three grown children and one grandson and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration from St. Mary’s College in Moraga California. On the home front Dava enjoys time with her family, reading, gardening, cooking and sewing.
After writing for four years on the news site Allvoices.com on a variety of topics including politics, immigration, sustainable living, and other various topics, Dava has more than earned the title of citizen journalist.
Politics is one of her passions, and she follows current events regularly.
In addition, Dava has written about sustainable living and conservation. She completed certification at the University of California Davis to become a Master Gardener and has volunteered in that capacity since retirement.
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Archive for the ‘Ministry of Foreign Trade’ Category
Russia and DPRK discuss economic opportunities
What are the opportunities? Rason port, Iron Silk Road (Rail), Kaesong Industrial Complex, gas pipeline.
According to RIA Novosti:
Russia and North Korea have signed a new protocol to transition to using the ruble for payments between the two countries as part of an effort to boost annual bilateral trade to $1 billion by 2020, Russia’s Far East Development Ministry said Friday.
The announcement came as Russian officials have expressed a desire to explore new markets for the country’s businesses, following the introduction of sanctions by the West in reaction to Moscow’s stance over Crimea. Russian leaders have simultaneously reassured international investors the country remains open for business, and there are no plans to restrict international commerce.
The protocol announced Friday came following a visit of a Russian delegation to the Asian country for a meeting of a standing bilateral commission, timed to mark the 65th anniversary of a cooperation agreement between the Soviet Union and North Korea.
The parties agreed to move towards settling payments in rubles as well as adopting further measures to boost bilateral trade, including easing visa procedures and providing for Russian access to proposed special economic zones in the country, the ministry’s statement said.
The ministry reaffirmed the countries’ mutual interest in joint projects with South Korea, including international connections for railways [Iron Silk Road], gas pipelines and power lines.
The Russian delegation also proposed the entry of Russian businesses into the Kaesong Industrial Park, a special economic zone in North Korea just north of Seoul where South Korean companies are allowed to employ northern workers.
The two sides identified areas for further cooperation, including a transshipment complex at the port of Rason and technical cooperation for the modernization of North Korea’s mining sector, automobile industry and electric power plants.
According to the statement, during the talks Russian Far East Development Minister Alexander Galushka emphasized that achieving such goals would only be possible if stability is maintained on the Korean peninsula.
The next meeting of the bilateral commission is scheduled for June in Russia’s far eastern Vladivostok.
Here is what Yonhap reports:
North Korea and Russia have agreed to boost economic ties by pushing for trilateral projects involving South Korea, including a plan to support Russian companies’ entry into an inter-Korean industrial complex, a media report said Saturday.
The agreement between the two was made earlier this week when Russia’s Far East Development Minister Alexander Galushka visited the North for a five-day run until Friday to explore ways to boost bilateral economic cooperation, according to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
“The Russian delegation proposed the entry of Russian businesses into the Kaesong Industrial Park, a special economic zone in North Korea just north of Seoul where South Korean companies are allowed to employ northern workers,” the RIA Novosti reported, citing the ministry.
Officials of Seoul’s unification ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, welcomed the agreement between the North and Russia, while stressing the importance of Russia’s prior consultation with the South.
“Russian companies’ making inroads into the Kaesong park is desirable in terms of the internationalization of the complex … It would also prevent the North from unilaterally reversing its agreement with Seoul over the Kaeesong operation,” the ministry official said, requesting anonymity.
Internationalization of the enclave, a symbol of inter-Korean detente, is one of the key topics for inter-Korean meetings aimed at ensuring its normal operations and further invigorating the complex. The Kaesong park resumed operations in September, more than five months after the North unilaterally closed it in anger over Seoul-Washington joint military exercises.
“But it is crucial for Russia to discuss the matter with our side first as it is basically operated by the South Korean authorities,” he added.
A handful of companies from China, Australia and Germany have so far expressed interests in making an investment in the Kaesong complex, prompting the Seoul government to review holding joint presentation sessions with the North to lure investors from overseas, according to another ministry official.
Here is additional information from Yonhap on recent shipments from Russia to the DPRK:
Russia exported US$21.16 million’s worth of jib cranes, machinery used mostly for cargo handling at ports, to North Korea last year, accounting for nearly 22 percent of its total exports to the North, according to the report by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). The amount surpasses that of Russia’s traditional export goods such as coal, petroleum and bituminous oil.
There were no records of the machines being exported to North Korea the year before, with the 2011 amount standing at $139,000.
North Korea and Russia maintain economic relations that include a project that would make North Korea’s northeastern port city of Rajin a logistics hub by connecting it to Russia’s Trans-Siberian Railway. North Korea is said to have agreed to a long-term lease of the No. 3 dock at Rajin port to Russia and that it is modernizing facilities there. The cranes may be for such modernization efforts, the KOTRA report said.
Also noteworthy is Russia’s exports of ambulances to the North, amounting to approximately 10.1 billion won ($9.45 million), the fourth largest in terms of value. Ambulances are a relatively new product on the trade list.
KCNA’s reporting of the meeting was much more muted:
DPRK Premier Meets Minister of Development of Far East of Russia
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) — Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, met Alexandr Galushka, minister of the Development of Far East of Russia who is chairman of the Russian side to the Inter-governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology between the DPRK and Russia, and his party.
He had a friendly talk with them who paid a courtesy call on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Wednesday.
Minutes of Talks between Governments of DPRK, Russia Signed
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) — Minutes of talks on cooperation in trade, economy, science and technology between the governments of the DPRK and Russia were signed here Wednesday.
Present at the signing ceremony were Ri Ryong Nam, minister of Foreign Trade who is chairman of the DPRK side to the Inter-governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology between the DPRK and Russia, and officials concerned, Alexandr Galushka, minister for the Development of Far East who is chairman of the Russian side to the Inter-governmental Committee, and his party and Alexandr Timonin, Russian ambassador to the DPRK.
Ri Ryong Nam and Alexandr Galushka signed the minutes of the talks.
Russia, North Korea Agree to Settle Payments in Rubles in Trade Pact
N. Korea, Russia to discuss supporting Moscow firms’ advance into Kaesong park
Posted in Banking, Economic reform, Finance, Fiscal & monetary policy, Foreign direct investment, Health care, Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), Ministry of Foreign Trade, Railways, Rason Economic and Trade Zone (Rajin-Sonbong), RoK Ministry of Unification, Russia, Sea shipping, South Korea, Statistics, Trade Statistics, Transportation | Comments Closed
On DPRK efforts to join UN carbon market
UPDATE 14 (2016-12-8): The Pyongyang Times reports on the CDM project:
Various CDM projects obtain CERs
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change CDM Executive Board recently issued certified emission reductions for the DPRK’s clean development mechanism projects.
Today many countries make great efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the worldwide bid to prevent global warming, the root cause of climate change.
The DPRK also proactively joins in the international efforts.
It signed the Kyoto Protocol, which took effect in 2005, and joined the Paris agreement on climate change signed by 174 countries in August this year.
The agreement, adopted at the UN Conference on Climate Change in Paris in 2015, is aimed at reducing the world’s greenhouse gas emissions to the maximum so that the global average temperatine would not rise more than 2 degrees over that in the 1850s, the pre-industrialization period.
As a signatory to the Paris agreement, the DPRK has worked out 2024 and 2030 greenhouse gas reduction plans and pushed ahead with them.
In keeping with the trend when the sales of carbon dioxide emission rights have emerged as CDM and CDM activities are brisk in the world environmental protection market, a non-permanent CDM committee has been set up in the Cabinet and the General Bureau for Cooperation with International Organizations of the Ministry of External Economic Relations plays the role of its secretariat.
While coordinating all CDM project activities in the country, the secretariat also undertakes issuance of CERs for various CDM project activities on the basis of agreements on cooperation for the development of CDM projects with CER buyers, Topic Energo of the Czech Republic and Ohana LLP, Britain.
In the course of this, several projects were registered as CDM projects by the CDM Executive Board. They include Ryesonggang Youth Power Station units 3, 4 and 5, Hamhung Youth Power Station unit 1, Kumyagang Power Station unit 2, Paektusan Hero Youth Power Station unit 2 and package projects for “Treatment of waste water from chemical factories in the DPRK” and “Collection and use of methane gas from coal mines in the DPRK”.
The secretariat ensured that Paektusan Hero Youth Power Station unit 2 and Ryesonggang Youth Power Station unit 4 obtained CERS for the first time after receiving international certification for their power generation in May.
Their CERs issued amount to 15 800 and 27 807 tons respectively.
The secretariat now works to achieve international certification of other registered CDM projects.
By Jong Hwa Sun PT
UPDATE 13 (2014-11-28): The Ryesonggang Youth Power Station No.4 has been completed. According to KCNA:
New Power Station Goes Operational
Kumchon, November 27 (KCNA) — Ryesonggang Youth Power Station No. 4 went operational.
President Kim Il Sung indicated the orientation of building the power stations on the Ryesong River. Leader Kim Jong Il visited the construction sites several times, setting forth tasks and ways for the construction and bestowing loving care and benevolence on the builders.
Marshal Kim Jong Un appreciated the achievements of the people in North Hwanghae Province when he visited Ryesonggang Youth Power Station No. 1. He not only took measures for finishing the construction of Ryesonggang Youth Power Station No. 2 by the concerted efforts of the army and people but also led the construction of Ryesonggang Youth Power Station No. 4.
The completion of Ryesonggang Youth Power Station No. 4 is another success in implementing the behests of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il to settle the acute shortage of electricity in the North Hwanghae Province by building power stations on the Ryesong River. It also helped lay a more solid foundation for developing economy and improving the living standard of the people in the province.
The completion ceremony took place on Thursday.
Present at the ceremony were Tong Jong Ho, minister of Construction and Building-Materials Industry, Pak Thae Dok, chief secretary of the North Hwanghae Provincial Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, and others.
Here is KCTV footage (7:21). Here is UNFCCC data.
UPDATE 12 (2012-12-13): Robert Winstanley-Chesters has some additional data here.
UPDATE 11 (2012-11-25): The DPRK has registered four more power plants with the UNFCCC CDM project.
1. Paekdusan Songun Youth Power Station No. 2 (백두산선군청년2호발전소)
Registered July 13, 2012
Pictured Above (Google Earth): The approximate location of the Paekdusan Songun Youth Power Station No. 2
The UNFCCC documents on the registration of the power plant can be seen here.
Total installed capacity of the project will be 14 MW, consisting of two sets of 7 MW hydropower turbines and associated generators.
According to the UN documents, the project is expected to be put into operation on January 1, 2014.
The organizations listed on the document are the Namgang Hydropower Construction Complex and Topič Energo s.r.o. (Czech Republic)
2. Ryesonggang Youth Power Station No. 4 (례성강청년4호발전소)
Pictured Above (Google Earth): The approximate location of the Ryesonggang Youth Power Station No. 4.
The installed capacity of the project is 10 MW, which consists of 4 sets of generating facilities with a capacity of 2.5 MW each. The project will generate the electricity energy of 40,030 MWh and supply 38,640 MWh to the WPG in a year.
According to the UN documents, the project is expected to be put into operation on December 1, 2012. This facility was last featured on the DPRK evening news on 2012-11-8. See the footage here.
The organizations listed on the document are the Kumchon Electric Power Company and Topič Energo s.r.o. (Czech Republic).
Pictured Above (Google Earth): Construction work on the Ryesonggang Youth Power Station No. 5.
The installed capacity of the project is 10 MW, which consists of 4 sets of generating facilities with a capacity of 2.5 MW each. The project will generate electric energy of 41,150 MWh and supply 40,616 MWh.
Organizations listed in the document include the Kangdong Hydro Power Construction Company and Topič Energo s.r.o. (Czech Republic).
According to the documents, the project is planned to be put into operation on May 1, 2012. The most recent Google Earth satellite imagery is dated Spetember 5, 2011 and the last time the project was featured on North Korean television was November 5, 2011. I am skeptical that the project was finished on time since the opening of the dam has yet to be announced publicly.
The project with an installed capacity of 10 MW, 4 sets of generating facilities with a capacity of 2.5 MW
respectively. The project will generate the electricity energy of 42,800 MWh and supply the electricity of 41,310
MWh.
Organizations listed in the document include the Tosan Electric Power Company and Topič Energo s.r.o. (Czech Republic).
Though the plant is supposed to go into operation on July 1, 2012, the most recent Google Earth imagery from 2012-11-8 shows the plan remains uncompleted. The last time the plant was featured on North Korean television was 2011-6-25.
UPDATE 10 (2012-10-23): The DPRK has registered its second CDM project: Kumya Hydro Power Plant. (AKA Kumyagang Power Station No. 2, 금야강2호발전소)
Here is the official UN web page containing all of the technical information.
Here is a Google Earth satellite image featuring the dam and power station (39.552132°, 127.156062°):
The Hanns Seidel Foundation (Facebook page here) visited the site and took this photo:
KCTV footage dated 2014-9-16 shows a completed Kumya Hydro Power Plant (AKA Kumyagang Power Station No. 2). See the footage here.
UPDATE 9 (2012-8-16): The DPRK’s first CDM project registered: Hamhung Hydro Power Plant No. 1 (AKA Hamhung Youth Power Station No. 1)
Pictured above (date unknown): On Bing Maps (coordinates: 39.648086°, 127.269219°) we can see construction is underway
A valued reader notified me this morning that the DPRK’s first CDM project was registered in July: The Hamhung Hydro Power Plant No.1.
You can read more about the project on the UN web page here. As I understand it, the CER (the emissions rights) from the plant do not go directly to North Korea but to a Czech company who co-registered the project. It will become operational on January 1, 2013.
UPDATE 8 (2012-6-5): In addition to the seven power plants submitted for approval below, the DPRK is involved in several other “Programmes of Activities (POAs)“. You can see all the POAs by clicking here and selecting DPRK as “Host Country”.
1. Methane Utilization and Destruction Programme from Animal Waste Management System (AWMS) in DPR Korea
2. Methane Utilisation and Destruction Programme from Industrial Wastewater in DPR Korea
3. CarbonSoft Open Source PoA, LED Lighting Distribution: Emerging Markets
4. Coal Mine Methane Utilisation and Destruction Programme in DPR Korea
5. International water purification programme
6. CFL Lighting Scheme in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)
UPDATE 7 (2012-6-2): The creator of Nord Korea Info passed along the following information on the DPRK’s CDM projects:
1. Naenara, one of the DPRK’s official news outlets, has posted numerous CDM documents. You can see them here.
2. Information posted to the UNFCCC web page on specific CDM projects:
A. Kumya Hydropower Plant (AKA Kumyagang Power Staiton No. 2)
B. Ryesonggang Hydropower Plant No.3 (Comments) (AKA Ryesonggang Youth Power Station N. 3)
C. Ryesonggang Hydropower Plant No.4 (Comments) (AKA Ryesonggang Youth Power Station N. 4)
D. Ryesonggang Hydropower Plant No.5 (Comments) (AKA Ryesonggang Youth Power Station N. 5)
E. Paekdusan Songun Youth 14MW Hydropower Project No.2 (AKA Paektusan Songun Youth Power Station No. 2)
F. Wonsankunmin Hydropower Project No.1 (Comments) (AKA Wonsan Army People Power Station No. 1)
G. Hamhung Hydropower Plant No.1 (AKA Hamhung Youth Power Station No. 1)
No new information is available on the Hamhung 20MW Hydropower Plant No. 2 (AKA Hamhung Youth Power Station No. 2). So I am unsure what has happened to it.
UPDATE 6 (2012-5-31): Bloomberg Businessweek reports on the DPRK’s efforts to sell carbon credits:
[U]nder the terms of the [Kyoto] protocol, North Korea, as a developing country and a member of the United Nations, has the right to build clean energy projects that may apply for Certified Emission Reductions, or CERs, popularly known as carbon credits. The North Koreans can then sell them to a rich country or company that needs the credits to offset its own greenhouse gases. Dig into data from the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change, and you will find seven North Korean projects registered for carbon trading.
This is where Miroslav Blazek comes in. Blazek, director of Czech company Topic Energo, acts as a link between North Korea and potential carbon credit buyers. He says his experience as manager of a tractor factory in socialist-era Czechoslovakia is invaluable for doing business with the communist North Koreans. “I can work with them because I understand how their system works,” he says. “If I send an e-mail and still don’t have a reply in several days, I know it’s not because they didn’t see it but because it had to work its way through the chain of command. For me it’s like a trip down memory lane.”
North Korea is now building seven hydroelecrtric plants, which provide some of the cleanest energy going. Most can earn tradable carbon credits. Blazek says the North Koreans “jumped” at the opportunity to get into carbon trading: “They immediately grasped that this is a way to make money.” Korea’s seven dams may generate as many as 241,000 CERs a year, worth almost €1 million ($1.3 million). “The projects are already in a relatively advanced phase,” says Ondrej Bores, director of carbon advisory services at Virtuse Energy in Prague, who’s worked with Blazek on other deals.
Still, selling anything made in North Korea has its challenges. More than 30 potential buyers pulled out because of the U.S. embargo on trade with North Korea. Blazek finally struck a deal with a Chinese-controlled conglomerate that needs credits to offset emissions from facilities in Europe. He won’t name the company, citing a confidentiality clause.
The Prague Post also reported on this story.
UPDATE 5 (2012-2-14): I have been notified that the certification program is proceeding. From a reader:
There has been a statement by the 1718 committee (on sanctions) that CDM projects in NK do not violate UN rules.
[Seven] hydropower plants did get their validation and underwent a process of “clarifications and corrections” as foreseen by UN rules. After the final report (which might have been already issued or might be issued soon) they will go for final vote to the UNFCCC.
Currently, North Korea works on projects as diverse as methane gas from coal mines, bio-gas and electricity-saving light bulbs.
UPDATE 4 (2011-7-11): I just checked the UNFCCC web page, and it appears that in addition to the hydro power plants mentioned below, the North Koreans also submitted the “Energy Efficiency Improvement Project in Pyongyang Textile Factory” [sic] for carbon offsets on May 23, 2011. According to the UNFCCC web page, the project is in the portfolio of the Carbon-Trade Division, GBCIO, Ministry of Foreign Trade.
UPDATE 3 (2011-7-11): DPRK begins construction of Ryesonggang Power Stations 3 and 4
On June 25th the DPRK evening news featured footage of the construction of the Ryesonggang Youth Power Station No. 3 (례성강청년3호발전소). I have uploaded the footage to YouTube and you can see it here.
UPDATE 2 (2011-3-11): The DPRK has apparently registered eight power plants with the UNFCCC. According to Reuters:
North Korea has registered eight hydroelectric plants with the United Nations, and if approved, could allow the world’s most reclusive state to sell carbon offsets to earn precious hard currency.
These hydropower projects were registered with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for prior consideration in getting carbon credits, some of which have a capacity of 20 megawatts, the UNFCCC website showed.
Prior consideration is the first step for accreditation toward the U.N.’s Clean Development Mechanism that allows developing countries to earn tradeable carbon credits for emissions from clean-energy projects.
Bernhard Seliger, a messenger for North Korean officials on these projects, said the United Nations uploaded the information on Thursday after he submitted related forms on behalf of the North Korean government’s carbon trade division in late February.
“I have no idea when the U.N. makes a decision… North Korea has to finish the power plants, which up to now are only half-finished dams,” Seliger, Hanns Seidel Foundation’s representative in South Korea, told Reuters via email.
Analysts questioned the demand for carbon credits from North Korea, concerned the money might be siphoned off to nuclear arms or other military projects.
According to the UNFCCC web page (select Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the “Host Party” box), these are the eight power stations that have been submitted for consideration:
Hamhung Hydropower Plant No.1 (AKA Hamhung Youth Power Station No. 1)
Hamhung 20MW Hydropower Plant No. 2 (AKA Hamhung Youth Power Station No. 2)
Kumya Hydropower Plant (AKA Kumyagang Power Station No. 2)
Paekdusan Songun Youth 14MW Hydropower Project No.2 (AKA Paektusan Songun Youth Power Station No. 2)
Ryesonggang Hydropower Project No. 3 (AKA Ryesonggang Youth Power Station N. 3)
Wonsangunmin 20MW Hydropower Project No. 1 (AKA Wonsan Army People Power Station No. 1)
And according to an email from the UNFCCC:
This list contains all the projects which have already started and for which a notification of CDM prior consideration has been submitted. This notification is necessary to prove that the incentive of the CDM was a decisive factor for taking up the project when a project has started before a project design document (PDD) has been published for global stakeholder consultation or a new methodology in connection with the project has been submitted. However, kindly note that these projects have not yet entered the CDM project cycle as lined out in the CDM rules, requirements and procedures, and to submission for registration has yet been made.
Further details on the CDM project cycle are available here: http://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/diagram.html
UPDATE 1 (2011-3-8): According to the Guardian:
North Korea hopes to earn much-needed hard currency by selling UN-backed carbon offsets from a series of hydro-power projects, as the country faces sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme.
If approved and registered by the UN, these would be the first projects for North Korea under a scheme called the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). This allows developing countries to earn tradeable carbon credits for emissions reductions from clean-energy projects.
Some analysts questioned the demand for carbon credits from North Korea, with fears the money might be siphoned off to nuclear arms or other military projects.
The government has asked the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany, which focuses on humanitarian issues, to act as a go-between by working with UN-approved verification agency TUV Nord.
According to Bernhard Seliger, the foundation’s representative in South Korea, North Korea is initially looking at trying to get approval for three hydro power plants of 7-8 megawatts (MW).
Seliger visited the three hydro-plant construction sites in the north-east corner of the country in January.
In a statement, TUV Nord confirmed the foundation had engaged their services.
“In this respect, TUV Nord intends to verify hydropower dams in North Korea once pre-registered with United Nations framework conventions on climate change [UNFCCC] via the Beijing branch of its Chinese subsidiary TUV Nord Guangzhou,” it said.
If registered, the plants could yield millions of euros over several years.
Beijing-based lawyer Tom Luckock, who specialises in projects that curb greenhouse gas emissions, estimated that an 8 MW hydro plant could yield about 23,000 UN offsets a year.
The offsets, called Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs), are generated from registered CDM projects, such as wind farms, that are rewarded for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The offsets currently trade at nearly €12 (£10) each and are bought by governments in rich nations that need to meet UN emissions reduction targets.
Europe is the biggest buyer, with large polluting firms allowed to buy the offsets to meet a portion of their emissions reduction targets under the EU’s emissions trading scheme.
“Finding ways to secure foreign currency is the priority for North Korea, which is linked to everything from food to raw material imports to boost reduced productivity,” said Cho Myung-chul, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy.
Seliger said North Korea, which signed the UN’s Kyoto Protocol climate pact in 2005, was also interested in biomass power generation projects under the CDM.
The UN-approved national agency that assesses and approves CDM projects in North Korea was not available for comment.
Questions remained on demand for North Korean CERs.
“Even if they open up, who in the world wants to pay for North Korea that is blamed for its nuclear weapons programme?” said Choi Soo-young, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
Cho said the UN needed to prevent outside cash going into its nuclear development activities, while Luckock, of global law firm Norton Rose, said: “Their limited access to hard currency has to be a concern for buyers – the damages clauses will carry limited weight without some security there.”
Another challenge is that North Korea would have to make public its energy consumption and generation data and disclose information on the amount of energy linked to the hydro project.
“Annual inspection, constant measurement and energy flow posting on the [UNFCCC] website – all these things are new for North Korea,” Seliger said.
“We are talking about eight power plants, with the smallest size about 7.5 megawatts. These are not big projects but small or medium-sized projects,” Bernhard Seliger told AFP.
None has yet been completed, he said.
“I saw some (construction) sites in South Hamkyong province but that’s not all. There are other plants in other regions,” Seliger said, adding that some of the projects are led by the UN Development Programme.
The Hanns Seidel Foundation has been working since 2003 to build the North’s development capacity, and in 2008 organised a seminar on carbon trading for Pyongyang officials at their request.
The tradeable credits, called Certified Emissions Reductions, are awarded for approved clean-energy projects such as hydropower plants or wind farms.
Big polluters elsewhere in the world can buy them as part of their efforts to cut emissions.
Seliger said his foundation is helping the North to prepare for the auditing process required to join the UN carbon credit trading system known as the Clean Development Mechanism.
“One good thing about this project is that it is very transparent, involving monitoring and auditing on an annual basis… I think it is very good for North Korea to participate in such an international regime,” said Seliger.
An official at a South Korean state agency, the Korea Energy Management Corp, said registration would take at least a year or two and it was unclear how much the North would be able to earn if approved.
The official, who declined to be identified, said a typical eight-megawatt hydropower plant could yield about 19,500 carbon credits each year, each of which was currently traded at 12 euros in global markets.
This would amount to around $327,000 a year.
But some buyers may shun the communist state, given its history of nuclear and missile development which has led to international sanctions.
“Government buyers will certainly shy away from dealing with the North,” said Koo Jung-Han, a researcher at the Korea Institute of Finance.
“But private companies have few reasons not to buy credits from the North as long as it can offer a competitively low price. However, the big question is whether the North will be able to build the plants without outside financiers.”
Koo said that countries hoping to buy carbon credits from upcoming overseas projects often encourage investment in the ventures by their own finance companies.
“But what kind of financial companies will take a plunge in projects in such a volatile, politically risky country like North Korea?”
The North suffers persistent power shortages even in the showpiece capital Pyongyang.
Many rural areas receive power only during key agricultural seasons, and must rely for the rest of the year on alternative fuels, according to a recent policy paper published by the Nautilus Institute think-tank.
Here are the web pages for the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Program.
A reader writes in with the following comments:
I would like to share some comments on the potential CDM projects in north Korea as i have been working on this field for many years now.
Concerning existing hydro-power plants:
To be eligible as a CDM project, one of the first criteria is the additionality of the project. You have to prove (the rules are very strict) that the project would not have been launched without the consideration of the revenues from the reselling of the CERs. So the dams that have already been buit are not eligible.
Concerning hydro-power plants that are being implemented:
The first step of a CDM project is to notify to the UNFCCC secretariat and to Designated National Authority (in this case the Secretariat of the National Coordinating Committee of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for Environment) that you are seeking to establish your project as a CDM project. Up to now, no such notification has been received by UNFCCC so it would be quite difficult for projects being implemented to ask for the CDM status (I mean nearly impossible).
Some facts concerning future hydro-power projects:
From the day you send the notification that you are seeking the CDM status to the day you are actually given the status, it takes in average 2 to 3 years (they would have to build the plants during this period). Then it can be at least another year before you receive the CERs. The price of 12 euro for a CER is for secondary market. The price for primary CER (directly sold by the producer) would be much less than 8 euro.
The figure of 20 000 CERs/year is completely unpredictable for the moment, here is a simplification of the calculation: One CER is equal to one tonne of CO2 equivalent that would be avoided by producing clean electricity. For example when you produce 1 MW electricity from coal, the process releases X tonnes of CO2 in the atmosphere but when you produce 1 MW from a hydropower plant, you do not release CO2. In order to calculate what the CDM project would be able to claim, we would have to know the CO2 emission factor of the North Korean grid and then multiply it by the amount of MWh produced by the CDM project. If most of the electricity produced these days in North Korea already comes from hydro-power plants, then the national emission factor will be low and the CDM project will not avoid a lot of CO2 emission (and so not earn a lot of €) Without the capacity of the future project and the national emission factor, it is impossible to estimate the amount of CERs the project could generate.
The CDM status seems quiet unrealistic to obtain for North Korean projects but other international agreements are discussed these days and their outcome may be more adapted.
ORIGINAL POST (2011-1-31): According to Radio Free Asia:
Nuclear-armed but cash-starved North Korea has expressed interest in joining the world carbon market in an apparent bid to earn precious hard currency and avoid international sanctions, an expert told RFA.
But the secretive Kim Jong Il regime has to disclose critical information, such as energy consumption data as well as methods by which it derives energy, to be eligible for funding under the United Nations’ Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), said the North Korea expert, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The CDM is aimed at encouraging companies or organizations in the developed world to invest in carbon dioxide emissions-saving projects in developing countries.
In return for funding and technology transfer, investors receive carbon credits, which can then either be traded on carbon markets or used to reduce their own emissions tally if they are subject to a domestic cap.
The Kyoto Protocol set emission caps for 38 countries through 2012, establishing the CDM as a worldwide carbon market. It is a cornerstone of the group’s efforts to tackle global warming.
The North Korea expert told RFA on Jan. 13 that Pyongyang intended to apply for funding via the CDM and that the regime might list its proposed hydro-electricity power projects under the U.N. mechanism.
UN refrains from comment
When contacted on the North Korea move, the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the secretariat charged with implementing the global environmental treaty to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations, said it would refrain from commenting on individual country projects.
The North Korea expert estimated that one ton of carbon dioxide would trade for about U.S. $26 dollars and if a hydro-electric power project was registered under the CDM, depending on the carbon credit bid price, about U.S. $1 million dollars could be earned annually.
A hydro project registered under the CDM would need to be evaluated by U.N. inspectors for it to qualify for carbon credits. Usually, it would be evaluated continuously for about 14 years.
Details, including the amount of energy linked to the hydro project and potential reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, would have to be submitted.
North Korea has been mostly reluctant to share information about its energy generation activities.
According to the expert, North Korea has recently displayed “great interest” in the possibility of operating hydro-electric power stations to alleviate its domestic energy shortages and to acquire “carbon credits” that it could, in turn, sell on the international carbon market.
As North Korea’s economic crisis worsens, Pyongyang is seeking ways to earn hard currency following a failed currency reform and due to sanctions imposed by the international community over its nuclear and missile developments and provocations targeting South Korea.
The interest in the CDM is likely to be part of this search.
The North Korea expert also said that earning hard currency through “carbon credits” would not be subject to sanctions imposed on Pyongyang under UN Security Council resolutions, and that any North Korea’s application for participation under the CDM “may stand a chance.”
“For North Korea, this could be an opportunity to earn hard currency without engaging in illegal armament sales, while operating an electric power station in transparent fashion, and accepting strict monitoring by the UN, and abiding by applicable international standards.”
The United States has been pressing China to use its influence to persuade North Korea regime to end recent provocations and return to disarmament talks involving the three countries and South Korea, Russia and Japan.
The six-party nuclear talks were last held in 2008. The impoverished North has been seeking a restart to the nuclear negotiations, which propose to reward its gradual nuclear disarmament with phased infusions of economic aid.
In a bid to renew dialogue and ease chances of conflict, South Korea recently proposed holding a preliminary meeting with North Korea on Feb. 11 to prepare for high-level defense talks. On Friday, the North suggested parliamentary talks between the two sides.
North Korea Eyes Carbon Market
Posted in Dams/hydro, Electricity, Energy, Environmental protection, Finance, Fiscal & monetary policy, Forestry, Google Earth, Hanns Seidel Foundation, International trade, Lumber, Ministry of Foreign Trade, UN, UN Security Council, UNFCC | Comments Closed
KJU supporter takes over Rajin-Sonbong (Rason)
According to the Donga Ilbo:
North Korea has reportedly appointed Vice Trade Minister Jo Jong Ho as chairman of a civic committee for Rajin-Sonbong Special City, a major post in the North, to succeed Kim Su Yol, who was dismissed late last year.
Jo is a member of a group that supports Kim Jong Un, the youngest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and heir apparent, and reportedly has helped set the North’s new economic policy.
A source on North Korean affairs said Sunday, “Jo Jong Ho has been named the new chairman of the people’s committee, a post which has remained vacant after the dismissal of former chairman Kim due to sluggish foreign investment.”
“Since Jo used to work with former Trade Minister Im Kyong Man, chief secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party for Rason City, he will likely enjoy a harmonious working relationship with Im.”
Pyongyang has apparently deployed a key member of the power elite among supporters’ groups of Kim Jong Un to an important economic region to lay the foundation for a successful power succession based on economic achievements.
The source said, “The North deployed a Kim Jong Un supporter at a time when Pyongyang is striving to establish the structure for power succession,” adding, “Since Jo is fluent in English, activities to attract foreign investment from overseas enterprises will likely gather momentum.”
NK appoints heir apparent`s supporter to key post
Posted in Ministry of Foreign Trade, Rason Economic and Trade Zone (Rajin-Sonbong), Special Economic Zones (Established before 2013), Worker's Party | Comments Closed
Rajin-Sonbong (Rason) clarification
UPDATE: In addition to the information below, the Choson Ilbo reports that the DPRK’s former trade minister has been appointed mayor of Rason. According to the article:
The North Korean regime has appointed former foreign trade minister Rim Kyong-man as the mayor of the Rajin-Sonbong Economic Special Zone, which was promoted to a special city in January. A source said Rim was appointed as part of a reshuffle and new regulations for the city.
Rim is known as an expert in trade who served as the minister for foreign trade from April 2004 to March 2008, and headed the North Korean trade representatives to Dalian in China. He also toured Africa (June 2005), Latin America (November 2005), Libya and Malaysia (June 2006) and Russia (March 2007) as the leader of the North Korean economic delegation.
“It seems that North Korea appointed Rim, who is very experienced in trade with foreign countries, with an aim to further open Rajin-Sonbong as a free trade area,” the source added.
ORIGINAL POST: The designation of Rason as a “special city” this week left me a bit confused, but I believe I have sorted it out.
This week, Reuters reported:
“The city of Rason has become a special city,” the North’s KCNA news agency said in a brief dispatch on Monday.
And Yonhap reported:
North Korea designated Rason, the country’s first free trade zone, as a “special city” on Monday, the North’s official news media reported.
North Korea designated Rason and nearby Sonbong, located on the country’s northernmost coast close to both China and Russia, as an economic free trade zone in 1991, though foreign investment has never materialized.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) monitored here, the Standing Committee of the North’s Supreme People’s Assembly designated Rason as a special city in a decree.
So aside from the fact that Rason was named “special” there were no other details given. What does it mean to be a “special city”?
Well, today the nice Chongryun individual in Japan who updates the KCNA web page finally came back from vacation and posted the story to the official KCNA web page. Here is what it says:
Rason City Designated as Municipality
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) — Rason City was designated as a municipality.
The Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK said in its decree promulgated on Jan. 4:
1. Rason City shall become a municipality.
2. The DPRK Cabinet and relevant organs shall take practical measures to implement the decree.
Without seeing any additional information it seems that what has actually happened is that the municipalities of Rajin and Sonbong have been dissolved, merged, or been made subject to a newly created Rason municipal government which controls both cities. So Rajin-Sonbong is dead. Long live Rason.
So why would the North Korean government do this? Here is one theory: Since the district was under the direct control of Pyongyang (not the provincial government of North Hamgyong), the DPRK government simply thought that two municipal governments in the special economic zone were one more than was necessary. So this could mean something significant–in terms of the DPRK’s intent to increase foreign trade–or it may not.
If anyone else has a better idea please let me know in the comments.
1. Here is a decent story in the AFP which interprets the change as a significant policy signal.
2. Here is a decent story in the Daily NK which offers lots of additional information.
Posted in Ministry of Foreign Trade, Rason Economic and Trade Zone (Rajin-Sonbong), Special Economic Zones (Established before 2013) | Comments Closed
DPRK Policy on Foreign Trade
Foreign Trade (Naenara)
(An interview of a reporter of Foreign Trade of the DPRK with Sin On Rok, director of a bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Trade)
Question: I’d like to have a talk with you about the DPRK policy on foreign trade. Would you please tell me about the fundamental of its foreign trade policy?
Answer: The DPRK Law on Foreign Trade was adopted by the decision of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly in 1997. Article 2 of the law stipulates that it is a consistent policy of the DPRK to develop foreign trade.
The fundamental of its foreign trade policy is to consolidate the foundation of the independent national economy and, on this basis, to expand and develop trade relations with other countries.
This foundation provides a material guarantee for promoting foreign trade on the principles of complete independence and equality. If the developing countries, in particular, fail to conduct trade business based on their self-reliant national economy, they can neither construct independent structure of trade nor defend their sovereignty in the end.
From this point of view, the DPRK government has consistently maintained trade policy of developing foreign trade on the basis of the independent national economy and further consolidating its foundations through foreign trade.
In the past the government has developed heavy industry with machine building industry as its core, light industry and agriculture simultaneously in conformity to the actual conditions of the country and, relying on them, produced and exported goods that are highly competitive in international markets. And it has always ensured that foreign trade serves development of the economy and betterment of the people’s life.
Q: What is the principle pursued by the government in foreign trade relations?
A: The DPRK government employs the policy of maintaining the principles of independence, equality and mutual benefits, as well as credit-first principle in the relations of foreign trade.
The government has so far developed trade relations holding fast to these principles and given active support and assistance to the developing countries in their efforts to establish the fair international economic order.
It has put forward the credit-first policy in trade dealings and ensured that all the trading corporations keep credit in their transactions so as to create better climate for foreign trade of the country. It is making efforts to establish rigid discipline that corporations should ensure the superior quality of exports, keep delivery date and faithfully discharge contractual obligations like payment for imported goods.
Q: I think the issue of making foreign trade diversified and multifarious also assumes due importance in the foreign trade policy of the government.
A: You are right. Article 3 of the Foreign Trade Law stipulates that diversification and variegation of foreign trade constitute a basic way for wide-ranging trade. The State shall ensure to deal with different countries and corporations employing various forms and methods in foreign trade.
For the sake of diversification of foreign trade, we pay a primary attention to the neighbouring countries in developing economic exchange and cooperation including trade.
It is due to the geographical location and role of our country in the economic development of the Northeast Asia and the rest of the world.
And the government executes a policy of expanding the scope of foreign trade to all countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe in its effort to make foreign trade diversified.
Entering the new era, our country intensified the diversified economic exchange and trade transactions with EU member nations.
The EU top level delegation paid a visit to our country in 2001. The DPRK-EU symposium was held in Torino, Italy in March 2007 and the 3rd DPRK-EU economic symposium held in Pyongyang in October 2008. These events marked important occasions in the development of economic and trade relations between the DPRK and the European countries.
The DPRK government is also carrying out the policy of making foreign trade multifarious in keeping with the developing trend of international trade.
It puts a stress on processing trade on the basis of its economic potentialities and up-to-date processing technologies.
The government encourages local trading corporations to import raw materials and accessories and to process and assemble them for export in different sectors of the economy such as textile, clothing, machinery and facilities, rolling stocks and electronic goods.
We are channeling much effort into the export of technological products like software relying on the development of information industry of the country.
Transit trade and consignment trade are also in full swing.
Q: What is the highlight in the export policy of the government at present?
A: The key issue in the export policy is to improve export structure from the export of raw materials into that of processed goods.
The government makes efforts to give full play to the potentialities of existing export bases while building new ones in various sectors, increase the variety and volume of exports and upgrade their quality.
It defined the production bases of internationally competitive goods as strategic export industries, and is concentrating its investment on them and paying a close attention to their scientific and technological development.
The government takes some measures to encourage the export business of the corporations with a view to increasing export volume of the country.
It affords preferential treatments such as loaning from banks and supply of raw materials and power to those export bases and corporations which have cultivated new markets with new items of export or produced and exported hi-tech goods.
Besides, the government simplifies export procedures and upgrades services of the export-related institutions so as to carry on the smooth operation of export business of the country as a whole.
The DPRK government will continue to promote the impartial and reciprocal economic and trade relations with all countries on the principle of independence, mutual respect and equality.
DPRK Tariff System
Foreign Trade, Naenara
Kim Tong Hyok, University of the National Economics
The tariff system in the DPRK contributes to protecting the independent national economy and improving people’s livelihood.
The basic aim of the tariff policy in our country is to apply either no or low tariff on materials and goods imported for the acceleration of economic construction and the betterment of people’s life and high tariff on goods that have been or can be produced at home.
First, the government builds a tariff barrier against the imports which can be produced in our country.
High tariff is imposed on such imports as the goods that the domestic factories and enterprises are now producing or have potentials to produce, the products that are not needed at present in economic sectors, and the goods that are of no direct use for enhancing people’s living standards so as to increase the domestic production capacity and raise the quality of the homemade articles to be competitive in the world markets.
Second, the government imposes low or no tariff on the imports which are in short supply or unable to produce at home, i.e. the latest machines and equipment, oil and crude rubber needed for consolidating the foundations of the independent national economy and some of daily necessities that are more profitable to import than to produce at home.
It is impossible for each country to produce by itself all things necessary for its economic construction and people’s life because its natural and economic conditions and the level of productive forces differ from those of others.
Third, the government holds the principle to introduce advanced technologies in executing tariff system.
It imposes no or low tariff on hi-tech products and preferential tariffs on the goods imported by foreign-invested enterprises for the purpose of introducing advanced science and technology.
Fourth, the government defined correct criteria for tariff on the imports and is properly applying them.
It stipulated appropriate criteria of assessing the price of each variety of the imports pursuant to the regulations for the implementation of the DPRK Customs Law and the provisions of the Customs Law, and is now applying them in keeping with the requirements of the developing reality.
Besides, the government has prepared the catalogues of export commodities and the tariff rate table in conformity to the provisions of GATT and exercised tariff system suitable to each phase of development of the national economy, thus further promoting foreign trade and preventing tax evasion and other commercial wrongdoings which exert negative influence upon international markets.
Today the DPRK tariff system makes a big contribution to the protection of the independent national economy and the development of foreign trade.
Posted in International trade, Law on Foreign Trade, Ministry of Foreign Trade | Comments Closed
DPRK eases fees for investors
North Korea has taken steps to attract more overseas investors by scrapping extra land use fees and introducing selective import rules that can help foreign-owned companies maintain a market share, a Chinese newspaper said Friday.
According to the Jilin Newspaper, the official daily of China’s Jilin Province, a North Korean official promoted the new foreign-investor friendly measures during a recent trade exposition held in the city of Changchun.
“We revised pertinent laws and regulations so as to relegate land use fees, which have been paid annually by foreign-invested companies to their (North) Korean partners that loan the land,” Yun Yong-sok, a senior official at the international investment department of the North’s Ministry of Foreign Trade, was quoted by the paper as saying at the expo. North Korea’s Radio Pyongyang reported a delegation’s trip to the Chinese expo on Aug. 26.
Foreign investors have so far paid annual land use fees to the North Korean government in addition to a one-off lease payment, which will be still levied after the revisions.
The measures come as North Korea faces tightening international sanctions over its May nuclear test. The U.N. sanctions ban North Korea’s arms trade, a major source of income for the impoverished country, and closely scrutinize cash flows to the North.
North Korea also introduced “state support measures,” such as banning imports of goods that are already produced in adequate quantities within the North by foreign companies to ensure investors’ profits, Yun was quoted as saying.
Foreign companies that invest in science and technology in the North will get additional tax incentives, but those who take North Korean minerals, timber or fish abroad will be levied a new “resource tax” to protect the country’s natural resources, Yun added.
N. Korea boosts incentives for foreign investors
Posted in Economic reform, Foreign direct investment, Ministry of Foreign Trade | Comments Closed
DPRK ministerial shakeup and SPA elections announced
UPDATE 3: According to numerous media sources, Choe Sung Chol has been shot (h/t Marmot). Read more here: Bloomberg, Reuters, Korea Times.
UPDATE 2: According to the Joong Ang Daily:
North Korea’s point man on South Korea, who was earlier said to have been sacked for misjudgment, is said to be undergoing what sources called “severe” communist training at a chicken farm, sources here said yesterday.
Choe Sung-chol, once a vice chairman of the Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, the North’s state organization handling inter-Korean affairs, was reported to have been dismissed in early 2008 for what sources called his lack of foresight on South Korea’s new conservative administration under President Lee Myung-bak.
Political dissidents in North Korea are said to often undergo training on the communist revolution. This includes hard labor in harsh environments, such as mines or in labor camps.
Choe, 52, became better known to South Korean officials and the public in 2007, when he escorted then-President Roh Moo-hyun throughout his visit to Pyongyang for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
He is also known to have played a key role in arranging the summit.
Officials in Seoul have acknowledged the dismissal of Choe, but could not confirm his whereabouts or why he was sacked.
“He has been undergoing training for about a year now, so it really is hard to tell whether he will be reinstated or not,” another source said, also speaking on condition of anonymity.
(UPDATE 1) Shortly after the DPRK’s ministerial and leadership changes were dscovered, the DPRK announced the Supreme People’s Assembly will be recomposed in March. According to Reuters:
The reclusive North’s official media said in a two-sentence dispatch the election for deputies to its Supreme People’s Assembly would be held on March 8, without offering details.
North Korea wants to promote economic elite to the assembly to help lay the groundwork for the next generation of its leadership, a think tank affiliated with the South’s intelligence service said in a report in December, Yonhap news agency said.
However, analysts cautioned against reading too much into the leadership changes, saying Kim Jong-il and his inner circle hold the real power while ministers and other government officials have almost no influence in forming policy.
The assembly session that typically meets in April each year is a highly choreographed affair focused on budget matters where legislation is traditionally passed with unanimous approval.
North Koreans can vote only for the candidates selected by supreme leaders who allocate assembly seats to promote rank-and-file officials and purge those no longer in favor.
“Even if we know that someone was replaced, everything related to it is pure speculation because we have no clue as to the individual inclinations of these people,” said Andrei Lankov, an expert on the North at the South’s Kookmin University. (Reuters)
The Joong Ang Ilbo provides some additional facts:
The election is also a mere formality in the North because the candidates are hand-picked by the Workers’ Party and then approved by North leader Kim Jong-il.
The five-year terms of the 687 representatives, selected in 2003, were supposed to end last September. North Korea watchers have speculated that Kim’s health was linked to the election delay. According to intelligence sources in Seoul, Kim suffered a stroke in August.
North Korea watchers said Kim’s appearance at a polling station will put an end to speculation about his health. Kim had cast ballots in the 1998 and 2003 elections, according to past North Korean media reports.
With the upcoming election, Kim’s regime will enter its third term. The newly formed legislature will, on paper, form a cabinet, devise a national budget plan and conduct foreign policy.
Following former leader Kim Il Sung’s death in 1994, the Supreme People’s Assembly did not meet for four years. At that meeting, it elected the younger Kim as the National Defense Commission chairman and officially launched his regime. At the time, the legislature also amended the Constitution and undertook a dramatic cabinet shakeup.
According to the Joong Ang Daily:
Yu Yong-sun, a 68-year-old Buddhist leader, has become North Korea’s senior South Korea policy maker, a top Seoul official told the JoongAng Ilbo yesterday.
Choe Sung-chol, deputy director of the United Front Department of the North Korean Workers’ Party, was in charge of Pyongyang’s South Korean affairs until early last year. After he lost the job, Yu, head of the Korean Buddhists Federation, was appointed to the post, the source said.
“Yu succeeded Choe in March last year,” the source said. “Choe was once deeply trusted by [North Korean] leader Kim Jong-il, but he stepped down because he had failed to accurately assess the outcome of the 2007 presidential election in the South, the Lee Myung-bak administration’s North Korea policy and the outlook for inter-Korean relations.”
The source also said corruption scandals involving the overseas North Korean assistance committee under the United Front Department played a role in Choe’s sacking.
Choe played a crucial role in arranging the second inter-Korean summit between the president of South Korea at the time, Roh Moo-hyun, and Kim in 2007.
Yu, the successor, is not an entirely new face in inter-Korean affairs. Since 2000, he represented the North in several rounds of inter-Korean ministerial talks. He has led the Buddhist group since May 2006.
“We’ve also obtained intelligence that Kwon Ho-ung, who used to be the chief negotiator for the inter-Korean ministerial talks, stepped down from the post and has been put under house arrest,” the source said.
The North reshuffled its cabinet recently, according to the South’s Unification Ministry. Ho Thaek, vice minister of the electric power industry, was promoted to minister. Other minister-level promotions also took place at the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Forestry and Ministry of Foreign Trade. (Jeong Yong-soo, JoongAng Ilbo)
The Choson Ilbo reports on some more ministerial changes:
North Korea has reshuffled two cabinet ministers and appointed a new man to a key post in the Workers’ Party. North Korean state media reported that Kim Tae-bong was appointed new metal industry minister and Hur Tack new power industry minister. They replace Kim Sung-hyun and Pak Nam-chil. Kim Kyong-ok as newly-named first deputy director of the ruling party’s Organization Guidance Department that controls the party, Army and administration and is headed by leader Kim Jong-il.
It is rare for reshuffles to be announced separately. The new economic appointments may be related to the emphasis on “economic recovery” in a New Year’s statement released in the state media last week that is the closest the North has to an annual message from Kim Jong-il, a government official here speculated. The statement described the metal industry as the “pillar of the independent economy of socialism” and said the electricity, coal and railroad sectors “should take the lead in the people’s economic development through reforms.” Hence replacement of the metal and power industry ministers, according to the official. He admitted little is known about the newly appointed ministers.
The Organization and Guidance Department’s new first deputy director Kim Kyong-ok is reportedly in charge of regional party organizations.
“If the power succession is to move smoothly, the economy must be revived and control of the party organization is essential,” an intelligence officer here said. He predicted noticeable changes in the North’s power structure this year. A researcher at the Korea Institute of National Unification said North Korea “is going to take various steps in a bid to prevent Kim Jong-il’s authority from weakening due to ill health.”
And from Yonhap:
North Korea promoted industrial veterans to top posts in its latest Cabinet reshuffle, signaling Pyongyang’s stepped-up drive to rebuild the country’s frail economy, Seoul officials and analysts said Tuesday.
A reshuffle in the communist state is usually inferred when new faces appear in its media, as the country does not publicize such moves.
Five new names were mentioned as the North’s ministers of railways, forestry, electricity, agriculture and metal industry in the North’s New Year message and reports in October, Seoul’s Unification Ministry Spokesman Kim Ho-nyoun said.
“They are formerly vice ministers or those who climbed the ladder in each field. The reshuffle considered their on-spot experiences and expertise,” the spokesman said.
It was not clear when the reshuffle took place, he said.
North Korean media have been reporting a brisk campaign to rebuild the country’s ailing industrial infrastructure, following up on the New Year economic blueprint rolled out by leader Kim Jong-il. Kim called on citizens “to solve problems by our own efforts” and increase production in electricity, coal and daily equipment.
In the reshuffle, Jon Kil-su was named minister of railways; Kim Kwang-yong minister of forestry; Ho Taek minister of power industry; Kim Chang-sik minister of agriculture; Kim Tae-bong minister of metal industry.
Kim Kwang-yong and Kim Chang-sik were vice ministers and Jon held a senior post in their respective ministry. Ho was formerly a power plant chief, while little was known about Kim Tae-bong, Seoul officials said.
The shakeup was rumored to have affected more posts, but the Seoul spokesman could not officially confirm it.
Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea studies professor at Seoul’s Dongguk University, said the reshuffle is a sign that the North is shifting its focus to the economy from the military. In its New Year message, Pyongyang pledged to build a “prosperous and powerful nation” by 2012, the 100th anniversary of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung’s birth, he noted.
“The key word this year is the economy,” Koh said. “The reshuffle seems to suggest officials with technical expertise should take the initiative to develop the economy.”
Kim Young-yoon, a researcher with the Korea Institute for National Unification, said Pyongyang is turning to its natural resources amid suspension of South Korean aid. The Seoul government halted its customary aid of rice and fertilizer this past year as Pyongyang refused offers of dialogue.
“North Korea has no other way but turn to its own natural resources as long as inter-Korean relations and the nuclear issue are in limbo,” he said.
Buddhist leader gets North’s South policy spot
JoongAng Daily
N.Korea Reshuffles Economic Posts
N. Korea promotes industry veterans in Cabinet reshuffle
Kim Hyun
North Korea says to elect MPs in government shake-up
North to hold parliamentary election
Joong Ang Ilbo
Top North official said to be getting re-educated
Posted in Buddhist Alliance, Cabinet, Environmental protection, Forestry, Inter-Korean summit, Lumber, Manufacturing, Ministry of Electrical Industry, Ministry of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of Metal Industry, Ministry of Power and Coal, Ministry of Railways, Organization and Guidance Department, Political economy, Railways, Supreme Peoples Assembly, United Front Department | 6 Comments »
Last call at Kaesong…
The end of sunshine?
According to Yonhap (here and here), Friday, November 28, was the last day of the Kaesong day tours (210 tourists made the trip) and the last day the “train to nowhere” made its inter-Korean trip.
As for the Kaesong Industrial Zone (KIZ)…According to (Bloomberg), on December 1 the DPRK cut the number of “windows” available each day for South Korean vehicles to enter and leave the KIZ from 19 to 6 (though the Donga Ilbo claims just 3), and limited the number of South Koreans allowed in the complex to 880—about 20% of the 4,200 previously permitted to enter the complex.
According to the Donga Ilbo, Pyongyang delivered notice at 11:55pm Sunday saying those allowed to stay in Kaesong are 27 staff of the management committee; four from the (South) Korea Land Corp.; 40 from Hyundai Asan Corp.; five at restaurants and living quarters; two at shops and hospitals; and 800 from South Korean companies. Border crossings are also limited to 250 staff members and 150 vehicles each time.
Jeopardizing more than Kaesong
As previously discussed (here and here), South Korea and Russia are interested in building oil and natural gas pipelines which would cross the DPRK. If these projects went through, the DPRK government would benefit from construction and “rental” fees—in effect taking a cut of all the energy resources that cross their borders. North Korea, is now telling the Russians that the project is not too palatable at the moment.
Still more red than green it seems.
So while the DPRK chases away investment from the South, they solicit more from Kuwait and Singapore (where Chris Hill is due to stop by):
North Korean Foreign Trade Minister Ri Ryong Nam, now in Singapore, has urged Singapore companies to invest in the isolated country, the Singapore government said Monday.
The North Korean minister “briefed…on economic developments in North Korea and possible investment opportunities for Singapore companies,” in a meeting with Singapore’s former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, now a senior minister in the Cabinet, a government statement said.
Goh said, “Singapore would be glad to explore ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including in the areas of trade and investment, once international concerns were assuaged and the environment improved.”
Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo made a trip to North Korea in May, accompanied by a business delegation, in what was the first official visit to North Korea by a Singapore Cabinet minister.
On that trip, Yeo met North Korea’s No. 2 political leader Kim Yong Nam and Ri.
Yeo said at the end of his visit North Korea might be keen to learn from some aspects of the Singapore development model and that Singapore is ready to offer help and ideas. (Kyodo-Japan Economic Newswire)
Chewing gum manufacturers beware!
Posted in Automobiles, Economic reform, Energy, Foreign direct investment, International trade, Joint Ventures, Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), Ministry of Foreign Trade, Mt. Kumgang Tourist Special Zone, Natural Gas, Oil, Railways, Special Economic Zones (Established before 2013), Tourism, Transportation | 5 Comments »
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A look back with marine scientist Jeanette Davis
These days, Dr. Jeanette Davis works more on strategy and reports rather than in a lab for NOAA Fisheries, but she has loved science from an early age. In fact, it influenced her to write a children’s book to help them understand and appreciate the science in their everyday lives.
Dr. Davis joined NOAA after finishing a Knauss fellowship where she worked on sea turtle assessment proposals and co-authored a National Bycatch Report. At NOAA, Dr. Davis is the invasive species coordinator, which allows her to work across different agencies on invasive species activities. She also works on ‘omics, which is the application of cutting-edge methods to analyze DNA, RNA, or proteins to better understand the ocean and Great Lakes.
Hear a snippet of the interview recorded Dec. 5, 2019:
Jeanette Davis, NOAA Fisheries
Tenure at NOAA: 2018-present (2015-2017, contractor and Knauss Fellow)
Listen to the full interview with Jeanette Davis.
On becoming interested in science at a young age:
JD: I was always interested in science, yes. Even when I didn’t know it was science, I was always interested in science. By the time I could understand that I was interested in science in elementary school, I always had great science teachers. I think they could at least see my interest in science and how engaged I was. By the time I got to high school, it was obvious that science was my thing, and history.
That was quite interesting, growing up. I always loved going outdoors and trying new things and experimenting. Even as a child, I would gather things and put them together or try to make something or create something. I could just do that all day long. I was always inquisitive and asked questions. I think my parents understood that I was a bit different from the rest. They just allowed that and encouraged that. [laughter]
On getting into the field of ‘omics through graduate work:
JD: I’m a microbiologist. However, if you’re a microbiologist, because you can’t see what you study and because you don’t physically carry a microscope everywhere, you understand things at the molecular level, which is like DNA, RNA, protein stuff. Much of my background up until that point had been – how do I say – it wasn’t that level of detail of science. It wasn’t necessarily molecular biology. It was marine science. So I had all of these different sciences, but not a lot of core molecular stuff.
JD: My project, unlike others in the lab who worked on sponges, I worked on a sea slug. For most of the work in the lab, it was basically understanding bacteria associated with different marine invertebrates. Most of the time, it was sponge. Once you get those bacteria, you might see if they produce any interesting compounds or a hit, you screen them for interesting compounds. From there, you develop this story, figure out who’s doing what. My project was different in that we already knew the compound. It was already a promising anti-cancer compound extracted from the slug and the slug diet, which is some algae. That had already been discovered. Our role, instead of trying to find something new or find something that produces something new, we knew that something produced what we wanted. So it was almost like working backward. Instead of saying, “I found this thing and could it produce something,” it’s like, “Something can produce this thing, and so how do we find that thing?”
My lab hadn’t been to the sampling site, which was Hawaii for my project, in years before I got there. So we didn’t have any fresh samples. So my first few years, again, I’m taking classes. I’m working with frozen materials. Things are not working because samples are degraded. I had a chance to work with other people in the lab on their projects and go to one of our main sampling sites in Key Largo and do a whole bunch of stuff there. Then, finally, I think two years [later], in 2010, I got a chance to go to my sampling site in Hawaii, which was a game changer because things started picking up from there. I actually had fresh material to work with. It was tasking. [laughter]
Essentially, through this technology, of part of what I work on here [at NOAA] is this thing called eDNA. So all living things have DNA, and eDNA is environmental DNA. It’s just a way of looking at DNA in the environment. The same way at a crime scene if someone leaves their DNA behind, you can say, “This is who they are,” you can do the same in the environment. You can never see it, and just collect DNA and say, “This is who they are,” because their DNA is left behind. What I was doing was if this slug – I know this slug is here, and the algae is here, and I know this anti-cancer compound plays a role somewhere. I then looked at all of their DNA possible and said, “There is a code to produce this compound,” because DNA is the code for life and things, right? So there’s a code that produces this. So I looked at all the DNA and then said, “This DNA sequence matches this product, and it’s produced from this bacterium.” That’s the simplest way of putting it. It was a lot of molecular biology, a lot of understanding DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites. Metabolites are essentially the small molecule that we were looking for, which is a defense compound for the organism, but it’s the anti-cancer compound for humans. They’re the same.
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Professor Parag Singhal
MB BS, MD, MPhil, FRCP
General (internal) Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus
Professor Parag Singhal is a Consultant Endocrinologist. In the field of endocrinology and metabolic medicine, his special interests lie in all aspects of diabetes, including diabetic foot, thyroid disease and reproductive medicine. He is available for consultations and treatment at the private practices of Nuffield Health Bristol and Taunton Hospitals, The Waterside Suite, Weston General Hospital and The Chesterfield Clinic.
Professor Singhal received his initial medical training in India at Jiwaji University before moving to the UK where he became a Member of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1995. Following this, he gained further training in the US, after which he received his higher specialist training in Newcastle. He received his postgraduate MPhil at the University of Newcastle in 2002 and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 2004. Since 2000 he has worked as a consultant at Weston Hospital, which is part of the Bristol Teaching Hospital.
His main areas of focus are the thyroid and thyroid conditions, especially hypothyroidism. He has successfully treated a large cohort of patients using a combination of therapies, and as such some travel to see him from all over the country for help with their thyroid conditions.
Professor Singhal routinely scores highly in satisfaction surveys and has received awards that reflect his attention to improving patient care.
Treatments and tests offered by Professor Parag Singhal at Nuffield Health
Locations Professor Parag Singhal works with
3 Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1BN
Consultant Physician, Weston General Hospital
Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist, Nuffield Hospital Taunton
Insurers Professor Parag Singhal works with
Professor Parag Singhal works with the following private medical insurance providers:
Professor Parag Singhal does not hold a share or financial interest in this hospital, another Nuffield Health hospital or the company.
Professor Parag Singhal does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at this hospital or another Nuffield Health hospital.
Professor Parag Singhal does not hold any paid advisory role(s) at this hospital or on behalf of Nuffield Health.
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New Lawsuit Challenges State Department Public Charge Policies
A few weeks ago, New York-based advocacy groups filed a new lawsuit challenging various policies that restrict the ability of immigrants to enter the country on a public charge basis. The lawsuit specifically challenges the January 2018 changes to the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) and an October 2019 White House proclamation limiting visas to those who can produce evidence of having health insurance outside of Medicaid.
Additional visa restrictions have added to the chilling effect on WIC participation. The January 2018 FAM changes permit embassy and consular officials to weigh any benefit use by an immigrant or their sponsor when determining whether to issue a visa to enter the country. This has led to ambiguous and inconsistent application, with some consulates denying visas to poorer immigrants at higher rates.
This new lawsuit follows similar challenges to the public charge rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in August 2019. In October, a federal court in New York blocked implementation of the DHS final rule as various federal courts weigh legal challenges. For any questions on public charge, please reach out to Brian Dittmeier at bdittmeier@nwica.org.
FDA Issues Rolled-Back Vaping Ban
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a limited ban on flavored e-cigarettes, barring the manufacture and sale of certain cartridge-based vaping devices in early February 2020. The ban has may exceptions, permitting the continued sale of menthol and tobacco flavors while also allowing for popular liquid-based vaping products, such as vape pens.
Public health advocates had pushed for a broader ban given rising vaping rates among teenagers. As most vaping products also include nicotine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) caution that vaping and e-cigarettes are not safe for use during pregnancy. The White House had initially expressed support for a broader ban but backed away amid industry pressure and concern about the President’s reelection prospects. The new rules were issued mere weeks after the confirmation of the new FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, who had evaded questions about vaping policy during his hearings in the Senate.
FY 2020 Appropriations Complete
Before the holiday week, both houses of Congress passed two spending packages that appropriated approximately $1.4 trillion in federal spending for fiscal year 2020. The two measures were largely divided between defense and domestic programs. WIC funding was included in the domestic package, which funded WIC at $6 billion.
The spending measure realizes the full expansion of WIC's Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program, appropriating the $90 million authorized amount included in the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. This expansion - increasing funding by $30 million - will ensure that more pregnant women and mothers can access WIC's effective peer support. NWA led the broader nutrition community in fighting for this increase, which was championed by House Democrats throughout the appropriations process.
Congress has now completed its work for fiscal year 2020. The next appropriations cycle will begin in February after the release of the President's budget. NWA will update members with additional information when Congress begins to consider fiscal year 2021 appropriations.
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Alshon Jeffery Set To Breakout
Eagles wideout set to explode against the Minnesota Vikings
Chris Fioti
Wed, October 9, 12:29 PM
As the Eagles’ prepare for another (and hopefully the final) week without wide receiver DeSean Jackson in the lineup, the offense overall is looking for a bounce-back performance after Sunday’s game vs. the Jets. That’s not to suggest that the offense played terribly, but the 31-6 win was certainly the defense’s day to shine. While it’s also likely the Eagles didn’t pull out all the stops play-calling wise vs. the 0-3 Jets, Doug Pederson knows his group didn’t play up to it’s potential. A date with the Vikings this week is certain to require a much more explosive performance.
This Sunday, the Eagles return to US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis for the first time since the single greatest day in franchise history last February 4. Similar to that game vs. the Patriots, this game could easily turn into a track meet between the Eagles and the Vikings. The Vikings bounced back from their early-season offensive woes and dominated the Giants on Sunday. The Eagles just put 34 points on the Packers in Green Bay less than two weeks ago. They also have a secondary that will allow points to be scored when facing a quarterback not named Luke Falk.
Without Jackson coming to the rescue in time for Suday’s game, the Eagles need one of their weapons to step up and help get the offense back to its explosive self. Paging the Eagles’ WR1 – Alshon Jeffery.
In Jeffery’s three full games this year that he’s played, he’s posted modest receiving lines of 5 receptions/49 yards/1 touchdown, 3/38/1, and 6/52/0. Now healthy and with his calf issue one more week in the past, there’s no better game for Jeffery to break out with a signature performance than this week.
In 10 career regular season games vs. the Vikings, Jeffery has posted 47 catches for 724 yards and 7 touchdowns. In 2013, Jeffery’s breakout season with the Bears, he had a 12-249-2 day in Minnesota. The next season, he posted 11-135-1 in a home win vs. the Vikings. In 2015, he posted 10-116-1 in a loss. In the 2017 NFC Championship Game, Jeffery caught 5 passes for 85 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 38-7 rout of Minnesota.
Not to mention, the last time Jeffery visited US Bank Stadium, he set the tone with a 34-yard touchdown reception to put the Eagles on the board in Super Bowl 52.
Whether it’s something in the Minneapolis air or something when Jeffery sees purple and gold lined up across from him, the Eagles are going to need Jeffery to continue to bring his best this Sunday. Without the vertical threat that Jackson brings, it would certainly help Carson Wentz to rely on the dependability and physicality of Alshon to allow the offense to hum in a game where the Eagles will almost assuredly have to light up the scoreboard to win.
Last year, Jeffery only had 2 catches for 39 yards in the Eagles’ loss to Minnesota – a game where Wentz’s back was in so much pain he couldn’t sit down on the sideline. The Wentz/Jeffery combo is due for a bounce-back not only vs. the Vikings, but due for a big day in general, as Jeffery hasn’t had a 100-yard receiving game with Wentz at QB since Week 4 of last season. A big day from the duo will certainly help the Eagles start this brutal stretch of schedule off on the right foot.
20191009 Alshon Jeffery Set To Breakout
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Newcastle Remain An Enigma
Steve Bruce's Newcastle are defying the science of analytics, but can they keep it up in 2020?
Tue, December 24, 11:59 AM
Miguel Almiron could finally breathe a sigh of relief. It had taken 27 games, a little under 2200 minutes, but the Paraguayan finally had a goal in the Premier League.
You’d struggle to find a person inside St James’ Park (away fans excluded) that wasn’t delighted for Almiron. On the surface, a lack of goals is undoubtedly a negative, but the Paraguayan’s hard work off the ball underlined someone that was desperately trying to make an impact.
The game itself against Crystal Palace had been a non-event up until that point. The visitors had some good chances, while the hosts huffed and puffed in the final third. When taking the entire 90 minutes in totality, it forms a microcosm for what this season has been for Newcastle -- negative and positive wrapped up in one.
The Magpies go into Christmas inside the top half. They’re 10 points above the relegation places and have recorded big wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, as well as taking a position from reigning champions Manchester City. And yet, something remains off, a nagging doubt in the back of your head.
Yes, the points are trickling in, but the performances are far from vintage. To complain about such a fact seems almost ungrateful if you’re a Newcastle fan. No one can argue that after a rocky start, Steve Bruce’s team are now picking up points and exceeding expectations, but something about it feels very unsustainable.
The euphoria surrounding Almiron’s goal is a far cry from Bruce’s first day in charge. Running parallel to the news of the 58-year-old’s appointment was the trending hashtag, #BruceOut. Social media can often be an echo chamber, but in this instance, it was fair to say Bruce had his doubters and dissenters. Even now, attendances remain down on last year, although it is hard to discern how many are just protesting Mike Ashley’s ownership.
Statistically, those against the move had valid reasons. Bruce’s record as a Premier League manager does not stack up well. He arrived off the back of two mediocre spells in the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa. Any of the positive talk shadowing his appointment focused on sentiment and not a stellar list of recent achievements.
One of Bruce’s first acts as manager was to promise ‘expansive’ football. His predecessor, Rafa Benitez, had produced glimpses of attacking quality, but the foundations of his plan rested in a stern defensive unit and rapid counter-attacking. Bruce attempted to change things early in the season but eventually decided that the use of Benitez’s 3-4-3/ 5-3-2 formation was best for the squad.
Unsurprisingly, Newcastle have mostly maintained last season’s traits since Bruce reverted to that formation. The team’s strength still rests in its defensive unit, while the attack needs to be clinical. To Bruce’s credit, the team’s wingbacks now play in a more advanced position and are expected to contribute in attack when possible.
Just as with last season Newcastle are not dominating the ball, (they are averaging 39% per game this season, the lowest in the league). Under Benitez, the Magpies often drew criticism for their willingness to give opponents the majority of possession, and yet this season the club’s share of the ball has dropped compared to the previous campaign.
That’s why it’s challenging to evaluate Newcastle this season accurately. Defensively, the team’s record is on the better side of those in the bottom half. In attack, only Crystal Palace and Watford have scored fewer. Given the club invested £60million in attackers this summer it is a surprising stat.
Amazingly, it is the club’s defenders that have scored the goals to shoot Newcastle up the league. Almiron, Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton cost a combined £80 million, but between them, they have three goals this season. Federico Fernandez, Ciaran Clark and Fabian Schar have five.
As such, it feels like more time is needed before a clear conclusion can be reached on this team. In the traditional sense, Newcastle are not playing well. The team are not creating a host of chances, but they are, most importantly of all, winning football matches.
Goals like that of Almiron will add gloss to what had otherwise been drab affairs, but the bigger question remains about how sustainable any of this could be. Sean Dyche’s Burnley have often defied the science of analytics, and it remains to be seen whether Steve Bruce can continue to work the same kind of magic at St James’ Park. It is for that reason alone that predicting the club’s fortunes under Bruce in 2020 appears even more difficult now than they did when he was first appointed.
20191224 Newcastle Remain An Enigma
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Arsenal Star WANTS To Leave This Summer To Join Rivals – Reports
Gunners star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is reportedly considering leaving the Emirates amid Liverpool interest, according transfermarketweb via footballfancast.
The midfielder is currently having a mixed season at the Emirates after struggling to hold down a first team spot at the club.
Chamberlain is highly rated in England and has been limited to few chances this season as a result of a combination of poor form and Injuries.
The sun reported in January that the midfielder is unhappy at the Emirates as he believes his lack of playing time at the Emirates could cost him a spot in Roy Hodgson squad that will be travelling to France later this summer and now the player has started considering his long term future.
Liverpool are interested in signing the midfielder this summer as Klopp prepares for a major squad overhaul.
It is believed that Wenger values Chamberlain in the region of £22m but the player’s camp is unsure if Wenger would be interested in doing business with a league rival.
Chamberlain has scored just one goal for the Gunners this season and has made 21 league appearances this season with 13 of those games from the bench.
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otellobuscherini » Letters » The Myth of the Fall and Walker Percy's Last Gentleman (American University Studies)
The Myth of the Fall and Walker Percy's Last Gentleman (American University Studies) ePub download
by Bernadette Prochaska
Bernadette Prochaska History and Criticism English
Author: Bernadette Prochaska
Category: History & Criticism
Publisher: Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers; illustrated edition edition (February 1, 1993)
Format: rtf docx lit lrf
The evidence in the novels of Walker Percy which deal with the life of Will Barrett, "The Last Gentleman" and "The Second Coming," points to the presence of the Myth of the Fall. Experiencing imbalance and indirection, Will Barrett is the fallen man in a fallen world.
The evidence in the novels of Walker Percy which deal with the life of Will Barrett, "The Last Gentleman" and "The Second Coming," points to the presence of the Myth of the Fall. However, Williston Bibb Barrett experiences a sense that something is wrong in the world and in his life. The evidence in the novels of Walker Percy which deal with the life of Will Barrett, "The Last Gentleman" and "The Second Coming," points to the presence of the Myth of the Fall.
10 results for Books : "the last gentleman walker percy". The Myth of the Fall and Walker Percy's Last Gentleman (American University Studies). the last gentleman walker percy". The Last Gentleman: A Novel.
Authors and affiliations. Bernadette Prochaska. Part of the Analecta Husserliana book series (ANHU, volume 42). Abstract. Adam is wandering in a land outside a lost garden. Walker Percy’s Williston Bibb Barrett, in both The Last Gentleman and The Second Coming is Adam on a journey, conscious of the fact that secrets exist all around him in a post-modern world, where in Percy’s own words: men discovered that they no longer could understand themselves by the theory professed by the age (MB 25). Keywords. Garden Home Peregrine Falcon Ground Zero Fall World Salvation History. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors.
1992) The Myth of the Fall and Walker Percy's Last Gentleman, Bernadette Prochaska. 1991) Walker Percy: Books of Revelations, Gary M. Ciuba. 1991) Walker Percy: Novelist and Philosopher, Jan Norby Gretlund and Karl-Heinz Westarp, eds. (1990) The Gift of the Other: Gabriel Marcel's Concept of Intersubjectivity in Walker Percy's Novels, Mary Deems Howland. 1989) Critical Essays on Walker Percy, J. Donald Crowley and Sue Mitchell Crowley. 1988) The Comedy of Redemption: Christian Faith and Comic Vision in Four American Novelists (O'Connor, Percy, Updike, DeVries), Ralph C. Wood.
Founded in 1948, Mississippi Quarterly is published by the College of Arts and Sciences at Mississippi State University and is recognized as one . The Myth of the Fall and Walker Percy's Last Gentleman by Bernadette Prochaska
Founded in 1948, Mississippi Quarterly is published by the College of Arts and Sciences at Mississippi State University and is recognized as one of the premier. The Myth of the Fall and Walker Percy's Last Gentleman by Bernadette Prochaska. The Myth of the Fall and Walker Percy's Last Gentleman by Bernadette Prochaska (pp. 324-326).
Title: American university studies. The administration of the site is not responsible for the content of the site. The data of catalog based on open source database. All rights are reserved by their owners
Title: American university studies. Series XXIV, American literature, 0895-0512 ; v. 32. Bibliography, etc. Note: Includes bibliographical references (p. -148). Personal Name: Percy, Walker, 1916- Last gentleman. Personal Name: Percy, Walker, 1916- Second coming. Uniform Title: Bible In literature. Rubrics: Fall of man in literature. All rights are reserved by their owners. Download book The myth of the Fall and Walker Percy's Last gentleman, Bernadette Prochaska.
May 28, 1916 – May 10, 1990) was an American writer, whose interests included philosophy and semiotics. Percy is known for his philosophical novels set in and around New Orleans, the first of which, The Moviegoer, won the . National Book Award for Fiction. Trained as a physician at Columbia University, Percy decided to instead become a writer following a bout of tuberculosis
THE CATHOLIC NOVEL - Episode 5: "The Moviegoer" During this period, Percy read the works of the Danish existentialist writer Søren Kierkegaard and the Russian novelist Fyodor.
THE CATHOLIC NOVEL - Episode 5: "The Moviegoer". The connection of faith and work; the legacy of Walker Percy. Women Writers & Walker. Percy attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he joined the Xi chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He received a medical degree from Columbia University in New York City in 1941. There he had psychotherapy to deal with the legacy of suicides and depression in his family. During this period, Percy read the works of the Danish existentialist writer Søren Kierkegaard and the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Bernadette Prochaska. Walker Percy (1916-). American university studies. The myth of the Fall and Walker Percy's Last gentleman. 1 2 3 4 5. Want to Read. Are you sure you want to remove The myth of the Fall and Walker Percy's Last gentleman from your list? The myth of the Fall and Walker Percy's Last gentleman. by Bernadette Prochaska.
The analyst had got it all wrong. It was not the prospect of the Last Day which depressed him but rather the prospect of living through an ordinary Wednesday morning. Though science taught that good environments were better than bad environments, it appeared to him that the opposite was the case.
Williston Bibb Barrett experiences a sense that something is wrong in the world and in his life. The evidence in the novels of Walker Percy which deal with the life of Will Barrett, The Last Gentleman and The Second Coming, points to the presence of the Myth of the Fall. Experiencing imbalance and indirection, Will Barrett is the fallen man in a fallen world. However, the cycle of falling and rising resonates with joy and grace as the protagonist journeys toward salvation.
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Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Rothko Chapel Discussion, Performance, Audio Installation Planned
« Fencing photography exhibit captures strength, grace
Edward Lane McCartney-Media Whore:the persistence of making at Hooks-Epstein Galleries »
HOUSTON – Join the Rothko Chapel for a discussion and performance in honor of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
“Still Dreaming: Black Lives Matter, Hip Hop and MLK’s Legacy” is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, King’s birthday.
The evening will feature award-winning recording artist David Banner, Houston legend Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, musical ambassador Toni Blackman and Rice University professor Anthony Pinn. Together, they will discuss the intersection of hip hop music and civil rights.
“This outstanding panel will explore how hip hop has contributed to conversations on racial justice, including the Black Lives Matter movement, and the responsibility artists have in continuing Dr. King’s legacy,” public programs director Michelle Ashton said.
Following the discussion, guests are invited to a cipher performance and reception on the plaza, featuring local Houston artists like Genesis Blu.
The celebration will continue on Monday, Jan. 18 with an audio installation at the Chapel. Speeches delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. will be play at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
David Leslie, executive director at the Chapel, explained that King’s words are especially relevant today.
“It is helpful to pause and reflect on the inspirational words of Dr. King,” Leslie said. “His vision of peace and justice is just as meaningful today as it was in the 1960s.”
Throughout the year, the Rothko Chapel’s “Broken Obelisk” stands in honor of King.
Leslie explained that the sculpture’s placement in its current home came as a result of the tenacity of the Rothko Chapel’s founders.
“Getting the sculpture delivered to the chapel’s lawn was much more difficult than moving its 6,000 tons of steel,” he said. “The chapel’s lawn was not originally intended to house the masterpiece.”
In 1967, a government program offered to help fund monumental works of contemporary art in public places. Houston was one of four cities to receive funds – but the program required a matching grant from other sources. The program was in advisement for two years, while city staff searched for donors. Near the deadline, John and Dominique de Menil were approached.
The couple agreed to help underwrite the project on two conditions. First, the city had to agree to purchase Newman’s “Broken Obelisk.” The sculpture was designed in 1963-64, fabricated in 1967 in an edition of three. The edition that the de Menils had their eyes on was first exhibited in front of the Seagram Building in New York City and then the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington.
The couple’s second condition was that the statue be dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. The city, at the time, would not support this requirement — it was too politically charged. While the de Menils lost the battle, they could not bear to see the city lose the sculpture. They decided to buy it on their own and place it in front of the Rothko.
For more information about the Rothko Chapel and the full calendar of upcoming programs, workshops and events, visit rothkochapel.org or call 713-524-9839.
About the Rothko Chapel
The Rothko Chapel is open to the public every day of the year at no charge and successfully interconnects art, spirituality and compassionate action through a broad array of free public programs. Founded by Houston philanthropists Dominique and John de Menil, the Chapel was dedicated in 1971 as an intimate sanctuary. Today it stands as a monument to art, spirituality and human rights. As an independent non-profit, non-governmental organization, the Chapel depends on contributions from foundations and individuals to support its mission of creating a space for contemplation and dialogue on important issues.
www.rothkochapel.org/
The Rothko Chapel
3900 Yupon St
http://www.rothkochapel.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=388%3Asummer-sounds-on-the-plaza-step-rideau-and-the-zydeco-outlaws&catid=1%3Apublic-programs&Itemid=46
chance@cadenceenterprise.com
http://www.rothkochapel.org/
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A more recent version of these Duty Of Care, Omissions, Public Authorities, Nervous Shock, Wrongful Conceptions notes – written by Oxford students – is available here.
Tort: Duty of Care; Omissions; Public Authorities; Wrongful Conception; Nervous Shock 1) Duty of care i)
Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562: A manufacturer (R) sold bottles of drink to a cafe
which sold them to customers. One bottle contained a snail and made P ill when she drank it. Case in HL determined whether R had a legal duty to P and thus whether a case could be brought. HL said there was a legal duty, establishing (i) that manufacturers have a duty to take care for their consumers and (ii) that R must take "reasonable care to avoid causing foreseeable injury". Lord Atkin: Negligence: "You must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbour". He defines "neighbour" as people who are "so directly affected" by my act or omission that I "ought reasonably to have them in contemplation as being so affected" when I undertake the act/omission. This is the meaning of the "proximity" doctrine i.e. not merely physical proximity. He takes moral perspective: It is wrong that a person who consumes the product and is harmed due to R's negligence should be left without remedy as would happen if there were no contract/warranty involved i.e. if the consumer is not the purchaser, as here. Finally he says that liability for negligence has public support. Lord Macmillan: To whom was the duty owed? All "potential consumers" of his product. "Liability occurs where a reasonable man would have foreseen, and could have avoided the consequences of his act/omission". Circumstances will always dictate whether (i) there was a duty of care and (ii) to whom it was owed. NB where the product was intended to reach the consumer in the condition in which the manufacturer sold it, and it was so, the manufacturer is liable, as in this case. However if intermediary parties "have the means and opportunity" to examine it, then the manufacturer's liability ceases (not this case). Negligence has to be proved by P and it has to be shown that the thing was in a state capable of causing injury at the point when it left the manufacturer. The burden is on P, and res ipsa loquitur doesn't apply. Lord Macmillan said that "the categories of negligence are never closed". Home Office v Dorset Yacht Co [1970] AC 1004: 3 Borstal boys were left unsupervised and damaged a boat. The owner sued the home office for negligence. HL held that the borstal officers, for whom the Home Office (HO) was vicariously liable, owed a duty to take such care as was reasonable in the circumstances to prevent the boys damaging property, provided there was a manifest risk of that occurring if they did not take such care. Since the risk was manifest (they knew of the boys' criminal records etc), HO was liable. Public policy was also in favour of making HO liable.
Lord Pearson: There was a duty of care to the boat owners under the definition of "neighbourhood" by Lord Atkin in Donoghue v Stevenson. NB Pearson says that this is not a universal test but is a general test, to be applied except where it would produce injustice: the test is to be applied unless there is a reason for not applying it. He dismisses each claimed reason for not applying the test. There IS sufficient proximity here because there isn't only physical proximity but the harm was also foreseeable. HO WAS responsible for the boys due to the special relationship between them, despite the boys being legal adults. Although borstal training sometimes requires giving boys greater freedom, this may only diminish but not eradicate the duty and it is therefore not against public policy interests to make HO liable for borstal boys' actions. Lord Reid: he takes a different approach to Pearson. He says that where there is a NAI between R's carelessness and the ultimate damage, it is still possible to sue R provided that the damage was highly probable, and NOT mere foreseeability, as in cases where the damage is direct (the "very probable" requirement emphasises that the NAI is a consequence of R's carelessness. "Mere foreseeability" could allow R to be liable even where the damage comes from a new, separate cause, with little connection to the original carelessness). Lord Diplock: Lord Atkin's dictum, as he himself said, was not to be applied universally but merely "generally" (i.e. not always) since this would unduly restrict the law. If it can be established (1) that the officers were acting in breach of their instructions (and not acting in pursuance of discretion granted to them, in which case they, and thus the HO would not be liable) and (2) that in breaching the instructions the harm was reasonably foreseeable, a duty of care to the boat owners existed. (3) He says the key point is that the criminal has been negligently allowed to escape. Therefore the police would NOT be liable if the criminal escaped and committed crimes out of habit, as opposed to crimes used to facilitate the escape itself. Nor would police be liable if they released a prisoner who then committed crimes. Foreseeability, vicarious liability, proximity and public policy are all considered in deciding whether the duty existed. Anns v Merton LBC [1978] AC 728, 751-752 (NB it's relevance to the liability of public bodies was LATER OVERRULED in Murphey v Brentwood; As a test for the duty of care it was modified in Caparo): Ps were letters of flats over which R had rights and duties of owner. Cracks appeared in the walls and Ps sued R for negligence, after R failed to carry out any inspection of the building. HL held that P could sue R for negligence: R was under a duty to consider whether an inspection was needed; that this duty required "reasonable care" to be taken. Test for duty of care: (1) is there proximity (reasonable foreseeability/neighbourhood)? if so, (2) is there any reason not to apply the duty here?
Lord Wilberforce: In order to see if a duty of care arises: "First one has to ask whether, as between the alleged wrongdoer and the person who has suffered damage there is a sufficient relationship of proximity or neighbourhood such that, in the reasonable contemplation of the former, carelessness on his part may be likely to cause damage
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Korea, Republic of [South Korea] (1)
Korean art after 1970
Sook-Kyung Lee
One of the characteristics of Korean contemporary art is a continuous effort in employing and interpreting international art practices and discourses. Art movements from Europe and North America in particular, including Abstract Expressionism, Art informel, Minimalism, Conceptual art and Post-modernism, have influenced many Korean artists’ styles and ideas since the 1950s, providing formal and conceptual grounds for critical understandings and further experiments. Whilst some artists who maintained traditional art forms such as ink painting and calligraphy exercised modernist styles and abstract forms largely within the norms and conventions of traditional genres, a large group of artists proactively adapted to Western styles, employing new materials and techniques as well as the notions of avant-garde and experimentalism (see fig.).
A major critique of the reception of Western art and aesthetics came from ‘Minjung art’ (People’s Art) in the 1980s as part of instigating a nationalist and politically charged art strategy. Several art historians and critics who emerged in the 1990s also expanded the scope of the debate with postcolonial and pluralist points of view. The shift in social, economic and political environments played an important role in changing sensibilities in art, along with the advances of technology and new media in the 2000s. The high degree of diversity and sophistication of Korean art in terms of media and subject matters became widely acknowledged within and outside the nation, and an increasing number of artists started to work on the cutting edge of international art....
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Industrial and Commercial Art (1)
Surrealism x
Industrial and Commercial Art x
Kiesler, Frederick
Leland M. Roth and Gordon Campbell
(John)
(b Vienna, Sept 22, 1890; d New York, Dec 27, 1965).
American architect, stage designer, furniture designer and writer of Austrian birth. In 1920 he worked with Adolf Loos in Vienna. He was also in contact with the artists associated with De Stijl and began experimenting with innovative theatre designs. In 1924 he produced the Endless Theatre design. The ‘Endless’ was a double-curved shell of reinforced concrete that could enclose any irregularly traditional divisions into floor, wall, and ceiling but offered the inhabitant an open interior that could be modified at will. For the theatre he adapted the ‘Endless’ by devising a double-spiral stage interconnected by ramps and rings of spectator seats. Kiesler believed that the Endless Theatre, without proscenium or curtain, projecting out into the audience, with perpetually moving walls bathed in light of ever changing colour, would promote greater interaction between actors and audience.
For the celebrated Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris in 1925...
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This Was The Best Performing Asset In August And 2020 YTD
Ohio Pension Fund Adds a 5% Gold Allocation to Hedge Risk, Inflation
Goldman Sachs Gold; Buffett Sacks Goldman
August is traditionally a slumbering, vacation-heavy month, with low market volumes and little price action. Of course, the month that just passed was anything but with the S&P recording its best performance since 1986 on the back of an unprecedented meltup in a handful of tech stocks.
Indeed, unlike 2011 and 2015 when August was a “troublesome month for risk assets,” this year saw a continued recovery from the lows reached back in March, with 25 of the 38 non-currency assets in the Deustche Bank asset sample having a positive return over the month. Furthermore, the month marks another milestone, since for the first time this year, more than half the sample is now positive on a YTD basis as well, with 21/38 non-currency assets having moved higher.
As Deutsche Bank’s Henry Allen writes, in terms of the highlights it wasn’t tech but silver that was the top performing asset in August for the 2nd month in a row, thanks to a +15.4% increase. That move cements its existing YTD lead, having now risen by +57.6% since the start of the year, in a move that outpaces even the NASDAQ. Matters weren’t so positive for gold though, as in spite of rising above $2,000/oz at the start of the month for the first time ever, the precious metal ended up losing ground to close -0.4% lower. Nevertheless, commodities generally performed strongly, with WTI (+5.8%), Brent crude (+4.6%) and copper (+6.0%) all seeing solid advances, even though oil remains one of the worst performers on a YTD basis, with Brent (-31.4%) and WTI (-30.2%) still well below their pre-Covid levels.
Equities, of course, were another asset class that had a strong month, particularly in the US. The S&P 500 was up another +7.2% in total return terms, as the index climbed above the record high reached back in February. Meanwhile the price index, which now stands above the 3,500 mark, saw its best August performance (+7.0%) since 1986. The NASDAQ saw an even larger +9.7% advance over the month in total return terms, while in Europe the DAX also climbed +5.1%. The exception was the Brazilian Bovespa, which was the only equity index in our main sample to lose ground in August, with a -3.4% fall.
Meanwhile, after a stellar Q2 and early Q3, fixed income struggled in August as investors moved into riskier assets. In fact, gilts (-3.2%) were the second-worst monthly performer the entire sample in local currency terms, while Treasuries (-1.2%) and bunds (-1.2%) both lost ground as well. In line with this broader move into risk however, Italian BTPs (-0.3%) and Spanish bonds (-0.6%) outperformed relative to these core countries, and in credit HY outperformed IG in both Europe and the US.
Finally in FX, the dollar fell to a 2-year low in August (-1.3%) as it declined for the 5th consecutive month. The dollar’s weakness meant that the euro strengthened above $1.19 for the first time in over 2 years, while sterling rose +2.2% against the dollar. For the euro, that extends its YTD advance against the US dollar to +6.4%, but the renewed rise in the number of virus cases on the continent will come as a source of concern to investors looking forward into the final third of the year.
Visually, here are the best and worst performing assets in August…
… and YTD
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Does the Catholic Church Have A Problem With Women? Former Irish President McAleese Thinks So
Former Irish president Mary McAleese called the Catholic Church an "empire of misogyny."
Does the Catholic Church have a deep-rooted misogyny problem? Former Irish president Mary McAleese — and a number of other advocates for greater inclusion of women in the Catholic Church — think so.
During the Voices of Faith conference in Rome, Italy on March 8, McAleese made waves when she openly criticized the Church. There are an estimated 1.2 billion Catholics in the world.
"The Catholic Church is one of the last great bastions of misogyny," McAleese told reporters prior to her talk. "It's an empire of misogyny."
She also called for more women in leadership roles within the church.
"There are so few leadership roles currently available to women. Women do not have strong role models in the Church they can look up to," said McAleese, who served as President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011.
For the first time in its five-year history, the conference — held on International Women's Day — took place at the headquarters of the Jesuit religious order instead of at the Vatican because church authorities objected to a number of speakers including McAleese, who has long supported LGBT rights and the ordination of women as priests. This only lends credence to McAleese’s claims.
"How long can the hierarchy sustain the credibility of a God who wants things this way, who wants a Church where women are invisible and voiceless in Church leadership?" McAleese said during her address, adding that many women "experience the Church as a male bastion of patronizing platitudes, to which Pope Francis has added his quota."
"Start the process. Get it going. Put the fuel in the engine. Hit the button." McAleese challenged Pope Francis to commit to "real, practical action on behalf of women.”
Mary McAleese says the Catholic Church is the "primary global carrier of the toxic virus of misogyny" pic.twitter.com/BpGctpJ4Wi
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 8, 2018
Pope Francis did not attend the Why Women Matter conference nor did he celebrate mass for those attending. While he has said that he supports greater inclusion of women in Vatican jobs, and has appointed women to key positions within the Vatican's family office, he does not want women priests.
U.S. cardinal Kevin Farrell, a senior Vatican official who is reportedly responsible for attempting to block McAleese's inclusion in the conference, said it was "not appropriate" for McAleese and a number of other speakers, including Ugandan lesbian Catholic activist Ssenfuka Joanita Warry, to be taking part in the conference.
Is public opinion swaying in a different direction, however? The Tablet, one of the world's leading Catholic publications, called for change within the church in a recently published editorial. Amarách Research for Claire Byrne Live conducted a poll last week, finding that 78% of people agree with McAleese.
"The time is now for change in the Catholic Church,” McAleese remarked, and it seems that there are some within the church — like Archbishop Diarmuid Martin — who agree.
"[McAleese's] challenge to the internal culture of the Church today was brutally stark," said Martin. "Some may find it unpleasant or unwelcome. I must accept the challenge with the humility of one who recognizes her alienation."
Can We Say #TimesUp To Chris Brown Already?
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Peace Palace Library | Library blog | Osaka Rule and Doping at Olympics
By R. Ridderhof On August 10, 2012 · Leave a Comment | See comments on this post (1)
Cheaters have caused a lot of harm to the Olympic movement over the past few decades and it is reasonable for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to wish for clean Olympic Games. In the fight against doping the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) set up a system of strict liability on doping offences. The World Anti-Doping Code is mandatory for the whole Olympic Movement.
In the fight against doping it is important to make sure that athletes who are accidentally engaged in advertent doping - the no significant fault or negligence category - are not placed into the same category as athletes involved in intentional doping. The first category of doping 'offenders' should not be punished with a severe sanction (proportionality principle), because the athlete could not, even with the exercise of the utmost caution, reasonably have suspected, that he or she had been administered a prohibited substance. It is extremely difficult for an athlete to prove this because he or she has to prove how the specified substance entered his/her body without intent.
In 2004, Rule 45 of the Olympic Charter was revised to include the phrasing "any entry is subject to acceptance by the IOC, which may at its discretion, at any time, refuse any entry, without indication or grounds. Nobody is entitled to any right of any kind to participate in the Olympic Games." Whereas only National Olympic Committees (NOCs), recognised by the IOC, may enter competitors in the Olympic Games, this Charter revision gave the IOC the ability to prevent athletes from participating in the Olympic Games.
During the 2007 world athletics championships in Osaka, Jacques Rogge, the president of the IOC, proposed the Osaka Rule. The Osaka Rule prohibited any athlete with a doping suspension of greater than six months from competing in the next Olympic Games, even for cases where the athlete's suspension has already been completed. The IOC has claimed it not as a sanction, but as an eligibility rule. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued an advisory opinion, at the IOC's request, describing the Osaka Rule as an eligibility rule too. The IOC has no disciplinary jurisdiction to athletes who potentailly might come to the Olympic Games.
In the USOC v. IOC decision {CAS 2011/O/2422 06.10.2011}, the CAS invalidated the Osaka Rule which prevented athletes who committed a doping offence inadvertently from receiving disproportionately harsh consequences relative to their violation. This decision will allow a significant number of athletes to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London who would otherwise be prohibited from doing so. One of them is British athlete Dwain Chambers (100 m).
The London 2012 anti-doping laboratory has exercised about 6200 doping tests so far, up 400 samples every day. Up to 1 in 2 athletes has been tested at the Olympic Games including every Olympic medallist.
Doping and the fight against it is influenced by new scientific and technological developments. During the ancient Olympics medical plants were used for doping, just after World War II amfetamines were popular in sports too. During the 1968 Olympics in Mexico the first doping controls occured. German Democratic Republic's athletes were famous in using anabolic steroids in the 1980's. Nowadays blooddoping is "in" and gendoping is the future. Topathletes need a bloodpassport and have to let doping authorities know their whereabouts.
Doping controls and doping sanctions will always be necessary in a struggle to keep sport and Olympic Games as clean as possible. The alternative is legalizing doping: athletes will have a responsibility and a choice how far they want to go in ruining their bodies and the spirit of sports.
Tagged with: Doping, Olympic Games, Sport
GANDERT, D., "The Battle over the Osaka Rule", International Sports Law Journal, 2012, Nos. 1-2, pp. 109-120
McNAMEE, M. and MØLLER, V. (eds.), Doping and Anti-Doping Policy in Sport : Ethical, legal and social perspectives, London : Routledge, 2011
O'LEARY, J., "Practice Makes Perfect : an Analysis of the World Anti-Doping Code 2009", International Sports Law Journal, 2012, Nos. 1-2, pp. 11-20
BBC Sport: London 2012: Dwain Chambers eligible after court ruling
London 2012 anti-doping laboratory receives seal of approval
Official website World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
Olympic Charter
One Response to Osaka Rule and Doping at Olympics
Sports and Russian Doping: Fairness vs. the Human Right to Sport | Peace Palace Library says:
[…] be prohibited from taking part in the next edition of the Olympic Games, see also the PPL blog: Osaka rule and doping at Olympics), because it was deemed unlawful under double jeopardy rules. A highly respected sports lawyer, […]
International criminal law is the part of public international law that deals with the criminal responsibility of individuals for international crimes. A distinction can be made between international crimes which are based on international customary law and therefore apply universally and crimes resulting from specific treaties which criminalize certain conduct and require the contracting states to implement legislation for the criminal prosecution of this conduct in their domestic legal system.
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By Charles Yu
By Charles YuOn Tour
Category: Literary Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy
Enhanced Ebook $11.99
About How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe
From the National Book Award–winning author of Interior Chinatown, comes a razor-sharp, hilarious, and touching story of a son searching for his father . . . through quantum space-time.
Every day in Minor Universe 31 people get into time machines and try to change the past. That’s where Charles Yu, time travel technician, steps in. He helps save people from themselves. Literally. When he’s not taking client calls, Yu visits his mother and searches for his father, who invented time travel and then vanished. The key to locating his father may be found in a book. It’s called How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe, and somewhere inside it is information that will help him. It may even save his life.
This enhanced eBook includes video, audio, photographic, and linked content, as well as a bonus short story. Hear TAMMY talk. Learn the origins of Minor Universe 31. See the TM-31. Take a trip in it.
Photos and illustrations appear as hyperlinked endnotes.
Video and audio are embedded directly in text.
*Video and audio may not play on all readers. Check your user manual for details.
National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Award winner Charles Yu delivers his debut novel, a razor-sharp, ridiculously funny, and utterly touching story of a son searching for his father . . . through quantum space–time.
Minor Universe 31 is a vast story-space on the outskirts of fiction, where paradox fluctuates like the stock market, lonely sexbots beckon failed protagonists, and time travel is serious business. Every day, people get into time machines and try to do the one thing they should never do: change the past. That’s where Charles Yu, time travel technician—part counselor, part gadget repair man—steps in. He helps save people from themselves. Literally. When he’s not taking client calls or consoling his boss, Phil, who could really use an upgrade, Yu visits his mother (stuck in a one-hour cycle of time, she makes dinner over and over and over) and searches for his father, who invented time travel and then vanished. Accompanied by TAMMY, an operating system with low self-esteem, and Ed, a nonexistent but ontologically valid dog, Yu sets out, and back, and beyond, in order to find the one day where he and his father can meet in memory. He learns that the key may be found in a book he got from his future self. It’s called How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe, and he’s the author. And somewhere inside it is the information that could help him—in fact it may even save his life.
Wildly new and adventurous, Yu’s debut is certain to send shock waves of wonder through literary space–time.
Also by Charles Yu
See all books by Charles Yu
About Charles Yu
Charles Yu is the author of four books, including Interior Chinatown, winner of the 2020 National Book Award. He has been nominated for two Writers Guild of America Awards for his work on the HBO series, Westworld. He has also written for shows… More about Charles Yu
Jun 28, 2011 | 256 Pages | 5-3/16 x 8 | ISBN 9780307739452
Enhanced Ebook | $11.99
Published by Pantheon
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“Glittering layers of gorgeous and playful meta-science-fiction. . . . Like [Douglas] Adams, Yu is very funny, usually proportional to the wildness of his inventions, but Yu’s sound and fury conceal (and construct) this novel’s dense, tragic, all-too-human heart. . . . Yu is a superhero of rendering human consciousness and emotion in the language of engineering and science. . . . A complex, brainy, genre-hopping joyride of a story, far more than the sum of its component parts, and smart and tragic enough to engage all regions of the brain and body.”
“Compulsively rereadable. . . . Hilarious. . . . Yu has a crisp, intermittently lyrical prose style, one that’s comfortable with both math and sadness, moving seamlessly from delirious metafiction to the straight-faced prose of instruction-manual entries. . . . [The book itself] is like Steve Jobs’ ultimate hardware fetish, a dreamlike amalgam of functionality and predetermination.”
“Douglas Adams and Philip K. Dick are touchstones, but Yu’s sense of humor and narrative splashes of color–especially when dealing with a pretty solitary life and the bittersweet search for his father, a time travel pioneer who disappeared–set him apart within the narrative spaces of his own horizontal design. . . . A clever little story that will be looped in your head for days. No doubt it will be made into a movie, but let’s hope that doesn’t take away the heart.”
“If How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe contented itself with exploring that classic chestnut of speculative fiction, the time paradox, it would likely make for an enjoyable sci-fi yarn. But Yu’s novel is a good deal more ambitious, and ultimately more satisfying, than that. It’s about time travel and cosmology, yes, but it’s also about language and narrative — the more we learn about Minor Universe 31, the more it resembles the story space of the novel we’re reading, which is full of diagrams, footnotes, pages left intentionally (and meaningfully) blank and brief chapters from the owner’s manual of our narrator’s time machine. . . . . Yu grafts the laws of theoretical physics onto the yearnings of the human heart so thoroughly and deftly that the book’s technical language and mathematical proofs take on a sense of urgency.”
“How to Live Safely is a book likely to generate a lot of discussion, within science fiction and outside, infuriating some readers while delighting many others.”
“An extraordinary work. . . . I read the entire book in one gulp.”
—Chris Wallace, GQ
“A great Calvino-esque thrill ride of a book.”
“Science and metaphor get nice and cozy in Charles Yu’s How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe. The novel joins the likes of Gary Shteyngart’s Super Sad True Love Story and Jillian Weise’s The Colony, fiction that borrows the tropes of sci-fi to tell high-tech self-actualization narratives.”
“A brainy reverie of sexbots, rayguns, time travel and Buddhist zombie mothers. . . . Packed with deft emotional insight.”
“A funny, funny book, and it’s a good thing, too; because at its heart it’s a book about loneliness, regret, and the all-too-human desire to change the past.”
“A keenly perceptive satire. . . . Yu’s novel is also a meditation on the essentials of human life at its innermost point.. . . Campy allusions to the original Star Wars trilogy, a cityscape worthy of the director’s cut of Blade Runner and a semi-coherent vocabulary of techno-jargon cement these disparate elements into a brilliant send-up of science fiction. . . . Perhaps it would be better to think of the instructional units of How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe in terms of the chapters of social commentary which John Steinbeck placed into the plot structure of The Grapes of Wrath.”
—California Literary Review
“How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe is the rare book I pick up to read the first several pages, then decide to drop everything and finish at once. Emotionally resonant, funny, and as clever as any book I have read all year, this debut novel heralds the arrival of a talented young writer unafraid to take chances.”
“A wild and inventive first novel . . . has been compared to the novels of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and Jonathan Lethem, and the fact that such comparisons are not out of line says everything necessary about Yu’s talent and future.”
—Portland Oregonian
“Bends the rules of time and literary convention.”
—Seattle Weekly
“Getting stuck with Yu in his time loop is like watching an episode of Doctor Who as written by the young Philip Roth. Even when recalling his most painful childhood moments, Yu makes fun of himself or pulls you into a silly description of fake physics experiments. In this way, he delivers one of the most clear-eyed descriptions of consciousness I’ve seen in literature: It’s full of self-mockery and self-deception, and yet somehow manages to keep its hands on the wheel, driving us forward into an unknowable future. How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe is intellectually demanding, but also emotionally rich and funny. . . . It’s clearly the work of a scifi geek who knows how to twist pop culture tropes into melancholy meditations on the nature of consciousness.”
“Funny [and] moving. . . . Charles Yu’s first novel is getting ready for lift-off, and it more than surpasses expectations which couldn’t be any higher after he was given the 5 Under 35 Award . . . How to Live Safely in a Science Fiction Universe is one of the trippiest and most thoughtful novels I’ve read all year, one that begs for a single sit-down experience even if you’re left with a major head rush after the fact for having gulped down so many ideas in a solitary swoop. . . . Yu’s literary pyrotechnics come in a marvelously entertaining and accessible package, featuring a reluctant, time machine-operating hero on a continual quest to discover what really happened to his missing father, a mysterious book possibly answering all, and a computer with the most idiosyncratic personality since HAL or Deep Thought. . . . Like the work of Richard Powers . . . How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe fuses the scientific and the emotional in ways that bring about something new.”
—Sarah Weinman, The Daily Beast
“One of the best novels of 2010. . . . It is a wonderfully stunning, brilliant work of science fiction that goes to the heart of self-realization, happiness and connections. . . . Yu has accomplished something remarkable in this book, blending science fiction universes with his own, alternative self’s life, in a way, breaking past the bonds of the page and bringing the reader right into the action. . . . Simply, this is one of the absolute best time travel stories . . . even compared to works such as The Time Machine by H.G. Wells or the Doctor Who television series.”
“Within a few pages I was hooked. . . . There are times when he starts off a paragraph about chronodiegetics that just sounds like pseudo-scientific gibberish meant to fill in some space. And then you realize that what he’s saying actually makes sense, that he’s actually figured out something really fascinating about the way time works, about the way fiction works, and the “Aha!” switch in your brain gets flipped. That happened more than once for me. There are so many sections here and there that I found myself wanting to share with somebody: Here—read this paragraph! Look at this sentence! Ok, now check this out!”
—GeekDad, Wired.com
“In this debut novel, Charles Yu continues his ambitious exploration of the fantastic with a whimsical yet sincere tribute to old-school science fiction and quantum physics. . . . A fascinating, philosophical and disorienting thriller about life and the context that gives it meaning.”
“With Star Wars allusions, glimpses of a future world, and journeys to the past, as well as hilarious and poignant explanations of “chronodiegetics,” or the “theory of the nature and function of time within a narrative space,” Yu, winner of the National Book Foundation’s 5 under 35 Award, constructs a clever, fluently metaphorical tale. A funny, brain-teasing, and wise take on archetypal father-and-son issues, the mysteries of time and memory, emotional inertia, and one sweet but bumbling misfit’s attempts to escape a legacy of sadness and isolation.”
“This book is cool as hell. If I could go back in time and read it earlier, I would.”
—Colson Whitehead, author of Sag Harbor
“Charles Yu is a tremendously clever writer, and How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe is marvelously written, sweetly geeky, good clean time-bending fun.”
—Audrey Niffenegger, author of Her Fearful Symmetry and The Time Traveler’s Wife
“Funny, touching, and weirdly beautiful. This book is awesome.”
—Nick Harkaway, author of The Gone-Away World
“How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe is that rare thing—a truly original novel. Charles Yu has built a strange, beautiful, intricate machine, with a pulse that carries as much blood as it does electricity.”
—Kevin Brockmeier, author of The View from the Seventh Layer and The Brief History of the Dead
“Poignant, hilarious, and electrically original. Bends time, mind, and genre.”
—David Eagleman, author of Sum
A conversation with Charles Yu
author of How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe
You’re a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Award-winner and this is your debut novel. When and why did you start writing, and what advice do you have for other young writers out there trying to get published?
I wrote poems and essays as a kid, and in college, I dreamed of becoming a professional writer, whatever I thought that meant, although, for a lot of reasons, I knew that wasn’t going to happen. Mostly, my parents were going to murder me if I tried to apply to an MFA program. First-degree murder.
So I didn’t actually start writing until 2002, shortly after I began my career as a lawyer. Working in a high-pressure environment was squeezing me pretty hard, and all that pressure found its way out in the form of little things I was jotting down, in the margins of receipts, on the backs of business cards. I wrote a series of physics problems about a married couple’s life together. I wrote some instructions for how to play a metaphysical video game. Stuff like that.
But I didn’t think I was actually writing, let alone writing what anyone would call fiction, until I read CivilWarLand in Bad Decline by George Saunders. That book blew the doors off the empty little space that had previously housed my puny imagination.
Up until that point, I’d had no clue as to what a story could be. And it was because my ideas were assumptions. Tacit, limiting, ultimately false assumptions, which added up to a severely impoverished conception of what was possible in fiction. After reading CivilWarLand, I knew I wanted that feeling, wanted to be surprised like that, and flattened onto the floor, and embarrassed my by own narrowness. I wanted to have my doors blown off again and again. It was a short distance to go from wanting to have that feeling to also wanting to see if maybe I could ever give that feeling to someone else.
As for advice, it would be to transfer all the anxiety about publication into anxiety about whether the story works, whether a reader is going to care about the characters. I break down the process into four components: writing, rewriting, submitting, and worrying. My ideal, not at all realistic, scenario, would be to make the proportion of time spent on each of those activities something like: 19 percent, 80 percent, 1 percent, 0 percent. This is very hypocritical of me to say, of course, as I’ve never done this myself, I’ve never even been close. But I do know that the farther from zero the last two numbers get, the more I’m in trouble. And that the second number should be much bigger than the first.
How has your interest in and knowledge of science and science fiction contributed to and inspired your writing of this book?
I read and collected comics as a kid, read pretty much everything I could find of Asimov, including the whole Foundation series in one semester in eighth grade (to the detriment of my English grade), and so much else, too much to list or even remember. Then, at some point in high school, I got the idea that there were serious books we read in school, and there was science fiction, and there was not a lot of overlap. That lasted until my senior year in college, when I stumbled on Richard Powers’s Galatea 2.2, which wasn’t exactly science fiction, it was this amazing love story. It also handled actual science (cognitive science, artificial intelligence) without watering it down, and yet was still clearly Serious Fiction, whatever that meant to me back then, the kind that was in the Sunday book review sections. After that, I began to search out more writing like that, more Powers, and Jonathan Lethem.
Currently, I read more science than I do anything else, including fiction. I especially enjoy reading books written by scientists for lay folk, like me. I was a biochem major in college, and so part of it is that I am interested in the science itself, but I’m just as interested in the process of explanation, how the author, an expert in a specialized field, tries to explain difficult concepts through simplification and creative analogy. I am fascinated by that process of distilling something really complex into something most people can understand. There are so many examples of great books that do this, but the one that still stands out for me is Brian Greene’s The Elegant Universe. After finishing that book, I was convinced I had a working knowledge of string theory. I was like, I can do this stuff; I could hang with string theorists at a cocktail party. Of course, when I tried to explain even the simplest concept from the book to someone else, I realized how much Greene had been holding my hand. I was like a baby who thought he could walk, until I tried on my own.
Your book deals with time travel in a more serious and even tragic way than most stories about the subject, though you mask the severity with humor to keep the dialogue light and amusing. What made you decide to write about this complicated topic, and how did you come to write about it in this unique manner?
I knew I wanted the novel to be a family story, mostly about a father and son, but also about a marriage, and a son-mother story, too. But I could not find the right frame for the story. At the same time, I kept coming back to this idea that had been floating around in my head and on my laptop for years, but one that I could never find a home for. It was about of a man who keeps popping up in different hypothetical universes, trying to find the universe where he belongs. I’d been messing around with that conceit, on and off, for close to five years. Then I remembered a book I’d read years earlier, called The Fabric of Reality, by David Deutsch (which sets out, among other things, Deutsch’s multiverse interpretation of quantum mechanics), and in particular, one specific sentence from that book: “Other times are just special cases of other universes.” That sentence was a bridge for me. I realized I didn’t want to write a story about hypothetical universes. I wanted to write a time travel story.
Once I decided that the novel would be about time travel, the book started to take shape. Not quickly, more like, I had a frame, and now little pieces started sticking to the frame, just odd scraps here and there, but the frame was the right one, and I could hang things on it. Most important, what happened was that the two vocabularies—the emotion of a father-mother-son story and the technical glossary of a time travel story—started to interact; like two dry wool blankets, they started to rub up against each other and crackle a bit. Things would pop out of that, phraselets and new words and little surprises of grammar and language and emotion, and science fiction would fall out from that interaction.
Whatever humor there is in there, if any, is probably also a product of that process, of smashing together two sub-languages, emotional and science fictional, and seeing what weird tonal particles are produced from the collision. I knew that the story needed weight, because if it were just whimsical, a reader might wonder why any of it mattered, and of course, the most important thing that I am trying to do is create characters who matter to the reader. I do hope that there are at least a few laughs in there.
How did you come to develop your protagonist’s interesting sidekicks TAMMY, an operating system with low self-esteem, and Ed, a nonexistent but ontologically valid dog? Are they based on real people (or pets) in your life?
Ed is based on my dog, Mochi. Much of the writing of this book took place between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Mochi kept me company in the cold, dark hours, as I stared at a mostly blank screen. And when she sighs, it really is the most emotionally charged and communicative sound I’ve ever heard. And her face is pretty mushy-looking, in a good way.
In terms of real people, I suppose TAMMY arose from, in part, my own self-defeating inner monologue. But mostly TAMMY is based on my real-life operating system, which is always telling me how it has just failed, and then asking if I want to report the failure to its parent company licensor. I’m always like, no, let’s just keep this between the two of us.
Describe Minor Universe 31 and how you were inspired to write about such an intangible, mysterious place.
It’s an interior space. But it’s also real, a physical place. It’s a box, a white space, a forgotten gap-filler between more important universes. The dimensions vary from moment to moment, as does the shape. It can feel claustrophobic one night, and then in the morning it’s back to feeling large and noisy. Physics is not completely installed, and you can’t count on anything the way you could in a more reliable universe. It was built for one purpose, but when that purpose was abandoned, the inhabitants felt it like a gravitational wave that swept through the cosmos, instantaneously leaving everyone with a feeling of incompleteness.
I guess I wanted to describe a place where everyone was an underdog, and had something to prove, and wanted to be redeemed.
Your protagonist, a time travel technician attempting to save people from trying to alter their pasts, is named Charles Yu. How did you come to name him after yourself?
It was originally a placeholder, to be honest. So was the father’s name, which is my father’s name. I tried different names for the son and the father, but none of them would take, so I just put in my real name (and my dad’s) so I could get going with the writing, but when I did that, a strange thing happened: the story started moving, fast, in a different direction. Suddenly, it was about a self meeting his self, and the details of the character’s life started to come together, as did the relationship between the son and the father. I think having my actual name in there gave me a straw man, a straw story, that I could write in reaction to. For some reason, once the name of the character became Charles Yu, I stopped slipping in autobiographical or semi-autobiographical information, and actually started removing it. I think I realized, wow, if this character is going to have my name, I’d better take some of this stuff out. There is still a fair amount of it in there, semi- or pseudo-autobiographical, but much of it is more emotionally resonant than factually resonant.
Though there is a definite science fictional aspect to your novel, it is also heavily literary and much more about real life than it at first appears. How, then, would you characterize your novel? Fiction, science fiction, or something outside the realm of typical genre classifications?
I was hoping it would be characterized as a time machine, although I realize there is no section for time machines in most bookstores. In terms of topology, I think of it as a stable, looped, four-dimensional object with chronodiegetic properties. In terms of genre, I would be happy for it to be shelved in both fiction and in science fiction. Or maybe under a new category, where they would put books that resist either classification. A lot of my favorite books would be in that category.
What is your favorite genre of books to read? What book have you read recently that you found particularly fascinating?
I love books that defy genre: Gödel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter, The Fabric of Reality. I love short stories, and for whatever reason, I think genre-bending or -breaking seems to be much more permissible in stories than in novels. Or at least people are more flexible about reading a “literary” short story that has science fictional elements, or a “sci-fi” story with, say, formal experimentation more frequently found in “literary fiction,” and not worrying too much about what area of the store they found the book in. Over Christmas, I read Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics, and I can’t get over it. It changed my understanding of not just comics, but all visual storytelling, and even creative work in general.
I’m working on a new novel that takes place in “America,” i.e., not America, but a dream-and-desire-fueled holographic projection of the collective mental environment of Americans, which exists as a geographical place that happens to overlap the physical America. It’s also a story about a man looking for his ex-wife and daughter. I hope I can figure out a way to make that make sense.
More from Charles Yu and book picks sent right to your inbox
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Mental Health and Addictions Minister Judy Darcy said the government is considering ways to provide services for people who are seriously mentally ill and also addicted to substances. (Black Press Media files)
Mayor wants B.C. to institutionalize severely mental ill people who are homeless
Those suffering from mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, need specialized care, mayor says
The mayor of Nanaimo wants the province to institutionalize severely mentally ill people who are homeless and often addicted to alcohol and illegal substances.
Leonard Krog said the government’s construction of modular homes that replaced a bulldozed tent city is helping but those suffering from mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, need specialized care.
“These are people who are hearing voices all the time, who are paranoid, who won’t go to shelters because of past experiences or the state of their mental health, people who won’t clean themselves, take care of themselves, feed themselves, people who are taking street drugs, people who are threatening people,” Krog said in an interview on Friday.
“It’s not just homelessness, it’s mental health, it’s addictions, it’s the petty crime that flows from it and it’s the severe cases that are being shuffled in and out of psych wards.”
WATCH: B.C. centre at forefront of treating mental health and addiction together
Krog said he doesn’t want a return to the warehousing of mentally ill people, as was the case in institutions like the Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam, which began accepting fewer patients in the 1990s before closing in 2012.
He said the city of under 100,000 people has a homeless population of between 600 and 800.
Leonard Krog, mayor of Nanaimo.
Many of them are mentally ill people who cause public disorder and need treatment in a facility based in the community, similar to seniors suffering from dementia, whose families continue having contact with them as they receive care.
The housing and treatment of people with mental illnesses who can’t care for themselves are the province’s responsibility, he said.
READ MORE: B.C.’s homeless, vulnerable only receive adequate care when nearing death: study
“We have offered to the province, if they want, to try to experiment here on an innovative approach,” Krog said.
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Judy Darcy said the government is considering ways to provide services for people who are seriously mentally ill and also addicted to substances.
“We certainly did see a phenomenon a number of years ago, when places like Riverview were closed and other institutions were closed across the province, of people with severe mental challenges being released into the community without the support that they needed and we see some of the results of that today,” she said in an interview.
Those with brain damage from an opioid overdose is an example of someone who may need long-term support, Darcy said.
“We are taking a very hard look at what it means to provide the supports that those people need,” she said, adding that could mean supportive housing that provides mental health and addictions support.
Darcy said patients at the former Riverview facility did not always get the support or quality of life they needed so the province is working to provide care that meets the needs of those it’s aiming to help.
Prof. Julian Somers, a researcher in mental illness and addiction who teaches in the health sciences faculty at Simon Fraser University, said supported housing with treatment is the best approach to dealing with homeless people who have a mental illness.
He led a study of 2,000 homeless people in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and Moncton, N.B., between 2009 and 2014. It showed that supported housing in communities provides stable accommodation for the hardest-to-house people, including those who suffer from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Somers said a team that includes a psychologist who meets with the homeless to understand their needs and connect them to resources is the best approach.
“We’re way behind Ontario and Quebec in implementing this type of service,” he said.
Victoria resident catches, cleans pigeon feet to help fight stringfoot
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Penske Logistics Earns Industry Certification for Facility Management
READING, Pa., Jan. 14, 2011 — Whirlpool Corporation's regional distribution center in Perris, Calif. operated by Penske Logistics has earned certification and a top rating of 93.6 percent from the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC). The certification and rating indicate the facility follows industry best operational practices.
The 1.7 million-square-foot facility earned its certification through the WERC Warehouse Facility Certification program. The voluntary program offers an unbiased, professional review of warehousing practices that includes a facility inspection and process assessment by an independent auditor against an industry-standard grading methodology.
"Whirlpool expects high standards from its suppliers, and this is just another independent indication of the high-quality service Penske provides," said Kevin O'Meara, Whirlpool Senior Director of Supply Chain Operations. "We are thrilled to see Penske be recognized for their warehouses processes and execution and congratulate the entire Penske team on this great accomplishment."
"From the very beginning, Penske and Whirlpool approached the certification program as partners," stated Michael Mikitka, WERC Chief Executive Officer. "It was no surprise to see their commitment to their partnership come through in the best practices exhibited in their Perris, Calif. facility."
"We are very pleased to be recognized by WERC and to be among the early third-party logistics providers to go through this certification process," said Terry Miller, Executive Vice President — Operations, Penske Logistics. "I especially congratulate our associates for their efforts and performance to rank the Perris facility among the industry's best."
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $17 billion in 2009, 67,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.
Penske Logistics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Penske Truck Leasing. With operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, Penske Logistics provides supply chain management and logistics services to major industrial and consumer companies throughout the world. Penske Logistics delivers value through design, planning and execution in transportation, warehousing, and international freight forwarding and carrier management. Visit www.penskelogistics.com to learn more.
Warehousing Education and Research Council is the only professional association focused exclusively on warehouse management and its role in the supply chain. Members are experts from all facets of the distribution industry who come together to share practical knowledge and professional expertise to improve individual and industry performance. Learn more at www.WERC.org.
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Camera IconA man who forcefully grabbed a 12-year-old girl on her way to school in a sexually-motivated attack will spend at least 10 months in a WA prison. Credit: File / Neale Prior
Man jailed for ‘sexually-motivated’ attack on Perth schoolgirl
CrimeCourts & JusticeWA NewsPerth
A homeless man who grabbed a 12-year-old girl on her way to a Perth school in a sexually-motivated attack has been sentenced to 20 months in prison.
David Carlisle Beckwith, 53, was under the influence of alcohol and cannabis when he forcefully grabbed the girl’s hand on June 7 last year but had first spotted her two days earlier, the West Australian District Court heard on Wednesday.
During the attack, Beckwith called the girl a slut and a whore as she struck out at him and tripped him.
He then grabbed her leg hard enough to hurt her, but she was able to push him away and flee.
“She was understandably frightened and she reacted in self-defence, fighting as hard as a 12-year-old girl could,” Judge Troy Sweeney said.
“The inference is irresistible that you had formed a sexual attraction to her and were viewing her in a sexual context.”
Judge Sweeney said the crime did not have “the flavour of a kidnapping” and the attack was brief due to the girl’s resistance.
“I am satisfied the nature of your intention was sexual and that either some sexual act was going to be inflicted upon her against her will, or some sort of grooming conversation was going to occur in the hopes of persuading her to some sort of sexual conduct,” she said.
Referring to the victim impact statement, Judge Sweeney said the girl was clearly traumatised.
“It left her scared afterwards to walk to school or to be at home. She was also the subject of some bullying,” the judge said.
“At least one positive is that she is proud of herself for fighting back and she says her parents have been supportive.”
Beckwith, who was found guilty after a trial of deprivation of liberty, will be eligible for parole after serving 10 months behind bars.
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Home Explore Our Thinking Five key things to know a…
Five key things to know about 5G
Jacinto Cordero Judy Wright
5G has great potential, but it’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Understanding its benefits and limitations will help you determine the best-use cases to prioritize. Let’s get started.
President Trump recently signed the Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2020 into law to develop a strategy and implementation plan for mobile broadband 5G technologies. The Act’s objectives include enabling working from home to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, to speed recovery after the crisis, and to deploy a communications infrastructure. The latter should help to better address future emergency situations, including a greater use of telemedicine and other emergency communications.
So what’s 5G? It’s the next generation in wireless connectivity technology. It holds much promise, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Its widespread deployment will include some challenges, and its use won’t make sense in all cases. As the Act goes into effect, here are five important things to understand.
5G isn’t just about speed.
The development of 5G mobile technologies — some of which have been retrofitted to augment current 4G technologies — will enable service providers to deliver gigabit speeds wirelessly. This is thanks to some advanced technologies, such as carrier aggregation (combining multiple frequency bands), MIMO (multiple simultaneously transmitting and receiving antenna arrays), and high-order modulation (to maximize utilization of frequency spectrum resources), among others.
But 5G isn’t only about speed or the bandwidth required to enable it. It’s also about connecting a great number of devices, minimizing latency (data transmission delay), and optimizing battery life. All are required to deploy cutting-edge internet of things (IoT) solutions, often called machine-to-machine (M2M) communications.
This means 5G can support bandwidth-hungry applications such as ultra-high definition video streaming, and it can support telemetry applications based on many small battery-powered sensors. It also can be leveraged for solutions that require real-time actionable intelligence, such as autonomous driving.
5G can support bandwidth-hungry applications such as ultra-high definition video streaming, and it can support telemetry applications based on many small battery-powered sensors.
5G will come in many flavors.
5G technologies can be applied across a wide range of scenarios. A feature called network slicing allows wireless resources to be virtually partitioned to serve different types of applications while maximizing performance and capacity utilization. As a result, 5G services will come in many flavors, and it will be important to choose the one that is most suitable to your business requirements.
5G services will come in many flavors, and it will be important to choose the one that is most suitable to your business requirements.
Three main application scenarios can be served by network slices:
Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) applications such as in-vehicle entertainment, virtual and augmented reality, and video surveillance require high bandwidths, but they’re not latency-sensitive. Factors such as a high image resolution (associated with a high bit rate), short time to load (buffer fill), and avoiding pixilation or freezing take priority over a small delay.
Massive machine-type communications (mMTC) applications like energy metering, vehicle tracking, and data collection from industrial machinery to be used for preventive maintenance. In these cases, high data transmission rates and small delays aren’t the main concern; rather, the ability to integrate many devices is key.
For some mMTC applications, such as monitoring medical devices embedded in a patient’s body or collecting data from agricultural fields, optimizing battery life is crucial. This applies to small battery-powered devices whose replacement cycle is planned for 10 years or longer.
Ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (uRLLC) applications are all about minimizing data transmission delays. Autonomous driving, which in its most advanced form involves vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, as well as remote drone piloting, are very latency-sensitive; the smallest delay could result in accidents, property damages, or serious injuries.
In addition to these three application scenarios, some applications will require a more customized approach. Online gaming, for example, requires high bandwidth to deliver action-intensive interactive videos and low latency for players to react immediately. Robot-assisted remote surgery requires high-resolution graphics to guide the surgeon and low latency to enable highly precise surgical interventions.
5G will coexist with other communication technologies.
It’s a common misconception that once 5G becomes prevalent that it’ll replace other communication protocols such as ethernet and Wi-Fi. Not true. In fact, 5G will coexist with these protocols in real-life, end-to-end applications.
It’s a common misconception that once 5G becomes prevalent that it’ll replace other communication protocols such as ethernet and Wi-Fi. Not true.
Ethernet is a wired communications protocol, used to transmit very large volumes of data with interface speeds up to 400Gbps, which will continue to be prevalent in the local area networks (LAN) of companies, government agencies, educational institutions, and inside data centers. Combined with other technologies such as IP, MPLS, and DWDM, ethernet enables transmission of massive amounts of information around the world, including providing the backhaul transport mechanism for 5G connectivity.
Wi-Fi uses an unlicensed spectrum. This means you don’t have to pay to use the frequency. 5G technologies that leverage the unlicensed spectrum exist, and private use is allowed. However, most large-scale deployments of 5G will be undertaken by service providers using a licensed spectrum (for which they pay a lot of money). As a result, in most real-life scenarios, you’ll have to pay a fee to use 5G services. Wi-Fi, including the newest 802.11ax (Wi-Fi-6) standard, remains more ubiquitous and economical for many enterprise-wide cases.
Additionally, other relatively newer and lesser known protocols will coexist with 5G. This is the case with dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) protocols for the next generation of mobility, and many protocols now used in IoT applications, including Bluetooth/BLE, NFC, RFID, Zigbee, SigFox, LoRaWAN, among others. These protocols might be used as an alternative, or a complement, to 5G depending on the scenario, for instance providing connectivity between a 5G gateway and other endpoints.
The best-use cases for 5G are those that require mobility over large areas (e.g. vehicle tracking), including nationwide or global mobility (e.g. logistics), as well as those where fixed or wireless connectivity isn’t available nor feasible using other alternatives. It’s likely 5G will play a minor role inside locations with dense Wi-Fi coverage and a dedicated, high-bandwidth internet connection.
The best-use cases for 5G are those that require mobility over large areas
5G achieves wide coverage with small cells.
Commercial 5G offerings continue to become available worldwide, and business applications that require great mobility are among the most suitable candidates to fully realize the benefits of 5G technologies. However, such widespread coverage must overcome many challenges.
Business applications that require great mobility are among the most suitable candidates to fully realize the benefits of 5G technologies.
Massive 5G deployments will require using very high frequency bands, which are the only ones available for licensing in large-frequency blocks by regulators. And the higher the frequency, the smaller the coverage footprint. Higher frequencies also are more susceptible to blocking or attenuation caused by terrain, foliage, and construction materials. This means the traditional approach to deploying cellular networks based on external macro cells is no longer enough.
Guaranteeing continued coverage and signal penetration inside buildings (as well as adequate capacity), will require a heterogeneous approach to infrastructure deployment. Such an approach will leverage both macro cells and a multitude of small cells, or microcells, deployed in densely populated urban areas and inside buildings (5G small cells could potentially coexist with Wi-Fi access points).
This is important to know, especially if you’re involved in urban planning, since we can expect to find 5G microcells or picocells, each with a small area of coverage, deployed anywhere throughout cities, towns, villages, and counties. They will most likely blend into the surroundings, hidden in light poles, bus stops, and in electric vehicle charging stations as they become more widely available.
Wider coverage will still be available for rural areas, most likely utilizing 5G at lower frequencies, though the amount of usable bandwidth at such frequencies is less and so there could be limitations in terms of speed and capacity. In some instances, 5G deployments in rural areas might be limited, at least in the near term, and connectivity may fall back to legacy 4G (LTE-M or NB-IoT) or even 3G technologies.
5G solutions will require centralized and edge processing.
It’s common to visualize 5G applications as a hub-and-spoke model, with a multitude of devices connected to a centralized location, sending data to that location to be aggregated, stored, and processed, or receiving content generated there. This is the model followed today by 5G solutions purely used for connectivity and cloud-based IoT platform providers that hold virtual mobile network operation (MVNO) agreements with many global mobile service providers.
But this approach will change in the years to come as more processing capability is pushed to the network edges. Content will be cached and distributed at locations closer to the end user, much like we currently see with cloud services powered by content delivery networks (CDN) to improve the end-user experience. In the same way, data collected will be processed, to some extent, closer to IoT devices in order to minimize the response time needed for real-time automated actions.
5G technology can help the public and private sectors better prepare for and adapt to future emergencies. It can also provide many opportunities to develop solutions around cost optimization, value creation, or enhanced public service and customer experience. Understanding the benefits and limitations of 5G can help organizations determine the best-use cases to prioritize and, as adoption increases, to fully reap its rewards.
Digital transformation & strategies COVID-19 resource center
IT Governance: Yours, Mine, or Ours?
Ivy Anderson
Remote work done right: A guide to IT infrastructure amid COVID-19
Jacinto Cordero
Zoom meetings: Prevent hacking with these simple steps
Article April 3, 2020 4 min read
Looking for expert advice?
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All posts tagged "sickle cell disease"
Black News Channel Network Launch Fulfills Lifelong Dream of JC Watts
NNPA NEWSWIRE — The Tallahassee, Florida-based BNC counts as the brainchild of J.C. Watts, Jr., who is described by Tommy Ross, the network's director of communications,...
Ask Dr. Kevin: Clinical Trials are the Foundation for Scientific Innovation
NNPA NEWSWIRE — As you may have heard, my team at Pfizer recently experienced a significant disappointment. Our phase 3 trial for rivipansel, a potential treatment...
Black News Channel (BNC) TV Launches in America
NNPA NEWSWIRE — BNC, which officially launches at 6 a.m. on Friday, November 15, 2019 has agreements with Charter Communications, Comcast and DISH TV. The network...
Black Press of America Awards Courageous Leaders
NNPA NEWSWIRE — The 2019 honorees are the Honorable Karen Bass, U.S. Representative (D-CA); the Honorable Elijah E. Cummings, U.S. Representative (D-MD); the Honorable Bobby Scott,...
Sickle Cell Strong: Sickle Cell Disease Advocate Marie Ojiambo
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Marie Ojiambo, who graduated from St. John’s University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in New York and who specializes in pre-clinical Pharmaceutical...
New Parents and a Newborn with Sickle Cell Disease: What Now?
NNPA NEWSWIRE — In this article, I’d like to introduce you to TaLana Hughes, a mother of three who is also the executive director of the...
The Storied History of the Black Press: ‘The Pillars of Black America’s Struggle for Justice’
NNPA NEWSWIRE — “It is undeniable that the Black church and the Black Press have been, and continue to be, the foundational pillars of Black America’s...
NNPA Foundation Wraps up Successful Black Press Week in Washington
NNPA NEWSWIRE — The week, which featured panel discussions and meetings of the board and association of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), also included a...
Diving into the Genetics of Sickle Cell Disease
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Research indicates that as many as 3 million Americans carry the sickle cell trait, primarily impacting African Americans. In fact, nearly 1 in...
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Marcus Browne remains focused on future championship fight
Aug 01, 2018 By Keith Idec
Browne vs Monaghan Full Fight: July 15, 2017 - PBC on Fox
The champion Marcus Browne thought he would fight Saturday night will instead defend the WBO light heavyweight title about 150 miles down the Eastern seaboard from where Browne battles a lesser-known opponent.
While Sergey Kovalev is busy preparing to encounter Colombia’s Eleider Alvarez later Saturday night in Atlantic City, Browne will meet the Dominican Republic’s Lenin Castillo in a 10-round fight as part of the Devon Alexander-Andre Berto undercard at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. It’ll be broadcast as part of an FS2 and FOX Deportes telecast set to start at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT, before the action shifts to FOX at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT for a super middleweight match between Peter Quillin and J’Leon Love and the Alexander-Berto bout.
“I’m just ready to display my talent, keep myself high up in the rankings and force a title shot somewhere, some way or another,” Browne said.
Browne believed he would challenge Kovalev for the WBO 175-pound championship in his next fight. Negotiations were nearly completed for a Kovalev-Browne bout when they were scuttled because Browne was charged with domestic violence allegations.
“I gave Kovalev a reason not to fight me,” Browne said. “I’m not gonna sit here and shy away from it. It definitely is a factor in the situation. It’s just kind of crazy with the sport of boxing, but it is what it is. I’m just focused on [Saturday night], taking care of business and forcing some type of title fight.”
Staten Island’s Browne would still like to fight Kovalev, but he also would welcome a shot at IBF champ Artur Beterbiev, WBA champ Dmitry Bivol or WBC champ Adonis Stevenson. The 2012 Olympian just wants an opportunity to win a light heavyweight title.
“It would mean the world to me,” said Browne, who is ranked No. 2 by the WBA, WBC and WBO. “It would mean everything to me. This is what I’m doing it for. I’m doing it to become a world champion and to put my name in the history books. I’ve been at the top at every level of boxing – from the state to international, and I’m just trying to do that as a professional.”
For now, however, the 27-year-old Browne (21-0, 16 KOs) is fully focused on producing another impressive performance against Castillo (18-1-1, 13 KOs). The Dominican veteran could change his entire career by upsetting Browne.
“I’m just focused on taking care of Lenin Castillo and doing it the right way,” Browne said. “Because if I don’t, there won’t be no title talk at all. So I’ve gotta take care of what’s in front of me first. He’s young and hungry. He only has one loss and that was a majority decision. So I’m just focused on him right now and taking care of business the right way.”
Castillo, 29, has won each of his three fights by knockout since suffering his lone professional defeat. That loss came against Joseph Williams (12-0, 8 KOs), who beat Castillo by majority decision in an eight-round bout 17 months ago in Miami, Oklahoma.
Browne only has been able to obtain footage from fights early in Castillo’s career. The strong southpaw expects an improved opponent to step into the ring Saturday night.
“All the fights I’ve seen are old fights and guys get better,” Browne said. “So I’m not really banking on what I’m watching. I’m preparing for any type of fight, honestly, so I’ve been getting really good sparring and working off of what we know of him already, from what we’ve seen of the tendencies that he likes.
“That’s when you’ve gotta focus and turn things up because you can get caught sleeping and thinking that it’s just another regular fight, when it actually isn’t. He’s not about to catch me lacking at all. I’m ready for whatever he’s ready to bring, honestly.”
Browne could use some rounds Saturday night because his last three fights have resulted in a sixth-round knockout of Thomas Williams Jr. (20-4, 14 KOs) in February 2017, a second-round stoppage of Sean Monaghan (29-1, 17 KOs) in July 2017 and a first-round technical knockout of Francy Ntetu (17-2, 4 KOs) on January 20.
“In boxing, we don’t get paid for overtime,” Browne said. “Of course it would be nice to get rounds in, but if you can make it a short night that’s what you do. In the last two fights, I was ready for all 10 rounds, just like for this one. I was in 12-round shape and that’s the same way I’m looking at this fight. I’m ready to go the distance and do what I’ve gotta do to systematically break this kid down.”
May 10, 2020 / Keith Thurman, Abner Mares, Mario Barrios, Marcus Browne
For PBC Fighters, Every Day is Mother's Day
Keith Thurman, Abner Mares, Mario Barrios and Marcus Browne explain what their mothers mean to them on this special day.
Oct 17, 2019 / Marcus Browne
Marcus Browne is Moving Ahead
The hard-hitting southpaw light heavyweight is ready for a rematch following his thrilling back and forth with Jean Pascal last August
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Volunteer's soup offers care and comfort
George Basler and Connie McKinney
Dee Parisi makes homemade soup that warms guests' stomachs and hearts at the Danielle House in Binghamton.
"The way to anybody's heart is through their stomach," she said. "It's very comforting to me to be able to do this."
Parisi just started her eighth year of volunteering for Danielle House, which provides a place to stay for people from out of town who have a seriously ill or injured relative being treated at local hospitals, nursing homes or other health care facilities.
As many as 25 people at a time can stay in the house, on Riverside Drive in Binghamton across the street from Lourdes Hospital. They are asked to donate $20 a day, but no one is turned away for lack of ability to pay, said Diane Stento, executive director and founder of the house, named for her daughter, Danielle.
In 1989, Danielle Stento, then a senior at the University at Buffalo, was struck by a drunk driver and seriously injured. Her parents, Diane and Tony Stento, spent weeks at her bedside and stayed with kind strangers who opened their doors and hearts to them. In 2002, they opened Danielle House, which houses an average of 500 people annually. Thirty active volunteers, including Parisi, greet guests, keep the house clean and do office work.
"We couldn't survive without them," Diane Stento said of the volunteers.
Parisi began volunteering in March 2007 after retiring from a long career in the restaurant business. She grew up working in her family's downtown Binghamton restaurants: the former Home Dairy cafeteria and retail bake shop, and The Embers, a former supper club. She and her husband, Sam, also owned and ran the former Parisi's Twin Freeze, an ice cream shop and restaurant. After nearly 30 years, the couple sold the business and retired in 2005.
"It's all I have ever known is serving people," she said.
She began volunteering as a housekeeper at Danielle House. She opened the freezer one day, saw a lot of frozen food sitting there and asked if she could make a pot of soup. Danielle House doesn't provide guests meals but does provide for them a refrigerator and pantries filled with food.
Her soup became a big hit with guests. Many soups she makes, including her black bean and sausage soup, are the same ones she used to make and serve at Parisi's Twin Freeze.
Guests who spent all day sitting at the bedside of seriously injured or ill loved ones walk into Danielle House and smell the delicious aroma of homemade soup wafting through the house. Many guests sit down to chat with Parisi over a bowl of soup. She is always willing to lay down her spoon and offer support, hugs and a listening ear, Stento said.
"Instead of chicken soup for the soul, it's Dee's soup for the soul," Stento said. "She has this amazing personality that just draws people in. She's easy to talk to. She's a good listener."
For now, Parisi has no plans to hang up her apron.
"It gives me a good feeling that a simple thing like putting a chicken in a pot and adding some vegetables is contributing to somebody's comfort," Parisi said. "It's doing its job, which is helping people to heal."
Dee Parisi
Hometown: Binghamton.
Home: Kirkwood.
Education: Graduate of the former Binghamton Central High School. Bachelor's degree in liberal arts from Stephen's College of Columbia, Missouri.
Age: Would not disclose.
Family: Husband, Sam. Four grown children, six grandchildren.
Career: Retired co-owner of the former Parisi's Twin Freeze.
Hobbies: Gardening, traveling.
How to help: To volunteer at Danielle House, go to daniellehouse.org/volunteer.html or call (607) 724-1540.
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11th Circuit rules in PLN censorship case against Florida DOC
Orlando Sentinel, May 21, 2018. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/po...
Ed. Note: PLN intends to appeal this bad ruling.
Appeal court sides with Florida ban of inmate magazine
By Dara KamNews Service of Florida
Tallahassee -- Invoking Oscar Wilde, an appellate court brushed aside First Amendment concerns and sided with the Florida Department of Corrections in a long-running dispute about a monthly magazine targeted at inmates.
The ruling last week by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a previous federal court decision in the case, which has dragged on for more than a decade. It was filed by Prison Legal News over a publication allowed in institutions in every other state but banned by Florida corrections officials.
The publisher of the magazine maintains that prison officials’ censorship is a violation of the First Amendment. But, agreeing with a 2015 decision by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, the appeals court found the publication poses a security threat.
“From time to time we have all followed the advice of Oscar Wilde and gotten rid of temptation by yielding to it. Yielding to the temptation to commit an act that the law forbids can lead to bad consequences, including imprisonment. Prison officials have the duty to reduce the temptation for prisoners to commit more crimes and to curtail their access to the means of committing them,” Ed Carnes, chief judge of the Atlanta-based appeals court, wrote in a decision joined by judges Joel F. Dubina and Anne C. Conway.
The Florida corrections agency’s rules are “aimed at preventing fraud schemes” and other criminal activity, “but inmates continually attempt to circumvent” the measures, Carnes wrote in Thursday’s 48-page opinion.
Paul Wright, the publisher of the magazine, said he intends to continue his legal odyssey by appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“This is a prison system that routinely murders people, rapes them and brutalizes them and they do so with impunity. They have a total disregard for the Constitution as a whole, so it should be no surprise that they have disregard for the First Amendment,” Wright said. “A huge part of their success in maintaining these dreadful conditions is basically keeping the media and the public unaware of what’s going on in their facilities and keeping prisoners ignorant of the rights and remedies under our legal system.”
The department changed its rules about censorship at least five times since the onset of the battle with Prison Legal News, which filed a lawsuit against the agency in 2004. The case was dismissed the following year after a judge ruled it moot because the department had promised to deliver the publication to inmates.
But after adopting a rule concerning "Admissible Reading Material" in 2009, the agency again began impounding the newsprint publication.
The rule banned publications that contain certain advertisements — for three-way telephone calls, the purchase of products or services in exchange for postage stamps, pen-pal services and conducting businesses while incarcerated — if the ads are "the focus of, rather than being incidental to" the publication.
Wright accused prison officials of targeting the 28-year-old publication because it includes articles critical of the corrections department.
“The whole advertising thing is a red herring. They’re really objecting to our editorial content and using that as a pretext to censor us,” he said.
Various media organizations, including the Florida Press Association, and 16 law professors filed friend-of-the-court briefs supporting Prison Legal News' lawsuit, arguing in part that the corrections department’s position could threaten the distribution of newspapers inside prison walls.
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The Prosperity Forum: Economic Mobility Research in Action
Pennsylvania Convention Center | Philadelphia, PA
Good morning and thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here today for a discussion that’s near and dear to my heart: Philadelphia’s path to inclusive and equitable prosperity. It’s an even bigger pleasure to be doing it in the company of Mayor Nutter, and if I can be even a fraction as engaging as he is in front of a crowd, I’ll consider it a job very well done.
One thing I can offer that Mayor Nutter won’t is the standard Fed disclaimer, delivered so you can be sure to blame absolutely no one but me for anything I say this morning: The views I express today are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect those of anyone else in the Federal Reserve System.
This next panel is on “Business, Equity, and the Future of Philadelphia,” which encompasses something that I think lies at the heart of the economic mobility conversation: The issues we’re discussing today are not issues that matter exclusively to the individuals, families, or neighborhoods they directly affect; they’re issues that matter to all of us, as a city, and they’re issues that affect our collective future.
I was recently in Boston for a conference on economic mobility, and I referred to Philadelphia as “the city of champions,” which was brave, I know. Who says Fed officials don’t live on the edge? It was clearly an act of hubris anyway …
But what I meant — and clarified pretty quickly — was the reality everyone here is all too familiar with: That once again, we outpace the big city competition in terms of deep economic need.
That’s not a crown anyone wants to wear, but it’s a fact we have to acknowledge. I don’t, however, think we should let that reality convince us that nothing can be done to change it or that changes haven’t already been made. And while we have to face the economic facts of the matter, I’d argue that the focus of the discussion should be on the ways we can make a difference, and the work that is already being done, including by the people here today.
And I do mean “we,” because economic mobility in Philadelphia — or anywhere else, for that matter — is something that affects everyone, whether they know it or not. Money may pay deference to neighborhood borders or city limits, but economics doesn’t. We all have skin in this game.
Cities thrive and grow when they attract investment, new businesses, and have a dynamic churn. Influencing factors range from infrastructure like transport, housing, and education to quality-of-life considerations like restaurants and cultural events. A huge influence is the local pool of talent, and when a significant portion of the population has been left behind — when they don’t have access to the training or educational opportunities to participate in that dynamism — it affects us all.
That’s something that I’m going to keep coming back to: the indispensable element of “we.”
Everything about the road to changing Philadelphia’s future is steeped in a holistic imperative. It will take a multitude of people from a multitude of sectors taking a multitude of approaches to a multitude of issues to really move the needle. I don’t think that’s going to be easy and it definitely won’t fit on a bumper sticker ... but it is the ethos that underpins this conference and the work that our exceptional partners, speakers, and attendees today are already doing.
The title of that panel in Boston was “What Are the Barriers to Economic Mobility and for Whom?” and for me, the answer was pretty simple: all of it. This is a vast and intricate and messy economy, and there are too many ways for people to fall through its cracks. We can’t pick one factor and expect it to fix the whole; all those cogs have to move in unison. We need systems change.
That change can be hard, because the more complex the machine, the more facets there are to be tuned. Not to mention that the work is far too often siloed. So we need expertise from across the spectrum and we need the kind of thinking that brought us here today; this is how we figure out how to come together as a city to solve problems that affect us all.
We at the Philadelphia Fed have been lucky enough to work with partners not just across the city but across our entire District to think about how we best fit into and contribute to that process. It was one of the driving principles that led us to launch our Economic Growth & Mobility Project, or EGMP.
EGMP focuses on the three foundational aspects of mobility: job creation — that is, stable, well-paid jobs that lead to financial security; workforce development — that is, education and training for people to get those jobs; and infrastructure, which includes everything from housing to transportation to broadband.
The Fed can’t make grants or finance projects; it’s not in our congressional remit. What we can do is bring people together and offer sound research.
So with the EGMP, we’re forming partnerships around the District, including here in Philadelphia, with communities that are engaged in addressing the systemic issues they face. That community leadership is essential because we can have the best research in the world, but we can’t replicate the knowledge that every community has of its own needs, character, and idiosyncrasies. What we contribute is getting the right people there — we call it “the convening power of the Fed” — and the research we’ve invested in and built over a sustained period of time. We’re calling these Research in Action Labs, and the outcomes aren’t just good for that one community; we can take those results, turn them into a toolkit, and hand it to the next city or town with a similar problem.
In northeastern Pennsylvania, for instance, we had one of the three foundational aspects: jobs at fulfillment centers. But we lacked another: infrastructure. The centers are located outside of town, and the region was built like most of America in the latter half of the 20th century, constructed to bring commuters from the suburbs and outskirts into the city, not the other way around. So we gathered a group of partners, and they came up with a collective set of solutions that worked for them — launching pilot programs, establishing a council on equitable transit, and making transit a priority in the area. The Fed can offer research, data, and support, but communities are the ones that understand their own unique needs. It was the all-hands-on-deck approach that made it successful; we couldn’t have just come in and dictated solutions, and we couldn’t have done it with limited voices around the table. We needed community leaders, businesses, workers; everyone has a perspective that the rest of us probably didn’t think about.
The result is that we’ve already had other areas with similar issues ask about how to replicate the program in their area, and now we can hand them a blueprint.
As another example, right here in Philadelphia, we’ve partnered with Philadelphia Works, Social Finance, and a local company to change the way we prepare the local workforce for the future of work. The pilot is a unique public-private partnership, in which the public sector will provide customized training and the employer will repay the cost of that training once the outcomes are realized.
One of the recurring themes in these discussions is that the high-level economic data look really good: low unemployment, high job creation. But that’s a national average that paves over the realities that we see every day in this city. Overall, the economy is doing really well, but that’s not a reality a lot of your clients and a lot of the people we meet with would recognize.
This partnership is really representative of the way those two perspectives on the same set of data can come together for a solution that works for everyone. The reality of the tight labor market means that employers have to start thinking creatively and long term about how they’re going to address the gaps in their workforces. This is what makes this project stand out: The employer isn’t funding it through its foundation; it’s coming right out of the HR budget. It’s a business decision. It’s a clear endorsement of the value of investing in Philadelphia and our people. Skills development is still too often seen as a social service, rather than an investment. And to be clear: It is an investment. Not just for the companies that need an agile, trained workforce, but for the city’s labor pool overall. And when those trainees become new hires, they also become contributors to the Philadelphia economy.
To sum up: something of an ode to Philadelphia. This is a great city. But we do face multiple issues that need to be addressed, and we can’t do it in isolation. The spirit in which this event was launched — the ethos underpinning much of the work we’re discussing today — is that we need every sector to participate and every problem challenged in unison. It’s a lot of work. But if anyone can do it, Philadelphia can. Even if we couldn’t repeat a Super Bowl win this year. There’s always next year …
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Tom Corbett Is About to Make History
Win or lose, he will defy historical norms.
By Joel Mathis· 11/3/2014, 5:50 a.m.
One way or another, Gov. Tom Corbett is about to make history.
Win, and he’ll have secured an improbable come-from-behind victory of a magnitude almost never seen in American politics. He spent much of the campaign around 20 points behind challenger Tom Wolf in the polls; those numbers have tightened lately — could Corbett pull off a political miracle?
Lose, and he’ll be the first Pennsylvania governor to fail to win re-election since the state started permitting two terms in 1968.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports:
Analysts cannot recall any gubernatorial candidate in recent history winning a race when trailing in polls by double digits or slightly less in the campaign’s final days.
Yet a Corbett comeback is not out of the question, especially if voter turnout is abysmal in the Democratic strongholds of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and Republicans “come home” for Corbett in huge numbers, said Michael Cassidy, an instructor at Temple University’s Harrisburg campus who worked for 36 years for the House Democratic Caucus.
But such a feat is unlikely: Corbett’s favorability ratings were low throughout his first term, even among members of his party. He appeared aloof and was unable to persuade a GOP-majority Legislature to support his agenda. Teachers and parents decried the loss of public education money in his first budget, and environmentalists accused him of being too friendly with shale gas drillers because he did not support an extraction tax.
On Sunday, with 48 hours to go before the election concludes, Corbett campaigned in Bucks County with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
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California Fires Illuminate Trauma And Resilience
HealthSocietyU.S. News
By Anna Maria Barry-Jester On Oct 30, 2019
Winds in excess of 70 to 80 mph whipped through the region, bringing down trees and pushing the Kincade Fire toward the house of nurse Peggy Goebel, a Red Cross volunteer, as she helped oversee medical operations at an evacuation shelter in Santa Rosa. Photo credit: Anna Maria Barry-Jester/KHN.
SANTA ROSA, CA – Dorothy Hammack had planned to wash her thick, dark hair in the kitchen sink Friday morning. She couldn’t yet shower, due to the incision on her breast from a biopsy a few days before. Her doctor had already called to let her know the results: She had breast cancer.
She was supposed to be researching treatment options and organizing doctor appointments. Instead, Hammack, 79, was standing in her pajamas in the parking lot of a makeshift evacuation center in Santa Rosa, the urban center of Sonoma County’s celebrated wine country. The Kincade Fire was blazing in the mountains above the home she shared in nearby Windsor with her fiancé, Aldo Lovati, 64. Winds predicted to be fast and furious were expected that evening, and the couple was among the 180,000 people who ultimately would be ordered to evacuate as the fire tore through the rugged terrain of northeastern Sonoma County and bore steadily southwest.
Much to Hammack’s dismay, her hair remained wrapped in a gray-and-black nightcap. There had been no time to wash it. She was upbeat, though, laughing at the stream of banter and jokes Lovati told to keep them distracted.
By Saturday, hundreds of others would join them at the shelter set up by the Red Cross at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, in the southwestern corner of the city. Across the street, hundreds more evacuees got set up at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Like Hammack, many of them came with ongoing health concerns and urgent medical needs made all more challenging by the chaos of evacuation.
Peggy Goebel, a nurse from Windsor, was helping oversee the medical operation, run largely by volunteers who had responded to calls from Goebel or their employers to lend their services. They provided basic care (like making sure Hammack’s incision was clean) and helped people fill prescriptions or get medical equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs. There were also licensed therapists trained to counsel people during disasters.
The Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building sheltered hundreds of people, including dozens of elders and their caretakers from nearby assisted living facilities, after the Kincade Fire prompted mandatory evacuations across the region. Photo credit: Anna Maria Barry-Jester/KHN.
This is Goebel’s third year volunteering with the Red Cross, a relationship that began during another fire. Twenty-five hours into a shift with no foreseeable end, she still had enough spunk to organize newly arrived volunteer physicians from the local Sutter Health hospital and nursing students from Santa Rosa Junior College, where she teaches. As she showed them around, a fire blazed across the street from her home in Windsor. She didn’t know whether the house would be there when she got back. Her sister’s wasn’t when she returned after the 2017 Tubbs Fire, a massive wildfire that devastated Santa Rosa, killing 22 people and incinerating thousands of homes.
“It’s very traumatic. People just passed the anniversary of the 2017 fires, and they went through this big PTSD,” Goebel said. “Lots of people had issues.”
Two years ago, the situation was very different. In 2017, people arrived at the shelters in the middle of the night, startled awake by a fire that roared fast and unexpected from the forested hills north of town. They came without shoes, in their nightgowns, without medicines, money or important documents. “That was hard to deal with, trying to provide physical, emotional, medical support,” Goebel said.
This time around, people were calmer, because they had time to prepare. The scale of evacuations posed a challenge, but it was nothing like the last time, she said.
That let the medical personnel focus on the extreme needs of some people who ended up at the shelter. There was the frail elderly woman who was near death when she arrived — another volunteer called nearly two dozen convalescent facilities before finding one that could take the woman, ensuring she wouldn’t die in the shelter. And there was the elderly man with dementia who had been dropped off alone. Afraid he might wander away or otherwise hurt himself, fellow evacuees volunteered to look after him during the night.
A police officer brought an elderly woman with Parkinson’s disease after the people living with her decided they couldn’t take her with them during the evacuation. She was taken to a room at the shelter where the elder residents of an assisted living facility in Healdsburg were lined up in hospital beds, many accompanied by their caretakers.
The Red Cross volunteers always ask those caretakers to stay, said Goebel. Not everyone in need came with help, though. Among them were people with Alzheimer’s disease and a man with multiple sclerosis.
As she made her way between the veterans’ hall and the fairgrounds, Goebel said she was rejuvenated by how quickly people mobilized to help one another, and the resilience of her community after the last set of big fires.
Not only had the community pulled together, but it was much better prepared this time. The winds whipping through the region at 70 to 80 mph were stronger than they had been in 2017. But through mass evacuations and an all-hands-on-deck assault on the fire, authorities and firefighters so far have prevented the worst. As of Tuesday morning, there were no deaths and just a couple of injuries.
Patients in the hospitals across the county that had been evacuated were transferred to other facilities without incident. A doctor described the parade of newborns in their tiny beds, taken from Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit and transferred to hospitals farther south. As buses pulled away with patients, two people stood outside clutching a balloon reading, “Congratulations.”
Through mass evacuations and an all-hands-on-deck assault on the fire, authorities and firefighters so far have prevented the worst. As of Tuesday morning, there were no deaths and just a couple of injuries. Photo credit: Anna Maria Barry-Jester/KHN.
On Saturday, the day after his arrival, Aldo Lovati walked across the same parking lot he had stood in the day before, wearing the same green long-sleeve shirt and gray sweatpants. Today, he was much quieter. It had been a rough night of little sleep in close quarters. He was mad at himself for being ungrateful — he desperately wanted to focus on the generosity of strangers, and how lucky they were to have food and shelter. But he was feeling tired, sad and frustrated. “I’ve lost my dignity in here; I just really feel that I’ve lost my dignity,” he said.
Lovati had struggled through some mental health issues that predate the fire. A breakdown a few years ago had taken a toll on family relationships, and it was all coming to the surface now that he was in need of help. “It’s gotten to me. I just want to go home,” he said.
Hammack wandered out to find him, her thick, dark hair fluttering in the wind, and the two held hands as they talked. She, too, was feeling more tired than the day before, and the news of her diagnosis was starting to set in. The incision from her biopsy hurt; she was supposed to put hot compresses and pressure on it and made do with unused sanitary pads she’d gotten at the makeshift Red Cross clinic. They began to laugh again, recounting how she’d pulled one out to give him when they couldn’t find a napkin at lunch.
Hammack said she was tired and wanted to go back in to lie down on a cot. Lovati agreed she should be lying down and asked why she had come out. “We’re a couple, right? We look out for one another,” she replied.
This KHN story first published on California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation.
Anna Maria Barry-Jester is an award-winning journalist who focusing on the social and political determinants of health. She previously worked for Univision and for outlets including the Center for Public Integrity and ABC News.
Broward Detectives Searching For Missing Pompano Beach Woman
Employers Scaling Back Dependence On High-Deductible Health Plans
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We are proud of the successes of our Alumni and their contributions to a diverse range of businesses.
Okorie Ramsey
A former accountant aligns his career and his personal values at an organization that’s helping shape the future of healthcare.
Vice President of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) at Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals (also known as Kaiser Permanente).
What were your early years like?
I grew up in Berkeley, California, and I first got the idea to become an accountant during a two-year simulation course in high school, where we had to develop and run our own business. After that, I knew I wanted to keep exploring the accounting space.
Did you study accounting in college?
Yes. I was also involved with the National Association of Black Accountants [NABA]; Beta Alpha Psi [BAP], which is an accounting fraternity; and the Accounting Students Organization [ASO]. I became president of the NABA student chapter and director of membership for Beta Alpha Psi.
What then led you to PwC?
During my last year and a half of college, I interned at Coopers & Lybrand [C&L], which later became PwC. By the time I graduated, I had an offer to join C&L’s banking team in the San Francisco office where I had been interning. I had offers from a few other accounting firms at the time, but I chose PwC because of the people and the strong relationships I built there.
Since then, you’ve built a very successful career at Kaiser Permanente. What’s your role now?
I’ll start by sharing the mission of Kaiser Permanente, because that mission is at the center of everything we do. Our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve.
I’ve been here for 11 years, and I’ve had many different responsibilities, but my main responsibilities in my role are to help develop the strategy for identifying and mitigating risk, and to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting across the organization. I have a team of about 16 people who help me in working on the checks and balances supporting the internal control teams and finance leaders across the organization. In other words, we work to help confirm the accuracy of our financial statements, which protects our brand and reinforces the trust that our members and the public place with us.
I love that I’m able to align my work with my personal values of supporting less fortunate communities. For many years, I’ve done community-based work with organizations outside of my job. At Kaiser Permanente, I get to work in a day-to-day environment where my personal values are strongly encouraged and supported. It’s also very clear at Kaiser Permanente that the brightest come in different ethnicities, genders and sexual orientations. I see it not only in the people that I hire, but also within our executive team.
I try to lead like a coach. In most cases, I won’t just tell you the answer or show you what to do. I’ll usually ask you questions and challenge you to come up with what you think is the right solution. Sometimes, that might feel uncomfortable and requires that you think and stretch. But I really want to understand your perspective, and see where you are. That way, I can be a better coach and help you THRIVE.
Of all your achievements so far, what makes you the most proud?
The ability to help others to be their best self and achieve their career goals. I remember teaching an MBA course at San Francisco State University and doing an exercise on legacy with my students. We asked everyone to describe what they hoped their legacy would be in six words. My statement was “To live a life that mattered.”
What’s the best advice you can offer to others?
First, remember that you are more than your career. Second, focus on developing your technical skills early. Third, be a student of your organization, and try to recognize when you’re no longer in the right place for you. Fourth, build relationships with a broad group of people. You can’t rely on command and control to get things done. It’s much more effective to use influence and build broad relationships with the people who are invested in you as well as the work that you’re trying to do. Fifth, develop your personal brand. Think about what you’re known for. What’s your headline? What do people say about you? If it’s not that interesting, or if it’s not what you want to be known for, then make some adjustments. Lastly, always think and work beyond the benefit of yourself. Try to make a positive impact on your community.
Outside of work, where do feel happiest?
With my family. My wife and I have been married for 22 years, and we’ve been together for almost 30 years. We have two amazing children — a daughter in sixth grade and a son in 11th grade — who challenge and inspire me every day. They’re really good kids.
What lesson do you most want to impart to your kids?
I try to impress upon them the importance of being involved in your community and living a life that matters outside of yourself. That’s something I learned from my parents and my grandmother. I serve on several boards, including the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. I’ve also served on the board of NABA at the national, regional, and local level. And I’ve served as president of the California Society of CPAs Education Foundation Board of Trustees and as chairman of the Accounting Career Awareness Program [ACAP]. In ACAP, which my son actually participated in this year, we expose high school students to career opportunities in finance and accounting through office visits to multinational technology organizations and the big four accounting firms, and others. It’s kind of like coming full circle.
Contact your PwC alumni team Alumni help and resources Meet our alumni Alumni webcast series
Visit Strategy& alumni connections
Alumni careers and resources
Flexibility²™ Talent Network
Amy Paquette
US Alumni Network Manager, PwC US
Sallie Hinson
Sarah Gerlock
US/MX Geography Marketing and Alumni Network Leader, PwC US
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An Influx of New Users Creates New Dimensions in the Cannabis Industry
- FinancialBuzz.com News Commentary
NEW YORK, July 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the recent wave of legalization efforts, cannabis consumers are no longer settling for ordinary products. Instead, they are beginning to demand top-shelf goods and innovative designs. During the prohibition era, consumers generally had no idea where their cannabis supply came from and what it was treated with. Moreover, consumers also didn't know the potency of the strains, which could result in a consumer buying either a highly potent strain or a very lackluster one. Nowadays, dispensaries are required to disclose seed-to-sale information to their consumers, who now have access to the strain's information such as what seed was used, what was used to treat the plant and where it had traveled to prior to arriving at the dispensary. Additionally, a dispensary is also required to disclose the potency of the strain. Typically, dispensaries list their strains based on a CBD to THC ratio. For instance, a 1:1 ratio would be more suitable for a frequent consumer, while a ratio such as 10:1 would be more geared for a novice consumer. Normally, a user would consume a 1:1 ratio if they have a higher tolerance or they're a medical patient suffering from severe conditions. However, regardless of the specific consumer market, there is a growing demand for both ends of the spectrum. As legalization continues to spread, the market will introduce new consumers, prompting producers to create milder strains. On the other hand, consumers who have already been a part of the marketplace prior to the legalization will most likely have a tolerance already built, leading to a demand for stronger strains. In conclusion, the combined demand from emerging and pre-existing consumers is expected to further accelerate the industry, as producers will strive to satisfy both segments. According to data compiled by MarketsAndMarkets, the global cannabis market is projected to grow from USD 10.3 Billion in 2018 to USD 39.4 Billion by 2023. Furthermore, the market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 30.7% during the forecast period. Pasha Brands Ltd. (OTC: CRFTF) (CSE: CRFT), HEXO Corp. (NYSE-A: HEXO) (TSX: HEXO), Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: NEPT) (TSX: NEPT), The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (OTC: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD), iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. (OTC: ITHUF) (CSE: IAN)
Previously, there was limited knowledge of cannabis and its genuine effects and as a result, most strains' potency was dependent solely on the seed's biological makeup. However, as the cannabis industry continued to advance, cultivators have been finding methods and techniques to better modify strains. For instance, experts within the industry believe they can genetically modify strains in order to make them resistant to negative factors such as mold or pests. Additionally, through the use of biotechnology, growers also maintain that they can change the chemical makeup of the plant and speed up the growing process. For instance, compounds like cannabigerol (CBG) can take up to 10 years to grow, but if it were genetically modified, the process can be shortened to just a few months, according to Ryan Lee, Founder of Chimera Genetic Resource Management. Conversely, some cultivators want to achieve a more natural product for their consumers and this natural and meticulous cultivation process is known as 'craft cannabis'. Craft cannabis is the artisanal method of treating each and every individual plant in order to grow a premium strain. Craft cultivators avoid the use of artificial byproducts to create a more natural product. However, without the use of certain products such as pesticides, cultivators are required to tend to each plant separately to ensure it stays healthy. While the art of craft cannabis is a tedious task, it allows smaller cultivators to grow high-quality cannabis and compete against large corporations that can produce tons of cannabis each harvest. "I completely agree that passion, care and attention to every detail is required to produce superior-quality cannabis with rich cannabinoid and terpene profiles. There cannot be compromises to nutrient-source quality, environmental control nor labor practices," said Kenneth Morrow, Founder of Trichome Technologies. "I firmly believe those who produce the best cannabis, regardless of scale, will always have customers, and those who do it ethically and sustainably possess even more strategic advantages."
Pasha Brands Ltd. (OTC: CRFTF) (CSE: CRFT) is also listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the ticker (CSE: CRFT). Earlier last week, the Company announced the "addition of three well-respected cannabis experts to the growing Pasha family: Scientific researcher Dr. Cris Felipe Alves, second-generation cultivator and consultant Travis Lane, and lifelong cultivator Kemal Morris."
As a solution provider to the craft cannabis industry, Pasha subsidiary BC Craft Supply Co. Ltd. ("BC Craft Supply") aims to provide cannabis farmers with the tools to transition to new regulations governing the micro-cultivation licence category. These experts will assist farmers in making that transition.
"I'm thrilled to have these experts join our team, and, with their support, I look forward to disrupting the market with craft products that will help solve Canada's ongoing supply chain issues," said Patrick Brauckmann, Executive Chairman of Pasha Brands. "With these additions to the Pasha family, I'm confident that enthusiasm for craft products will continue to grow."
Dr. Cris Felipe-Alves has worked in academic and commercial settings in Australia, Asia, and North and South America, and holds a B.Sc in Biological Sciences from the University of Brasília, and a PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Nagoya University. While working as a senior scientist at a global diagnostics company, he led a team of researchers from discovery to R&D and sales of molecular tools designed to detect cancers non-invasively. During this time, he became interested in the potential for cannabis as a curative agent against several types of cancer. Since then, he has worked as an extraction specialist and a Quality Assurance Manager. He will act as the Senior Quality Assurance Person at BC Craft Supply.
"Here at Pasha, I feel at home and am proud to be part of a brand house that has a focus on craft products," said Dr. Felipe-Alves. "I look forward to helping Pasha generate safe and efficient cannabis-based products that suit the needs of both recreational and medical consumers both in Canada and around the world."
Renowned cultivator and consultant Travis Lane has been growing cannabis for more than 20 years. An organic, living-soil-based cultivator who has advocated for the facilitation of pesticide-free, sun-grown cannabis production, Lane has been involved in the founding of numerous small cannabis businesses over the last decade, including a successful chain of storefront dispensaries, a thriving online mail order service, and was a founding partner in one of the most successful hydrocarbon extraction brands in the country. Under legalization, Lane has divested from the illicit market to focus on multiple Cannabis Act license applications, as well as his work with Groundwork Consulting, focused on government relations and licensing for cultivation and retail, and Levity Solutions, a multi-purpose cannabis consultancy focused on assisting aspiring legal cultivators. He will act as a consultant for Pasha Brands and its subsidiaries.
"The level of talent and expertise that exists in the prohibition-era marketplace is beyond impressive," said Lane. "These long-time innovators will represent a huge market factor once licensed, and I am proud to help Pasha facilitate this next wave."
Kemal Morris is a lifelong cultivator who has had his hands in the soil 'since before he could walk'. He watched his parents grow their own food - and cannabis - on Saltspring Island, British Columbia. Soon after Canada launched its first medical cannabis program in 2001, he spent 14 years learning the intricacies of breeding and extract production. In addition, Morris has spent the last four years launching a prominent Canadian Licensed Producer. He is passionate about patients and has connected hundreds of struggling patients with medicine. As the Master Grower for Pasha Brands' owned Vancouver Island Licensed Producer, MedCann, Morris will act as facility designer, cannabis expert, educator and facilitator.
"After completing a four-year term in the regulated industry, I am excited to work with Pasha," said Morris. "I finally have the opportunity to share all that I have learned with the cannabis enthusiasts I came up with, and I'm proud to be part of a company that is breaking the big business mold - affording a rightful place to the people who risked everything to create this thriving industry."
About Pasha Brands: Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Pasha is a vertically integrated, prohibition-era brand house firmly rooted in BC's craft cannabis industry, which boasts an international reputation. With proven capabilities in cannabis cultivation, genetic research and development, product processing, and retail, Pasha is uniquely positioned in the new legal cannabis market through its network of hundreds of craft cannabis suppliers under the Pasha umbrella. Pasha subsidiary, Medcann Health Products Ltd. is a Health Canada licensed cultivator and processor with a licence to sell medical cannabis products in Canada. Pasha and BC Craft are also developing a craft cannabis campus, which is dedicated to bringing craft quality into the newly legal cannabis market in Canada. BC Craft is driven to assist craft growers in obtaining security clearance and licensing to grow as micro-cultivators, specializing in education and compliance to bring growers into the regulated cannabis supply market. Pasha's common shares trade on the CSE under the symbol "CRFT". For more information, please visit www.pashabrands.com
HEXO Corp. (NYSE-A: HEXO) (TSX: HEXO) is an award-winning consumer packaged goods cannabis company that creates and distributes prize-winning products to serve the global cannabis market. HEXO Corp. recently announced that it is the first cannabis company to join Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC), the largest voice of the Canadian food, beverage and consumer products industry. FCPC exists to help its members deliver safe and affordable products that enrich people's lives. HEXO is looking forward to meeting FCPC members in the coming months as the company continues to expand through innovation and reach new global markets. FCPC members are provided unique interactions with industry leaders, helping to shape the business environment, share research and resources, and access educational programs and industry insights. "HEXO is thrilled to be the first cannabis company to join the Food & Consumer Products of Canada, an established and industry leading association in the consumer-packaged goods space," said Sébastien St. Louis, HEXO Corp's Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder. "We look forward to working with FCPC and all their members to forge new relationships and potential partnerships. It is an exciting time to be in the ever-evolving cannabis industry."
Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: NEPT) (TSX: NEPT) specializes in the extraction, purification and formulation of health and wellness products. Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc. recently entered into a definitive agreement to provide extraction, and purification services to Tilray Inc. a global leader in cannabis research, cultivation, production and distribution. Neptune will receive, at its facility in Sherbooke, Quebec, cannabis and hemp biomass from Tilray. Neptune will provide extraction services to produce various extract formats which include crude resin, winterized oil and distillate extracts. Under the terms of the agreement, the minimum volume of biomass to be processed over the three year term is 125,000kg, of which the first year is expected to represent 20% of total volumes. "We are thrilled to be working with Tilray, a globally recognized leader in cannabis. The size and length of this contract is a testament to the strength of our commercial, scientific and operations teams," said Jim Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer of Neptune.
The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD) is a publicly traded, premium global organic cannabis company, with operations focused on medical cannabis markets in Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as the Canadian adult-use market. The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. recently announced that it had obtained approval from Health Canada, under the Cannabis Regulations, to expand operations into its new state-of-the-art building located in Hamilton, Ontario. The 20,000 sq. ft. indoor facility is going to be used for cannabis cultivation; planting will start in the coming weeks. The newly built facility is the second of three buildings at TGOD's Hamilton site, which will have a total size of 166,000 sq. ft. when all are completed later this summer, and an annual production capacity of 17,500 kgs. "This is yet another important milestone for our team as we continue to ramp up production with a focus on executional excellence," commented Brian Athaide, Chief Executive Officer of TGOD. "We have pioneered the concept of sustainably growing all-natural, certified organic cannabis at scale. The product we are able to offer Canadians is clean, pesticide-free and undeniably premium."
iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: ITHUF) (CSE: IAN) owns and operates best-in-class licensed cannabis cultivation, processing and dispensary facilities throughout the United States, providing investors diversified exposure to the U.S. regulated cannabis industry. GrowHealthy, a Florida state-licensed operator that cultivates, manufactures and dispenses medical cannabis throughout Florida, and its parent company, iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc., will be hosting grand opening events for GrowHealthy's new cannabis dispensaries in Daytona and Orlando, Fla. The new dispensaries offer a variety of locally sourced, lab-tested cannabis products including flower and pre-rolls, vape cartridges, topical salves, crèmes and balms, tinctures, and concentrate dispensing syringes. All GrowHealthy products are quality controlled to the highest degree and third-party lab-tested for heavy metals, solvents and microbial contaminants. "This year, Florida has taken a massive step in improving its medical marijuana law by allowing the sale of cannabis in its natural flower form and we plan to expand accordingly to supply the growing demand," said Randy Maslow, President of iAnthus. "Though Florida's medical cannabis market is large, it remains underserved by the limited number of dispensaries currently operating. As we continue to build out and open dispensaries around the state, we look forward to serving Florida's 230,000 registered patients with high quality, tested, and consistently-dosed medical cannabis products, as well as education and superior patient support."
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Behrooz Behbudi: Diplomacy: the Achilles Heel of the Iranian Regime
www.bbehbudi.net and Centre for a Democratic Iran (CDI)
Dr. Behrooz Behbudi, Founder of the CDI (PRNewsFoto/Centre for a Democratic Iran)
NEW YORK, January 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
The Centre for a Democratic Iran, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to promote and pursue an independent, peaceful and democratic Iran, has been following recent negotations concerning the country's nuclear programme with great interest. CDI Founder, Behrooz Behbudi, offers his thoughts:
In an editorial on Iran's new foreign policy after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Kayhan daily, the mouthpiece of the supreme leader ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guard, had said: "the survival of the Islamic republic depends on its rejection of all international and diplomatic norms set by Western powers".
To date, Iran's extremists have remained loyal to this ideology, the political and economic consequences of which have brought misery and human and material losses for the Iranians, instability in the Middle East and spread of radicalism among the international community.
However, since 2003, with the exposure of the Iranian regime's secret nuclear program that the West believes has a military dimension, negotiations to find a peaceful resolution to this international crisis has forced Tehran to engage in the very diplomatic norms that it has always denounced as "the rules of the arrogant powers", a term the clerical regime uses to refer to U.S and its allies.
In November 2013, after many years of negotiations, world powers and Iran finally reached an interim agreement (the Joint Plan of Action) that stopped the progress of the most sensitive elements of Iran's nuclear programme, in return for easing some of the devastating sanctions on Iran's ailing economy.
While many Iranians know how much they stand to gain by overcoming isolation through engaging with the world and following the terms of this agreement, there are also those in Tehran who oppose any nuclear deal, as it would lead to the end of their economic and political grip on the country.
They include the authoritarian supreme leader ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has on many occasions publicly said that although he supports the negotiations, he believes they are futile.
The strategy of the Khamenei-Guards alliance is that faced with the daily impacts of economic hardships of the sanctions on their lives, the last thing the Iranian people would think of is striving for democracy and human rights, aspirations that have been savagely suppressed in Iran under the guise of "protecting Islamic values".
There are also those in Washington, who hold little or no trust in the Tehran regime for its long history of repressive and adventurist policies and believe additional sanctions are the only language that the clerical regime understands to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
They argue that the current negotiations with Iran will lead to Iranian acquisition of a nuclear weapon, which will then lead to a nuclear race in the entire Middle East, and that will be a direct threat to the existence of the state of Israel.
There is no doubt that over the last decade or so the international community built a sanctions regime that eventually brought Iran to the negotiating table. However, it is also true that the majority of the hardworking and peace loving Iranian citizens have had to bear the brunt of the sanctions, while the repressive rulers of the country have actually benefitted from them.
If Western politicians wish to see a genuine and permanent resolution of Iran's nuclear crisis they must continue with their diplomatic efforts at this crucial stage to isolate all those among the Iranian rulers who wish for the collapse of the current negotiations.
Any substantial and meaningful diplomatic links with Iran on the part of the world powers that intend to give a voice to the Iranian people in the running of their country's affairs will also benefit the cause of democracy in Iran and act as a counterweight against religious extremism in the region.
After all, a victory for international norms and diplomacy, the accepted wisdoms that Iran's religious leaders have shunned for the last 35 years, will spell the defeat of their extremist ideology.
Behrooz Behbudi
Email: contact@bbehbudi.com
http://www.bbehbudi.net
SOURCE www.bbehbudi.net and Centre for a Democratic Iran (CDI)
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This privacy policy is for this website [www.progress.agency] and served by Pebbleshores Ltd and governs the privacy of its users who choose to use it.
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10 Christian or Faith-Based Films and TV Shows Worth Watching
Every week, I choose a different topic from the Facebook chat wall on the private group. You can join here to read, comment and or ask questions or prayer requests. Click here to join our Facebook Girl Talk Group.
Recently, a PI Girl asked if there were good Christian films out this year and also on Netflix.
I want to share about some films that may be in select theaters or that you may not know of. Here is a list of 10 films you can look up to either buy, rent or stream on Netflix.
1. The Bible Series: The 10-part series was on the History Channel and was directed by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel star). Although the series was released in 2013, it is now available on Netflix, which is very exciting! The quality is very much like feature-film quality, so it doesn’t feel like a TV series. The acting, costumes and music are very biblical and wonderfully made.
2. Unbroken: The Path to Redemption: This is the story of Louie Zamperini and is the faith-based version of his story. The story was originally told by Angelina Jolie, but this version shares about how Zamperini’s life was changed at a Billy Graham crusade and tells the story of how his life was glorifying God.
3. Let There Be Light: This film features Kevin Sorbo, who has been in many Christian films. The movie, released in 2017, is about “a famous atheist [who] finds his purpose after a near-death experience.”
4. Mary Magdalene: Universal Pictures released the film in 2017 with actor Joaquin Phoenix and tells the biblical story of Mary’s life.
5. Paul: Apostle of Christ: Sony’s faith film division, Affirm Films, released a movie featuring actor Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ. Here, Caviezel plays the lead character, Paul. This film was released in 2018, but may not have been in every theater.
6. Samson: This movie is produced by David A. R. White (from Pure Flix), and is on the Book of Judges. It was released in 2018 as well.
7. Connect: Kirk Cameron produced this one. Click on the link to order the movie and to watch the trailer, see photos and more!
8. Christian Mingle: This film is about a girl who ends up on Christian Mingle, but isn’t Christian, and instead of just finding love, she finds God as well.
9. A Question of Faith: Silver Lining Entertainment shares “Question of Faith: When tragedy strikes three families, their destiny forces them on a converging path to discover God’s love, grace and mercy, as the challenges of their fate could also resurrect their beliefs.”
10. Catching Faith: This film is available on Netflix and is the prequel to the movie that the founder of PI, Nicole Weider, will be in, Catching Faith 2. This movie is probably going to be released in 2019, but you can catch the first movie online or on DVD. Here’s the synopsis: “John and Alexa Taylor appear to have the perfect life—they’re the envy of all the parents in town. Their son, Beau, is the high school football star and their daughter, Ravyn, is a straight-A student. But when Beau is caught drinking alcohol, his place on the team and his bright future are on the line. With the football season at stake and the judgmental community turning their backs on them, every member of the Taylor family is at a crossroads. Now, they must find the strength from one another, and the spiritual courage from within, to prove that faith and family is the only score that really matters.”
PI Girls, have you seen any of these movies? If so, which one is your favorite? Comment below!
Previous article3 Things We Have to Stop Assuming About Single Christians
Next article12 Cardigan Style Ideas to Rock this Season
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The Song Remains the Same Soundtrack
The Song Remains the Same is the name of several works by rock band Led Zeppelin. It may refer to: "The Song Remains the Same" (song), the opening track from their 1973 album Houses of the Holy The Song Remains the Same (film), a concert film taking place during three nights of concerts at Madison Square Garden during the band's 1973 North American Tour The Song Remains the Same (album), the soundtrack album of the concert film
The Song Remains the Same Screenplay »
Edit Buy
1 Rock And Roll
2 Celebration Day
3 The Song Remains The Same
4 Rain Song
5 Dazed And Confused
6 No Quarter
7 Stairway To Heaven
8 Whole Lotta Love
Share your thoughts on The Song Remains the Same's soundtrack with the community:
Use the citation below to add this movie page to your bibliography:
"The Song Remains the Same Soundtrack." Quotes.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2021. Web. 15 Jan. 2021. <https://www.quotes.net/soundtrack/the_song_remains_the_same_soundtrack_149475>.
Martin Scorsese - 1976
Francis Ford Coppola - 1979
Frank Darabont - 1999
George Lucas - 1977
John McTiernan - 1988
Fritz Lang - 1927
Who said : "Children are completely egoistic; they feel their needs intensely and strive ruthlessly to satisfy them."?
A. Helen Keller
B. Socrates
C. Sigmund Freud
D. William Shakespeare
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Clarke: Game slipped away from us
Boss reflects on 3-0 defeat
Royals boss Steve Clarke was disappointed to see the game at Huddersfield 'slip away' from his team.
1-0 down at half time, Reading were very much in the game, but two more second half goals and a couple of rare defensive errors saw us go down 3-0 to the Terriers.
Clarke said, "It's disappointing, it was a game that slipped away from us.
"We gave away a sloppy goal from a set play which is very unlike us and it put us back on the back foot.
"Then we came into the game OK, got a foothold and their goalkeeper made a great save off Hope Akpan, and Jake Taylor had a big chance at the back post.
"It's all about small margins and if one of them goes in it's a different game.
"So at half time we were in the game and we had a chance. But unfortunately Adam [Federici] made a mistake, he doesn't make many and from there it was a long way back. We risked it then and got caught for a third."
Clarke made six changes to his starting XI, keeping the same back five but amending the rest of his team amid a heavy run of fixtures.
He said, "I'm a little disappointed for the boys who came in, they tried hard and at one stage it looked like we'd get something but it was strange, like I say it slipped away from us.
"I'm ten weeks into the job, and it's always difficult to know when is the right time to make the changes. I just felt that in this run of horrendous fixtures, it was right to give one or two a rest and I had to look at some players as well.
"In the first half, you could see the players that I put on the pitch were good enough to win the game, it just wasn't our night.
"I didn't change the defensive players and if you look at the goals we conceded, they can be a consequence of a little bit of mental tiredness and mental fatigue.
"It's just where we are, the run of games we're in, we've had a hell of run. We've seemed to struggle between the Saturday and Tuesday games, I'm hoping between Tuesday and Saturday we'll get it right."
Last but not least, players rightly went over to our 187 travelling fans, with Steve saying, "It's right that the players acknowledge the supporters, we talk about the number of games the players are playing and it's the same for the fans.
"187 might not sound a lot but it's a big effort for them and we appreciate their support, we're not happy that they go away disappointed."
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Transcripts & Videos
Duke Case: The Larger Tragedy
Stripper Lied, White Boys Fried
The Real Issue at Duke
The Real Issue at Duke: Part II
The Rape of Justice
Rising Wage Gap, But No Squeeze
Health Care, Not Social Security, the Third Rail of 2008
Will Democrats Keep the Faith?
Turning Toward Iran
Can Republicans Count on a House Snapback?
President Bush Job Approval
RCP Average
Approve: 36.8%
Disapprove: 58.0%
Spread: 21.2%
McConnell 1, Reid 0
Faith-Based Opportunity
An Armey of One
Senate Debates Iraq
Duke's President Needs To Explain Himself
By John Hammer
Where are the apologies? It appears that despite the recent arrests, Duke President Richard Brodhead owes the lacrosse team, Duke students and the Duke community an apology. He also owes the lacrosse team members something for canceling their season. The lacrosse team should not have had a party with underage drinking, but if Brodhead's plan is to cancel the season of every team at Duke where students participate in underage drinking, even the debate team is going to be disbanded and the sailing club will have to turn in their boats. The students shouldn't hire strippers for parties where there is underage drinking, and if Brodhead decides that is the standard, then maybe the debate team and the swimming team will be allowed to participate next year, but I would bet pretty heavily that there will be no football season. And it would not shock me to find that a basketball player has at some point in his college life attended a party with a stripper.
Brodhead needs to explain himself and his actions. It certainly appears that it turned out he was wrong. Brodhead should have believed his students. So far, the evidence is that the 47 members of the lacrosse team were right. They said that there was no rape and no sexual contact of any kind, and the evidence is bearing them out.
One North Carolina Central University student, who has been employed by an escort service to help pay for school, told a wildly unbelievable story of being held against her will, choked, raped and sodomized by three lacrosse players in a bathroom while the party was going on. People have questioned why, in my previous column, I called her a prostitute. Most men who pick up a streetwalker are interested in paying for sex. Most men who call an escort service are also interested in paying for sex. It isn't 100 percent in either case, but the vast majority of the time when men call an escort service, they are interested in paying for sex. An escort service is just a fancy name for a pimp, and the girls who work for escort services are prostitutes. This woman who claimed she was raped worked for an escort service and therefore was a prostitute.
The police tested all of the white players on the lacrosse team and had been told by the accuser that the young men who raped her were white members of the lacrosse team. The police also believe that only members of the lacrosse team were at the party. The tests found no DNA evidence. If the woman had been choked and fought with her rapists as she said she did, there would have been some DNA evidence. She reportedly said that she scratched her assailants and that is how she lost her fake fingernails. But there was no matching DNA evidence under her fingernails, on her skin, on her clothes, on her phone - the lab couldn't find a match anywhere; nor was there any evidence that a condom had been used.
At this point, it appears that the prostitute/stripper lied.
The question that the Duke University Board of Trustees needs to ask is do they want to continue to have a president who takes the word of a prostitute over the word of a Duke athletic team? Do they want a president who assumes that Duke students are criminals, just because they are athletes who get together and party?
At Duke, for at least the past 40 years and probably longer, there has been a strong contingent that doesn't think Duke should be involved in conference athletics at all. This group is embarrassed by having the focus taken off academics and placed on athletics. When Duke wins a national championship, they cringe. They are always there ready to jump on the bandwagon with anyone who is critical of athletics. It may be that this group got Brodhead's ear.
Perhaps Brodhead hasn't been around long enough to know that despite the fact that Duke is Durham's largest employer, the university has never gotten along well with the town and there are always those in town ready to demonstrate for anything that is against Duke.
Brodhead may not have known that he was throwing gasoline on a fire when he got involved, but he was. It's one thing for a student/prostitute/stripper to accuse a group of men, who have hired her to dance around naked, of rape; but when the president of Duke University backs her up, that lends a tremendous amount of credibility to the story. Why would the president of Duke cancel the season of a nationally ranked athletic team, including 44 students who were accused of nothing other than behaving like a lot of other college students, if he didn't have some strong evidence that the rape had taken place? A lot of people just assumed that Brodhead knew something the rest of us didn't.
It certainly appears that Brodhead believes that Duke lacrosse players, and perhaps all male athletes, are liars, and some of them are rapists. The story that the accuser told was not very believable. The timeline and the mechanics just don't work, and as more evidence is revealed the story becomes more and more difficult to defend.
The photos, according to the testimony of the attorneys who have seen all of them, are good evidence that nothing violent happened at the party. The attorneys say that the photos show the dancer with bruises and scratches when she arrived at the party in a negligee. They also show her just before she left in the same negligee, which did not appear to be damaged in any way. Her story just doesn't fit with the physical evidence that has been revealed at this point.
Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong is running for reelection in a city with a large black population. You can bet that Nifong knows exactly how many Duke students are registered to vote in Durham, and it isn't many. He has less than two weeks to go before the election and, from a political standpoint, if he had said that the Duke students were innocent, he was going to suffer a backlash without time to recover. It appeared all he had to do was drag this affair out until after the May 2 election and then he could step back and look at it objectively.
Nifong evidently decided that waiting it out wasn't good enough and had two students indicted by the grand jury. It turns out he made a bad choice when picking the two students to indict because one of them has receipts, cell phone records and the eyewitness testimony of a cab driver that proves he was not at the house when the rape was supposed to have occurred. But even without the alibi, the arrests don't make sense except from a political standpoint. The accuser couldn't identify the rapists, which is why every white member of the lacrosse team had to give a DNA sample. Then when the DNA tests came back with no matches, the witness suddenly regained her memory and weeks after the event could positively identify her attackers. It is a story that only makes sense when you take into consideration the fact that Nifong is running for election.
Brodhead is not running for reelection, but in the opinion of this alumnus, he should be packing his bags soon. If no one is convicted, and it certainly appears that no one will be, then he is going to have to face a bunch of very rich, very angry parents.
A group of parents and alumni have already hired attorney Bob Bennett to deal with the situation, and people don't hire an attorney with that much firepower unless they are serious. I would imagine that some lawsuits will follow. The parents of members of the lacrosse team who had their season and their shot at a national championship cancelled because the president of Duke believed a prostitute over the testimony of his own students would seem to have a reasonable suit. How much is an NCAA national championship worth in dollars and cents? The few people I know who have been involved in a national championship team wouldn't trade the experience for any amount of money. Would Duke have won? We'll never know, but I bet Bennett and other attorneys will be able to make a strong case that they were on their way.
John Hammer is the editor of the Rhinoceros Times.
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John Hammer
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O&M, Solar
Hybrid Solar Lighting Gaining Momentum around Nation
Oak Ridge, Tennessee [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] With five hybrid solar lighting systems already in place and another 20 scheduled to be installed in the next couple of months, the forecast is looking sunny for a technology developed at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
Preliminary data from field units, which collect sunlight and pipe it into buildings using bundles of small optical fibers, show potentially significant energy savings in lighting and maintenance costs. An added benefit is that, for most uses, natural light is vastly superior to artificial light. “This is the ultimate ‘green’ technology,” said Duncan Earl, a co-developer of the technology and chief technology officer of Oak Ridge startup company Sunlight Direct, which licensed the technology from ORNL last year. “In fact, we have received many inquiries and are working with several organizations that are aiming to build LEED — (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings.” The U.S. Green Building Council established the LEED designation for buildings that comply with a national consensus standard for design and construction of “green” buildings. The hybrid solar lighting technology uses a rooftop-mounted 48-inch diameter collector and secondary mirror that track the sun throughout the day. The collector system focuses the sunlight into 127 optical fibers connected to hybrid light fixtures equipped with diffusion rods visually similar to fluorescent light bulbs. These rods spread light in all directions. One collector powers eight to 12 hybrid light fixtures, which can illuminate about 1,000 square feet. During times of little or no sunlight, a sensor controls the intensity of the artificial lamps to maintain a constant level of illumination. Over the next several months, researchers in ORNL’s Solar Technologies Program will continue to perform beta testing of the units, installed or being installed at various locations around the nation, including Sacramento Municipal Utility District customer service headquarters; San Diego State University; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; a Wal-Mart in McKinney, Texas; Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; a Staples store in Long Island, N.Y.; and Aveda Corp. in Minneapolis. “As part of ORNL’s Sunlight Inside Initiative, a field-trial demonstration program, we will be gathering energy, cost and reliability data and publishing a report,” said Melissa Lapsa, manager of the lab’s Solar Technologies Program. The system can save about 6,000-kilowatt hours (kWh) per year in lighting and another 2,000 in reduced cooling needs for a total of 8,000 kWh annually, according to Sunlight Direct estimates. Over 10 years, for parts of the country where the utility rates are 10 cents per kWh, that can result in savings up to $8,000 per hybrid solar lighting unit. For large floor spaces — 100,000 to 200,000 square feet — this translates into energy cost savings of between $1 million and $2 million over 10 years, according to Sunlight Direct. Operation and maintenance savings could account for another $300,000 in savings over the same period. “The great thing about hybrid solar lighting is that we’re getting peak light output during the time when there’s the greatest demand for electricity,” said Bill Lekas, energy manager at San Diego State University. “That saves us energy during the part of the day when electricity costs the most, and the reduced demand could reduce the incidents of rolling brownouts.” If market projections prove accurate, within five years 5,000 hybrid solar lighting systems could be installed in regions of the nation where solar availability and electricity rates make this technology cost effective, saving 50 million kWh per year. Retail applications are the most likely first market for this technology, Sunlight Direct’s Earl said. The challenge over the next 18 months is to reduce the cost from about $12 to $4 per square foot. With larger collectors and other design improvements, researchers say they can achieve that goal. When that happens, businesses in regions where electricity is most expensive could pay for implementing the technology in three to five years with savings in electricity bills alone, according to Earl. In addition to the environmental and financial incentives, which include a 30 percent tax credit, proponents of hybrid solar lighting note that the higher quality of natural light leads to increased productivity and improved sales in retail outlets. They also note that hybrid solar lighting avoids the environmental problems associated with generating and transmitting electricity. This technology was developed through funding by DOE and TVA in partnership with utility companies, state energy agencies, industry and universities.
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Bioenergy, Energy Efficiency, Geothermal, Hydropower, Project Development, Solar, Wind Power
Indian Joint Venture Targets 500 MW in Renewables
New Dehli, India (24 Nov) ADB will invest $40 million to take a 25% stake in the company, along with India’s NTPC Ltd (50%) and Japan’s Kyushu Electric Power Company (25%). The bank aims to invest $2 billion a year in renewable-energy and energy-efficiency projects in Asia and the Pacific.
“The new joint venture company will help India achieve its goal of reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, will cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve its energy security,” said Michael Barrow, Director in ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD).
“We hope this company will also provide an example to other foreign investors looking at India’s renewable energy sector.”
India’s electricity supply fails to meet demand, triggering regular blackouts, and is largely generated from increasingly uncertain domestic sources of coal or ever-more-expensive imported coal.
A National Action Plan on Climate Change targets 15% of India’s power coming from renewable sources by 2020 – a rise from a current figure of 10%. About 65% comes from mostly coal-fired thermal power plants. Hydropower and nuclear power make up the remaining 25% of generation.
“India now has the capacity to generate just over 11,000 megawatts of wind power but, with the right investment, that could increase to almost 48,000 megawatts,” said Don Purka, Senior Investment Specialist with ADB’s PSOD.
“At the same time, small hydropower has the potential to generate about 15,000 megawatts of power and, what’s more, is often the best way of providing electricity to low-income households in remote areas.”
NTPC is India’s largest power generating company, with a 33% market share. While majority-owned by the government, it operates on a commercial basis as an independent company. NTPC aims to raise its current generating capacity of 32,694 MW to 75,000 MW by 2017.
Kyushu Electric Power is an integrated private sector generation, transmission and distribution company. The company owns and operates about 20,024 megawatts of power generation capacity including hydroelectric, wind, solar and geothermal projects on Japan’s southwestern Kyushu Island.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2009, it approved a total of $16.1 billion in financing operations through loans, grants, guarantees, a trade finance facilitation programme, equity investments, and technical assistance projects. ADB also mobilised cofinancing amounting to $3.2 billion.
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Blogs, Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency: A way for colleges to save and make money?
The Obama administration – and every parent with a child in college – is concerned about the ever-escalating cost of higher education. And for good reason. Tuition, room and board rose 37 percent for undergraduates at public colleges and 25 percent at private colleges (adjusted for inflation) from 2000 to 2010, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Colleges are enormous energy users. National Grid says that in the Northeast, a US higher education hub, a typical 50,000-square foot college building uses more than $200,000 of energy annually. So one way for colleges to reduce costs is through greater energy efficiency, especially if it is financed adeptly.
The Green Revolving Fund offers an interesting model. Basically, the college sets aside money in a fund to make energy efficiency improvements, and then uses the money saved on energy bills to replenish the fund and make more improvements to further drive down energy bills.
About 50 colleges have established GRFs, and they are achieving a median annual return on investment of 30 percent, according to Mark Orlowski, executive director of Sustainable Endowments Institute, who presented a recent webinar on the funds through the Yale Center for Business and the Environment.
A GRF removes energy efficiency from competition for college resources. Energy improvements cease to be a burden on the operating budgets, and conversation about efficiency transforms into one about investment and re-investment. Colleges find seed money for GRFs from a variety of sources, including reserve funds, alumni donations, endowments and utilities.
The Sustainable Endowments Institute and several partners have launched a challenge to raise college GRF funds to a cumulative $1 billion, up from the current $65 million. Existing funds vary in size from $5,000 at the College of Wooster in Ohio to $25.45 million at Standard University. The average fund is $1.4 million, according to SEI. The funds can be found in 25 states, and at colleges as big as University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with 42,000 students and as small as Kalamazoo College with an enrollment of 1,381. Students, themselves, started the programs at 17 of the schools.
A recent blog by Joe Indvik posted by the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education offers several good reasons for colleges to pursue GRFs over other ways to invest in efficiency. For example, he points to the “sizzle” factor. “A GRF is a unified, purposeful investment vehicle that is easy to market and generates a more positive public image than traditional investments. It demonstrates concrete commitment to sustainability in a way that one-time investments cannot,” he says.
This is not a new concept. Harvard has had a GRF for more than a decade. But the idea has taken off in recent years, with about three quarters of GRFs formed since 2008. Energy efficiency companies would be wise to track their creation, since they clearly open the door to new business opportunities. More details can be found at www.greenbillion.org andhttp://www.endowmentinstitute.org/.
Elisa Wood is a long-time energy writer. See more of her work at RealEnergyWriters.com.
Siemens, DEWA partner on revolutionary blockchain strategy for Dubai
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American Municipal Power and the city of Hamilton held a dedication ceremony for the 105-MW Meldahl hydroelectric plant on June 2.
According to the Journal-News, about 200 people attended the ceremony, and state officials from Kentucky presented a flag of the commonwealth to fly at the hydro facility.
The plant is located at the Capt. Anthony Meldahl Locks and Dam and the city of Hamilton will receive 51.4% of the electricity produced, with AMP receiving the remaining share on behalf of its participating members.
The three-unit Meldahl plant began full commercial operation in April 2016, with the first unit beginning operation in January 2016 and the second in February 2016.
“This is the largest of the four hydro projects AMP members are developing on the Ohio River,” said AMP President and CEO Marc Gerken. “The facility is an important component of our members’ long-term power supply strategy and truly represents an investment in the future. This has been a long journey and I want to commend all involved both at AMP and the City of Hamilton for their commitment, professionalism and diligent efforts to reach this point.”
Gerken will be a featured keynote speaker at HydroVision International, July 26-29 in Minneapolis.
AMP is developing other hydro projects, including 70.2-MW Greenup.
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How 'The Help' Grew From Women's Flick to Box-Office Powerhouse
By Fred Schruers
The phenomenon known as “The Help” could bring another aftershock to the box office this weekend: The smart money is that the Disney/Dreamworks dramedy wins the weekend for the second time in a row.
The picture’s initial success isn’t that baffling -- each August tends to bring a sort of blockbuster backlash -- that moment when our brains are snapping back on and we folks out here in the dark are ready for some character-driven stuff.
What’s surprising is how the audience for a dramedy about black Southern maids and white socialites at the dawning of the Civil Rights movement is widening.
Also read: ‘The Help’: The Box-Office Hit That Nearly Didn’t Get Made
Its second weekend out, “The Help” topped the box office on just a 20 percent decline. More significantly, the audience expanded to include to a younger, more male crowd with more African-Americans.
That strong showing immediately drew comparisons to “The Blind Side,” a movie that shares certain themes with “The Help,” and also vaulted from No. 2 in its debut to No. 1 in its second release on word of mouth. “The Blind Side” went on to gross almost $300 million at the global box office and bring an Oscar to Sandra Bullock.
The widening audience for “The Help” comes as no surprise to co-producer Chris Columbus.
“The strongest thing about this movie, and we’ve known this since we began screening it, is word of mouth,” Columbus (pictured) said.
Also read: The Biggest Monster at the Weekend’s Box Office Is Hurricane Irene
Disney’s first-night exit polling indicated that 74 percent of “The Help’s” audience was female and 60 percent was age 35 years and older. That’s the story’s core audience ever since first-time novelist Kathryn Stockett’s semi-autobiographical novel swept up the bestseller charts. But by the second night, the percentage of women in the audience had dropped to 69 percent.
What that said was that a fair amount of what were most likely husbands and significant others were persuaded to tag along.
It’s a trend doesn’t look to weaken anytime soon.
Fandango polling early this week showed “The Help” leading in advance ticket sales with 27 percent, ranking as the No. 2 Favorite Movie of the Summer, just behind “Harry Potter.” Actress Bryce Dallas Howard came in second in the Summer’s Best Bad Guy category to Ralph Fiennes’ Lord Voldemort.
Some 77 percent interested in seeing “The Help” have read the book, and 95 percent “reported that the film’s surprising comic relief makes them more interested in seeing the film,” Fandango said.
While nearly 70 percent said they are looking forward to “finally seeing a summer movie with substance,” 41 percent of females said it’s unlikely they’ll be able to drag “the man in their life” to see this movie with them.
Columbus has his own take on that.
“Honestly, what we saw in the original previews was that some of the men were loving the film more than the women,” he told TheWrap. “So we realized if we could just get people into the theater it would spread -- sort of an old-fashioned view of filmmaking that we haven’t seen in a while … a movie surviving and thriving on word of mouth.”
Asked about the carps that the film gives short shrift both to the black men of the era who were better role models than the largely unseen males of the film and to the actual substantive Civil Rghts gains driven by the era’s black activism, he pointed to the approval granted the film by the NAACP and Medgar Evers’ widow Myrlie Evers, whose husband’s assassination provides a turning-point moment.
“Tate didn’t want to tell a Civil Rights story,” said co-producer Brunson Green, a longtime collaborator of Tate Taylor, who adapted his friend’s novel and directed it. Green started in the business working for “The Help” casting director Kerry Barden (“Winter’s Bone”).
“Tate just wanted to tell an interesting story about these women, and a part of their lives when there was a huge change. Obviously, the Civil Rights movement went over a span of years and involved hundreds of thousands of people.
“But that’s not what the novel’s about and not what the story’s about -- so he had to concentrate on a very small aspect of peoples’ lives and in a very finite time.”
Columbus wonders aloud if the media has been digging for negatives even as the film makes its own way: “What started with fans of the book and then went to women is now mothers taking their children. My son is going back to college in a week and has a friend leaving early. The night before going back to college, this 19-year-old male went with his mother to see ‘The Help.’
“You’re talking about something people want to share with either their children or their significant others -- the audience is getting more diverse every weekend.”
Says Green: “You’re getting back to the original reason why people like to go to the movies -- to experience a ride. And I think the summer movies before ours were thrill rides, and ‘The Help’ is more of an emotional ride.”
“For me,” Columbus said, “It goes way back to something they told me in film school -- always try to do a movie that’s personal. For a lot of people involved, this is a very, very personal movie.”
Columbus recalled his -- and the industry’s -- surprise back in 1990 when “Home Alone” debuted at No. 1 and clung to the spot for some three months. “I’m not saying this movie is gonna get there, because the marketplace is far more crowded these days -- but there was this excitement,” he said.
Colombus says it’s personal for him as well, as a working director: “The way people are talking about it -- that kind of excitement makes you fall in love with making movies again.”
Related Articles: 'The Help': The Box-Office Hit That Nearly Didn't Get Made The Biggest Monster at This Weekend's Box Office Is Hurricane Irene
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Jimi Hendix performing at the Christmas on Earth concert at Olympia, London in December 1967
The Jimi Hendrix Experience performing at the Marquee Club, London in March 1967
John Lydon formerly with The Sex Pistols photographed in November 1980 in Shepherds Bush, London during the PiL days for Face Magazine
Johnny Borrell from Razorlight in his first ever press picture in Brick Lane, London in February 2000.
Ian Curtis of Joy Division performing at the Paradiso, Amsterdam in January 1980 wearing his famous 'The Sound and the Fury' t-shirt.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience performing at the Woburn Music Festival in July 1968
Jimi Hendrix onstage at the K.B. Hallen in Copenhagen in September 1970 just a couple of weeks before he sadly passed away.
Jimi Hendrix onstage giving an energetic and powerful performance in Copenhagen in 1970. Limited edition prints, photos & images for sale.
Jimi Hendrix on his Cry of Love Tour in Denmark in 1970 before his death later that month.
Contact sheet of Joy Division backstage at the YMCA, London in August 1979
Performance poet John Cooper Clarke at Salford City Art Gallery in August 1978
James shot at Manchester Central Train Station during its renovation as the G-Mex Conference Centre in 1984
James Brown performing live at the Palais des Congres in Paris, June 2006
The Jam photographed by Martyn Goddard for their first album 'In The City' shot in London in 1977
Cover artwork for The Jam's debut album 'In The City' released in 1977
Contact sheet of The Jam's photo shoot for the cover of their debut album 'In The City'
The Jam relaxing at Frank's Cafe in Soho during their photo shoot for the cover of 'News of the World'
"We met in his manager's office in Mayfair, the original Kinks had gone and future photo shoots were done in the ’Pub.’
Kate Bush sitting in front of the grand piano in Studio 2 of the famous Abbey Road Studios, London in 1985
I had the good fortune to be present the first time Led Zeppelin (The New Yardbirds at the time) performed before an audience in Copenhagen.
In the midst of colourful stage lights, a silvery sheen fell on his face turning him - in my Mexican eye - into an Aztec warrior.
They had just been signed. Luckily a spare B&W roll of film was lying around, I loaded the camera and shot asking Pete to keep on jumping.
Pete was very comfortable with being photographed, he was one of those rare people who aren’t self conscious at all.
Leonard Cohen enjoying a quiet moment in Amsterdam, Holland in April 1988
Robert Plant onstage at the Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico during his Fate of Nations Tour in January 1994
Led Zeppelin live onstage in Copenhagen, Denmark on the first night of their 1973 European Tour
Richey Edwards of the Manic Street Preachers backstage at the MBK Hall, Bangkok in April 1994 on their Gold Against the Soul World Tour
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Ukraine and Russia sign 3-month gas deal at $248
Reuters/Gleb Garanich © Reuters
Russia’s Gazprom has agreed to sell gas to Ukraine’s Naftogaz at a price of $248 per 1,000 cubic meters. The deal is for the next three months, and represents a 25 percent discount on the price during the first quarter of the year.
Ukraine has signed a new agreement to buy Russian, the Ukrainian energy ministry said on Thursday. In the first quarter of 2015, Ukraine paid Russia $329 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas. That deal expired on Tuesday, along with the ‘take-or-pay’ clause that requires payment for gas no matter if Ukraine uses it or not.
Kiev, under the leadership of Yulia Tymoshenko, and Moscow signed a 10-year gas contract in 2009.
"Under the terms of the contract, the gas price will stand at $248 per 1,000 cubic meters. All the other terms totally repeat the terms of the so-called 'winter package'," the Ukrainian Energy Ministry said on its website Wednesday, as quoted by TASS.
READ MORE: Russian PM seals gas discount for Ukraine of up to 28%
Originally, Ukraine’s temporary $100 discount was due to expire at the end of March, a provision agreed to in the so-called winter package. The deal was brokered by the EU in October just before the cold weather hit Ukraine, and the European Commission hoped the discount would last a full year, but Gazprom said only 3 months was possible.
On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller said that Russia would extend Ukraine’s gas discount through the spring months. On Wednesday PM Medvedev signed a decree that would enable to Kiev to continue with its $100 discount, but only as long as Kiev continues to pay its debt obligations.
Neither party has confirmed if Russia’s demand for Kiev to supply gas to the Donbass region has been fulfilled.
After Ukraine fell behind on its debt payments to Russia, Gazprom switched to a prepayment regime. Russia previously cut supplies to Ukraine in the winter of 2006 and 2009, and in June 2014. The first two shut offs seriously disrupted European markets.
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Syrian ambassador to UN restricted to 25-mile radius of New York City
Syrian Ambassador to the U.N. Bashar Ja'afari (Reuters/Eduardo Munoz) © Reuters
The US State department has banned the movement of Syria’s UN delegation, headed by Bashar al-Jaafari, to within a 25-mile (40 km) radius of New York City.
Jaafari has served as Syria’s envoy to the UN since 2006 and has been an unwavering supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout the 3-year long civil war. Jaafari has not yet commented on the restriction.
The United States has not given a reason for the travel ban, but State Department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said that such travel limits were not unheard of.
“UN delegates of certain countries are required to notify us or obtain permission prior to travel outside of a 25-mile radius. So this is not something out of the realm of what we’ve done before,” she told reporters in Washington.
North Korean and Iranian diplomats are also restricted to a 25-mile radius of the Columbus Intersection in Manhattan.
Last year Jaafari complained to the General Assembly of the United Nations about the UN’s double standards in the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, which he said did not condemn the crimes of foreign backed terrorists on Syrian soil.
Talks between the Syrian government and the opposition fell apart last month, with both sides repeating their previous positions and blaming each other for the impasse.
Observers also note that the Syrian opposition has now become deeply fragmented and radicalized and is not represented by those attending the Geneva peace talks.
Iran invitation puts Syria peace talks at risk
Syria peace talks plane held in Athens over EU trade embargo
Syria peace talks: 'We have taken the first small step'
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Seeing the sweet side to everything
Glycometabolic Biochemistry Laboratory , RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research
Why do you study sugars?
Our lab studies the metabolic processes of an important group of proteins—those modified with sugar or sugar chains, which we call glycoproteins. In particular, we look at the degradation process of glycoproteins within the cytosol—the water-based fluid in which all the other components of a cell are suspended. These processes are part of the cell’s quality-control system that degrades misfolded proteins, which are always non-functional and can often be toxic to a cell.
What are you looking into at the moment? Why is your current research important?
Until recently, I’d been focusing on an enzyme called Ngly1, which cuts up glycans in misfolded glycoproteins so that they can efficiently degradate. This enzyme is so critical that patients born with a single small change to it suffer from a wide range of symptoms. My colleagues and I discovered the detrimental effect of an enzyme produced when Ngly1 is missing, and we looked for inhibitors, which could be used to treat patients who lack Ngly1. More recently, I’ve been exploring the release of free glycans into the bloodstream. We hope to find the origin of the sugar molecules in the bloodstream, known as complex glycans, as we believe they are released from liver cells and that they may indicate whether the liver is healthy or diseased and so could potentially be used in diagnostic tests.
What made you decide to become a scientist?
I grew up in the countryside in China and have always been interested in living creatures. I became extremely interested in genetics in middle school, when I learned about Mendel’s experiment on peas and the genetic code inside each of us that makes who we are. That opened a door for me into the huge field of life science. I wanted to discover as much as I could.
How did you become interested in your current field of research?
I was initially curious about the regulatory events in cell organelles that cause cells to work so perfectly. I became interested in glycobiology when I learned that even a tiny change to the structure of a glycan molecule can radically alter its biological functions in cells.
I’m fascinated by the miniature world of the cell. While the main focus of our research is basic science, I was really thrilled when I found out that our findings could help patients.
I love it when the cherry trees blossom in spring and when the leaves on the ginkgo trees turn yellow in fall. It’s great fun just walking around campus.
What has been your most memorable experience at RIKEN?
In my first year at RIKEN, I attended a summer school at Izumo in Shimane prefecture. In addition to poster sessions where we could talk with students from different fields, we students also had the chance to talk to the then RIKEN president Ryoji Noyori about science and scientific careers. We also watched traditional Japanese dance and learned about the fascinating history of Izumo. It was a wonderful experience.
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Home » Mexico » Modelo beer group reports 67 percent increase in sale points
Modelo beer group reports 67 percent increase in sale points
Business and Mexico
Mexico City, Mexico — Grupo Modelo says they have seen huge growth this year and will close with a total of 8,000 beer vending centers, an increase of 67 percent over 2016.
The company says the business of beer brewing has grown rapidly, when at the end of 2015, they had 5,600 points of sale.
“A year and a half ago we accelerated the rate of openings of our retail segment in Mexico, with which we managed to close this year (2017) with more than 8 ,000 stores and we aim to open at least 1,000 more stores in the next year,” said Daniel Haskell, business unit head of Modelorama.
The new locations will be supplied with the production of the manufacturing and bottling plant from Modelo in Hidalgo, which will be ready in the first quarter of 2019.
Grupo Modelo invested 14 billion peso for the construction of the new factory, which will have an annual capacity of 12 million hectoliters, which it plans to increase progressively to double production.
Next year, Haskell said they will be cautious with the opening of the new Modeloramas to operate throughout the country.
“The number of openings will be one that makes sense with the demand for the product, and since the consumption of beer is growing, there is a greater amount of consumption per capita,” he said.
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