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__label__cc	0.687565	0.312435	Courtroom Sciences Records & Depositions Litigation Psychology Litigation Communications Critical Communications Records Retrieval Deposition Services Litigation Risk Assessment Mock Trials & Focus Groups Witness Effectiveness Training Corporate Representative Training Anti-Reptile Solutions Law firm clients CSI Podcasts CSI Articles CSI CLE Presentations Schedule Deposition info@courtroomsciences.com Bringing Objectivity into Settlement Decisions Trial Consulting Research Mock Trials Settlement Sciences Published Works / Trial Consulting Use permanent link to share in social media Please login to send this document by email! <iframe src="https://w.courtroomsciences.com/slides/embed/50?page=1" class="o_wslides_iframe_viewer" allowFullScreen="true" height="315" width="420" frameborder="0"></iframe> Select page to start with 1. Bringing Objectivity Into Settlement Decisions: The Nexus of Law, Science and Ethics in Litigation Risk Assessment 18. Copyright 2013 Litigation Psychology, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 7. 7 come to my attention more than once, and each time the researcher had no credentials in psychology or communication at all – yet they were working for some of the largest corporate clients in the country. There is something about the field of psychology that causes many people to think “anyone can do that.” Perhaps more importantly, trial lawyers in particular – and their clients – seem to believe that they – the trial lawyers themselves -- are supposed to be “psychologists.” If that sounds far-fetched, think closely for a minute about jury selection. The entire function of jury selection, from start to finish, is actually geared toward the prediction of behavior. After all, what is the trial lawyer doing in jury selection if not trying to eliminate jurors who will vote against him at a later point in time? This is nothing other than attempting to predict how certain individuals will behave in the future. Yet the vast majority of lawyers attempt to do this themselves, and their clients expect them to. When recently a potential client of mine explained to me that he was begging his corporate client to authorize the retention of a jury consultant, the client refused, saying to his lawyer “that’s what we pay you to do.” In other words, his client expected his lawyer to also be a psychologist. The prediction of behavior is difficult enough for psychologists who spend their entire careers studying the issue, yet lawyers take on this task by themselves every day and no one seems to think there is a legitimate concern with assigning a task of this nature to the legal team. Instead, the rationalization is made that “no one knows” or “it’s an inexact science” when in fact reliable predictors of such behavior can be identified, if the research is designed and statistical analyses performed to reveal accurate juror profiles by someone with the proper training. The focal point in this endeavor is often the Supplemental Juror Questionnaire. This is a document administered to prospective jurors, before jury selection, who fill it out with their background information; demographic data; experiences; attitudes; beliefs; and other characteristics. What is it for? To help determine whether counsel is looking at a “good” versus “bad” juror. What is a “good” versus “bad” juror? A juror who will vote for versus against you at some later point in time. In short, the Supplemental Juror Questionnaire is a document that is intended to provide data for the prediction of behavior. How are these documents produced? Typically they are produced by the lawyers, often by themselves, but occasionally with the help of a jury consultant, about whom the lawyers generally have no knowledge with regard to that consultant’s credentials, background or capability in the realm of the prediction of behavior. I have in front of me, as I write, an e-mail sent to all of the members of the American Society of Trial Consultants by a “jury consultant” that reads as follows: “I have been engaged to assist in the drafting of a jury questionnaire for the defense in a sexual harassment case. I would appreciate some help with ideas for the questionnaire.” The person did not know how to identify which questions would predict plaintiff versus defendant verdict orientation. The reason? His background was accounting. His qualifications for being a jury consultant were that he had obtained a CPA degree. 10. 10 side, the insurance carrier stared down his opponent during mediation and the opponent “blinked.” The obvious cost effectiveness of valid research, however, escapes most decision-makers when it comes time for settlement. Instead, numbers in the millions are somehow “divined” with no factual basis whatsoever for inferring what a jury would actually do with the case. Those making such settlement decisions generally resist the notion that they in fact do not know what a jury would actually do with the case. They claim that they do, but when pressed, they cite “intuition” based on “experience” or various other forms of guessing that are indistinguishable from a “hunch” – the same type of hunch that the claims adjuster was making in writing the initial check for $750,000 in the first place. What is particularly noteworthy about the incident in which the claims adjuster was writing the check for $750,000, however, is that the damages were always expected to be below $1 million, yet the insurance company derived a clear benefit from conducting the research anyway. Most of those in a position to utilize jury research automatically assume that cases under $1 million are “not worth it” or “do not warrant this type of work,” yet here is just one clear instance of a rate of return on investment of over 800% (a savings of $350,000 based on research costs of about $40,000). Imagine how much could be saved in the type of case mentioned at the outset, in which the trial team simply decided that, if it could be settled for under $10 million, they would take the deal. The key themes of the present treatise are, therefore, not only the potential for enormous cost savings through the use of science in determining proper settlement amounts, but also that many cases can be won instead of settled – if the trial team is really interested in winning. The East Texas IP litigation arena is characterized by settlement after settlement, with very few trial teams willing to go the lengths characterized by the Forgent v. Echostar matter, wherein four mock trials were necessary in order to find the winning strategy. It should be noted that there were four other defendants in the Forgent v. Echostar litigation who each settled their cases for large sums, doubting that the research was actually showing them how to win. Moreover, of the dozens of IP cases we have worked on in East Texas, nine out of ten run one mock trial and then simply settle, instead of “doing it over and over until you get it right” as Echostar did. So, again, the issue boils down to cost savings: Since the four mock trials (and the cost of trying the case) in Forgent v. Echostar were certainly cheaper than the amount needed to settle a $70 million claim, how many other cases that were settled for millions could have been won if the second, third or fourth mock trial had been conducted? Moreover, once again, the ethical issue arises – whose money is being wasted here? How many additional lawsuits are instigated when parties resort to “instant settlement” instead of really fighting to win? Is there accountability for this? If so, where? While the skeptical reader may posit that these examples are cherry-picked from a host of others that would not support the positions advocated presently, it should be pointed out that these conclusions are based on observations from how over one thousand trials have actually been 13. 13 other words, the trial team has decided that actually finding out what the decision-makers will do with the case is not important enough to warrant attention. The other leading reason – “too expensive” – is similarly ironic when the enormous amounts wasted in settlement are taken into account. An 800% rate of return on investment in a case with damages under $1 million points to staggering amounts of potentially wasted money in the larger cases that are settled routinely without the benefit of science. The example of the insurance adjuster writing a check for $750,000 was specifically chosen because it was the most conservative exemplar available, in terms of the amount of money at stake. When settlements are made in the millions, the amount required to perform the research to find out what a jury would actually do is typically a minute percentage of the probable error arising from guesses and hunches. Moreover, the Forgent v. Echostar example points to the fact that many defendants settle when valid research shows they can win. In the heavy equipment case (case #2 in Table 1) the contrary position was observed: the defendants who went to trial thought they could keep damages low, declined to participate in the research (share costs), and were later hit with a $55 million verdict. In a similar instance, I implored a trial team to conduct a mock trial in Southern Texas and was met with the response, “A mock trial is a luxury.” That trial team was subsequently hit for $61 million following their attempt to save on the cost of research that, in all probability, would have alerted them to the dangers that lay ahead. As the Chinese proverb goes, “Cheap is never cheap and expensive is never expensive.” Of course, we have also seen situations also in which trial teams declined to do research and they later won. Again, however, it is important to keep the magnitudes of the dollar amounts in perspective: The cost of not doing research when it is needed dwarfs the costs of doing the research when it is not needed. Even in cases where winning is not possible, conducting careful research communicates to everyone that the trial team is pulling out all the stops, leaving no stone unturned, in making every attempt to secure a favorable outcome. Indeed, even the Wall Street Journal in October of 1989 quoted a famous trial attorney as stating that failing to perform jury research in big cases “borders on malpractice.” We have also been involved in situations where it was obvious that a mock trial was not necessary, and have advised clients to settle immediately without any research when a case fact scenario, or videotaped witness testimony, clearly pointed to imminent disaster. Occasionally one can make reliable inferences from prior trial outcomes when there is patterned or serial litigation in the same venue that involves the same witnesses, same types of claims, and the same sources or causes of damages. Hence, the recommendations made presently are not “Mock try every case – or else.” Rather, the recommendations are to appreciate how the science works, find out who knows how to implement it in a valid manner, and use those resources intelligently instead of guessing when the situation is ambiguous. One of the most common phrases we hear from potential clients is, “If the case does not settle, then we need to do a mock trial.” Beside the fact that, 16. 16 About the Author Dr. Speckart received his Ph.D. in Psychology from UCLA in 1984 with a specialization in personality measurement. He has been active in the jury consulting field since 1983, and has conducted over 600 mock trials and focus groups in pre-trial research for numerous types of litigation. Dr. Speckart has worked with litigators in over 150 jury selections, beginning with Dalkon Shields cases in 1983, the Agent Orange litigation in 1984, and Exxon Valdez litigation in 1994. His area of emphasis has shifted to patent litigation over the past decade as a result of increased demand for assistance in this complex area of jury psychology. 5. 5 many years of progress in the field before the state of the art in pre-trial research evolved to the point at which validity actually started to become achieved. In Table 1 above are actual results that are exemplars of mock trial research that accurately forecasted verdict and damages from real trials. The first one shown, from the Exxon Valdez litigation, was focused exclusively on punitive damages, since that was the sole area of interest by the trial team. Four mock juries awarded an average of $5.2 billion, and subsequently the real jury awarded $5 billion (it should be noted that Exxon’s stock went up immediately after the jury verdict, as Wall Street had expected a potential punitive award of $10- 15 billion). The second project involved one of the world’s largest heavy equipment manufacturers, in which an operator received third degree burns from a leak in brake fluid that became ignited. The client settled out after the mock trial, while the remaining defendants (who did not conduct mock trial research) got hit for $55 million in Los Angeles County. In the third case, a discrimination suit was brought by a housing developer against the city. While the jurors agreed on liability, they did not think damages were warranted to any significant extent, and the results were consistent throughout the research and real trial. The results in Table 1 represent just a small sample of potential exemplars from our database of over one thousand mock trials that illustrates the validity of research that has been implemented appropriately. Of course there are situations in which predictions can go wrong, particularly with unfortunate rulings by the court or unexpected performance by key witnesses. But, overall, barring unusual circumstances, the science works – as one might expect, if one obtains a representative sample of test respondents, and provides the input that the real jury would receive at trial, it is a simple proposition that the sample will do more or less what the real jury does in response to the same stimuli. Greater accuracy in forecasting specific numbers is achieved Jury 1 Jury 2 Jury3 Jury 4 Average Actually Awarded Exxon-Valdez $2 B $3 B $4 B $12 B $5.2 B $5B Heavy Equipment Burn Case $25 M $37 M $112 M $58 M $55 M AHDC vs. City of Fresno $1,000 $1 $10,000 $3,667 $1 2. 2 Abstract: Over the last several decades, refinements in psychological research methodology as applied to litigation risk assessment have led to increased validity and precision, making it possible to accurately forecast jury awards in many cases. Rigorous application of scientific research design principles has obviated the need to guess, or make hunches, in determining probable damages outcomes in litigation. The continuing lack of use of such scientific research tools raises ethical questions as to whether cases are being settled for amounts that diverge substantially from what an actual jury would do with the case. Exemplars are provided showing that failure to objectively determine likely jury damages in making settlement decisions often leads to considerable waste. The question is raised as to whether accountability for such waste should be considered and reconciled. Ethical questions also arise in with regard to settling based on “nuisance value” when the case has no merit, thus inducing the proliferation of more frivolous lawsuits. T he intervention by psychological research into litigation strategy is generally considered to have begun in the late 1970’s, although the study of jury psychology dates back to the 1950’s with Hans Zeisel’s seminal work in the criminal field. Indeed, the study of jury psychology was generally dominated by the focus on criminal juries until the last few decades, when damages awards in civil cases began to reach staggering levels. With the amount of money at stake reaching into the billions since the 1990’s, increasingly sophisticated means of estimating and forecasting exposure have become utilized in civil cases by trial teams and their consultants. Notwithstanding the popularized methods depicted in the film Runaway Jury, the methodologies utilized have adopted various approaches, with varying degrees of legitimacy, as far as scientific rigor is concerned. Typically, the questions surrounding “what works and what doesn’t” entail a consideration of scientific research principles, although other factors, as we shall see, come into play. In the late 1970’s, defense counsel needing help in an IBM antitrust matter approached a marketing professor at the University of Southern California: They were desperate to know what the jury was thinking, and proposed to the professor that he assist them in obtaining a group of observers, matched to the jury panel, who could be seated in the audience of the courtroom each day and subsequently interviewed each evening to obtain specific feedback on courtroom events (e.g., witness performance, comprehension of case issues, agreement with arguments, and ultimately verdict and damages dispositions). This event led to the development of what is now known as a shadow jury, and this particular service of obtaining a panel of courtroom observers is now offered by many trial consulting firms throughout the country for heuristic and tactical feedback during trials. Subsequently, various forms of trial simulation, or mock trial methodologies emerged to attempt to identify the relevant themes and issues that would resonate with the jury before actually going to trial, with the additional goal of striving to get a handle on damages for purposes of estimating exposure. The overriding theoretical impetus behind the evolution of trial sciences has been that the true determinants of verdicts and damages were extra- legal in nature in a general sense, and specifically, 3. 3 a matter of communication and psychology. As a result, PhD’s in communication and psychology were increasingly sought by trial teams and their clients in the early 1980’s to assist with the design and implementation of mock jury research, shadow juries, and other activities. As knowledge accumulated – that is, as specific determinants of psychological decision-making processes of jurors began to be identified – the state of the art advanced quickly in areas that were found to enhance persuasion of jurors. To ground this process of advancing the state of the art in reality, post-trial interviews of actual jurors were used as a benchmark to test the validity of research activities with mock jurors. Data obtained from real jurors became a basis for inferring the extent to which pre-trial research with mock jurors was accurate, or “hitting the mark.” With repeated actual trial results over the years, trial teams and their consultants were able to compare what mock jurors versus real jurors were deciding in various cases by stacking up mock trial data against post-trial interviews. This accumulation of knowledge led to an increased awareness of how jurors actually make verdict-related decisions in civil cases and the manners in which mock trial research could fail, resulting in significant refinements to mock trial research methodology for ensuring accuracy of the results. Over time, experienced jury consultants became aware of a host of procedural and methodological pitfalls that could lead mock trial research astray. Many of these pitfalls were associated with the threats to research validity that are known in academic treatises on psychological research, while others were specific to the field of litigation research in particular. Validity: Does It Work? In research parlance, the term “validity” refers to the extent to which research results can truly be used to infer real-world outcomes; in other words, are the results of a mock trial actually predictive of deliberation outcomes in a real trial? Meeting the criterion of validity – the gold standard of research – requires, among other things, a useful theoretical framework for how jurors actually make decisions. That is, in order to “capture reality” it is necessary first to know how the phenomena under observation (i.e., jury verdict decisions) are actually generated and produced, in order to ensure that critical antecedents or determinants of such phenomena are not left out of the research design. In the early stages of trial consulting, the adage became widespread that “jurors make up their minds during opening statements.” This is an assertion that still generates debate, but as a result of the accumulated knowledge generated by the last 30 years of research, we now know that the causes of verdict decisions are truly multi-faceted or multi- dimensional. While some jurors undoubtedly make up their minds very quickly, the research is now clear that the majority of jurors make up their minds as a result of a multiplicity of factors other than simply just opening statements, including the quality of the graphics or visual aids, and the persuasiveness of the witnesses. Advancing the state of the art in litigation, therefore, has naturally led to the increased sophistication of: (1) persuasive approaches to demonstrative aids and computer-driven graphics technology, leading to the ultimate development 6. 6 by replication (i.e., averaging over more juries), but the method is sound. Don’t Try This At Home In practice, however, litigators are all over the map as far as their assessments of the true utility of using a jury consultant. The determinants of this wide variability in assessments are rather straightforward, however, from a scientific point of view: Mock jury research is psychological research, which is well- known in academic circles as having serious pitfalls in terms of methodology. The types of methodological problems that threaten validity in psychological research are the subjects of numerous venerated treatises in academia that require years of study by graduate students in psychology before they are deemed qualified to conduct such research. In many respects, it amounts to the quintessential example of “Don’t try this at home” as a result of the relatively simple appearance that well-designed research presents to the untrained observer: It looks easy but achieving validity requires appropriate background, training, experience and credentials in order to design and implement the research, as well as collect and analyze the data, correctly. The reality of the jury consulting field presents something far different than the rigors of academia. In practice, there are no barriers to entry in the jury consulting field, and the only requirement for becoming a jury consultant is to assert that you are one. As a result, the field is full of practitioners that literally come from the ranks of pre-school teachers; acting coaches; and even receptionists and cooks, designing “psychological research” (i.e., mock jury research) for corporate clients in multi-million dollar cases. In the field as practiced today, these individuals claim to be peers of trained Ph.D.’s with strong backgrounds in research methodology. Since litigators typically make choices on jury consultants based on whom they like instead of who the jury consultants are (in terms of background and credentials), the result is a great deal of bad research permeating the industry, leading to the common misperception that mock trial research is inherently unreliable. When debate arises as to whether mock trial research “actually works,” the correct answer is, “Of course – if you know what you are doing!” I was recently talking with a jury consultant running a shadow jury for an automotive manufacturer who was distraught because the shadow jury told his clients that they were headed for a defense verdict, when the real jury later awarded a large amount with punitive damages. It turns out, however, that in order to obtain valid results from a shadow jury, it is important that a psychological match be made between shadow jury members and real jurors when selecting the shadow jury panel in the first place. However, the jury consultant did not have any background in psychology, and merely chose the shadow jury based on who “looked good” (which incidentally is also how the client chose the jury consultant). As a result, there was no psychological research methodology applied to the critical role of selecting participants for the project because the jury consultant had no credentials or training in psychological research methodology. At the end of the day, all the lawyers and the clients knew was that “jury consultants are not reliable.” This precise scenario with errant shadow juries has 8. 8 The area of jury selection is just a small tip of the iceberg. The vast chunk underneath the surface is the enormous arena of settlement, which is as we know the chief manner in which lawsuits are resolved. However, the issues are similar: Instead of predicting behavior individual by individual, the decision- maker is now faced with the task of predicting the behavior of a jury. How are settlement decisions made? How does one decide how much to pay to dispense with a case? Clearly, settlement decisions are based on a number of factors, but one of these is certainly what a real jury would likely do with the case. In order to make this determination, one must have access to research that achieves the goal of validity, as defined previously. What Is The Problem? As the preceding discussion suggests, the validity of the research is likely to be a function of the knowledge, training and credentials of the researcher. Since the time that it became known that validity could in fact be achieved, as the examples in Table 1 show, numerous examples of well-designed research have accurately forecasted jury verdict awards. However, in the vast field of trial consulting, there are more examples of mock trials that have not. There are two main antecedents of invalid research. In many cases, the trial team simply does not want to spend the money, time and/or effort that is required to run the research adequately. In other cases, the cause for the faulty research is the same as before – individual practitioners who do not have the requisite methodological training are conducting psychological research, and because they do not know the appropriate design criteria, they are obtaining biased results. Consequently, those who make settlement decisions are apt to doubt the reliability of the research when coming up with a dollar figure for dispensing with a case, and end up making such decisions based on “hunches” – hunches that can be off by far more than it takes to pay for the proper research to determine what a jury would actually do with the case. During a recent seminar on IP litigation, an esteemed federal judge, who has presided over literally hundreds of cases, was commenting on the difference between focus groups and mock trials, stating that he preferred focus groups since, with mock trials, he said, “I have never seen a law firm lose a mock trial that it paid for.” In my presentation which followed, I described a situation in which four mock trials were conducted for the defendant in a $70 million patent case, where the first three ended up in dismal defeat for the client. In the fourth, a novel decision was made to stipulate to infringement and merely contest validity (Forgent v. Echostar, 2007, Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division). Only this fourth mock trial with the novel strategy yielded a defense outcome. Subsequently, the same strategy was taken to the courtroom floor, resulting in a defendant verdict for the client – a verdict that the legal community is still talking about to this day, since the Eastern District of Texas is so notoriously difficult for defendants. The aforementioned patent case, of course, reflects yet another example of what can actually happen in the courtroom if pre-trial research is correctly 9. 9 designed and implemented and if the trial team has the stamina to keep working on it (through research) until they get it right. Those who believe that such measures do not make a difference are not to blame – they simply do not know that there are methodological design criteria for the implementation of valid research, and they are not aware of the guidelines for determining who utilizes such criteria in their work (and in case it is not already clear, being a federal judge and presiding over hundreds of cases does not help in this area). However, what is sometimes shocking is not that people do not know – it’s that they don’t care. Does Anyone Want $5 Million? In a very serious legal malpractice case involving potential damages of nearly $100 million, I was discussing the possibility of conducting a mock trial with lead counsel. She told me, “If the client can settle it for under $10 million, they are going to do that.” I asked her, “What if a jury would only award $5 million? What if a jury would only award $2 million? What if the jury would give a defense verdict?” Her reply shocked me: “They don’t care,” she said. I sat back in my chair and tried to absorb the implications of this position. The first factor that came to mind was an ethical one: Is it acceptable to spend someone else’s money in a manner that is not necessarily required? If you can take a case to court and win, or get out with a $5 million verdict, is it ethical to pay $10 million to “make it go away”? Moreover, is it even ethical to pass on the opportunity to find out what the options are, in terms of likely jury outcomes? Ultimately this case did settle for an amount that “seemed reasonable” and no one actually determined what a jury would have done with the case. Other counsel claim that they do in fact conduct “research” on their potential verdicts by hiring firms that conduct archival searches of verdicts across the venue on similar cases. I have seen, for example, spreadsheets for jury verdicts on asbestos cases in New York, and the results ranged from about $500,000 to $115 million. Obviously, the determinants of those dollar figures are not to be found simply in the facts that asbestos caused the injury and New York City is the venue, since all of those verdicts had those facts in common. This example is not extreme, yet lawyers and claims personnel in the insurance industry commonly use these spreadsheets to attempt to put a value on their cases. When the diversity of the numbers is too great to arrive at a point estimate, the preferred methodology is then to resort to the “hunch.” Those in the field will use different terms (“intuition based on experience”) but the end product is still the same. The other extreme in this scenario is represented by the Senior Vice President of Claims for a major insurance carrier, now deceased, who stopped his subordinate claims handler in the midst of writing a check for $750,000. “We’re going to do mock trials,” he said. When three juries came back at under $250,000, they came back to plaintiff counsel with a new position: “We’ll offer you $400,000 – take it or leave it.” They took it, and as a result the insurance carrier saved $350,000 in the process (minus the cost of the mock trial research -- about $40,000). What happened? With the certainty of valid science on its 11. 11 resolved. While counter-examples certainly can be found, the general conclusions, for the most part, in fact reflect what trial teams generally do (or fail to do) and what the promise of well-designed research truly holds, based on observations of thirty years of litigation and its use – or misuse -- of trial sciences. What Do The Clients and Their Trial Teams Really Want? The fate of jury consulting will ultimately hinge on what the litigators, their corporate clients, and the insurers actually want. If the focus is on saving money by the insurers and corporate clients by attempting to control monthly bills and short-term expenses, these decision-makers will be unlikely to utilize – or realize -- the types of long-term economic benefits afforded by well-conducted scientific research. While insurers and in-house counsel who manage their trial teams certainly do care about winning versus losing, they are typically evaluated based on their performance in suppressing short-term tangible costs. Minimizing settlement amounts or jury awards, based on scientific research, is not part of this calculus. When the rubber hits the road at decision time, the types of research expenses that can truly suppress the actual settlement figures or the probability of an adverse verdict are frequently rejected as “too expensive,” even though the expense of paying higher settlement amounts or jury awards down the road dwarfs the costs to minimize or prevent them when viewed from a longitudinal perspective. In the insurance industry, claims budgets and indemnity budgets are typically separated, and the costs of pre-trial research, like legal defense costs, are drawn out of the claims budget, while jury verdict awards or settlement amounts come out of the indemnity budget. But those who make the decisions on whether to use trial sciences are only evaluated based on how they handle their claims budgets. An insurance insider told me, “A lot of claims adjusters do not want to spend $50,000 out of a claims budget in order to save $200,000 from an indemnity budget.” So the claims adjuster will guess at a settlement amount in order to keep the claims budget low, rather then spending the amount it takes to conduct the research to scientifically ascertain the true value of the case and save money in the indemnity budget. There are other examples of disconnects in the insurance industry that lead to absurd results in settlement decisions – and wasted millions. Take the relationship between the insurance company and its reinsurance carrier. Reinsurers are much more accommodating on claims for actual jury awards than they are for settlement decisions; therefore, insurers will sometimes take a hit at the jury level to make sure that reinsurance will reimburse them instead of settling for a lower amount, because the reinsurer is more likely to question or second-guess a settlement. One person knowledgeable about the reinsurance industry told me that insurance companies “do not want to risk their positions with reinsurers. They say things like ‘I’d rather have a $5 million jury verdict than a $1 million settlement that the reinsurance company might deny’.” Why are reinsurance carriers prone to deny reimbursements of settlements? Because they are so frequently predicated on guesses, or “hunches.” 12. 12 At the trial team level, litigators may, at times, be motivated by a host of other factors besides an accurate knowledge of what the jury will ultimately award in damages. While it seems preposterous that the lawyers would be amenable to settling for an amount other than what a jury would actually award, a dispassionate analysis of the situations preceding most settlements clearly reveals that often there is no scientific basis for making a valid inference of probable damage awards in a given case (even though this information is knowable) and that the lawyers are not particularly concerned about this. The trial teams that do depend on trial sciences are hungry for objective information and are acutely concerned with what some of them call “breathing our own exhaust” as they work toward trial. These trial teams who utilize sound methodology for settling cases will likely view our “wasted money” exemplars as far-fetched, wild or extreme. Our years in the industry, however, suggest that such trial teams are in the minority. Close examination of most trial teams reveals that the emphasis from a planning and execution perspective is not on preparing every case for a win at the jury level, or even for getting reliable estimates of exposure; rather, the emphasis is placed on a myriad number of other factors connected with the client’s relationship to the law firm; the image of the litigants; nuisance factors; the perceived amount of time available; settlement posture and timing; and the associated billing fees and structures. The emphasis is not on winning; it’s on not losing. As in the legal malpractice example (“They don’t care”) it is not particularly important to anyone on the trial team whether the settlement amount is in fact “accurate.” The following was taken off one law firm’s website: Contrary to other litigation firms that fixate on billable-hour inventories, internal budgets and uncontrolled pretrial discovery, we focus on executing a winning trial strategy. Our goal is to win your case - and your confidence. The willingness to go to trial coupled with a proven trial record often delivers better results at the settlement table. When your adversaries know you are prepared to go to trial, the tone and direction of settlement discussions change. Winning - whether at the settlement table or in court - is a function of preparation and focus. Every lawyer will tell you he or she intends to win, but the truth is many attorneys simply are trying not to lose. [emphasis added] Trial sciences are only deemed necessary once winning is truly the goal. If “not losing” is instead the goal, valid research will never make it to the radar screen. When “not losing” is the goal, the only possible outcome is settlement for some amount of money that “seems reasonable” without subjecting that amount to objective study– and a hard honest look at what is happening in litigation today will reveal that this scenario comes closer to depicting the true state of affairs than any. Ironically, being “too busy” is one of the most oft- cited reasons for not doing the research, but if the case is to be decided by a jury, how can a credible case be made that there is no time to find out what the jury thinks? Being “busy,” of course, simply means that either the person has chosen to do something else, or that more help is needed. In 4. 4 of the “paperless courtroom” driven by electronic presentation systems, and associated hardware and software; and, (2) advanced techniques, methods, approaches and protocols for training witnesses. Getting the mock trial research “right” – achieving validity – therefore entails the same variables as getting the litigation effort “right” – that is, maximizing the likelihood of a favorable verdict. If the research is to simulate actual trial conditions – which it must to achieve validity – then the same essential determinants of the verdict decision must be present in the research as on the courtroom floor. Litigation is war, and like war, the battle occurs at multiple levels. Just as in war, a fighting force needs a navy, air force and an army on the ground, in litigation, one needs effective witnesses, persuasive graphics, and a compelling account of the themes, from opening statements through to the end of the trial, by an effective communicator. The goal of actually winning a trial therefore requires intervention at all levels, from witness training to theory development to creative graphics to having a real jury selection strategy in which research guides the development of favorable versus unfavorable juror profiles. Naturally, then, achieving validity in pre-trial research requires attention to these various determinants of the verdict decision, under the supervisorial eye of someone trained in research design and methodology so that various sources of artifact and bias can be eliminated from the research. In the use of pre-trial research, it is the implementation of solid mock trial research that illuminates the most effective themes and provides an assessment of likely outcome in terms of verdict and damages. It is also in the area of mock trial research – what it means, and how it should be conducted – that the most confusion and misunderstanding appears to reign among trial teams and their clients in present litigation efforts. One of the first questions that is typically addressed is whether mock trial research is, or even can be, valid at all. By “valid” we mean, in accordance with the prior definition, “Are the themes that the research show to be effective the same ones that real jurors will use in their decisions?” and, “Are the verdict and damages decisions by mock jurors accurate in terms of those that will occur in the real trial?” Over the years, mock trial validity has been shown to be somewhat like a three-legged stool in that there are three fundamental components that determine whether the goal of validity is achieved: 9 Do the elements of the stimuli presented to the mock jurors (arguments, themes, evidence, witnesses) truly reflect that which actual jurors will see and hear? 9 Are the jurors who are recruited to participate as mock jurors psychologically similar to those who will actually see and hear the case? and, 9 Are the measurement instruments and elements of research design implemented in a manner that eliminates research artifact and bias? Actual research results show that when these conditions are met, validity is in fact achieved. It is possible to accurately forecast trial results, when the trial team is dedicated enough to take the time to work with qualified researchers in order to implement the project in a meticulous manner. However, it took 14. 14 by now, this should be obvious as a clear case of putting the cart before the horse – not to mention the ethical problems cited previously arising from handing out money based on guesses -- even the certainty of knowing what a jury would really do with the case while bargaining at the mediation table is frequently worth the cost of conducting the research alone. The plaintiff who took $400,000 after already having previously fashioned a deal for $750,000 with the claims adjuster backed down as a result of the sheer interpersonal power wielded by the party who knew the truth behind the bluster and pomp of the mediation environment. Conclusions In the final analysis, those at the corporate level who would be in the best position to actually realize the cost effectiveness of scientific research are those who would genuinely be affected by sums paid out in settlement or the impact of large jury verdicts on the corporation. However, the executives at this rarefied level are not the ones making decisions as to whether the science ought to be utilized. Those who do make such decisions are evaluated by their superiors (at least in part) on their ability to minimize expenses on a monthly or quarterly basis, so the research is often never even considered. At the corporate level, generally those extending downward in the chain of command are rarely rewarded for wins at the jury level, or for accurately determining the lowest possible number for settlement, so there is no pressing motivation to ensure that these outcomes are realized. Instead, settlement amounts are often determined by legal staff at the corporate or insurance carrier level who do not even have substantial courtroom experience at all, not to mention the benefit of science. As a result, cases continue to be settled out of convenience, or for a myriad number of other reasons that overlook the very real possibility that millions of dollars might be needlessly wasted when it is not known what a real jury would actually do with the case. We have started now to see a few examples of lawsuits alleging malpractice for not conducting adequate research. At some point, it is likely that shareholders, reinsurers and others will begin to realize that it is their money that is being thrown away by guesses at settlement figures. At the very least, science can perform the much-needed task of justifying settlement decisions and protecting the decision-maker against claims by those whose money is actually being spent. Recommendations While undoubtedly some cases are simply too small or too minor to warrant the type of attention that has been described in this treatise, for cases that have significance to the company, the following steps are advised for trial teams: 9 Approach every case as though it were really going to trial. Identify the “story-teller” at the corporate level and other key witnesses so that they can be trained quickly to minimize risks arising from poor, early deposition performance. 9 Hire the jury consultant before discovery begins 15. 15 to ensure that there are no egregious problems with your witnesses. Conduct mock direct and cross examinations of your key witnesses in front of mock jurors to ensure that the witnesses are in optimal condition for deposition. 9 Ensure that adequate vetting has been conducted to verify the experience, credentials, and references of the jury consultant. 9 Do not hire jury consultants with less than ten years of experience, who do not provide impressive references, and who do not have proper credentials. An advanced degree in communication or psychology is essential – other fields (e.g., business, marketing, sociology) are unacceptable. 9 Once sufficient discovery has been conducted to thoroughly determine the fact scenario of the case, conduct a mock trial with the jury consultant and obtain exposure estimates by averaging results from multiple juries. 9 Make adjustments to the defense strategy based on the research results and attempt to determine, through additional mock trials if necessary, whether the case is winnable. 9 If the case does not appear to be winnable, attempt to settle it as early as possible using the damages estimates from the research as a benchmark or guideline during mediation. 9 Understand that winning at the trial level requires intervention on multiple levels, from witness training to creative approaches to graphics and demonstrative exhibits. Use the jury consultant to create a “multi-pronged” strategy consisting of coordinating witness testimony, opening statements, graphics, and a solid jury selection strategy. 9 Insist on knowing early what kind of jury selection strategy is in effect. If trial counsel is “guessing” at juror profiles, insist that the research be carried out to scientifically identify favorable versus unfavorable juror profiles, and that these results are incorporated into voir dire as well as a Supplemental Juror Questionnaire, if the court allows one to be used. 9 Consider the use of a shadow jury to monitor courtroom progress, if the case is going to court. 9 Know what the trial strategy is among the trial team, and insist that the consultant be present at meetings for formulation of strategy and trial planning to keep the attorneys informed of the research results that can guide critical decisions in this process. 3799 Total Views 2796 Website Views 1003 Embedded Views Embeds 50 2 www.courtroomsciences.com 7 18.217.92.146 5 www.csi-exch01.courtroomsciences.com 3 courtroomscience.com 9 avenel.courtroomsciences.com 8 smtp.courtroomsciences.com 4 crm.courtroomsciences.com 10 www.smtp.courtroomsciences.com 8 sawgrass.courtroomsciences.com 5 dunbar.courtroomsciences.com 2 courtroomscience.info 3 courtroomservices.net 3 courtroomservice.com 3 pimlico.courtroomsciences.com 2 www.courtroomscience.info 5 www.courtroomservices.com 3 www.courtroomscience.com 4 www.sawgrass.courtroomsciences.com 4 courtroomscience.net 2 www.avenel.courtroomsciences.com 2 w.courtroomsciences.com 3 www.courtroomscience.net 5 www.courtroomsciences.org 3 theldmgroup.net 4 www.courtroomsciences.net 4 csi-exch01.courtroomsciences.com 3 avenel-2.courtroomsciences.com 3 courtroomservice.net 4 benchvoice.net 4 courtroomsciences.tech 6 www.courtroomservice.com 3 www.benchvoice.net 3 www.theldmgroup.net 3 judgevoice.com 3 courtroomsciences.org 3 judgevoice.net 4 www.judgevoice.com 3 benchvoice.info 2 www.courtroomservice.net 3 www.judgevoice.net 2 www.courtroomservices.net 1 www.benchvoice.info 2 ww.courtroomsciences.com 3 tour18.courtroomsciences.com 2 csi-web01.courtroomsciences.com 2 southsea.courtroomsciences.com 1 www.w.courtroomsciences.com 2 www.csi-web01.courtroomsciences.com 1 apps.courtroomsciences.com Alternative Exploratory Research Designs in Litigation 3541 Views . 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__label__wiki	0.607756	0.607756	Prayer fueled Orange Revolution YUSHCHENKO’S VICTORY IN THE CONTROVERSIAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE UKRAINE WAS FUELED BY THE FERVENT PRAYERS OF ORTHODOX, CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT BELIEVERS ALIKE. This is the view of Sunday Adelaja, the pastor of Europe’s largest church with a membership of over 25,000. Between five and ten thousand church members prayed and showed support every day on the streets for opposition candidate Victor Yushchenko. While much of the world’s attention was diverted by the tsunami disaster in Asia on the day of the election re-run, December 26, thousands of Christians continued their vigil in Independence Square in downtown Kiev. Many camped overnight in tents right up until last week’s announcement by the Supreme Court that the election results were valid, despite the objections of the sitting prime minister and rival presidential candidate, Victor Yanukovych. YWAMers reported having the ‘time of their lives’ moving among the crowds passing out hot tea and blankets, and talking with the supporters of the Orange Revolution. Local media reports described the daily gatherings in Independence Square as resembling revival services rather than political protest rallies. Pastor Sunday said that his people reported an average of fifty people making decisions for Christ each day during the rallies. Pastor Sunday’s charismatic church was open every night for up to a thousand people to change, rest, get warmed and refreshed before returning to the cold Kiev night air. Several members of parliament are also members of Sunday’s church, as is the president of the Christian Liberal Party, Leonid Schermozetskiy, a presidential candidate in the first ballot. Schermozetskiy later signed a coalition treaty with Yuschenko and supported him in the final election. Pastor Sunday explained that Yuschenko was a believer, although was not an official member of any church. A CBN report cited Yushchenko’s wife as thanking those around the world who had prayed for them: “We received letters from people around the world saying that entire churches were praying. Praying groups were getting together. I had a small prayer group of women here in Kiev who prayed for us every day. I really want to thank them, because I think that’s what saved my husband, and that’s what made Ukraine free today.” A strong Christian flavour was present in the demonstrations as Christians from many churches-Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant-united for prayer each morning from 8am to 10am before the political speeches began. Hundreds of pastors from all over the country joined in the square daily, praying into microphones with the gathered crowds and preaching about the need for the Ukraine to choose for Christian values. Evenings also closed with an hour of prayer from 9pm to 10pm. Pastor Sunday said such united prayer created a very peaceful atmosphere. Despite the high number of alcoholics in the Ukraine, there was no broken glass, no vandalism, no violence, and no drinking, he reported. Yet the prayer did not just start with the elections. The 37-year-old Nigerian pastor, who came to the Ukraine after studying journalism in Belarus, credits persistent prayer for the revolution. For the last five years, his church has held daily prayer through the night from 11pm to 6am for revival in the Ukraine. Pastor Sunday’s public support for Christian involvement in politics was an exception among Ukrainian clergy. What may have been the consequences if Yushchenko had lost the elections? Sunday believes much was at stake. When the Wall came down, evangelical Protestants numbered 250,000. Today they are 3 million strong in the Ukraine, Sunday claims. Putin had expressed concern that the Ukrainian authorities were losing control, and so his candidate, Yanukovych, had promised to deal with the growing ‘cult’ and ‘sectarian’ groups if he became president. This would have meant a return to the old conditions of the communist days, and churches would have been closed down. Parliamentary attempts had been made to deport Pastor Sunday and close down his church, as he explains in the following letter of thanks for those who supported the election of Yushenko in prayer, posted on his church’s website [www.godembassy.org/en/news]: I would like to use this opportunity to thank you for the support, prayers and e-mail that we have received since the beginning of the political crisis here in Ukraine. Just as we prayed, hoped and believed, the Lord granted the victory! The man we all expected to win, Victor Yushenko, a pro-Western, Christian believer, actually won the re-election as president of Ukraine. This battle was definitely a spiritual fight, before it was ever political. As we all know, the spiritual realm decides what happens in the future. Even the president elect, Victor Yushenko, during his interview with the Christian television crew, admitted that first and foremost, we gained a spiritual victory. Up to this point, our greatest problem was that the nation was ruled by ungodly men. But, the “Orange Revolution” brought an end to such reign. This has really brought about a sort of renaissance to Ukrainian society. Now, everybody is proud to be a Ukrainian, and we can see a unity spreading among the people, unheard of in the history of our country- especially among Christians. As to my opinions on the benefits of the Orange Revolution, I can best state them in this way: 1) Everyone admits that what has taken place is more a Spiritual Awakening than simply a social or political movement. 2) Thousands of unbelievers, who visited the demonstrations on Independence Square, left with testimonies of healings as well as amazement at how similar the demonstrations were to a revival meeting rather than a political rally. Believers said the presence felt on the Square was like that of an anointing service at a Charismatic church. 3) Our church was able to erect a tent with a cross right in the heart of the Square, where we daily gave out between 10,000-50,000 newsletters and tracks. We were also able to pray for onlookers and give consultations, bringing an average of 50 people to the Lord with numerous healings every day. 4) Christians are no longer arguing about the need to be involved in the political process. It is like an eye-opening awareness has come to the church, stretching from border to border and proclaiming the truth of the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20, that we must reach into every sphere of politics. 5) Every individual now sees how important his or her voice is in deciding the destiny of the country. 6) I believe that for the nation of Ukraine, the greatest victory is that the communistic and mafia hold has lost its grip and has been totally broken. 7) Last, but not least, is the hope and faith in a brighter future that the nation and people of Ukraine now feel. They are able to walk in a liberty and freedom that is completely new to them. To me personally, the changes that have taken place over the past few weeks are a welcome sight and mean a new time of peace for the church and me. Over the course of the past month, there have been two instances where the parliament has completely stopped proceedings to discuss how to deport me and stop our church from functioning. The last thing resolved was to send a Parliamentarian Mandate to the Attorney General to investigate the church. However, now that we stand with the presidential victory, and most importantly, with God on our side, we will surely finish well! If you wonder why they are so particular about our church, it is very simple. Our church supplied 1,500 people for the Electoral Commission and 4,000 people to volunteer as observers, to make sure that there would be no falsification during the re-elections. We also published over ¬Ω million newsletters with the Seven Principles of National Reformation. Besides this, thousands of our peo ple marched on the streets in support of Victor Yushenko and the demonstrations held on the Square. This is the reason for the opposition against us. Thank God our people stood together in support of the leadership and myself. They knew that we must pay a price to be history makers. May the Lord bless you and lift you up upon His eagle’s wings! Yours in Him, Pastor Sunday Adelaja Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations Kyiv , Ukraine Now that’s truly amazing news we don’t hear from our secular media!! Jeff Fountain Kabbalah and the superstars Marco Polo and the three wise men	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line826
__label__wiki	0.895315	0.895315	Wellington Square In the heart of West Adams – Los Angeles, California Yahoo! Group About WSIA WSIA Officers WSIA Block Captains WSIA Committees WSIA Directory HPOZ HPOZ Information Kris Bowers Wins Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Prize – NYTimes.com September 15, 2011 Uncategorizedarts, kids, localljd2000hotmailcom Kristopher Bowers grew up in Wellington Square on Victoria Ave. We are all so proud of his accomplishments – and congratulate Kris and the entire Bowers family (Eric, Kim, and Keeland) on their son’s accomplishments! Maybe one day soon he’ll be playing for none other than Ms. Aretha Franklin! At Monk Competition, a Sound Worth Returning To Andrew Councill for The New York Times Kris Bowers, 22, won the $25,000 first prize Monday at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz competition at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. More Photos » WASHINGTON — Hod Moshonov, a 22-year-old pianist from Israel, had already loosened his tie by 1 p.m. on Sunday, and his wine-colored dress shirt was coming loose from his waist. Super-revved, he seemed to dump his whole conception of jazz on his instrument. He leaned into the grand piano and damped the strings, playing muted percussive melodies with his right hand alone. Then some classical Romantic fantasias, leading into aggressive versions of Thelonious Monk’s “Think of One” and Freddie Hubbard’s “Birdlike.” He sang along to his rhapsodic improvising and beatboxed against his rhythms. It was an exhausting 10 minutes. Mr. Moshonov was the first of 12 to compete in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition here on Sunday, presented by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Despite his abundant talent, he was the first to fall. He did not make the finals. Kris Bowers, 22, from Los Angeles but now a New Yorker, played a little after the halfway point on Sunday, and the next day he won the $25,000 first prize. What did Mr. Bowers have that the judges wanted? Polish, understatement, breadth. He made the piano sound clear and pleasing, and he got along with the rhythm section. He played “The Summer Knows,” from Michel Legrand’s “Summer of ’42” soundtrack, and then turned “Blue Monk” three ways: reharmonized, stride-style and as a stomping shuffle. It was the only time all afternoon that the audience started to clap and shout. Aside from the imposing panel of judges — Herbie Hancock, Ellis Marsalis, Danilo Pérez, Renee Rosnes, and Jason Moran — Aretha Franklin was sitting in the auditorium at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. (She would be awarded the Monk Institute’s Maria Fisher Founder’s Award, and sing in the gala concert on Monday night at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.) She sought out Mr. Bowers backstage, got his telephone number and suggested they work together. She told him that “Summer of ’42” meant a lot to her because she was born that year. The Monk competitions are many things: thrilling, strange, boring. Musicians play unaccompanied and with a trio, with one Monk tune required. The process can become an unsolvable puzzle. It is a performance, an occasion to demonstrate presence of mind, but for each contestant it is also a canned and unnatural 10 minutes. You must be memorable, but you can’t overdo it. Most people agree that jazz lives on originality, but you must prove yourself a proper custodian of the past. You want to create immediate gratification, but the implication of the first prize is that you’ll be a responsible bandleader, carrying jazz forward. The event — the most visible part of the institute’s educational initiative, which includes high school programs and a tuition-free master’s program at U.C.L.A. for eight students at a time — began 25 years ago, in 1986. At first it was piano-only, and soon the featured instrument began to change each year. This was the seventh piano competition; winners have included Marcus Roberts, Jacky Terrasson and Eric Lewis. Winning first prize does not guarantee fame, but it helps, especially at a time when many jazz bandleaders do their own publicity via Twitter, and a deal with Concord Records, a label with a publicity department, comes with it. The two-year master’s program has yielded visible results. New York jazz aficionados will have noticed a clump of excellent performers who all seem to play in other people’s bands: Gerald Clayton, Joe Sanders, Ambrose Akinmusire, Walter Smith III, Chris Dingman. What they have in common is their recent involvement with the Monk Institute. Pianists do it all: they’re leaders, composers, rhythm-section players and unaccompanied soloists. In this Monk competition some pianists created a sleek and battened-down European mood, as if auditioning for ECM Records; they weren’t so interested in the feeling of swing. Most of the solos were built of prefabricated lines and licks, without much melodic improvisation. Few pianists accompanied a bass or drum solo; they just shut down for a little while. And some were nervously overeager to show how good they were with tricky rhythmic patterns: perhaps that’s why Monk’s “Evidence,” with its unusual pattern of rests, like potholes in a road, was presented three times. Emmet Cohen, a senior at the University of Miami, placed third on Monday, and one of the competition’s most memorable musicians came in second. Joshua White, 26, from San Diego, had one overriding style: he embedded a song in thick, unbroken clumps of chords. He pressed hard against the rhythm section and improvised with form, telling the bassist Rodney Whitaker and the drummer Carl Allen what to do and when, accelerating and decelerating, suddenly going free. (Nobody else did that.) Mr. White used a lot of dissonance and clutter, but it was provocative, chord-related clutter, not the brilliant-soloist kind made mostly with the right hand. It was a sound worth returning to, one that had more to do with Monk than that of the rest of the pianists — although emulating Monk per se is not a competition requirement. Ms. Franklin was the star of Monday’s 25th-anniversary gala concert, the most extreme and complicated example of an event that has historically brought together a surreal mixture of inward improvisers, outward pop stars and government officials. Dozens of personages shuttled on and off stage. Among them were Colin L. Powell and Madeleine K. Albright, who participated on the institute’s anniversary committee; executives from sponsors, including Cadillac, Northrop Grumman and United Airlines, who all gave grandiloquent speeches; former competitors, not all of them winners; Mr. Hancock and Wayne Shorter; the “American Idol” star Jennifer Hudson, who sang “Oh Me Oh My (I’m a Fool for You Baby)”; the rapper Doug E. Fresh; Chaka Khan, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling and Jane Monheit, who strung together a half-dozen Franklin hits; and Ms. Franklin herself, who sang “Moody’s Mood for Love,” dramatically, with lots of cries and asides, dancing her way offstage, letting a stagehand untangle a long, gauzy shoulder wrap from her microphone cord. A version of this article appeared in print on September 14, 2011, on page C1 of the New York edition with the headline: The Monk Contest, Both a Thrill And a Bore. ← Learn More About Neighborhood Councils – NC Congress – Saturday, 9/24 All-Electric Coda: First Chinese-Made Car Comes to U.S. – USATODAY.com → About Wellington Square Wellington Square is a beautiful historic neighborhood in the West Adams district of Los Angeles, CA. The Square consists of four long blocks, in between Washington Blvd. and the 10 Freeway. Wellington Square Farmers Market West Adams Heritage Association Mid-City Neighborhood Council (MINC) La Fayette Square Association Wellington Square Forum LAPD Senior Lead Officer	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line827
__label__cc	0.60703	0.39297	a lifestyle blog worth reading… Frank Viele – Winner of New England Music Awards I have found that no matter what city you live in, their a vast amount of talent that prove to be more captivating than anything on main stream radio today. I have lived in New Jersey, Connecticut, Italy, and Nashville, and I have to say that even after my time in Nashville with the millions of amazing songwriters, and bands on every street corner and in every bar, no one city is more talented than the next. It’s all just different. And just to backup my (I would say, well-tested) theory, Frank Viele, the winner of the “live act of the year” award for the New England Music Awards, takes the time to answer a few questions about his musical journey and career, and introduce himself to all of you. I asked if he could pin point the moment he first realized he wanted to be an artist. “I don’t think it was a particular epiphany or light bulb that went off one day,” he said. “It was a gradual thing. Music became a big part of my life during some rough times in my mid teens. I’ve done all of the day jobs ever since, and the one thing I’ve realized is that you only go around once and you should be happy for as much of that journey as possible. I am most happy when I’m writing, performing, or listening to music. So to me, the decision was just that. Making my music, and sharing it with others is the past path for me.” Viele’s passion and happiness when performing his music is more than evident, and it probably what led to his victory in the “best live act of the year” category for the New England Awards this year. On the main page of his website you will find his niche, the tagline that personifies his music in the truest way, “New Music with an Old Soul.” The moment you take a listen to Viele’s music, you’ll realize that this couldn’t be more true. His passion for old soul music, combined with unique new Imagineers-like style, truly brings a vibe that is prolific, and essential for all music lovers to hear. Who inspires you the most both musically and in your personal life? “Musically, my inspirations have come from different artists at different times of my journey. Early on, it was Sam Cooke who showed me the power of a well written tune delivered with true soul. I then begin to discover artists like Bob Dylan, Tim Hardin, Paul Simon, and Jerry Garcia who taught the craft and power of telling a story through song and conveying it with subtle conviction.” “In my personal life, my mother may very well be the most inspiring person in my life. Her sheer determination to achieve her goals and dreams combined with her undying support of my pursuit of my dreams surely is the driving force behind me and my passion for music.” I have to say that I always ask this question expecting, but hoping to not get the oh-so-common, “My Mom.” Viele’s touching description of what his mother’s determination and drive in her own life has meant to him is inspiring, and proving of why he is such a go-getter when it comes to his career. He has grown so much in a years time, musically and in his business and touring endeavors, it is clear to now see where his charisma comes from. I asked, “how do you think your eclectic genre and style came about? Are there certain influences from music in your childhood, or while you were growing up that really sparked the soul in you?” “I think my eclectic sounding music truly stems from my exposure to different music at different points in my life. I grew up on old soul music,” he said (and oh how evident it is). “Then my older brother came home from college his freshman year when I was still in grade school and brought with him all this music that was very new to me like the Dave Matthews Band, Phish, The Grateful Dead, Blues Traveler, and Jimi Hendrix. It opened me to a whole new world that offered a different approach to the music i grew up with. Over time, I would study these different artists and many more. Eventually I would listen back to my songs and recordings and begin to hear remnants of things that inspired me when I was first picking up the guitar long ago.” His new album is coming out in the Fall, and I had to ask what it meant to him, with all of the amazing things happening for his career recently. “This record is my first real album! When you are a young artist working with the minimal resources you have, the records you record are clocked in that you say to yourself, “I have 4 days worth of studio time to squeeze in as much recording as possible. Ready, set, go!” While this is certainly a way to test your skills, and a lot of times, great things can come out of that, for the new album, “Fall Your Way“, I had the ability to take my time,” Viele explained. “I worked with a phenomenal producer, Vic Steffens of Elm City Music and Horizon Music Group, and we crafted this record for 2 years. We looked at each song on an individual basis and brought in players of particular styles and vibes to complement each tune. So now, I was able to truly bring out the influences on these tunes that i mentioned earlier, and have them perfected and magnified by players the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Bill Holloman, and Tim Palmieri of Kung Fu. While there is a tremendous group of players performing with me on this album, what really shines in the songs, due to the time we put into the production of each, the careful attention we placed on the people performing for each track. I cannot wait to share it with everybody!” Is there a song off of the album that is the most telling about your latest embarkment on this musical journey, or one that personally means the most to you? “The song that means the most to me on this album may be a song called “Alexa”. It’s the first time on a record that I’ve ever put the vulnerable side of my music out there. It ended up being my producer’s favorite song on the record and I think it will give listeners out there a different perspective of who I am as an artist.” I have to say that was my one critique when listening to Viele’s music, and for that being my only one, a lot good can be said about his music. I did feel that he didn’t allow himself to get as vulnerable and truthful with his own feelings as some artists of his style, and I believed that held a bit back from the passion that was readable in the music. I am ecstatic to hear however, that this new album in the Fall will be showing us that side of him. That relatable, vulnerable side that really allows the listener to relate. What do you hope to achieve when someone listens to your music for the first time? ” When I was going through rough times in my life, I used to follow the Dave Matthews Band on the road, simply because it seemed like during that 3 hour concert, I was able to forget all of the craziness in my world and simply enjoy myself. It had a power to make my day better. I hope that my music does that for others. In my opinion, that is the true power of art…to better the days of those who encounter it in a simple way.” I believe that is exactly what Frank Viele does for his listeners. Creates an escape; a world for the audience to get lost in, and forget about the tribulations they face in their every day life. His powerful voice, relaxing vibe, and eclectic style make for a journey in every song, and allow the listener to get lost in the story that Viele is telling. Do yourself a favor and check out his music linked below. You won’t be sorry. In fact, you’ll probably be very, very happy. Click the photo to access Frank Viele’s website and music! Spread the Love: Posted in Livewell's LatestTagged album review, artist interview, artist post, daily music, frank viele, livewell's latest, music, music editorial, music journalist, new england, new england music, new musicBy Shannon WLeave a comment On a scale of 1 to Well Worth It... What did you think? Cancel reply ← I Know Why The Caged Bird Wrote Late Lunch Listen – 5.30.14 → I'm a wifey, blogger, record label marketer & Pinterest chef hailing from Nashville, TN. Formerly Livewell's Latest (my maiden name), Well Worth It is a re-branded version of the site I've owned and operated since 2012. Combining my new last name (Woodworth) and the one I had for 26 years, this blog is here to always make your read well worth it. I share my thoughts and opinions on life, great online deals, giveaways and so much more! View shannwoodworth’s profile on Twitter View shannwoodworth’s profile on Instagram View shannwoodworth’s profile on Pinterest Beauty Isn't Always Pain Livewell's Latest Lunchtime Listen Nobody Asked Off Site Features Recipes to "Livewell" Try This! Well Worth The Wait (Wedding Planning)	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line828
__label__wiki	0.933116	0.933116	All-star soccer game coming to Chester Wearing player jerseys and supporters’ scarves, a pack of rabid Philadelphia Union soccer fans known as the “Sons of Ben” gathered inside Philadelphia’s City Hall Tuesday morning to cheer Major League Soccer’s decision to hold its summer all-star game in Chester. At Mayor Michael Nutter’s request, the group — a sea of Union blue and gold — sang their popular fight song. The tune, which only can be described as the word “doop” chanted in exuberant revelry, echoed throughout the storied mahogany walls of City Hall. To truly understand why the group feels so excited, you have to know a little bit about the genesis of the “Sons of Ben” and the struggle in general to bring MLS soccer to the Philadelphia region. Although MLS wanted a team in Philly from its outset in 1996, for years all attempts were stymied. By 2007, with the Delaware Valley swelling with fans who grew up playing soccer, the “Sons” formed to show MLS and the world at large that Philadelphia was more than ready for some football. By 2008, parties on all sides were convinced; by 2010, a new stadium was built in Chester and the team played its first game. ‘Sons of Ben’ exult For many in the “Sons of Ben,” a feeling of vindication comes with each additional indication that soccer is thriving in the region. The MLS decision to award the Union with the All-Star Game is no exception. They wear this fact, like the custom-made scarves around their necks, like badges of pride and honor. One of the founders of group, Bryan James, still can’t believe how far his group has come. “I could have never imagined it. I could have hoped for it, but there was a time when we didn’t even have a soccer team, and that’s what Sons of Ben was created to help get,” he said Tuesday. “Now to have the MLS All-Star game is amazing.” For his part, Nutter matched the group’s enthusiasm, repeatedly calling Philadelphia the “best sports city in America,” and congratulating the “Sons” for their passion and intensity. He also praised the MLS decision as one that will create an economic windfall for the region this summer. “We know we’re gonna put some heads on beds,” Nutter said. “We’re gonna fill up restaurants. People are going to be here for three days. “The game’s in Chester, but most of the hotel and hospitality will certainly take place right here in Philadelphia,” he continued. “It’s a whole lot of money.” Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz echoed that sentiment, and spoke in general about the team’s commitment to the people of Chester. He touted the fact that the team is one of the city’s top employers. Chester Mayor John Linder, though grateful to the Union, took a far more measured tone. The mayor of the cash-strapped city was quick to point out that most of the jobs created by the team are seasonal, and that real change would only come to the beleaguered region only with more sustainable job opportunities. Set for July 25 at PPL Park, the game will be played between the best the MLS has to offer and a yet-to-be-determined team from abroad. No matter who plays, the “Sons of Ben” are sure to come out in droves. Combine this with the fact that the match will be broadcast in 138 countries, and who knows? Soon, the rest of the world may be singing “Doop” right along with them.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line830
__label__wiki	0.807628	0.807628	Difference between revisions of "Tzulhon" From CWS Planet K1234567890y (Talk \| contribs) m (→‎Language) m (→‎Transport) In Tzulhon, people drive on the right side of the road, subsequently, the steering wheel is typically on the left side of the car in Tzulhon. The highways and motorways in Tzulhon are properly maintained and often still under construction and renovation. The Cycling Route 1 represents an integral transportation corridor in Tzulhon. It starts and ends at Tzulkeyo and links the city of [[Polko]] and the city of [[Ozil]]. The highways and motorways in Tzulhon are properly maintained and often still under construction and renovation. The Cycling Route 1 represents an integral transportation corridor in Tzulhon. It starts and ends at Tzulkeyo and links major cities on the main island like the city of [[Polko]] and the city of [[Ozil]]. [[Imasezo]] is the busiest and largest seaport in the country, followed by [[Ozil]], [[Xoranka]] and [[Polko]]. The principal ports serve a system of ferries connecting the major islands of Tzulhon and coastal cities in [[Awarahl]], [[Yachiro]], [[Seang Pe]], [[Qonklaks]] and [[Akamyokulta]]. Federal Republic of Tzulhon Zulhon Estomokoito/Zulhon Estato Capital Tzulkeyo Official languages - 350,378 km2 135,282 sq mi - Water (%) negligible - estimate 70,776,356 - Density 202/km2 523.2/sq mi GDP (PPP) estimate - Total 2.973 trillion USD - Per capita 42,002 Gini (2019) 36 Hankamo Tzulhon, officially the Federal Republic of Tzulhon(Harish: Zulhon Estomokoito or Zulhon Estato), is a country located in the Tzulhon islands of the Dragon Sea. The capital city is Tzulkeyo. Tzulhon was governed by a Kuulist regime during the latter half of the 20th century, but it has become a democratic country since 1985. 2.1 Prehistory 2.2 Ancient Era 2.3 Middle Ages 2.4 Modern Times 3.1 Geology 3.3 Biodiversity 4.2 Administrative divisions 4.3 Foreign relations 4.4.1 Military 4.4.2 Police 4.4.3 Crime rate 4.5 Human and Animal Rights 4.6 Law 4.6.1 Marriage 4.6.2 Drug Laws 5.1 Industrial structure 5.1.1 Primary Sector 5.1.2 Secondary Sector 5.1.3 Tertiary sector 5.2 Transport 5.4 Science and technology 5.5 Tourism 5.6 Currency 6.1 Ethnic groups 6.2 Urbanisation 6.3 Language 7.1 Rites 7.2 Calendar 7.3 Heritage 7.4 Architecture 7.6 Art 7.8 Theatre 7.10 Cuisine 7.11 Sport 7.12 Symbols The name Tzulhon is from the Harish word Zulhon, which means "cloud land" in the Harish language, the official language of Tzulhon. The Harish word Zulhon Estomokoito literally means "The Federal Republic of Tzulhon", the word estomokoito is the definite singular form of estomokoiyo, which is in turn from esto "federation" + omokoiyo "republic"; the Harish word Zulhon Estato literally means "The Federation of Tzulhon". The history of early Tzulhonic-speaking peoples is obscure; however, archaeological evidence suggests a continuous and intensive contacts with Ngerupic peoples in the past, and it is generally thought that metallurgy was introduced by Ngerupic-speaking peoples. Linguistic evidence also supports an intensive prehistoric contacts between Tzulhonic-speaking peoples and Ngerupic-speaking peoples on Tzulhonic islands, especially contacts with Mañi speaking communities. Several early city-states on Tzulhonic islands were probably founded by Ngerupic-speaking communities on Tzulhonic islands; besides Ngerupic peoples, Canamic peoples from Cananganam also contacted Tzulhonic peoples pretty early on, the first contact between Tzulhonic peoples and Canamic peoples happened between 500 BCE - 200 CE. Ancient Era Tzulhon was divided into several city states before the 9th century, and there were no unified country in Tzulhon islands before the 16th century. The first historical record in Tzulhon dated to the 5th century, but the earliest records were written in Old Kwang, and the first records written in local languages only appeared in the 6th century. In the 9th century, a city-state called the Republic of Tzulkeyo defeated the Kingdom of Nipland in north Hareland and unified the whole area of Hareland after Tomastarzokar, the last king of the Kingdom of Nipland, had been caught in the battle of Lake Laivo. The fall of the Kingdom of Nipland signed the start of the intense Qomklification in Tzulhonic islands. The Republic of Hareland was formed soon after the unification of Hareland. Subsequently, Republic of Hareland unified the Tzulhon main island during the 11th century, and later in the 16th centry, Republic of Hareland unified the Tzulhon islands, creating the fist unified state of Tzulhon islands, and then the government of Republic of Hareland renamed the country to the Federal Republic of Tzulhon, to reflect the fact that the government no longer only governs Hareland but governs the whole area of Tzulhon islands. Before the 16th century, there were several states in modern-day Tzulhon, and the modern Federal Republic of Tzulhon is a direct successor of the Republic of Hareland, which in turn was a direct successor of the Republic of Tzulkeyo. Following the expansion of the Republic of Hareland, Harish people also spreaded throughout the islands and has become a major ethnic group of Tzulhon since the 16th century. Later Tzulhon became a regional naval power. In the 19th century, due to the rise of nationalism, a "nativization" movement also started in Tzulhon, which aimed at creating a "Tzulhon" identity; however, the nativization movement also caused a lot of civil unrests and almost led to a civil war in Tzulhon during the 19th and early 20th century because of separatist movements. These civil unrests greatly weakened Tzulhon in the 20th century and might also contributed to the eventual rise of Kuulism in Tzulhon. Tzulhon was a neutral state during the Great Ekuosian War, but it had a civil war during the 1940s. The Kuulist party defeated the National party (which were originalky balkist, but later turned to Sannist, and the balkist adherents joined the Kuulist party later) in 1950 and reigned Tzulhon until 1985. Many people nowadays have a mixed opinion on the former Kuulist regime - people maintain that while the Kuulist regime had a large record of human right violations and had strict restrictions on economic activities, it also promoted equity among the people of the country and both of the public hygiene and the literacy rate were greatly improved during the Kuulist times. Tzulhon is an island country consisting of two main islands and several smaller islands. The largest island of Tzulhon is called the main island, or Tzulhon main island, and the second largest island is called the south island. Tzulhon is on a place where two tectonic plates meet, therefore Tzulhonic islands are geologically active with active volcanoes and earthquakes. The southern parts of Tzulhon have a subtropical climate; the west coast area has a temperate oceanic climate, the east coast has a humid continental climate, and parts of the inland area have a semi-arid climate. The islands have a variety of climate and varied soils, giving rise to a diverse pattern of vegetation. Animal and plant life is similar to that of the Draconic islands and mainland Soltenna. There are however, fewer numbers of species compared to mainland Soltenna. Many larger animals have become extinct. However, some species are protected. Other small mammals, such as rabbits, hares, and beavers, are very common in Tzulhon. Under the 1985 constitution, the government of Tzulhon consists of three branches: the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch. The presidents are the leaders of the executive branch, the legislative part of the government of Tzulhon is the parliament, and the judicial part is the Supreme Court of Tzulhon. Tzulhon has always been a republic since the unification in the 16th century, it has a diarchy system, that is, it has two heads of state, both of them are called presidents and both presidents are elected by the people, and according to custom, the presidents cannot be from the same family. Both presidents can represent the country and may take turns to visit foreign leaders during their terms. The term limits for both presidents is 6 years, and the presidential election is held every 3 years. Tzulhon has a unicameral parliament with 390 members. The term for a legislator is 4 years. The Supreme Court of Tzulhon has 9 justices, each justice has lifetime tenure, meaning they remain on the Court until they resign, retire, die, or are removed from office. The 1985 constitution requires a referendum to change the number of justices or the terms of justices of the Supreme Court. The current constitution was ratified in 1985. In the 1985 Constitution, all compulsory measures based on eugenics, corporal punishment or the death penalty were abolished. The constitution also abolished life imprisonment, with the maximum length of prison sentences being restricted to 25 years. Before the mid 20th century, Tzulhon was an elitist republic. Before the 1940s, political rights were restricted to the members of the nobility, which constituted about 1.5% of the population in 1940s. Universal suffrage was granted in 1945 by the Kuulist government alongside with the abolition of the nobility class in the law. Works related to transformative justice, including the prosecution of government officials and civil servants involving atrocities of the government, is still ongoing. Civil servants is open for everyone, one needs to pass the civil servant exams to become a civil servant; besides, most civil servant positions require applicants to have at least 5 years of full time job experience, the only governmental positions that don’t have the full time job experience requirements are school teachers(which require a degree in normal schools instead), positions requiring a postgraduate degree, positions designated by elections(i.e. mayors, members of the parliament), and positions in the military, police department and fire department. Tzulhon is a federal republic, it is divided into 5 states and a capital district called the Tzulkeyo Capital District. Lhavres is a main import partner of Tzulhon. Almost all crude oil, natural rubber and consumer electronics in Tzulhon, like televisions, telephones, computers, video game consoles, etc., and certain types of foodstuff, are imported from Lhavres. The military of Tzulhon is an all volunteer military, but conscription might be enacted during wartime. In Tzulhon, there are much more human females than males serving in the military and the police department, to the degree that human male soldiers and police officers have become a small minority in the military of Tzulhon. For all stable societies, it is necessary and fundamental to guarantee the safety of all its members in the sense that virtually all members of the society, regardless of age, sex, gender, social status, etc. will live until the day they die naturally of inevitable causes of death. All laws or social rules that conflict with the need of this will inevitably be nullified within one or two generations, by either being outwardly abolished or by being highly distorted or ignored to the degree that such rules are practically ineffective, therefore, human rights are one of the central issues of all countries in the world Humans and astalvis generally get along quite well in Tzulhon, the treatment of different species are regarded as fair. The discrimination against anyone based on sex and sex characteristics, gender identity, gender expression, generation, age, caste, criminal record, height, weight, physical appearance, disability, family status, genetic characteristics, marital status, nationality, profession, color, race and ethnicity, species, religion, sexual orientation, political ideology, social class, personality, as well as other categories are illegal in the law. Animal rights has become a centre of concern in Tzulhon recent years, vegetarianism and veganism is becoming increasingly popular among the human population in Tzulhon, it is estimated that about 15-20% of all population in Tzulhon are vegetarian and have been on a vegetarian diet for at least 3 months. Interpersonal conflicts exist in all societies, conflicts are often destructive and can destabilize the society, therefore resolving conflicts is necessary for the stability of the society, and the fundamental function of the law is to resolve conflicts and to give rules regulating behaviour and regulating the use of resources. The use of the death penalty, corporal punishments or life imprisonments are unconstitutional since 1985. The possession of private firearms was outlawed during the Kuulist time, and nowadays firearm ownership continues to be strictly regulated, with citizens being forbidden from owning private firearms. All societies have marriage in the sense of culturally recognised union between people, and all countries have laws regulating marriage. The marriage law of Tzulhon does not recognize any forms of extramarital sex, all forms of extramarital sex, including sex before marriage, are criminal offenses and are punishable by imprisonment. The minimum age for marriage is 25 years old, but 17 with the consent of parents of both sides. Manufacturing, trafficking, distribution, importation and exportation of drugs are forbidden, and are punishable by imprisonment. The minimal penalty for manufacturing, trafficking, distribution, importation and exportation of drugs is 5 years. The possession and use of drugs, however, is not a criminal offense, but the possession must be licensed, and the use must be under strict supervision, and for people who have drug addiction or are terminally ill, it is legal to possess and use drugs with an appropriate medical certificate. Possessing and using drugs without a license or a medical certificate is punishable by fines or community service. main article: Economy of Tzulhon Since the end of the Kuulist regime, Tzulhon has seen rapid economic growth, with an average annual gdp growth rate around 7% before 2010s. Industrial structure Most people in Tzulhon nowadays work in secondary and tertiary industrial sectors, about 10% of the population work in the primary industrial sectors and in the mining industry. Primary Sector Agriculture in the country is based on small to medium-sized family-owned dispersed units. It was the most significant sector of the economy of Tzulhon, but the importance of agriculture has greatly decreased. Agriculture employs about 10% of the population, and about 25% of the land is used for agricultural purposes. Secondary Sector The secondary sector of Tzulhon has undergone many changes and diversification, from electronics, manufacturing, textiles, to food, cement, mining and energy. since the collapse of the communist regime in the country. It has become very diversified; however, metalworking and manufacturing, especially the production of drugs and motor vehicles, are the most important part of the secondary sector of Tzulhon. The secondary sector employs about 20% of the population. Tertiary sector The tertiary sector represents the fastest growing sector of the country's economy, it employs around 70% of the population and contributes to more than 75% of of the country's GDP. Public transport, such as trains, trams, metro systems, and buses are still the major mean of transport in Tzulhon. Most of the roads and railway lines in Tzulhon were built during the dualist regime, and nowadays Tzulhon has a high density of railroads, to the degree that one can travel to virtually every district of every city and town by train. The highways and motorways in Tzulhon are properly maintained and often still under construction and renovation. The Cycling Route 1 represents an integral transportation corridor in Tzulhon. It starts and ends at Tzulkeyo and links major cities on the main island like the city of Polko and the city of Ozil. Imasezo is the busiest and largest seaport in the country, followed by Ozil, Xoranka and Polko. The principal ports serve a system of ferries connecting the major islands of Tzulhon and coastal cities in Awarahl, Yachiro, Seang Pe, Qonklaks and Akamyokulta. The rail network is administered by the national railway company Zulhon i Koixo Xomi(National Railways of Tzulhon) which was extensively promoted during the Kuulist era. There has been a considerable increase in private car ownership and bus usage while rail use decreased since the end of kuulism. Two trucks carring straw for local biofuel power plants in Tzulhon. Tzulhon satisfies its energy needs by exploiting a variety of sources, with none of the sources being dominant. The most common energy sources in Tzulhon are nuclear, geothermal, hydroelectric and biofuel. Solar plants, Waste-to-energy plants and oil-fired plants are also important power sources in Tzulhon. The varied use of energy source was a part of the energy diversification project during the Kuulist regime, the aim of the project was to guarantee a stable supply of power to the people, as a great proportion of power demand in Tzulhon comes from imported sources, therefore diversified sources of power would make its power supply less vulnerable to the international prices of energy sources like crude oil, coal, uranium, etc. Tzulhon boasts is wide use of geothermal energy, around 25% of all its power needs are met by its geothermal plants. Due to the possible shortage of uranium and oil in the near future, the importance of biofuel is rising in recent years, nowadays biofuel plants provide around 25% of all power needed in Tzulhon. Nuclear energy is also important in Tzulhon, nuclear plants provide around 20% of all power needed in Tzulhon. Most nuclear plants were built during Kuulist times. Another important energy in Tzulhon is hydroelectric, hydroelectric power stations provide around 15% of all power needed in Tzulhon. Most nuclear plants were built during Kuulist times. There are around 1,000,000 visitors from other countries each year, most of them are business travellers and foreign students. Domestic tourism is the main form of tourism, and most local services and facilities are aimed for the needs of business travel or domestic tourism. There are few facilities and services available for international tourism. The unit of currency in Tzulhon is Hankamo. Tzulhon has a rather young population with a median age of around 27 years old, with a fertility rate of around 3 births per woman in 2015. Tzulhon is a multiethnic country with a large diversity of ethnic groups. The Harish people is the largest ethnic group in Tzulhon, and the Harish language is the de facto official language of Tzulhon. The look of many ethnic groups in Tzulhon vary, there is no definite "Tzulhon look"; however, peoples from continental Soltenna, like the Wanabi people, look more similar to continental Soltennan peoples. Besides human beings of different ethnic groups, Astalvis also make up a significant proportion of the population, more than 10% of the total population in Tzulhon are Astalvis, and Tzulhon has one of the largest population of Astalvis outside of Astalva. There's a theory that Tzulhon was initially an Astalvi land, but they were gradually replaced by human beings in many locations; besides, Dalars also have a also make up a significant proportion of the population, around 4% of the total population in Tzulhon are Dalars. Tzulkeyo, the capital city and the largest city of Tzulhon Tzulhon has undergone a rapid urbanization in the latter half of the 20th century. In 1950, more than 90% of the population lived in rural areas; in 2000, more than 90% of the population live in urban areas. There are no de jure official languages on the national level; however, the Harish language is the de facto official language, and it is also the most widespred language in Tzulhon. Around 55% of the population speak Harish as the mother tongue, and more than 90% of the population has at least some working knowledge of Harish. Tzulhon has a high literacy rate, the literacy rate is around 99%-100%. Education in Tzulhon is compulsory at the elementary and lower secondary levels; however, most students continue to high school and college, with more than 95% of the population having at least a high school diploma. As a relic of past Kuulist regime, most schools in Tzulhon are public and free, with only a few private schools around the country. Around half of the high school graduates go onto college each year. The mean years of schooling is around 14 years. Most schools do not use uniforms, though there are some dress codes for students to ensure the modesty of students. Kindergartens are free but not compulsory, most children, however, go to kindergarten before elementary school. For tertiary education, all colleges and universities are public; also, all law schools, medical schools, business schools and normal schools(schools for training future elementary school and high school teachers) are postgraduate. Graduate schools, law schools, medical schools, and business schools require applicants to have at least two years of full time full time job experience. In recent years, Tzulhon has become a local centre for studying abroad, there are a significant number of foreign students from Akamyokulta studying in colleges and universities of Tzulhon. Most hospitals in Tzulhon are public. There is a national healthcare insurance program covering all citizens in Tzulhon. On average, there are around 10 hospital beds and 3 physicians for every 1000 people. Medical education is highly prestigious; however, there are virtually no bachelor-level medical education programmes - medical education programmes are postgraduate, and people must obtain a bachelor degree before studying to be a medical doctor. The only bachelor-level medical educations are those related to nursing. Before 1999, forced sterilisation was practised on people diagnosed with a mental illness, intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities. This included people with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, personality disorders, etc. Criminals who committed violent crimes were required to be castrated in order to be eligible for parole. Forced sterilisation was abolished in 1999 after Tzulhon had became democratic, the rule requiring all parolee to be sterilised was also abolished in 1999; however, the use of sterilisation on newborns with a mental illness, intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities is still very common and widespread. It is estimated that during 1950-1999, about 2,500,000 people in Tzulhon have been subjects of forced sterilization, and even today, as sterilization is still a widespread practice, it is estimated that about 60,000-90,000 children under 12 are still sterilized each year. Due to the economic growth, the nutritional conditions of Tzulhon have greatly improved, the average height of adults have increased substantially during 1950-1985; however, the growing rate of obesity has become a major health concern in Tzulhon. As of 2019, about 47.5% of the population are either overweight(BMI > 24) or obese(BMI > 30), and about 19% of the population are obese. The obesity rate in females is substantially higher than that in males. Surveys found that about 22% of males and 73% of females over the age of 15 are either overweight or obese; besides, about 9% of males and 29% of females over the age of 15 are obese. Traditional beliefs in Tzulhon are polytheistic and animistic in nature, deities from Qonklaks, Camic and Dhwer are venerated along with native deities. Monasticism is not practised in Tzulhon in any forms; however Pashaism has become common since the 16th century, due to Terminian influence, though most adherents to Pashaism in Tzulhon still venerate traditional deities, and Pashaists in Tzulhon just don’t see the traditional deities as true gods but just supernatural forces. Tzulhon is a multiracial country with a divrsified native cultures; among the native peoples, the culture of Harish people are the most prominent among the native cultures of Tzulhon. For foreign influences, Qonklese culture has by far the greatest influence on Tzulhon culture in general; besides, Mani cultures, Ekuosian cultures, Terminian culture, Kavrinian cultures and Theweric cultures also have recognizable influences on Tzulhon culture. After the democratization of Tzulhon, so far the mass media contents from Lhavres have the greatest influence on the popular culture in Tzulhon; media contents from Ekuosian countries like Veridia, Barradiwa, Letzia have also gained some influence; media contents from all other countries have at most an insignificant presence and don’t have much influences on the popular culture of Tzulhon. Being a multiracial country, different peoples in different areas have different rites. Like most pre-modern calendars, the Tzulhon calendar is a luni-solar calendar. The length of a month strictly follows the phase of the moon, the length of a year is generally 354 days, and uses leap months to close up the gap between the usual calendar year(354 days) and the solar year(365.24219 days). There is one leap month in every three years, and there are 7 leap months in every 19 years. Architecture styles vary from place to place; however, a substantial Qonklese influence can be seen on pre-modern public buildings in many areas. especially in the east coast; however, most of the pre-modern buildings were destroyed during the chaoses in the 20th century. Qonklese arts have a deep influence on Tzulhon arts. Traditional arts often show certain resemblances with Qonklese arts in styles. Traditioal Qonklese music have an influence on traditional Tzulhon music, many musical instruments used in Tzulhon music can find their roots in Qonklaks. Pop music from Lhavres and Ekuosian countries like Veridia, Barradiwa, Letzia has gained much popularity in Tzulhon in recent years, pop musics from all other countries don't have a significant presence and have not gained the same level of popularity in Tzulhon. Animations, films and TV dramas from Lhavres and Ekuosian countries like Veridia, Barradiwa, Letzia have gained much popularity in recent years. Animations, films and TV dramas from all other countries have not gained the same level of popularity in Tzulhon. Locally-produced films and animations have only gained limited popularity, although locally-produced films and animations enjoy financial subsidies from the government, and there are criticisms that the government has over-subsidised local producers of mass media so local filmmakers and animators have produced many non-market-oriented contents. Mainstream Tzulhon cuisine is similar to that in other draconic countries. Wheat is the primary cereal grain with about three-quarters of grain products made of wheat flour and many dishes use indigenous ingredients. Potatoes has become a major food source along with wheat and barley. Tzulhon is not known for delicacy, traditional Tzulhon dishes include fish and chips, sandwiches and vegetable salad. Folk sports arisen locally are the most popular forms of sports in Tzulhon, but in recent years international sport competitions like football and martial arts are gaining popularity among the population. Retrieved from "https://wiki.conworkshop.com/index.php?title=Tzulhon&oldid=41061" ConWorkShop PlanetWorkShop Sahartionary SVG Map About CWS Planet	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line832
__label__wiki	0.562048	0.562048	AsiaAsia Politics North Korean ruler receives personal letter from Trump North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has received an “excellent” personal letter from US President Donald Trump, according to state media reports, Kim wanted to “seriously examine interesting content,” the news agency KCNA reported, without giving details. Even when and how the letter was transmitted was initially unclear. Nevertheless, the presidential office in South Korea welcomed the correspondence between Trump and Kim as a “positive development” that could sustain dialogue between the two countries. The reports from Washington Post occur at a critical time in the region. Washington’s negotiations with the communist leadership in Pyongyang about its nuclear weapons program have been underway since the failed summit meeting between Kim and Trump got stuck in Vietnam in February. Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his esteem for Kim, still hopes for a redress of the ruler. Kim reportedly praised Trump’s political judgment and courage after reading the letter from Washington. South Korean media suspected that the letter could be an answer to Kim’s letter. The US President announced about two weeks ago that Kim had written another “nice letter” to him. Trump also did not comment on the content. When asked about another possible summit with Kim, he said it could come to that. He did not become more specific. Following the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping in North Korea, speculation had intensified in South Korea, after which Kim and Trump could meet again soon. Kim Jong-un and Xi Jinping have agreed at their previous five meetings since last year on “various issues” North Korean media reported on Saturday. Xi had called on the governments in Pyongyang and the United States on Thursday to resume negotiations. China is North Korea’s main trading partner and is considered a lifeline for the isolated country. Read also: North Korea and China wants to deepen ties US sanctions NATO ally Turkey over purchase of Russian missile defense system America Robert Frank - December 18, 2020 0 Washington has decided to impose sanctions on Turkey for the purchase of S-400 missile defense systems from Russia, concluded over a year ago, by... China shocks the world with crowding train stations with 108 million passengers in 8 days despite Corona Asia Robert Frank - October 1, 2020 0 The world was shocked by new scenes from China in light of the continuing outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic "Covid 19", while all countries... Erdogan’s party postpones the legal holiday to pass a law imposing restrictions on social media AS-General Robert Frank - July 19, 2020 0 The ruling Justice and Development Party in Turkey, which is led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is heading to postpone the legal holiday with...	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line838
__label__cc	0.500926	0.499074	Jack Stein Jack E Stein served his country in World War II with the 461st Bombardment Group . Information on Jack Stein is gathered and extracted from military records. We have many documents and copies of documents, including military award documents. It is from these documents that we have found this information on CAPT Stein. These serviceman's records are not complete and should not be construed as a complete record. We are always looking for more documented material on this and other servicemen. If you can help add to Jack Stein's military record please contact us. Lansing MI The information on this page about Jack Stein has been obtained through a possible variety of sources incluging the serviceman themselves, family, copies of military records that are in possession of the Army Air Corps Library and Museum along with data obtained from other researchers and sources including AF Archives at Air Force Historical Research Agency and the U.S. National Archives. If you have more information concerning the service of Jack Stein, including pictures, documents and other artifacts that we can add to this record, please Contact Us.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line839
__label__wiki	0.817786	0.817786	NewsOperation Safe Roads Median barriers the answer? Deadly I-10 crashes cost Arizona millions By: Dave Biscobing Posted at 9:21 AM, May 31, 2018 It was mid-morning just south of the Valley, when Pamela Humphrey lost control of her SUV after swerving to miss something on Interstate 10. Her vehicle skidded then rolled across the dirt median into oncoming traffic before hitting a semi-truck head-on. The wreckage left little doubt about whether Humphrey, or her fellow passenger and sister-in-law, Ann Quinn, survived the crossover crash. “What happened to her car is like, exploded. I wasn’t able to recognize her body,” said Mike Humphrey, Pam’s husband. “This is what happens when two cars hit each other at 75 mph.” The crash happened at milepost 171 on May 14, 2008. Ever since, Mike Humphrey has been locked in a lengthy and costly legal battle with the Arizona Department of Transportation to place cable median barriers on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson to prevent future crossover crashes. Cable median barriers are high-tension wires strung along a series of posts. Studies show they are highly effective at preventing crossover incidents and have significantly decreased fatalities in other states. But on Interstate 10, from the south tip of the Valley to Tucson, there are roughly 60 miles of road without any raised barrier separating the eastbound and westbound lanes. “They just have to have these cables,” Humphrey said. “If a cable barrier was there, (his wife) would have hit the cable and she would have stopped…There needs to be pressure put on this agency to put the cables in.” But Arizona Department of Transportation officials said that’s not going to happen; and a string of expensive jury verdicts against the state aren’t changing their minds. “By putting up cable barriers we would be causing more harm than good,” said Steven Boschen, an assistant director with ADOT. “If we put a barrier out there, we are just introducing more harm. A barrier is actually a hazard and there would be more crashes.” Boschen said most dirt medians on Interstate 10 are roughly 80 feet and that “very wide” separation is the “best design out there.” He also said crossover crashes, in general, are very rare and account for one percent of the state’s fatal crashes. “We don’t want to practice shotgun engineering,” Boschen said. “What I mean by that is, if there is a crash, we don’t want to immediately go out there and say there is a problem. We need to do a safety analysis out there. Interstate 10 is very straight and there’s really no deficiencies out there.” But ADOT has only tracked crossover incidents since 2015. It’s the same year Mike Humphrey’s case went to trial and the verdict was one of the largest in Arizona history: a $40 million judgment against the state. The jury believed that ADOT should have had cables along the stretch of I-10 and was negligent. The decision was based – at least in part – by evidence from Humphrey’s legal team that showed Interstate 10 has had a history of crossover crashes. Mike Humphrey and his legal team provided ABC15 with Arizona crash reports detailing crossover crashes on two stretches of Interstate 10 from 2001 to 2014. ADOT also provided ABC15 with the crossover figures it’s collected in the past three years. Humphrey believes those reports show crossover crashes are common and dangerous. Since 2001, within the 20-mile stretch (mileposts 160 to 180) where Humphrey’s family died, there were at least 64 crossover crashes that injured 74 and killed 20. In another 20-mile stretch near Picacho Peak, there were at least 81 crashes that injured 79 and killed 26. Given the volume of traffic on Interstate 10 and the time frame, ADOT believes those crashes are disparate and unpredictable. “We have looked at that data and have not seen any clusters. These are extremely rare, unpredictable events,” Boschen said. When asked what would constitute a cluster, he said, “A cluster might be five that happened in a one-mile area in a year.” The massive verdict in the Humphrey case was on top of another $8 million decision against the state for a crossover crash that happened within the same year and mile of the Humphrey crash. That’s two similar crashes on Interstate 10 totaling nearly $50 million in verdicts against the state. To cable the entire stretch of Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson would cost $12 million. Humphrey said he never wanted this to go to trial. He said it was always about the cables. “Heck, at one point I offered to settle the whole thing for a mile of cable,” Humphrey said. “Just put in a mile of cable.” Arizona administration officials didn’t respond to a request for comment about Humphrey’s settlement offer. But ADOT officials said costs aren’t the deciding factor. “The best design that’s out there is the design we have out there,” said Boschen, referring to the 80-foot dirt medians. He said ADOT has no plans to add median barriers any time soon. “Neither on this section or other interstates do we think that is the best option,” Boschen said. But Humphrey isn’t going away and has vowed to keep fighting in memory of his lost wife and sister. “Not being able to be with your loved one at the end is just devastating,” Humphrey said. “It didn’t have to happen. It’s just so soul-crushing knowing there’s something that could be done and she’d be with me.” Contact ABC15 Investigator Dave Biscobing at dbiscobing@abc15.com.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line842
__label__wiki	0.857267	0.857267	icvalledeilaghi » Rock & Pop » Tomoyasu Hotei - All Time Best Album Tomoyasu Hotei - All Time Best Album album mp3 Tomoyasu Hotei All Time Best Album VOC DTS AHX MMF MPC WAV Songs in album Tomoyasu Hotei - All Time Super Best (2005). 1. Bad Feeling (25 Years Anniversary Version). 04:59 320 Кб/с 166. 2. Be My Baby (25 Years Anniversary Version). 04:52 320 Кб/с 121. 3. Saraba Seishun No Hikari (Unplugged Version). Similar compilations. All time best -fan best-. Is Strangers the best album by Tomoyasu Hotei? BestEverAlbums. com brings together thousands of 'greatest ever album' charts and calculates an overall ranking. This album At A Glance. Strangers by Tomoyasu Hotei (2015) Release date: 2015-10-16 Overall rank: 17,954th. Tomoyasu Hotei Strangers Taiwan CD w/OBI+Bonus 4-Track 2017 NEW Condition: Brand New. Time left: 14d 20h 53m 59s. Ships to: Worldwide. HOTEI/TOMOYASU HOTEI - STRANGERS NEW CD Condition: Brand New. Time left: 18d 8h 11m 54s. Beyoncé - HOMECOMING: THE LIVE ALBUM. Users' Highest Rated Pop Albums of All Time. The Best Albums of All Time. MORE GENRES: Alt-Country. Electric Samurai (Noble Savage). All time best 1998-2018. Frankie Miller's Double Take. Boøwy (/ˈboʊi/ BOH-ee; stylized as BOØWY) was a Japanese rock band formed in Takasaki, Gunma in 1981. The classic lineup of vocalist Kyosuke Himuro, guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei, bassist Tsunematsu Matsui, and drummer Makoto Takahashi reached legendary status in Japan during the 1980s. In 1988, the year they broke up, they became the first male artists to have three number-one albums within a single year on the Oricon chart Tomoyasu Hotei (布袋寅泰, Hotei Tomoyasu, born on February 1, 1962 in Takasaki, Gunma) is a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter, composer, record producer and actor. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Hotei claims record sales of over 40 million copies and has collaborated with acclaimed artists from around the world. Hotei first rose to prominence in the 1980s as the guitarist for Boøwy, one of Japan's most popular rock bands, before starting a solo career. That year, Hotei also released Guitarhythm, the first album on many with that name, and currently his only album sung completely in English. All Time Super Best Tour (June 26, 2006) Hotei presents "Super Soul Sessions" Brian Setzer vs Hotei vs Char (June 27, 2007) MTV Unplugged (June 27, 2006) Hotei and The Wanderers Funky Punky Tour 2007-2008 (April 23, 2008) #19. BAD FEELING(FPM EVERLUST Remix)／Tomoyasu Hotei 13. BATTLE WITHOUT HONOR OR HUMANITY／SOIL& PIMP SESSIONS with Tomoyasu Hotei. Anzenchitai – All Time Best. Redirected from Hotei Tomoyasu). Tomoyasu Hotei (布袋寅泰 Hotei Tomoyasu, born on February 1, 1962, in Takasaki, Gunma), also known simply as Hotei (/ˈhoʊteɪ/ HOH-tay) is a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter, composer, record producer and actor. With a career spanning more than 35 years, Hotei claims record sales of over 40 million copies and has collaborated with acclaimed artists from around the world. All Time Super Best is a compilation album by Tomoyasu Hotei. It features work from his entire career, spanning three decades. His solo work such as Russian Roulette is accompanied with tracks such as Be My Baby and Bad Feeling, which were hits with his bands Complex and Boøwy respectively. She was nominated in 2002 for the Best Actress Award at the 26th Annual Japan Academy Prize ceremonies for her role in Inochi. In 2000, she released her single, One Way Drive, featuring guitar work and production by Tomoyasu Hotei, who also co-wrote the song with Esumi. She wrote a children's book in 2005. Tomoyasu Hotei - Primary Artist 1 Bad Feeling Tomoyasu Hotei 2 Be My Baby Tomoyasu Hotei 3 [Untranslated] Tomoyasu Hotei 5 Beat Sweet Tomoyasu Hotei 7 Lonely * Wild Tomoyasu Hotei 8 Poison Tomoyasu Hotei 9 Song for Us (25 Years Anniversary New Song) Tomoyasu Hotei 10 Battle Without Honor or Humanity Tomoyasu Hotei 11 Russian Roulette Tomoyasu Hotei 12 Nocturne No. 9 Tomoyasu Hotei 13 Destiny Rose Tomoyasu Hotei 14 Love Junkie Tomoyasu Hotei 15 Identity Tomoyasu Hotei Albums related to Tomoyasu Hotei - All Time Best Album: Tomoyasu Hotei - Battle Funkastic mp3 download Original Game Soundtrack - Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne mp3 download Tomoyasu Hotei - Destiny Rose mp3 download Hotei - Music Day mp3 download Tomoyasu Hotei - Doberman mp3 download Tomoyasu Hotei - Guitarhythm mp3 download Asia - Arena mp3 download Tomoyasu Hotei - Another Battle mp3 download Tomoyasu Hotei - The Motion Graphic Soundtracks For Samurai Fiction mp3 download Various Artists - FC Bayern München Presents: Das Album, Der Soundtrack zur Saison 14/15 mp3 download	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line845
__label__wiki	0.995876	0.995876	Spooked by the Pending Disney Deal, Ryan Murphy Leaves Longtime Studio Home Fox for Netflix He’ll produce new shows and movies exclusively for them Ryan Murphy's Netflix deal begins in July, but he'll remain with all his current FX and Fox series. Getty Images 21st Century Fox has adopted a “business as usual” approach to its TV dealings until Disney’s $52.4 billion deal to acquire the company passes the regulatory process. But Ryan Murphy, its TV studio’s most prolific producer, didn’t get the memo. Last night, Netflix revealed that it had poached Murphy—Adweek’s reigning TV Creator of the Year—with a five-year deal, which could be worth as much as $300 million, to produce new shows and movies exclusively for the streaming service, beginning July 1. Murphy is the second mega-producer to depart their longtime home for Netflix: last August, Shonda Rhimes and her production company Shondaland left ABC Studios for the streaming service. Much like Rhimes, Murphy will continue to be involved with his current shows for FX and Fox—American Horror Story, American Crime Story (the latest installment, The Assassination of Gianni Versace, is now airing), Feud, the breakout midseason drama 9-1-1 and the upcoming FX drama Pose—for the duration of their runs. And given that anthology series American Horror Story, American Crime Story and Feud are reinvented each season, some of those shows could conceivably still be in production at the conclusion of his Netflix deal. He already has two products set up at Netflix: Ratched, an origin story focusing on Nurse Ratched, the iconic, sadistic nurse from the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Sarah Paulson will star) and The Politician, which could star Barbra Streisand and Gwyneth Paltrow. “Ryan Murphy’s series have influenced the global cultural zeitgeist, reinvented genres and changed the course of television history. His unfaltering dedication to excellence and to give voice to the underrepresented, to showcase a unique perspective or just to shock the hell out of us, permeates his genre-shattering work,” said Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos in a statement. “His celebrated body of work and his contributions to our industry speak for themselves, and we look forward to supporting Ryan in bringing his broad and diverse stories to the world.” Murphy said in a statement of his own that “The history of this moment is not lost on me. I am a gay kid from Indiana who moved to Hollywood in 1989 with $55 in savings in my pocket, so the fact that my dreams have crystallized and come true in such a major way is emotional and overwhelming to me.” His departure is a big blow to 21st Century Fox and Disney, and the first of what are likely to be many ripple effects as Fox executives and producers either leave the company or take on new roles as the company is integrated into Disney. The producer—whose 20th Century Fox Television deal was up this summer—said at last month’s Television Critics Association winter press tour that he had assumed he’d spend his entire career working for that studio, continuing to make hit shows like Glee, Nip/Tuck, The People v. O.J. Simpson and American Horror Story. But that all changed in December with the news that Disney would be acquiring 21st Century Fox for $52.4 billion. Murphy, who started working for Fox in 2003, told reporters he was “very emotional” about the Disney deal, because Fox had taken a chance on “somebody who was told I was not employable.” Until the Disney deal was announced, “I thought I would literally be buried on the Fox lot,” he said. “I was very not prepared for what happened.” When Disney CEO Bob Iger reached out to him, “I said point-blank, the stuff that I do is not specifically Disney, and I’m interested in that and I’m concerned about that, you know. Am I going to have to put Mickey Mouse in American Horror Story?” recalled Murphy. He was “hopeful” after his conversation with Iger, but “I don’t think anybody knows exactly what that company is going to look like now,” said Murphy, adding tellingly, “I think it’s a great time to be a content creator.” And thanks to Netflix, it’s a very lucrative time, too. @jasonlynch jason.lynch@adweek.com Jason Lynch is TV Editor at Adweek, overseeing trends, technology, personalities and programming across broadcast, cable and streaming video.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line851
__label__cc	0.596884	0.403116	Share FacebookShare on facebookTwitterShare on TwitterPinterestShare on PinterestMailShare via mail Book with outlineAbout Bell with outlineRecipes Like all shellfish and food from the sea, the oyster has been eaten by humans for as long as they have existed. But the Egyptians and Hebrews considered it impure and did not include it in their diets. The Ancient Greeks were fond of oysters, and their shells, ostrakon, were used to vote for the banishment of undesirable people. The word ostracism comes from this. They knew how to farm them. The Romans followed and enjoyed them for centuries. .They were delighted to discover that oysters abounded on the coasts of Gaul during their conquest. Oysters were popular in the Middle Ages, and they could be found "in the shells" and "shelled", sold by weight without their shell. They would be greatly prized on people's dinner tables during the Renaissance. Later, King Louis XIV loved them, but his prudent doctor advised him to only eat them cooked, either grilled in their shell or fried. Perhaps because of their reputation of being an aphrodisiac, oysters were eaten en masse everywhere in the 18th century, and oyster beds began to be depleted both in Europe and in the Americas. The arrival of the railways in the 19th century made their transport easy, which did not help. It was at that time that oyster farming came into its own on both sides of the Atlantic. Oysters were for a long time eaten cooked, which was normal, given their delicate nature. The leading oyster-producing nations are now China, Japan, the United States, Korea, and France. Whatever its size or origin, an oyster should always be well closed, or if it a little open, it must close immediately when touched. An open oyster is dead and must be disposed of. When opened, an oyster should be covered in its liquor. It will draw back when touched with the tip of a knife and give off a good sea smell. A dry oyster and/or one with a suspicious smell should be thrown away immediately. All boxes of oysters bear a health label, indicating their origin and packaging date. The quality of oysters vary depending on how they are farmed or the region they come from. The larvae are collected in different ways and attached to supports. These "spats" grow for some 18 months. The oysters, by this time completely formed, are taken to oyster beds for the affinage, or "finishing", for a certain time. These are mostly located in the open seas. In France: In the Marennes-Oléron region, affinage takes place in clay basins, or claire ponds, usually in abandoned salt marshes. Claire oysters are finished for several days. Fines de claires are finished for 1–2 months at a rate of 20–40 oysters per square meter. Spéciales de claires are finished for 2 months at a rate of 10 oysters per square meter. Spéciales pousse en claire are finished for 4 months with 5 oysters per square meter. Their green color is due to a microscopic algae, blue navicula, that they absorb during this time. In the Étang de Thau area, Bouzigues oysters are farmed on completely submerged "tables" for 8–11 months using a traditional method. Prestige oyster-growing regions exist in each country: Whitstable, Helford, and Colchester in the United Kingdom; Blue Point and Cape Cod in the United States; Caraquet and Malpèque in Canada. Triploid oysters are distinguished by their "beak" at the hinge, which points downwards. Oysters in Europe are classified by weight, known as caliber. This definition is not the same for concave oysters and flat oysters. Concave oysters: the categories reflect the weight of a single oyster. . No. 0: > 150 g . No. 1: 111–150 g . No. 2: 86–110 g . No. 3: 66–85 g . No. 5: 30-45 g Flat oysters: these categories depend on the weight for 100 oysters. . Category 000: 100 oysters = 10–12 kg . Category 00: 100 oysters = 9–10 kg . Category 0: 100 oysters = 8 kg . Categories 1-6: = 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 kg, respectively. Elsewhere, oysters are usually calibrated according to the size of their shell. In Canada and the United States, cocktail oysters are smaller than 76 mm. Oysters are sold in boxes and by the dozen at fish stores. They are also sold without the shell, frozen (without shell), and smoked (canned). Oysters are eaten raw, possibly seasoned with a little lemon juice or shallot vinegar, something purists reject because this acidity ruins their original flavor. Escoffier served them in different ways: à l'Américaine, à l'Anglaise (broiled covered with bacon slices), au gratin, Maréchal (fried in a light batter), Mornay etc.… It is just possible that the famous recipe for Oysters Rockefeller was inspired by Escoffier's Oysters à la Florentine: the poached oysters are placed in their shell lined with a bed of spinach cooked in butter, then covered with a Mornay sauce and glazed. Oyster sauce is a popularly used condiment in Chinese cooking. Oysters can remain in their box in a cool place at between 5 and 15ºC for up to one week. If they are sold in bulk, their shell should be laid with the concave side face down, covered with a damp cloth and a weight, at between 5 and 15ºC. In any case, it is better to use them as quickly as possible. Oysters are high in minerals of all kinds, B vitamins, and protein. They barely contain any fat, even spawny oysters, but they have a small amount of carbohydrate. They are reputed to be an aphrodisiac, but this has never been verified scientifically. However, this belief dates back a very long time – reinforced by Casanova, who easily ate several dozen before going out to find a beautiful woman – leading one to think that perhaps their zinc content is the most important thing. This mineral contributes to the production of testosterone, essential for a good libido, but the absorption of zinc does not have an immediate effect. Numerous species of oysters exist around the world, divided into two main categories: flat oysters, with the scientific name of Ostrea, and the concave oyster, Crassostrea. The most common varieties are: . European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis), known as belon in Brittany, and gravette in the Arcachon Bay area. It is farmed in other parts of the world. The pied-de-cheval oyster is very large (300 g on average). It contains a lot of iodine. . Pacific or Japanese oyster (Crassostrea gigas) Native to the northwest Pacific Ocean, it is the most widely farmed oyster in the world. In France, this species has replaced the Portuguese oyster, which accounted for the bulk of production in France until the 1970s, when it was decimated by a disease. . Huître américaine (Crassostrea virginica): farmed in the United States and Canada. . Common rock oyster (Crassostrea margaritacea): it is found in Australia, South Africa, and Madagascar. . New Zealand oyster (Ostrea sinuata or luteria): flat. The oyster season traditionally fell in the months ending in r. During the remaining months – May, June, July, and August – they are spawny (filled with fertilized eggs), which they release when the water temperature is approximately 18ºC. . Triploid oysters, also known as "four seasons oysters" This is an oyster that has been genetically modified (by chromosome manipulation) to make it sterile, and therefore saleable throughout the year. It also develops faster than other, diploid, oysters. Flavor pairings Emmental cheese Oyster gratin with champagne Raw Oysters and Seared Scallops with Truffle Baked Sea Bass Fillets with Green Shellfish Condiment Normandy-Style Sole Oysters with Champagne Gelée Fried Villeroy Oysters with Tartar Sauce Deviled Oysters with Quinoa Gain unlimited access to 1,000 recipes from the greatest chefs starting from just 1$ Discover top chefs recipes, with step-by-step illustrations and videos Learn tips and tricks from the greatest chefs Master techniques at home with interactive videos	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line853
__label__cc	0.581683	0.418317	'Cirbhig' by Helen Acklam This work qualifies for the Own Art Scheme. You can spread the cost in 10 interest free monthly instalments. View more artworks by Helen Acklam. *Cost of delivery is not included Helen Acklam is an artist living and working from South-West Scotland. In 2012 he graduated with a degree in Drawing from the University of Cumbria. Inspired by the Scottish highlands and islands, she uses a variety of media to convey her interest in this breathtaking landscape. The main subject in her latest collection of works are the cottages, bothies and shielings from the Isle of Lewis and the Outer Hebrides. Many of these structures, that lie derelict in isolated areas, were once home to the previous generations of islanders. Acklam’s work celebrates the beauty of these historic constructions bringing life back to them. Her mixed media work is developed using a blend of different relevant materials and textures, for instance, the use of sand from Luskentyre beach brings a sense of belonging and adds authenticity to the work, combined with acrylic paint, ink, gouache and graphite, to achieve the desired topography. Old local spiritual books are introduced in the form of collage, to represent the faith and beliefs observed in the communities in the isles, alongside handmade paper and corrugated cardboard, adding substance to the atmospheric depictions. With the combination of all the various significant and symbolic elements, Acklam succeeds to beautifully breathe new life into these often deserted and derelict places.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line855
__label__wiki	0.944534	0.944534	Child refugees unlawfully detained A Family Court judge in Adelaide ruled on Friday that a prima facie case exists that children are being detained unlawfully in Australia’s immigration detention centres. Two of the children are at the Baxter detention camp, scene of a fire last December. Justice Steven Strickland deferred a decision on the release of five child detainees, however, due to a lack of evidence. Lawyers for the five children, two boys and three girls aged between five and 14 from the one family, had sought their immediate release. The two brothers are detained with their father at South Australia’s Baxter detention centre, while their sisters are with their mother on a home detention centre programme in the outback town of Woomera. The hearing resulted from a ruling by a full bench of the same court in June that the Family Court had jurisdiction to determine the future of child detainees. Minister’s challenge rejected “(I have determined) prima facie that children are unlawfully in detention and there is a real issue to be tried about that.” –Family Court Judge Steven Strickland In its landmark decision, the court said the government’s policy of mandatory detention of all asylum seekers pending processing of their cases violated the law when it involved the indefinite detention of minors. Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock immediately challenged the ruling on the grounds that Australian courts should not have jurisdiction over illegal immigrants and asked that the ruling be frozen pending a formal appeal to the High Court. “The court has made a decision which we believe is flawed,” he told the Australian Associated Press. His application was rejected. Justice Strickland, hearing an application for an interim order to release the siblings pending a full trial of their case starting on September 15, said Friday he had determined “prima facie that children are unlawfully in detention and there is a real issue to be tried about that”. But he said there was insufficient evidence before him to decide the issue of the five children. He gave parties involved in the action the option of delaying the judgement until the 15 September hearing or adjourning the interim hearing to a date in the near future. Release of the five children would likely unleash a flood of court cases since refugee rights advocates say more than 100 children are being held in mainland immigration detention centres, including about 80 in Baxter. PM’s tough stance Australian Prime Minister John Howard has rejected claims that mandatory detention of refugees is immoral or illegal, telling Melbourne’s ABC radio that mandatory detention would not happen if people entered the country legally. Howard takes a hard line. “This is a difficult area, we don’t like mandatory detention and if people didn’t endeavour to come to Australia illegally, and in breach of international refugee processes, then it wouldn’t occur,” he said. His government has come under repeated fire for perceived human rights abuses in its harsh treatment of refugees. Offshore detainees Any ruling in favour of the children will not apply to the hundreds of children being detained offshore, however. This practice is also coming in for heavy censure from Australia’s political opposition and human rights groups. Australian opposition leader Simon Crean told Perth radio that the government must be tough on border protection but could show compassion at the same time. “Whatever the argument is about their parents and the circumstances in which they might get here, the kids are the innocent ones,” he said. Last month activists from Amnesty International marched on Prime Minister John Howard’s Sydney home last month, demanding Australia immediately release 112 child detainees being held on the Pacific island of Nauru. Chairmen and directors from the rights group’s Asian missions warned that Australia was risking its reputation as a human rights leader by continuing to detain children.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line859
__label__wiki	0.966762	0.966762	Flogging Molly Announce Livestream And Anniversary Box Set Keavin Wiggins \| 09-15-2020 Swagger 20th Anniversary Edition Cover Art Flogging Molly have announced that they will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album, "Swagger", with a limited edition vinyl box set and the band will be playing a special livestream concert this week. The 2x-LP Swagger 20th Anniversary vinyl box set, which will be limited to 5000 units, will be released on October 23rd and will include a remixed and remastered version of the album that features a bonus version of "Sentimental Johnny" en Espa-ol as "Juan El Sentimental," a bonus LP featuring three live songs recorded in 2001 at Denver's famed Bluebird Theatre plus a Traditional Irish Set (recorded with Steve Albini in "one take with no overdubs"), a never-before-seen DVD documentary from 2000 including a full live performance, an expanded Lyric Booklet featuring photos from the band's personal collection, Flogging Molly logo vinyl slip mat, embroidered patch and four badge Swagger button pack. Frontman Dave King had this to say, "Never in our wildest dreams did we ever imagine that twenty years on, we would be celebrating the release of our first studio album, 'Swagger'. Yet here we are, a little older, maybe none the wiser, but very grateful for what has been an amazing experience. "More than twenty years ago we set sail for Chicago, the home of Electrical Audio and the wonderful Steve Albini. With a fistful of songs, from 'Salty Dog' to 'Far Away Boys', we plugged in and belted out everything we had and made sure that no song was left behind. Little did we know that 'Swagger' would become the breaking ground, and the sound, of Flogging Molly. "So, we would like to thank you all for the last twenty years of wonderful memories, and hopefully many more to come." Fans can catch the band's special "Halfway To St. Patrick's Day," livestreamed all-acoustic, full-band performance at 5 p.m. EST this Thursday, September 17 via the band's official homepage and YouTube. Flogging Molly Announce 2020 St. Patrick's Day Festival Social Distortion And Flogging Molly Teaming For Tour More Flogging Molly News	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line860
__label__cc	0.614322	0.385678	Freethinker International Repatriation Post-Funeral Funeral Guide ACM Foundation NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award 2018 & 2019 To earn an NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award, a participating funeral home must meet or exceed business standards set forth by the program and demonstrate proficiency in key areas of funeral service, such as compliance with state and federal regulations; providing ongoing education and professional development opportunities for staff; offering outstanding programs and resources to bereaved families; maintaining an active level of involvement within the community; participating and actively serving in the funeral service profession; and promoting funeral home services through a variety of marketing, advertising and public relations programs. Participants are also required to adhere to a Pledge of Ethical Practices. NFDA Best of the Best Award 2018 The NFDA Best of the Best Award recognizes the most novel and innovative programs and services in the funeral profession that had a positive impact on the families they serve or their community. After a thorough review, the Pursuit of Excellence Committee can select up to 10 funeral homes who have won the Pursuit of Excellence Award for the year to receive the Best of the Best Award. Ang Chin Moh Funeral Directors is one of the three funeral company worldwide to be recognized as Best of the Best Award recipient in 2018. Champions of Good 2017 & 2018 Champions of Good is a national recognition framework under the Company of Good, designed to catalyse the corporate giving movement and build a City of Good. It recognises organisations that are exemplary in their corporate giving efforts, and have also been an influencer and multiplier by engaging their partners and stakeholders on a collaborative giving journey. Ang Chin Moh Funeral Directors is 1 of the Champions of Good in 2017 and 2018 being recognized for our efforts in striving towards the City of Good, and for being inspirational role models for other corporates, big or small, to follow. Association of Funeral Directors (AFD) The Association of Funeral Directors Singapore (AFD) is officially recognised by the National Environment Agency and comprises of funeral homes with reputable standing in the industry. AFD is dedicated to promoting high standards for the provision of meaningful end-of-life services with utmost respect for the dead and bereaving families by ensuring minimum standards are observed by the profession through regulations and discipline. AFD members are bound by a strict Code of Conduct set to meet the needs of community and expectations of the funeral service industry. The Code is a reassurance to the community of professional and sincere service at a time of distress for grieving families. www.afd.org.sg National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) NFDA is the world's leading and largest funeral service association, serving more than 20,000 individual members who represent nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 countries around the world. NFDA is the trusted leader, beacon for ethics and the strongest advocate for the profession. NFDA is the association of choice because it provides funeral professionals with comprehensive educational resources, tools to manage successful businesses, guidance to become pillars in their communities and the expertise to foster future generations of funeral professionals. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in Washington, D.C. www.nfda.org Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) is a trade union of employers. Our mission is to advance tripartism and enhance labour market flexibility to enable employers to implement responsible employment practices. SNEF has a membership of over 3,000 companies with a combined workforce of over 750,000. www.snef.org.sg Our ACM Family Ang Chin Moh Funeral Directors Pte Ltd Blk 88 Geylang Bahru #01-2724 Singapore 339696 enquiry@angchinmoh.com.sg © 2019 ACMFD Pte.Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Design by 24K Design.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line865
__label__wiki	0.731159	0.731159	When They Were Young by Olivia Cole Acclaimed British painter Annie Kevans imagines the inner child of celebrities, dictators, and presidents. From Michael Jackson to George W. Bush to Hitler (VIEW OUR GALLERY). Five years ago, the famed British art collector Charles Saatchi bought Annie Kevans’ Boys show in its entirety. The work featured paintings of the world’s greatest dictators—from Hitler to Ceaucescu to Pol Pot —in their younger and more vulnerable, and crucially, for her brand of weirdly unsettling portraiture, prettier years. Since that first show, her work has been bought by other serious collectors from David Roberts and original YBA Mark Quinn in London to French photographer/playboy Jean Pigozzi. Kevans is now represented in the U.S. by Perry Rubenstein (her first solo show in New York will be in February) and at Art Basel Miami Beach, the gallery sold three paintings to John McEnroe. The private view for Kevans’ latest show, Ship of Fools, took place on an icy night in the shadow of Tower Bridge, on the Golden Hinde, a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s ship. Here was Sylvia Plath (in her blond, overachieving college years) in the ship’s prow, Ernest Hemingway (almost unrecognizably young, slim, and handsome), Picasso , Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, Disraeli, and Churchill, both of whom suffered from crippling depression. And here were the usual private-view crowd, stooped and clambering around the ship’s tiny cabins, high heels making the ladders potentially lethal. Like much of her works—mass killers who appear completely innocent, or child stars who, with their black underwear and red lipstick, seem to give the viewer the come-on— Ship of Fools, quite literally, put Kevans’ viewers in an uncomfortable place. This gallery of breakable brilliant people is now on show until December 23 at the Fine Art Society on Bond Street. A few hundred years ago, she reminds me, “mad” people “were put on ships, sent off abroad, and just basically thrown out of the community. And that’s where the original idea came from.” (Foucault’s Madness and Civilization was key to her thinking.) Far from buying into the stigma, her literal ship, was, she maintains, “supposed to make you think about the horror of it.” Selecting her gifted subjects, she was struck by “how much poorer society would have been without them,” and wondered, as the viewer can't help but do, what might have happened if they had been born in the wrong century. Comparing the faces of Kevans’ “fools” and her audience, the first question, one wonders if she buys into the oft-quoted belief that great art can only come out of suffering? “Do I think that their brilliance pushed them over the edge?” the 36-year-old British artist asks. “No.” Could her subjects be brilliant because they were more complex in the first place? “No!” she laughs. “There is that kind of idea but if you look at the percentage there are so many people who are not mentally ill who are extremely talented and successful.’” With their black spells though, and untimely tragic deaths (from Plath to Jackson, Jackson Pollock, Hemingway and Monroe and Michael Jackson) gathered in sad company like this, that romantic idea of the genius for whom the world is too much, seems just one of the easy structures over which she paints an arch question. From the depiction of childhood innocence in her sepia-toned Boys series, to the sexualization of childhood in Girls, to public vs. private morality in her 2008 Volta show All the President’s Girls (which featured portraits of presidential mistresses, from Sally Hemings to Monica Lewinsky), Kevans’ real motivation is “how we deal with things and how things change very quickly. I think that’s the main thing about my work, it’s always, really, about how we treat people: how we treat each other, and how things become acceptable." Today’s incarceration in institutions, is yesterday’s ship heading off to who knew where. Despite the famous names she has depicted from Bush to Saddam, Shirley Temple to Jodie Foster, celebrity, she says, isn’t the point. The famous faces become a kind of shorthand: “It’s as though if you use a familiar face, suddenly everyone knows what you are talking about,” she explains. Girls, for example, included a brilliantly prophetic depiction of young Britney Spears’ breakability. Spears was one of several dozen uncanny and unsettling depictions of child stars: exploited yet cleverly exploitative of the viewer too, as many of them (from the Olsen twins to Brooke Shields circa Pretty Baby) are far sexier (or trying to be) than they should be at that age. Kevans’ depictions face up to what Hollywood has often skirted around. The ideas take on far more power through her technique. Her oil paintings have the lightest of touches, and look more like pencil drawings or watercolors than canvases loaded with paint, which creates a kind of tenderness. With faces, she tries to make her portraits appear as they do when you are talking to someone. The eyes are key, in her pictures, “because when you look at a person, the eyes always stand out as much stronger than anything else on the face. Originally I was just trying to capture facial features as you seem them.” That sense of intimate encounter makes her work powerfully affecting. If there’s consolation in her new series, it’s perhaps that we are all mad now. Several of her subjects, (Darwin, for instance) are silent victims of posthumous diagnosis. “I love it.” she enthuses, slightly outraged. “It’s like you can die sane, and then 200 or 500 years later someone will diagnose you as insane and that’s it. I think it's hilarious. Everyone has to have a label these days.” It’s testament to Kevans and her strange ability to get inside the headlines and emerge with art as beautiful as it is unsettling, that it’s awfully hard to think up a label for her. Is she a YBA? Portrait painter? Pop artist? “With celebrities, too, now, there are all sorts of illnesses that have just become quite fashionable,” she muses. “There’s a kind of thing where say they’ve drunk too much or they’ve had terrible relationships, especially in America, they are all coming out and saying, 'Well, I’ve just been diagnosed as bipolar and that’s why I did all those things.'” It’s a bold point, but I can’t help think that there’s some truth in the idea that fragility is to a celebrity (and/or his lawyer) who has trashed a hotel suite, what “intolerance” can be to a pathological refusal to eat, and what sex addiction is to a love rat. Tiger Woods, there’s an Annie Kevans portrait in your future.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line866
__label__wiki	0.567284	0.567284	What Is Conception? How Does Pregnancy Happen? Updated on December 29, 2020 Controversy about the word conception There is some controversy about the term 'conception'. Scientists, notably the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), agree that the establishment of pregnancy takes several days and is not completed until the blastocyst or embryo is implanted in the lining of the woman's uterus. According to ACOG, the term "conception" properly means implantation. A pregnancy is considered to be established only after the egg has been fertilized, the embryo has moved down the fallopian tube, and when the process of implantation is complete. Therefore, scientifically speaking, a pregnancy begins with implantation of the embryo, about 9-10 days on average after fertilization, after the egg has been fertilized by the sperm, and with the embryo implanting into the uterine lining. Others, notably those who are opposed to abortion, believe that conception begins at fertilization, on the day when ovulation happens and when the egg is fertilized by sperm. It is best not to use "conception" Whenever there are different interpretations for the same word like conception, it's best to not use it but instead use descriptions and words that all agree on. On this page, we describe the important steps of getting pregnant, fertilization, and implantation. There are several parts involved in getting pregnant: Hormones rise Sperm moves up the fallopian tube towards the ovary Ovulation with the ejection of an egg from an ovary The egg is fertilized by a sperm The fertilized egg becomes the embryo and travels down the fallopian tube and cells multiply The embryo arrives in the uterus The embryo implants (attaches) to the uterine lining HCG, the pregnancy hormone is being produced within days after implantation Hormonal changes prior to ovulation Each month shortly after your menstrual period ends there are certain hormonal changes in a woman's body that stimulate one or more eggs in the ovaries to mature. These hormones also affect the uterine lining to prepare it for implantation The hormonal changes cumulate in ovulation when one or more of the eggs erupts from the follicle inside the ovary. Ovulation usually happens about two weeks before your next period. The corpus luteum After the egg leaves the follicle and the ovary, the follicle develops into something called the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum releases a hormone called progesterone that helps thicken the lining of your uterus, getting it ready for the egg. The egg travels towards the fallopian tube After the egg is released, it is picked up by the "fimbriae" of the fallopian tube and moves into the fallopian tube. It is there that a sperm (if present from sex within the prior 5-6 days) reaches the egg and fertilizes it. If no sperm is around to fertilize the egg, then the egg moves to and through the uterus and disintegrates and a menstrual period happens. If sperm does make its way into the Fallopian tube, moves up towards the eggs, reaches the egg, it can then burrow into the egg. That is also known as fertilization. When the egg is fertilized by the sperm, the baby's genes and sex are set. If the sperm has a Y chromosome, your baby will be a boy. If it has an X chromosome, the baby will be a girl. Travel through the fallopian tube after fertilization After fertilization, the fertilized egg, now called a 'morula' and 'blastocyst' moves through the Fallopian tube towards the uterus and takes about three to four days. The fertilized egg becomes the embryo and keeps dividing as it moves through the fallopian tube to the uterus. Implantation inside the uterus After about 4-5 days of travel through the Fallopian tube the fertilized egg, now called 'blastocyst' or embryo has reached the uterus. Once it has reached the uterus, it further divides, it starts to attach to the lining of the uterus. This is called implantation. Implantation symptoms Some women notice spotting (or slight bleeding) for a very short time around the time of implantation. The lining of the uterus gets thicker and the cervix is sealed by a plug of mucus. It will stay in place until the baby is ready to be born. Pregnancy hormone HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin Within the first week after implantation, a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can be found in your blood. It's made by the cells that eventually become the placenta. A blood or urine test at your doctor's office will usually detect hCG within a week after implantation. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is a pregnancy hormone present in your blood from the time of conception; it is produced by the cells that form the placenta. This is the hormone detected in a pregnancy test, but usually, it takes three to four weeks from the first day of your last period for the levels of hCG to be high enough to be detected by pregnancy tests. Ten Tips to Get Pregnant Faster Getting Pregnant Resources Get fertility advice, personalized for you Sign Up for Our Fertility Course Fertility and Ovulation Calculator What Are Your Chances of Getting Pregnant? Take Our Online Fertility Test	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line868
__label__cc	0.622671	0.377329	5 great European countries for retirement: Spain, France, Malta, Portugal, Italy By Sheyna Steiner Sheyna Steiner's Twitter profile Aug. 19, 2015 / Dreaming of a retirement spent sunbathing in St. Tropez or snorkeling near the Maltese islands? It may not be such an outlandish idea. These are all first-world countries with plenty of culture and amenities … These days, $1 buys about 0.91 euros, pretty close to parity compared with recent years. For instance, last year $1 got you about 0.74 euros. In 2008, $1 bought as little as 0.64 euros. Said another way, 7 years ago 1 euro was worth nearly $1.60. Now it’s about $1.10. “It’s an exciting opportunity for Americans right now. Americans had written off Europe, and probably rightly so, when the euro was $1.50. It was expensive. And now Europe is not out of reach,” says Kathleen Peddicord, publisher of Live and Invest Overseas. A recent report by the website InternationalLiving.com found that France, Italy, Spain, Malta and Portugal all have highly affordable places in which American retirees can comfortably settle. “These are all first-world countries with plenty of culture and amenities, including excellent infrastructure and rich histories. Cost of living and real estate in many areas are affordable by U.S. standards,” says Glynna Prentice, an editor for InternationalLiving.com. Sheyna Steiner is an investing analyst/writer for Bankrate.com Before joining Bankrate, Sheyna Steiner worked as a customer service representative in a brokerage, an assistant in an actuarial office, a writer's assistant and as an inattentive receptionist on several separate occasions. She joined Bankrate in April 2006 as an editorial assistant. After two years she was promoted to staff writer, working primarily on investing and retirement beats. In addition to writing articles, Sheyna blogs about investing and CDs. Her favorite topics include socially responsible investing and anything about consumers being ripped off by the man -- and how they can fight back. In her role as investing analyst/writer, Sheyna is known for making complicated investment and personal finance topics accessible for everyone. She has been interviewed by The Palm Beach Post, Fox Business and CNN. In 2011, Sheyna was part of a team that won a prestigious journalism award -- a Best in Business award from the Society of the American Business Editors and Writers for coverage of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law. In 2007, she was part of a team that won the Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for the coverage of the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee's cut to short-term interest rates in September 2007 and the impact it had on consumers. Sheyna is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y. A European-style capital and 4 other surprisingly cheap places to retire abroad Buying property abroad for retirement 10 best cities for retirement in America	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line871
__label__cc	0.53895	0.46105	MICHAEL JORDAN SKIPPED A SCHEDULED MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT because of gambling and playing a golf match with a drug dealer Author Will Starjacki NBA fans around the world are waiting for The Last Dance documentary, and it seems more stories surrounding the team and especially Michael Jordan, resurfaced once again. Most of the stories give more insight into the team, their relationship between them as teammates, but it also a better understanding of their personalities. One of the recent and most intriguing stories is surrounding Jordan and his apparent addiction to gambling. His competitive nature was evident in almost everything he did, and gambling was one of his biggest passions back in the early 1990s. According to Yahoo Sports, Jordan didn’t show up at a meeting with former president George H.W. Bush after the Bulls won their first championship in 1991 because he was playing golf and gambling with James ‘Slim’ Bouler. Bouler was known as a drug dealer and was later convicted for money laundering. There was no real information for Jordan’s absence, except for a pretty vague explanation he was attending a family vacation that was already scheduled. To make the story even more interesting, the federal government also got involved because they seized a check worth $57,000 from Jordan to Bouler. Jordan testified in court and said that he lost in gambling playing golf with Bouler. “For what I lost on gambling and golf and later in poker when he loaned me some money. I didn’t have any money.” In an older interview for the New York Times, Jordan explained why that amount was initially defined as a loan and how he wanted to save his reputation. “It was not represented as a loan at all. It was my immediate reaction to the media after a game to save embarrassment and pain and the connection to gambling.” Stories like this somewhat support the theory that Jordan initially retired from the NBA because of his gambling problems. Jordan was the most prominent basketball superstar of that time, and everything he did affected the league, and it’s brand. That was pretty negative PR for Jordan and the NBA, so a mutual agreement between the league and Jordan to retire the first time sounds more reasonable from today’s perspective. Michael Jordan (520) NBA (122) Previous article MICHAEL JORDAN DESCRIBES HOW A GAME WINNING SHOT IN COLLEGE changed how people view him as a player Next article WHY MJ DECIDED TO MAKE “THE LAST DANCE” On the day of the Cavs parade in 2016, he finally said yes	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line875
__label__wiki	0.795226	0.795226	Ranger in Your Pocket Back to Tour The S-50 Plant S-50 Rises to the Top Discovering Liquid Thermal Diffusion 80 Days to Build Physicist Phillip Abelson invented a new way to separate uranium istopes known as liquid thermal diffusion. Narrator: In June of 1944, Manhattan Project scientists were still struggling to produce enriched uranium pure enough to be used in an atomic bomb. At the Philadelphia Navy Yard, physicist Phillip Abelson invented a new way to separate isotopes. The process, known as liquid thermal diffusion, was deceptively simple. Phillip Abelson: All it consisted of was three concentric pipes. This is all you had to put together and put heat in the middle and cool on the outside and uranium isotopes separate in between. The light goes to the hot and climbs, and the heavy goes down, so that all one has to do is to fill this thing and put steam in and cooling water and go away for three days and one has separation. It worked! Video of Discovering Liquid Thermal Diffusion Physicist Philip Abelson first worked on the liquid thermal diffusion process for the Navy at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. The Navy was interested in nuclear energy to power its submarines. Narrator: Philip Abelson recalls how he first developed the liquid thermal diffusion process for the Navy’s Ross Gunn, who foresaw the use of nuclear energy to power submarines. Philip Abelson: I decided that I’d better start looking into the matter of isotope separation. I was working during the day on ordering parts for the cyclotron, but in the evening and on Saturdays and Sundays, I was looking into the matter of isotope separation. I would go to the Library of Congress and read their materials. I found that some Germans had done a liquid thermal diffusion separation. Well, I tried a uranium soluble salt and that just made a dirty mess. So I knew I had to get a compound of uranium that was not going to react with water or anything else. I looked in the various books and I found UF6, uranium hexaflouride. Pretty soon, I began to assemble some columns with a hot wall of nickel and a cooler wall of copper. Ross Gunn had decided that the future of submarines lay in getting nuclear propulsion. When he heard that I had had a small separation, he was for having me go to the Naval Research Laboratory where he had better, bigger steam facilities. That ultimately led to a decision by the Bureau of Ships to build a 300-column plant at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Narrator: In 1944, Abelson informed J. Robert Oppenheimer, the director of the Los Alamos laboratory, of the progress he had made developing liquid thermal diffusion. Abelson recalls what happened next. Philip Abelson: I got word one day that I was to go to the Warner Theatre that evening, and at eight o’clock I was to go to the balcony. At eight o’clock I would be approached by a man who would identify himself. I was to have a summary of the status of the liquid thermal diffusion project and what it was doing. It was [William] “Deak” Parsons that I met. Deak Parsons went out to Los Alamos and very shortly thereafter, General Groves and some advisors appeared at the Naval Research Laboratory. That, in turn, ultimately led to the building of a 2,100-column plant at Oak Ridge, so-called S-50 Plant. Video of 80 Days to Build With a great sense of urgency, General Leslie Groves ordered that the S-50 Plant be built in less than three months, a seemingly impossible deadline. Only one contractor bid on the proposal. Narrator: Historian Ray Smith explains how hard-driving Manhattan Project director General Leslie Groves ordered that the S-50 Plant be constructed in less than 90 days. Ray Smith: Groves went to the contractor, M.H. Ferguson at the time, and said, “I need a thermal diffusion plant built. I need it built by this steam plant. I need it in 90 days.” The contractor said, “It cannot be done.” Groves looked him in the eye and said, “You have 80 days.” Narrator: As Philip Abelson recalls, the S-50 plant made a difference. Using the plants serially proved to be the key. After being slightly enriched by the S-50 plant, the product was fed into the K-25 plant, and then finally into the Y-12 plant. This achieved the desired level of enrichment which each plant operating alone failed to do. Philip Abelson: In a remarkably fast time, the so-called S-50 Plant was put in operation. It did make something of a difference. I think congressional testimony ultimately said that it shortened the war by seven days. It was at a cost of twenty-five million dollars. The cost per day of the war was something like a billion dollars, plus the number of lives lost and so on. It made a difference. Narrator: S-50 required an enormous amount of energy for only slightly improved enrichment. It was shut down after the war and later demolished. Quick Fact: The S-50 Plant used the liquid thermal diffusion method developed by Philip Abelson to enrich uranium. The theory behind investing in S-50 was that the enrichment process might work best if the three plants were used in a series. In practice, this proved to be correct. The uranium product was slightly enriched at S-50 (one to two percent U-235) and this was fed into the K-25 plant. The gaseous diffusion process raised the enrichment to about 20 percent. This was fed into the Y-12 plant for the final enrichment cycle. Through this serial approach, the first atomic bomb received its enriched uranium. Back to all tours We are grateful to the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Crystal Trust, the City of Richland, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Kerr Foundation, the Los Alamos Historical Society, Clay and Dorothy Perkins, the White Sands Missile Range Historical Foundation, James Schoke, William H. Wilcox, Ellen Cherniavsky, William K. Coors, the Institute of Electrical And Electronics Engineers, the Richard Lounsbery Foundation, and other private donors for their support. These projects were created in partnership with the B Reactor Museum Association, the Department of Energy-Richland, and the Los Alamos Historical Society. Los Alamos Innovations was developed in partnership with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Los Alamos/Northern New Mexico Section and funded by the IEEE Foundation. Copyright © 2019 The Atomic Heritage Foundation. The content of this website, including text, images, video, and audio, may not be quoted, reproduced, or redistributed in whole or in part by any means except with the written permission of the Atomic Heritage Foundation.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line881
__label__wiki	0.985498	0.985498	Allison Lassieur (author) Highlights fascinating facts about natural disasters, from rumbling earthquakes to spinning hurricanes. Learn about the Alaskan earthquake that sunk boats in Louisiana, the volcanic eruption that blocked sunlight for months, the hurricane that blew Pacific seabirds all the way to Arizona, and more! Additional features include a table of contents, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research. M. J. York (author) Highlights fascinating facts about Earth, from deep within its core to high in the atmosphere. Learn about Earth's flipping magnetic pole, scorching deserts, exploding lakes, and more! Additional features include a table of contents, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research. Looking Into the Ocean Martha London (author) Explore the ocean's layers from the sunny surface zone to the pitch-black trenches. Learn about the abundant life around coral reefs, how different species adapted to their environment, and why life on the ocean floor depends on the layers above. Additional features include a diagram labeling each of the layers, Fast Facts, a phonetic glossary, an index, an introduction to the author, and further sources for learning. Looking Into the Rain Forest Emma Huddleston (author) Explore the rain forest's layers from the airy branches of the emergent layer to the dense underbrush of the forest floor. Learn about the animals that dwell there, the different plant life that thrives, and more. Additional features include a diagram labeling each of the layers, Fast Facts, a phonetic glossary, an index, an introduction to the author, and further sources for learning. Looking Inside Earth Explore Earth's layers from the crust down to the inner core. Learn about tectonic plates, convection currents, Earth's magnetic field, and more. Additional features include a diagram labeling each of the layers, Fast Facts, a phonetic glossary, an index, an introduction to the author, and further sources for learning. Looking Into Soil Explore soil's layers from the nutrient-rich topsoil to the rocky base. Learn about the cycle of life and decay, soil's organic and inorganic materials, and the ways soil supports life on Earth. Additional features include a diagram labeling each of the layers, Fast Facts, a phonetic glossary, an index, an introduction to the author, and further sources for learning. Looking Into the Grand Canyon Explore the Grand Canyon's layers from the nearly 2-billion-year-old rocks of the Pre-Cambrian Era to the few formations of the Mesozoic Era. Learn about the different kinds of rock that make up the canyon and how the Colorado River carved them into the majesty of the Grand Canyon today. Additional features include a diagram labeling each of the layers, Fast Facts, a phonetic glossary, an index, an introduction to the author, and further sources for learning. Looking Into Caves Explore caves' layers from the dim entrance zone to the damp dark zone. Learn how life survives in caves' inhospitable conditions and how caves' spectacular structures form. Additional features include a diagram labeling each of the layers, Fast Facts, a phonetic glossary, an index, an introduction to the author, and further sources for learning. Ann Heinrichs (author) Matt Kania (illustrator) From the colorful northern lights to whale watching at Glacier Bay National Park, there's lots to see and do in Alaska! Additional features include maps on each spread, state symbols, famous people, fact bubbles, and informative captions that highlight some of the things that make Alaska special. A table of contents, sources for further research, a phonetic glossary, and an index support readers and extend learning. From reaching the top of the Gateway Arch to attending Tom Sawyer Days in Hannibal, there's lots to see and do in Missouri! Additional features include maps on each spread, state symbols, famous people, fact bubbles, and informative captions that highlight some of the things that make Missouri special. A table of contents, sources for further research, a phonetic glossary, and an index support readers and extend learning. Race to the Poles Amy C. Rea (author) Offers readers a captivating look into the races between different groups of people to reach the North and South Poles first. Learn about how these explorers handled the extreme weather and why they risked their lives to accomplish their goal. Additional features include a Fast Facts spread, critical-thinking questions, primary source quotes and accompanying source notes, a phonetic glossary, resources for further study, and an index. Introduces the rock cycle and its impact on Earth. Readers will gain insight into the three basic forms of rocks, how they are formed, and how they change into each other. Additional features include a diagram of the cycle, table of contents, a phonetic glossary, an index, an introduction to the author, and sources for further research. Maddie Spalding (author) Introduces the water cycle and its impact on Earth. Readers will gain insight into how water moves around Earth, what water is made from, and how climate change impacts the cycle. Additional features include a diagram of the cycle, table of contents, a phonetic glossary, an index, an introduction to the author, and sources for further research. Cycles of the Seasons Golriz Golkar (author) Introduces the cycles of seasons and their impact on Earth. Readers will gain insight into how Earth's tilt plays an important role, how the hemispheres are effected differently, and what happens when seasons are disturbed. Additional features include a diagram of the cycle, table of contents, a phonetic glossary, an index, an introduction to the author, and sources for further research. Rebecca Felix (author) Explores the Midwest region, including the rolling plains and farmland, big climate changes, and hot dish. Explore the colorful customs, people, and places of Alabama. With straightforward text and captivating photos, this book is a great introduction to the state. Maps and symbols are included to enrich the student's understanding of geography and state identity. Ann Heinrichs (author)Matt Kania (illustrator) From hiking in Big Bend National Park to learning the history of the Alamo, there's lots to see and do in Texas! Additional features include maps on each spread, state symbols, famous people, fact bubbles, and informative captions that highlight some of the things that make Texas special. A table of contents, sources for further research, a phonetic glossary, and an index support readers and extend learning. Welcome to Yosemite National Park Pamela Dell (author) A tour through California's Yosemite National Park introduces the park's flora, fauna, topography, history, weather, and attractions. Half Dome, El Capitan, the Merced River, Tuolumne Meadows, and John Muir are all discussed. Additional features to aid in comprehension include a table of contents, informative captions and sidebars, detailed maps, map legends, a phonetic glossary, sources for further research, and an index. Welcome to Yellowstone National Park A tour through Yellowstone National Park introduces the park's flora, fauna, topography, history, weather, and attractions. Grand Loop Road, Uncle Tom's Trail, Isa Lake, and Shoshone influences are all discussed. Additional features to aid in comprehension include a table of contents, informative captions and sidebars, detailed maps, map legends, a phonetic glossary, sources for further research, and an index. Welcome to Mount Rainier National Park A tour through Washington's Mount Rainier National Park introduces the park's flora, fauna, topography, history, weather, and attractions. The Trail of Shadows, Nisqually Glacier, and the Carbon River are all discussed. Additional features to aid in comprehension include a table of contents, informative captions and sidebars, detailed maps, map legends, a phonetic glossary, sources for further research, and an index.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line882
__label__wiki	0.606067	0.606067	Colonial & Post-colonial (196) Cooking & Cuisine (75) Health & Diet (58) Restaurants, Cafes & Public Eating (44) Globalization & Localization (40) Food Production & Processing (33) Drink & Alcohol (30) Race & Ethnicity (18) Home & Domesticity (14) Sustainability & Environment (12) Media & Marketing (12) Consumption & Commensality (11) Industries & Business (10) Food Policy (8) Class, Status & Stratification (8) Food Politics (7) Gender & Sexuality (6) Hunger & Famine (5) Taste (3) Sensory Studies (1) Central America & Caribbean (48) Puerto Rico (US) (1) Martinique (France) (1) Guadeloupe (France) (1) North India (1) Hong Kong SAR (China) (2) Macao SAR (China) (1) 2000-present (3) History of Food (97) Geography of Food (62) Economics of Food (16) Anthropology of Food (9) Nutritional Sciences (5) Literature of Food (2) Sociology of Food (2) Encyclopedia entry (61) Museum Object (51) Colonial & Post-colonial Sort By: Relevance Title Ascending Title Descending Date Ascending Date Descending 1-10 of 145 (15 pages) Hunger and Famine Peter Jackson is Professor of Human Geography at the University of Sheffield, UK Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. Food Words : Essays in Culinary Culture ...Hunger © Angela Meah. Though famine has a very particular meaning, the related idea of hunger can be used in both a physiological and a metaphorical sense. Hinting at its complexity... Prologue: Visible and invisible farming worlds Hugh Campbell Hugh Campbell holds a Professorial Chair of Sociology at the University of Otago, New Zealand. He has written extensively on the sociology of food. Prior to the University of Otago, he was Director at the Centre for the Study of Agriculture at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. Farming Inside Invisible Worlds : Modernist Agriculture and Its Consequences ...When we examine power in social worlds – even in a place as seemingly mundane as a farm – our eye is inevitably drawn towards visible expressions of power. For critical social theorists, activists and practitioners, a farm makes... Soil Theories: Relational, Decolonial, Inhuman Manuel Tironi Manuel Tironi is Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. Matthew Kearnes Matthew Kearnes is Associate Professor and ARC Future Fellow in the School of Humanities and Languages, University of New South Wales, Australia. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. Anna Krzywoszynska Anna Krzywoszynska is Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow, University of Sheffield, UK. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. Céline Granjou Céline Granjou is Associate Professor at the National Institute of Science and Technology in Environment and Agriculture (IRSTEA), University of Grenoble-Alps, France. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. Juan Francisco Salazar Juan Francisco Salazar is Associate Professor in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts at Western Sydney University, Australia. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. Thinking with Soils : Material Politics and Social Theory ...Introduction In the southern suburbs of Sydney, Australia, the rather curiously named garden supplier Soil ’n Stuff sells soil, gravel, and building supplies to gardeners, landscape designers, and builders. Soil arrives here, and is sold... Epilogue: Theorizing the ontology of farms ...In setting out to examine the power of farms as expressed through their ontology, this story has been focused on farms, their histories and their futures. My intention was to write a book that was accessible to anyone who was familiar... Hugh C. Harries The Cambridge World History of Food © Cambridge University Press, 2000 Encyclopedia entry ...Milk Bottle on the Doorstep of Mankind In prehistoric times, the water content of the immature coconut fruit was more important as a drink than was any part of the mature nut as a food. In recent history... Cucumbers, Melons, and Watermelons David Maynard Donald N. Maynard ...Our focus here is on three important cucurbits – cucumber, melon, and watermelon – although cucurbits of less significance such as the citron, bur (or West India gherkin), and some lesser-known melons are also briefly discussed... Rachel E. Black Rachel E. Black is assistant professor and coordinator of the Gastronomy Program at Boston University, USA. She edited Alcohol in Popular Culture: An Encyclopedia (Greenwood, 2011) and has a forthcoming monograph Porta Palazzo: Food, Place and Community at the market (University of Pennsylvania Press) that is an ethnographic study of an open-air market in Italy. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. Robert C. Ulin Robert C. Ulin is Professor of Anthropology at Rochester Institute of Technology, USA where he also served for two years as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Prior to coming to RIT, Ulin served as Chair of Anthropology at Western Michigan University. He is the author of Vintages and Traditions and numerous articles on the anthropology of wine. He is also well known for his work on hermeneutics, critical theory and historical anthropology. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. Wine and Culture : Vineyard To Glass ...Wine has long been and continues to be an important commodity that generates significant interest because of its commercial, symbolic, cultural, and aesthetic value. On the academic side, historians, geographers, and economists continue... Lauren Janes Lauren Janes is Assistant Professor of History at Hope College, USA. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. Colonial Food in Interwar Paris : The Taste of Empire ...Sarraut, La Mise en valeur des colonies françaises, 17. Colonial policy has ceased to be the monopoly of a few technicians; it expresses itself and it diffuses; it becomes a national idea and the creator of a new spirit... Alexander Nützenadel Alexander Nuetzenadel is Chair of European Economic and Social History at the Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder). Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. Frank Trentmann Frank Trentmann is Professor of Modern History at Birkbeck College, University of London, and Director of the Cultures of Consumption research programme, co-funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. Food and Globalization : Consumption, Markets and Politics in the Modern World Berg, 2008 ...Food and globalization are inseparable. Since ancient times long-distance trade has involved staple foods and luxury products such as wine, tea, coffee, rice, spices and dried fish. Securing greater access to food was a driving force behind... Introduction: Invitation to the Feast Kaori O’Connor Kaori O’Connor is an anthropologist at University College London (UCL), UK. Holding degrees in anthropology from Reed College, Oxford University and UCL, she has written widely on the anthropology of food, won the prestigious Sophie Coe Prize for Food History in 2009 and is a frequent media commentator. Author affiliation details are correct at time of print publication. The Never-Ending Feast : The Anthropology and Archaeology of Feasting ...How is it that there is no wreath before the doors, no savour of cooking strikes the tip end of the projecting nose, though the feast of the Amphidromia is on? For then it is the custom to toast slices of cheese from the Chersonese, to boil...	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line887
__label__wiki	0.871375	0.871375	Home \| Investments \| Asset classes Teachers’ Buys Telecom, Sells Resources Craig Sebastiano \| April 4, 2008 The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan purchased or increased its stake in a number of telecom companies last year, according to its 2007 annual report. The plan bought 8 million more shares of BCE—which it plans to take private—to hold 50.8 million shares, valued at approximately $2.03 billion at the end of last year. Out of all the publicly traded companies Teachers’ owned at the end of 2007, BCE was the largest holding. Teachers’ also invested in Deutsche Telekom, holding 46.6 million shares valued at $1.01 billion, making it the third-largest holding. The company was not one of its stock holdings of more than $100 million at the end of 2006. The plan upped its stake in Manitoba Telecom, buying an additional 1.8 million shares to hold 5.7 million shares valued at $267.7 million. Teachers’ Faces $12.7 Billion Shortfall Caisse Buys Financials, Retailers While it bought telecom, Teachers’ also sold some of its holdings in oil and gas companies. It held 53.7 million shares of Nexen valued at $1.72 billion—its second largest holding—down from 60.2 million shares (after adjusting for last year’s stock split) at the end of 2006. The plan reduced its stake in EnCana to 2.2 million shares from 5.7 million shares, cut its holdings in Suncor to 1.2 million shares from 3.6 million, and decreased its stake in Canadian Natural Resources to 1.4 million shares from 3.5 million shares. The plan also reduced its holdings in financials, cutting its stake in RBC Financial by nearly two-thirds to 3.2 million shares and held 4 million shares of Manulife, down from 10.7 million at the end of 2006. Earlier this week, Teachers’ announced that it had a $12.7 billion shortfall between the plan’s assets and liabilities. To read the annual report on Teachers’ website, click here. To comment on this story, email craig.sebastiano@rci.rogers.com.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line891
__label__cc	0.691654	0.308346	Death, Rape, Lies, Torture, Truth, and the American Way There are certain things in this politically correct world that you can no longer say. For example, even if quoting someone, it is improper to use the “n” word. (As you can see, we did not use the “n” word). It is also forbidden to analogize anything to the Holocaust. And to compare any event to a rape other than a rape is tantamount to heresy. So, with this backdrop, we will tread lightly and through this article attempt not to make those politically incorrect faux pas. Bill Cosby has been under fire from over 20 women who have come out and accused him of rape, some going back over 30 years. Mr. Cosby has denied these allegations through his attorneys and most likely, these allegations will never be proven out in a court of law. However, in the court of public opinion, Mr. Cosby has already lost. When asked why these women were now coming out and telling their tales, a number of them have expressed that it is not for monetary gain, but rather for other reasons. Some have said that it is a catharsis of them finally getting this burden off of their shoulders. Others have stated that the shame that it is bringing to Bill Cosby and the hurt that he is finally feeling brings them satisfaction for the hurt that he caused them throughout the years. Others have even explained that coming out and making these statements will mean that Bill Cosby and others like him will now know that they have no shield of invincibility through their fame and fortune and possibly it will stop others from acting this way in the future. Each one of these, including monetary compensation, which is not being sought, is a proper motivation and one that should not be subjected to attack. If these allegations are in fact true, each one of these motivations has merit in and of itself and collectively more than justify, but even mandate, the actions that these women have taken. At the same time that this has been going on, there has been the backlash to the numerous shootings and killings of black men and in some cases children, by police. Certainly the catalyst to this backlash was the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and the strangulation of Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York. Since these events we have learned that in approximately the last 180 deaths of individuals by police officers in New York City, only one officer actually was convicted. We have learned that of the last 150 deaths by the hands of the FBI of suspects, that in all occasions, the FBI determined that those shootings were justified. We have learned that by and large, actions of law enforcement in deaths of civilians have been found to be justified by whatever body ultimately makes that decision. Lastly, we have learned that a disproportionate amount of these deaths are of people who are not white. And while the Cosby victims have been speaking out, and while this country is being torn by the inordinate amount of suspects and detainees dying at the hands of police, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released its report on the CIA’s torturing of prisoners from 2002 to 2008. Although a very few have criticized the report as being inaccurate and overblown, most of the criticism of the report has come in other fashion. There are those who claim that by and large, this is old news and therefore, why did it need to be rehashed? There are others that claim that the report will incite repercussions around the world against the United States, its Embassies and its military. Others have chimed in that it simply makes us look bad and of course, there are those who claim that the ends justify the means and that valuable intelligence was gathered, be damned with the method. In the same manner that the women raped by Bill Cosby needed to come forward, so did this report. Although we were not raped like these women were, we were taken advantage of by elected officials who waived the American flag and told us that we were good and that we did not do evil. We were lied to that we were not committing torture, and those that spoke out and said that we were, were branded as Un-American. George W. Bush got in front of the cameras and categorically stated, “America does not torture”. But like the revelations by Bill Cosby’s victims, this report is also a catharsis for us as Americans, who believe that we should not be lied to by our Government. Like the revelations of who Bill Cosby really was, so does this report truly reveal to us who we were as a country and what we had become. Any argument that those were trying times, that we got valuable information by using these tactics, that the people who did these acts for us are heros, that we prevented future terrorist attacks by these actions and any other host of myriad excuses must be dismissed immediately for one simple reason. Throughout the course of human history, every entity, every Government, every military force and every intelligence agency, has always used those exact same excuses for their excess behavior. Because we are Americans does not give us the right to use that excuse when others cannot. In fact, because we are Americans and supposedly stand for the moral high ground, it gives us less excuse to use those tactics than others have. Just as in the Cosby revelations, these revelations may have the benefit of preventing our Government and future Governments from acting in this manner. It might just give pause to some CIA official or government bureaucrat from authorizing this behavior next time. It might just cause us to act the way we pretend to be as a country. Every child of our generation grew up knowing that famous slogan, “Truth, Justice and the American Way”. To us it really meant something. To us, we believed that America stood for truth. That American stood for justice, and that the American Way was truth and justice. In that vein, we are learning through the Cosby revelations that justice may be slow, and it may take some twists and turns, but justice, even if it is only in the court of public opinion, eventually prevails. Through the Ferguson and New York killings that lead to protests, we are also learning the truth about us. We are more racially divided than we thought. Those of color live in fear of police and quite candidly, police live in fear of those with color. We have learned that justice and the American way are something that not all Americans believe that they receive and especially those with darker skin. And we have learned that we, as our country, hold ourselves up as examples of good, truth and justice, but sometimes we are no better than the rest and our hypocrisy makes us look worse. If the revelations about Bill Cosby had not come out, if the revelations of us being such a divided country based upon racial lines did not come out, and if the report on the CIA’s torture did not come out, it would not mean that these events did not take place. If these revelations did not come out, all it would mean would be these types of behaviors would be allowed to go on without scrutiny and without being challenged. However, these revelations will bring a change to this country. Some will think it will be good and others think it will be bad. Yet, one thing is for sure. That only in a country that has a First Amendment that is as strong as ours, could these revelations truly come forward in the manner that they have. And for that, no matter what, we still need to be proud that we are Americans. By Dan Aaronson \| December 23, 2014 \| First Amemdment, Xcitement National \| ← Elections, a Mandate for Apathy First Amendment, Use it or Lose it! →	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line892
__label__cc	0.591473	0.408527	Copia Transforms Digital Classroom with Enhanced K-12 Learning Solution to Bolster Student Achievement New Offering Piloted In Second Largest School District In Country May 29, 2013 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Copia, the socially-driven digital content platform that provides customized, interactive solutions for students, educators and publishers, today announced an enhanced version of its learning solution specifically designed to meet the needs of K-12 students and educators. The platform, available across iOS and Android devices and desktop computers, is currently being piloted in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the country. The pilot was run by the blended learning design firm The Alvo Institute. Since the summer of 2012, 230 students and four teachers have utilized Copia across different text intensive subject matters in the New Open World (NOW) Academy in Los Angeles with the goal of improving students’ reading skills and their ability to use reading to learn. According to research conducted at the beginning of this pilot program, 77% of participating students reported they were nervous when given a reading assignment because they could not understand what they were reading. Many admitted that, as a result, they did not participate fully in class or were unable to complete assigned homework. Mid-pilot results confirm that Copia is making reading more accessible to even the most reluctant and struggling readers. Final pilot data will be released by The Alvo Institute by the end of June. “The opportunity to pioneer a technology-based program aligns with our school’s mission and vision,” said Dr. Charles Flores, Principal at the NOW Academy. “The partnership with Copia has allowed our students to further develop 21st century skills through the use of interactive digital texts in the classroom.” Copia’s K-12 learning solution is designed to improve student reading and learning through the following features: Seamlessly embedded ancillary tools such as dictionaries, study-aids and other supporting material that prevent interruptions to reading flow and protect students from embarrassment related to comprehension difficulties Advanced technology integration capabilities including a new “Speak” option that reads highlighted text aloud to the student Ability for students to embed questions for their teachers privately in the text to remove the stigma around asking questions in the classroom Social sharing and highlighting to support a collaborative, engaged learning environment that allows for crowd-sourcing of information and questions Ability for educators to annotate texts and implement quizzes and assessment tools on either a one-on-one or group basis “As a former teacher of English learners and struggling readers myself, I am thrilled by the reading supports Copia embeds in one device,” said Rebecca Tomasini, Founder and CEO at The Alvo Institute. “In Los Angeles, where a large percentage of students are learning English, we are seeing the Copia environment help students avoid the struggles and humiliation of a traditional classroom as they accelerate their acquisition of English.” By providing a unique set of digital learning tools – aggregating all relevant content on one seamless platform, and giving teachers the power to customize the learning experience for each student – the Copia solution reinvents the classroom experience for both students and educators. “In today’s fragmented educational ecosystem, we need to keep our sights set on the most important goal: helping teachers support greater student achievement,” said Ben Lowinger, EVP of Copia. “Over the past 12 months, we’ve diligently integrated pilot feedback into our platform to meet the needs of students and teachers, all while providing an unmatched opportunity for publishers to reach students in the most interactive, relevant ways possible.” Highlights from the post-pilot data will be shared by Tomasini at the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) during the Book Expo of America (BEA) on Wednesday, May 29 in New York during a session entitled “From Textbooks to Learning Platforms: Implications for Education Publishers.” About Copia Copia is a socially-driven digital content platform that is helping educators, publishers and students unlock the power of digital and non-digital educational material through the use of an integrated platform that marries and unifies people and content through a socially driven learning environment. Copia's unique platform reinvents the e-book experience and enriches previously static content, making information available through a "one-stop-shop" across tablets, smart phones, Macs and PCs. Copia's digital educational content has undergone explosive multi-genre growth in the form of e-books, videos, native apps, virtual courses and more. Copia reaches over 900 college campuses world-wide. Its growing international presence includes the U.S., Brazil, Australia and Spain. Copia Interactive, LLC is a DMC Capital Funding, LLC portfolio company, a privately held growth equity firm serving companies in consumer technology sectors. For more information, call 212-229-8400 or visit www.dmccapitalfunding.com and www.thecopia.com. HORN On Behalf of Copia Juliet Barbara, 646-202-9786 juliet.barbara@horngroup.com	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line894
__label__wiki	0.70523	0.70523	Home ASSOCIATIONS International Franchise Association International Franchise Association Click to view in E-magazine Click to view Brochure The International Franchise Association (IFA) is a Washington, D.C.-based trade group and non-profit association representing more than 1,200 franchisor members, 13,000 franchisees and 650 firms that supply goods and services to the franchising industry. Founded in 1960, it is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising. Head of Communications Matt Haller joined the IFA two years ago. He previously worked for different trade associations in a communications role, and when an opportunity presented itself for him to join IFA, he took it. IFA’s mission is to protect, enhance and promote franchising through government relations, public relations and educational programs. “We want to be to the go to source for anyone thinking about getting into franchising or is in franchising now and needs help,” Haller says. Advocacy first The most valuable service the IFA provides to members comes down to advocacy and protecting the business model of franchising from being “tinkered with,” Haller says. Secondary services include education and networking. The association offers a series of educational events, online classes, webinars, an annual convention, and a Certified Franchise Executives program (CFE) – a designation that shows an executive has been certified to the highest standards of quality training and professionalism. “Anybody that receives the CFE designation agrees to uphold the Code of Conduct of the IFA,” Haller says. “You can use it as a selling point within your brand.” The IFA works closely with state, federal, local and international governments. They educate the government on the creation of jobs from franchising in their local communities and how different policies – whether it’s taxes, health care or workforce policies – impact IFA members. “We work to advocate advances in those policies, and work to remove policies that provides too much regulation from our perspective on the business environment of franchising,” he says. Their Government Relations Department achieves this by monitoring legislative and regulatory activity, conducting lobbying and grassroots campaigns, participating in national and local coalitions, creating forums and educational tools for experts in the franchising community, and promoting positive relations between franchisors, franchisees, and elected and appointed government officials and employees. Their relationship with the federal government has been less than helpful recently, however, mainly due to tax rates and franchisors’ inability to start-up at flexible rates. There is an uncertainty surrounding tax rates because they will increase at the end of 2012 if U.S. Congress doesn’t act, Haller explains. “It’s creating a lot of apprehension from perspective investors and existing business owners about hiring more workers or expanding their business for next year and the years ahead,” he says. On the other side of the coin, a government policy the IFA was successful in influencing was the Small Business Jobs Act that was passed into law in 2010. They lobbied for higher loan limits and higher loan guarantees as part of the bill. One of the IFA members even attended the bill signing at the White House. “It increased the loan limits and loan guarantees in the programs that are used by a great number of new franchise business owners,” Haller says. Another area IFA worked aggressively on pertained to the current “Bush-era” tax rate that was extended by President Obama at the end of 2010 – both corporate and individual tax rates, Haller says. “Those are the same rates set to expire again at the end of 2012,” he says. “We’re hoping that Congress and the President will sign that into law so that our members get some more relief for an extended period of time.” Undue burdens A policy issue posing a challenge for the IFA is the Affordable Care Act, which is not supported by the organization. Members were hopeful that the U.S. Supreme Court was going to declare it unconstitutional, but the law was passed and now they are dealing with the repercussions. Haller says the bill has created a regulatory environment where many IFA members are trying to figure out how to comply with the act’s mandates while remaining profitable. “These mandates place what we think are undue burdens on the franchisees to provide coverage,” he says. As a result, 3.2 million jobs in the franchise sector are at risk because of the act, Haller adds. “Our messages were heard loud and clear, but the administration is passing a lot of the costs of this law onto the backs of franchise business owners.” Expanding into the future As for the future of international franchising, more than 70 per cent of their members have operations overseas or plan to operate overseas in the next five years. International growth is a primary focus, not only for their established brands, but also for their emerging brands nationally. “That’s a growing area, particularly in the developing world,” Haller says. “Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South America are hotbeds for franchising.” Since franchising is still a relatively new business model, “the sky’s the limit,” he says, with respect to the longer-term future of the IFA. The number of different franchises using the business model to grow in scale is only increasing, and the IFA’s view is that trend can only continue going forward. “The franchise model has only been around for around 50 years. The future looks bright if the business environment is conducive to our entrepreneurs having the freedom to grow and sell franchises,” he concludes. Previous articleSnap Fitness Next articleReed Transport Services Inc. American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Retail Industry Leaders Association American Lighting Association Marine Retailers Association of The Americas	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line896
__label__wiki	0.813146	0.813146	Someone Is Hoaxing Brits Into Thinking The NHS Are Banning Booze During Lockdown Newscast/Shutterstock With the government and health officials telling all UK residents to stay indoors as of March 23, people are just about getting into the swing of adapting to lockdown life. You may not have heard of Zoom or Houseparty before but it’s now the main facilitator of your social life. Doing a quiz on a Friday night or spending an evening with your pals is one way to maintain a sense of normality but why do people think there’s been an alcohol ban coming to the UK? In unprecedented times, it’s easy for rumours to blow up, so let's look into what's going on here. Addressing the nation on March 29, the deputy chief medical officer, Doctor Jenny Harries, admitted it could be up to six months before the country returns to normal. With that in mind, it's important we all find small joys to keep us going over the next few months and, if you’re anything like me, that might involve a glass of red. Now, however, a hoax NHS document circulating on social media has got people worried. The phoney document states: "A strict ban of alcohol has been issued with immediate effect. Simon Stevens, chief executive officer of the NHS has ordered a ban on the consumption of alcohol after his team have discovered that the toxin lowers immunity. This means that all sales have stopped from 29/03/2020. It falls under an emergency health legislation, which means that it is now illegal to purchase, sell and consume alcohol. Anyone caught breaching the new law will be severely sanctioned to protect everyone against the battle of Covid-19." Although the document appears to have been 'stamped' with the NHS and HM Government logos, it is false. Neither the health service or government has banned alcohol sales or consumption. These rumours likely started because some countries and regions around the world have taken measures to ban the sale of alcohol during COVID-19 lockdown. South Africa has banned the sale of alcohol to avoid the spread of the virus. Similarly, authorities in the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, feared that violence against children would rise during the lockdown so have banned the sale of alcohol. Over the last few weeks the sight of empty supermarket shelves has become fairly common. However, although you may not be able to get your favourite beer or bottle of gin when you’re out buying essentials, there’s no ban on the sales or consumption of alcohol in the UK.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line897
__label__cc	0.673714	0.326286	SELL WITHByOwner Login to your account x Sell It. Buy It. Rent It. Find It. 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Read More 6018 Crosby Lake Way W W, Macclenny, FL The classically beautiful hillcrest plan from lgi homes provides everything a growing family... Read More 8525 Lake George Cir , Macclenny, FL Style meets functionality in the sunnyside plan from lgi homes. from the moment you step into the... Read More 8626 Lake George Cir W W, Macclenny, FL The beautiful fairview plan by lgi homes features a family-friendly layout, with a spacious... Read More 175 Owen Acres Dr , Macclenny, FL Beautiful custom built 3 bedroom 2 bath stone and vinyl home built in 2015 on .79 acre located... Read More Home For Sale $84,900 641 Douberly Rd , Macclenny, FL Calling all investors!!! this 2/1 is ready for renovation. doesn't need much to make it adorable.... Read More 6818 Carley Ln , Macclenny, FL Beautiful, custom built home on 2 1/2 acres of privacy. this home features 4 bedrooms and 2 full... Read More This home located in the beautiful lakes at woodlawn community is perfect for a family who wants... Read More 510 E Minnesota Ave , Macclenny, FL Back on the market! this beautiful, spacious brick 4 bedroom 3 1/2 bath home is ready for you!... Read More The beautiful sunnyside floor plan by lgi homes is located within the masterly planned community... Read More 11767 Blueberry Ln , Macclenny, FL This lovely home is nestled in the rolling meadows subdivision in macclenny. this was the model... Read More 10680 Suzanne Dr , Macclenny, FL This macclenny one-story home offers a two-car garage. this home is vacant and cleaned regularly. 877 Jacqueline Cir , Macclenny, FL Home located on large corner lot has been updated in every way! large great room, dining room... Read More 5979 Crosby Lake Way E E, Macclenny, FL Space and storage abound in the 5 bedroom one-story caprice plan from lgi homes. this... Read More © Mapbox \| © OpenStreetMap \| Improve this map 78 Search Result(s) Commission Savings Calculator Macclenny - Statistics and Home Trends Actives Activity Chart Homes For Sale By Owner in MACCLENNY 2 3 Bed Homes For Sale in MACCLENNY (2) $ 188,000 NEW LISTINGS THIS WEEK Land For Sale By Owner in MACCLENNY 11 Land in MACCLENNY (11) $ 132,255 $ N/A Macclenny Homes For Sale By Owner Homes For Sale 2 Land For Sale 11 Sold Homes 1239 Under Contract Homes 5 Waterfront Homes 1 Nearby Subdivisions Woodlawn 21 Macclenny 10 Owens Acres 2 Sands Pointe 2 Metes & Bounds 2 Osteen 1 Out Of Area 1 Turkey Creek 1 St Marys Cove 1 Sands Pointe Sub 1 verifying Subd 1 Old Nursery Plantati 1 Surrounding Cities Glen Saint Mary1 Bryceville19 Lawtey14 Raiford1 Saint George1 Sanderson18 Jacksonville1823 Middleburg170 Lake Butler40 Orange Park98 FSBO & MLS FSBO Only 1 MLS Only 47 Macclenny Flat Fee MLS Learn More About Macclenny, Florida Currently there are 2 homes for sale and 11 vacant land for sale in Macclenny ByOwner.com offers For Sale By Owner listing services throughout the country. By posting home with ByOwner your property will get the same exposure you’d receive from a traditional real estate company. Our Macclenny, Florida Flat Fee MLS listing Service saves you from paying the traditional 6% commission charged by most real estate offices, but gives you the same worldwide exposure. Your home will be found on the local MLS, plus all the major search engines and popular real estate portal sites, including: Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com, MSN, AOL, Bing, Yahoo, and of course Google. Additionally when your home gets added to the MLS, your FSBO listing will listed alongside of the homes listed by ReMax, C-21, Coldwell Banker, ERA, Redfin, Movoto, Keller Williams and all the other nationwide brokerage sites. These sites often display “all” of the MLS postings, not just their own, which means your home will be on these sites also. The average seller who uses our Flat Rate MLS Listing, will save over $15,000. We give you the tools and exposure you need as a ForSaleByOwner to compete with every other listing in the MLS. But you are in control of the savings and the fees you pay. Currently Macclenny has 13 properties on the market for sale. The inventory was last updated 01/17/2021. Of these properties, 2 single family homes are for sale by their owners in Macclenny, and 0 condos are for sale by their owners in Macclenny. The average price of the single family homes for sale in Macclenny, is $188,000, the average condo price in Macclenny, is $160,127. The average price per square foot of the active inventory is $62. This is based the living area square footage. Over the last year, there have been 1,239 of properties sold in Macclenny. Of these properties, 1,164 single family homes have sold by their owners in Macclenny, and 0 condos have sold by their owners in Macclenny. The average sales price of the single family homes sold in Macclenny, is $167,833. Single family homes have been selling for 93 per square foot of living area. The average sales price of the condos for sale in Macclenny, is $208,897. Condos have been selling for N/A per square foot of living area. The most active subdivisions with listings for sale in Macclenny, are: Woodlawn (21 For Sale), Macclenny (10 For Sale), Owens Acres (2 For Sale), Sands Pointe (2 For Sale), Metes & Bounds (2 For Sale), Osteen (1 For Sale), Out Of Area (1 For Sale), Turkey Creek (1 For Sale), St Marys Cove (1 For Sale), Sands Pointe Sub (1 For Sale) If you are thinking of selling your Macclenny home, try our flat fee listing service, Our list fees start at $449, and may save you $15,000 in real estate commissions. Click here to start saving. 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__label__wiki	0.676181	0.676181	This Week's Camas Days Passionate Pursuits Must Clicks Camas urges state to vaccinate teachers Camas school reopenings COVID-19 Closures State of the Community event highlights projects and partnerships Ribbon cutting set for completion of phase 1 of street project By Heather Acheson \| October 1, 2013 12:00 am \| comments Camas leaders focused on projects, partnerships and prosperity during the presentation of the first “state of the community” address. The Sept. 24 event was a joint venture of the city of Camas, Camas School District, and Port of Camas-Washougal. Speakers focused on the positive, and outlined recent accomplishments and future endeavors. Camas Mayor Scott Higgins highlighted a number of construction projects that have likely been visible to local residents, or soon will be — the most significant being the 38th Avenue extension. “If you just drive around the geographical area of the city of Camas, you can’t help but run into construction project after construction project,” he said. “Things are going on in our community.” The $11 million 38th Avenue extension project begins at 20th Street in Vancouver and will eventually connect all the way to Pacific Rim Boulevard in Camas. “That will provide increased safety and pedestrian access for our citizens,” Higgins said. “But really, more importantly, this is a jobs corridor that we are able to open up to development, to having employment opportunities in Camas. It also opens access to retail opportunities that up until now have been reserved only for the city of Vancouver in the 192nd avenue corridor. It is an extremely important project for us.” A ribbon cutting ceremony will celebrate the completion of the first phase of this project. The event will be held Thursday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m., near the intersection of Bybee Road and Northwest 38th Avenue. The project, started by contractor Tapani Underground in March, provides a 44-foot to 46-foot wide paved road, two bike lanes, two vehicle travel lanes with a center left-turn lane, and curbs and sidewalks on both sides of the road. The road extension is supported through sources including a federal grant administered through the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council Surface Transportation Program, State Transportation Improvement Board funding and a low interest loan from the State Public Works Trust Fund. Future phases will continue the roadway improvements east to the intersection of Northwest Parker Street and ultimately Grass Valley Park. Higgins also mentioned future projects including the Frieberg Strunk Road project that will open up land near the Vancouver-Camas border for job opportunities; the Jones Creek and Boulder Creek water line construction, that will increase water supply access; and the 2 million gallon water reservoir that will be built in Grass Valley to expand capacity. Another highly visible project is the now under construction Lacamas Lake Lodge and Conference Center, located off of Lake Road next to Heritage Park. “While it may not be the complete answer that many have dreamed for, it is an answer,” Higgins said. “We are really excited that we are going to be able to bring this project online in the spring of 2014. This is going to be a community center that people are going to be able to rent and to use with their families to host private events and take advantage of the natural resources we have in Camas.” Camas School District Superintendent Mike Nerland spent time talking about the accomplishments of the school districts students and teachers. “We have outstanding staff, caring teacher, great administrators, but without the partnership of our community, the support of our parents, our students would not receive the great education they currently do,” Nerland said. The district currently has 6,000 students and 350 classroom teachers, “Every single one of our teachers meets the highly qualified standards set by the federal government in the no chile left behind act,” he said. Earlier this year, the school district surveyed 500 parents, of which 97 percent said they believed that the Camas School District was a place where their students received a high quality education. “One of the key pieces of the Camas way is our people,” Nerland said. :Our people who work right here in the Camas school district. They all play a key role in the education of our kids, and that is the Camas way.” Port executive director David Ripp provided some details on future plans to open up the Columbia River Waterfront with additional public access and a trail. The information about the area’s cleanup and revitalization was also the focus of an open house held at the port that same evening. “It’s the gem of the Columbia River,” Ripp said. “It’s something we are proud of.” Heather Acheson Post-Record staff writer Please take a second to review our community guidelines Please review our community guidelines Help make a difference. Get involved in the Clark County community. BLM supporters protest ‘Back the Blue’ rally in Camas Camas High School Class of 2020 Parade 2019 Camas Days 2019 Camas-Washougal Graduations Home Delivery Issues Help / Submissions Send us a News Tip or Photo Copyright © 2021 CamasPostRecord.com. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of use.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line899
__label__cc	0.617137	0.382863	45 Of Muhammad Ali’s Most Notable Quotes By: Sean Crose With the world reeling from the news of Muhammad Ali’s death, Boxing Insider has decided to pay homage to “The Greatest” by offering the reader a collection of the man’s notable quotes. Indeed, Ali was almost as great a talker as he was a fighter. Enjoy 1. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see. Now you see me, now you don’t. George thinks he will, but I know he won’t.” 2. “It’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am.” 3. “If you even dream of beating me you’d better wake up and apologize.” 4. “I’m so mean, I make medicine sick.” 5. “At home I am a nice guy: but I don’t want the world to know. Humble people, I’ve found, don’t get very far.” 6. “He’s too ugly to be the world champ. The world champ should be pretty like me!” 7. “Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn’t matter which color does the hating. It’s just plain wrong.” 8. “Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you’re going to be right.” 9. “I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.” 10. “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” 11. “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” 12. “I don’t have to be what you want me to be.” 13. “If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they can sure make something out of you.” 14. “I’ve made my share of mistakes along the way, but if I have changed even one life for the better, I haven’t lived in vain.” 15. “It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.” 16. “I’m not the greatest, I’m the double greatest.” 17. “It’s not bragging if you can back it up.” 18. “I’ve wrestled with alligators. I’ve tussled with a whale. I done handcuffed lightning. And throw thunder in jail.” 19. “I shook up the world. Me! Whee!” 20. “I should be a postage stamp. That’s the only way I’ll ever get licked.” 21. “A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” 22. “A man who has no imagination has no wings.” 23. “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” 24. “Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.” 25. “It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” 26. “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it—then I can achieve it.” 27. “I’m young; I’m handsome; I’m fast. I can’t possibly be beat.” 28. “Braggin’ is when a person says something and can’t do it. I do what I say.” 29. “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” 30. “Don’t count the days; make the days count.” 31. “I am the astronaut of boxing. Joe Louis and Dempsey were just jet pilots. I’m in a world of my own.” 32. “I’m the most recognized and loved man that ever lived cuz there weren’t no satellites when Jesus and Moses were around, so people far away in the villages didn’t know about them.” 33. “Cassius Clay is a name that white people gave to my slave master. Now that I am free, that I don’t belong anymore to anyone, that I’m not a slave anymore, I gave back their white name, and I chose a beautiful African one.” 34. “I’m the greatest thing that ever lived! I’m the king of the world! I’m a bad man. I’m the prettiest thing that ever lived.” 35. “Never put your money against Cassius Clay, for you will never have a lucky day.” 36. “I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.” 37. “Joe Frazier is so ugly that when he cries, the tears turn around and go down the back of his head.” 38. “To be able to give away riches is mandatory if you wish to possess them. This is the only way that you will be truly rich.” 39. “Don’t feel sorry for me.” 40. “When I won the Golden Gloves in 1960, that made me realize I had a chance. And when I won at the Olympics, that sealed it: I was the champ.” 41. “When you can whip any man in the world, you never know peace.” 42. “Frazier is so ugly that he should donate his face to the U.S. Bureau of Wild Life.” 43. “My way of joking is to tell the truth. That’s the funniest joke in the world.” 44. “I’m no leader; I’m a little humble follower.” 45. “I don’t count the sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting because they’re the only ones that count. That’s what makes you a champion.”	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line900
__label__wiki	0.961134	0.961134	Adele tickets more popular after Brits performance? Friday, 18th Feb 2011 Adele tickets could be in high demand following the singer's sensational appearance at the Brit awards. Taking to the stage at the London O2 Arena to sing new track Someone Like You, the singer wowed the audience in the venue and at home with her pitch-perfect vocals as her performance was only accompanied by a piano. Following the show, all the live tracks were released to download from iTunes and it is Adele who has proven to be the hit of the night, with her song rocketing to the top of the site's chart. It has also been a huge success in the UK singles chart, with mid-week figures suggesting it will rise 44 places to number three. People who wish to hear her incredible vocals for themselves can get concert tickets to her upcoming string of live shows, which are set to take place in cities including Manchester, Birmingham and Southampton during April 2011, with further shows announced for later in the year. By Jemma Howard Article filed under: Concert News \| Strictly Come Dancing (O2 Arena)	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line901
__label__wiki	0.873295	0.873295	The Soraya Announces 2019/2020 Season Featuring Randy Newman's FAUST BroadwayWorld.com Apr. 26, 2019 Executive Director Thor Steingraber unveils the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts' 2019-20 Season, which features a reconsideration of Randy Newman's musical Faust, in a concert format (May 9), an opening night recital with Itzhak Perlman accompanied by Rohan De Silva, piano (September 19), and a Beethoven 250th Birthday Celebration featuring six concerts beginning with Jonathan Biss, piano (October 15 & 16); other concerts include the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio (November 13), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Pinchas Zukerman, Principal Guest Conductor and Violin Soloist (January 24), Christian Tetzlaff, violin, with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (February 7), Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Joshua Bell (March 4) and Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (March 25). The season boasts three full-length ballets - resident artists Aspen Santa Fe Ballet's The Nutcracker (December 7 & 8), Shanghai Ballet Giselle (February 15) and Ballet BC Romeo + Juliet (February 29 & March 1). Acclaimed Jazz pianist and MacArthur fellow Jason Moran returns to The Soraya to kick-off Black History Month performing his score live to the Best Picture Oscar nominee Selma (2014; directed by Ava DuVernay) with New West Symphony (February 1). The film appeared on 45 critics "top ten lists" including Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Washington Post, Hollywood Reporter, and Variety. There are four jazz main stage concerts. One of which is part of an October run of concerts in the season -- Chucho Valdés, the famed Cuban bandleader, will honor his seminal 1973 recording, Jazz Batá, (October 19). Quinteto Astor Piazzolla's Revolucionario Tour stops in on October 3, and Bettye Lavette will play on October 6. Later Hamilton's Mandy Gonzalez performs with special guest Javier Munoz (October 26). The Soraya's intimate onstage Jazz Club will feature three women artists: Camila Meza & The Nectar Orchestra (November 15 & 16), Luciana Souza (January 17 & 18), and tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana (March 12 & 13) The Soraya leads Violins of Hope with four symphonic orchestras and the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust for an ambitious collaborative initiative that will bring to life the sounds of music once lost. At the heart of Violins of Hope is a collection of over 60 stringed instruments rescued from the Holocaust and restored by second-generation violinmaker, Amnon Weinstein, and his son, Avshalom in their shop in Tel Aviv. These instruments will come to Los Angeles with a series of concerts, exhibitions and educational programming. Thor Steingraber, Executive Director of The Soraya, said "Our 2019-2020 can take its inspiration of Violins of Hope, this season's signature event - which celebrates the triumph of the human spirit. It is an event in a season of hope, renewal and exploration." "It is a season that encompasses some of the jazz greats and newer performers, and MacArthur fellow Jason Moran, with New West Symphony, perform his score for Ava DuVernay's Selma, evoking Dr. Martin Luther King amidst an infusion in a season of Beethoven. Hecho in Las Americás continues our exploration of 'Music Knows No Borders.' We have some of the great performing artists of our time - Quinteto Astor Piazzolla, Bettye Lavette, Chucho Valdés, Joshua Bell, Kurt Elling, and the Count Basie Orchestra celebrating Ella Fitzgerald." "Finally, we are working with LA's own Randy Newman to bring his legendary musical, Faust, back to the stage next spring. We look forward to welcoming our longtime patrons and new audiences to The Soraya, our beautiful and inviting artistic hub on the CSUN/Northridge campus." This season opens with a recital by violinist Itzhak Perlman accompanied by pianist Rohan De Silva (September 19). The series then moves into a celebration of the 250th birthday of one of the greatest composers who ever lived: Ludwig van Beethoven, with six world-class concerts. Jonathan Biss, piano, will perform Beethoven's Piano Sonatas in The Soraya's intimate onstage chamber music setting (October 15 & 16) as will The Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio with an all-Beethoven program (November 13). Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Pinchas Zukerman; Principal Guest, Conductor and Violin Soloist, will perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 (January 24). Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Jaime Martin, Music Director and Conductor, will feature Christian Tetzlaff at the violin for Beethoven's Violin Concerto (February 7). Later, Academy of St Martin in the Field's electric Music Director and violinist Joshua Bell returns to The Soraya with Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. The series concludes with Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Lahav Shani, Conductor and Nelson Freire, piano performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5. Violins of Hope Violins of Hope is an internationally renowned project created to celebrate the triumph of the human spirit. At the heart of Violins of Hope is a collection of over 60 stringed instruments rescued from the Holocaust and restored by second-generation violinmaker, Amnon Weinstein, and his son, Avshalom in their shop in Tel Aviv. Now, this unique collection will come to Los Angeles for the first time March 22 to April 26, 2020 for a month-long series of concerts, exhibits, and student educational programming at several Los Angeles cultural institutions. Each concert in the Violins of Hope series will feature performers and soloists using instruments from the Weinstein's collection. Artist in Residence and Northridge native Niv Ashkenazi, the only individual musician in North American entrusted with one of the collection's rescued violins, will take the storied instruments on a tour to Los Angeles area schools. The Violins of Hope concert series at The Soraya will feature three concerts in two weeks. Each concert in the Violins of Hope series will feature performers and soloists using instruments from the Weinstein's collection. Opening Night: March 22, 2020 - Artistic Director Noreen Green conducts the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony featuring violinist Lindsay Deutsch. March 25, 2020 -- Lahav Shani conducts the Rotterdam Philharmonic with soloist Nelson Freire. Maestro Shani succeeded Zubin Mehta as Music Director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra before becoming the youngest chief conductor in the Rotterdam Philharmonic's history. April 5, 2020 -- The Jerusalem Quartet closes The Soraya leg of the series with works by Haydn, Shostakovich and Brahms. The ensemble debuted in 1996 and has since carried on the string quartet tradition with their award-winning performances and recordings. Additionally, the 2019-20 Season will open with Itzhak Perlman who grew up near the violin shop and has a close association with it. Later in the season, Pinchas Zuckerman will appear with Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. Zuckerman's first childhood violin came from the Weinstein's shop in Tel Aviv. About Violins of Hope Educational Programs and Artist in Residence Niv Ashkenazi The Los Angeles area concerts are accompanied by school visits, where the history of some instruments - such as the violin thrown out of a cattle train on way from France to Auschwitz, the violin that was buried under the snow in Holland, and the violin that saved lives of people who played in camp orchestra and survived - is told against the larger history of World War II. The Soraya Arts Education Program serves 10,000 area schoolchildren in grades K-12, as well as CSUN's 40,000 students annually. Through this program, Violins of Hope ambassadors including Artist in Residence and Northridge resident Niv Ashkenazi, the only individual musician in North American entrusted with one of the collection's rescued violins, will take the storied instruments "on tour" to visit local students. Classical violinist and former student of Itzhak Perlman, Ashkenazi will share the Violins of Hope program with students in the San Fernando Valley in over 40 in-school visits and a culminating concert for students at The Soraya. His recent engagements have featured a performance and speaking engagement at the Jewish Funders Network Conference and toured Israel with the iPalpiti Chamber Orchestra. In addition to performing and teaching in Los Angeles, Ashkenazi serves on the professional advisory board of Shane's Inspiration, a global non-profit organization dedicated to building inclusive playgrounds and served on the board of the Los Angeles youth Orchestra. Scenes and Songs The Soraya will be staging a rare concert version of Randy Newman's Faust: The Concert (May 9), released as a concept album featuring James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt and Elton John followed by productions at La Jolla Playhouse and The Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Rolling Stone said of the original release; "[Faust] breathes new life into a musical-theater tradition hijacked by the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber," and the Los Angeles Times called it, "deliciously entertaining." This will be a new concert version - the last time it was produced was 2014 for New York City Encores. On October 26, Mandy Gonzalez (Hamilton, In the Heights) will perform songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda to Stephen Schwartz with special guest Javier Munoz, who was Lin-Manuel's replacement taking over the lead role of Hamilton on Broadway. Shape and Motion The Soraya showcases a focus onstory ballets this season with three exquisite companies. Aspen Santa Fe Ballet returns for their charming rendition of The Nutcracker (December 7 & 8). The Shanghai Ballet, which helped usher dance into the culture of China, will present their staging of Giselle, the romantic and otherworldly tale (February 15). >From British Columbia comes Ballet BC with their updated Romeo + Juliet, choreographed by Medhi Walerski (February 29 & March 1). Walerski brings a contemporary familiarity to the story of Romeo and Juliet -"the vision of love that Shakespeare gave us in this master work is very precious. It is like holding a jewel in your hand that needs to be protected." Jazz Club & Jazz Masters This season marks the third year of Jazz Club, The Soraya's intimate nightclub space. The three performers are all Latin American women: Luciana Souza from Brazil (January 17 & 18) and Camila Meza (November 15 & 16) and Melissa Aldana (March 12 & 13), both from Chile. In addition to intimate jazz performances, some of jazz's biggest names will be taking over The Soraya with their explosive music. Chucho Valdés, the famed Cuban bandleader will honor his seminal 1973 release, Jazz Batá (October 19), MacArthur Award winner Jason Moran will perform his film score, live, with the movie Selma (February 1), the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra pays tribute to one of the greatest of all time: Ella Fitzgerald (April 9) and Kurt Elling celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Close Your Eyes (May 2). Hecho in Las Americás The Soraya continues its tradition of "Music Knows No Borders" with Hecho in Las Americas featuring colorful performances from both sides of the border. La Santa Cecilia's La Marisoul steps out for the first time at The Soraya with Un Homenaje to Mexican-American Music: From Lalo Guerrero to Today (October 12). This premiere will honor the father of Chicano music and chart a course for the future of Chicano music in Los Angeles, with La Marisoul at the helm. Nochebuena returns for a second year, this time starring Eugenia León, and will again feature Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar (December 14). Ballet Folclórico Nacional de México de Silvia Lozano, with a history of over 55 years, will make a rare stop in Los Angeles (January 30). New season tickets are available May 28 at TheSoraya.org or by calling (818) 677-3000. Single tickets will go on sale July 16. The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts is located on the campus of California State University, Northridge (CSUN), 18111 Nordhoff Street Northridge, CA 91330-8448, at the corner of Nordhoff and Lindley. Related Articles View More Los Angeles Stories Shows UCLA's Center for the Art of Performance Commits to Digital Programming Laguna Playhouse Presents Joe Spano & Jobeth Williams In Virtual Staged Reading Of THE GIN GAME Pacific Symphony Principal Trumpet Barry Perkins To Be Featured In INAUGURATION FANFARE FOR JOE AND KAMALA A LITTLE NEW MUSIC's SPOTLIGHT SERIES Presents David Mallamud The McKnight Center Announces 2020-2021 Season Updates Tulsa Opera Postpones Two Upcoming Performances in 2021 City of L.A. Invites Latino Theater Company to Manage Downtown's Los Angeles Theatre Center for Additional 30 Years Los Angeles SHOWS Billy Stritch Sings Mel Torme Cabaret Project St Louis (1/23 - 1/30) Funny B?nz P3 Theatre Company (2/13 - 2/13) PHOTOS VIDEOS CAST Theatre Thursdays Coachella Valley Repertory (1/21 - 1/21) ACTING & IMPROVISATION INTERACTIVE ONLINE CLASSES FOR CHILDREN & TEENS Edgemar Center For The Arts (10/24 - 3/25) Center Theatre Group (12/9 - 2/7)	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line905
__label__wiki	0.677969	0.677969	Burren included in new European Geotourism Route The Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark has been included in a new cultural route launching across Europe next week. The European Atlantic Geotourism Route celebrates outstanding geological landscapes and has been created to support the development of Geotourism in a number of dramatically stunning landscapes in the European Atlantic Area. The destinations span the Atlantic frontier from Ireland and the UK, to France, Portugal, Spain and over to the Atlantic islands of Lanzarote and the Azores. To celebrate the launch of this new route a series of events have been organised across all the destinations to promote ideals of sustainable Geotourism that are fostered by UNESCO Global Geoparks. The launch in the Burren titled ‘Between a Rock and an Art Place’ will take place from 28th May – 10th June at several visitor centres including; The Burren Nature Sanctuary, Kinvara; Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan Doolin Cave, Doolin The Burren Centre, Kilfenora; Moher Cottage, Liscannor; EkoTree Knitwear, Doolin and Caherconnell Stone Fort, Carron. Local artists Phillip Morrison, Sara Foust, Kay Maahs, Patsy Risks and Mary Fahy will be visiting the centres during this time to draw and paint the landscape while interacting with the public. Full programme and artists details below Artists Details Sara Foust Sara will be at: Moher Cottage on Monday 4th June at 10am and Caherconnell Stone fort at 10am on Tuesday 5th June Sara Foust is a professional artist living and working on the west coast of Ireland. Sara trained at Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design in the USA, and with master muralist Susan Cervantes in San Francisco. She exhibits her artwork throughout Ireland and internationally. Her work has been supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Clare County Council, and commissioned by CREATE, Leader/RRD, Cluid Housing and HSE. Kaye Maahs Kaye will be at: Emerging artist Kaye Maahs is a native of Kerry who lives and works in the Burren, County Clare. Kaye’s work is rooted in both the local and the personal. Her practice is defined by daily observations and musings. It is the residue of these moments that informs her work. Phillip Morrison Will be visiting: The Burren Nature Sanctuary on Sunday, June 10th at 11am and Aillwee Cave on Sunday, 10th June at 2pm Phillips work celebrates the culture and landscape of Ireland and is often described as having a musicality to it. Strong colours and movement are key signatures to his unique style of painting, but the artist attempts to push his work in new directions through experimentation to help his art practice evolve. Patsy Ricks Patsy will be in: The Burren Centre, Kilfenora on Sunday, June 3rd from 11am – 5pm Patsy works mainly in watercolor and can be found at the courthouse Gallery in Ennistymon. She has been exhibiting her work in studios across Ireland and Co. Clare since 1978 and has pieces included in private collections in Ireland, England, Holland and Brazil Mary Fahy Mary will be at: Award-winning Artist Mary Fahy tends to paint outdoors, directly onto canvas, to capture the immediacy of the moment. Her paintings begin with direct observation of her surroundings. Working quickly, in a gestural way, she allows herself to be lead by the process. Mary has work in numerous public and private collections both national and international including the Revenue Commissioners, The Boyle Civic Art Collection, Camac Arts Centre in France and in the collection of President Michael D. Higgins. Her work is held in private collections worldwide including Ireland, the UK, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, France, Germany, The USA, Australia and The UAE. Diarmuid Neilan Diarmuid will be at the ekotree studio from 10am-5pm from Tuesday to Saturday. Diarmuid owns and runs Ekotree studio in Doolin it is Ireland’s only knitwear visitor centre & working knitwear studio. The Doolin studio is small and busy – but Diarmuid still try to pack a lot in. The idea for the Doolin studio is to give visitors a thorough insight into the daily workings of a designer-maker knitwear studio. They also have an exhibition tracing the history of the Irish knitwear, the Irish Aran sweater and Irish stitch structures. About the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme The European Atlantic Geotourism Route is co-funded by the EU Interreg Atlantic Area programme and Clare County Council. The 30 month project aims to forge new tourism links along a defined Atlantic route through highlighting the common interests and heritage of the destinations along the route.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line907
__label__cc	0.620433	0.379567	Las Vegas Back in Running to Host Republican National Convention Posted on: June 3, 2020, 01:58h. Last updated on: June 3, 2020, 02:38h. Devin O'Connor Read More Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Politics. Las Vegas is once again being considered for this August’s Republican National Convention (RNC). The Republican National Convention needs a new home for 2020, and Las Vegas is on the shortlist. (Image: Tannen Maury/EPA) The RNC is scheduled for August 24-27. It was to be held at the Spectrum Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. But because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the state telling Republican leaders that it cannot guarantee a full capacity use of the venue, the GOP is looking elsewhere. Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, a place I love. Now, @NC_Governor Roy Cooper and his representatives refuse to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena – Spend millions of dollars, have everybody arrive, and then tell them they will not be able to gain entry,” President Donald Trump tweeted this week. The President continued, “Governor Cooper is still in Shelter-In-Place Mode, and not allowing us to occupy the arena as originally anticipated and promised. Would have showcased beautiful North Carolina to the World, and brought in hundreds of millions of dollars and jobs for the State. Because of @NC_Governor, we are now forced to seek another State to host the 2020 Republican National Convention.” The 2016 RNC was held in Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena. Republican leaders want to hold its presidential nominating party in a swing state. North Carolina met that condition, but so does Nevada. Las Vegas was said to be one of the final 2020 candidates before the Republican National Committee selected Charlotte. The Silver State voted for Republicans Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984, and George Bush in 1988. The state switched in 1992 for Democrat Bill Clinton, and helped reelect him in 1996. Nevada went with George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004, Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, and for the first time since 1976, chose four years ago a presidential nominee who did not win – Hillary Clinton over Trump. Online betting exchange PredictIt has former VP Joe Biden a heavy favorite in Nevada for November, his shares of winning the 2020 election at 83 cents. The latest Trump vs. Biden poll conducted in Nevada – from Fox News in January – gave the Democratic candidate an eight-point lead over the incumbent. With Nevada seemingly a stronghold for Democrats, the GOP might choose a more winnable swing state for the Republican convention. Based on overseas odds in the UK, where betting on political outcomes is permitted, Las Vegas (and Nevada) has around a 4/1 to 5/1 odds of hosting the event. Another key swing state is Florida, and that’s where the money is for the 2020 RNC, or so say oddsmakers. Bookies have the Sunshine State at 2/1 to host. Florida would love to have the RNC,” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) this week. “Heck, I’m a Republican, it would be good for us to have the DNC.” Unlike North Carolina, Florida has been on the forefront of reopening businesses following coronavirus closures. DeSantis announced today, effective Friday, that bars, movie theaters, and other entertainment venues can reopen in 64 counties. The order does not apply to the state’s three hardest-hit counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Las Vegas in Running to Host 2020 Republican National Convention 2020 Republican National Convention Las Vegas Hosting Odds Lengthen, North Carolina Rumored to Be Next GOP Hot Spot RNC Brings Out Las Vegas Power Brokers for Trump, Cruz Rebuffed by Adelson GOP Online Gambling Ban Stance Reversed, Nominee Trump Makes Acceptance Speech Devin O'Connor — June 7, 2018 Samantha Beckett — July 21, 2016	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line913
__label__wiki	0.563525	0.563525	New York Online Poker Bill Clears Senate Finance Committee, But Tougher Tests Await New York State’s online poker bill sailed through the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday and now heads to the Senate floor for debate, and ultimately, we hope, a vote. Senator John Bonacic’s online poker bill would legalize hold’em and omaha, specifically, but it still has a long and perilous journey to Governor Cuomo’s desk. (Image: Mike Groll/AP) Senator John Bonacic’s (R-42nd) bill, S 3898, would legalize online poker as a game of skill, or specifically hold’em and omaha, which are deemed by the senator, apparently, to be the most skillful variants. While that point may be ripe for debate, there was no pre-vote discussion at the committee on Tuesday, whose members approved the bill by 27-9. While encouraging news for New York poker players who believe it is their birthright to remotely check-raise the living hell out of one another, the bill’s approval here should come as little surprise. It’s the Assembly we have to worry about. Last year, S3898’s predecessor was approved emphatically in a full Senate vote, by a 53-5 margin, and there’s no reason to believe that Bonacic can’t secure similar support for an almost identical bill this year. In the Assembly, though, it was a different story. It came unstuck miserably in the lower house; in fact, it wasn’t even debated, with its sponsor Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-89th) at one point wondering out loud whether poker was a game of skill at all. Eyebrows were raised and Bonacic declared himself to be “confused” by Pretlow’s misgivings. This year, though, having schlepped across the Hudson for a fact-finding mission in New Jersey, Pretlow has had his concerns laid to rest by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and has declared himself to be fully behind the bill this year. Nevertheless, it will need to work its way through three Assembly committees before it can go for a vote on the floor, which suggests the odds may be stacked against it. “There are some individuals within the administration that are really opposed to this,” Pretlow announced ominously in February, although he also said he believes he can build the support to get it through. Tribal Opposition Online poker’s chances may have been hindered over the past few years by the fact that the state has legalized commercial casino gaming. The mood was that there would be no new gambling expansion at least until the new casinos were up and running. Now that they largely are, online poker’s odds may have improved. It will, however, likely face opposition from the state’s tribal casino and the lawmakers who represent them. As the language of the bill stands, it would not limit online poker licensees to land-based casino operators and their partners. This is the case in the states that have regulated online gambling elsewhere. Instead, any existing gambling licensees would qualify, such as video lottery gaming operators, for example. Tribal operators, already unhappy about the new commercial casinos, will not be pleased. Online Gambling, Poker and DFS Bills Move in New York, New Jersey, Florida, New Hampshire New York State Senate Factors Revenue from Online Poker into Draft Budget Plan Bad Actor Clause Threatens to Stymie Online Poker Legislation in New York Tough Fold: Legal Online Poker Off the Table in New York for 2017 Samantha Beckett — January 31, 2017 Katie Barlowe — June 8, 2017	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line914
__label__wiki	0.770712	0.770712	UK 2015: Politics and Taxes Hit Online Gambling Operators Hard Last updated on: November 2, 2015, 09:31h. The UK’s point of consumption tax heralded a period of industry consolidation in 2015. (Image: shutterstock) As the New Year broke in 2015, operators in the UK market were just beginning to feel the pinch of the country’s unpopular new point of consumption tax, which had come into effect on December 1 of the year just passed. Under the new regulations, any online operator that wished to engage with UK consumers would be required to pay a 15 percent levy on gross gaming revenues. Previously, operators were able to pay taxes to the regulatory jurisdiction that licensed them, and these were nearly always more favorable. Margins Squeezed Operators were also being squeezed by new EU VAT rules on digital services (the equivalent of sales tax in the US), which bwin.party said would cost the company an extra €15 million ($16.9 million) in 2015. Meanwhile, William Hill said its operating profits fell by around £21 million in the first half of the year, and that the new fiscal laws had left it with a bill that was £44 million higher the same period for the previous year. These new taxes would squeeze margins in an already crowded and competitive space. One of the immediate effects of the point of consumption tax, of course, was to make that space marginally less crowded, as a handful of operators decided to call it quits. Several withdrew from the market altogether, but these were brands with smaller stakes in the UK market, like Winamax, Carbon Poker, and Mansion Poker. For the others, a period of consolidation was predicted, and 2015 was likely to be a period of mergers and acquisitions for the big UK-facing online gaming brands, analysts said. Companies would seek to group together to achieve scale and cost savings through corporate synergies. And so it would prove, but who would jump into bed with whom? There had been rumors that bwin.party was considering putting itself up for sale since the summer of 2014. A number of suitors were rumored to be at the negotiation table, but ultimately it came down to a protracted bidding war between GVC Holdings and 888 Holdings, the latter of which had only just survived a takeover attempt of its own, from William Hill. GVC ultimately sealed the deal with a bid of $1.6 million. Creating Powerhouses Meanwhile, Ladbrokes and Gala Coral announced their intention to merge, while Paddy Power and Betfair agreed to the formation of an online sportsbetting powerhouse, Paddy Power Betfair. Betfair had previously announced that it was thriving, despite the point of consumption tax, with revenues up 21 percent to £476.5 million ($757 million) and a 52 per cent rise in active customers to a record $1.7 million ($2.6 million). This proves that the UK market itself is healthy, and the appetite for online sport betting in particular is stronger than ever, and yet with such a large amount of brands competing for players, the deluge of gambling TV advertising has threatened to ignite a public backlash against the gambling industry. Speaking at the WRB Responsible Gambling conference in London, Matthew Hill of the UK Gambling Commission warned that operators must be seen to be embracing socially responsible gambling in order to avoid such a backlash. Otherwise, he warned, the government would be forced to tighten regulatory controls and restrict industry growth. Legal Challenge Meanwhile, the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA) brought its legal challenge to the new UK licensing regime before the High Courts, arguing that the point of consumption tax contravenes Article 56 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which deals with the right to trade freely across borders. The case was referred to the European Court of Justice, Europe’s highest court, which has been asked to consider the legality of the tax as a matter of “constitutional importance.” Europe in 2015: A Fragmented Regulatory Landscape for Online Gaming Bitcoin Users Scramble as Major Exchange MtGox Goes Offline UK Online Casinos Last Comment ( 1 ) toosexyforthenwo . December 30, 2015 more tax in the UK? Say it ain't so! Where's all your tax money go? and do you collect any money in taxes from UBER? the illegal ridesharing company that should be in jail.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line915
__label__wiki	0.650831	0.650831	Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 12th On this Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, let us first of all gratefully remember her visit and maternal closeness; let us sing her Magnificat with Her, and let us entrust the life of our peoples and the continental mission of the Church to her. Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Vatican Basilica When she appeared to St Juan Diego on the Hill of Tepeyac, she presented herself as the “ever perfect Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God” (Nican Mopohua); and so made a new “visitation”. She also hastened attentively to embrace the new American peoples, at their dramatic birth. It was as though a “great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet” (Rev 12:1), taking upon herself the cultural and religious symbolism of the indigenous peoples, she proclaimed and gave her Son to all these new peoples lacerated by their mixed origin. So many jumped for joy and hope at her visit and at the gift of her Son, and the perfect disciple of the Lord became the “great missionary who brought the Gospel to our Americas” (cf. Aparecida Document, n. 269). The Son of Mary Most Holy, Immaculate Conception, has thus revealed Himself from the beginning of the history of the new peoples as “the most true God, giver of life”, the Good News of the filial dignity of all the inhabitants of the Americas. Now, no one is only a servant, but we all are children of one and the same Father, brothers among us and servants in the Servant. The Holy Mother of God visited these peoples and has wished to remain with them. She mysteriously left her sacred image imprinted on the tilma [cloak] of her messenger so we would feel her constant presence, thereby becoming a symbol of Mary’s covenant with these peoples, to whom she imparts her soul and tenderness. Through her intercession, the Christian faith began to grow into the most precious treasure of the soul of the American peoples, whose pearl of great value is Jesus Christ: a patrimony that has been passed on and is manifest still today in the baptism of multitudes of people, in the faith, in hope and charity of many, in the preciosity of popular piety and also in the American ethos which is shown in the awareness of human dignity, in the passion for justice, in solidarity with the poorest and the suffering, in the hope, at times, against all hope. God, in his way, “has hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to the lowly and humble, to the lowly in heart” (cf. Mt 11:25). In the wonders that the Lord has fulfilled in Mary, She recognizes her Son’s manner and mode of conduct in salvation history. Overturning worldly judgments, destroying at all costs the idols of power, wealth and success, denouncing self-sufficiency, arrogance and secular messianism which distance people from God, the Marian Canticle professes that God takes pleasure in overturning ideologies and worldly hierarchies. He lifts up the humble, comes to the aid of the poor and the lowly, fills with goodness, with blessings and hope those who trust in his mercy from generation to generation, while He puts down from their thrones the wealthy, the powerful and the overbearing.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line916
__label__wiki	0.616229	0.616229	New Appointment to the Supreme Court of BC Ardith Walkem, Q.C., Lawyer at Cedar and Sage Law Corporation in Chilliwack, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Madam Justice Walkem replaces Madam Justice M. Gropper (Vancouver), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective April 14, 2020. International Human Rights Day and Renate Shearer Award Presentation United Nations Association in Canada, Vancouver Branch (UNAC) & Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) BC Human Rights Clinic cordially invite you to a VIRTUAL celebration of the 72nd Anniversary of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS & 32nd Anniversary presentation of the RENATE SHEARER AWARD to Douglas R. Campbell Attorney general’s statement on Cullen Commission interim report “In reviewing the report, I am profoundly concerned about the commissioner’s advice at the bottom of page 9 and over to page 10 that there is an ongoing problem in co-operation and support from the Government of Canada. Most troubling to me is the apparent failure of FINTRAC, the federal anti-money-laundering agency, to share what it knows about what is happening in British Columbia with the commission." In memoriam: Joseph J.M. Arvay, OC, QC The entire CBABC community offers our sincere condolences to Joe’s family, colleagues, and friends. The most current updates and notices for the Court of Appeal for BC, the Supreme Court of BC, and the Provincial Court of BC. In memoriam: Frank Kraemer, QC In 2001, Frank was appointed Executive Director of the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association. In that position he honed his administration skills and managed to significantly improve the Branch's financial position. He also made significant contributions to the national organization of the Association. Government of Canada introduces legislation respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples If passed by Parliament, Bill C-15 would require the Government of Canada, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, to take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the rights of Indigenous peoples set out in the Declaration, as well as to develop an action plan to achieve its objectives. Cullen Commission Update New cabinet focuses on keeping people safe, fighting COVID-19 Premier John Horgan has announced a new cabinet that will focus on keeping people healthy and safe through the COVID-19 pandemic. “The pandemic has turned the lives of British Columbians upside down,” Premier Horgan said. “We have come a long way together, but we have much further to go. This skilled, diverse team is ready to continue our fight against COVID-19 and build an economic recovery that includes everyone.” Provincial Court of BC: NP 22: Resuming In-Person Proceedings During COVID-19 All persons attending courtrooms will be required to participate and cooperate to attain the recommended COVID-19 health and safety protocols. This includes practicing physical distancing, sanitizing hands upon entry of a courthouse or courtroom, and adhering to all other recommended health and safety protocols and directions.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line919
__label__cc	0.705289	0.294711	Randy Smith Randy Smith serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Censis Technologies. He joined Censis in 2005 as president and quickly ascended to CEO in 2006. He has led the organization to record growth, increasing revenue by more than $15 million between 2010 and 2015. Randy’s leadership has guided the organization to industry-leading growth metrics from 18 to 70 employees and 15 to 500 customers during his tenure. In 2015, he was selected to meet with members of Congress discussing the role of private equity and how it contributes to the long-term growth of the U.S. economy with American Investment Counsel (Formerly known as Private Equity Growth Capital Council). Randy has more than 30 years of experience in management and finance, including significant experience in accounting, taxation, finance, information technology, and healthcare. He graduated with a Master’s degree in Accounting from the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee and was selected by The Riverside Group to participate in the University Michigan Executive program in 2014. Randy also serves as a member of the University of Tennessee Accounting Advisory Board. Susan Kane Jim Creason Todd Thomas Kelly Murray	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line923
__label__wiki	0.889227	0.889227	Dairy industry says state law will devastate its livelihood California lawmakers are making it very hard on dairymen and the industry says many may leave the state or go under. - photo by Contributed to the Courier California dairy farmers are claiming that a strict climate change law known as the Super Pollutant Reduction Act, which was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last month, will devastate the industry and force many more dairies throughout the state to close their doors. Authored by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), this law sets goals to achieve a 40 percent reduction in methane emissions from dairy farms, along with a 50 percent reduction in black carbon emissions a 40 percent reduction in hydrofluorocarbon gases, in the state of California by 2030. The State Air Resources Board has until Jan. 1, 2018 to determine how these goals will be met. Under this law, the State Air Resources Board must consult with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to adopt regulations to reduce methane emissions from livestock manure management operations and dairy manure management operations. These regulations are required to take effect in 2024. In response to the bill's passing, Dairy Cares, a statewide coalition of dairies, families and businesses, said California dairy farming families have a track record of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and have significantly reduced the carbon "hoofprint" of a glass of milk through the innovative use of new technologies. "Further reductions contemplated by state regulators, particularly on the aggressive schedule called for under SB 1383, will be far more costly and difficult to obtain for California's dairy families," said Dairy Cares in a statement. "Equally important, the state's targets for dairy manure methane emissions are not just the most ambitious in the nation, but the only such requirements being placed on dairy farmers anywhere in the world." As part of Dairy Cares, the California Dairy Campaign, based in Turlock, joined the rest of the state's dairy industry in voicing their concerns about the law's call for reduced methane emissions. Executive Director Lynne McBride said that in the first five months of 2016, 53 dairies across the state closed their doors as California dairy farmers are routinely the lowest paid of any in the nation. "Dairy farmers in our state have been enduring mounting losses since prices paid to dairy producers began to decline in later 2014," said McBride. "In terms of the numbers of dairies going out of business, 2016 is proving to be worse than the worst year in memory-2009-when we saw 100 dairies go out of business." McBride said that according to the latest available mailbox price data, California dairy producers received $13.54 per cwt in June, the second lowest income of the 23 major milk producing states reported by the United States Department of Agriculture. According to the latest CDFA cost of production report, the average cost to produce milk in California in the second quarter of 2016 totaled $17.87 per cwt, more than $4 per cwt higher than average income. "Dairy farmers are not able to pass on increased costs and another increase in regulatory costs will present an additional challenge for dairy farm families who are already struggling to remain in operation in California due to mounting financial losses," said McBride. "It is critical that resources and incentives are made available to dairy farmers to achieve air and water environmental goals."	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line924
__label__wiki	0.854038	0.854038	Elizabeth C. Economy Senior Fellow for China Studies eeconomy@cfr.org CFR senior fellow and expert on China's foreign and domestic policies. Award-winning author of The River Runs Black: The Environmental Challenges to China's Future Lucy Best Elizabeth Economy is a senior fellow for China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. Dr. Economy is an acclaimed author and expert on Chinese domestic and foreign policy. Her most recent book, The Third Revolution: Xi Jinping and the New Chinese State, (Oxford University Press, 2018; Thai edition, 2018; Chinese (Taiwan) edition, 2019) was shortlisted for the Lionel Gelber Prize. She is also the author of By All Means Necessary: How China’s Resource Quest is Changing the World (Oxford University Press, 2014; Vietnamese, 2019) with Michael Levi, and The River Runs Black: The Environmental Challenge to China’s Future (Cornell University Press, 2004; 2nd edition, 2010; Japanese edition, 2005; Chinese edition, 2011). The River Runs Black was named one of the top fifty sustainability books in 2008 by the University of Cambridge, won the 2005 International Convention on Asia Scholars award for the best social science book published on Asia, and was listed as one of the top ten books of 2004 by the Globalist, as well as one of the best business books of 2010 by Booz Allen Hamilton’s strategy+business magazine. Economy also coedited China Joins the World: Progress and Prospects (Council on Foreign Relations Press, with Michel Oksenberg, 1999) and The Internationalization of Environmental Protection (Cambridge University Press, with Miranda Schreurs, 1997). She has published articles in foreign policy and scholarly journals including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and Harvard Business Review, and op-eds in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post, among others. Dr. Economy is a frequent guest on nationally broadcast television and radio programs, has testified before Congress on numerous occasions, and regularly consults for U.S. government agencies and companies. She writes about topics involving China on CFR’s Asia program blog, Asia Unbound, which is syndicated by Forbes.com. In June 2018, Dr. Economy was named one of the "10 Names That Matter on China Policy" by Politico Magazine. Dr. Economy serves on the board of managers of Swarthmore College and the board of trustees of the Asia Foundation and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. She has also served on the advisory council of Network 20/20 and the science advisory council of the Stockholm Environment Forum. Previously, she was a member of the Global Agenda Council on the United States at the World Economic Forum (WEF) from 2014 to 2016 and served as a member and then vice chair of WEF’s Global Agenda Council on the Future of China from 2008 to 2014. Dr. Economy has also served on the board of the China-U.S. Center for Sustainable Development. She has taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses at Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University's Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, and the University of Washington’s Jackson School of International Studies. Dr. Economy received her BA with honors from Swarthmore College, her AM from Stanford University, and her PhD from the University of Michigan. In 2008, she received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Vermont Law School. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children. Asia Foundation, member of the board of trustees National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, member of the board of trustees South China Morning Post, international advisory council, member Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, senior fellow Swarthmore College, member of the board of managers The New Geopolitics of China, India, and Pakistan January 1, 2014 July 1, 2016 Project on China as a Global Leader May 1, 2019 Present How 2020 Shaped U.S.-China Relations This year, tensions between Washington and Beijing flared over many issues. As the Biden administration prepares to take over, what lies ahead for one of the world’s most important bilateral relationships? by Elizabeth C. Economy, Yanzhong Huang, Jerome A. Cohen, Adam Segal and Julian Gewirtz December 15, 2020 Asia Program Asia: The New Center of the Global Battle of Ideas? with Elizabeth C. Economy via Forum 2000 October 13, 2020 An Order Aligned With Chinese Values with Elizabeth C. Economy via Lowy Institute September 25, 2020 The United States, China, and the Great Values Game with Elizabeth C. Economy via COVID-19 and World Order: The Future of Conflict, Competition, and Cooperation August 31, 2020 The Coronavirus Is a Stress Test for Xi Jinping with Elizabeth C. Economy via Foreign Affairs February 10, 2020 China's Neo-Maoist Moment with Elizabeth C. Economy via Foreign Affairs October 1, 2019 Trade: Parade of Broken Promises with Elizabeth C. Economy via Democracy: A Journal of Ideas March 14, 2019 What Began as a Very Positive Image-Boosting Initiative with Elizabeth C. Economy via Los Angeles Review of Books March 8, 2019 The Problem With Xi’s China Model with Elizabeth C. Economy via Foreign Affairs March 6, 2019 China’s Economic Slowdown with Elizabeth C. Economy via Bloomberg Surveillance March 5, 2019 The U.S. Rethink and Reset on China with Elizabeth C. Economy via Horizons March 1, 2019 US-China Relations at 40 with Elizabeth C. Economy via The Diplomat January 1, 2019 How China Challenges America's World Leadership with Elizabeth C. Economy via NPR October 10, 2018 Xi Jinping's Superpower Plans with Elizabeth C. Economy via Wall Street Journal July 19, 2018 The Great Firewall of China: Xi Jinping’s Internet Shutdown with Elizabeth C. Economy via The Guardian June 29, 2018 Is Washington Boosting Ties With Taiwan? The opening of a new U.S. diplomatic compound in Taipei doesn’t mark a major change in ties, but the Trump administration has taken new approaches to dealing with China over Taiwan. Interview with Eleanor Albert and Elizabeth C. Economy June 19, 2018 When It Comes to Handling China, Plenty of Action But No Clear Plan with Elizabeth C. Economy via The Hill June 2, 2018 By Backing China into a Corner, Trump May End Up Diminishing US Power with Elizabeth C. Economy via Dallas Morning News May 10, 2018 The Third Revolution The Third Revolution argues that Xi Jinping’s dual-reform trajectories—a more authoritarian system at home and a more ambitious foreign policy abroad—provide Beijing with new levers of influence that the United States must learn to exploit to protect its own interests. Book by Elizabeth C. Economy September 2, 2019 Asia Program China's New Revolution: The Reign of Xi Jinping with Elizabeth C. Economy via Foreign Affairs April 17, 2018 Soon Freed From Term Limits, Xi Eyes Long-Term Ambitions with Elizabeth C. Economy via Axios February 28, 2018 Trump in Asia Trump Must Sell America as Key Leader in Asia as He Visits Region with Elizabeth C. Economy via The Hill November 6, 2017 Trump and Asia: Resources from CFR and Foreign Affairs Expert Roundup by Karen B. Brooks, Elizabeth C. Economy, Yanzhong Huang, Miles Kahler, Patricia M. Kim, Joshua Kurlantzick, Ely Ratner, Sheila A. Smith, Brad W. Setser, Scott A. Snyder and Paul B. Stares November 2, 2017 China's Tradition of Dissent Needs America's Unwavering Support with Elizabeth C. Economy via The Hill July 30, 2017	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line925
__label__cc	0.632789	0.367211	Jentezen Franklin: 3 Things Jesus Does as Your High Priest On the Day of Atonement each year, the high priest had to choose three things. 4:00PM EDT 4/18/2019 Why Owning Up to Your Sins Will Transform You—And Your Marriage As you develop a ritual of asking for forgiveness of your sins like, "Honey, I sinned again by getting angry," or "Honey, I need you to forgive me for not being patient," you begin to set up a new paradigm in your marriage. 4:00PM EDT 4/17/2019 Top Tips for Cultivating Spirit-Led Patience If you are not intentionally trying to grow patience, the process may be more painful than it needs to be. 4:00PM EDT 4/10/2019 The Bible Promises These 5 Rewards if You're Suffering for Christ Have you ever prayed for patience? 4:00PM EDT 4/9/2019 How This Ungodly Habit Is Destroying Your Family Every choice you make and action you take needs to line up with the Word of God. This is impossible to do alone. 4:00PM EDT 4/8/2019 Biblical Keys to Better Love Your Spouse We're commanded to love because it's who we are, and it's about being the best of who we are. 4:00PM EDT 4/5/2019 Why This Truck Driver Calls Himself a 'Secret Agent' and 'Undercover Priest' "God has put me in a ministry position that is unlike anything I would have foreseen years ago." 4:00PM EDT 4/4/2019 Have You Tried This Powerful Antidote to Overcome Lust? Lust is like a parasite. It only exists if it has a human host. 4:00PM EDT 4/3/2019 The Destructive Force That Enslaves a Large Portion of the Church Is someone you love trapped in its evil grip? Here's hope. 5:00PM EDT 4/2/2019 What Is Your Heart Saying About Your Behavior? When it comes to out-of-control behavior, we often surround ourselves with denial, rationalizations and excuses, but our heart knows the truth. 5:00PM EDT 3/29/2019 Does Your Calendar Prove Your Spouse Is a Priority? When you are purposeful in putting something in you calendar, you're more likely to do it. 4:00PM EDT 3/27/2019 Samuel Rodriguez: It's Not Too Late for Your Miracle! Jesus will always shock you with His goodness and power. 4:00PM EDT 3/26/2019 Free From Porn: 4 Keys to Godly Manhood in Christ Sadly, men are pursuing more things that will define them in the world instead of pursuing their identity in Christ and leading their families. 4:00PM EDT 3/25/2019 Telltale Signs You Live as an Object, Not a Soul It is important to not feel shame about the choices you made when you were a child or teenager in response to your circumstances. 4:00PM EDT 3/22/2019 Are You Unwittingly Breaking Your Wedding Vows? It goes way beyond not having other romantic or sexual relationships. 4:00PM EDT 3/20/2019 What Your Daughter Needs to Hear From You She needs your affirmation. 4:00PM EDT 3/15/2019 Is Your Marriage Paradigm Biblical? The paradigm you collected and created will be how you behave in your marriage. 4:00PM EDT 3/13/2019 12 Definite Traits of a Humble Leader Should a leader focus on avoiding pride or aspiring to humility? 4:00PM EDT 3/12/2019 Promise Keepers CEO Responds to Hollywood's Attack on Masculinity They reject biblical wisdom and replace it with a vision of masculinity which is soft, silent, and impotent at the exact moment when the world needs men who are servant kings. 1:00PM EDT 3/10/2019 Do You Have the Favor of Your Heavenly Father-in-Law? Many of us who marry and become parents along the way will understand this analogy. 4:00PM EST 3/8/2019 The Prophet's Manual John Eckhardt's 6 Book "Prayers That" Series + Holy Spirit Series Retail: $99.90 Our Price: $49.99 Save: $49.91 (49%)	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line926
__label__wiki	0.854824	0.854824	Chicago Reporter (https://www.chicagoreporter.com/ctu-members-vote-new-contract-prepare-next-fight/) CTU members vote on new contract, prepare for next fight By Rebecca Harris and Sarah Karp \| October 2, 2012 In a sign of solidarity with community groups, CTU President Karen Lewis chose to vote on the teacher contract at Dyett High School, which is being phased out amid intense community resistance. Lewis refused to say how she voted and refused to call the contract a good one. She did note she was in the negotiation room, implying that she marked her ballot “yes.” The ratification vote is but the first step in achieving what the contract provides. Now, she said, the union must monitor implementation and participate in the many committees the School Board and union agreed to create. The contract establishes at least 12 committees, including one on professional problems and another on setting a time-table for air-conditioning all school buildings that are used during summer. At Dyett and other schools, teachers seemed ready to accept the three-year pact, despite some misgivings. In general, teachers saw victory more in the experience of the strike itself than in any contract details. “I am not happy with every single line in the thing, but it’s a contract,” said Tina Padilla, who teaches at Lane Tech High School and is a trustee of the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund and a member of the Caucus of Rank and File Educators. “This is just the beginning. The sleeping giant has been awoken. We are massing up for the challenges that await us.” Lewis seemed to say the same thing, noting that, the strike empowered teachers. “They know their rights and they are standing up. “ School closings are the next major challenge the school system will tackle –officials openly talk about the need to close as many as 120 schools over the next few years and have indicated that they will vote on some this year. One teacher walking into Dyett, who declined to provide her name, said she will retire once Dyett closes. “I wouldn’t want to be a new teacher in this situation,” the teacher said. On Tuesday, Lewis framed the school-closing issue as community participation in decision-making. “The student voices were heard, but they were ignored,” Lewis said. “These decisions are badly made. They don’t take into account the community, but rather sit in rooms amid spreadsheets.” After voting , Lewis joined a group of Dyett students, flanked by members of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization. The students and leaders of KOCO are still trying to get the decision to close Dyett reversed through a civil rights complaint and a campaign to get the federal government to put a moratorium on school closings. These efforts are longshots considering the U.S. Department of Education is run by Arne Duncan, who started school closings in Chicago. Dyett students also protested a new school rule that requires they enter the building in the rear. “I am not the maid, I am not the help,” said Aquila Griffin. Dyett Principal Charles Campbell said that with only 200 students in a building built for 1,200, he wanted to consolidate the space students occupy. The back of the building was a more logical place for entering and exiting, he said, because the cafeteria and gym entrance are nearby. Having all the students in one area helps keep them secure and cuts down on students wandering in the hallways, he said. Aquila Griffin also complained that as the enrollment decreases with the phase-out, class offerings have dwindled. CPS officials are sensitive to the allegations. Knowing that Lewis was going to show up at Dyett and that the students were going to hold a press conference, they sent out security guards to keep press outside on the perimeter of the school. Campbell says he is focused on getting all the students to graduate and into college. Students have already have gone on one college tour this year, he said, and a college fair is coming up. He also is attempting to bring back some honors and AP classes. “A phase-out is a delicate situation,” Campbell said. “I am focusing on students. … I want to have a laser-like focus on instruction and making college attractive.” The Chicago teachers’ strike isn’t just about kids – it’s about union power too Teachers’ unions often say they go on strike to improve conditions for students. A closer look at recent walkouts suggests they are also fighting for something else: membership. EXPLAINER: This is how the Chicago teachers contract talks broke down Despite common ground with Mayor Lori Lightfoot, disagreement on Chicago Public Schools’ financial position and who manages control over staffing decisions is pushing the teachers union to strike. All Chicago Public Schools’ educators want is everything that our students deserve I would rather teach and be in the classroom but I’m ready to strike — for every single one of my students, for all my future students and my two sons in CPS.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line928
__label__wiki	0.878572	0.878572	I AM GIVING A MIX OF CURRENT EVENTS AS REGARDS CONGRESS AND STATE POLICY. THESE ARE BUSY TIMES AND WE NEED TO START ORGANIZING FOR THE COMING ELECTIONS IN 2014!!! The big news today is the sequester. Everybody knows my view on this by now.......Third Way wanted this as much as Republicans .....it was planned for goodness sake!!! What you will see is austerity like that in Europe. They have already gutted Medicaid and now Medicare so most won't access health care, they will be busting public sector unions further with layoffs and then spend the same money on contractors, wage reductions after ever more....making the formerly middle-class poor. The only good from this is that the average democrat now sees how their incumbents sold them down the river and that will mean RUNNING AND VOTING FOR LABOR AND JUSTICE. We can turn this around quickly and clean house of these corrupted pols. If you listen to NPR home of all things Third Way you hear their next strategy......recruiting disgruntled Republicans who are just as conservative fiscally as Third Way while sending labor and justice packing. You already see Fox news with lots of minority news and progressive commentators. The voters Third Way want are not interested in what the lower end makes, not interested in social safety nets, public education, low taxes and corporate free market/free trade. That fits perfectly with Republicans who are not so interested in the Republican social issues like abortion, creationism......THESE ARE THE VOTERS THIRD WAY ARE TARGETING BECAUSE......THEY ARE REAGAN LIBERALS!!!! We do not have to worry because labor and justice is much of the democratic party. This sequester pretty much ended health care entitlements as cuts upon cuts now have starved these programs. These will pay for the corporate tax cuts that are coming next. All the poverty programs will be cut so all of what Obama promised in Head Start and children's health will not happen and with education cuts there will be no teacher bonuses for performance, no school resources.....all supposedly a part of this education reform. WE KNEW IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE PRIVATIZING AND GENTRIFYING ANYWAY DIDN'T WE? The Justice Department will be cut.....they were barely funded as is and now will have more of an excuse to drop white collar crime for Homeland Security cases. What is important is that this will make trials more difficult to obtain giving reasons for more simply plea agreements and arbitration further deconstructing the Justice and Judicial System. THIS WAS ALL THE AGENDA FOR THIRD WAY AND WERE WELL ON THE WAY AS IT WAS. It will take a decade for major damage so we still have time to reverse all of this and it starts with the next elections. RUN AND VOTE FOR LABOR AND JUSTICE AND VOTE ALL THESE THIRD WAY INCUMBENTS OUT OF OFFICE!!! The most driving policy in expanding violence against women is policy that leads to poverty. Women overwhelmingly are victims when they fall into poverty. Clinton and the Third Way caucus have led the way in removing all of the social safety nets that protected especially women and children from being victimized in poverty. Whether ending Welfare and creating the deepest level of third world poverty in American history or allowing this wealth inequity caused by predatory corporations too large to hold accountable.....and now, sequestration, all in the name of ending New Deal and War on Poverty programs.....AND DO NOT BE FOOLED, THIS HAS BEEN A THIRD WAY OBJECTIVE.....this has placed millions of women young and old in the path of victimization never seen before in the US. These policy votes are just smoke screens and people know it!!! RUN AND VOTE FOR LABOR AND JUSTICE NEXT ELECTIONS!!! BREAKING: Congress Finally Reauthorizes Violence Against Women Act By Annie-Rose Strasser, Adam Peck and Josh Israel on Feb 28, 2013 at 11:57 am After nearly a year of partisan infighting on Capitol Hill, the House of Representatives and the Senate have finally agreed to send a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act to President Obama’s desk. On Thursday, by a vote of 286 to 138, the House passed the bipartisan Senate-approved version of the bill — one that includes added protections for LGBT, Native American, and undocumented victims of domestic violence. All 138 votes against the bill were Republicans. A watered down Republican version of the bill, which was offered as a substitute amendment, failed to garner enough votes to slow the process. It was struck down by a vote of 257 to 166. Sixty Republicans voted against their own party’s replacement measure. Twenty-seven members of Congress, all Republicans, voted against both versions: During the last session of Congress, the GOP-led House approved their watered-down VAWA, while the Senate included expanded provisions in the version it passed. The two were never reconciled, and Congress failed to renew the 18-year-old domestic violence law by the time it disbanded at the end of 2012. People are now seeing that the Affordable Care Act was not about access and quality care, it was about making global health systems that operate like Wall Street banks in being unaccountable and profit-driven. So, there is no way these profit-driven health industries will care for the old, poor, or chronically ill. That is why Third Way corporate democrats have worked so hard in crafting not only this consolidation policy with insurance mandates but have defunded Medicaid and Medicare to the point people cannot access care because of co-pays and deductibles....same with private plans. Johns Hopkins led the way in these health policies rather than allowing Maryland to go public with universal care. Already health businesses are more profitable than ever says Hopkins as more and more people are denied care. Anyone watching the kabuki drama presented by Third Way corporate democrats over the paying of national debt saw the manipulation of crises to cover what was their goal from the start..austerity having the people pay the debt created by massive corporate fraud and lost corporate tax revenue. Same as is happening in Europe..our US finance and government officials crafted European austerity and we see it here. The point is these Third Way knew health funding would be cut and crafted legislation protecting health profits by access loss. They plan for loss of life as well. We also want to remember that health care fraud of entitlements has been an epidemic and since Baltimore handles a lot of this business we have billions of health fraud in Maryland alone waiting to be recovered through the Attorney General's office, both Eric Holder at the national level and Doug Gansler at the State level. I have let Dr. Scharfstein of Maryland Health and Mental Hygiene and Dr. Barbot of Baltimore City Health Department that retrieving past health fraud and stopping future health fraud should be the first step towards fixing the health budget but both simply want to say 'there is no fraud'. The Democratic base makes up 80% of the democratic party and as such simply needs to run and vote for labor and justice candidates to reverse these policies.....we can easily do it before it has the huge impact on the hundreds of millions of Americans victim of these massive corporate frauds. Sequestration will hit health care in Maryland Hospitals, doctors, health department bracing for cuts The chief financial officer at Anne Arundel Medical Center is watching the fight over federal spending closely. If the federal government goes through with sequestration cuts beginning today, Maryland stands to lose millions of dollars in health-related funding that could leave hospitals such as Anne Arundel Medical Center looking for ways to make up lost revenue without weakening medical care. "We're here for the community and, like all hospitals, we are here 24/7 and will not jeopardize the care of patients," said Bob Reilly, the Annapolis hospital's finance director. "We'll have to look elsewhere — back office or other support functions — and not impact patient care." The cuts in Maryland could have widespread implications, compromising treatment of the state's youngest residents and pinching some of the area's largest employers. In addition to health cuts, the state's medical systems and schools also face severe reductions in research dollars. At the National Institutes of Health, which is responsible for more than 80 percent of federal biomedical research funding, sequestration would slash $1.5 billion from the agency's $31 billion budget. Hospitals, doctors and state health officials are bracing for the possible loss of federal dollars, delaying spending decisions and examining ways to make up the difference. President Barack Obama said he will meet with congressional leaders to look for a resolution today, even as the cuts begin. Maryland and Virginia could be hit particularly hard because of their proximity to Washington. Federal spending represents 20 percent of Maryland's economy, according to a report by the Pew Center on the States. "There is no question this will be felt in a lot of different ways," Health Secretary Joshua M. Sharfstein said. "It will degrade our ability to protect and serve the public." Medicare reimbursements to hospitals and doctors would be slashed 2 percent under current plans. But federal health officials have given little indication how they plan to implement further cuts. The Department of Health and Human Services plans to cut $15.5 billion, with two-thirds coming from Medicare. That makes it hard to know what to plan for, Sharfstein said, "because it is not clear how much each grant will be affected." The lack of detail has put hospitals, health departments and doctors in limbo. Many are holding back on making major decisions and fretting over what might happen. "It leaves hospitals in a very uncertain position," said Carmela Coyle, executive director of the Maryland Hospital Association, which represents 46 hospitals. "It is difficult to understand what level of hiring to do or what level of investment they will be able to afford to make." Coyle said the cuts come as Maryland hospitals face financial pressure due to rising costs and several years of rate increases below the rate of inflation. The state approved a slight 0.3 percent rate increase for Maryland hospitals last summer. Medicare makes up a hefty part of a hospital's business — an average of 41 percent of hospital revenue, according to the American Hospital Association. Coyle and other medical groups have warned Medicare cuts could lead to job losses. "Some people may say 2 percent doesn't sound too significant," Coyle said. "But for Maryland hospitals, that is on top of three years of historically low rate increases." In recent months, Anne Arundel Medical Center has implemented a plan to reduce costs and operate more efficiently, Reilly said. For instance, it negotiated better contracts for supplies and devised ways to more efficiently sterilize medical instruments. The hospital, where 40 percent of patients are on Medicare, hopes it is better prepared for the impending cuts, he said. But there is a lot of uncertainty. The Health Care Cost Services Review Commission, which sets hospital rates in Maryland, will discuss how Medicare cuts would be implemented at a meeting next week. "The Commission has not made a decision on how the sequester effects will be handled for Maryland hospitals at this stage," Patrick Redmon, the commission's executive director, said in an email. The White House has said that, under sequester cuts, Maryland would lose about $140,000 for children's vaccinations and about $551,000 for public health issues. Seniors wouldn't get needed meals because $877,000 would get cut from programs that provide nutrition assistance. An additional $1.6 million in grants for substance abuse services also would get wiped out. Doctors are considering whether they will have to reduce the number of Medicare patients they treat, said Gene Ransom, executive director of the Maryland State Medical Society, or MedChi. They say the cutbacks come as they are spending more money to adopt electronic medical records and implement other facets of health care reform. Ransom said doctors also worry that patients' pocketbooks may get dinged by cuts and that they will spend less on elective care and other procedures. The Obama administration has said that the cuts will threaten hundreds of thousands of middle-class jobs. "Doctors are very nervous about this," Ransom said. "It's not like the cost of business has gone down." andrea.walker@baltsun.com Baltimore City has the most crony and captured government in the US and Governor Martin O'Malley worked hard to place policy to make it that way. The Mayor has all of the power of budget and development and city council/Board of Estimates is simply a puppet chamber that we elect and then watch as they say they have no power to stop the outrageous policy the 1% are pushing through the mayor's office. Many of these same council people voted to give the mayor that power decades ago....yes, we have pols for life in Maryland so they are feigning protest. Jack Young, the President of the City Council and Board of Estimates has to recuse himself from most of the business before the board because of conflict of interest. Now, the reason there is so much conflict is that when you are in office for decades you have personal connections to most government agencies. So, the problem is RETROACTIVE TERM LIMITS not changes in ETHICS CODE. In Baltimore we will be organizing a RetroactiveTerm Limit/Recall referenda along with changes to the City Charter that will lessen the powers of the mayors office. WE KNOW YOU ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS.....PLEASE ORGANIZE FOR THESE CHANGES. RUN AND VOTE FOR LABOR AND JUSTICE NEXT ELECTIONS!!! Mayor will neither sign nor veto ethics bill Council president Young seeking to vote on more contracts By Luke Broadwater, The Baltimore Sun 8:48 p.m. EST, February 28, 2013 Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says she will neither sign nor veto legislation to loosen conflict-of-interest restrictions that have sometimes prevented City Council members from voting on bills. The legislation — sought by Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young — has been approved by the council, and it is expected to become law without the mayor's signature. The bill, sponsored by Young, would lift some ethics restrictions to allow him to vote on matters involving city agencies where his family members work. The bill is vehemently opposed by the city's ethics board, which calls it "dangerous" and asked Rawlings-Blake to veto it. The legislation leaves an "overbroad, even dangerous, exception to an essential, decades-old requirement of the Ethics Code," ethics board chairwoman Linda B. "Lu" Pierson wrote in a letter objecting to the bill. Young's staff says he abstains from about 20 percent of votes before the Board of Estimates, the city's spending panel, because he has four family members who work in city government. Current ethics law prohibits him from voting on any matter involving their agencies. According to his most recent disclosure form, Young has a daughter who is a teacher in the city's Head Start program; a brother who is a laborer working for the Department of Public Works; a sister who works as a customer service representative in the Mayor's Office of Information Technology; and a brother who works in human resources in the city housing department. Lester Davis, Young's spokesman, said the council president has been concerned for years that the ethics law is too restrictive. He said the issue became a particular concern last year when the Board of Estimates voted to approve a 9 percent increase in water and sewage bills. Young wanted to vote against the measure, but was prevented from doing so because of his brother's low-ranking position. "There's no ethical reason he should not be able to vote on those matters," Davis said. "You have a situation where an individual is handicapped from fully representing his constituents." City politicians are prevented from voting on matters involving "business entities," including city agencies, in which family members hold positions. Young's legislation in effect says that city agencies should not be considered "business entities." But the ethics board says the language is too broad. Pierson said the bill draws no distinction between situations like Young's, where his family members are relatively low-level employees, and situations "where the potential conflict or appearance of conflict is quite real." The City Council unanimously passed the bill without discussion in February. Councilwoman Rochelle "Rikki" Spector said she initially had objections to the bill, but agreed to vote for it. "I questioned the law department," Spector said. "I was told it was legal but not ethical." Councilman James B. Kraft, whose committee heard testimony on the bill, said he was offended by the ethics board's letter. "They weren't even present at the hearing on the bill," he said. "The letter was so insulting. They've taken this self-righteous stance and they didn't even bother to testify or come to the hearing." The mayor said the legislation makes the city's law the same as the state's law. "While I understand the intent of the legislation, I also have to balance the concerns of the ethics board," Rawlings-Blake said. Ian Brennan, her spokesman, said the mayor is hopeful the board and the council can resolve their differences. He said the board backed an earlier version of the bill, but it and Rawlings-Blake feel the measure was amended to be too broad. Davis said Young respects the board's opinion, but disagrees. "There are already rules that exist against nepotism," he said. "This is a case of honest minds differing." luke.broadwater@baltsun.com First, we really need to distinguish these days between the Democratic Party and its base and the Third Way (TW) corporate pols that have temporary lead in the party now, because none of the behavior being taken by these TW corporate pols have anything to do with the Dem Platform. You can't pass a few feel good bills on the one hand/kill democracy with the other and be a democrat for goodness sake. TW corporate democrats are indeed trying to kill politics as they capture and create the most crony political system in the nation. Incumbents for life as 20+ year Assembly leaders are called, media blackout of issues and primary challengers, closed policy-making as bills become public just as they go to vote. Quasi-governmental agencies filled with appointees doing most of the policy writing/decisions..none of this has anything to do with democracy and especially the dem party. Add to that the push to make it harder for citizens to petition to referendum, the most democratic policy we have and you see we have a crisis in government. What should make MD citizens RUN AND VOTE FOR LABOR AND JUSTICE CANDIDATES NEXT ELECTION is the legislation just passed setting online voting as a way to manipulate elections on par with any developing nations ballot box stuffing ritual. This screams hacking/voter fraud and it is O'Malley leading the way. Democrats' hypocrisy on voter access Marta Mossburg says O'Malley and others show their double standard by trying to put up barriers to referendums Many Maryland politicians spritz on Eau de Hypocrisy at least occasionally. But Gov. Martin O'Malley and fellow Democrats bathed in it with their support for the inaccurately labeled Referendum Integrity Act, an effort to make it harder for citizens to petition a law to referendum. House Bill 493 (SB 673), sponsored by Del. Eric Luedtke, a Democrat from Montgomery County, should be called the "Voter Suppression Act," as that is its clear intent. •It requires that each petition page contain language saying that the information is subject to public disclosure and requires each signer to include a birth date. •It requires the sponsor of a petition to form a campaign finance committee for each law that is petitioned. •It requires petition circulators to take a training course and prohibits circulators from being paid per signature. Petitioning a state law to ballot is already an extremely difficult and expensive process. The three that made it last year were the first in 20 years. The added hurdles contained in the bill ensure that challenging a law is even more costly, time consuming and complex. For example, with identity fraud rampant, who wants to put their birth date on anything? And after gay rights activists publicized the names of those who signed a petition to bring the gay marriage law to a vote of the people, the declaration serves as a warning to any who would dare challenge a law crafted by the Democratic majority. Gallaudet University administrator Angela McCaskill, for example, nearly lost her job for signing the petition. The school suspended her but thankfully reinstated her in January. The bill also discourages those who circulate petitions from maximizing signatures collected, and it does this for no legitimate purpose. Since signatures go through a rigorous analysis before they are certified, prohibiting petition groups from paying by the signature will only drive up costs by requiring groups to hire more people to get the job done. What makes this piece of legislation particularly appalling is the fact that Gov. O'Malley and his party have made increasing voter access one of their key missions. In his inaugural address, President Barack Obama said, "Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote." And as Governor O'Malley wrote recently, "We need to do everything we can to improve access to voting and encourage Marylanders to exercise their most fundamental right." To that end, Governor O'Malley has pushed legislation (HB224/SB279) to allow voters to register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day and expand early voting and the number of early voting centers. The bill would also extend access to absentee ballots online. But after the election, he said the current referendum process is "a little too easy." He added, "There was a requirement that required 50,000 actual physical signatures. Because of the Internet, that has been so easy to do electronically that the legislature probably needs to revisit that." Why is the Internet good for his legislation but bad for those who seek to challenge Democratic hegemony? It's simple. He wants to limit competition, even in this one-party state. But he and the bill's sponsor, Delegate Luedtke, won't admit that. According to a report in Maryland Reporter, Delegate Luedtke said, "The goal of the bill is to make the process fair, accountable and free of fraud." The problem with that argument is that Democrats don't believe in voter fraud. They have long championed access over the integrity of the vote. President Bill Clinton signed 1993 legislation, known as the Motor Voter law, that allows people to register to vote when they get a driver's license or apply for social services. Not everyone who gets a driver's license or welfare is a citizen or someone who is allowed to live here, but that has never concerned them because those "new Americans" tend to like Democrats. They vehemently deny fraud exists unless it slaps them in the face, as in the case of Wendy Rosen. She ran against Republican Andy Harris in Maryland's First Congressional District race last year but withdrew when outed as having voted illegally in Florida. If increased voter access is the goal, then it should be granted for all, not just for those most likely to increase the power of those who rule. Any other position just highlights the contempt the majority party has for those who dare to challenge the status quo. Ending loopholes and subsidies while lowering corporate tax rate....which is what both Republicans and Third Way plan to do would have yielded no gain. The middle-class is indeed the target of this sequester as it will cause many middle-class employees working with the Federal government to lose jobs or cut wages ever further. THE LOOPHOLE AND SUBSIDY DEAL WAS JUST A PLOY.....OBAMA HAS ALREADY COMMITTED TO THAT DEAL THAT LOWERS THE CORPORATE TAX RATE AS WELL.....REVENUE NEUTRAL. As Sequester Looms, U.S. Set To Repeat Europe's Austerity Mistake Posted: 28/02/2013 19:35 GMT \| Updated: 28/02/2013 20:34 GMT “Insanity,” as Albert Einstein is said to have once remarked, “is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results.” The results of Europe’s experiment in fiscal shock therapy are in: austerity has failed, and failed miserably. The eurozone club of 17 countries is now plagued by mass unemployment –- 26 percent and rising in Spain and Greece –- and a prolonged drought in demand. Recession-hit Italy is in the grips of a political crisis; neo-Nazis have been elected to parliament in depression-hit Greece. Outside the eurozone, the UK economy last week lost its prized triple-A credit rating, having been battered and humiliated by a double-dip recession. Why then is the United States Congress committed to repeating Europe’s economic mistakes? Some people on this side of the Atlantic are in disbelief as our American cousins seemingly undermine themselves with a succession of politically-inspired yet macroeconomically-illiterate stunts -- from the "supercommittee," to the "fiscal cliff," to the latest legislative Americanism, the "sequester." The latter is a series of automatic, across-the-board spending cuts, scheduled to kick in on Friday, totalling $85 billion (£56 billion) this year and $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years. The timing of the sequester is odd: just as Europeans have begun to turn their backs on collective, frontloaded austerity measures -- both the European Commission and the OECD have softened their stance on growth-choking spending cuts across southern Europe in recent months -- the Americans seem to have embraced them. The repercussions of an austerity-induced double-dip recession in the U.S. –- still the world’s biggest and most important economy, by some distance –- could be global. “We were just beginning to feel that the Americans were pulling Europe out of austerity and now they’re going to plunge us all back in it,” says a gloomy Ann Pettifor, director of PRIME Economics and one of the few British economists to have predicted the 2008 financial crash. “The fact is that further [U.S.] contraction is going to crash the global economy.” Not everyone, however, is as pessimistic as Pettifor. “My sense is that the direct impact of the sequester has been somewhat exaggerated,” argues Jonathan Portes, director of the UK’s National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR). “I’d be surprised if it immediately kicks the U.S. back into recession –- it won’t be the end of the world for them, let alone for us.” However, Portes, a former chief economist at the UK government’s Cabinet Office and one of this country’s leading critics of austerity, adds: “Obviously, anything that chokes off the U.S. recovery is bad news for us Europeans –- both in the UK and in the eurozone.” It isn’t just the economic theory coming out of Capitol Hill that bewilders so many European policy-makers; it’s the politics. The sequester “confirms the view that the U.S. is incapable of dealing with [this problem], that the U.S. government is paralysed,” Portes tells The Huffington Post UK. From a European perspective, he says, the U.S. Republican Party “is no longer a responsible party of government in a basic, public finance sense, in terms of making things add up.” It is also far to the right of its European sister parties. Republicans may say they want austerity but they loathe and recoil from any and all tax rises as a means of bringing down deficits. It is a position that has raised eyebrows in conservative circles across the EU. The center-right prime minister of Spain, Mariana Rajoy, announced a €65bn (£51bn) austerity package in the summer of 2012 that included a 3 percent rise in the sales tax. In October 2012, the centre-right PSD government in Portugal introduced an austerity budget that included a new tax on financial transactions and big increases in property and income taxes. Here in the UK, the Conservative-led coalition has opted for a deficit reduction plan based on a 4:1 ratio of spending cuts to tax rises. In its very first “emergency budget," in June 2010, value-added tax (VAT) was raised to 20 percent and capital gains tax on high earners was upped from 18 percent to 28 percent. Europe, suffice to say, lacks a Grover Norquist. But the most important lesson for the U.S. Republican right and its Tea Party outriders is that austerity is self-defeating – even from a deficit-hawk perspective. Consider the empirical evidence out of the eurozone. “[T]he sharp austerity measures that were imposed by market and [European] policymakers’ panic not only produced deep recessions in the countries that were exposed to the medicine, but also that up to now this medicine did not work,” wrote academic economists Paul De Grauwe and Yuemei Ji, on Feb. 21 on the Vox website. “In fact it led to even higher debt-to-GDP ratios, and undermined the capacity of these countries to continue to service the debt.” (De Grauwe, incidentally, is not just a professor of economics at the LSE but also a former adviser to EU Commission president Manuel Barroso.) “When America sneezes,” goes one of the oldest clichés in global politics, “the world catches a cold.” So what happens to the rest of the world –- and, in particular, Europe –- if and when the American economy goes into cardiac arrest? Will eurozone countries such as Spain and Italy be dragged down deeper into depression? Will the UK –- “umbilically linked to the U.S. through our financial systems,” in the words of one leading British economic commentator -- be pushed into an unprecedented triple-dip recession? Perhaps. The sequester, however, isn’t set in stone; the cuts to government spending are reversible –- even after they’ve been triggered on March 1. There is still time for U.S. political and financial elites to learn the lessons of Europe’s “controlled experiment” in austerity. Or, says Ann Pettifor, they could look at their own not-too-distant past for some guidance. “I would remind Americans what happened in 1937, when [Franklin] Roosevelt made exactly the same mistake,” she tells HuffPost UK. “The US economy started to recover so he decided to cut spending -- and suddenly everything plunged backwards and he had to reverse course.” President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), over to you.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line933
__label__cc	0.65583	0.34417	ALT > All > ALT goes to the 9th CTBUH Shanghai World Congress ALT goes to the 9th CTBUH Shanghai World Congress September 19-21, 2012 marked the dates of this year’s Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) Congress. The 9th of its kind, the recently concluded CTBUH World Congress was held in the captivating city of Shanghai in China. The Congress was held in the Grand Hyatt Jin Mao facility, which was made to house around 800 people. Among these included Mr. Luke Wang, the Shanghai General Manager and representative of ALT Limited. The three-day event consisted of talks, seminars, panel discussions and the like, all of which focused on relaying information and initiating discussions about the latest developments involved in the creation of a tall building. The congress also allowed for technical tours to some of the tall buildings in Shanghai. The tour included some of the projects that ALT worked on, namely the Shanghai World Financial Center, Jing An Kerry Center, Wheelock Square, and the International Financial Center. ALT believes in the importance of events such as these, as it permits delegates from all over the world to meet and be able to exchange ideas. This allows for the creation of more sustainable designs and the development of more superior technology in the creation of buildings down the line. ALT is proud to have been a part of the CTBUH Shanghai World Congress and is looking forward to the attending the next CTBUH event in the future.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line934
__label__wiki	0.940492	0.940492	Jim Salter Tags: William Barr, Donald Trump, George Floyd, politics, Josh Hawley, Government, Eric Greitens Hawley seeks civil rights probe in case of St. Louis couple FILE - In this June 28, 2020 file photo, armed homeowners Mark and Patricia McCloskey, standing in front their house along Portland Place confront protesters marching to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson's house in the Central West End of St. Louis. Sen. Josh Hawley on Thursday, July 16, 2020, urged Attorney General William Barr to launch a federal civil rights investigation of St. Louis' elected prosecutor, accusing Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner of abusing her power in her investigation of the McCloskey's who wielded guns while defending their home during a protest. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP File) O'FALLON, Mo. – O'U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley on Thursday urged Attorney General William Barr to launch a federal civil rights investigation of St. Louis' elected prosecutor, accusing her of abuse of power in her investigation of a white couple who wielded guns while defending their home during a protest. Mark and Patricia McCloskey are under Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner's scrutiny for the June 28 confrontation when several hundred protesters marched by their $1.15 million mansion. The couple accused protesters of knocking down an iron gate marked with “No Trespassing” and “Private Street” signs. The McCloskeys, both in their 60s, emerged with weapons — him with a long-barreled gun, her with a small handgun. Their actions, captured on video and viewed by millions, drew praise from some who said they were legally defending their home, but scorn from others who said they risked bloodshed by displaying the weapons. Photos emerged as memes on both sides of the gun debate. Gardner's office was still investigating, but no charges have been filed. Hawley, a Missouri Republican, wrote in a letter to Barr that Gardner abused her power in seizing the couple's guns, investigating them and pursuing a possible indictment. He called her actions “an unacceptable abuse of power and threat to the Second Amendment.” “There is no question under Missouri law that the McCloskeys had the right to own and use their firearms to protect themselves from threatened violence, and that any criminal prosecution for these actions is legally unsound,” Hawley wrote. "The only possible motivation for the investigation, then, is a politically motivated attempt to punish this family for exercising their Second Amendment rights.” Gardner, in a statement, said, “I am deeply disappointed that a U.S. Senator would intervene in a local matter that is under investigation.” Hawley isn't the only high-level Republican to express concerns about Gardner's investigation. The case caught the attention of President Donald Trump, who spoke about it in a phone conversation with Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday. When he was in the Legislature, Parson co-authored Missouri's “castle doctrine” law that justifies deadly force for those who are defending their homes from intruders. He said the McCloskeys “had every right to protect their property.” Several Black leaders in St. Louis have expressed support for Gardner. U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, a Democrat, said in a statement that he was appalled that Hawley “would attempt to interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation ... by asking our racist, incompetent President and his failed Attorney General ... to misuse the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division by intervening in this case.” He said Barr has “long-since surrendered any allegiance to the rule of law.” The Rev. Darryl Gray, who has led several protests, said Gardner's critics are creating a volatile situation. “Kim has received death threats from all across this country and in the climate that this president has created, Mike Parson and Josh Hawley are simply piling on, and their comments only serve to fan the fires of hatred and discord in this country,” Gray said. Gardner, St. Louis' first Black circuit attorney, has been at odds with some in the St. Louis establishment since her election in 2016. Most notably, her office charged then-Gov. Eric Greitens with felony invasion of privacy in 2018 for allegedly taking a compromising photo of a woman during an extra-marital affair. The charge was eventually dropped but Greitens resigned in June 2018. Gardner hired a private investigator, former FBI agent William Tisaby, to investigate the claims against Greitens. Attorneys for Greitens accused Tisaby of lying during a deposition, and a judge indicted Tisaby for perjury in June 2019. Tisaby denied wrongdoing and his case is pending. Gardner also has often butted heads with police leaders, especially after she developed an “exclusion list” of more than two dozen police officers who were barred from serving as primary witnesses in criminal cases over what Gardner called credibility concerns. The move angered Police Chief John Hayden, who also is Black. In January, Gardner filed a federal lawsuit accusing the city, the local police union and others of a coordinated and racist conspiracy aimed at forcing her out of office. The lawsuit also accused “entrenched interests” of intentionally impeding her efforts to reform racist practices that have led to a loss of trust in the criminal justice system. Gardner faces a challenge from Mary Pat Carl, a white former homicide prosecutor, in the Democratic primary on Aug. 4. The McCloskeys are personal injury attorneys. Their home was initially incidental to the June 28 protest — it was simply on the route demonstrators were taking to the home of Mayor Lyda Krewson. The Democratic mayor drew the ire of activists for reading on Facebook Live the names and addresses of some who had called for defunding police. St. Louis, like many cities across the country, has faced numerous demonstrations in the weeks since George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, and some demonstrators have pushed for the reallocation of police funding, including a few who want the department to be completely abolished. The McCloskeys' attorney, Albert Watkins, said they are longtime civil rights advocates and support the message of the Black Lives Matter movement. He said they grabbed their guns when two or three protesters — who were white — violently threatened the couple, their property and that of their neighbors. A letter released July 1 by more than three dozen of the McCloskeys' neighbors condemned “the behavior of anyone who uses threats of violence, especially through the brandishing of firearms, to disrupt peaceful protest, whether it be in this neighborhood or anywhere in the United States.”	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line935
__label__cc	0.524653	0.475347	26 September 2014 by Heinrich Louw Tax Alert Proposed simplification of foreign business establishment exemption for controlled foreign companies In terms of s9D of the Income Tax Act, No 58 of 1962 (Act), a South African tax resident can be taxed on the ‘net income’ of its controlled foreign companies (CFC). However, various exemptions exist in this regard. For example, in terms of the second proviso to the definition of ‘net income’ in s9D(2A) of the Act, the net income of a CFC will be deemed to be nil if the taxes payable by that CFC in foreign jurisdictions are at least equal to 75% of the tax that the CFC would have paid had it been a South African tax resident. This is often referred to as the high-tax exemption. In performing the calculation regard must be had to any international treaties for the avoidance of double taxation, and tax credits or rebates. Further exemptions are contained in s9D(9) of the Act, which effectively excludes certain amounts from being taken into account when determining a CFC’s net income. The most notable exemption is the so-called foreign business establishment exemption, which excludes amounts attributable to any foreign business establishment that a CFC has from the net income calculation. When performing the calculation for the net income of a CFC, it should first be determined whether the high-tax exemption applies and deems the net income of the CFC to be zero, before potentially proceeding with disregarding the relevant amounts excluded in terms of s9D(9) of the Act from net income. Testing for whether the high-tax exemption applies can however be quite onerous, especially when a resident has multiple CFCs and the income in respect of those CFCs are in any event attributable to foreign business establishments. In terms of the draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill 2014 (Bill) that was released earlier this year, it is proposed to simplify the process where the foreign business establishment exemption applies to all the income of the relevant CFC. The Bill proposes that, similar to the high-tax exemption, the net income of a CFC also be deemed to be zero where ‘all the receipts and accruals’ of the CFC is attributable to a foreign business establishment. The effect of the proposal is that it becomes unnecessary for a resident to first determine the hypothetical tax position of each of its CFCs and to only thereafter apply the foreign business establishment exemption if the high-tax exemption does not apply. Where all of a CFC’s receipts and accruals are attributable to a foreign business establishment, the net income of the CFC will automatically be deemed to be zero and it would not be necessary to do any calculations in respect of the high-tax exemption. This is a welcomed amendment to s9D of the Act. Heinrich Louw Director Johannesburg Full Profile Tax & Exchange Control Expert determinations – “final and binding”? Reason over ransom: National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa and Others v Aveng Trident Steel (a division of Aveng Africa (Pty) Ltd) and Another 2020 ZACC 23 Revenue “Streaming”? The South African government sets its sights on licensing content streaming services A question of character Competition Alert Performance bonds: New developments on the call up of guarantees? Chambers Africa Awards 2021: CDH shortlisted for South Africa Law Firm of the Year CDH Alert Court tells Eskom to explore all the options before cutting the lights to beleaguered municipalities on the brink of financial collapse https://www.cliffedekkerhofmeyr.com/en/en/news/publications/2014/tax/tax-alert-26-september-proposed-simplification-of-foreign-business-establishment-exemption-for-controlled-foreign-companies.html	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line936
__label__cc	0.721561	0.278439	Over £31 billion borrowed through coronavirus schemes Over £31 billion has been borrowed through the government-backed schemes that are providing business support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, according to the latest figures from the Treasury. More than 745,000 businesses have now accessed support through either the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) or the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS). The BBLS is the most popular scheme, with over £21.3 billion lent through it since it was launched on 4 May. The BBLS allows small businesses adversely affected by the pandemic to apply for up to £50,000, with the government guaranteeing 100% of the advance. Lenders have provided £8.9 billion to 46,000 businesses through the CBILS, while loans of £1.1 billion have been approved to 191 mid-sized and larger UK businesses through the CLBILS. Commenting on the figures, Stephen Jones, Chief Executive of UK Finance, said: 'The amount of support available to firms affected by the COVID-19 crisis is unparalleled. Over £31 billion has been approved in government-backed lending schemes so far to almost 750,000 businesses, with a further £19 billion drawn under bank-arranged commercial paper facilities. 'But government-backed loans are not the only support the banking and finance sector has made available. Over the last few months, lenders have put in place a clear plan to support businesses in every region of the country, including through offering extended overdrafts, capital repayment holidays and asset-based finance to businesses that need support. 'It's important to remember that any lending provided under government-backed schemes is a debt not a grant, and so firms should carefully consider their ability to repay before applying.'	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line940
__label__cc	0.657919	0.342081	International property for sale South-East & Home Counties Britain's greatest buildings Country Life's Top 100 architects, builders, designers and gardeners Country Life's Little Black Book Restaurants and pubs The Cocktail Bar Weekends away World's finest destinations Theatre, film & music Big boys' toys & trips Gardens & Nature Expert gardening tips Finest gardens in Britain Country Life Picture Library Advertise in Country Life Alan Titchmarsh's blogs Country Life June 24, 2008 big chill concert festival With so many festivals both in the UK and abroad to chose from this year, Herefordshire’s The Big Chill continues to be one of the most popular events in the summer calendar with people flocking from all over the country to enjoy spectacular music, entertainment and much more. The Big Chill, now in its fourteenth year is one of the most family-friendly. Set in the glorious Malvern Hills in the grounds of Eastnor Castle Deer Park, this multimedia festival is famous for being both innovative and environmentally conscious. Unlike many festivals The Big Chill is a three-day music and arts extravaganza that really engages with its natural setting. This year the Arts Trail will be an exhibition of work from twelve contemporary artists featuring photography of the park and a play set in the woodlands, The House of Fairytales by acclaimed artist Gavin Turk. Words in Motion, the spoken word tent, will take place by the lake. The Body and Soul area will run entirely on solar and pedal power. This is where you go for some pampering as the “Enchanted Garden” plays host to an energising mix of holistic and healing therapies in dedicated rooms. The Big Chill is a family-friendly festival Of course if you are going for the music and comedy you won’t be disappointed – with two open air stages and club tents there is something for everyone. The full line up including headliners Leonard Cohen and The Mighty Boosh can be found at www.bigchill.net where tickets can still be bought on line. The Big Chill has linked with National Express to create a combined festival and coach ticket – a great green initiative for those happy to leave the car at home. Approximately 90% of the carbon footprint of an event like The Big Chill is generated by transport to and from the event so they are taking steps to reduce emissions by encouraging public transport. Coaches will depart on Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August from cities including, Leicester, Leeds, Bristol, Liverpool, London, Brighton and Portsmouth stopping at various towns en route to the Big Chill. Return journeys will operate on Monday 4 August with return fares starting from as little as £22. Festival admission and travel packages cost only £150, with no booking or transaction fees. For more information visit National Express with the Big Chill If you do need to take your car, the festival is easily accessible, with car parking available for £5. Cyclists will have access to free, secure storage. According to Anthony Clay a partner at Knight Frank’s Hereford office (01432 273087) people from the bustling south-east are rapidly deciding that the area can offer them a far higher quality of life. For many, The Big Chill may be their first visit to the region. ‘The medieval town of Ledbury, with its traditional half timbered buildings, is a delight to visit and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. ‘The spa town of Malvern is just to the east and sits astride the domineering Malvern Hills and has some excellent cultural venues as well as many renowned schools. However the key to Ledbury’s popularity is that the M50 (Junction 2) is just a couple of miles to the south so it is easy to get to,’ he explains. Properties on the market near Eastnor Castle Splendid period family home: click here Well established and profitable hotel: click here Immaculate converted barn with exceptional views: click here Jason Goodwin: My son built a boat, and now we’ll live like millionaires Rosie and Jim: The seven rules of cycling that no cyclist will ever tell you Curious Questions: How do starlings murmurate? Subscribe to Country Life	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line941
__label__wiki	0.875957	0.875957	"It's not a good situation," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday. "AJ's a very valuable member of this team and I told him as such (Tuesday) after everything. Frankly, I was relieved. So I don't have to go through those gymnastics of the next step. He's a great kid. He's a true team player. He's a leader. He's a leader on this football team and that's why we felt like he was such a valuable asset. And the man upstairs (Mike Brown) was very clear about that, of how we felt about him." The matter of why time ran out is another story. The day began with the Browns calling the Bengals to initiate talks – discussions the Bengals were reluctant to participate in – resulting in offers and counteroffers. The long-time price tag of a first-round pick for McCarron had dropped, but at some point during the day the Bengals made it clear there was no more room for negotiation. About an hour before the deadline, the Browns rejected the final set of terms the Bengals had put forth – McCarron for the two draft picks. Then, within 20 minutes of the 4 p.m. deadline (there is some dispute over the timestamps reported by ESPN) – Cleveland reversed course. In that window, Bengals president Mike Brown was called by the Browns and told they would indeed accept the terms the Bengals previously laid out. The deal was, unofficially, done. So, the Bengals signed and filed their version of the agreed-upon deal just before the deadline. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported that the Bengals copied the Browns on that filing. The Browns sent a copy of the deal to the Bengals, but The Enquirer confirmed the original ESPN report that the Browns did not send anything to the league. (That was also confirmed by The Cleveland Plain Dealer.) Lewis was asked if he ever heard of a trade not being completed due to the paperwork not being filed. "I don't know that I've ever really heard of one," he said. "All you have to do is notify the league office you're making a deal. And that's an easy thing." Multiple sources The Enquirer communicated with felt the delay, and ultimate improper handling of the final moments before 4 p.m., was due to a lack of a consensus between the personnel department and coaching staff in Cleveland regarding McCarron. A league official told The Enquirer that the necessary paperwork to consummate a trade was not filed at 4 p.m. A league source confirmed the Browns did appeal to have the deal accepted but ESPN reported that plea was denied. What makes a backup QB trade happen The next part of this journey for McCarron and the Browns will play out in the offseason. He is currently considered a restricted free agent, which means the Bengals can place first, second or original round (fifth) tenders on him. Should a team sign him, they would send the Bengals that corresponding draft pick. Or, the Bengals could match the offer and keep him on the roster. But, McCarron is disputing that status. He maintains he will actually be an unrestricted free agent, having accrued a full season toward free agency despite an injury-shortened rookie year. An independent arbitrator will make that decision, likely after the season concludes. In Cleveland, the Browns will have another shot at making this deal -- or deciding to draft another quarterback, sign a free agent or package picks to make a run at someone else. So where does that leave everyone? Exactly where they were on Monday. McCarron will once again have to refocus on the season at hand and prepare for Jacksonville, and the Browns will hunker down during their bye week and try to chart a course to find a victory in their final eight games.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line942
__label__wiki	0.771669	0.771669	Boss tells of bypass push Rugby's long-awaited bypass and the remodelling of the town centre are top of the agenda for a new business chief. Chemical engineer Gisele Pellegrini, of Crick-based Positive-G Ltd, has taken over the role of Rugby Chamber of Commerce chairwoman. She succeeds chairman Nigel Dale, of Rugby chartered surveyor David Storer and Partners. Gisele said she wanted to push opportunities for the town, like tourism potential and extra development. She said: "I'm delighted to take the role from Nigel. "But I am sure it will be a hard act to follow. "Nigel has seen the branch tackle a host of issues, from the Chapel Street development, to the local plan and the threat of a major international airport on our doorstep. "The airport issue is long gone, but there are still a number of challenges to be faced that my team and I look forward to dealing with. "The Western Relief Road and the success of the Chapel Street development are absolutely crucial to Rugby's future success and we will be pushing hard to make sure businesses' views are represented on these matters."	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line943
__label__wiki	0.837361	0.837361	AMB Takes Fully-Leased Distribution Center in The Netherlands Stepping up its presence in The Netherlands, one of the top logistics and distribution hubs in the world, AMB Property Corp. has acquired a 100 percent occupied, 560,000-square-foot industrial facility in Tilburg. The San Francisco-based industrial real estate company has renamed the 100 percent-occupied facility AMB Tilburg Distribution Center 1. Stepping up its presence in The Netherlands, one of the top logistics and distribution hubs in the world, AMB Property Corp. has acquired a 100 percent occupied, 560,000-square-foot industrial facility in Tilburg. The San Francisco-based industrial real estate company has renamed the 100 percent-occupied facility AMB Tilburg Distribution Center 1. Tilburg has become a leading logistics hub abroad, providing convenient access to the Dutch distribution market, as well as to other regions of Europe. With a location off A58 motorway, one of the most vital transportation corridors in The Netherlands, AMB Tilburg sits within easy reach of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Belgium. The property is home to top technology distributor Ingram Micro, and marketing and logistics company Walsh Western International. AMB is no stranger to The Netherlands; the company made its first foray into the region four years ago and presently offers approximately 3 million square feet there. Among its holdings are the 149,000-square-foot Douglassingel Distribution Center in Amsterdam and the multi-structure AMB Fokker, also located in Amsterdam. AMB, as of the close of the third quarter of 2007, has a portfolio of owned and partially owned assets totaling nearly 141 million square feet of high throughput distribution facility space in 13 countries. The company invests primarily in properties in the infill markets of major hub and gateway locales in North America, Europe and Asia. AMB stock opened today at $50.64.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line944
__label__cc	0.568138	0.431862	Ventas to Raise $168M Via Stock Sale Health-care REIT Ventas Inc. has agreed to sell some 3.9 million shares of its common stock to UBS Investment Bank in an underwritten public offering. Ventas also granted UBS a 30-day option to buy as many as 585,000 more shares to cover overallotments. According to Louisville-based Ventas, gross proceeds from Health-care REIT Ventas Inc. has agreed to sell some 3.9 million shares of its common stock to UBS Investment Bank in an underwritten public offering. Ventas also granted UBS a 30-day option to buy as many as 585,000 more shares to cover overallotments. According to Louisville-based Ventas, gross proceeds from the offering will be about $168.6 million, or $193.9 million if the overallotment option is fully exercised. The company says it will use the offering’s net proceeds to pay down debt and for other purposes, including acquisitions. Ventas’ current portfolio includes seniors housing communities, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals and medical office properties in the United States and Canada. The move comes ahead of the release of Ventas’ fourth quarter 2007 returns on Feb. 13. According to the company’s third quarter 2007 report, it saw funds from operation (FFO), an important REIT metric, at $88.7 million in 3Q07, a 32 percent increase compared with the third quarter of 2006, when FFO stood at $67 million. REITs as a whole took a fairly large hit during the credit crunch in the second half of 2007, though REITs specializing in health-care properties did relatively well. In 2007, for the first time since 1999, in the FSTE NAREIT All REIT Index saw an annual decline, down 17.83 percent. According to the NAREIT’s REIT Watch, however, the six healthcare REITs that it tracks saw an overall 2.13 percent increase stock value in 2007. Included in that group is Ventas, which saw its share prices drop steeply last August, but which had recovered to end 2007 a little ahead of the end of 2006.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line945
__label__wiki	0.587506	0.587506	De’Von Bailey’s Wake, Funeral Follow Release Of Bodycam Footage And Autopsy By Dan Boyce, Hayley Sanchez, and Jim Hill Hart Van Denburg/CPR News A memorial has grown on Preuss Road t in southeast Colorado Springs where city police shot De'von Bailey on Aug. 3. He later died. Family and friends of De’Von Baily, the young Colorado Springs man shot to death by police, gathered Thursday night to remember the 19-year-old. Those close to Bailey attended his wake on the same day as the release of both the body camera footage of the Aug. 3 incident and autopsy. The video shows officers shoot him multiple times as he tried to flee. According to the autopsy, Bailey was shot three times in the back and once in the back of his arm. The gunshots hit his heart and left lung resulting in massive blood loss. Eight shots were fired in total. Pastor and family friend Terry Thomas said he saw many who approached Bailey's open casket, especially young people, who in Thomas' words looked broken. "I can see the questions in their heart, I can see the thought bubbles a little bit, about why did this have to happen and it's, of course, the tears and the moaning and the wailing is going on as an outward expression of what they're feeling on the inside right now," Thomas said. At the time of the incident, police said Bailey reached for a weapon, but that's not apparent from the graphic video. As the first officer approaches, Bailey is seen touching his pocket. The officer talks to the two about why they’ve been stopped. “Put your hands up for me a sec,” said the officer in the video, identified as Sgt. Alan Van’t Land. “So, we got a report of two people of similar descriptions, possibly having a gun, all right. So don’t reach for your waist. We’re just going to make sure you don’t have a weapon, alright?” When a second officer approaches, the video shows Bailey run from the officers, who chase after him and open fire. The El Paso County Sheriff's Department investigated the case and has turned over their report to District Attorney Dan May. Previous Coverage: Colorado Springs Police Release Body Camera Footage Of Fatal Shooting Of De’Von Bailey Mother Of Man Killed By Colorado Springs Police: ‘Never Think It Can Never Happen To You’ Surveillance Video Shows The Moment Colorado Springs Police Shot A Black Teenager In The Back Protests Follow A Fatal Weekend Shooting Of A Black Man By Colorado Springs Police The family’s attorney, Darold Killmer, said that’s a conflict of interest and the family wants an independent investigation. “We believe that independence can best be achieved by turning this matter over to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation... and then to the Colorado Attorney General's office to make an independent prosecutorial decision as to whether charges against the officers are warranted and what those charges would be.” Colorado has a "fleeing felon" statute that gives officers wide discretion in the use of deadly force against a potentially dangerous suspect. Pastor Thomas worries the district attorney will use it to justify not charging the officers involved in the shooting of the young black man. "That is my fear," Thomas said. "I'm going to do everything I can on the ground to assure that that is not the outcome because that is, sadly to say, the status quo in the United States of America." De’Von Bailey’s funeral is scheduled for today. The family is requesting privacy from both the public and the media.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line946
__label__wiki	0.965682	0.965682	Super Hero Hype Tony Award Winner Annaleigh Ashford Joins The Rocky Horror Picture Show the rocky horror picture show tv news TV Premiere Dates By Coming Soon Tony Award winner Annaleigh Ashford (“Sylvia,” “You Can’t Take It With You,” “Masters of Sex”) has been cast as Columbia, the castle’s feisty live-in groupie, in the two-hour television event The Rocky Horror Picture Show, airing this fall on FOX. Ashford joins previously announced cast members Laverne Cox (Dr. Frank-N-Furter, “Orange Is the New Black”), Victoria Justice (Janet, “Victorious”), Ryan McCartan (Brad, “Liv & Maddie,” “Heathers: the Musical”), Adam Lambert (Eddie, “Glee”), Reeve Carney (Riff Raff, “Penny Dreadful,” “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark”), Staz Nair (Rocky, “Game of Thrones”) and Tim Curry, the original Frank-N-Furter, who returns as the show’s Criminologist Narrator. The Rocky Horror Picture Show follows sweethearts Janet (Justice) and Brad (McCartan), who stumble upon Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s (Cox) bizarre abode. Frank-N-Furter, a sexually ambiguous, flirtatious alien mad-scientist – with the help of his faithful servants, Riff Raff (Carney) and Magenta – is holding an annual, Transylvanian science convention to showcase the birth of “Rocky Horror” (Nair) – a fit, attractive man created solely to fulfill Frank’s desires. Executive-produced by Lou Adler (Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee), Gail Berman (TV, film and Broadway producer) and Kenny Ortega (“High School Musical” franchise, “This Is It,” “Descendants,” “Hocus Pocus,” “Newsies”), The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a reimagining of the cult classic, which is celebrating 40 years of theatrical distribution – longer than any other film in history. One of the most popular films of all time, it still plays in movie theaters around the world. Annaleigh Ashford is best known for her outstanding work on stage. Most recently, Ashford starred in the title role of the revival of playwright A.R. Gurney’s “Sylvia,” opposite Matthew Broderick. She recently won a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics’ Circle Award for her portrayal of “Essie Carmichael” in the Broadway revival of Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman’s “You Can’t Take It With You.” Ashford received her first Tony Award nomination for the role of “Lauren” in “Kinky Boots,” the Tony Award-winning musical with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein. In addition to her stage work, Ashford is set to reprise her role as “Betty DiMello” on cable’s critically acclaimed “Masters of Sex.” She made her film debut in Sex and the City: The Movie and will next be seen in the independent film Franny. (Photo credit: Getty Images) ComingSoon.net is a property of Mandatory, an Evolve Media, LLC company. ©2021 All Rights Reserved Copyright Looking for movie tickets?Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing near you. monitoring_string = "df292225381015080a5c6c04a6e2c2dc" Refreshing ad for admiral	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line947
__label__wiki	0.978809	0.978809	Halsey, Andy Samberg, and O'Shea Jackson Jr. Hit the MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet ByTamara Dhia Video via Complex NEWS In a change of pace for the MTV Movie Awards, which celebrates it's 25th anniversary this year, the award show was pre-taped and will air in it's edited format tonight at 5 p.m. (PST). That basically means we already know who took home the the golden popcorn, but it'll still be worth the watch. Classic MTV Award categories like "Best Fight" and "Best Kiss" went to Ryan Reynolds & Ed Skrien (Deadpool) and Rebel Wilson & Adam DeVine (Pitch Perfect 2), respectively. The rest of the night, however, was dominated by Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Before the stars were entertained by the night's co-hosts Kevin Hart and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, they hit the red carpet to talk everything from their latest projects to the night's recipient of the "Generation Award," Will Smith. Complex News spoke with some of the years' fastest-rising stars like the cast of Straight Outta Compton, Ridiculousness' Chanel West Coast, and 2016 MTV Movie Award performer Hasley who when asked about her meteoric rise to fame admitted, "I feel like I'm going to wake up from a dream one day." Click the video above for all of the red carpet madness. InterviewsNewsVideosAndy SambergComplex News VideosDwayne JohnsonKevin HartMTVWillow SmithStraight Outta Comptonmtv-movie-awardsHalseyComplex VideoChanel West Coast	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line949
__label__wiki	0.640333	0.640333	This Old Video of Kobe Bryant Taking Over a High School Basketball Game and Then Doing an Interview Is Crazy No surprise here: Kobe Bryant was an amazing basketball player when he was in high school. In the video above—which was just unearthed by Lakers Nation—you can see highlights from a game that featured the Black Mamba scoring 29 points in the second half to lead Lower Merion High School to a 75-70 playoff win. What is kind of surprising here, though, is that because Kobe only scored six points in the first half of the game, he's barely even in the first half of the highlights. You can catch glimpses of him every now and then. But for the most part, guys from the opposing team are the ones getting the shine at the beginning of the clip. Once Kobe went off, though, and led his team to a victory, all eyes were squarely on him. So after the game, he did an interview and it's so crazy to watch Kobe talk about getting a hard-fought victory. The interview is about two decades old now, and yet, Kobe has the same hunger and drive in his voice that he has in it now. He also made quite a few faces like this during it: Looks familiar, right? Watch the clip to see what we're talking about. This is must-see TV if you're a fan of Kobe. [via Lakers Nation] 35 Things You Didn't Know About Kobe Bryant VideosBasketballKobe BryantNBA	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line950
__label__wiki	0.604502	0.604502	Vito Di Bari Home/v, WeSpeak/Vito Di Bari Vito Di Bari resides in Miami, FL. He maintains a global reputation of excellence as the world’s premiere futurist, innovation strategist and inspirational keynote speaker. His charming and entertaining style leaves nothing to be desired. Vito is the only keynote speaker who has given a TEDx Talk in five world continents. Vito is an esteemed former professor of Project Design and Management of Innovation at both the Polytechnic University and Bocconi University in Milan. He has also served as Executive Director for the IMI Institute of UNESCO in Paris; the candidate city of Milan has chosen Vito Di Bari to be the Innovation Designer of the World Fair Expo 2015. In 2001, Vito Di Bari has secured his visions and legacy by founding Next Media Lab – a cutting edge international research laboratory, named “Milan’s think tank” by Wired Magazine, where he currently serves as CEO. After moving to Miami Beach, Di Bari has founded Di Bari & Associates – a design studio is changing the world a neighborhood at the time through his cutting edge artistic iconic urban installations, using recent discoveries in various fields such as AR, sensors and 3D printing. A recognized author on innovative theories, Di Bari has published a multitude of works including the books: Social Killer, Short Circuit, Web 2.0, The Future is Already Here (but we don’t know it yet), 2015, Weekend in the Future, Strategies for the Next Economy, The Digital Economy Encyclopedia, Key Words for the Net Economy, and Multimedia Management. In addition to his books, Di Bari is a contributing writer for various magazines including WIRED, Harvard Business Review, Panorama (Italy) and Il Sole 24 Ore (Italy). He has also appeared as a host for television’s Discovery Channel and the Italian broadcasting network Italia Di Bari has held numerous titles of professorship, including: Professor of Design and Management of Innovation at the Faculty of System Engineering of the Polytechnic University and Professor of Innovation Design at the Bocconi University in Milan; Professor of New Media Theories and Techniques at the Communication Science and Technology Faculty of the IULM University in Milan; Professor of Multimedia Innovation Management at the Computer Science Faculty of the Polytechnic University in Milan; Professor of Design and Management of Multimedia Systems at the Design Faculty of the Polytechnic University in Milan; Scientific Director of the Master in Marketing, Communications and New Technologies at the Business School of Il Sole 24 Ore. Executive Vice-President of SPN (Satellite Program Network) – America’s first satellite television network based in New York, member of the Scientific Committee of the International Institute for Opera and Poetry of UNESCO, Member of the Fiction Financing Committee Euro-Aim MEDIA with the Council of Europe (Bruxelles), Chairman of the Arts & Communication International Fellowship of Rotary International (Evanston, IL). In Italy, Chairman of the Scientific Committee of ASCAI (the Association of Corporate Communications Executives), member of the Advisory Board of the Accenture Foundation, the Scientific Committee of Harvard Business Review and the Executive Board of the Industrial Districts Association. MORE THAN A KEYNOTE SPEAKER Nicknamed The Dream Team, DiBari & Associates is a unique Associated Studio bringing together star-artists and star-designers from five continents to deliver the best that the world has to offer. We design the cityscapes of the future, today. We all share the same vision: creating memorable, metaphorical, iconic art installations while implementing new materials, new technologies and brand new ideas. We design Emotional Cityscapes. With everything we do, we believe that beauty will save the world, one place at a time. We look at these sites as canvases waiting to be painted with emotions, becoming the pride of residents and destinations for visitors. VIRTUAL KEYNOTE: BEYOND CORONAVIRUS 10 virtual keynotes on how to adapt and relaunch your business after this crisis Peter Anderton, Gary A. Bolles, Tom Cochran, Vito Di Bari, Scott Geller, Yves Morieux, Robert Rose, Patrick van der Pijl, Margie Warrell, Lauren Weinstein Curated by: Vito Di Bari VIRTUAL KEYNOTE: BEYOND CORONAVIRUS FUTURIST KEYNOTE SPEAKER OF BUSINESS INNOVATION TRENDS BEYOND CORONAVIRUS – Virtual Next Trends Retail: A baby experience larger than life by Vito Di Bari Book through Conference Speakers and follow on Twitter	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line951
__label__wiki	0.674742	0.674742	Two local authorities in northwest England sign for Microsoft licenses and cloud services Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Councils, two local authorities in northwest England, have signed a six-year £35m contract with Insight Direct for Microsoft licenses and cloud services. Indeed, the two councils have decided to adopt Microsoft Azure SaaS/PaaS and other cloud-hosted services and products under the deal. Hence, they are committed to continuing to migrate core applications into an Azure cloud environment through the engagement with their strategic cloud enablement partner. The decision was authorized in September 2020 by the cabinet of Cheshire East Council. It was reported that the deal was supported by a Memorandum of Understanding between Microsoft and the UK government, The Digital Transformation Arrangement, and the Azure Pricing Agreement amendment from 30 April 2020 to 30 April 2021. These engagements will enable UK public sector customers to receive discounts for Cloud-hosted solutions. The deal was made shortly after the arrangement to secure a Microsoft cloud migration partner for £5.31m over a two-year contract period, which was funded by both Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester. This cloud migration will give huge financial benefits for both Councils service areas as well as successfully meet their needs. The decision behind their joint IT strategy comes from sharing an ERP system, based on Unit4. The councils have also signed for a new HR and finance system, replacing an Oracle system, which is expected to go live in February. However, it has been noticed that Unit4’s cloud software only works with Azure. Thus, the entire cost of the initiatives would then go up to £22.3m. DevOps, Digital Transformation, News DBS Bank to launch a digital training institute in tech	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line952
__label__wiki	0.535287	0.535287	Source: Serendipity Point Films Seen 'The L Word' 800+ Times? Here Are Some Other Lesbian Flicks to Watch on Netflix By Pippa Raga Queer representation in cinema has come a long way. For subject matter that was long deemed too provocative for the mainstream, LGBTQ+ films now get proper theatrical releases, attract A-list stars, and even win Oscars (“Moonlight, you guys won best picture!”). Now that the stigma has been lifted, there are LGBTQ movies of all genres from feel-good romances to laugh-out-loud comedies and visually stunning arthouse numbers. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choices and are looking for some quality viewing, look no further than this complete list of some of the best lesbian movies available to stream on Netflix. Keep scrolling! 'Blue Is the Warmest Color' Source: Wild Bunch Back in 2013, Blue Is the Warmest Color debuted to multiple awards and critical acclaim for the movie’s two leading ladies, Bond girl Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos. The movie follows the relationship between two young women who fall in love — one of them is a college student comfortable in her sexuality, the other is still figuring hers out. At three hours, Blue Is the Warmest Color is quite a lengthy endeavor, but the timing is crucial for viewers to understand the reality of their emotions, as well as what the relationship means for Adèle going forward. That said, the sex scenes might leave lesbians scratching their heads. 'Duck Butter' Source: Duplass Brothers Productions Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go on a 24-hour first date? If you're a lesbian, you might have already taken part in this kind of endeavor. Anyway, that's the setup of Duck Butter. After Naima (Alia Shawkat) and Sergio (Laia Costa) meet at a club, they decide to get to really know each by spending 24 uninterrupted hours at Naima’s apartment, chilling, chatting, and having sex every hour on the hour. Watching lesbians immediately dive into heavy relationship stuff on a first date is quite on-brand, but Duck Butter is a cute and interesting fresh take on what kind of intimacy can develop from a little time in very close quarters. 'The Feels' Source: Provenance Pictures The Feels kicks off at the joint lesbian bachelorette weekend of Andi (Constance Wu) and Lu (Angela Trimbur), who are excited to celebrate their upcoming nuptials with their friends. However, as the weekend progresses, things take a messy turn. After getting drunk at dinner, Lu reveals to the group that she’s never had an orgasm, which, let's just say, is a surprise to Andi. This revelation starts to unravel the relationship as Andi and Lu ask themselves whether they’re ready for long-term commitment and if they can even be truthful with each other. 'Below Her Mouth' If you’re on the market for something a little more risqué, Below Her Mouth follows Jasmine (Natalie Krill), a fashion editor, and Dallas (Erika Linder), a roofer, who fall in love after a chance meeting. However, even though they share a powerful physical connection Jasmine struggles with her feelings of being attracted to a woman and fears that if her relationship with Dallas comes to light, it could ruin her engagement to her male fiancé. Looking for a lesbian documentary to stream on Netflix? 'A Secret Love' Source: courtesy of netflix Netflix’s latest documentary recently dropped and it looks like a quiet love story that is sure to have you in tears. To family and friends, Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel were just best friends and roommates but A Secret Love documents their extraordinary lives together as well as their decision to come out to the world in their 80s. Produced by Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story, POSE), A Secret Love looks back on this lesbian couple’s seven-decade romance that includes Terry’s career with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (the professional women’s sports organization that inspired the 1992 hit A League of Their Own), the years of hiding their relationship, and the later years in which they started to come out to friends and family. Stream these movies on Netflix today. Hunter Said 'We're Here' on HBO Was a Life-Changing Experience He Dicho! 'Caso Cerrado' Is Not (Completely) Scripted Save Your Bugs for When Flick Comes to Your Island in 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Zendaya Has Five Older Siblings That Come From Her Dad's Previous Marriage Conspiracy Theories Fly on Social Media After the Vatican Appears to Go Dark A Timeline of Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker's Rumored Feud Will Samantha Jones Be Killed Off in the 'Sex and the City' Reboot?	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line955
__label__cc	0.624633	0.375367	The most dangerously useful word in our work culture Ever heard of the “No man” or the “No woman”? Probably, not. But you’ve heard of the “Yes man”. You’ve probably also heard of the “doormat”, the “busy bee” and the “headless chicken”. Most people in western culture feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day and live with a sense of overwhelm on a consistent basis. We deprive ourselves of needed time and personal space to make ourselves available to others and to opportunities in fear of missing out or seeming selfish. So your schedule feels bloated with no room to breathe whilst also feeling like you can’t get out of it - a vicious cycle. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can have authentic success, be productive, appreciated and well respected whilst maintaining healthy boundaries and control over how you spend your time and energy. In fact you’re more likely to achieve those things if you do that. Legend in the making: Dr B illustrates this quasi-magical effect. She stopped acquiescing indiscriminately to tasks, projects, meetings and conversations that felt out of alignment for her (the types of things she may have agreed to in the past hoping to be appreciated for her willingness and availability). People in high places started to see her as more of a leader than an employee. She became more assertive and clear across the board; and now she is working to the 2IC (number 2 in command) at the World Health Organisation. Result! The best thing is she has to work less and is achieving more, and there’s no sense of struggle. It’s the state of flow when we’re in alignment with our higher truth, when we’re in integrity with our greatest selves. I’m not saying it’s easy to say “no” at work or in relationships. Otherwise, everyone would be doing it; and it’s why people hire me – to help them through these personal transformations. Indeed, our culture has a very difficult relationship with “No”. It’s like an act of rebellion – you’re reclaiming your individuality and right to have control over yourself to put yourself to use in a better way. We even have public campaigns around it: remember the “Just say no campaign” against drugs; or the sexual education mantra of “No means no”? What’s so difficult about saying “no”? Saying no to a request for help is selfish, irresponsible and lazy, right? It shows weakness and puts your reputation at risk…Great fodder for Imposter Syndrome, too…If we’re trying to prove ourselves, saying “no” will feel like reputational suicide. And yet… “No” is a firm boundary. It’s the verbal sword that cuts through unhealthy interactions and engagements. It protects your time and energy from misuse by unhealthy agendas. It helps us be at home in our minds and bodies and meet people as equals. It may not be easy. It may feel like madness. It may even cut you off from certain opportunities. But they probably weren’t right in the first place. This simple word is the key to healthy work, healthy relationships and authentic success. It’s the doorway to true freedom in the midst of our work and personal lives. Amina Amina \| Be the change www.doctoramina.com p.s. It’s today! The “How to take an entrepreneurial approach to your career” free webinar. Join us by registering here: http://eepurl.com/dEJFan Date: 12th of September, 6.30pm UK / 1.30pm EST / 10.30am PST. I’ll be sharing what I know of the key principles and actions required to become an entrepreneurially minded professional and create authentic success, based on real-life examples including mine! We'll explore: Why you must abandon the employee mindset The building blocks of a strategy for operating as an independent professional collaborating with selected organisations and partners that you choose The key to getting paid for creating socially valuable service propositions (whether within or without a bigger organisation) How to break out of imposter syndrome thought patterns Next Leaders Circle at Harley Street 27th of September, 6.30pm: Leaders Circle at Harley Street (2 hours): Ticket details to follow. “How to take an entrepreneurial approach to your career”. We’ll dig deeper into the material shared on the webinar.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line958
__label__wiki	0.959524	0.959524	To be able to use Dodo Tickets in full range, we recommend activating Javascript in your browser. Other Promoters © Em Cole plus €1.00 Systemgebühr Date: Friday, 17 September 2021 Venue: Astra Kulturhaus Doors open: 19:00 Beginning: 20:00 Maxïmo Park are today announcing details of their forthcoming new album “Nature Always Wins”,... more Maxïmo Park are today announcing details of their forthcoming new album “Nature Always Wins”, along with news of a headline UK tour and the album’s first single proper – Baby, Sleep. The news follows last month’s surprise new track Child Of The Flatlands, a majestic, psychedelic slow-burner that cast a lovelorn look toward the meaning of place and its impact on identity – all set to a visual art piece from experimental designer and video artist (and recent Daniel Avery collaborator) Greg Hodgson. The track was described as “absolutely beautiful” by Lauren Laverne on BBC 6 Music and laid out a marker for their ambitions with “Nature Always Wins”. It follows, then, that “Nature Always Wins” arrives as something of an examination, zeroing in on the notion of the self, identity as a band, and that of humanity as a whole. The album’s title nods to the famous Nature vs Nurture debate. Discussing whether change is capable under the influence of time, perspective, environment or if we are destined to be bound by our own genetics, it asks, “who are we, who do we want to be, and do we have any control over it?”. Refining their approach as a three-piece, writing began last summer with Smith, Lloyd and English seeking a different kind of fourth member – a producer who was also a musician. Fitting the bill came Atlanta-based Grammy-winning producer Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Deerhunter) who afforded the band freedom to play and create. What wasn’t anticipated was how that freedom would be soon be stripped, as Lockdown restrictions left the band making the most of technological advances to perform real-time recording sessions across the ocean – themselves in Newcastle and Liverpool, with Allen at the helm in Atlanta. Resulting first single Baby, Sleep is a world of pop energy, driven by the inimitable guitar of Duncan Lloyd and the deft turns of phrase that can only come from Paul Smith. Paul Smith comments: “I’m so happy we were able to make this album during lockdown, as it’s been a challenging time for everyone. After almost 4 years since Risk To Exist, we wanted to explore new musical territory (for us) without sacrificing our trademark melodic twists and heartfelt lyrics. As always, the passing of time looms large, although the songs contain more affection for the past than before, and there are occasional hints of the fractious, divided time that we live in. Baby, Sleep is a light-hearted look at the surreal nature of sleep-deprivation, and the way it distorts normality in a capitalist society.” The album title was revealed by superfan, BBC Radio 1’s Greg James, in a humorous spoof of Celebrity Mastermind between him and lead singer Paul Smith. With the band’s only live show of 2020 restricted to a sold-out socially-distanced headline show at Newcastle’s Virgin Money Arena, Maxïmo Park today also share news of a headline UK tour for summer 2021. Full dates below. Tickets available on sale 23rd October Copyright © Dodo Beach GmbH	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line960
__label__wiki	0.721628	0.721628	Jaejoong Tix Sellout in 15 minutes, New Album Photo by dongbanger.comPosted in Latest*, NewsTagged jaejoong Singer/Songwriter Jaejoong (JYJ) is gearing up to promote his upcoming full solo album project. A total of 14,000 tickets for his first “2013 Kim JaeJoong 1st Album Asia Tour Concert” concerts in Seoul, South Korea sold out in 15 minutes. The concerts will be held at COEX over the course of 2 days on Nov 2 and Nov 3. Reportedly, the servers for the online ticketing site crashed as well from the sheer number of people trying to get tickets. Meanwhile, the first image from the new album shows Jaejoong as a blond, tattooed rocker, an image many of us are quite familiar with since that seems close to his personal style too. The style, along with his manga/anime natural facial features, are enough to make any K-rock or J-rock artist jealous! 🙂 In the photo, though, you can clearly see what appears to be a tattoo on his neck as well. Many were wondering whether its a new tat, or whether its for presentation purposes. (He does have real tattoos on his chest and back, though) Earlier this year, Jaejoong released a mini-album that gained a lot of praise and positive feedback, not just from fangirls but from many people who like rock and became new fans because of it. His mini-album project, Mine, even hit #2 on the U.S. Billboard World Album charts which tracks the top selling world music albums week to week. The official video for the title song, “Mine”, has over 3 million hits at youtube.com The 1st single from Jaejoong’s new full album is scheduled to be released Oct 15. https://www.dongbanger.com/latest/jyj-jaejoong-billboard-world-chart-02072013.html http://jyj3.net/2013/10/08/news-131009-kim-jaejoong-first-teaser-for-new-album-revealed-sexy-rock-star https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYgTJ9D4Rgg Jaejoong New Album and Tour Jaejoong’s Sunny Day Hits #1 on Japan iTunes, Butterfly to Follow	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line962
__label__wiki	0.783644	0.783644	Myanmar extends Covid-19 preventive measures to Dec 15 Yangon, Nov 29 (IANS): Myanmar's national-level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment for Covid-19 has extended the period of preventive measures until December 15. The extension will be applied to all orders, announcements, directives issued by respective union level government organizations and ministries which will expire on Monday, as part of the preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease, reports Xinhua news agency reported. According to a statement from the Health and Sports Ministry on Saturday, Myanmar reported 1,344 new cases and 22 deaths in the past 24 hours. The country's overall caseload has increased to 87,977, while its death toll stood at 1,887, the ministry's figures said. A total of 67,588 recovered patients have been discharged from hospitals so far. The virus was first detected in Myanmar on March 23 this year and over 1.13 million samples have been tested for the disease. Meanwhile, the Road Transport Administration Department announced on Saturday to resume new vehicle registrations starting December 1 at its branches in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay. According to the announcement, the registration operations for new vehicles will be carried out with daily limited numbers of vehicles in order to avoid mass gatherings. The Department had suspended all operations in early September due to a spike in the number of new cases. Title : Myanmar extends Covid-19 preventive measures to Dec 15	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line963
__label__wiki	0.691086	0.691086	Strange & Norrell : IV- Magic and Madness By John Reppionon Wednesday, June 24th Susanna Clarke’s 2004 historical fantasy novel Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell has been adapted into a seven part television series by Peter Harness, currently airing on BBC One and BBC America. John Reppion plucks out some of the more easily disentangled fragments of folklore, magic, and the like from the book (and the show) and takes a closer look at them. All posts in this series: Strange and Norrell I – The Language of Birds Strange and Norrell II – On Fairies and Witchcraft Strange and Norrell III – Away with the Fairies Strange and Norrell IV – Magic and Madness Strange and Norrell V – The Raven King IV – Magic and Madness “I am not at all surprised that you could not help His Majesty,” said Mr Norrell. “I do not believe that even the Aureate magicians could cure madness. In fact I am not sure that they tried. They seem to have considered madness in quite a different light. They held madmen in a sort of reverence and thought they knew things sane men did not –things which might be useful to a magician. There are stories of both Ralph Stokesey and Catherine of Winchester consulting with madmen.” “But it was not only magicians, surely?” said Strange. “Fairies too had a strong interest in madmen. I am sure I remember reading that somewhere.” “Yes, indeed! Some of our most important writers have remarked upon the strong resemblance between madmen and fairies. Both are well known for talking without sense or connexion.” Talking without (seeming) sense or connection, in the world of Strange & Norrell, is one effect of what is referred to only as a “muffling spell” – an enchantment signified by a phantom rose at the mouth of the subject (to those magically inclined enough to see it). The apparent nonsense spoken by those thus enchanted in the book and television series proves, in fact, to be old Fairy and Folk Tales which, though unrelated to what the person is trying to say, are nevertheless coherently told. So it is that those who have had a muffling spell cast upon them may appear insane but not (necessarily) be so. Clearly, this can be read as a metaphor for depression, and any number of mental health conditions in which the sufferer feels unable to articulate their problems, or is unable to imagine them being understood (or taken seriously) if they do so. Madness and otherness are themes that run throughout Strange & Norrell. In one footnote we are given a note on the thoughts of Richard Chaston (1620-95), an author who the practical magician Mr. Gilbert Norrell agrees with (on this matter, at least): Chaston wrote that men and Fairies both contain within them a faculty of reason and a faculty of magic. In men reason is strong and magic is weak. With fairies is the other way round: magic comes very naturally to them, but by human standards they are barely sane. Here then, magic seems to be the very opposite of reason, but does that make it madness? In Clarke’s world fairies and Faerie may seem at first to be the opposite of Englishmen and England but, in fact, (as Chanston hints) they prove to be more like mirror images of the same; their characteristics merely inverted. Strange & Norrell draws on various Romantic literary traditions and is set during the Romantic Era – an era when England was itself ruled over by “mad” King George III. The self-elected poster-boy of Romanticism Lord Byron was infamously described as “mad, bad, and dangerous to know” by Lady Caroline Lamb; a phrase which has become synonymous with hell-raising, raucous, rebellious behaviour ever since. Madness then, was and is an important part of the Romantic aesthetic. Poets cultivated the association among insanity, eccentricity, and genius in their life-styles and their work to distinguish themselves from the philistine public and from writers of lesser talent. […] Two general reasons for the prevalence of genuine and feigned madness in this period were the increased acceptability of public displays of emotion and the cult of the genius poet. [1] Yet while Byron’s madness may have been something of an affectation, other poets such as William Blake, and Friedrich Hölderlin did unquestionably struggle with their mental health (the latter almost certainly being schizophrenic). Another was John Clare, the “Peasant Poet” from Northampton, who was in and out of asylums for much of his adult life. In 1837 he was admitted to Dr Allen’s High Beech asylum near Epping and was reported as being “full of many strange delusions”. He thought he was a prize fighter and that he had two wives, Patty and Mary [a girl Clare fell in love with as a boy but who, in reality, he seems to have never had any actual relationship with]. He started to claim he was Lord Byron. There is an interesting letter that Dr Allen wrote about Clare to The Times in 1840: It is most singular that ever since he came… the moment he gets pen or pencil in hand he begins to write most poetical effusions. Yet he has never been able to obtain in conversation, nor even in writing prose, the appearance of sanity for two minutes or two lines together, and yet there is no indication of insanity in any of his poetry. An interesting picture of Clare during [his time at Northampton Asylum circa 1860] comes from the asylum superintendent, Dr Nesbitt, who wrote of his condition: It was characterised by visionary ideas and hallucinations. For instance he may be said to have lost his own personal identity as with the gravity of truth he would maintain that he had written the works of Byron, and Sir Walter Scott, that he was Nelson and Wellington, that he had fought and won the battle of Waterloo, that he had had his head shot off at this battle, whilst he was totally unable to explain the process by which it had been again affixed to his body. [2] Clare’s own affliction apparently working as the mirror opposite of the muffling spell of Clarke’s world – him being able to speak with absolute clarity and mastery through one medium alone. The madman as genius in his single field of specialisation. In a paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine in 2001, Allan Beveridge wrote the following: At the beginning of the nineteenth century, two major factors contributed to the awakening interest in the art of the insane—the Romantic movement, which identified madness as an exalted state allowing access to hidden realms; and the emergence of the asylum, which provided a location for the production of patient-art. Romanticism saw madness as a privileged condition: the madman, unrestrained by reason or by social convention, was perceived as having access to profound truths. The Romantics emphasized subjectivity and individualism, and hailed the madman as a hero, voyaging to new planes of reality. Although the equation of madness and genius originated with Plato, it was only in the nineteenth century that it became an important feature of cultural discourse. From the proposition that the genius was a kind of madman it was logical to ask whether the mad themselves create works of genius. [3] The art of the insane, along the art of children, and the “primitive” art of other cultures, were studied and admired by the likes of the Expressionists and the Surrealists. To them such art represented an absolute break from the conventions of western formalism – from the established etiquette and symbolism of art as it stood (just as the wild magic of fairies contrasts with Mr. Norrell’s controlled, formalised English Magic). In the first Surrealist Manifesto, André Breton, the leading theorist of the movement, wrote: The confidences of madmen: I would spend my life in provoking them. They are people of a scrupulous honesty, and whose innocence is equalled only by mine. A quotation worthy of Lord Byron himself in terms of its apparent pomposity. One cannot write of magic, madness, fairies, and art and not include the tragic, talented Richard Dadd. Richard Dadd was born August 1, 1817 in Chatham, Kent, England. At age 13 the family moved to London, and in 1837, Dadd, age 20, was admitted to the Royal Academy of Art. Dadd showed talent at the Academy and gathered a number of painterly friends, known collectively as ‘The Clique’. He won several awards while at the Academy, and began exhibiting his work during his first year. In 1841, he received a commission to do the woodblock illustrations for a book called the Book of British Ballads, as well as an oil painting called Titania Sleeping, which is perhaps the best example of his early work. Overall, his style was not particularly remarkable, no more so than any other moderately gifted painter in Victorian England during the stylistic phase now referred to as “The Fairy School”. [4] In 1842 Richard Dadd set out on the not-yet-quite-out-of-fashion Grand Tour (of Europe and the Middle East) with Sir Thomas Phillips, who had employed the artist to document his travels. All went well until the duo reached Egypt where Phillips and others believed that Dadd must have caught sunstroke. Dadd himself was under a rather different impression however, namely that he had been possessed by the ancient Egyptian God Osiris. Osiris is the God of the afterlife, of the dead, and, perhaps crucially, of the underworld (the connections between Hades, Hell, the classical underworld, and Faerie having already been discussed in part previously). Upon his return to England Richard was clearly changed and troubled. He was taken by his family to rural Kent for a bit of rest, relaxation, and recuperation. There, in August 1843, Dadd took a knife and murdered his father, who he now believed was not his father at all but a supernatural double (a “fetch”, or a “waff”, as some might say). Richard fled the country but was arrested just outside Paris when he attempted a second murder, this time with a straight razor. Dadd confessed to killing his father and was returned to England, where he was committed to the criminal department of Bethlem psychiatric hospital, better known to many as Bedlam. In Bedlam (and later in the equally infamous Broadmoor Hospital where he died in 1886) Richard Dadd was encouraged to continue with his painting. His artwork was, as is perhaps to be expected, somewhat changed (“possess[ing] a strange compelling quality absent from the work he completed when sane“, according to Beveridge[5]) but it was no less wonderful. So wonderful in fact that in 1855 the then Head Steward at Bedlam, George Henry Haydon, asked Dadd if he would paint a picture for him. Dadd spent nine years on the painting – a canvass measuring a mere 54 x 39.5 cm (21 x 15.5 inches) – which, though it remained unfinished in his eyes, now hangs in London’s world famous Tate Gallery. The painting (shown above) is entitled The Fairy Feller’s Master Stroke and is described on the Tate website thusly: With the exception of Shakespeare’s Oberon and Titania, who appear in the top half of the picture, the figures are drawn entirely from the artist’s imagination. The main focus of the painting is the Fairy Feller himself, who raises his axe in readiness to split a large chestnut which will be used to construct Queen Mabs’ new fairy carriage. In the centre of the picture the white-bearded patriarch raises his right hand, commanding the woodsman not to strike a blow until the signal is given. Meanwhile the rest of the fairy band looks on in anticipation, anxious to see whether the woodsman will succeed in splitting the nut with one stroke. The magician-like figure of the patriarch wears a triple crown, which seems to be a reference to the Pope. Dadd saw the Pope during a visit to Rome in 1843 and was apparently overcome by an urge to attack him. Although the patriarch may be interpreted as a father figure, the tiny apothecary, brandishing a mortar and pestle in the top right of the picture, is in fact a portrait of the artist’s father, Robert Dadd. [6] Yes, Dadd’s father was depicted by the artist among the fairies. In the very first issue of the Tate magazine, Tate Etc, published in May 2004 (four months before Strange & Norrell), the German Capitalist Realist painter and photographer Sigmar Polke (1941–2010) wrote a piece on Dadd’s Fairy Feller’s Master Stroke entitled “Private View“. While I do not pretend to be familiar with Polke, either as a painter or a writer, there are nevertheless perhaps some insights to be gained from an artist’s perspective on Dadd and his master-work. Here are a couple of choice quotations from the piece: I’ve known Richard Dadd’s The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke 1855–64 since the 1970s. When I look at it again today, it’s as if I were looking into a tapestry and losing my way. Its composition is quite unlike any other Victorian fairy painting. The point of view is not clearly defined. Instead, the individual elements appear to be linked by almost invisible forces. At that time, the fantasy life of fairies – from Grimm to Shakespeare – enjoyed widespread popularity as an imaginary world fully integrated into reality. Dadd’s appropriation of this world is, however, neither kitsch, nor facile, nor garrulous, because it does not obey the then current pictorial conventions. Nor does his vision echo the spirited confections of popular draughtsman J.J. Grandville’s fantastic book Un Autre Monde 1844. Instead, one senses the extraordinary intensity of an enduring dialogue between the artist and the universe of figures that he created. Isolated from the outside world, he painted the picture for the director of the hospital. Did he perhaps want to present it as proof of his sanity? A strange idea; attempting to prove one’s sanity by creating a hyper-realistic representation of Faerie. In the final paragraph Polke talks briefly about Dadd’s madness but in place of a conclusion to the piece there is, instead, a rather curious quotation. One more curlicue, a whorl, my coda follows in the form of an ancient Celtic saying: A city lasts three years, A dog outlives three cities, A horse outlasts three dogs, A person outlives three horses, A donkey outlives three people, A wild goose outlives three donkeys, A crow outlives three wild geese, A hart outlives three crows, A raven outlives three harts, And the Phoenix outlives three ravens. [7] I have not been able to find the source of the quotation and I’m left wondering exactly what Polke was trying to communicate, and whether he was freely able to do so. In Strange & Norrell madness and magic may not be the same thing but they are bedfellows nonetheless; each having some bearing and effect upon the other. Even so… There were remarkably few spells for curing madness. Indeed he had found only one, and even then he was not sure that was what it was meant for. It was a prescription in Ormskirk’s Revelations of Thirty-Six Other Worlds. Ormskirk said that it would dispel illusions and correct wrong ideas. Strange took out the book and read through the spell again. It was a peculiarly obscure piece of magic, consisting only of the following words: “Place the moon at his eyes and her whiteness shall devour the false sights the deceiver has placed there. Place a swarm of bees at his ears. Bees love truth and will destroy the deceiver’s lies. Place salt in his mouth lest the deceiver attempt to delight him with the taste of honey or disgust him with the taste of ashes. Nail his hand with an iron nail so that he shall not raise it to do the deceiver’s bidding. Place his heart in a secret place so that all his desires shall be his own and the deceiver shall find no hold there. Memorandum. The colour red may be found beneficial.” However, as Strange read it through, he was forced to admit that he had not the least idea what it meant. Read on to Part V: The Raven King [1] Laura Dabundo (2009) Encyclopedia of romanticism: culture in Britain, 1780s-1830s [2] http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/bookreviews/books/johnclare/review1.aspx [3] Allan Beveridge (2001) “A disquieting feeling of strangeness?: the art of the mentally ill” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1282252/ [4] http://www.popsubculture.com/pop/bio_project/richard_dadd.html [6] http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/dadd-the-fairy-fellers-master-stroke-t00598/text-summary [7] Sigmar Polke (2004) “Private View” http://www.tate.org.uk/context-comment/articles/tate-etc-issue-1 John Reppion is an English writer based in Liverpool. A lifelong fascination with folklore, forteana, weird and forgotten history runs through all of his work, from comics (co-authored with his wife, Leah Moore), to Weird Fiction, to his essays and articles. His website is moorereppion.com and he can be found on Twitter @johnreppion. John is the editor of SPIRITS OF PLACE, an anthology published by Daily Grail Publishing featuring Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, Iain Sinclair and others.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line965
__label__wiki	0.965811	0.965811	Spartans spiff up resume with takedown of Badgers Matt Charboneau, The Detroit News East Lansing — It was Senior Day at Michigan State on Sunday, and even bigger than that was the fact the Spartans were presented with an opportunity to get a win that could be a feather in their NCAA Tournament cap. Like it has for most of the season, Michigan State relied heavily on its youth, the senior class led mostly at this point by just guard Alvin Ellis as Eron Harris is now out for the season and Gavin Schilling and Ben Carter never started it. And like it has begun to do more often in the past couple of weeks, that youth paid off in a big way. Nick Ward and Miles Bridges — the two freshmen who have produced all season — were the catalysts again as Ward scored 22 and grabbed nine rebounds while Bridges added 17 points and seven rebounds as Michigan State beat No.16 Wisconsin, 84-74, gaining a badly needed signature victory as it continues to build its NCAA Tournament resume heading into the final week of the regular season. Fellow freshman Cassius Winston scored 10 and handed out eight assists while sophomore Matt McQuaid also had a big game, scoring 15 points for the Spartans (18-11, 10-6 Big Ten), who close the season at Illinois on Wednesday and at Maryland on Saturday. The win moves Michigan State into a three-way tie for third place in the Big Ten with Maryland and Minnesota. BOX SCORE: Michigan State 84, No. 16 Wisconsin 74 “I’ve learned a lot about this team so far this year,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. “Three weeks ago when we played Nebraska I opened up the white elephant and admitted it to you, put the pressure on them and put it on myself and they responded.” That white elephant, as Izzo calls it, is the 19-year NCAA Tournament streak. He mentioned it that day to his team when it beat Nebraska on the road and it’s been hanging around ever since. On Sunday, it looked like the Spartans have truly embraced the situation they’re in. “I told them just now the greatest memory-making moments will be for the next 60 years you’re gonna understand when your back against the wall and you’re neck is on the line you can do one of two things. You can give up or you can grind, and we’ve grinded. “I’m very proud of them for that.” Michigan State took advantage of a Wisconsin team that is reeling and has now lost four of five. Nigel Hayes scored 22 for the Badgers (22-7, 11-5) while Bronson Koenig added 17 points and Zak Showalter scored 15. “This was a big win for us,” Bridges said. “They’re ranked 16th, it’s a big win and we really needed this one. But we have to continue to stay focused. We’ve got two big road games coming up.” MSU's Eron Harris cherishes final Breslin Center moment Michigan State jumped out early in the first half, pushing its lead to 13 when Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn hit a running layup with six minutes to play to give the Spartans a 36-23 lead. However, it was all Wisconsin from that point as the Badgers closed the half on a 14-2 run with Michigan State’s only points coming on a goaltending call when Bridges attempted to score on the fast break. Michigan State grabbed back some of the momentum early in the second half, pushing its lead to 50-43 thanks to back-to-back 3-pointers from Joshua Langford and Bridges. Wisconsin fought back however and went on a 7-2 run before McQuaid hit a pair of free throws to put the Spartans ahead 54-50 with 12:05 to play. Those points sparked an 11-1 run with Ward and Bridges both on the bench with three fouls each that gave Michigan State a 63-51 lead with 9:22 to play. The lead extended to 68-55 after a McQuaid jumper and a Winston 3-pointer with eight minutes left. Michigan State led 72-59 after two free throws from Ward but Wisconsin scored the next seven, including a 3-pointer from Koenig to cut the MSU lead to 72-66 with four minutes to play. Michigan State answered, however, with two free throws from Bridges and a 3-point play courtesy of Ward to up 77-66 with 1:44 to play. “The numbers tell the story,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. “You can’t go 13-for-25 from the line and not be able to convert that along with 17-for-36 in the paint. That puts a premium on everything else when you’re not able to convert at a high level with the ball tight to the rim. “And they made plays. … Ward, he’s a big body. He's a load. Nine-for-12 vs. 4-for-10 in our five man. That tells it right there." While Wisconsin is headed in the wrong direction, Michigan State feels like it’s hitting its stride. “Who knows what will happen,” Izzo said. “I’m not sure I’ll feel comfortable on anything until it happens, but we put ourselves in a position that I can look in the mirror and say we deserved some things. “I’m proud. That’s the best word I can give. What happens from here, who knows? We still got some games to win.” mcharboneau@detroitnews.com twitter.com/mattcharboneau	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line969
__label__cc	0.748811	0.251189	Effects of exercise using a mobile device on cardiopulmonary function, metabolic risk factors, and self-efficacy in obese women J Exerc Rehabil Vol. 14, No. 5, 829-834, October, 2018 J Exerc RehabilJournal ArchiveJ Exerc Rehabil Vol. 14, No. 5 Publication date (electronic) : 2018 October 31 doi : https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1836454.227 Dae-Young Kim Department of Sports Healthcare, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Inje University, Gimhae, Korea *Corresponding author: Dae-Young Kim, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4662-4463, Department of Sports Health Care, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Inje University, 197 Inje-ro, Gimhae 50834, Korea, Tel: +82- 55-320-3171, Fax: +82-55-320-3545, E-mail: cdps21@inje.ac.kr Received 2018 August 20; Accepted 2018 September 17. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 12-week walking exercise using a mobile device on cardiopulmonary function, metabolic risk factors, and self-efficacy in obese middle-aged women. For this study, 14 middle-aged subjects with obesity were included and performed walking exercise of 50%–60% maximum oxygen uptake intensity 3 times a week for 12 weeks. As a result, weight, % body fat, body mass index, and waist circumference significantly reduced. In addition, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and hemoglobin A1c significantly reduced, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and flexibility significantly increased. Furthermore, exercise using a mobile device significantly increased self-efficacy. In conclusion, walking exercise using a mobile device is a good method to constantly increase the exercise participation rate, as it improves metabolic risk factor and obesity index, and increases self-efficacy. Keywords: Mobile device; Exercise; Metabolic risk factor; Self-efficacy; Obese women Obesity is a state of excessive accumulation of body fat surpassing the normal range that has a negative effect on the body. The incidence of obesity is increasing owing to the lack of activity in comparison with calorie intake, absence of balanced meals, and sedentary lifestyle. In Korea, the adult population with a body mass index (BMI) of >25 kg/m2 has continuously increased from 2005 to 2013 (Ministry for Health and Welfare, 2017). Obesity induces various mechanisms that lead to many diseases and increases the incidence of diseases such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Among these diseases, metabolic syndrome has ≥3 of the 5 risk factors, which are waist circumference (WC), glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) level, triglyceride (TG) level, and blood pressure (BP). In other words, metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors associated with the increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and stroke. Lack of exercise is reported as the biggest reason for the development of metabolic syndrome, which negatively correlates with physical activity (Farrell et al., 2004; Roberts et al., 2013). In addition, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases with age and is more prevalent in men than in women (Lee and Kim, 2016). Thus, as obesity and metabolic syndrome lead to increase in the prevalence of various chronic diseases, the need for regular exercise is greatly emphasized. Through many studies, regular physical activity is known to prevent obesity, and physical activity of 1,000 kcal per week or increase of 1 MET (metabolic equivalent task) in cardiorespiratory fitness is known to reduce mortality by approximately 20% (Myers et al., 2003). In addition, weight loss through increased physical activity is a highly effective method for prevention and improvement of chronic diseases. However, although the effects and importance of regular exercise are emphasized, the actual amount of activity remains insufficient. Many studies have been conducted to promote physical activity. Recently, data on the amount of energy consumption and physical activity have become easier to collect using devices such as an accelerometer during exercise. These devices function as a motivation factor for exercising through the self-monitoring function, rather than simply measuring the amount of activity and calories. Currently, wearable devices such as wristbands and linkage with a smartphone application allow determining the amount of physical activity and further serve as a factor that promotes exercise through setting up activity goals (Thompson, 2014). The utilization of a mobile device assists the users to regularly exercise by individually setting up their goals and constantly stimulating them. On the basis of the results of such execution of exercise, self-efficacy can be improved. Self-efficacy refers to the belief one has on one’s ability to perform a specific action. In addition, it is known as a predictor for the beginning and maintenance of regular exercise (Williams et al., 2008). Such self-efficacy is affected by personal experience, indirect experience, social persuasion, and physiological factors, among which personal experience has the biggest influence. The use of a mobile device is a good way to increase self-efficacy by providing an opportunity to directly confirm one’s amount of activity, not only offering motivation but also showing individual success. However, research is lacking for specifically analyzing the effects of exercise utilizing mobile devices on various metabolic risk factors and self-efficacy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to verify the effects of walking exercise using a mobile device on cardiopulmonary function, metabolic risk factors, and self-efficacy in obese women. The subjects were 14 obese middle-aged women, between 40 and 60 years of age, who had no other medical conditions. The subjects were selected through a baseline test by examining their age, physical activity level, weight change over the past year, smoking status, and current medication. Subjects who satisfied the following criteria were selected: WC of ≥80 cm, BMI of ≥25 kg/m2, and exercise <2 times a week. All the subjects received a full explanation of the content and purpose of the study, agreed to participate by providing written consent, and then participated in the study. The study subjects’ characteristics are shown in Table 1. Physical characteristics of the subjects (n=14) Analysis categories and methods Physique and body composition As body composition variables, BMI, % body fat, and WC were measured. After height (cm) and weight (kg) were measured using an automated measuring instrument BSM330 (InBody, Seoul, Korea), BMI was calculated using the equation weight (kg)/height (m2). For % body fat, the body composition analyzer (Inbody770, InBody) was used. WC was measured using a tape measure up to the tenth place. For all the subjects, a 12-hr fasting blood test was conducted. Blood samples were collected at the same time and condition before and after exercise (12 weeks after exercise). For the blood test, Samsung LABGEO PT10 (Samsung Electronics, Suwon, Korea) was used to perform a clinical chemistry analysis for whole blood samples. Blood glucose level, atherosclerosis index (AI), total cholesterol (TC) level, TG level, and HDLC level were checked by injecting 70 μL of the sample into the cartridge. BP was measured in the right arm using an automatic BP monitor (BPBIO320, InBody) after taking a rest for 10 min in a sitting position. The measurement was performed twice, and the mean value was used for data processing. The time interval between measurements was 5 min. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was computed as MAP=diastolic BP (DBP)+([systolic BP (SBP)–DBP]/3). Cardiopulmonary function test For cardiopulmonary function, the subjects maintained fasting for 4 hr, and a treadmill and gas analyzer were used for measurement. By using the modified Bruce protocol, a treadmill maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) test was performed. The maximum capacity criteria were a respiratory exchange ratio of ≥1.15, rating of perceived exertion of ≥17, VO2 value not increasing even when the exercise intensity was increased, and subjects asking to stop the test. Oxygen consumption and heart rate were measured using a treadmill and metabolic gas analyzer system (Quark B2, Cosmed, Rome, Italy). Then, individual regression equation between oxygen consumption and heart rate per minute was computed, and individual heart rate per minute, which is 50%–60% of the maximum oxygen consumption, was computed. Exercise program using a mobile device The aerobic exercise program used in this study was conducted as a 12-week walking exercise performed 3 times per week at the exercise intensity corresponding to 50%–60% of the maximum oxygen consumption. To determine the target calorie consumption, the energy consumption was calculated using the automatic heart rate monitor (Polar Heart Monitor, Polar M400, Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland) to check the status of the target heart rate set during the walking exercise program. To set the energy consumption through each exercise session identical to 400 kcal per session and 1,200 kcal per week (exercise 3 times a week), the duration of exercise was set differently between 60 and 80 min, depending on the individual’s capacity. On the basis of the maximum oxygen consumption obtained from the Bruce protocol, the subjects were classified into 4 groups. Each group participated in the exercises using a mobile application under the guidance of an experienced exercise specialist. The exercise specialists educated the subjects on how to use the application, how to check during exercise, and how to search the results after exercise. Self-efficacy and health-related physical fitness For the self-efficacy measurement tool, the self-efficacy scale developed by Sherer et al. (1982) was used. The self-efficacy questionnaire consists of two questions on the beginning of action, six questions on effort, five questions on the willingness to continue despite adversity, two questions on achievement, and two questions on confidence. It consists of 17 questions with a 5-point Likert scale. A high score indicates high self-efficacy. Health-related physical fitness includes muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, cardiopulmonary endurance, and body composition. This study used a physical fitness tester (Helmas III, O2 Run, Seoul, Korea) to measure muscle strength (lower extremities), muscle endurance (push-ups), flexibility (sitting and bending forward), and cardiopulmonary endurance (graded exercise test). In this study, the mean and standard deviation of measurements were obtained using the IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 23.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA). Pre- and postchange values (Δ) were computed, and the paired samples t-test was performed to compare before and after 12 weeks of exercise. The significance level was set at P-value of <0.05. Change in anthropometric measurements and cardiopulmonary function Compared with before exercise, weight (P=0.005), % body fat (P=0.034), and BMI (P=0.005) were significantly reduced, but no significant differences in VO2max and the cardiopulmonary function index were observed (Table 2). Changes in the obesity indexes and cardiopulmonary function after 12 weeks of exercise training Change in metabolic risk factors Compared with before exercise, SBP (P=0.003), DBP (P= 0.048), MAP (P=0.011), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level (P=0.006), and WC (P=0.024) were significantly reduced, while HDLC level (P=0.037) was significantly increased. No significant differences in TG level, TC level, AI, and glucose level were observed (Table 3). Changes in the metabolic risk factors after 12 weeks of exercise training Changes in health related physical fitness and self-efficacy Compared with before exercise, a significant difference was observed only in flexibility (P=0.040), which is a health-related physical fitness factor. No significant differences were found in muscle strength and endurance. Self-efficacy (P=0.049) significantly increased as compared with before exercise (Table 4). Changes in health-related physical fitness and self-efficacy This study analyzed the effects of a 12-week walking program using a mobile device on changes in cardiopulmonary function, metabolic risk factors, and self-efficacy in obese women. Weight, % body fat, and BMI were significantly reduced, but no significant difference in VO2max, a cardiopulmonary index, was observed. This aligns with the study results of a study conducted by Kim (2017) that showed a reduction in weight, BMI, and % body fat in obese middle-aged women after 12 weeks of walking exercise. In this study, cardiorespiratory fitness index did not show a significant increase. This contradicts with the results of previous studies that reported an increase in cardiorespiratory fitness through exercise (Kim et al., 2012; Thompson et al., 2003). In this study, the improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness showed no significant difference because the walking exercise was performed at a relatively low intensity. In this study, regular exercise significantly decreased SBP, DBP, MAP, HbA1c level, and WC among the metabolic risk factors in obese women, while HDLC level was significantly increased. Owing to the significant decrease in SBP and DBP, MAP also significantly decreased. In many previous studies that analyzed the relationship between exercise and BP, regular exercise helped the management of appropriate BP, which improved other chronic disease factors (Ochi et al., 2010; Thompson et al., 2003). Particularly among metabolic risk factors, higher WC has a high possibility of advancing to chronic diseases such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and it is also directly associated with mortality (Kim et al., 2009). Aside from energy intake, physical activity can reduce subcutaneous and visceral fat in the abdomen. In this study, WC was significantly reduced, which seems to be a positive effect of exercise. In addition, HDLC significantly increased. Among the metabolic risk factors, HDLC is known as a factor that reduces the risk of coronary sclerosis. Reduced body fat leads to increase in HDLC level, and the two indexes are known to be significantly correlated (LeMura and Maziekas, 2002). In this study, fasting blood glucose levels before and after exercise did not show a significant difference, but HbA1c level was significantly reduced. HbA1c level refers to the amount of glucose bound to the hemoglobin, which is an index that shows the mean blood glucose concentration in the past 2–3 months. Regular exercise in this study seemed to be effective because it inhibited endogenous glucose production in the liver and helped control blood glucose through increased glucose uptake in the muscle (Dasgupta et al., 2007). In summary, the results of this study are consistent with those of previous studies that regular exercise reduces risk factors of obesity and metabolic syndrome, such as obesity index, BP improvement, HDLC increase, and blood glucose control (Laaksonen et al., 2002; Thompson et al., 2003). Regular walking exercise showed a significant increase in flexibility among health-related fitness factors, but no significant differences in muscle strength and muscle endurance. Upon comparing the results of previous studies, Shin and Kim (2016) reported that 8 weeks of walking had a positive effect on muscle endurance and flexibility in obese middle-aged women. Hyun (2012) reported that 12 weeks of walking exercise improved cardiopulmonary endurance and flexibility in obese women. In this study, stretching during warm-up and cool-down exercises helped improve flexibility. However, as the exercise intervention method was walking, it does not seem to have helped much in improving muscle strength and muscle endurance. According to this study, 12 weeks of the walking exercise program using a mobile device had a positive effect on self-efficacy. An individual with high self-efficacy has a sense of self-control that reduces negative emotions such as stress and anxiety and leads to active participation in exercise (Huh and Lim, 2009). Jo et al. (2018) reported a significant increase in self-efficacy through a 12-week exercise in adults with intellectual disabilities, and Kim et al. (2009) reported that commitment to exercise has an effect on self-efficacy. Hence, self-efficacy increases the most with experience of success from regular exercise. The most convenient tool to confirm one’s success is a mobile device. Continuously checking the user’s amount of activity by using activity- and smartphone-based applications can be considered as a measure of confirming the effectiveness of lifestyle and health care. Jee (2017) reported applications to be effective in promoting motivation, and Kim et al. (2018) reported that when using activity measurement and smart-based applications to maintain regular physical activity for 23 weeks, 90.65% of males and 91.37% of females showed continuity. The use of mobile devices has a positive effect on self-efficacy by increasing the practice rate of exercising, which is considered to be the factor that can promote continuous participation in exercise. In this study, 12 weeks of walking exercise was performed by obese women using a mobile device, from which positive results of reduced risk factors of obesity and metabolic syndrome were obtained, such as improvement in obesity indexes, BP, glucose control, and HDLC level. In addition, by using mobile devices, self-efficacy is expected to increase through self-monitoring by visually checking one’s level of activity, which would lead to increased practice rate of exercising. Currently, studies that use mobile devices are lacking. Further studies will be needed to determine the effect of various devices on exercise. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported. This work was supported by the 2017 Inje University Research Grant. Dasgupta, K., Chan, C., Da Costa, D., Pilote, L., De Civita, M., Ross, N., Strachan, I., Sigal, R., & Joseph, L. Walking behaviour and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: seasonal and gender differences-Study design and methods. Cardiovasc Diabetol, (2007). 6, 1. Farrell, S.W., Cheng, Y.J., & Blair, S.N. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome across cardiorespiratory fitness levels in women. Obes Res, (2004). 12, 824–830. Huh, J.Y., & Lim, H.M. The relationship between self-efficacy and exercise adherence in behavioral activation/behavioral inhibition system. J Sport Leis Stud, (2009). 35, 1039–1050. Hyun, S.H. Effect of 12 weeks walking exercise for physical fitness, body composition, and blood lipids in obese women. 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The effects on body composition, health related physical fitness and metabolic syndrome factors of working exercise program in obese middle-aged women. J Coach Dev, (2016). 18, 39–46. Thompson, P.D., Buchner, D., Pina, I.L., Balady, G.J., Williams, M.A., Marcus, B.H., Berra, K., Blair, S.N., Costa, F., Franklin, B., Fletcher, G.F., Gordon, N.F., Pate, R.R., Rodriguez, B.L., Yancey, A.K., Wenger, N.K. American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention. American Heart Association Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism Subcommittee on Physical Activity. Exercise and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a statement from the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Physical Activity). Circulation, (2003). 107, 3109–3116. Thompson, W.R. Worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2015: what’s driving the market. ACSM’s Health Fit J, (2014). 18, 8–17. Williams, D.M., Lewis, B.A., Dunsiger, S., Whiteley, J.A., Papandonatos, G.D., Napolitano, M.A., Bock, B.C., Ciccolo, J.T., & Marcus, B.H. Comparing psychosocial predictors of physical activity adoption and maintenance. Ann Behav Med, (2008). 36, 186–194. Copyright © 2018 Korean Society of Exercise Rehabilitation Mean±SD Age (yr) 47.93±6.38 Height (cm) 158.61±4.95 Weight (kg) 68.69±6.31 Body fat (%) 38.77±3.53 Body mass index (kg/m2) 27.34±2.36 SD, standard deviation. Δ score Weight (kg) 68.69±6.31 67.22±6.42 −1.46±1.64 0.005 Body fat (%) 38.77±3.53 37.76±3.62 −1.02±1.62 0.034 BMI (kg/m2) 27.34±2.36 26.72±2.42 −0.61±0.67 0.005 VO2max (mL/kg/min) 26.03±5.71 27.64±5.25 1.60±3.10 0.075 Values are presented as mean±standard deviation. Δ score, change in the score from before the exercise program to 12 weeks after; BMI, body mass index; VO2max, maximum oxygen uptake. TG (mg/dL) 131.64±46.08 124.79±46.92 −6.86±50.29 0.618 TC (mg/dL) 217.86±37.92 216.36±41.49 −1.50±28.83 0.849 HDLC (mg/dL) 54.79±11.05 57.79±10.86 3.00±4.82 0.037 AI 3.05±0.67 2.85±0.96 −0.20±0.57 0.219 Glucose 106.36±28.77 95.93±12.62 −10.42±18.86 0.059 HbA1c 6.12±0.56 5.82±0.36 −0.31±0.35 0.006 SBP (mmHg) 129.21±13.77 116.36±13.14 −12.86±13.09 0.003 DBP (mmHg) 86.00±16.87 78.50±11.69 −7.50±12.84 0.048 MAP (mmHg) 100.40±15.41 91.12±11.15 −9.29±11.70 0.011 WC (cm) 91.92±5.29 90.04±6.01 −1.89±2.75 0.024 Δ score, changes in the score from before the exercise program to 12 weeks after; TG, triglycerides; TC, total cholesterol; HDLC, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; AI, atherosclerosis index; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; MAP, mean arterial pressure; WC, waist circumference. Muscle strength 37.91±14.86 36.12±12.77 −1.78±5.65 0.259 Muscle endurance 22.36±16.90 27.14±14.88 4.79±10.19 0.102 Flexibility 11.77±7.00 14.11±5.33 2.34±3.83 0.040 Self-efficacy 59.14±9.65 62.79±9.94 3.64±6.28 0.049 Δ score, change in the score from before the exercise program to 12 weeks after.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line972
__label__wiki	0.842761	0.842761	By Elie Wiesel Read by George Guidall Elie Wiesel Recorded Books, Inc. 1 Format: Digital Download First published in English under the title The Accident, Elie Wiesel's third novel in his trilogy of Holocaust literature has now adopted Wiesel's original title: Day. In the opening scene, a Holocaust survivor and successful journalist steps off a curb in New York City directly into the pathway of an oncoming cab. As he struggles between life and death, the journalist recalls the effects of the historical tragedy of the Holocaust on himself and his family. Like the memoir Night and the novel Dawn, Wiesel again poses important questions involving the meaning of almost an entire annihilation of a race, loss of faith in the face of mass murder and torture and the aftermath and effects of the Holocaust on individuals and the Jewish people. "Not since Albert Camus has there been such an eloquent spokesman for man."-The New York Times Book Review Author Bio: Elie Wiesel Elie Wiesel (1928–2016) was the author of more than fifty books, both fiction and nonfiction, including his masterly memoir Night. He was awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the rank of Grand-Croix in the French Legion of Honor, an honorary knighthood of the British Empire, and, in 1986, the Nobel Peace Prize. Since 1976, he served as the the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University. Format: Digital Download Available Formats : Digital Download Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line976
__label__wiki	0.72916	0.72916	Home / Banking / ppsc / Upsc / Current Affairs - 04 September 2018 Current Affairs - 04 September 2018 by Edusquad on Tuesday, September 04, 2018 in Banking, ppsc, Upsc Draft charter of Patients’ Rights released If the draft Charter of Patients’ Rights released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare comes into force, patients will not just have the right to emergency medical care and informed consent, but will also have the right to non-discrimination, seek a second opinion and choose alternative treatment options, if available. The draft, prepared by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has been put up on the Health Ministry’s website on August 30 for comments and suggestions. The draft charter that includes 17 rights with description, draws upon all relevant provisions, inspired by international charters and guided by national level provisions, with the objective of consolidating these into a single document. Court questions press meet by police on activists’ arrests The Bombay High Court was surprised to learn that the Maharashtra police had conducted a press conference on the arrest of five human rights activists accused of being a part of the Elgar Parishad and instigating the subsequent clashes at Bhima-Koregaon in December last year. A division bench of Justices S.S. Shinde and Mridula Bhatkar raised questions about Maharashtra Additional Director General (Law and Order) Param Bir Singh reading out documents and letters, which could be used as evidence, at the August 31 press conference. “How can the police do this? The matter is sub judice. The Supreme Court is seized of the matter. In such cases, revealing information pertaining to the case is wrong,” the Bench said. The court was hearing a petition filed by one Satish Gaikwad, seeking the transfer of the Bhima-Koregaon case from the Pune police to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Panel urges plan to save springs A NITI Aayog constituted group of experts has urged the government to set up a dedicated mission to salvage and revive spring water systems in the country’s Himalayan States, given their vital importance as a source of water for both drinking and irrigation for the region’s inhabitants. Spanning States across the country’s north and northeast and home to about 50 million people, the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) has been heavily reliant on these natural groundwater sources, that are under increasing threat from the urbanisation caused by a constant push for development and climate change. “Almost half of the perennial springs have already dried up or have become seasonal and tens of thousands of villages are currently facing acute water shortage for drinking and other domestic purposes,” the group noted in its report titled ‘Inventory and Revival of Springs in the Himalayas for Water Security.’ “Almost 60% of low-discharge springs that provided water to small habitations in the Himalayan region have reported clear decline during the last couple of decades,” the report noted. The extent of the crisis plaguing the mountainous region was recently evident when more than half a dozen districts of Himachal Pradesh and the State capital Shimla faced a severe drinking water crisis this May after major water sources either went fully or partially dry. While Meghalaya with 3,810 villages with springs had the highest number of these water sources in the Eastern Himalayan States, Sikkim had the greatest density with 94% of its villages having a spring. In the Western Himalayas, Jammu & Kashmir had both the highest number of villages with springs at 3,313 and the greatest density of 50.6%. The task force moots an 8-year programme to overhaul spring water management. This includes: preparing a digital atlas of the country’s springsheds, training ‘para-hydrogeologists’ who could lead grassroots conservation and introducing a ‘Spring Health Card.’ Talks on for logistics deal with Russia India and Russia are in the process of concluding a logistics agreement, with both sides targeting to conclude consultations before the annual summit in October between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The proposed agreement follows a series of such agreements India has signed since the first logistics agreement with the U.S. “A draft logistics agreement has come from Russia. At the end of July, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had sent it to the Integrated Defence Staff and the three services for their comments,” an official source with knowledge of the matter said. The Army and Navy have since sent back their observations on the draft. Another official said the agreement with Russia will be on the lines of those signed with the U.S. and France. India signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (LEMOA), with the U.S. in August 2016 after a decade of negotiations. Since then it has concluded several such agreements with France, Oman, Philippines, Singapore and for access to the Sabang port in Indonesia. Australia too has sent a draft agreement. Logistics agreements are administrative arrangements facilitating access to military facilities for exchange of fuel and provisions on mutual agreement simplifying logistical support and increasing operational turnaround of the military when operating away from India. Officials underscored the fact that India and Russia have had deep rooted military cooperation for several decades. India, Cyprus vow to curb money laundering India and Cyprus on Monday signed two agreements on combating money laundering and cooperation in the field of environment as President Ram Nath Kovind met his Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades and held wide-ranging talks here. Mr. Kovind is in Cyprus on the first leg of his three-nation visit to Europe to continue India’s high-level engagements with European countries. Mr. Kovind and Mr. Anastasiades exchanged views on economic cooperation. “We welcomed the signing of the MoU between Financial Intelligence Unit, India, and Unit for Combating Money Laundering of Cyprus. This agreement would further strengthen the institutional framework to facilitate investment cross-flows. We also emphasised that the revision in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement made in 2016 provided greater opportunities for our investment partnership to grow,” Mr. Kovind said. Mr. Kovind and Mr. Anastasiades held discussions on issues of mutual interest, including promotion of business collaboration in teh fields of IT, tourism, and renewable energy, Mr. Kumar said. PSU refiners to use Iranian tankers for oil imports India will allow public sector refiners to import Iranian oil with Tehran arranging tankers and insurance after firms, including the country’s top shipper Shipping Corp of India (SCI), halted voyages due to U.S. sanctions, sources said. New Delhi’s attempt to keep Iranian oil flowing mirrors a step by China, where buyers are shifting nearly all their Iranian oil imports to vessels owned by National Iranian Tanker Co (NITC). The moves by the two top buyers of Iranian crude indicate that the Islamic Republic may not be fully cut off from global oil markets from November, when U.S. sanctions against Tehran’s petroleum sector are due to kick in. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the re-imposition of economic curbs after withdrawing the U.S. from a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers. No one trading with Iran will do business with America, he said. New Delhi turned to the NITC fleet after most insurers and re-insurers had begun winding down services for Iran, wanting to avoid falling foul of the sanctions given their large exposure to the United States. SCI had a contract until August to import Iranian oil for Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), two sources familiar with the matter said. The move would benefit Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) and MRPL, which plan to lift Iranian cargoes during the rest of the fiscal year. India wants to continue buying oil from Iran as Tehran is offering almost free shipping and an extended credit period. Replace ‘Dalit’ with SC: I&B Ministry tells media The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued an advisory to all media outlets not to use the word “Dalit” to refer to people belonging to the Scheduled Castes. The advisory is based on an order of the Bombay High Court on June 6, based on a petition filed by Pankaj Meshram. “It is advised that the media may refrain from using the nomenclature ‘Dalit’,” the guideline said. In a circular on March 15 this year, the Ministry of Social Justice had issued a similar advisory to all State governments that all official communications should use the constitutional term Scheduled Caste instead of the word “Dalit”. Xi offers $60 bn aid to Africa China has pledged a $60 billion fund to bolster industry, counter hunger, and enhance security in Africa, a continent that has been chronically plagued by piracy and terrorism. In his inaugural address at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping was authoritative in messaging that Beijing had become the locomotive of Africa’s all-round progress. He listed eight focal areas of funding that would premise the emergence of the “China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era”. Ahead of the presidential address, Chinese officials had cited a 2017 study by McKinsey, a U.S. consulting firm, which had spotlighted that China has become Africa’s most important and unrivalled economic partner. Among the eight verticals flagged , President Xi highlighted China’s intent to set up additional economic and trade cooperation zones to promote industrialisation in Africa. Local currency settlements, instead of hard currency usage such as the U.S. dollar, would be encouraged to settle transactions. For financing, China will nudge African countries to tap new multilateral lenders such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the New Development Bank (NDB) of the emerging economies, as well as the Silk Road Fund marshalled by China. The Chinese have taken umbrage against allegations of involvement in “debt trap” diplomacy by saddling smaller countries with unplayable loans and using them as levers for political gain. President Xi stressed that out of the $60 billion that were on offer, $15 billion would be disbursed as aid, interest-free loans and concessional loans. A $20 billion credit line would be established, while another $10 billion would be channelled into a special fund for China-Africa development. A $5 billion special fund will also be set up only for African imports. China would also support Africa to achieve “general food security by 2030,”. hina, he said, would set up a peace and security fund in partnership with Africa. Apart from military aid to the African Union, Beijing will support countries in the Sahel region and others bordering the piracy-ridden Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Guinea. China has already established a naval base in Djibouti on the edge of the strategic Gulf of Aden, which links the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. Mr. Xi said 50 China-Africa security assistance programmes will be launched under the flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). A China-Africa environmental cooperation centre will be set up where research on environmental issues will be conducted. No construction sans solid waste management policy’ The Supreme Court said it was “pathetic” that some States and Union Territories had not bothered to frame a solid waste management policy. The court ordered that further construction activities be stopped in some States and Union Territories that remained unmindful of the interests of their people to live in a clean environment. A Bench headed by Justice Madan B. Lokur imposed fines on some States and the Union Territory of Chandigarh for not placing on record their respective policies under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. While Andhra Pradesh was ordered to pay ₹5 lakh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Chandigarh were imposed costs of ₹3 lakh each. The amount would have to be deposited with the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee within two weeks and would be used for juvenile justice issues. The court scheduled the case for further hearing on October 9. It is hearing the case suo motu since the death of a seven-year-old boy due to dengue in Delhi in 2015. Justice Lokur had condemned the attitude of the authorities at one point, saying “if they want the people to live in dirt, filth and garbage, what can be done then.” Reserve Bank tightens ombudsman scheme The Reserve Bank of India has tightened the banking ombudsman scheme with the objective to strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism for customers. The banking regulator has asked all commercial banks having 10 or more banking outlets to have an independent internal ombudsman (IO) to review customer complaints that are either partly or fully rejected by the banks. The instructions are not applicable for Regional Rural Banks sponsored by commercial banks. According to bankers, the Internal Ombudsman Scheme of 2018 mandates banks to grant a fixed term of three to five years, which cannot be renewed, to the IO. The IO can be removed only with prior approval from RBI. The remuneration would have to be decided by the customer sub-committee of the board. JOIN THE TELEGRAM CHANNEL: Edusquad DOWNLOAD THE PDF: Daily Current Affairs : 02-03 September 2018.pdf Tags # Banking # ppsc Labels: Banking, ppsc, Upsc	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line985
__label__wiki	0.596256	0.596256	Hassan v. United Kingdom, IHL and IHRL, and Other News in (Extra-)Territoriality and Shared Responsibility Written by Marko Milanovic Last week the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights held an oral hearing in what is bound to be a very important case, Hassan v. UK. The case deals with the detention of an Iraqi by British forces in southern Iraq and his subsequent release and death under unclear circumstances. As such it raises both threshold questions on extraterritorial applicability/Article 1 jurisdiction and substantive issues on the relationship between human rights and international humanitarian law. Here is the Court’s press release on the hearings, and here’s the actual webcast of the hearings. Shaheed Fatima also has a good preview of the case over at Just Security. The jurisdiction issue is made more complicated by uncertainties left after Al-Skeini as to whether and when exactly the UK had effective overall control over southern Iraq for the purpose of spatial model of Article 1 jurisdiction, as well as by the fact that the camp to which Hassan was taken upon arrest was run by the US. The multiplicity of actors can thus render both the jurisdiction and the attribution questions more difficult. But I will not deal with them here. Rather, I want to focus on the interaction between the ECHR and IHL. In that regard, together with the pending Georgia v. Russia interstate case, Hassan presents an excellent opportunity for the Court to articulate a clear and systematic approach on IHL. Hopefully this is an opportunity that the Court will take up, and the questions posed by the various judges during the oral hearing are an indication that they will do so. Why is Hassan such a good case? Because at least in part it poses the hard question of potentially unavoidable norm conflict (a topic which I have dealt with extensively here, as well as specifically in the context of IHL and IHRL here). On the one hand, the UK is arguing that Hassan’s arrest and preventive security detention were authorized by IHL in an international armed conflict (the exact theory is for the time being beside the point). On the other hand, Article 5 ECHR categorically prohibits preventive security detention; unlike Article 9 ICCPR, which prohibits arbitrary deprivations of liberty, Article 5 ECHR contains an exhaustive list of permitted grounds for detention, and preventive security detention is not one of them. Hence, when states wanted to use internment in the context of internal disturbances or emergencies which may even have reached the level of non-international armed conflict, they had to derogate from Article 5 pursuant to Article 15 ECHR, as the UK did for Northern Ireland. In the context of Hassan this raises the preliminary question of whether the UK could have derogated with respect to the situation in Iraq (which in any event it did not do), i.e. whether Article 15 ECHR allows for extraterritorial derogations. Article 15 limits derogations to times of ‘war or other public emergency threating the life of the nation.’ In Al-Jedda Lord Bingham expressed doubts that this formulation could extend to situations outside the derogating state, especially those which it had put itself in willingly, a sentiment later echoed by the UK Supreme Court in Smith. In other words, the UK chose to invade Iraq, and however bad the situation was for Iraqis in Iraq it in no meaningful way threatened the life of the UK. Further support for this position would be found in the fact that no state has ever derogated for an extraterritorial situation. Yet this view can be criticized as too rigid and formalist. The more expansive the approach to the jurisdictional threshold question of extraterritorial application, the more arbitrary it seems to deny states the right to derogate in situations which truly may be extraordinary. The ‘life of the nation’ test has besides been applied by international human rights bodies in a realistic and deferential way. For instance, the European Court was prepared to accept in principle that the terrorist threat post-9/11 was indeed a threat to the life of the nation when the UK derogated to use preventive detention; the problem was that the derogation was discriminatory and confined to foreign nationals. The derogation would likely have been upheld otherwise, at least for a time. This was so even though the terrorist threat, though very serious, was not and is not truly existential – more people die each year in the UK and the US from choking on pretzels or falling in the bathtub than from any acts of terrorism. I hence see no good reason to categorically prohibit extraterritorial derogations. States have hitherto not derogated extraterritorially not because they were in agreement that such derogations were not possible, but because if they had derogated they would have conceded that the Convention actually applied, and their first and sometimes only line of defence was that the Convention simply does not apply. The UK Government in Al-Jedda thus explicitly reserved its position on whether it could derogate in extraterritorial situations, while still maintaining its original strategy of arguing against extraterritorial application even post the Grand Chamber’s judgment in Al-Skeini, which it interpreted as confined to the specific facts of Iraq and not applicable to say Afghanistan. But as the UK continues losing cases on the threshold question of jurisdiction, its strategic choice not to derogate in either Iraq or Afghanistan is exposed as more and more dubious. The position that the Court takes in Hassan on the permissibility of extraterritorial derogations will have direct bearing on how it sees the relationship between IHL and the ECHR. Assuming in that regard that the ECHR applied to Hassan’s detention, and that his detention was in fact authorized by IHL, what are the Court’s options? I would see at least four such options: Option 1 – human rights fundamentalism: Extraterritorial derogations are not possible at all, or they are not possible when the state chooses to put itself in a difficult situation, i.e. directly contributes thereto, and they are certainly not possible in cases of foreign interventions contrary to the UN Charter in violation of another state’s sovereignty. While IHL may be taken into account to an extent when interpreting the ECHR, the analysis of any deprivation of liberty must always be a purely human rights one, as to do otherwise would be to deny the universality of human rights. Any kind of preventive security detention would be unlawful. Option 2 – extraterritorial derogation in IACs or cross-border NIACs: The Court could hold that while the ECHR should in situations of armed conflict be interpreted while taking into account the rules of IHL in accordance with Article 31(3)(c) VCLT, such harmonious interpretation can only go so far and there will be some cases in which specific rules of the ECHR and IHL genuinely conflict. Preventive detention would be one such case; the use of lethal force another. Since neither the ECHR nor IHL are hierarchically superior to one another, the only way of avoiding an otherwise unresolvable norm conflict would be for the state to derogate. If the state fails to do so, gambling that the Convention does not apply at all, then it must bear the consequences if the Convention does in fact apply. Thus, it is perfectly possible for Hassan to have been lawfully detained under IHL, but for his detention to have been unlawful under Article 5 ECHR. Option 3 – IHL as lex specialis to Article 5 ECHR in matters of detention: In cases of norm conflict between the rules of IHL and the ECHR, IHL rules should prevail according to the lex specialis principle. Hence, Article 5(1)’s categorical prohibition on preventive detention would be automatically eliminated in cases of armed conflict and no extraterritorial derogation would be necessary, even if it were possible. One issue under this approach would be whether lex specialis has the same effect in IACs and NIACs. And even if lex specialis would play this role it would not entirely displace Article 5, but only qualify it to the extent necessary to resolve the norm conflict. Some parts of Article 5 could survive, e.g. judicial review of detention. Option 4 – forget lex specialis, we can still ‘read down’ Article 5 ECHR to achieve a reasonable result: Even if lex specialis is conceptually unable to have the effects the adherents of Option 3 (such as the UK) would want it to have, we can still achieve a similar result by avoiding literal interpretation, focusing on the purpose of the norms, the need to maintain coherence in the international legal system, and the need to achieve a workable, reasonable outcome. The Court could ‘read down’ Article 5 ECHR to its fundamental core, as if it only contained a standard prohibiting arbitrary detention akin to the one in Article 9 ICCPR, a standard that could be satisfied by the applicable rules of IHL, especially in IACs. And again, as in Option 3, any norm conflict between IHL and the ECHR should be minimized as far as it is possible to do so. All of these options have their strengths and weaknesses, and could be defended more or less reasonably. The choice between them will ultimately depend on policy considerations and value judgments. Note also the inevitable implications that the Court’s approach to the interaction between the ECHR and IHL on matters of detention would have on targeting and the use of lethal force. Option 1 appeals to a human rights judge’s desire to the right thing, especially in a situation as dodgy in Iraq. But it is also obviously unrealistic and utopian. Coupled with an expansive approach to the ECHR’s extraterritorial application, it would effectively prohibit any European state from engaging in foreign interventions, especially if jus ad bellum considerations are thrown into the mix. A further risk of such an approach would be that states would simply ignore the European Court, potentially leading to a cascade effect of non-compliance and damaging the ECHR system as a whole. Option 2 is the one that I would personally prefer. Its basic premise is that human rights treaties already contain a mechanism for dealing with conflicts between IHL and IHRL – derogations, and that it’s the states’ own fault if they choose not to use this mechanism. However, precisely because states have not used extraterritorial derogations, the consequence of this approach would be that practically every single IHL-authorized security detention by the UK in Iraq would have been unlawful under the ECHR, and the same would likely apply to all other European states in Iraq or Afghanistan. The utopian risks of Option 1 are hence diminished, but not eliminated. And if Option 2 is taken up it will obviously create a strong incentive for states to derogate in the future. Option 3 is superficially appealing, but its reliance on the nebulous lex specialis principle renders it conceptually suspect. My intense dislike for that magical Latin formula is well-known and I will not belabour it here. The ICJ has only used it to interpret open standards like an arbitrary deprivation of life in Article 6 ICCPR; it has never been used to depart from categorical provisions like the ones found in Articles 2 and 5 ECHR which contain no ‘window’ through which IHL can enter. It is imported from domestic law, where it rests on entirely different assumptions about the law-making process, and where it is coupled with the lex posterior principle and even then used extremely rarely. It is not found in the VCLT nor in any other formal source of international law. So I say hooey, lex specialis, hooey. In fact, Option 3 is really no different from Option 4, except that it is couched in obfuscating, oh-so-lawyerly language. Option 4, for its part, is at least transparent – Article 5 should be departed from because the result of applying it to armed conflict situation is seen by the interpreter as too rigid and unreasonable (and even more so if extraterritorial derogations were not on the table). But its very openness and honesty are also its problem, as not every lawyer is a pragmatist who would appreciate its appeal. It seems to stray from permissible interpretation to impermissible amendment, entailing a departure from the otherwise perfectly clear language of Article 5. And if the Court could do that, it can do anything. So let’s see what happens! The Court could of course always come up with something entirely different, and I am certainly not making any predictions. In other news, the Court also recently heard Al Nashiri v. Poland and Husayn (Abu Zubaydah) v. Poland, two cases dealing with rendition of Al-Qaeda detainees and their treatment in CIA black sites in Poland. This is a nice follow-up to the El-Masri v. Macedonia case, and I find it unlikely that the outcome will be any different. The Court also declared inadmissible the application in Azemi v. Serbia, finding that the specific applicant in Kosovo was not within Serbia’s Article 1 jurisdiction, since Serbia lacked effective control over Kosovo after its 1999 withdrawal. Azemi thus follows earlier cases such as Ilascu and Catan where the state lost control over its own territory, and thus jurisdiction, but was considered (somewhat strangely) to continue having some positive obligations. Azemi is notable because the Court finds that no such obligations existed on the facts, unlike in Ilascu and Catan, and because of the at times truly inspired way in which the Court avoids the issue of whether Kosovo remained Serbia’s territory after it had proclaimed independence, even though territorial title was the basis of the Ilascu positive obligation, while acknowledging the reality on the ground. Extraterritorial Application Emanuele Sommario says Dear Marko, Thanks for the very interesting post. I agree that the “extraterritorial derogation” option would offer better legal protection to individuals as well as being more in line with the black letter of the Convention. It would also sit well with the decisions in Al Jedda (where the Court seemed to suggest that it would have found no violation of Article 5 had the UK derogated from the ECHR) and in Al Skeini (where, after reviewing the Advisory Opinion on the legality of the wall, the ECtHR expresses the view that the ICJ “appeared to assume that, even in respect of extra-territorial acts, it would in principle be possible for a State to derogate from its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”, §90). I wonder, however, if your assumption regarding the lack of State practice with respect to extraterritorial derogations is entirely correct. Sure, States might have been persuaded that the Convention was not applicable outside their borders and that, therefore, it was not necessary to invoke Article 15. Yet an equally valid explanation might be that they refrained from resorting to the derogation clause in situations where IHL is applicable simply because they felt that IHL would “trump” conflicting HRL obligations anyway. My impression is that State practice probably supports this view. For instance, during the 1990-1991 Gulf War Iraqi nationals living in the UK and other European countries were interned either as enemy aliens or as POWs. In this case there was obviously no doubt that the internees fell under the jurisdiction of the detaining power and, as you pointed out, internment is not among the permitted grounds for detention listed in Article 5 ECHR. However no State considered it necessary to file a notice of derogation and, to the best of my knowledge, no application was filed with the ECtHR lamenting a violation of Article 5 with respect to those facts. Similarly, neither Russia nor Georgia derogated from the ECHR when they detained POWs during the 2008 war. While these and other precedents are obviously not per se conclusive as to how Article 15 ought to be interpreted, I wonder if the ECtHR could consider them as “subsequent practice in the application of the treaty” in the sense of Art. 31.3.b VCLT. My feeling is that many CoE member States still maintain that it is not necessary to resort to Article 15 to detain POWs. The adoption of the lex specialis principle – with all its shortcomings – probably better reflects this view and the practice described above. Choosing the “derogate or pay the consequences” option would surely redefine the relationship between IHL and HRL, placing them on a more “equal” footing. I wonder if the judges will be willing to go down this path or will instead chose to distinguish Hassan from past cases of conflict of norms where IHL was not involved. Jane Rooney says Thank you for another great analysis of an interesting case. I would like to comment firstly, on the issue of explaining state practice on extraterritorial derogations, and secondly, on whether derogating from the ECHR will mean applying IHL. I think with regard to explaining state practice of not issuing derogations abroad a number of explanations could be submitted: Firstly, it must be born in mind that the great majority of states have never derogated from the Convention at any time domestically, never mind abroad. The UK was the only CoE state to issue a derogation in light of the 9/11 attacks even though many others could have successfully done so. The absence of derogations abroad may be explained by a more general reluctance within the CoE to issue derogations. Furthermore, there is still the possibility that states did not think it possible to invoke Article 15 abroad. Whilst states have been afforded a wide margin of appreciation in determining whether a ‘public emergency’ exists within their own territory, the ‘life of the nation’ has not been interpreted in a deferential way. The ‘life of the nation’ has been interpreted to be confined to a smaller geographical area within its territory (Sakik v Turkey 1997), but never to exceed its territorial boundaries. Therefore, it is not inconceivable that a state did not think it possible to derogate abroad. The 2009 Al Saadoon decision was the first decision that indicated that Article 1 jurisdiction could be established outside the espace juridique of the CoE. Furthermore, it was not until Al Saadoon that it was clear that jurisdiction could be found in cases of detention abroad in a British military base. For these reasons I do not think that states were concerned that by derogating they would be conceding that they had met the Article 1 jurisdiction threshold. In this regard, I must agree with Emanuele that state practice possibly indicates a belief on the part of states that IHL trumps HRL. It is worth asking whether IHL will apply in lieu of the ECHR in the event of a derogation. Once a state of emergency has been established under Article 15, the Court decides whether the measures taken in the case are ‘strictly required by the exigencies of the situation’. Judge Paulo Pinto de Albuquerque at c. 1:15:00 of the hearing of Hassan stated that the Court confined itself to applying its own proportionality test when determining whether the measures applied in a time of emergency were strictly required. This indicates that it is not certain that IHL will be applied by the Court. At the very least, it indicates that the case law on Article 5 under the second branch of Article 15 will be taken into consideration, and therefore that human rights standards will not be entirely taken out of the equation. More generally, it indicates a reluctance on the part of the Court to accept derogations abroad because it implies that derogations will not be effective at replacing human rights standards with IHL. Marko Milanovic Dr Marko Milanovic is Professor of Public International Law at the University of Nottingham School of Law. He is co-editor of EJIL: Talk! and a member of the EJIL's Editorial… More Articles by Marko Milanovic ECtHR Grand Chamber Declares Admissible the Case of Ukraine v. Russia re Crimea Yesterday the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights rendered its admissibility decision in the interstate claim brought by Ukraine against Russia regarding… The EJIL and EJIL Talk editorial teams wish all the best to our readers for the holiday season. Hopefully 2021 will be an improvement on the execrable, worldwide,… The Assassination of Alexander Litvinenko Before the European Court of Human Rights In more extraterritoriality news, the Guardian recently reported that the widow of Alexander Litvinenko, who was killed in London in 2006 by Russian agents using…	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line986
__label__wiki	0.898114	0.898114	Statuary near Ubud, Bali PETER ACKROYD INTERVIEWED ABOUT HIS DEFINITIVE CHARLES DICKENS BIOGRAPHY 1991 Graham Reid \| Aug 22, 2008 \| 8 min read It was an afternoon in June 1846 when Charles Dickens finally broke the writing block which had been troubling him. It had been two years since his previous novel, but these last weeks present walking in the hills of Switzerland above Lausanne had allowed him to sketch out the framework of a book. In his study overlooking the lake, Dickens – a man of curious personal superstition who preferred to be away from London on the publication of any new work – took out a copy of Lawrence Sterne’s Tristram Shandy, randomly pointed to the printed page and read: “What a work is likely to turn out! Let us begin it!” And so prompted, he began what was to become Dombey and Son, published in monthly parts from October through to April 1848. Yet in this writing, as with many of this works, his life imposed itself. While working onto eighth instalment back in London, Dickens was written by a horse and was so shocked by the incident which occasioned “a nervous seizure of the throat” that he travelled to Brighton to recuperate and work on the next part of the book – a novel in which Mr Dombey is thrown from a horse and kicked senseless. That Dickens wrote much of himself into his books is a view shared by all his biographers, yet Peter Ackroyd exhaustive new analysis, Dickens, scrupulously pursues the idea as it unearths and sifts the minutiae of the writer’s life. For a man of considerable self-discipline and meticulous order, “who ran his life like a military campaign,” Ackroyd says, this was Dickens’ way of controlling the world. “Dickens was a man who found it very difficult to distinguish between fiction and reality,” says Ackroyd from his London home. “Throughout his life he interpreted events in terms of his fictional imperatives. “One of the reasons I wrote such a detailed book was because I wanted to find the exact moment, the day, the week of certain events so I could see the passage between the life and the work and vice versa. The boundary between his life and his work was very thin.” To write in such a detail Ackroyd has produced a book of closely reasoned analysis, solid research, but much speculation. And, inevitably, considerable bulk. The size sometimes obscures the scholarship. “Peter Ackroyd’s leviathan of a biography runs to 1195 pages, tips the scales at 3lb 12oz and quantitatively and qualitatively gobbles up its rivals (none of them exactly minnows), wrote Peter Davalle in the Times Saturday Review. “Down they go into the belly of the Ackroyd whale; the lives of Dickens by E. M. Forster, Una Pope-Hennessy, Angus Wilson, Percy Fitzgerald...” And so on. When faced with such notable and thorough predecessors, why Ackroyd should have set himself such an undertaking is difficult to fathom. Especially one which, by general critical consensus, reveals so little new about its subject. Yet it is also a controversial work. In seven, very short, sections Ackroyd interpolates an imaginary meeting between Little Dorrit and Dickens, includes a dream he [Ackroyd] had about the writer and interviews himself about the difficulties of writing such a book. He also engineers a discussion between Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Thomas Chatterton and T. S. Eliot, all writers Ackroyd written about in the past either in novelisations (Chatterton) or conventional biography (the Eliot won the Whitbread Prize for best biography published in 1984). Some of the interpolations are undeniably clever. The exchange between Chatterton and Wilde allows this lovely piece of imaginary Wildean wit: Chatterton: All around is anarchy and artifice and – Wilde: Alliteration? And later in the same sequence Dickens wishes William Blake (the English artist, writer and visionary who spoke to angels) would join them. Chatterton says he will be along shortly – and sure enough, Ackroyd’s new biography now being researched is about Blake. Cute perhaps, but harmless enough. Other sections offer fewer pleasures. “I do not mind these interpolations,” wrote Ferdinand Mount in a largely favourable review in the Spectator, “except for the penultimate one, where Ackroyd has a rambling conversation with himself which is both banal and self-indulgent. When a biographer starts telling us he uses files and card boxes and indices we can only say: we don’t wish to know that, kindly leave the stage.” Ackroyd simply says he wanted to write a very different kind of literary biography and notes that the revival in literary biographies of recent years has run parallel to a revival in literary fiction – to which he himself has contributed with Chatterton and The Last Testament of Oscar Wilde. “Every biography is conditional and reflects the conditions of its time. Those interpolations would strike some people as post-modern and playing around with perspectives and in the future will be seen as part of this period. “You can never really escape the condition of your time so you might as well embrace them and use the properly. “When I had finished the very straight biography I knew there was something missing. I went on holiday and those passages occurred to me one after the other. I had no conscious control over them as it were – or even over the whole work. “My decision to write about Dickens was prompted by intuition and impulse rather than rationalisation and the book proceeded with me almost standing aside. “Although I separate fiction and biography I don’t think there’s much difference in the composition of the two.” Ackroyd’s equal and prolific command of the genres of fiction and biography drew Anne Constable in Time to note that “no new biography of Charles Dickens should go unnoticed, especially when the writer is Peter Ackroyd, one of the most amusing and acclaimed young novelists on the British literary scene. Like Dickens, Ackroyd finds rest more exhausting than labour. He turned out two novels, Chatterton and First Light, during the five years he was working on the biography. Busy, yes – and Ackroyd also started young. At eight he wrote a drama about Guy Fawkes. Born into a working class family in East Acton, London in 1949, he studied English at Cambridge and later went to Yale University. In 1973 he was literary editor of the Spectator and by 1977 its managing editor. In 1983 he quit to become a full-time novelist and biographer. Ironically, he says he didn’t seriously read any Dickens until he left university. His first novel, The Great Fire of London, was about trying to make a film of Little Dorrit and his reading of that novel spurred his interest in the rest of Dickens’ fiction. When he was a child his grandmother inculcated a sense of Dickens’ world into him as she took around “the darker, more ancient aspects of London which have a flavour and still linger today.” As a Londoner himself and a writer, the novelist cast a long shadow over him he says, but it was “as a presence rather than as in author” he says. “When I sat down to write the biography I wanted to come to terms with that presence. My grandmother passed on impressions of an overwhelming sense of antiquity of the city and she was of that last generation to come from those conditions, the generation which would have thought of him as a realistic writer who spoke to them and their generation. They never lost contact with that vision he had given them of their lives. “Dickens’ genius was to be the first urban novelist who knew London and make it the centre of his fiction. “It is difficult to imagine any English speaking/English writing novelist who has the same capaciousness and breadth as he had, who combined comedy with pathos, theatricality with tragedy, symbolism with realism. That is a unique achievement – but he also came at the beginnings of modern techniques in printing and the growth of the middle-class audience which encouraged him. None of that can happen in quite the same way again.” By taking as his brief placing the writer in the total milieu of his time. Ackroyd says self-discipline is a requirement for him to work. His day begins at 6 am. He diligently writes 1000 words a day (“a steady momentum is indispensable, persistence one of the most important qualities”) and prefers to run his fiction writing parallel to biographical research so he doesn’t go stale on either. Writing is for mornings, afternoons for research and evenings for relaxation watching American soaps and quiz shows on television. He has taken to television himself to promote both Hawksmoor and Dickens on The South Bank Show. He admits he is enjoying book promotion more and more although “it is a terrible suspension of activity to take two months off.” When promoting Dickens he took a notebook with him to scribble out longhand ideas for his present novel project, although he obviously prefers to work in one of his two studies at his homes in London and Devon where he has identical word processors. “I opened a bookshop recently but I don’t think I’ve kissed any babies,” he laughs. “I certainly like going into bookshops and meeting people at the rough end of the trade. It would be absurd of me to wash my hands of that and I was frankly delighted when Dickens sold a lot of copies. “I was worried about the book. Not reviews, but sales because it was important for Sinclair-Stevenson that it was a success. Fortunately it worked fairly well from the beginning.” That is an understatement; Dickens has been one of the publishing success stories of last year in Britain selling over 60,000 copies in the first fortnight. And that on a book with a cover price of $64. John Lyon, sales director for publishers Sinclair-Stevenson, still sounded genuinely excited by the success of Dickens as he counted off sales figures and retailer reactions when he visited Auckland last month. Here to meet with his company’s local distributors, Lyon concedes Dickens was “a dream start, a fluke” for a company only launched by old Etonian and former Hamish Hamilton editor Christopher Sinclair-Stevenson on September 3 last year. When Sinclair-Stevenson quit to found his own company many of the authors he had encouraged (Ackroyd, William Boyd and Paul Theroux among them) followed him. Sinclair-Stevenson quickly raised initial capital of $7.7m and paid authors generous advances. Ackroyd was given $2.1 million for Dickens and his forthcoming Blake biography. And Dickens was a literary publicist’s dream. Divergent reviews raised the profile of the author and the work. Anthony Burgess in the Independent praised the book “without reservation.” Eric Griffith in the Sunday Correspondent throughout it fat and dreary. While the book may tell little new about Dickens – although no other biography brings such a wealth of information together in one place – Ackroyd does suggest that Dickens’ relationship with the young actress Ellen Ternan, for whom he left his wife and family and lived off and on with for many years, was chaste. No previous biographer has suggested that and indeed a new book by Claire Tomlin, The Invisible Woman, a biography of Ternan, again advances the traditionally held view of the pair being partners. “I don’t think it matters one way or the other whether he had sex with her or not.” Ackroyd says, “The truth is he had an obsessive relationship which lasted for many years. Whether it was sexual or not is beside the point. “There is no doubt it was a very strange relationship and he seemed to be doing what he did throughout his life in times of crisis or emotional trauma. He would reach for his fiction to help him understand reality and his novels you have a recurring image of the idealised young virgin in a platonic relationship with an older man. There is no doubt in my mind that was the relationship he formed with Ellen Terman. This article appeared in the New Zealand Herald in April 1991 but is unavailable on the Herald's website. mark kurlanskyantony beevorbooks and authors 1812: NAPOLEON'S FATAL MARCH ON MOSCOW by ADAM ZAMOYSKI (2006) reviewed Few people -- even American Republicans these days -- still believe the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq had much to do with containing terrorism, and various truths about the impetus for these... > Read more THE BIG OYSTER by MARK KURLANSKY One of the conspicuous growth areas in non-fiction has been in the genre of what we might call single-issue histories where a writer takes a seemingly mundane or commonplace subject -- be it tulips... > Read more AN EXPANDING SUBTERRA by WAYNE BARRAR: Going underground The first time I went to Las Vegas it tricked me, and I enjoyed it. In some kitsch casino my partner and I descended a floor or two underground to a street made up to look like a New York City... > Read more GRANT & I: INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE GO-BETWEENS by ROBERT FORSTER In his delightful if lightweight film That Thing You Do, director Tom Hanks puts at the centre of the story a Beatles-inspired pop band in the Sixties. In their search for a name they hit... > Read more THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Damien Dempsey If we judge people by the company they keep or those who admire them, then Ireland's Damien Dempsey is somewhere in the clouds. His fans include Sinead O'Connor and Brian Eno (who have recorded... > Read more Nubya Garcia: Source (Concord/digital outlets) From this distance and just relying on recordings, Britain's vibrant, contemporary jazz scene appears to pivot around large London ensembles, sometimes with shifting memberships and often with... > Read more	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line988
__label__wiki	0.575315	0.575315	[for full PDF click here] Directional notices in Scripture can orient us to “where” an occurrence originates, or symbolically reference key Hebraic associations. The wise men came from the “east” to see Jesus (Matthew 2:1). Judah would be attacked from the “north” because of apostasy (Jeremiah 13:20). Reuben was a lead tribe and his camp was to the “south” of the tabernacle (Numbers 2:10). Directions also represent spiritual metaphors. The ram that came out of the “east” (Daniel 8:4) (hystorically, Cyrus – but also represents the Deliverer). Christ will come as lightning that shines from “east to west” (Matthew 24:27) – right after mankind is “delivered” (Daniel 12:1). God’s dwelling place is seen as in the “sides of the north” (Psalm 48:2, where Zion is). West is associated with apostasy where the tribe of Ephraim was located (Numbers 2:18). When we look at a prophecy that has directional information, we see unique clues to an important truth. When Isaiah penned that Lucifer exalted his throne to “the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north” (14:13), we can immediately conclude that he wanted to be like God and rule on Mount Zion. The next verse confirms that: “I will be like the most High” (14:14). “Direction” alone can give amazing insight. Daniel conveys remarkable information regarding the eschatological future through compass orientation. The kings of the “north” and “south” in Daniel 11 are no exception. In this narrative we will focus on the southern “king” and assume that the northern leader is known to be the antichrist, from contextual clues.[1] The King of the South Concentrating on Daniel’s pivotal verse: “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over” (Daniel 11:40). This verse is filled with amazing facts: It is for the “time of the end” – recognized by a majority of scholars as eschatological (the period surrounding Christ’s Second Coming).[2] A “king” (leader or ruler) originating from the “south” attacks a northern “king” (leader or ruler) – the antichrist. The attack is in military language. The intention is to do harm to the northern antichrist power. “Push” (nagah – H) means to attack, wage war, “gore” (like a bull). The counter-attack by the “king of the north” takes “him” into many nations or countries. The southern kingdom or power is defeated. A footnote to a prior prophecy in Daniel 11:21-28 (focus here on vs 25) shows another “north” and “south” conflict between the Islamic world and the papal-dominated Christian world that anticipated the Crusades. That became a historical model for what emerges at the “time of the end.” Looking at the “south” and “north” conflicts from the time of Isaac and Ishmael forward also brings us to an even clearer understanding of this end-time saga. A conflict between Islam and Christianity is in view, bundled within earth’s final events. The Biblical “South” The Hebrew word for “south” in Daniel 11:40 is negeb. It is a common word related to “the south” – but comes from a Hebrew root word meaning “to be dry.” This is used numerous times in the Old Testament – first in Genesis, related to Abraham (12:9, 13:1, 3) in his journeys below the “promised land” (south) – even alluding to the country of Egypt.[3] Negeb was known as a geographical area, roughly 4800 square miles of barren land, including the southern tip of Palestine, on southward into the Sinai Peninsula, and southeast into Arabia. That was an area described as “desolate” (Jeremiah 13:19, Ezekiel 20:46-47). It is possible that it was fertile at the time of Abraham. “Desolation” (“barren land”) became an important symbolic term in the Bible for nothing left – the final result of God’s wrath (Daniel 12:11, Mark 13:14). Thus, “south” has an association with “desolation,” few blessings or even a divine curse. Pictured is the area noted as the geographical negeb. Anciently, there were cities in this location. The inhabitants were referred to as “the people of the south.” “The south is primarily a negative symbol…. It is negative because to the south of Israel was the wilderness, a region where life does not prosper (Isa. 30:6). To the south was Egypt, which opposed God’s power and oppressed His people.”[4] Looking Back to Abraham’s Time When Abraham came out of Egypt, where he and Lot had gone to escape a Canaan famine, he entered Negeb (Genesis 13:1) and then traveled northward to Hebron (13:18), which would later become the first capital city of David. It lay south of Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the lower part of Judah. It was in this area that the saga of the “south” all began. Here Sarah’s Egyptian servant Hagar became Abraham’s “second wife.” The birth of their son, Ishmael, led to woe and heartache in that household. Abraham saw it as symbolic of a later conflict when the seed of righteous people would be mixed with that of the ungodly.[5] In a sad series of events, Hagar and Ishmael were asked to leave Abraham’s home at God’s directive. The Bible says: “And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba” (Genesis 21:14). That was on the northern edge of the wilderness of Negeb and south of Hebron approximately 35 miles. Their supply of water ran out. Hagar cried to God, and an angel came to talk with her and gave her special help. “But God heard the boy’s voice. The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and asked her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Don’t be afraid, for God has heard the boy’s voice right where he is crying. Get up! Help the boy up and hold him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God enabled Hagar to see a well of water. She went over and filled the skin with water, and then gave the boy a drink” (Genesis 21:17-19). Years later Hagar found an Egyptian wife for Ishmael (21:21b). The narrative then notes that Ishmael became an archer and dwelt in the “wilderness of Paran” (21:21a). The wilderness of Negeb, extending eastward through the wilderness of Paran (northern Arabia), became the land of Ishmael and his descendants. This geographic area, in turn, became a metaphor, a model, for what we will eventually see in Daniel 11 as the land of the south. God had promised Abraham that a great nation would come out of Ishmael – “because he is thy seed” (Genesis 21:13). Hagar received the same assurance. But – something different would evolve out of Ishmael and that “great nation”: “He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers” (Genesis 16:12 – NIV). From Abraham – the “called” patriarch – would come two nations: Through Isaac – the son of promise – related to the north – the promised land Through Ishmael – the son of presumption – related to the south – Negeb/Paran – the desolate land eastward Ishmael’s descendants would be contentious, especially against those claiming to be God’s people. Both would eventually become apostates – the great nation of Israel eventually being cursed by Jesus Himself (Matthew 21:43, 23:37-38). Thus, over time: The descendents of Ishmael became the Arabs. Most historians, however, believe that they intermarried with the Amorites, Moabites, Edomites, Amalikites, and especially the descendants of Keturah, Abraham’s wife after Sarah’s death, forming the many Middle Eastern peoples (along with the descendants of Esau). Of interest is the record in the Book of the Jubilees, found in the Dead Sea Scroll caves: “And Ishmael and his sons, and the sons of Keturah and their sons, went together and dwelt from Paran to the entering in of Babylon in all the land which is towards the East facing the desert. And these mingled with each other, and their name was called Arabs, and Ishmaelites” (Book of Jubilees 20:13). The Psalmist, in enumerating those who intensely hated Jehovah, noted especially the Ishmaelites (Psalm 83:1-2, 5,6). Intriguingly, that record was almost 900 years after Ishmael, with his mother Hagar, left for the “south.” The Bible calls the descendents of Hagar “Hagarites.” Saul engaged and defeated them according to one record: “And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead.... And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them; because they put their trust in him” (I Chronicles 5:10, 19-20). The Ishmaelites gradually spread east and south, still moving geographically toward the “south” of Canaan. This, now, is the prophetic model we use to move deeper into the “north” and “south” issue of Daniel 11. The Future that Began in the Past “He will be hostile to everyone, and everyone will be hostile to him” (Genesis 16:13). It is intriguing that studies have been conducted (over 3000 years later), noting: “In all these places [the geographical line between Muslims and others], the relations between Muslims and peoples of other civilizations – Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Hindu, Chinese, Buddhist, Jewish – have been generally antagonistic; most of these relations have been violent at some point in the past; many have been violent … [since the] 1990s. Wherever one looks along the perimeter of Islam (which claims Ishmael as its ancestor heritage), ‘Muslims have problems living peacefully with their neighbors.’”[7] “The 12 sons of Ishmael, and his Egyptian wife, became princes and progenitors of as many tribes… Today all Arabs, following Muhammed's example, claim descent from Ishmael.”[8] Those who claim Islam as their sacred tradition teach that Muhammad’s ancestors came directly from this son of Abraham, whom they say is the ‘son of promise.’” The Ishmaelites became the Bedouin tribes, along with the people of Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Saudia Arabia. Muhammad Abdullah (571 – 632 A.D.) was born in Mecca, Arabia. He was the founder of Islam and is purported to have had divine revelations, leading to the writing of the Quran. The residents of Mecca did not accept this “new religion,” even though it originally had peaceful intents. In anger, Muhammad moved to Medina, where he mustered a following. His “dogma” changed and was to be spread through violence and plundering the possessions of others. “Infidels” (those not identifying with Muhammad’s beliefs) were to be a “lower class” and even killed. Here, another part of the Quran was “received,” where the barbaric intensions were recorded, which drive much of terrorism today. Coercion and force were so successful that conquest of other nations followed. After Muhammad died, his successors were called Caliphs. The demographics of this terrorist movement are fascinating. Notice again the distinction: The “north” – related to those claiming the Holy Bible as God’s Word – Christianity. The “south” – related to Ishmaelites/Islam (Muhammad’s followers), claiming the Holy Quran as Allah’s word. Many Protestant leaders today are raising the question as to whether Islam is being described in the Biblical narrative as the antichrist. Satan would love to see that diversionary conclusion expanded. There are uncanny similarities – but the eschatological antichrist conquers through peace (Daniel 8:25). No matter where we enter “time,” the geographical distinction between the “north” (Christianity/Catholicism) and the “south” (Islam/Muslims) remains the same. God is very precise in conveying symbols. “North” and “South” have remained a distinct “separation” since God began to set aside people He called “His own.” Yet, intriguingly, both groups rebel against him, with only a “remnant” who will be saved. The rebellion of Ishmael, and later Islam, was anticipated – even though Scripture says: “God was with the lad” (Genesis 21:20). His behavior was to be Satan-like (Genesis 16:12). The rebellion of Isaac’s descendants was also anticipated. Yet out of that lineage the “ruler of Israel” was to come (Micah 5:2). But when He came, the world “knew him not” (John 1:10). God’s specially chosen “north” or northern people were to represent Him. But: The Jewish people rejected Him, and He finally rejected them (Matthew 21:42, 23:37). Of the end-time Roman element of the Christian Church it is said: “… he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes” (Daniel 8:17, 19, 25). He (the little horn – the king) becomes the antichrist! (cf. Daniel 12:36-45). Historical “North”–“South” Metaphors – Kingdom powers who claim “God” as their leader: Between 1095 and 1291 A.D. a major catastrophic events occurred between these powers. The Muslim world “pushed” against the northern “Catholic Christian” world, leading to the bloody Crusades. The death toll from these wars was estimated to be 1.5–2 million people.[9] Another illustration of this model came with the Ottoman Empire – later Turkey. Osman I (1259–1326) was a Muslim Turkish warrior prince. He began to conquer neighboring regions, bringing the Ottoman Empire into existence by 1300 A.D. Later, its troops swept into Europe, controlling much of it by the 16th century. Again, history replicates these giant “metaphors” of attacks between the “south” against the “north.” Thus – both “north” and “south” are seen at the end as apostates in conflict. It was in the mid-17th century that the counter-Reformation began, which strengthened the papacy for a short time. Then French leader Napoleon Bonaparte suppressed its gains. Was Catholic power to evaporate into history? The Bible says, No! What about Islam? Was it to disappear? Again – No! End-time prophecy reveals a major conflict between Catholicism and Islam in a final eschatological period. Roman Catholic Power The Vatican was crippled in 1870, when the Italian government confiscated all the Papal States. The Roman Church became impotent. Then a resurgence of Catholic Church power, begun in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty between Mussolini and the Church, led to the world-recognized Vatican City State. Its church–state structure was once again established. Exchange of ambassadors with other countries quickly followed. Then Vatican II (1962-1965) brought a dramatic ecumenical bonding with the Protestant and non-Christian worlds. In 1978 Pope John Paul II was elected as the “supreme pontiff.” His tenure of leadership brought the Catholic Church into the forefront as the world’s most powerful “Christian” religion. Though this is a topic in other studies, this was another fulfillment of prophecy noted in Revelation 17. He would be the sixth head of the beast that the harlot was sitting on – the “one that is.” He was seen by more people than any one man in history. During his tenure the first ambassadors were exchanged between the United States and the Vatican. He also received a deadly wound and lived (Revelation13:3) in an assassination attempt. Islamic Power The Muslim world exploded into public view about this same time! A resurgence of Islamic Power started in the early 1970’s. By 1979 its strength as a world power was in evidence: This all began when the price of oil first surged in 1972. When the Shah of Iran was deposed in 1979, a radical state was set up by Ayatollah Khomeini. This emboldened the violent element within Islam. That began the “Iranian Revolution.” From that point on bold subversive and violent warring ventures have been common. Iran was transformed from a constitutional monarchy under the Shah to a populist theocratic Islamic republic under the rule of the Ayatollah. Other nations with Islamic majorities moved into public view! Another surge in oil prices occurred between 1997 and 2007. It was during that period that large sums of money began to be poured into the spread of Islam. $90,000,000,000 was invested in aggressive geopolitical moves to spread Islam by building mosques and “cultural centers.” Hundreds of Islamic organizations sprang up. Many sought to impose Sharia law on its members. That law and the drive to establish it brought violence into the open as a means to achieve its end. Out of this, Jihad came, creating a world filled with terrorism. Major efforts are being made to repaint Islam as peaceful. These will fail. It is from the Biblical “south.” All these changes are nothing less than a divinely permitted resurgence of Ishmael’s descendants to help bring in earth’s final moves: 1928: The Muslim Brotherhood began, it was morphed into a fearful Islamic organization. 1929: Reunification of Catholic Church–State and the healing of the beast’s wound. 1978: The papacy was geopolitically strengthened by the election of Pope John Paul II. That was also the year the upsurge in calamities began to fulfill Christ’s prediction that “when” these things began to occur together, all would be finished in one generation. 1979: The Islamic world received a surge in funds from oil, provoking the onset of activist plans to control the world. That was the year the Iranian Revolution began with Ayatollah Khomeini, when the country deposed the Shah of Iran. Over the decade of the 1990’s, the Islamic “south” moved into a competitive stance to gain control of the world. Its modus operandi? Talk as if the Quran and Islam promote peace – but in reality promote violence to gain world dominance. That is called Al-taqiyya, that is, lying is not a sin if the expansion of Islam can occur through deceptive claims. Intriguingly, the Catholic Church has similar ways to lie and deceive called equivocation or mental reservation, as examples. World Reactions to Muslims Serious concern regarding the intentions of Muslims began to rise due to the murderous hatred against Salman Rushdie, British–Indian novelist, when in 1988 he wrote The Satanic Verses. By 1989 death threats began, including those from Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran. A sense of apprehension spread throughout the world. For many years Rushdie was in hiding. In 2005 the Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Poster, published a series of cartoons that questioned Muhammad’s integrity. Violence erupted in many Muslim countries with a large number of deaths. Jihad was called against the newspaper and an international incident came when eleven Muslim countries asked for a formal apology from the newspaper. This finally came in January 2006, after fierce resistance. Then death threats were made against the artist, Kurt Westergaard. He had to go into protective hiding (an axe-wielding Muslim from Sudan unsuccessfully tried to kill him in January 2007). Again, international disgust against Islam fomented and an ill-defined apprehension against Islam intensified. From the Ottoman Empire (Turkey), where one and a half million people were murdered in a genocide campaign (1915–1923) to contemporary Sudan, where it is estimated that two million Christians have perished in the last twenty years, Islam has been a violent, crescendoing force.[10] The imagery of war and homicide is everywhere – but is sidestepped in media reporting! Similar statistics from Nigeria have been tallied by Amnesty International. They estimate that 2,000,000 have been murdered (mostly Christians) in the last two decades – mainly in the thirteen states that operate under Sharia law – in the northern part of that country. Yet again – a pro-Islamic sentiment pervades in the liberal media of the free world. After 9/11 and confirmation of Islamic ties to that horrific terrorist attack on America, an anti-Muslim spirit threaded its way through the United States. But the “peace-loving” stance of “most Muslims,” promoted by the Bush administration, mellowed much of that fear. On September 16, 2010, children of Boston’s Wellesley Middle School were taken on a fieldtrip to the Islamic Society of Boston’s Cultural Center and required to pray to Allah. A fascinating spirit of accommodation came into many minds – even to the point where, later, California schools required children to dress as Muslims and learn about their religion on a specified day.[11] Parental suits were rejected by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on the basis that the classes were only “cultural education.” A spirit of subliminal fear crept into even America’s judicial system. The need to appease became pervasive at the expense of truth, reality and defending freedom. This is neither reasonable nor accommodating towards any national self-interest! There is a “progressive” spirit that blindly assumes that being “nice” and “complementary” will bring an end to hostility. Often, when judicial and political hatred against Christians mount, peaceful gestures towards Muslims inappropriately crescendo, emboldening their aggressiveness. Even within the evangelical world many have seen it a Christ-like duty to claim that Allah and the Christian God are the same! The peaceful nature of Islam was eulogized in 2008 when 138 prominent Islamic leaders wrote a letter called “A Common Word between U.S. and You” to the American Catholic and Christian community. A reply was drafted by scholars of Yale Divinity School’s Center for Faith and Culture, called “A Loving God and Neighbors Together.” Three hundred prominent Christian leaders signed it. In that document, they again equated Allah with the Christian God. The Christian belief of a Triune God was rejected, and no one addressed the Quran’s belief in monotheism (Sura 3:64). Those leaders, which included Rick Warren, Bill Hybels and Brian McLaren, asked for forgiveness of the All-Merciful One (an Islamic expression for Allah). They also conceded that Muhammad was a prophet.[12] A subliminal fear of increasing Muslim terror has now come out into the open. Yet the media, politicians and evangelical leaders speak out against “criticism” of Islam. They appear to have abandoned faith in Jesus and now fear Muslim power! Islam is, therefore, increasingly winning the war against anyone who seems to “degrade” who they really are. Prophecy clearly states that the Islamic world’s resistance will increase to a point of overt conflict. In November 2009, Pat Roberson, on his show “The 700 Club,” noted: “‘If we don't stop covering up what Islam is ... Islam is a violent – I was going to say religion, but it’s not a religion, it’s a political system, it’s a violent political system bent on the overthrow of the governments of the world and world domination,’ Robertson said. ‘You're dealing with not a religion, you're dealing with a political system, and I think we should treat it as such, and treat its adherents as such as we would members of the communist party, members of some fascist group.’”[13] [To be continued in Part 2 September, 2016] EndTime Issues…, Number 192, August 4, 2016 [1] Steinmann, Andrew E.; Daniel (Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis), p. 543; Brighton, Louis A; Revelation, Concordance Commentary (Concordance Publishing House, Saint Louis), 1999, pp. 357-363. [2] Miller, Stephen R.; The New American Commentary, vol. 18 (Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), p. 309. [3] http://biblehub.com/topical/n/neqeb.htm [4] https://adventistbiblicalresearch.org/materials/archaeology-and-history/symbolism-four-cardinal-directions [5] White, Ellen G.; Conflict and Courage, p. 57. [6] http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route-wilderness-of-shur-ishmaelites-midianites- amalekites.htm [7] Huntington, Samuel; The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order (Simon and Schuster), 1996. [8] The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, “Ishmaelite” (Zondervan Publishing House; Grand Rapids, MI; 1963) p. 387. [9] Mackay, Charles; Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds (1841). "The Crusades". Archived from the original on 11 May 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20060511083818/ http://www.bootlegbooks.com/NonFiction/Mackay/PopDelusions/chap09.html. [10] The Middle East Quarterly; Sudan Civil War and Genocide, Winter 2001, Vol. VIII, No. 1. [11] www.wnd.com/?pageId=43621 [12] http://thefinalhour.blogspot.com/2009/09/evangelical-whos-who-sign-letter.html [13] http://motorcityliberal.blogspot.com/2009/11/pat-robertson-islam-isnt-religion-treat.html	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line990
__label__wiki	0.747205	0.747205	In 1944, segregated African-American Navy units were assigned dangerous loading operations. Most of these men were not trained in munitions handling, and safety standards were apparently often overlooked under heavy pressure to complete loading schedules. In July 1944, a massive explosion occurred during the loading of two adjacent cargo ships at the U.S. Naval magazine at Port Chicago, California. 320 sailors and civilians were killed and 390 injured. Nearly two-thirds of the people killed at Port Chicago were African-American enlisted men. A month later, when 258 African-American sailors refused to carry out loading orders under conditions they deemed unsafe, 208 received bad conduct discharges and pay forfeiture. The remaining 50 men were court-martialed and sentenced to 8-15 years of hard labor. In 1946, all were granted clemency. Comments, contributions, corrections, and suggestions are always welcome: Cancel reply Browse the Timeline Gassed 1918 by John Singer Sargent Don’t Miss a Post: Enter your email address to receive notifications of posts. Privacy \| Copyright © 2021 Mark Scott Smith · All rights reserved \| Terms Header Image "Liberation" by Henry Carr	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line991
__label__cc	0.576862	0.423138	Distributed Wind Market Report: Small Turbines Lead to Big Growth in Exports Home » Distributed Wind Market Report: Small Turbines Lead to Big Growth in Exports Three 100 kilowatt (kW) wind turbines in Bisaccia, Italy. Last year, U.S. small wind turbines were exported to more than 50 countries, with top export markets identified as Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Nigeria. Photo courtesy of Northern Power Systems A 1.65 megawatt (MW) wind turbine is installed at Carleton College, Minnesota. Since 2003, nearly 72,000 wind turbines have been deployed in distributed applications across all 50 states. Photo courtesy of Minnesota Department of Commerce Several 10 kW wind turbines used by Drummond Public Schools in Oklahoma. On-site distributed wind turbines allow schools, farmers, and other energy users to benefit from reduced utility bills, predictable controlled costs, and to hedge against the possibility of rising retail electricity rates. Photo courtesy of Bruce Hatchett, Energy Options Six 10 kW wind turbines at Dull Homestead Farm in Brookville, Ohio. In 2013, more than 30 MW of new distributed wind capacity was added, representing nearly 2,700 units across 36 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A 25 kW wind turbine is installed in Kotzebue, Alaska. Last year, distributed wind deployments of all sizes encompassed 69 different wind turbine models ranging from 100 watts (W) to 2 MW. Photo courtesy of Eocycle Technologies A 10 kW turbine at Mahtomedi High School in Minnesota. Last year, a total of 65% of grid-tied applications were used to meet on-site demand at schools, residences, farms, businesses, and other facilities across 35 states and two U.S. territories, primarily in the Midwest, New England, and Alaska. The remaining 35% of 2013 grid-tied distributed wind projects were connected to distribution lines serving local loads in Colorado and Alaska. Photo courtesy of Jeff Ledermann, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency A 1.8 kW wind turbine – 2 kW solar hybrid system in Valley Center, Kansas. Photo courtesy of Kelsey Kaufman A 1.8 kW wind turbine is installed in Gorham, Maine. Last year, residential applications accounted for 40% of U.S. distributed wind deployed in 2013, followed by agricultural for 26%, industrial and commercial for 20%, and government and institutional for 14% on a per project basis. Photo courtesy of Nathan Broaddus, Cultivate Photography Multimedia Design A sailboat features a 160 W wind turbine. Photo courtesy of Ken Portolese, Primus Wind Power Several distributed wind turbines at Joint Base Cape Cod in Sagamore, Massachusetts. Photo courtesy of Jeremiah Walsh, Massachusetts Army National Guard Second grade students and teachers from the Antilles Elementary School on a Green Energy Awareness Trip to see wind turbines at Fort Buchanan in Puerto Rico. Photo courtesy of José L. Lopez, USAG Fort Buchanan Public Affairs Small and distributed wind energy systems enable homeowners, businesses, and institutions to generate their own clean, renewable, and cost-effective electricity. These systems are commonly used on residential, agricultural, commercial, government and industrial sites, and are connected either physically or virtually on the customer’s side of the utility meter to deliver onsite power or connected directly to the local distribution or microgrid to support local grid operations or offset nearby electric loads. Distributed wind systems can range in size from 1 kilowatt (kW) or smaller for an off-grid turbine at a remote cabin, to a 10kW turbine at a home, to one or several multi-megawatt turbines at a university campus or manufacturing facility. An annual report released today by the Energy Department and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) analyzes industry trends that are unique to distributed wind applications, detailing costs, numbers of deployments, performance, capacity factors, types of turbines used, application types, domestic and international markets, and market drivers and barriers. Despite weaker domestic sales in 2013, U.S. small wind turbine manufacturers capitalized on growing international markets. On a capacity basis, exports from U.S.-based small wind turbine manufacturers jumped from 8 megawatts (MW) in 2012 to 13.6 MW in 2013, an increase of 70%. U.S. manufacturers exported to more than 50 countries. The top markets were: Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Nigeria. Also, 76% of U.S. manufacturers’ new small wind turbine sales, measured by capacity, went to non-U.S. markets, a substantial increase from 2012. Consistent with the nation’s overall wind market, more than 30 MW of new distributed wind capacity was added in the U.S., representing an 83% decline from 2012 to 2013. Slower domestic sales of distributed wind systems can be attributed to stalled state incentive programs, expiration of the Federal Investment Tax Credit for turbines bigger than 100 kW, and other factors. Although 2013 was an off year for domestic sales, manufacturers are optimistic about 2014 because of new long-term leasing options for distributed wind systems and increased adoption of small- and medium-sized wind turbine certification requirements. The American Wind Energy Association has reported that up to 130 MW of distributed wind capacity was already under construction at the end of last year. Since 2003, nearly 72,000 wind turbines have been deployed in distributed applications spread across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, totaling 842 MW in cumulative capacity. The turbines installed last year were used for the following purposes: 40% residential, 26% agricultural, 20% commercial, and 14% governmental and institutional. Vendors and manufacturers were spread across 34 states. While distributed wind installations are increasing nationwide, Colorado, Kansas, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Alaska led the United States in new distributed wind power capacity additions in 2013 across all turbine sizes. Nevada, Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma, New York, Texas, and Hawaii installed the most small wind capacity. However, Texas, Minnesota, and Iowa retained their positions as the top three states with the most installed distributed wind capacity since 2003. A total of 14 states now each have more than 10 MW of distributed wind capacity. 2013 U.S. Distributed Wind Capacity Additions Historically, adoption of distributed wind systems using small- and medium-sized wind turbines has been hindered by untested technologies, unverified claims about turbine performance, and equipment failures. To address this, the Energy Department’s Wind Program, in collaboration with industry, helped establish a process for small- and medium-sized wind turbine certification. Certification provides manufacturers a way to communicate third-party verified power performance, acoustic signature, and safety information about their products – boosting consumer confidence. The Energy Department urges consumers to consider wind turbines that have been tested and certified for safety, function, performance, and durability. Also, the Energy Department encourages any public funds used in purchasing wind turbines should go towards certified systems to ensure taxpayer dollars are only made available to products with dependable performance estimates and demonstrated compliance with nationally recognized standards. As of June, national certification organizations have fully certified 13 small turbines and partially certified two medium-sized turbine models. The Energy Department is on track to reach its programmatic goal of increasing the number of certified small- and medium-sized wind turbine models from a 2010 baseline of zero to 40 by 2020. The report released today reflects encouraging signs for the distributed wind industry, which is providing everyday Americans with clean energy. Read the 2013 Distributed Wind Market Report in full for more insights. Interested in powering your home or business using wind energy? Check out our small wind guidebook to get started. Also, watch our Energy 101 video to learn more about how wind turbines work. MORE ON THE 2013 DISTRIBUTED WIND MARKET REPORT Go to energy.gov/windreport for additional graphics, video, and blog posts Download data from the report Participate in our live Twitter Q&A about wind energy	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line992
__label__wiki	0.565309	0.565309	Professor Takahiro Hoshino _ English, Japanese The Ueno Gakuen University, Piano Department of the Faculty of Music Born in Hokkaido, Takahiro Hoshino started playing the piano at the age of four, and the following year he will perform improvisational performances and his own compositions for the first public performance. Received the 1st prize in the Hokkaido and the 3rd prize in the Tokyo competition for elementary school students in the All Japan Student Music Competition. After working at Toho High School Music Department (co-education), studied at the same university and the same university graduate school. While attending school, he won the piano audition of Ienaga Music Office, etc., won the top prize, and performed actively. Since 1994, he has been studying as a Hungarian government-sponsored international student at the Hungarian National Liszt Conservatory. While studying abroad, Maria Canals International Competition Special 1st Medal (4th), Viotti-Barcesia International Competition 2nd, Cantu International Piano Concerto 1st and Audience Award, Master Players International Competition Winner (Master Players Grand Prize) ), Special Honor Award, TIM ROMA International Competition Special Honor Award, and many other international competitions. As a result, he was invited to music festivals all over Europe such as the Young Prague International Music Festival and the Master Players International Music Festival. When invited to the Hungarian International "Five Harps" Music Festival, the Music Festival Committee will award the "Lira Award" to the most talented and promising artists. So far, the Hungarian Symphony Orchestra, the Hungarian MAV Symphony Orchestra, the Hungarian Szolnok City Symphony Orchestra, the Moscow Orchestra, the Romanian National Orchestra, the Polish Sudetec Orchestra, the Prague Chamber Orchestra, and the Tokyo New City Orchestra and Sapporo in Japan. Performs with orchestras such as the Symphony Orchestra. The debut recital at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in 2000 was a great success, and it was featured on the top page of "10 Japanese pianists who can't take their eyes off now" in "Music Contemporary". Is highly evaluated. After that, he held recitals at Kioi Hall and Hamarikyu Asahi Hall every year, and "Yoshihiro Kono Konzert's Evening" (co-starring: Prague Chamber Orchestra), all of which were very successful. In 2006, he co-starred with pianist Takehiko Yamada in the first installment of the "Meikyoku Ganryujima" series (Hamarikyu Asahi Hall), and since then has attracted audiences in various places. Currently, in addition to holding recitals in various parts of Japan and Europe, he is engaged in a wide range of performance activities such as concerto soloists, chamber music, NHK-FM recitals, and appearances at the Asahi Culture Center. In addition to his active performance activities, he was a lecturer at the Piano Department of the Faculty of Music, Toho Gakuen University (2001-2013). Currently, he is an associate professor in the piano department of the Faculty of Music, Ueno Gakuen University, and a visiting professor from Sapporo Conservatoire. In addition, he has been invited as an invited professor to the Euro Music Festival & Academy held in Halle, Germany since 2013, and appears at the same music festival every summer, and teaches younger generations in the master class. In 2018,he established the FIERTÉ Piano Academy and became the director. So far, at domestic and international competitions such as the Japanese Music Competition (sponsored by Mainichi Shimbun), Ienaga Piano Audition, Tosu Huppel Competition, Glenzen Competition, Pitina Competition, Japanese Classic Competition, Viotti International Competition, Cantu International Competition, IBLA International Competition, etc. Raise the winners of. He has studied under Hiroyasu Kawahara, Noriyuki Miyazawa, Sadako Matsuoka, Etsuko Tazaki, George Nádor, and Ferenc Rados, and is blessed with interaction with French piano master Eric Heidsieck. So far, "LISZT-SCHUBERT" and "Appassionata / Kreisleriana" have been released by Aurora Classical. Received high praise, such as being selected as a special edition by a record art magazine. In 2012, Octavia Records released "LISZT I-Confrontation with the Inner Abyss-", the first transfer. Selected as a semi-special edition and Yomiuri Shimbun recommendation edition by record art magazines. After that, Beethoven albums "Passion" and "STORY" Takahiro Hoshino's Best Selection were released from NYS Classics. In recent years, he has performed solo recitals and orchestras in various parts of Japan, chamber music concerts, as well as Bartok's Piano Concerto No. 3 as a soloist at the Hungarian Szolnok Municipal Symphony Orchestra Subscription Concert and the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. It was a great success. Currently T & K Classics Takagi Clavier Co., Ltd. Group exclusive artist Recital / Concerto Live http://www.youtube.com/hoshinopiano ピアニスト/ T&K Classics タカギ・クラヴィアグループ専属アーティスト上野学園大学音楽学部准教授演奏家コース主任 FIERTÉ/FIERTÉ Piano Academy代表 Piano Salon Shinozaki代表札幌コンセルヴァトワール客員講師 Euro Music Festival & Academy（ドイツ/ハレ、ライプツィヒ）招聘教授	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line993
__label__wiki	0.862638	0.862638	AS V. Club Al Ahly - AS V. Club Follow the African Champions League live Football match between Al Ahly and AS V. Club with Eurosport. The match starts at 23:00 on 4 March 2021. Catch the latest Al Ahly and AS V. Club news and find up to date Football standings, results, top scorers and previous winners. Football fans can find the latest Football news, interviews, expert commentary and watch free replays. See detailed profiles for Al Ahly and AS V. Club. Catch all the upcoming competitions. Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from Football to cycling, F1, winter sports and more. Enjoy live streaming of this season’s top sports competitions.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line994
__label__wiki	0.599338	0.599338	Subscribe to newsletter Write to the Editor For Content Providers That 1970s Feeling by Kenneth Rogoff Kenneth Rogoff is Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Harvard University, and was formerly chief economist at the IMF. CAMBRIDGE – It is too soon to predict the long-run arc of the coronavirus outbreak. But it is not too soon to recognize that the next global recession could be around the corner – and that it may look a lot different from those that began in 2001 and 2008. For starters, the next recession is likely to emanate from China, and indeed may already be underway. China is a highly leveraged economy, it cannot afford a sustained pause today anymore than fast-growing 1980s Japan could. People, businesses, and municipalities need funds to pay back their out-size debts. Sharply adverse demographics, narrowing scope for technological catch-up, and a huge glut of housing from recurrent stimulus programs – not to mention an increasingly centralized decision-making process – already presage significantly slower growth for China in the next decade. Moreover, unlike the two previous global recessions this century, the new coronavirus, COVID-19, implies a supply shock as well as a demand shock. Indeed, one has to go back to the oil-supply shocks of the mid-1970s to find one as large. Yes, fear of contagion will hit demand for airlines and global tourism, and precautionary savings will rise. But when tens of millions of people can’t go to work (either because of a lockdown or out of fear), global value chains break down, borders are blocked, and world trade shrinks because countries distrust of one another’s health statistics, the supply side suffers at least as much. Affected countries will, and should, engage in massive deficit spending to shore up their health systems and prop up their economies. The point of saving for a rainy day is to spend when it rains, and preparing for pandemics, wars, climate crises, and other out-of-the-box events is precisely why open-ended deficit spending during booms is dangerous. But policymakers and altogether too many economic commentators fail to grasp how the supply component may make the next global recession unlike the last two. In contrast to recessions driven mainly by a demand shortfall, the challenge posed by a supply-side-driven downturn is that it can result in sharp declines in production and widespread bottlenecks. In that case, generalized shortages – something that some countries have not seen since the gas lines of 1970s – could ultimately push inflation up, not down. Admittedly, the initial conditions for containing generalized inflation today are extraordinarily favorable. But, given that four decades of globalization has almost certainly been the main factor underlying low inflation, a sustained retreat behind national borders, owing to a COVID-19 pandemic (or even lasting fear of pandemic), on top of rising trade frictions, is a recipe for the return of upward price pressures. In this scenario, rising inflation could prop up interest rates and challenge both monetary and fiscal policymakers. It is also noteworthy that the COVID-19 crisis is hitting the world economy when growth is already soft and many countries are wildly overleveraged. Global growth in 2019 was only 2.9%, not so far from the 2.5% level that has historically constituted a global recession. Italy’s economy was barely starting to recover before the virus hit. Japan’s was already tipping into recession after an ill-timed hike in the value-added tax, and Germany’s has been teetering amidst political disarray. The United States is in the best shape, but what once seemed like a 15% chance of a recession starting before the presidential and congressional elections in November now seems much higher. It might seem strange that the new coronavirus could cause so much economic damage even to countries that seemingly have the resources and technology to fight back. A key reason is that earlier generations were much poorer than today, so many more people had to risk going to work. Unlike today, radical economic pullbacks in response to epidemics that did not kill most people were not an option. What has happened in Wuhan, China, the current outbreak’s epicenter, is extreme but illustrative. The Chinese government has essentially locked down Hubei province, putting its 58 million people under martial law, with ordinary citizens unable to leave their houses except under very specific circumstances. At the same time, the government apparently has been able to deliver food and water to Hubei’s citizens for roughly six weeks now, something a poor country could not imagine doing. Elsewhere in China, a great many people in major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing have remained indoors most of the time in order to reduce their exposure. Governments in countries such as South Korea and Italy may not be taking the extreme measures that China has, but many people are staying home, implying a significant adverse impact on economic activity. The odds of a global recession have risen dramatically, much more than conventional forecasts by investors and international institutions care to acknowledge. Policymakers need to recognize that, besides interest rate cuts and fiscal stimulus, the huge shock to global supply chains also needs to be addressed. The most immediate relief could come from the US sharply scaling back its trade-war tariffs, thereby calming markets, exhibiting statesmanship with China, and putting money in the pockets of US consumers. A global recession is a time for cooperation, not isolation. Kenneth Rogoff, a former chief economist of the IMF, is Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Harvard University. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2020. www.project-syndicate.org This article is brought to you by Project Syndicate that is a not for profit organization. Project Syndicate brings original, engaging, and thought-provoking commentaries by esteemed leaders and thinkers from around the world to readers everywhere. By offering incisive perspectives on our changing world from those who are shaping its economics, politics, science, and culture, Project Syndicate has created an unrivalled venue for informed public debate. Please see: www.project-syndicate.org. Should you want to support Project Syndicate you can do it by using the PayPal icon below. Your donation is paid to Project Syndicate in full after PayPal has deducted its transaction fee. Facts & Arts neither receives information about your donation nor a commission. by Shlomo Ben-Ami by Alon Ben-Meir by Michael Boskin by Michael Brenner by David Bromwich by Ian Buruma by Juan Pablo Cardenal by Steve Clemons by David Coates by Robert Creamer by J. Bradford DeLong by Esther Dyson by David Eichler by Amitai Etzioni by Gareth Evans by Martin Feldstein by Joschka Fischer by Nathan Gardels by George Soros by Richard N. Haass by Tawfik Hamid by Charles Hankla by Michael Johnson by Marion Laboure, Haiyang Zhang, and Juergen Braunstein by Michael Levin by Bjørn Lomborg by Mike Lux by Kishore Mahbubani by Jennifer Mathers by Henry I. Miller by Sharmine Narwani by Joseph S. Nye by Tarek Osman by Chris Patten by Minxin Pei by Dan Plesch by Olli Raade by Kristiina Raade by Charles J. Reid, Jr. by David Rieff by Dani Rodrik by Nouriel Roubini by Jeffrey D. Sachs by Sol Sanders by Bill Schneider by Jeff Schweitzer by Sin-ming Shaw by Robert J. Shiller by Peter Singer by Hans-Werner Sinn by Robert Skidelsky by Joseph E. Stiglitz by Shashi Tharoor by Daniel Wagner by Drew Westen by Naomi Wolf by Abraham B. Yehoshua by G. Pascal Zachary by Luigi Zingales by James J. Zogby More Current Affairs Who Profits from the Assault on American Democracy? by Nina L. Khrushcheva EXTRACT: "Trump intentionally and directly incited the insurrection of January 6. But he does not bear sole responsibility. Every one of his enablers, and the enablers of his enablers, is guilty. Fox Corp’s hidden backers, especially those who are so fond of touting their piety, must now ask themselves, as the Gospel of Mark instructs: What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? " Business debt: hidden advantage for giant firms means economy has been K-shaped for decades by Sandy Brian Hager and Joseph Baines EXTRACT: "What’s astonishing is that the bottom 50% reduced their borrowing over roughly the same period, but their debt servicing costs increased. Over this time, smaller corporations saw their profit margins dip consistently into negative territory. The decades-long fall in interest rates appears to be the only thing that has kept smaller corporations afloat. Smaller corporations thus appear to be caught in a vicious circle. The fact that their debt-servicing burdens have increased sharply despite deleveraging and falling interest rates points toward rapidly deteriorating financial fortunes. This is reaffirmed by the severe losses registered in their negative profit margins." Accepting Responsibility for January 6, 2021 EXTRACT: " The answer can’t be to pretend that the crisis is now over or to believe that the way forward can be found by simply impeaching the President or using the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. That will not do. January 6th had antecedents. And more than one man has responsibility for what happened." Vanilla ISIL: Social Media is forced to Treat Trump and Trumpists Like Terrorists by Juan Cole EXTRACTS: ”Not everyone who mobbed the Capitol on 1/6 was a terrorist, but there were many terrorists among them. Some people came armed, or with ties for taking congressional representatives and senators hostage. Some were desperately looking for Mike Pence and Nancy Pelosi in order to assassinate them….” …… ”Although the Capitol police had a major failure when they did not stop the breach of the building by the mob, they were remarkably successful at spiriting the politicians down to the basement and its tunnels that led to nearby offices.” ….. “The goal of the Trump-inspired insurrection was to stop Congress from certifying the election of Joe Biden as president. Trump moved on several levels to accomplish that goal. He conspired with senators to have them object to the Arizona and Pennsylvania vote counts. In fact, he was trying to convince senators to join this effort by telephone even after the Capitol had been breached and senators were being escorted to the basement, according to Mike Lee. He also tried to disrupt the proceedings by encouraging the breach of the Capitol by a flashmob and by cadres. He may have stopped security forces from being deployed, as part of his coup, to ensure that the insurrection was not stopped prematurely.” …… “Significant blows have been dealt to the Trump terrorist network in the past two days, but the vast well of support it has built up among less violent supporters, and among media enablers like Fox, Breitbart and Newsmax, will make it very difficult to root out.” Trump’s Götterdämmerung EXTRACTS:"Trumpism may survive under a different leader. This is what a politician like Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is hoping. His attempt to pander to Trump’s voter base by sabotaging President-elect Joe Biden’s victory is a play for a future presidential run. But Cruz lacks the vulgar charisma of Trump. He is a highly-educated cynic, a ruthless political operator, but not someone who can easily inspire the masses."....... "More than most of his colleagues in the demagogue business, Trump is a creature of show business. His great success was not in real estate; he was in fact a terrible businessman, blundering from one failure to another. What made him was a television show. That is what boosted his brand, which he has used with a truly mammoth talent for self-promotion. Cruz, Josh Hawley, Tom Cotton, or Marco Rubio – all Republican senators with ambitions to follow in Trump’s footsteps – don’t even come close." ........ "And Trump’s followers will lose their messiah. Without Trump’s bizarre but effective grip on the party, Republicans may well face a period of vicious infighting, which could conceivably tear their party apart. If so, they richly deserve it." Time to Put Some More Guardrails in Place in Washington EXTRACTS: "The world needs an America it can believe in. America needs to invest real time, energy, and resources in re-establishing the pre-eminence of truth and trust. It took generations to build it but just four years to destroy it." ..... "If it can happen in America, it can certainly happen anywhere else. America must now prove to the world that it can pick itself up, dust itself off, and get and stay on a path so many people in the world aspire to be. It will take a Herculean effort on the part of Mr. Biden and the Democrats to do so. If they fail to do so, it is arguable whether America can ever again claim to be exceptional." Remove and Ban Trump Now by Jan-Werner Mueller EXTRACT: "Congress has a right, but not a duty, to impeach. Sometimes, lawmakers might simply tolerate certain presidential misdeeds, having concluded that the costs of pursuing further action would outweigh the benefits. But this is not one of those times. ... Just as the act of punishing a public official sends a message about a polity’s moral commitments, so, too, does a failure to punish when it is warranted. By voting to acquit Trump last year, after the House of Representatives impeached him over the Ukraine scandal, Senate Republicans signaled that they were sticking with a career criminal, come what may. Trump enablers like Senator Susan Collins of Maine hoped that those proceedings would teach Trump a lesson. And so they did: Trump learned that there were no consequences for illegally coercing others into doing him favors and rigging elections on his behalf. ............ Plenty, like Senators Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas, have bet their political fortunes on genuflecting to America’s burgeoning far-right movement. But others might now be looking for a way out of the Trumpian maw. The storming of the Capitol demonstrated that you cannot have QAnon à la carte; neither Trump nor his Republican collaborators can control the forces they have unleashed. The revolution always devours its own children, and sometimes their fathers, too. If Republicans fail to de-Trumpify fully and immediately, they will learn that for themselves – but not before things get much, much worse." Who Is America? Jan 2nd 2021 EXTRACTS: "Barack Obama had his flaws as a president, but he always exuded an air of dignity and refinement. Few presidents in history have his gift for English prose. Obama is not only a stylish writer, but a discerning reader. His behavior in office was always impeccable, and he and his wife, Michelle, are the model of a highly civilized couple .... And that is precisely what some of his opponents could never abide. Racists hated the very idea of being governed by a black man. But the fact that he was such a well-educated and cultivated black man made his ascent to the highest office even more intolerable ........ Trump had to erase the image of high civilization that Obama represented. He had to drag it down to his own level. " Living and Dying in America in 2021 by Anne Case and Angus Deaton EXTRACTS: "American capitalism is not serving most Americans. While educated elites live longer and more prosperous lives, less-educated Americans – two-thirds of the population – are dying younger and struggling physically, economically, and socially. This growing divide between those with a four-year college degree and those without one is at the heart of our recent book, Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism. The rise in deaths that we describe is concentrated almost entirely among those without a bachelor’s degree, a qualification that also tends to divide people in terms of employment, remuneration, morbidity, marriage, and social esteem – all keys to a good life ....... The US economy has long been experiencing large-scale disruption, owing to changes in production techniques (especially automation) and, to a lesser extent, globalization. The inevitable disturbances to employment, especially among less-educated workers who are most vulnerable to them, have been made vastly worse by the inadequacy of social safety nets and an absurdly expensive health-care system. Because that system is financed largely by employer-based insurance, which varies little with earnings, it places the greatest burden on the least skilled, who are priced out of good jobs." What Lifted Trump Could Sink Biden EXTRACT: "For the sake of comparison, it is worth remembering just how disastrous the 2000-15 period was for US incomes. Whereas the median real (inflation-adjusted) household income in 2000 was $62,500, in 2011 it was a mere $57,000. Only in 2016, President Barack Obama’s last year in office, did the median real household income clear its 2000 peak. And only during the first three years of the Trump presidency did incomes continue growing strongly enough to surpass the previous high tide. In 2019, the median household income was closing in on $69,000, more than 20% above the post-Great Recession nadir, and 10% above the previous Clinton-era peak ............What explains these trends? For starters, between 2001 and 2016, the US government did not emphasize the need to achieve a high-pressure economy that eliminates the economy’s demand shortfall, which is what it takes to deliver large wage increases for typical workers. In 2010, when the Obama administration began its pivot to austerity, it de-prioritized restoring employment to normal levels in the interest of pursuing spending cuts and fiscal consolidation ...........the siren song of austerity can today be heard once again. A growing chorus of commentators is insisting that near-zero interest rates are unnatural, and that the deficit needs to be cut substantially ...........Back in 2012, Lawrence H. Summers, fresh from a stint as Director of the US National Economic Council, and I tried to warn policymakers about the error of this line of thinking. We failed, ........ " The Pandemic’s Long Economic Shadow by Stephen S. Roach EXTRACT: "The longer-term consequences of the COVID-19 cycle are likely to be more severe. While mass vaccination points to an end to the pandemic itself (one hopes by late 2021), it does not provide immunity against lasting economic damage. Recent research on the impact of 19 major pandemics dating back to the fourteenth century – each with death counts in excess of 100,000 – highlights the long shadow of the economic carnage. Real rates of return on “safe” European assets – a measure of the interplay between aggregate supply and demand – were found to be depressed for several decades following these earlier horrific outbreaks." What the Biden Presidency Means for US Economic Policy by Michael J. Boskin EXTRACT: "US President-elect Joe Biden’s economic-policy agenda differs markedly from that of President Donald Trump. But Biden’s ability to enact his proposals will depend on three factors: the final composition of the Senate; his ability to learn from past successes and failures (not least the historically anemic Obama-era recovery); and whether the US economy can avoid a growth-sapping shock." Can America Lead the World Again? EXTRACTS: "As is evident by Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, UNESCO, and the UN Human Rights Council, many of America’s allies now question some fundamental tenets of American commitment and leadership. China’s willingness and ability to step in and take up some of the slack that has resulted says as much about Washington’s self-imposed weakness as it does about Beijing’s fundamental strength..........Regardless of what overtures the Biden administration makes and which objecrtives it is able to achieve in its first year, the carnage left in the wake of Trump’s exit will take many years – perhaps decades – to reverse..........Many of the world’s people never believed that the outrages that occurred during Trump’s tenure were even possible in America. Trump has proven that it is not only possible, but that it could happen again, as it is widely presumed that Trump will run again in 2024 and again win the Republican nomination for president. That is, perhaps, the most enduring legacy of the Trump era, which makes the debate about whether the world is better off with American or Chinese leadership less easily dismissed." Trump’s Right-Wing Rainbow Coalition by Yasheng Huang EXTRACT: ".....strikingly, exit polls suggest that Trump actually gained support from all of the demographic groups that he had maligned, insulted, and harmed, garnering more black, Hispanic, and Muslim votes than he did in 2016. Asian-Americans also pivoted to Trump, voting for him by a larger margin than they did for him in 2016. And Trump won around 55% of white women in 2020. In two consecutive elections, the majority of white women chose a blatant misogynist over a female presidential or vice-presidential candidate........ Trump’s trade war with China, moreover, had a devastating impact on rural America. But that didn’t stop him from winning Iowa and other farm states by a healthy margin. Likewise, some first-generation Chinese immigrants (with PhDs and Ivy League credentials) are fervent Trump supporters, despite his malicious labeling of COVID-19 as the “China virus.”......... The common foundation supporting this vast Trumpian tent of rural whites, Latinos in Texas, Chinese-American entrepreneurs, white suburban women, and a small but growing share of black men is a deep-seated notion of authority – a more primordial disposition than ethnic tribalism, religious affiliation, and sexual identity. These voters worship power and the powerful, and identify with all exercises of power by their chosen leader." Biden and the JCPOA [the “nuclear deal” negotiated between the P5+1 and Iran]: Lessons From Arab and Iranian Public Opinion EXTRACT: "In 2014, almost one-half of Iranians felt their country “should have the right to a nuclear weapon because it is a major nation.” After the framework agreement was announced in 2015 support for that proposition dropped to 20%. Following Trump’s decision to withdraw from the deal, the percentage of Iranians who felt they had a right to a nuclear weapon because they are a major nation rose again to 40%. " The Costs of Merkel’s Surrender to Hungarian and Polish Extortion EXTRACT: "The European Union is facing an existential threat, and yet the EU’s leadership is responding with a compromise that appears to reflect a belief that the threat can simply be wished away. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s kleptocratic regime in Hungary and, to a lesser extent, the illiberal Law and Justice (PiS) government in Poland, are brazenly challenging the values on which the European Union has been built. Treating their challenge as a legitimate political stance deserving of recognition and a compromise solution will only add – massively – to the risks that the EU now faces." The Pandemic Public-Debt Dilemma by Michael Spence and Danny Leipziger EXTRACT: " Increased government spending during the pandemic is essential for managing public health, supporting households that have lost income, and preserving businesses that otherwise may fail and thus cause longer-term damage to output and employment. Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, has urgedpolicymakers to “spend but keep the receipts.” Likewise, World Bank Chief Economist Carmen M. Reinhart reminds us that, “first you worry about fighting the war, then you figure out how to pay for it.” " China Won 2020 EXTRACT: "In the trade war with the US, China has given little ground ....... And in November, China mounted something of a geopolitical coup with the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a new trade agreement that will put it at the center of the world’s largest free-trade area. The RCEP will connect China’s huge market to those of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – from Indonesia and Singapore to Vietnam – and will include important US allies such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. For the time being, India is not participating, but it might join later. The only regional player to be left out of the RCEP is America. The creation of a new, China-centered economic bloc illustrates the difference between reality and reality TV. When Trump arrived in the White House in January 2017, one of his first official acts was to withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an agreement negotiated by President Barack Obama that would have created something like the RCEP, only with America at the center and China left out. Witnessing this US act of self-harm, China’s leaders presumably couldn’t believe their luck, and Xi’s government has been working hard to exploit Trump’s generous gift ever since." Making Sense of Sky-High Stock Prices by Robert J. Shiller, Laurence Black, and Farouk Jivraj EXTRACT: "There has been much puzzlement that the world’s stock markets haven’t collapsed in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and especially in the United States, which has recently been setting record highs for new cases. But maybe it isn’t such a puzzle." EXTRACT: "To paraphrase Charles Dickens, this is the best of times and the worst of times. As financial markets celebrate the coming vaccine-led boom, the confluence of epidemiological and political aftershocks has pushed us back into a quagmire of heightened economic vulnerability. In Dickensian terms, to reach a “spring of hope,” we first must endure a “winter of despair.” " © Facts & Arts – All rights reserved.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line995
__label__wiki	0.654652	0.654652	Appellate Division Decides Case Of First Impression Regarding Joint Tenancy Issue In Trotta v. Ollivier, the Appellate Division, Second Department, decided an issue of first impression in any New York State appellate court, to wit, whether the estate of a joint tenant may sue a surviving joint tenant to recover one-half of payments made by the decedent for the purchase and upkeep of property. The court answered this question in the negative. The facts of the case, as alleged in the complaint, were not particularly remarkable. In 1992, the decedent, Susan Leone, and the defendant, Charles Ollivier, purchased real property as joint tenants with the right of survivorship. Thereafter, they lived together for a period of time as an unmarried couple. From her own funds, Leone allegedly paid $90,000 toward the purchase price, a construction loan, and other closing costs and expenses, and thereafter paid $102,000 for the mortgage, $20,000 for property insurance, $11,000 for repairs, $2,500 for utilities, and $1,000 for replacement appliances. In total, Leone allegedly expended $226,500 from her own funds in connection with the property. Allegedly, Ollivier did not contribute to the purchase and carrying charges of the property or, if he did, his contributions were not equal to those of Leone. At no time did either Leone or Ollivier seek a partition of the property. Leone died unexpectedly in 2008. Subsequent to her death, the plaintiff, the executor of Leone’s estate, made mortgage and other payments on the property totaling $7,500. The executor commenced an action against Ollivier in Supreme Court alleging unjust enrichment and seeking a judgment reimbursing the estate for one-half of the purchase price of the property and the carrying charges of the property, and full reimbursement of the $7,500 in carrying charges paid by the estate. The trial court granted Ollivier’s pre-answer motion to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a cause of action, holding that the estate’s reimbursement claim did not survive Leone’s death, and that RPAPL 1201 — discussed below — was inapplicable. The Appellate Division reversed, agreeing that the complaint failed to state a cause of action as to any of the expenses paid by Leone prior to her death, but holding that the estate stated an unjust enrichment claim against Ollivier for reimbursement of the $7,500 paid post-death. The court began its analysis by noting that Leone, while she was alive, could have sought to partition the property, effectively severing her joint tenancy with Ollivier, and in that regard could have sought an equitable adjustment of the interests she and Ollivier held in the property. She never did so. The court further noted that “Leone, during her lifetime, was free to manage her finances and spend her money as she saw fit, even if, with the benefit of hindsight, her decision to purchase the subject property and hold title with Ollivier as a joint tenant, and to continue to pay its ongoing expenses after Ollivier moved to another address, inured to the financial benefit of Ollivier.” Thus, according to the court, the estate had no claim for unjust enrichment for reimbursement of Leone’s pre-mortem expenditures. The court further rejected plaintiff’s argument that RPAPL 1201 provided the basis for a claim for reimbursement. That statute provides that “[a] joint tenant or a tenant in common of real property, or his executor or administrator, may maintain an action to recover his just proportion against his co-tenant who has received more than his own just proportion, or against his executor or administrator.” Despite a “paucity” of case law interpreting the statute, the court determined that RPAPL 1201 vests joint tenants and tenants in common, or their estates, with the right to recover monies “received” by a co-tenant that exceed his or her proportionate share; it does not extend the right of recovery to expenses “paid” by a tenant beyond his or her equitable share means. Accordingly, the court held that no claim existed against Ollivier with respect to pre-death payments made by Leone. The court reached a different determination with respect to the $7,500 the estate paid toward the property’s expenses after Leone’s death. When those payments were made, ownership of the property had already passed to Ollivier by operation of law. The estate, according to the court, had a valid claim for unjust enrichment in connection with those payments, as it would be “against equity and good conscience to permit Ollivier to retain the value of those payments.”	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line998
__label__cc	0.658203	0.341797	FireShepherds consortium Discover our team SOCIETÉ D’ELEVAGE DES PYRÉNÉES ORIENTALES The department of Pyrenees Orientales is very exposed to forest fire risk, due to the combination of several factors : its rugged terrain, reactive vegetation, its Mediterranean climate with strong winds and strong tourist traffic. On average, nearly 500ha are burned each year, with major fires: 1300ha in 2016, 6600ha in 1976. To prevent and organize the fight against fires in the department, a working group DFCI (Defense of the Forest Against the Fire) brings together administrations, communities, relief services, foresters, breeders and pastoral services. The Société d’Elevage des Pyrénées Orientales (SEPO), a departmental agricultural advisory body, is a member of this working group. It accompanies the farmers in the system of pastoral fuel cuts, in partnership with the Chambre d’Agriculture des PO. For more than 30 years, it has been advising breeders in their technical practices and administrative procedures. Thus, SEPO has followed nearly 220 agri-environmental contracts and treated by prescribed burning organized around 500 ha per year on sensitive areas of the department. The University of Girona is a public institution located in north-east of Catalonia (Spain), close of the French border, dealing with higher Education and research. The researchers involved in the project are members of the Department of Geography. The tasks in Firshepherds are focused in the analysis of the competences to improve the curricula and training of the future shepherds in a context of environmental change, with a special attention to the role of fire. The evaluation of competences is based in a questionnaire answered by experts in this topic from different European countries Consorci del Ter The Consorci del Ter (www.consorcidelter.cat) is a public organization constituted by 68 City Councils and 5 County Councils, that was created 20 years ago. It works in conservation projects for the improvement of the Ter river basin, in four areas; natural heritage (riparian forest habitats, threatened river fauna, land management through custody agreements, European nature conservation projects, etc.), cultural heritage (restoration of historic and cultural elements linked to water as mills, public laundries, bridges, springs, etc.), communication, education and environmental awareness (through the organization of public activities, talks in educative centers, exhibitions, etc.) and finally actions to revitalize the territory and promote sustainable tourism, especially through the “Ruta del Ter” (www.rutadelter.cat). AIDER Gran Canaria is a non-profit organization, of insular scope that works to involve the rural society of the island in the solution of common problems, through a development proyects designed and executed by agents and entities of the territory. In cooperation with the Cabildo, AIDER Gran Canaria, has launched the School of Livestock and Grazing on the island, with the clear will to bet on a generational change formed and updated to remedy the rapid aging that is suffering the livestock sector in our territory . On the other hand, the council is working “agreements” with the shepherds an shepherdess, for the environmental service they provide in the prevention of forest fires. An island map of improvement and expansion of pastures is being designed to create a diverse landscape, consisting of cultivated fields, pastures and different types of forests, to generate more obstacles to fire. This project, FireShepherds, Pastors of the 21st century, framed in the program for cooperation and innovation Erasmus Plus, will be an instrument to improve the basic skills and professionalism of the students of the School, acquiring skills and competences in relation to the management of their herds in a context of risk of forest fires and changes in the landscape which requires new forms of public and private cooperation. Landcare Landcare Germany (DVL) is the umbrella organization of at the moment 170 Landcare Associations (LCA) in Germany. These regional non-governmental associations link nature conservation groups with local farmers and local communities. The often opposing interest groups work together in LCAs voluntarily to care for the cultural landscape (e. g. dry grasslands) and traditional farming systems (e.g. pastoralism) which have created Germany´s landscape for centuries. The cultivation of land has led to diverse landscapes with mountain-meadows, poor soil pastures, hedgerows and orchards. By pooling interests and local forces LCAs implement integrated and sustainable land management practices in many rural areas in Germany to protect the adopted flora and fauna and to support local products as well as sustainable development. PROQUENOR PROQUENOR is an association formed by artisian cheesemakers from Gran Canaria Island. It was created with the aim of promoting Apellation of Origin “Queso flor de Guía, Queso de media flor de Guía y Queso de Guía”, as well as protecting the craft production of cheese. Fundao The Municipality of Fundão is a public body and the main administrative institution of the Fundão county with around 29.213 inhabitants (2011). The city of Fundão is in the Cova da Beira, a large area situated in a mountainous region of the central eastern Portugal and composed by multiple landscapes: geographical and historical, human and cultural, natural and architectural, a place of contrasts that translates a physical and spiritual valuable heritage. Cherries, peaches and cheese from our sheep herds raised in pastures, are a land mark of Fundão. In order to explore all this potential, the Municipality has been developing a strategy that consists in attracting more investment, creating the conditions for the implementation of business, strengthening the social cohesion, improving mobility with a greater commitment with his rural area, urban regeneration and tourism development. Rurbans - Escola de pastors Rurbans association is a non-for-profit organization working to enhance the extensive livestock farming and facilitating access to this activity to a new generation. To do that, Rurbans runs the Shepherds’ School of Catalonia training new entrance to make possible farm succession. This training course takes 6 month of theoretical classes and practices to prepare future shepherds with all the knowledge they will need to work in this field. However, one of the greatest threats that our students will face once they have finished their training is the difficulty to access to land. They will be forced to work on woodlands as nearly all other land is taken. So, our students need specific training to herd livestock for this kind of environment. The Firesheperds projects give perfect response to this need. Within the project Rurbans will be able to develop a training course providing a new generation of peasants, shepherds and farmers to achieve the needed knowledge to develop their activity in the forest. Moreover, being in a Mediterranean region, herding the undergrowth reduce drastically the risk of fire propagation. That means that introducing livestock in the woodlands accomplish a relevant ecosystem service. This service can be used by shepherds to add value to their product and so increase the viability of their projects. Escola Superior Agraria de Coimbra ESAC-IPC Coimbra College of Agriculture (Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, ESAC-IPC) was established in Coimbra in 1887 and is the most ancient agriculture school in Portugal. In 1985 was integrated into the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra (IPC). With facilities and equipment adjusted to modern times we offer Tech Specialization (level 5), Bachelor (level 6) and Master (level 7) programs on agriculture, biotechnology, environmental technology and management, food engineering and technology, forest sciences, and ecotourism. We offer students a stimulating, supportive and friendly community environment, and the practice of several sports, such as rugby, horse riding, tennis, football, and gymnastics. The campus of Coimbra College of Agriculture is a green area at the outskirts of Coimbra, where the students can find cultural experiences to complement their academic formation. Neo-Agri Neo-Agri is a french non profit organization, its main missions are: Restore the image of the agricultural profession and promote generational renewal Support, train and assist new-farmers, those that after a first life outside agriculture decide to become farmers implementing agroecological practices Facilitate networking and co-construction from field to plate Promote agro-ecology for an agricultural transition. We also conduct field studies in collaboration with farmers organizations and public bodies on agrarian generational renewal, young farmers needs to settle sustainable farming models and the development of sustainable practices and farming models. Pau Costa Foundation Pau Costa Foundation was founded in 2011 with the ambition to become an international platform on forest fire management, as well as an instrument to investigate, train and disseminate on fire ecology and wildland fire management.The creation of such Foundation was motivated by the need to establish a common platform, capitalizing the knowledge and experience gathered by specialists in fire ecology and management and sharing it with others at national and international level. Since then, Pau Costa Foundation has been working with and for the forestfire community to enlarge the knowledge-exchange platform; first starting in Spain, but rapidly growing and expanding to many countries around the world. Our present and future mission is to continue giving a voice to the fire community so their experience is imprinted in leading national and international projects. The community’s knowledge and experience should be used as a tool to help firefighters in their duty, but also to guide researchers and develop new technology. We aim to reach more local and regional forest fire communities that, due to their active fire history, have developed knowledge currently unknown in other countries. We commit to spread and disseminate their valuable knowledge and make sure it can be used and shared with others.We also aim to reach countries with little experience on fire ecology and management, that due to climate change are expected to face forest fires in the upcoming years, for example northern Europe countries.It is fundamental to contribute to societal education on forest fire ecology and management in order to develop more secure and resilient societies, we will continue spreading our children’s educational programs and fostering fire education in rural communities. We help the forest fire community to have a voice and take part of political decision-making, so the experience of many are taken into account on safety, forest management and fire management legislation. Fundación Cooprado This foundation has its origin in COOPRADO’s commitment to the social values of cooperativism such as mutual aid, responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity and aims to be an instrument to continue working for social integration, innovation and improvement of the image of the agricultural and livestock sector. From the beginning Cooprado Foundation has worked in two different lines of action , on the one hand to strengthen the COOPRADO Cooperative’s link with the partner / partner and his family and with it the promotion of cooperativism and its social action, and on the other, to improve the visibility of the agricultural sector, through innovation and research support projects that allow its strengthening and competitiveness. ANCOSE ANCOSE was founded in 1981 an nowadays it has arround 6000 associates, all of them owners of sheps or goats. The association gives technical support to almost 200 owners, including milk and cheese production. The association gives support and technical advices to ranchers regarding pastures management, animal production, animal genetics, veterinarians, etc. CFPPA Ariège-Comminges The CFPPA is a major player in agricultural and forestry training in the Ariège-Comminges region. It is a constituent center of the EPLEFPA (Local Public School for Education, Training and Agricultural Promotion) Ariège-Pyrénées in Pamiers. The activities are closely linked to the Pyrenees Massif. Indeed, its involvement in pastoralism, agriculture and forestry in mountain areas gives it an expert role in these three sectors, pillars of territorial economic development. Consorci de la Serra de Llaberia The Serra de Llaberia Consortium is a public entity created in 2004 and currently composed by 8 members (6 city councils, a decentralized municipal entity and the Catalan government), whose main objective is the preservation, revaluation and integral management of the Natural Area of the Serra de Llaberia, one of the best preserved mountain places in the Catalan Pre-coastal massif. It has had a strong economic impact on its municipalities. It has achieved maximum financial autonomy. It has created a network of public-private collaboration. Its model is an example of land management for many other territories. The management area of the Consortium continues to increase (it already reaches 60,000 hectares and, therefore, exceeds 10,350 hectares in length in the protected area of the EIN and the Natura 2000 Network). We are from Germany, France, Spain and Portugal	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line999
__label__wiki	0.875725	0.875725	Explore Learning named second-best big employer in the UK We’re over the moon to have been named the second Best Big Company To Work For by The Sunday Times, for the second year in a row! Last night (20th February) Explore Learning was announced as the second Best Big Company To Work For by The Sunday Times. We are thrilled with this latest award, after previously being recognised for six consecutive years as one of the best companies to work for in The Sunday Times 100 Best Mid Sized Companies to Work For List. But this year marks our second outing on the list of 25 Best Big Companies! Employees praised Explore Learning for supporting their personal growth and wellbeing. With a massive 93% of staff agreeing that ‘this job is good for my personal growth’, and a further 91% agreeing ‘I feel proud to work for this organisation’, reflecting the personal investment of staff in Explore Learning and its mission. Furthermore, 40% of Explore Learning’s senior managers are now female showing they are on course to achieve their aim of gender equality throughout their business. The provision of easy access to e-learning via the company intranet, podcasts and books were also commended. Bill Mills CEO and Founder of Explore Learning says: “It’s brilliant to be named the second best company in the UK to work for, for the second year in a row. It once again highlights what the dedication and hard work of those working at Explore can achieve. Not only are we delivering outstanding service to thousands of children across the country, we are supporting our employees and ensuring they are happy and thriving at work. To us, making sure our staff are happy is a priority as they represent the backbone of the company, and I can honestly say every member of staff deserves credit for this award.’’ Best Companies has been producing and publishing the ‘Best Companies to Work For’ lists since 2001 to measure and acknowledge excellence in workplace engagement. According to BC, each year hundreds of organisations from a wide range of industries use its employee survey to measure their employee engagement. The responses from these surveys are collated and combined to produce an overall engagement score for each organisation. Only the organisations with the highest level of overall employee engagement qualify for the 25 Best Big Companies to Work For list. Achieving this award for a second time continues a winning streak for Explore Learning, as last year it was also named the 20th Best Place to Work For by GlassDoor. Not only do our staff love working for Explore Learning, but we’ve recently been ‘Mumsnet Rated’ for the service we offer our members! Find out what the Mumsnet testers had to say… Q&A with Paperboyo In celebration of his new book launch Around the World in Cut-Outs we caught up with Rich McCor, now better known as ‘Paperboyo’. He has become an Instagram... Explore Learning arrives in Mere Green! We’re so excited that our new Mere Green centre opens its doors today! The team at Explore Learning Mere Green – Jasmine, Ellie and Paolo – welcomed...	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1007
__label__cc	0.514562	0.485438	TEAM TRAINING. LIFE CHANGING. << Back to the F45 Blog With F45 Training’s rapid and continued growth in established health and fitness markets like the U.S., there’s a real possibility of these territories becoming saturated and further growth getting tricky. Fortunately, the F45 model isn't under the pressure currently felt by big-box gyms and traditional fitness centers. By evolving our member experience and product, we will continue to lead the industry and tap into current fitness trends & opportunities that allow our business and franchisees to succeed. These established markets are only so big, though, and the growth of other fitness centers and gym franchises in the U.S. is starting to plateau. While a smart business will always look to adapt while it grows to counter market pressure, tapping into new audiences and territories becomes increasingly important the bigger a brand or company becomes. As a result of the U.S. market beginning to slow, more and more fitness businesses are seeking opportunities in markets overseas. The latest research on the fitness industry shows its global revenue sitting at $87.2 billion, with over 200,000 clubs and studios across the world. While these figures are anticipated to rise over the next few years, much of the growth is expected to come from emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as territories like Africa and the Middle-East. While Australia—our brand's birthplace—remains a top market for F45 Training, countries like China offer a massive opportunity as its people look to improve the quality of their lives and bolster their health and fitness. The Chinese gym and health club industry was pegged at $6 billion in 2017 and, with a growing economy and expanding middle class, this number is sure to increase dramatically over the next few years. Another big Asian opportunity is India, which has shown a recent rise of both health clubs and gym memberships. It’s another territory where a growing middle class and increased spending in urban areas has led to many international fitness franchises entering the market. Along with China, it's a prominent feature of F45’s plans for the future. The Asian market isn’t just limited to core targets like India and China, though—franchise brands also enjoying success in non-traditional markets like Russia. It's a country that's mad about combat sport, but the home of the kettlebell also has a deep love and respect for functional fitness. F45’s Moscow studio is sure to be the start of something amazing! The F45 Training system has launched and already found success in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as African countries like Kenya and Mauritius. This indicates that the F45 model won’t just thrive in established markets, but will deliver returns in areas that are new to the concept of fitness franchising—and group-high intensity training in particular. We couldn’t be more proud of the fact that our family now encompasses over 1,750 studios worldwide and changes lives in over 45 countries. While we will never lose sight of the markets that have contributed so much to our success, our continued growth means that we are able to bring life-changing team training to more people than ever before. Onwards and upwards! https://www.frandata.com/franalyst-friday-fitness-brands-target-asia-pacific/ https://www.franchising.com/articles/us_gym_and_health__fitness_franchises_target_asiapacific_markets.html Penetration in the global market allows F45 Training to continue to expand. 7 Ways to Destress: A Guide for Business Owners How Female Franchisees Can Turn Stats Into Strength Why the F45 Challenge Helps People Stay Accountable TEAM TRAINING. LIFE CHANGING. 2020 F45 Training OWN AN F45	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1008
__label__cc	0.733092	0.266908	Home Fertile Health Glee(ful) An activity that started as a way for me to spend time with my son became a valuable lesson on the care and appreciation of weight-diverse clients. First, a little background. My son is entering high school next year. He is sweet, thoughtful and funny. He is also painfully aware that he is smaller than most boys his age, which limits his involvement in some sports and over time, has eroded his self-confidence. Music has been his lifeline, he started playing guitar about three years ago, and has since become an accomplished musician. When choosing his electives for his freshman year, though, he felt conflicted about signing up for Musical Theater. Obviously, he loved music, but he wasn’t sure if any of his friends were joining, or if, by joining, he would be perceived as ‘uncool’. I had no idea what Musical Theater was like at the high school or how it was perceived by other students. Although I don’t advocate that any of my kids try to be ‘cool’, I didn’t want him to have to navigate a new school with the added layer of being part of a group that potentially made him more self-conscious. We decided that since it would be difficult for him to get first-hand experience, we could give him a ‘virtual tour’ of being part of a performance group by watching the TV series Glee. My son in his element I was hooked on Glee as soon as it aired in 2009. Not only were the performances amazing, but I empathized with the perfectly imperfect characters as they grappled with the normal challenges of being a teenager, such as their sexuality and concerns about popularity. I also looked forward to seeing how the talented writers would handle deeper issues such as discrimination, teen pregnancy and gender identity. I loved that they used the technique of internal monologue (where the character voices his or her thoughts) so that we are privy to their unfiltered internal processes as they encounter and navigate these challenges, providing evidence that our inner journey is not always reflected in our outward appearance or actions. Some characters, like some of my clients, consistently deal with other people’s aversion to anyone who looks different. One of the female leads, Mercedes, who is overweight, decides to join the cheerleading team. Not just any cheerleading team, but one that has won national championships. The training is rigorous and the cheerleaders are known for their perfect hair and bodies. It is led by an unabashedly rude, cynical and biased coach who holds weigh-ins and suggests drinks that cause gastric disturbances in order to lose weight. Mercedes soon becomes a target for her. She ridicules Mercedes for wearing pants instead of a skirt and Mercedes first defends herself, then falls prey to the seductive allure of being part of a popular group. She decides to try to quickly lose weight. She diets until she faints, and still manages to gain two pounds (a very common effect of food deprivation). She feels physically and emotionally terrible. At the weigh-in, she is shamed. Then, an unlikely ally, the snobby and popular former head cheerleader, visits her in the nurse’s office and reveals that she too struggled with her weight and the desire to be popular. She was kicked off the squad once the coach discovered that she is pregnant and, to her surprise, found solace in the Glee club. Once pregnant, she realized the importance of eating for nourishment, and she ate more food, but it was much healthier. Not only did she feel better, but she was proud of how she was caring for her baby. She told Mercedes that she regretted not giving her body the same care and attention that she now gives to her unborn baby. This resonated with Mercedes, and prompted her to sing a heartfelt rendition of Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful during a school pep rally as both a symbol of self-acceptance and a refusal to suffer in order to look a certain way. “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.” By re-watching Glee, I came to recognize the parallels between the characters and my clients who struggle with weight. Here are 5 ways that some of these ‘Glee Principles’ have the potential to translate into improved patient care: We all, no matter what age, struggle to find acceptable outlets for strong emotions and/or stress. Anger, pain and shame don’t go away just because we get older. They get stored in the body, causing anxiety or depression or they get expressed without control, maybe leading to aggression or self-harm. We can make a choice to numb ourselves by using the usual, destructive coping mechanisms (smoking, drugs and alcohol) or we can find an appropriate outlet for them by incorporating empowering tools, such as journaling, talking to a trusted friend or teacher and, for the Glee kids, singing. We need to remind our clients that we all have something inside of us that we can connect to in times of stress. The Glee Club kids use singing. Obviously, not all of us can sing, but there are other internal strategies that work well, such as breathwork. Identifying and cultivating their intrinsic coping mechanisms can provide strength and balance during a journey when they may feel short in both. In healthcare settings, we treat people of all shapes and sizes, socioeconomic levels, and at different places on their personal health journeys. Like many adults, teenagers also use food as a coping mechanism. We need to care for our clients as they are now and encourage them to love themselves as is. It is not helpful to wait until something happens to be our best self. We should encourage them to treat themselves with self-compassion and kindness now, not just once they are pregnant or once they lose the weight. Learning to love their ‘now’, instead of waiting until we reach a certain goal (that might never be met) is both freeing and empowering. A close, caring community can be a potent anti-depressent. There is a ton of research supporting the benefits of belonging to a group. One of the reasons that alcoholics anonymous works for many is that the meetings provide a sense of community and the accountability needed when making a big change. It’s incredibly validating to be with people who allow you to be yourself without reservation. Assist your weight-diverse patients in finding a reputable group, maybe a monitored social media site or, better yet, create an in-person or online group for them. Channel Mercedes. Support your patients in not compromising their values for fear of repercussions. If they don’t know their core values, there are many websites to help identify them. Once identified, remind them to make sure that everything they do, every action they take, is aligned with these values. Unequivocally, many of our patients face challenges, some feel more surmountable than others. As health care providers, we can embody the strength that they need to support them on their journeys and help them identify empowering coping strategies. Weight-diverse patients are often criticized and disparaged for their appearance and, by not defending them, we are being inadvertently complicit in encouraging weight bias and discriminating against someone based on their coping mechanism. &nbspFebruary 4, 2020	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1009
__label__wiki	0.925042	0.925042	Hamptons Int’l Film Fest Announces Golden Starfish Awards The 14th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival presented its Golden Starfish Awards at a ceremony held at Guild Hall in East Hampton, NY on Saturday, October 21, 2006. The 2006 HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL celebrated its 14th annual celebration of premieres & screenings; programs & events; talent & industry. The natural beauty of the Hamptons, combined with its legendary glamour, make for the perfect setting to display and debut some of the finest international films in the world. This year’s festival ran October 18th through 22nd, 2006, in East Hampton, New York with additional venues in Southampton, Sag Harbor and Montauk. The Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to celebrate independent film and to introduce a unique and varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to our audiences. The festival is committed to exhibiting films that express fresh voices and differing global perspectives, with the hope that these programs will enlighten audiences, provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers and present inspired entertainment for all. The heart of the Hamptons International Film Festival has always been its Golden Starfish Award and the films in the competitions (representing 12 countries) for Best Narrative Feature (over $185,000 in goods and in-kind services), Best Documentary Award ($10,000 in cash and in-kind services) and Short Film Award ($5,000 in cash). The Hamptons International Film Festival also awards the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film Prize in Science and Technology ($25,000 in cash); the Kodak Award for Cinematography ($6,000 of goods and in-kind services); the Brizzolara Family Award for Films of Conflict and Resolution ($5,000 in cash); the Zicherman Family Foundation Award for Screenwriting ($5,000 in cash); Best Undergraduate and Graduate Student Films (eight $1,000 cash awards). The Festival also presents Audience Awards in Best Narrative Feature Film, Best Documentary Feature Film and Best Short Film to be announced at the closing ceremonies on Sunday. On hand to present the awards were the Fest’s Executive Director Denise Kasell, Board Chairman Stuart Match Suna, Programmer Rajendra Roy, and Emcee Bob Balaban. The Golden Starfish Narrative Category introduced by the Golden Starfish Narrative Jury. The Golden Starfish Best Feature, presented by Rising Star Carmen Chaplin from Day On Fire, and carrying an awards package of over $185,000 of in-kind production services, THE BOTHERSOME MAN (Norway, US Premiere), Directed by Jens Lien. The award was accepted by Producer Jørgen Storm Rosenberg. Honorable Mention goes to VANAJA (India, US Premiere), Directed by Rajnesh Domalapalli. The Kodak Award For Best Cinematography, presented by Anne Hubbell, Accounts Manager for Independent Films, and worth $6,000 in kind services and product, to John Christian Rosenlund for his Cinematography on THE BOTHERSOME MAN. The Zicherman Family Foundation Award For Best Screenwriter, presented by Rising Star Matt Davis from Mentor, and carrying a $5000 cash prize was awarded to Claudia Schreiber and Ruth Thoma for EMMA’S BLISS (Germany, North American Premiere – Based on the novel by Claudia Schreiber). Golden Starfish Narrative Competition jurors include: Troy Craig Poon, MTV Films; Andrij Parekh, Cinematographer, The Treatment, Half Nelson; John Kochman, Executive Director – Unifrance USA. Golden Starfish Documentary Feature Film Award, presented by Rising Star Dagmara Dominczyk, seen in Mentor and Mido Hamada seen in The Situation, and carrying a cash prize of $5,000 and $5,000 in-kind goods and services was awarded to VOYAGE IN G MAJOR (France, US Premiere), Directed by Georgi Lazarevski. Golden Starfish Documentary Competition jurors include: Karen Arikian, Co-Director, European Film Market; Nancy Buirski, Director, Full Frame Documentary Festival; Director Macky Alston. The Golden Starfish Short Film Award with a prize of $5,000 cash was presented by Rising Star Noah Fleiss from Day on Fire to PATTERNS 3 (Canada, US Premiere), Directed by Jamie Travis. Honorable Mention was given to MAN UP (USA, World Premiere), Directed by Arturo Cabanas. For the 7th consecutive year, the $25,000 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film Prize in Science and Technology for a feature-length film that explores science and technology themes in fresh, innovative ways and depicts scientists and engineers in a realistic and compelling fashion, was presented to Darren Aronofsky’s THE FOUNTAIN (USA, US Premiere). The Award was presented by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Doron Weber. The Brizzolara Family Award for Films of Conflict and Resolution, presented by Kim Brizzolara, and programmer Sarah Hanssen, and carries a $5,000 cash prize, to INHERITANCE (USA), Directed by James Moll. Honorable Mention to 1:1 (Denmark), Directed by Annette K. Oleson. Conflict & Resolution Competition jurors include: Oscar® and Tony Award Winning Actress Mercedes Reuhl (Lost in Yonkers, The Fisher King) internationally acclaimed director Raoul Peck; Film Festival Director, Nicole Guillemet. The Golden Starfish Career Achievement in Acting Award to Ellen Burstyn. The award was presented to Ms. Burstyn by Hamptons Artistic Director Rajendra Roy at an event and conversation honoring her as one of this country’s great actors. She was in town with her latest collaboration with director Darren Aronofsky, THE FOUNTAIN, the recipient of the Alfred P. Sloan Award. Ms. Burstyn, along with our ‘Conversation With…” guest Robert Altman, served as mentors for the Rising Stars Program. Conceived as a means of celebrating the key role actors play in the making of independent films, Rising Stars program has grown into a dynamic, enriched program. It feeds on the tremendous, expanding energy of the Hamptons festival both domestically and internationally to provide a platform for extraordinary acting talent. For 2006, we continued to expand the program to include more informal, intimate gatherings in which Rising Star participants met and shared creative ideas in a personal setting with the directors, producers, writers, veteran actors, and prominent industry executives who attended the at the Festival. Another acting Career Achievement honor was presented to Famke Janssen. Artistic Director, Rajendra Roy, presented the honor to Ms. Janssen at a screening of the Spotlight film, THE TREATMENT, directed by Oren Rudavsky, also starring Chris Eigeman and Harris Yulin who were in attendance to help cheer her on! Undergraduate and Graduate Student Film/Video Awards, presented by program coordinator Jeremiah Newton is a juried competition where eight young filmmakers receive $1,000 cash. This year’s winner’s include: THE GRADUATE STUDENT WINNERS ARE: DAVY & STU – Soman Chainani, Director / Columbia University, New York; KIBERA KID – Nathan Collett, Director / University of Southern California, LA PRIMAVERA – Ruben Obregon, Director / University of California-Los Angeles, PRACTICE – Hue Rhodes, Director / New York University, New York. THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT WINNERS ARE: COVEN – Arden Wohl, Director / New York University, New York, SMILE – Chris Mais, Director / Chapman University, Orange California, THE EMPTY DAY – Alexandra Verville, Director / Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, THE HUNGRY HEART – Tom Shoval, Director / Sam Spiegel Film & Television School. The Golden Starfish Award for Best Young Videomaker, presented by Youth Media Program Director Maria Marewski and Emily Bennison, and carries a cash prize of $500, was awarded to 16 year-old Kiri Davis for the film A GIRL LIKE ME. The 2006 Hamptons Film Festival’s Audience Award were presented by Fest’s Executive Director Denise Kasell, Board Chairman Stuart Match Suna and Artistic Director Rajendra Roy at the Closing Night event at Bamboo on Sunday, October 22, 2006. The Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature was a tie between Sven Taddicken’s EMMA’S BLISS (Germany, North American Premiere); Niels Arden Oplev’s WE SHALL OVERCOME (Denmark, US Premiere). The Audience Award for Best Documentary was presented to filmmaker James Moll’s INHERITANCE (USA). The Audience Award for Best Short Film was presented to Director Lee Greenberg’s LAST CHANCE (USA, World Premiere). Presenting Sponsors: American Airlines and Altour International. Host Sponsors: Time Warner Cable Media Sales. Patron Sponsors: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, New Line Cinema, Post Factory, Regal Entertainment Group; Silvercup Studios, Newsday, Fox 5, Volkswagen, 91 East Productions. The 14th Hamptons International Film Festival ran from Wednesday, October 18 through Sunday, October 23, 2006. Over 115 Narrative Features, Documentaries and Shorts were presented. Special Events included the “Industry Toast” to Producer Ted Hope, Acting Achievement Awards to Ellen Burstyn and Famke Janssen, the Rising Stars Program, ‘A Conversation With…’ Robert Altman, moderated by Rolling Stone critic Peter Travers, and the successful Southampton expansion. A few of the guests who joined in the festivities included Robert Altman, Darren Aronofsky, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Burstyn, Tom Cavanaugh, Carmen Chaplin, Damon Dash, Chris Eigeman, Heather Graham, Philip Haas, Mido Hamada, Marcia Gay Harden, Don Hewitt, Ted Hope, Famke Janssen, Ron Livingston, Bridget Moynahan, Connie Nielsen, Joey Pantoliano, Rosie Perez, Raoul Peck, Rachel Roy, Mercedes Ruehl, James Schamus, Roy Scheider, Molly Shannon, Todd Solandz, John Waters, Bruce Weber more on film festivals News posted October 23, 2006 by René Carson	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1010
__label__wiki	0.963842	0.963842	Obama Administration Is Quietly Delaying Thousands of Deportation Cases By CAITLIN DICKERSON The Obama administration is delaying deportation proceedings for recent immigrants in cities across the United States, allowing more than 56,000 of those who fled Central America since 2014 to remain in the country legally for several more years. The shift, described in interviews with immigration lawyers, federal officials, and current and former judges, has been occurring without public attention for months. It amounts to an unannounced departure from the administration’s widely publicized pronouncements that cases tied to the so-called surge of 2014 would be rushed through the immigration courts in an effort to deter more Central Americans from entering the United States illegally. The delayed cases are those of nearly half of the Central Americans who entered the United States as families since 2014, and close to a quarter of the total number of Central Americans who entered during that period, according to figures from the Justice Department. The delays are being made as a cost-saving measure, federal officials said, because of a lapse in enforcement that allowed immigrants who were supposed to be enrolled in an electronic monitoring program to go free. Some of those affected had failed to report to government offices to be fitted with GPS ankle bracelets, according to a February memo from the chief immigration judge, Print Maggard, in Arlington, Va. Now that the government will not have to pay the daily fee of $4 to $8 a person to monitor such bracelets, the immigrants’ cases have been pushed back for years, some until 2023, judges and federal officials said. The cases of those who met their reporting obligations are still being expedited, with some cases moving faster than lawyers and judges had expected. “The whole thing is docket chaos,” said Paul Schmidt, who retired in June after a 30-year career working for federal immigration agencies, the last 13 years as an immigration judge. It was not clear whether the immigrants’ failure to report was intentional or the result of unclear instructions. Deportations are carried out by two government agencies: the Department of Homeland Security, which arrests people charged with violating immigration laws, and the Executive Office for Immigration Review, a branch of the Justice Department that adjudicates deportations. It is common, lawyers and judges said, for immigrants who do not realize that the two agencies are distinct to betray their obligations out of confusion. The Department of Homeland Security began using GPS ankle monitors in 2015 after determining that many recent immigrants were not appearing in court as required, said Sarah Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Officials at the agency acknowledged that immigrants whose cases were being delayed might also fail to appear. Along with the cases being postponed, other cases are being catapulted forward, sometimes by years, onto the dockets of judges who were recently hired to address the immigration system’s backlog of cases, which has reached record levels. Yet even this attempt to speed things along, lawyers say, could lead to more delays. “In all of these cases, I’m going to go into the court date and say, ‘I was not given any chance to say whether or not I was available, so you have to adjourn this,’” said Bryan S. Johnson, a private immigration lawyer in New York. Many immigrants whose cases will now move faster and who would have sought pro bono counsel may also have to go to court unrepresented. “We can’t take on someone else who is on a waiting list because someone we thought was going to be completed is now still our case for four years,” said Eleni Wolfe-Roubatis, the immigration program director at the Centro Legal de la Raza in Oakland, Calif., a legal services agency for immigrants. She said dozens of her cases had been pushed to as late as 2020. The immigrants affected by the delay are primarily families who entered the United States illegally since 2014, when record numbers of Central American migrants crossed the southern border, many seeking asylum status because of gang violence and lawlessness in their home countries. Deportation proceedings for unaccompanied minors who entered the United States during that time are still being expedited. But despite these deterrent efforts, the number of Central American families that will come into the country illegally this year is expected to exceed that of 2014, according to data from the Department of Homeland Security.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1011
__label__wiki	0.935253	0.935253	Home Breaking News People to thank for Ottawa’s success in the fight against COVID-19: health... People to thank for Ottawa’s success in the fight against COVID-19: health worker OTTAWA – As the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to rise across Canada, the infection rate in Ottawa has been going the other way for weeks, putting the city on track to flatten out again the pandemic curve. OTTAWA – As the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to rise across Canada, the infection rate in Ottawa has been going the other way for weeks, putting the city on track to flatten again the pandemic curve.The city’s chief medical officer, Dr Vera Etches, said much of the credit goes to the people who live here, who wear masks – in some cases, such as on public transport, forced to do so earlier than others across Canada – and stay home. There was a point in early October when Ottawa, despite its initial success in flattening the curve in the spring, experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases that saw the city double the number of cases seen in Toronto and across Peel region at that time. Today, the number of new cases is again much lower than in these regions. On Friday, there were 55 new cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa, which is a larger daily jump from the start of the week, but still puts the city at 5.89 new cases per 100,000 population. Toronto, meanwhile, reported 18.08 new cases per 100,000 people on Friday and in the region of Peel, 37.42 new cases per 100,000 people. “It’s really thanks to the people of Ottawa, and thanks to the employers and others who are doing their part to make this possible,” Etches said at a press conference this week, adding that people have moved away from the others wore masks and stayed at home. when they were sick. “These are the things that can really bring COVID down in a community. ” Etches said Ottawa Public Health emphasized the importance of wearing masks at the start of the pandemic and that in June the city became the first in Canada to make them mandatory on public transportation. “Building a new behavior, a new culture where you always have a mask with you when you go out, which is in place a little longer, that could have helped,” she said. Meanwhile, employers in Ottawa, a city of just over a million people, have made it possible for people to follow the advice of public health officials by allowing them to work from home and stay home. home when they were sick, more than in other cities, she said. Twenty-four percent of workers in Ottawa hold jobs in public administration, according to Ottawa Employment Hub, the local workplace planning council. Some 120,000 people in the National Capital Region, which includes the neighboring city of Gatineau, Quebec, work for the federal government, which has allowed most of its employees to work from home since March. “The federal government is leading by example,” said Lavagnon Ika, professor of project management at the University of Ottawa. He said government managers and directors were often reluctant to allow people to work remotely before the pandemic, but that has changed. “Thanks to COVID-19, people have learned (how) to make it work,” he said Ika said information technology companies in Ottawa also allow their employees to work remotely because they already have the technology to do so and their employees are trained to use it. “If you don’t have a centralized information system for all your teams, it is not possible to work remotely,” he said. “I’m talking about video conferencing tools and artificial intelligence support tools. ” He said some of the high-tech companies in Ottawa had remote employees and customers from all over the world before COVID-19, listing local e-commerce giant Shopify as one of them. “They have a great need for remote work due to the geographic distribution of some of their team members and clients,” Ika said. Eastern Ontario’s well-integrated health care system has also helped respond effectively to the pandemic, said Dr. Robert Cushman, Acting Medical Director of Health for Renfrew County and District Health Unit. near Ottawa. “What you saw in Ottawa, for example, is that there is a very close work between the hospitals, the public health unit and the city, and it extends to the peripheral areas,” he said. said Cushman, who was Ottawa’s chief medical officer. 1996 to 2005. “We have been working together on this topic from the start,” he said. “There is a lot of cohesion. ” The fact that all of the hospital’s labs are working together through a regional association when it comes to testing for COVID-19 is another factor, Cushman said, as effective testing is key to aggressive and in-depth tracing of how the new coronavirus is spread through contact. “Is your lab’s turnaround time short enough that you can really catch up and even get ahead? He said, adding that it was difficult to do this across Canada and even in the rest of Ontario. “If you wait six days for a test, I mean this virus can go into a second (or) third generation. ” There were a lot of stories about the long lines at COVID-19 testing sites in Ottawa in September when the kids returned to school, but that also improved, not least thanks to the ability to take appointments for online testing. Cushman said he also believes people in Ottawa tend to trust the public health unit and medical professionals, leading more people to follow their guidelines. “There is a community spirit here to do the right thing,” he says. But Etches warned Ottawa residents not to relax too much as cases of COVID-19 in the city declined. She was speaking on Tuesday, when Ottawa reported 19 new cases. As of Friday, 55 new cases of COVID-19 were reported. “We think we’re on the right track, but it’s very fragile,” said Etches, who tells families to celebrate Christmas and other seasonal holidays with only people in their immediate homes to avoid possible outbreaks. of COVID-19. “Ottawa Public Health recorded the highest rate of COVID in early October and we can go back. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on November 28, 2020 This article was produced with financial assistance from the Facebook Stock Exchange and The Canadian Press. Ottawas Previous articlePrince Philip’s ‘brutal attitude’ to row of royal names ‘had the Queen in tears’ – expert \| Royal \| News Next articleGeorge Springer at the Blue Jays is there a possibility? Giuliani Associate Tells Former CIA Officer Trump Pardon “Will Cost $ 2 Million” – Report \| Rudy Giuliani Extension of the opening hours of the COVID-19 assessment center \|... Katy Perry just posted a sincere farewell to her cat, Kitty... Stocks leap on progress of coronavirus vaccine, $ 1T stimulus package... Air France is moving towards fully electric ramp equipment – Business... Jose Mourinho said by Spurs president Daniel Levy he will NOT... Robinhood, TD Ameritrade See Apple Outages, Tesla Separates This non-OPEC producer increased production before a historic agreement Edward Enninful: Vogue’s focus on activism is obvious	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1012
__label__wiki	0.889164	0.889164	2018 Election Roundup with article links to each race Barton County 2018 unofficial election results Democrat Kelly defeats Kobach in governor’s race Governor likes what he sees in Great Bend Colyer confident about pending election Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer signs the signature wall at Perks Coffee Shop Wednesday afternoon while on a brief visit to Great Bend. - photo by DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer took a look at Great Bend Wednesday afternoon during a quick visit that included a brief tour and conversations with governmental and business leaders. “It’s fun to be here,” Colyer said. He landed here after two stops out west and on his way to Kansas City. Organized through the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce as a chance to familiarize him with the community, the stop also had a campaign feel to it. A Republican, Colyer is seeking election to his first full term in Cedar Crest this fall. Great Bend visit During his stop, Colyer joined the local leaders on a walking tour of downtown. They stopped in several businesses and talked about the unique challenges facing this community, as well as all of western Kansas. Afterwards, they sat down at the Chamber office to review what they’d seen. “What can we do to help you move forward?” he asked. Colyer noted he felt a positive energy in Great Bend. The answer given was for him to promote Great Bend’s message that it wants to grow. “I want to capitalize on your energy,” he said. “I want to tell your story.” Key to this vibe is the recent federal approval of two opportunity zones that cover most of northeast Great Bend, Chamber Director Jan Peters said. These include the business district. Briefly, an opportunity zone is an economically challenged area defined by the U.S. Department of Treasury using census numbers, and there are 74 such zones in Kansas. Investors pay no federal capital gains tax for 10 years on renovations and new construction within the region. “This is a big thing for us,” Peters said. “This is a great program.” The city submitted five areas for consideration and received word 30 days ago of the two approvals. “I am excited about how you are approaching this,” Colyer said. “You guys are really stepping up to the plate.” There was also talk of the newly formed state Transportation Task Force, which includes Great Bend businessman Kip Spray and 109th District state Rep. Troy Waymaster, who covers much of northern Barton County. The hope is it will keep funding for the Kansas Department of Transportation. Other topics included: Education, from elementary through college and certificate programs; improving the Department of Commerce to bolster economic development; reducing out-migration of youth; and fostering public/private partnerships. “For me, I’m just doing my job,” Colyer said about the election. “Let them say what they want to say.” He said he leads in the polls and in fundraising, and is “out to win.” “There are challenges,” he said. “There will be tough choices.” In the Aug. 7 GOP primary, Colyer squares off against strong co-front-runner Secretary of State Kris Kobach, former state senator Jim Barnett and Kansas Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer. The winner would challenge the Democratic primary victor from a field including Arden Andersen, Jack Bergeson, former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer, state Sen. Laura Kelly, Robert Klingenberg, former Kansas Ag Secretary Joshua Svaty and Michael Tabman. The general election is Nov. 6. Colyer, an Overland Park plastic surgeon, was elected as lieutenant governor on Nov. 2, 2010, with Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. He became governor in 2018 when Brownback was appointed the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom by President Donald Trump. Colyer tapped Salina commercial real estate broker Tracey Mann as his lieutenant governor. Mann ran for Kansas’s 1st Congressional District in 2010, losing to Tim Huelskamp in the Republican primary. Colyer was born in Overland Park and raised in Hays. He graduated from Thomas More Prep in Hays and moved to Washington, D.C., in 1978 to attend Georgetown University. He went on to medical school at the University of Kansas and graduated in 1986 and became a surgical resident. Colyer volunteered as a specialist of pediatric plastic surgery with the International Medical Corps. Now, he has a plastic surgery practice in Overland Park. Prior to being Brownback’s running mate, Colyer served as a Kansas state senator from 2009 to 2011.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1017
__label__wiki	0.806147	0.806147	Goethe National Museum Goethe National Museum Weimar Visit Goethe's former residence and the museum dedicated to the author for a look at two of the most significant testimonies to Classical Weimar and prepare to be amazed by the wealth of precious original relics here. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lived in the Baroque-style house on Frauenplan for just shy of 50 years, having had it renovated and redesigned to suit his own taste. A visit to the house now reflects what it would have been like during the final years of Goethe's life. The Goethe National Museum is located in the same building complex. The exhibition "Flood of Life – Storm of Deeds" presents Goethe as a witness to the dawn of modernism around 1800 and offers insight into his fascinating life. Eleven rooms illustrate the many sides to Goethe, reaching far beyond his literary achievements – from his political role as a statesman and his talent for drawing through to his botanical expertise. Goethe's descendants transferred ownership of Goethe's historical home and the art and science collections he left behind to the Goethe National Museum, which was founded in 1885. As a result, the magnificent exhibition has a unique wealth of precious original relics to draw on. Opening times: November to March: Tuesday to Sunday 9 am–6 pm, April to October: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30 am–6 pm www.klassik-stiftung.de Palaces, parks and plenty of sunshine: Aschaffenburg Bonn: a new lease of life for Germany's former capital Darmstadt: a city of poets, thinkers and space explorers A new home with the Margrave: Erlangen The Ruhrgebiet: from industrial region to cultural melting pot Ingolstadt: atmospheric and full of life Karlsruhe: a forward-thinking, cultured city	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1025
__label__cc	0.637677	0.362323	Michigan AG Launches Robocall-Reporting Campaign Unsolicited robocalls in the state are being met with new opposition from a special team dedicated to stopping the practice. Officials are urging residents to report the calls so they can be investigated and prosecuted. by Emily Lawler, MLive.com / January 2, 2020 (TNS) — The phones of nearly every Michigander are inundated with robocalls with dubious offers to deal with student loan debt, handle a non-existent problem with the IRS or extend a vehicle warranty. Now, you could help stop the calls by filing a complaint with the Michigan Attorney General’s office. "The message we want to send loud and clear is if you are engaged in this kind of illegal activity, we are going to come after you. And we are going to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said at a press conference unveiling a new Robocall Crackdown Team recently. MLive sat down with Wisam Naoum, an assistant attorney general in the AG’s Corporate Oversight Division and a member of the new Robocall Crackdown Team, to learn more about what the team hopes to learn from your robocalls. West Virginia May Strengthen Efforts to Stop RobocallsMinnesota Lawmakers Work to Stem Unlawful RobocallsCan Disdain for Robocalls Unite a Polarized Country? “This is such a difficult and pervasive problem that for years federal enforcers, state enforces have struggled to deal with it as the scope of the problem has increased rather dramatically. We’re now just starting to develop these capabilities to fight back,” Naoum said. There are legal robocalls, including from companies whose lists you’ve signed up for, your pharmacy reminding you a prescription is ready or requesting money for a charitable organization or political party. And then there are the illegal ones, which include those trying to sell you something over $25; people calling even if you’re on the national Do Not Call Registry; calls where the caller doesn’t provide their full name, who they are calling for and a phone number that will be answered by a live operator; and calls that use “spoofing” to impersonate a misleading number or inaccurate caller ID. It’s those illegal ones the state wants to hear about. Naoum answered questions about how to report those calls to help with the crackdown. Q: How can everyday Michiganders help the Robocall Crackdown Team? A: Reporting all the information that you’re getting from these calls. What we tried to do when we set up this complaint form was to make it as easy for the complainee, while at the same time making it easy for the investigators and the attorneys working on these potential cases to actually do something with that information if it’s a good lead. And it all depends right? You want the public to be able to fill in as much as they can, from not just you know the number they received the call, but what was the scam about, what were they trying to do, did you lose any money, who’s your service provider? All these things give us little tidbits that allow the investigator to further the case along just a little bit further or it gives us good data points for our data tracking for us to spot like a trend. ...it allows us to do a lot, but really we need the public to not only just fill out the basics, but to really fill out as much as they can. Q: Where do people report robocalls? A: It’s at mi.gov/robocalls. Q: What kind of information is helpful to know when members of the public want to report these robocalls? In general, Naoum said, good information to have includes: - your phone number - the number that called you - the exact time that they called you - what the scam was about - any information you could glean from them Q: Should people pick up the phone to get that information? A: We advise not. But if they’re in a scenario where they do, we’ll take the information. What we advise is, quite frankly if you don’t recognize the phone number don’t answer. Let it go to voicemail if it’s important they’ll leave you a voicemail and you can call back. You shouldn’t be answering these phone calls, you should not press one when prompted. you should just hang up. There’s usually a one- or two-second delay in these phone calls, and that’s due to sort of the auto-dialer technology. And right away you should know that you should hang up once you hear that pause. And then if it’s an automated call just right away hang up. Q: Should people report every time they get a robocall? ... If you get calls every day about your student loan debt you don’t have, do you report that once or do you report it every day? A: The best practice I would say is if they’re diligent have the time, is to report it as often as they can, as often as they get it. But we understand that it’s a time-consuming process and that you’re probably inundated with robocalls. But again, the first priority is protecting yourself. The second priority is getting that information that you can get to us. So I think if they follow sort of the guides that we’ve given, they’ll be better protected. But then, to the extent that they’re still inundated and they’re still getting them, absolutely report them to us. Q: What about voicemails, are those helpful? A: Any recording is actually helpful so on the complaint form we sort of instruct folks to, if they do have a recording to send that over to us via email. And on the robocall complaint form there is an email address and instructions on how to do that. And again from an enforcement perspective, right, you’re just giving us more tools to win a case, essentially, and a recording goes a long way. Q: What kinds of calls should people not report? A: Anything that is essentially flagged as legal on the website, you don’t need to report those. ... let’s say you are online, and you’re looking for a mortgage or something like that. Certain companies will have when you fill in information for like you want to estimate or a quote, given the language and what you’re signing up for... you’re likely going to give them express consent to contact you. So, If you’ve done something like that if you’ve given a company express consent to do that, don’t report that. If you’re an existing customer of a company and they robocall you don’t report that. If it’s a political call don’t report that. If it’s someone soliciting for a legal charity that’s not fraudulent in any way that’s usually going to be legal. So there’s certain things that are legal that we don’t really need reports on and those will be listed on the website. Q: I heard from one person who said they get between 12 and 20 robocalls per day. Is there anything people can do to make themselves less likely to get robocalls? A: Yes, not answering them, number one. And then we have a lot of materials on the website under the 'protect yourself’ banner. Q: How many complaints does the AG get about robocalls currently, before this enforcement push? A: This is the number one complaint we receive in this office and that’s why you’ve seen the AG act aggressively on this issue it is far and away the number one complaint we get. Q: How long do you think it will take before Michiganders see a noticeable decrease in robocalls because of this effort? A: So, this is going to take some time. This is not announcing this was not you know this the silver bullet and robocallers are going to look at it and stop calling into Michigan. This is a wide-ranging initiative that draws on partnerships with federal agencies and we’re working with them to develop a lot of protocols... We’re working with the carriers to see what works best for them and what we can do from the legal side of things to help them. And likewise, they’re talking to us to see what the best ways to help us on enforcement are. So, for instance, trace-back. We’ve been developing the ability to trace back robocalls to the ultimate caller, whereas previously we weren’t able to do that. That relies on a partnership between law enforcement and the carriers for instance. So you’re going to see a lot of action from different players, whether it’s industry, state government, federal government that are working on this. So, all the things that we’re implementing we’re implementing together. And hopefully, we’re going to start to see some benefits from this soon. But we’re not again, we’re not sure. These people are that are making these calls are dynamic, they’re sophisticated, they’re clever. And so, so far they’ve been a step or two ahead but now we’re closing the gap. We’ll see how they respond. Q: One of our commenters saw the initial story about the Robocalls crackdown effort and quipped “next time she is going to ensure everyone receives a pet unicorn.” What do you say to people who have no hope that robocalls can be stopped? A: Again, this is something that is not a silver bullet, we’re not going to stop every robocall from anyone ever. If you’re thinking of it in that sense, that’s probably the incorrect way to do it. And we’re also a government agency that is resource-limited in the sense of how much the legislature gives us, and we do with that what we can. ... one of the partnerships we’re developing is with the public. And so, if they’re better protecting themselves, that makes our lives a little bit easier. If they’re also reporting these vigilantly it makes our lives a lot easier, because we’re able to track data trends, see exactly what’s happening, and so on so forth. So I mean we’re hoping to eventually get to the point where we can stop a robocall campaign in their tracks, for instance, which we haven’t had the capability to do in the past. ©2020 MLive.com, Walker, Mich. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. West Virginia May Strengthen Efforts to Stop Robocalls Minnesota Lawmakers Work to Stem Unlawful Robocalls Can Disdain for Robocalls Unite a Polarized Country? MORE FROM Justice and Public Safety	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1026
__label__wiki	0.805559	0.805559	A self-quarantine seems brutal when you're not sick with coronavirus – but it really is for the greater good Doug StanglinUSA TODAY Why do experts think that quarantines and canceled events are a good idea for getting control of the spread of the coronavirus, especially when it involves people who are not sick? It's all in the numbers and how quickly they grow. Health officials are trying to avoid a rapid spike of cases that could overwhelm the health care system by "flattening the curve," or spreading out the number of coronavirus cases over a longer period. In many respects, it's not whether the situation is going to get worse, but how quickly. “Whenever you have an outbreak that you can start seeing community spread ... when you have enough of that, then it becomes a situation where you’re not going to be able to effectively and efficiently contain it,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told a House committee Wednesday. "Bottom line, it's going to get worse," he said. Get COVID-19 updates daily in your inbox: Sign up for Coronavirus Watch How much worse, he said, depends on the ability to contain those infected. That's where the curve comes in – a visual measure of the two ways efforts to contain the virus could unfold. If it happens too quickly, there will not be enough hospital beds or ventilators for treating all patients. More people will die. In a graph, the difference is visually stunning. In the worst case scenario, the daily number of cases jump dramatically, rapidly forming a tall peak that breaks through the critical line marking the capacity of the health care system. The reality is stark: Too many cases too soon and they overwhelm the hospitals. By spreading the cases over a longer period, the numbers grow, but more slowly, forming not a mountain but a stubbier, longer sand dune. The cases grow and peak, but stay below the health care system capacity line. The system can absorb them. By "flattening the curve," epidemiologists hope to turn a mountain into a mole hill. “Even if we can’t change the total number of people who are going to be infected, by keeping the total numbers low at any given time, that dramatically improves our ability to cope with the outbreak and in particular to provide care for the people who are going to be severely ill," Emily Gurley, an associate scientist in the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told USA TODAY. The original graphic, created by the CDC, has quickly become popular with the help of the #FlattenTheCurve hashtag on Twitter. In flattening the curve, the goal is not so much to reduce the total number of people getting sick but to slow the rate at which they do. The ability for the health care system to care for patients "is much better if they come in small doses," said Gurley, an expert in infectious diseases. “Our best guess is that most people are going to get this virus at some point, there’s not much we can do about that without effective vaccines," Gurley said. "But our ability to appropriately treat patients and for society to accommodate and care for these patients and cope is much better if infections don’t occur all at the same time.” "The public health goal is to keep the number of new cases happening at any given time as low as possible, as long as possible,” she added. Keeping people apart – through canceling big public gathering, encouraging people to stay and home, and urging those who go out to maintain a social distance from others – reduces the opportunity, and pace, of the inevitable spread of the disease. Simple, really. If few people get out in the rain, fewer will get wet. City of Grove Grove Public Schools Grand Lake News ~ 16 W 3rd, Grove, OK 74344 ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Cookie Policy ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service ~ Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy Grand Lake Fishing	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1029
__label__wiki	0.690359	0.690359	Community fridge project which aims to reduce waste gets off to flying start By Laura O'Callaghan WFG_Laura Reporter covering Waltham Forest. Call me on 07824530130 Volunteers Diana Korchien Adrienne Aslan at Leytonstone Community Fridge. Volunteers swung open the doors of a community fridge and got their waste-reducing mission off to a flying start. Run by environmental charity Hubbub, the Leytonstone Community Fridge was unveiled on Wednesday, July 17, near the underground station. It is part of a UK-wide Community Fridge Network that has been chosen by the National Lottery Awards as one of the top lottery-funded projects in the past year. The aim is to reduce the amount of fresh food that ends up in the bin and it is open seven days a week between 12pm and 3pm. Unlike food banks which operate on referral-based systems, the donated items are available to everyone in the community, regardless of economic situation. Diana Korchien, Leytonstone Community Fridge coordinator, said: “Establishing the fridge has been an epic journey for Transition Leytonstone, lasting over a year. “We couldn’t have done it successfully without the support of the Community Fridge Network, and local spatial designers, MadeWithVolume, who produced the stylish and eye-catching cabinet which houses our fridge. “We’re off to a flying start, with new users every day, volunteering offers and more donors than the fridge can handle.” The Leytonstone Community Fridge can be found outside Café de Montmartre, 34 Church Lane, and is stocked with edible surplus food from local businesses and households. Two of the donors are local importers Odysea and The Felix Project, an organisation which fights food waste across London and redistributes it to charities. They will shortly be joined by Sainsbury’s, so visitors to the fridge will be able to enjoy a growing range of fresh food, from fruit and vegetables to breads and pastries. Food waste remains a huge issue in the UK, with £13 billion of edible food thrown away from our homes every year and a further £3 billion of food wasted by the hospitality and food service sector. Trewin Restorick, CEO of Hubbub said: “Community fridges play a hugely important role in bring communities together to reduce food waste. “We are thrilled that the judges of the National Lottery Awards have recognised how valuable they are. “We’d love to get the support of Leytonstone and Walthamstow residents to give us a chance of winning the top prize so we can support even more communities.” Organisers are calling on the people of Leytonstone to vote for the fridge in the National Lottery Awards. The winning project will receive £5,000 and will appear on a BBC One awards show.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1034
__label__cc	0.502247	0.497753	Voted #1 Detroits Best Pizza Guido's Caters Any Event Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pizza Your Party Headquarters Carry Out Menu eSpecial Sign-up Please complete the following form to sign up to receive email specials from Guido's Premium Pizza Clarkston. When you sign up to receive email offers from Guido's Premium Pizza Clarkston you will receive a coupon for FREE Full Guido Bread W/Purchase of XL Pizza and email offers delivered straight to your inbox. We only use your email address to send you our specials, and will not sell your email address to any third parties. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland Nova Scotia Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Territory: Northwest Territories Territory: Nunavut Territory: Yukon Birthday January February March April May June July August September October November December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Sign me up for specials via email Text Specials Sign me up to receive exclusive specials via text message By checking this box, I accept the Text Specials Terms and Conditions and agree to receive automated text messages from Guido's Premium Pizza Clarkston at the mobile number I have provided. I understand that consent is not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Visit guidospizzaclarkston.com/stop to unsubscribe. Submit a Review Employment	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1035
__label__wiki	0.597453	0.597453	Help - Search - Members - Calendar Full Version: The Truth Why Modern Music Is So Awful fkalich Jun 8 2018, 03:00 AM Obviously a well known youtube site, he has over 2 million subscribers. A lot of interesting and intelligently presented videos. The one on AI is frightening. I knew it. It's sad but I knew it had to be this. Our music system has become a mirror image of the Japanese system and only briefly broke the mold in spurts during the 60s/80s. But now it's just a couple of guys writing most everything, just as it's done in japan and has been since they started having a music industry. So yeah, it is all the same crap, and sounds like the same crap and most of it, is honestly pure crap. There are some good bits that leak through, but mostly it's just about mostly all crap. All the more reason to avoid popular music entirely. QUOTE (fkalich @ Jun 7 2018, 10:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> SpiritCrusher A minority of people are slowly waking up to the fact that modern "music" is bullsit. We as a pack animal are destined to follow what our peers follow. Therefore so many people are not even considering listening to something else. This guy pointed out some facts that I didn't even know about, however, I think he forgot to mention the big DJ scene where people pay money to see a guy press "play", and he gets to earn loads of money for something that takes no talent. Rammikin I think this screen capture tells you everything you need to know about the validity of this video . Click to view attachment Seriously, there is some good information here, but his point is undermined the incorrect assumption that pop music today can be compared to pop music from 50 years ago. The industry has changed so much that today there is no musical genre remotely like 1960's pop music today. Pop music used to dominate the industry, so you could make generalizations about the listening audience by analyzing pop music. But today, with the ability to listen to anything you want to on spotify (as opposed to years past when a radio station would tell you what to listen to) pop music has become marginalized. It just isn't that popular anymore . Making observations about pop music doesn't tell you nearly as much about the total listening audience as it used to. Good point. Being a "DJ" Now is just a huge scam IMHO. Hitting play on space bar and jumping up and down is not musiciansip. It's pure stage craft. IMHO these people are not musicians. Still some manage to make a living and more power to them. I'd personally feel dirty if I had to make a living that way. RAMMIKIN brings up a very valid point. It's changed so much that it's hard to compare. Still, just doing a base comparison on what is now "pop" vs what was then "pop" we can draw a few correlations. Pop has declined to be sure. The guy in the vid is just pointing out how sad and awful that state of Pop music has become when whatever is left of it is done mostly by the same two guys. QUOTE (SpiritCrusher @ Jun 8 2018, 07:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Rammikin @ Jun 8 2018, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Do you really feel that way? In my experience for those under 30, especially under 20, the vast majority absolutely listen to pop crap. If you look on youtube hits, look at the ones that are in the hundreds of million hits, or even billions of hits. I know what my girlfriend's children listen to, and they are really intelligent top level students. She has tried to expose them to better quality music but to no avail. From what I have observed personally, this fellow's analysis makes sense, at least for the majority modern US audience. The major market has a very short attention span, they need the quick fix, i.e. "hook" or else they reject what they hear. I am speaking now from a US perspective, things might be less extreme elsewhere. klasaine I agree with Rammikin. Pop music is not nearly as 'pop' - as in popular - as it used to be. Instagram, Snapchat and your phone dominate almost the entirety of pop culture and commercial society today. Music in general dominated the culture of those under 35 in the 60s, 70s and 80s. You defined yourself and you were absolutely defined by who and what you listened too. Culturally, today, music is such a minor part of all that. There's no comparison. There was also a huge raft of absolute shit pop music that most folks have completely forgotten about (for good reason - it was horrible). Same old story. "Yesterday was better than today." Please - you know how many times I've heard that in my life - ? Gabriel Leopardi The best thing of this thread is that Katy Perry's picture at youtube preview. QUOTE (klasaine @ Jun 11 2018, 09:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm more thinking, "no, it is not that I am older, it really is total crap". Pop music from the past, at least pre disco, shares a similar perspective to me that Ronald Regan has in retrospect, "wasn't perfect, but compared to what we have today, does not look all that bad anymore". It's all relative my friend. Maybe check out "The DeFranco Family" or Bobby Vee or Fabian or C.W. McCall, Terry Jacks, Tony Orlando, Leif Garrett, Lobo, Debby Boone .... I can go on and on (and that's just the Late 60s and early 70s). FIrstly, to each his own. Whom ever wants to think modern music is as good or better than that which came before, more power to ya Sadly What kids listen ito today is mostly just total crap. There was a time when kids listened to actual music, written and performed by actual musicians. That time has past. It's just ancient history in terms of popular music. Sure, pop music has shrunk as the market has fragmented, but what is left of it is just honestly trash. Plain and simple. Sure there are a few exceptions that make the rule, but we need those to make the rule, and they make the rule, not break the rule. But such is life. There is still good music, it's just gone way underground for the most part imho. We certainly don't have anyone taking over for the Beatles. I was not born in that era. Nor was I old enough to appreciate Led Zeppelin when they were big. Only decades later did I even find this stuff. It's objectively better music imho. No two ways about it, compared to Kanye and the other drivel we have at the top of the charts today. QUOTE (fkalich @ Jun 11 2018, 01:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's a cliche. I know. It's always been a cliche. "The older stuff was better", even if we were to young to even experience it when it came out. It doens't take a rocket scientist to realize that much of it was just plain better. Sure there are a lot of factors then and now. But yes, just objectively, have to say.It was just Better. Not to mention later in the 80s (The Birth of the BIG FOUR) who have dominated Metal mostly ever since, and been copied non stop. It wasn't an accident, or a fluke, those bands were amazing and we have been waiting for new ones to take the crown ever since. Sure, things have changed. The biz has changed. What's also changed is killer bands coming out and just blowing everyone away. Would love to see that happen at least a few more times This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1036
__label__cc	0.529749	0.470251	“The role of open data and open access publishing will only grow in the future. Digitalisation will also affect teaching. Dozens of degree programmes are considering how teaching could be improved through digital solutions”, says university's new chief digitalisation officer Jaakko Kurhila, Photo: Ulla Jokila “Openness improves the quality of teaching and requires digital solutions” Teaching & studying at the University Society & economy Higher education & science policy Jaakko Kurhila, the recently appointed chief digitalisation officer of the University, is organising introductory courses for those interested in university studies. His aim is to subject teaching to open criticism. In Kurhila’s mind, digitalisation serves education. A tool in the service of education, that is, creativity and criticism. That’s what digitalisation is to Jaakko Kurhila, the recently appointed chief digitalisation officer of the University of Helsinki. Kurhila took on the position after serving as the director of the Open University where he successfully developed novel digital methods, among them MOOC online courses open to all. Now, his mission is to help the entire University evolve. “Digitalisation is nothing mythical or mystical. I wish people weren’t so cautious about its potential but would together look for the right ways to advance things,” says Kurhila. Teaching in need of a boost similar to research In recent years, research, studying and learning environments have undergone tremendous changes. Many courses can already be completed online, while examinations can be taken in an electronic examination facility according to personal schedules. The role of open data and open access publishing at the University will only grow in the future. Digitalisation will also affect teaching in many ways. Currently, dozens of degree programmes at the University of Helsinki are considering how teaching could be improved through digital solutions. The Digital Leap in Teaching project has already born fruit in the form of a wide variety of ideas and projects, from digital classroom examinations in medicine to the utilisation of virtual reality. According to Jaakko Kurhila, the digitalisation of teaching is even more important than that of research. Research evolves due to competition on the international stage, which also applies to funding. "The digitalisation of teaching is even more important than that of research." “When a new device or method that facilitates the conduct of research is developed, it is quickly introduced in practice. No one wants to give an edge to other researchers. Through such hard-nosed competition, the quality of research also improves.” Kurhila thinks the same attitude should prevail also in education. “The only way to improve teaching is to subject it to unfettered criticism. Openness is the way to develop education in the right direction. To make such openness a reality, digitalisation is required.” In practice, increasing the openness of teaching could mean that anyone will be able to attend and provide feedback on teaching online. “This would put pressure on teachers to develop their teaching. I believe this would also increase the appreciation of teaching.” Introductory course on university studies Currently, in the works at the University are several introductory courses for those interested in studying. The goal is to provide an opportunity to attend lectures and other teaching situations online. In other words, the participants will find out what studying actually entails. This could help in choosing the right field of study and, at best, decrease the number of transfers during studies. “Today’s byword is continuous learning. If teaching was made available as a societal service, everyone would still be able to immerse themselves in the latest knowledge after completing studies,” says Kurhila. Once online courses and independent examinations are routine, will something essential be missed? Will teachers and students no longer meet? “Attendance at critical junctures is essential. Wisdom resides in networks and in the spaces between, in human-to-human interaction. This should be reflected on the ways teaching is organised. Studying no longer means sitting in lectures but doing things together. Its communal nature is stronger than many perceive.” Introducing digital leaps in teaching The closing seminar for the digital leap projects carried out during 2017 at the University of Helsinki will be held on Tuesday, 22 May 2018 at 12.00 on the Think Corner Stage. Most of the presentations will be in Finnish. Please register for the event by Friday, 18 May 2018. Further information: Digiloikkaajat Stagella! Sign up for Admission reminder, advice & news Study at the University of Helsinki Doctoral schools and programmes Study at the Open University Author Kati Salmivaara Digitalisation projects at the University granted €2.4 million in funding In April 2018, the Ministry of Education and Culture granted the University of Helsinki €2.4 million in funding for two projects that smooth out students’ study paths and develop the content of studies through digital technology. Both projects are carried out in collaboration between several institutions of higher education. Digital education for all Under the Digital Education for All project, the University of Helsinki and four other universities are producing online courses in computer science, which provide flexible study paths for varying needs. The goal is to create joint and open study content and material that are freely available to all. The project has been granted €1.5 million in funding. Digital solutions to sustainability challenges Multidisciplinary digital learning in sustainability challenges – flexible study paths to working life, a project coordinated by the University of Helsinki and the recipient of €0.9 million in funding, is implementing 11 multidisciplinary peer education projects around Finland targeted at teachers in higher education institutions and focused on climate and sustainability challenges. Additionally, two new digital and multidisciplinary sets of learning material exploring sustainability issues will be produced in the project for joint use by institutions of higher education. New initiatives in solving multidimensional sustainability challenges are sought through collaboration between students and employers, as well as different levels and fields of higher education. The participants include eight universities and three universities of applied sciences.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1042
__label__wiki	0.631879	0.631879	645 Poplar St, Terre Haute IN 47807, USA info@ielcth.org New to Immanuel? About Immanuel What to expect on a Sunday Worship & Music at Immanuel LCMS U Campus Ministry Useful Podcasts Meyer’s Musings – PROCREATION, CHILD BIRTH, AND CLIMATE CHANGE Home Meyer's Musings Meyer’s Musings – PROCREATION, CHILD BIRTH, AND CLIMATE CHANGE 0 0    By Philip Meyer Meyer's Musings October 3, 2019 PROCREATION, CHILD BIRTH, AND CLIMATE CHANGE REV. PHILIP MEYER, PASTOR EMERITUS Climate change has been front and center during these weeks at the end of September. There is a young Swedish girl who has become the poster child of climate change protest even though a majority of Swedes do not really accept climate change. Even fewer Norwegians accept it. Perhaps living in the far North has imprinted reality on these so-called socialist states. Here in the U.S. students have been let out of school to protest climate change. Yeah, go outside and shake your fist at the weather! That’ll fix it. Bernie Sanders has echoed Ocasio-Cortez that couples should not procreate because having children will make climate change worse. By having fewer children born, so the reasoning goes, we can save the planet. Hypothetically. We have the repeated echoes of Thomas Malthus, born 1766—died 1834. He was deeply influenced by the skeptic David Hume and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Malthus was an English clergyman. Basically, Malthus said that population increased at a geometric rate while the food supply increased at an arithmetic rate. In short, the world would run out of food before it ran out of people. But his theories proved to be completely false because new discoveries in agriculture and the industrial age made it possible to feed ever increasing numbers of people. The climate also warmed a bit. Malthusianism was dug up from its scientific grave by Paul R. Ehrlich, a population biologist in the mid 1960s. His book, The Population Bomb, was probably read by every college student, including yours truly. We experienced a climate hysteria of our own in those days because paralleling Ehrlich’s book were dire warnings that we were about to enter an Ice Age. Lower food production would bring on world-wide starvation. In order to fend off this crisis the world’s population would need to be controlled. Headlines erupted. “New Ice Age Coming Fast.” Most predicted the world would never get to the 21st century. Throw in a few other scary theories such as the “ozone hole” and “acid rain” killing everything and we had a full-fledged catastrophe on our hands. So here we are in 2019 and are being told to curtail our birthrate. Of interest is the fact that a declining birth rate has led to a decline in school funding. Our own Vigo County School Corporation has lamented the shortfall of over $1 million plus because of 176 fewer students. No study has been done to assess how many abortions can be attributed to Vigo County, however. Yet, the population increase must be kept under control if the planet is to survive. We can’t have it both ways. Enough students and enough money or not enough students and not enough money to continue as we have. So do we build new schools or close them? Lay off teachers or hire them? There just aren’t enough children to keep things going as we wish. Into this conundrum come presidential candidates speaking in favor of a single payer health care system. Bernie Sanders has championed “free” childbirth benefits for all. Most of the presidential candidates have come out in favor of a single payer health care system, a term that I find very ironic. One of the reports on which he based his conclusions said that the average cost of child birth in the US is $32,000. That’s too much, so he proposes making it “free.” We’ve already reached a shortfall of children to support the aging population. I remember when there were 32 people paying into Social Security for every one taking out. Now it’s down to 7-1 or less. Here’s where the irony comes in. If child birth is free, then where is the incentive to not have children? According to Sanders’ own statements the system he advocates would encourage population growth because people will realize that it’s “free.” But wouldn’t that completely undo the solution to the climate crisis by increasing the population when Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers are saying that the population must be reduced? In a kind of evil genius way, he has provided Planned Parenthood a never-ending supply of clients. So it seems that advocating for free child birth runs counter to what the climate change people are advocating. It could be an end game but I doubt it. I don’t think any of them are that logical. But this is what is called being “hoisted by one’s own petard.” Philip Meyer / About Author I was Pastor of Immanuel for 38 years, from 1973-2011. I am now Pastor Emeritus. I continue to reside in Terre Haute. More posts by Philip Meyer Get News via Email Music for the Second Sunday after Epiphany Parish News for Second Sunday after Epiphany Out of the Mouth of Babes (St. Luke 2.41-52) Music for the First Sunday after Epiphany Parish News for First Sunday after Epiphany Meyer's Musings Sunday's Music Annunciation (1) Epiphany (14) Meyer's Musings (13) Parish News (142) Septuagesima (11) St. Michael and All Angels (2) Sunday's Music (124) Video Links (10) 2017 © Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1044
__label__cc	0.735398	0.264602	Genetic Disorders – Part I This is the third in a series of five articles aimed at providing knowledge and resources to horse breeders and buyers as well as discussing the thought processes involved in breeding horses. It is also the first of two articles on genetic disorders. The final article in the series will touch on the selection process and breeding theories. HWAC acknowledges with appreciation the cooperation and funding by the North American Equine Ranching Information Council (NAERIC) to facilitate the series of articles “HORSE BREEDING REALITIES - REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT” composed by Judy Wardrope, JW Equine. Articles Series Breeding Realities Introduction Breeding Realities and Basic Genetics Genetic Disorders – Part II The Selection Process and Breeding Theories In the previous article, we delved just below the surface of equine genetics. But, as stated in that Basic Genetics piece, the inheritance of traits is a complex subject. In this article we will dig a little deeper and begin to examine genetic disorders in the horse as well as types of genetic expression. Understanding the difference between dominant and recessive gives us a start, but as Ernie Bailey, PhD of MH Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky and former chair of the Horse Genome Project, observes, “It’s always tricky to categorize things. The subject is mode of inheritance and people have used the following terms: dominant, recessive, multigenic, complex, sex-linked, sex-limited, co-dominance, partial dominance, etc. The terms arise with respect to the array of phenotypes (physical traits) that result from different gene actions.” Just one example that proves Dr. Bailey’s point is the gene for milk production in mares. While both males and females have genes for milk production, they are only expressed in females, making those specific genes sex-limited. Dr. Bailey opines, “My own thinking about categories is 1) phenotype is caused by action of a single gene (dominant, recessive, partial dominant, sex-linked, etc.) such that a diagnostic test is developed that confirms diagnosis, or 2) phenotype is complex and caused by a combination of genes, or genes plus environment.” He adds, “Dominant/recessive are flip sides of a phenotype. Consider hair color in horses: Black phenotype is dominant and chestnut is recessive. The gene is MC1R. The gene isn’t dominant or recessive; its alleles causing the colors are. Animals have two copies of all genes, except some genes on the sex chromosomes. In most cases a single functioning gene is all that is needed for health. Black hair color is the result of a receptor binding melanocortin. If half the receptors on the cell surface cannot bind melanocortin, the cell still has enough functional receptors to produce black pigment. Red hair color is the absence of any receptor binding function; [in other words, it requires] two defective copies of MC1R. “I think that as far as the breeders are concerned the main question is this: Does a single allele cause a change in phenotype?” One way to find out is through genetic tests, but not all traits have tests attached to them...yet. With the ever increasing number of genetic tests available for horses, breeders have access to information that was previously only available through trial and error. Unfortunately, and with some regularity, the ‘error’ portion resulted in death or suffering in the resultant offspring. In the case of a number of genetic disorders, there is a laboratory test to determine if a horse will be affected by the disorder, is a non-affected carrier of the disorder or is clear of the disorder. According to Dr. Bailey, “Every month some new test is developed or proposed. Which ones make it to commercial application? Hard to say.” Beyond genetic test results, it is important to know whether any particular disorder is dominant, recessive or has some different mode of expression when it comes to making informed breeding decisions. It is also advisable to know which disorders and/or syndromes affect the type or breed of horses we are contemplating breeding. (We will look more fully at breed-related syndromes and disorders in the next article.) Inheritance of genetic disorders depends on the transmission of dominant genes and recessive genes. Genetic defects include any abnormality that is due to a change in the DNA that affects development, such as a new mutation occurring in the embryo's DNA that causes a problem, but that is not inherited from either parent. Not all horses that possess a mutated gene express clinical signs of a disease or defect. Genes occur in pairs that perform the same function (i.e. determine coat color or some other trait) but the activity of one gene may dominate the activity of the other (recessive) gene. A pair of genes may also be co-dominant, meaning that each contributes equally to the resulting trait. When a disorder or syndrome is classified as dominant, only one copy of the dominant gene is necessary for expression of the trait. When a horse with a dominant trait for a disorder is bred to a horse that is clear of the gene for that disorder, there is a 50% chance of the resulting offspring developing the disorder or syndrome. In other words, about half of that first horse’s offspring will exhibit the defect, and that half of the affected offspring of that first horse will pass the defect to their offspring even if bred to horses clear of the gene for that disorder. The numbers can multiply quickly, so consideration must be given to that fact when contemplating breeding with horses with dominant genes for a disorder. If the gene for a particular disorder is recessive, two copies (one from the sire and one from the dam) are required for the offspring to express the disorder. Any offspring with only one copy of the mutated gene will be completely normal; however, he/she will be a genetic carrier of the disorder. But when he/she reproduces, there will be a 50% chance that he/she will pass the mutated gene on to his/her offspring. If the foal of two carriers receives a recessive gene from both parents (each parent has a 50% of passing their recessive gene), the foal will have the disorder. If the disorder is not life-threatening, then the foal could mature and enter the gene pool, but that mature animal would pass on one gene for the disorder 100% of the time because both its genes are associated with expression of the disorder, even though the gene has a recessive role when paired with its dominant counterpart. If a carrier (one normal gene and one recessive gene) is mated with a non-carrier (two normal genes), each foal has a 50% chance of becoming a new carrier by inheriting a recessive gene from the carrier and a 50% chance of becoming a non-carrier by inheriting two healthy genes. However, when two carriers are mated, the resulting foal has a 50% chance of becoming a new carrier of one recessive gene, a 25% chance of getting both mutations and acquiring the disorder and only a 25% chance of becoming a non-carrier. But it is not always so simple. As Dr. Bailey points out, “The overo/OLWFS (Overo Lethal White Foal Syndrome) trait is tricky because the mutation causing overo is the same as the one causing OLWFS. It would seem the allele has both aspects. The classification of the alleles would seem dependent upon the genotype. I just read a review where the author objected to referring to the genetics of OLWFS as recessive since the EDNRB gene has a dominant effect causing frame-overo. Interesting. EDNRB exhibits both: recessive for lethal white foals and dominant for overo color pattern.” Breeding Considerations It is clear that although testing may provide an answer concerning a horse’s status in regards to a syndrome/disorder, breeders will carry the responsibility regarding the propagation and numbers of affected horses, carriers and non-carriers in the gene pool. Dr. Bailey says, “If there is a test for a gene causing a disease, then one could eliminate that gene from the population in a single generation. Just require testing and refuse registration to carriers. However, that practice would eliminate a lot of good genes to get rid of one bad one. Breeders have selected horses for generations to increase performance genes in the population. We need to keep these genes in the population. If we outlawed horses that carry deleterious genes, pretty soon we would have a very small population and not one selected for performance. Since some disease genes are recessive and carriers are normal and healthy, the most intelligent approach is to test and set up matings to be sure that affected foals are not produced. Breeders should select for performance, not against disease.” If given the choice between two horses of equal genetic merit where one is a carrier of a genetic disorder/syndrome or some form of unsoundness and one is not, it seems obvious that using the non-carrier would help reduce the number of carriers in the gene pool over the long term. David Trus adds, “Disorders should really be discussed in the context of good breeding practices, such as limiting inbreeding, maintaining sufficiently diverse lines within a breed, selection based on multiple traits (e.g. health, growth, performance, temperament, [which] are determined by very different genes) rather than single trait emphasis. So if we acknowledge there are potentially many deleterious genes in a population, getting rid of them no longer makes that much sense – as most people tend to think. Rather, good breeding practices are key. Only a very limited number of disorders will be worthwhile targeting. On the other hand, the appearance of new genetic disorders could be looked on suspiciously as the possible result of poor breeding practices.” This Paint mare was born deaf, which is genetically linked to her coat colour. However, her deafness did not stop her from competing at the international level. In fact, she was part of Team Canada's silver medal in reining at the 2006 World Equestrian Games. Copyrights to Judy Wardrope/ JW Equine Breeder Responsibility It is the breeder’s responsibility to know which disorders their horses are predisposed to propagate, and to take the appropriate steps to ensure the welfare of the foals they will be producing as well as the gene pool at large. Such consideration applies to purebreds, cross-breds and grade horses whether they are registered or not. In the next article in this series we will look at some breed-specific or type-specific disorders as well as resources for accessing information about them.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1050
__label__wiki	0.885583	0.885583	In political hall of shame, wife's forgiveness is pivotal CHARLESTON, S.C. As the reporter said to the novelist: Why bother to make stuff up? For stories and characters, one needs only a pair of walking shoes in this city, where recent attentions have turned to two salacious stories. One concerns a murder-for-hire plot involving a banker, his wife, his lover's ex-husband and his ex-lover's husband's cellmate. Not to be confused with his soul mate. No, that designation refers to the other story making rounds on the cocktail circuit. Yes, he's back but maybe not for long. Mark Sanford, the former governor who disappeared for five days, allegedly to hike the Appalachian Trail only to find himself in the arms of his lover (now his fiancee), is discovering that not every kid gets a comeback. What is it about the shamed male politician that he seems unable to accept when it's over? This is strictly rhetorical, obviously. Part of the answer is hubris. Another part is history: Voters generally are forgiving once a person confesses and repents. But key to general forgiveness is the forgiveness of the wronged spouse. If Mrs. forgives, Joe and Jane Public usually do too. The list of those who have sinned and recovered is too long for this space, though a couple serve the point -- and at least one deserves special mention: Bill Clinton. Despite his well-known peccadilloes, the former president has become a respected global figure in the wake of his impeachment by the House of Representatives (the Senate failed to convict) on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. His personal sins mostly forgiven, he has emerged with his popularity largely intact. Perhaps the explanation lies in his overall likability as well as his good works through his foundation, not to mention a larger sense that he was unnecessarily persecuted for behaviors that were more or less familiar to (and ignored by) a majority of voters. At some point in the investigation, he became more sympathetic than his pursuers. Clinton did not, moreover, seek public office again. And, significantly, Hillary, her early protestations notwithstanding, stood by her man. Switch now to former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, who left Congress after accidentally tweeting a photo of his assets to his Twitter followers. Despite unfathomable embarrassment, Weiner now is considering a run for mayor of New York City. A recent poll shows him in second place in a hypothetical Democratic mayoral primary at 15 percent, behind City Council Speaker Christine Quinn at 26 percent. Again, Weiner's wife, who was pregnant at the time of his topple, stayed with him. Lest Democrats feel unfairly singled out, we further note that Republican Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana has held his seat despite his intersection with prostitution. His longevity no doubt is attributable to his sincere repentance, constituent satisfaction and, importantly, his wife's forgiveness. Which brings us back to Sanford. Not only did he abandon his state for five days during his walkabout, but he committed the unthinkable. He wept. No taking it like a man, this one. Without consideration for his wife and young sons, he referred to his paramour as his soul mate. Sanford didn't even have the decency to resign from office, but finished his term and vanished for a couple of years only to re-emerge in pursuit of a fresh legacy. He recently won the Republican primary for an open congressional seat and faces Elizabeth Colbert-Busch (sister of Stephen Colbert) in a special election May 7. To many South Carolinians, especially women, Sanford's candidacy is an embarrassment of Weineresque proportions. But if history is any guide, his candidacy is on life support. Not only did his former wife, Jenny Sanford, not stand by her man, she wrote a book, went on TV and recently took him to court for trespassing. This in the wake of his fiancee showing up at his primary victory party and appearing on stage with him and two of his sons, one of whom had not previously met their future stepmother. Sanford's lack of empathy for his family, not to mention his impeachable judgment, should disqualify him from further public service, an opinion apparently shared by the Republican National Committee, which recently withdrew support for his candidacy. Where the wife goes, so go the people. WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP Email: kathleenparker@washpost.com	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1051
__label__cc	0.515944	0.484056	Eddy Matalon's 'Cathy's Curse' Blu-ray Dated & Supplements Detailed Posted Wed Feb 22, 2017 at 10:00 AM PST by Tom Landy Supplements have now been revealed for the 1977 horror film getting the Blu-ray treatment later this year. As previously reported, Severin is preparing to bring 'Cathy's Curse' to Blu-ray later this year, and now the date has been set for April 11. After a terrible car accident twenty years ago killed his father and sister, a man returns to his family home with his wife and daughter. The daughter takes up residence in her deceased aunt's room and, after finding some of her possessions, becomes possessed by her spirit. Soon strange happenings and mysterious deaths begin to occur in the household as the possessed girl lashes out at those around her. The release will feature a new 2K remaster and will include both the Director's Cut of the film as well as the Alternate U.S. Cut of the film and supplements include: Tricks And Treats – An Interview with Director Eddy Matalon; Cathy & Mum – Interview with Actress Randi Allen and Costume Designer Joyce Allen; Audio Commentary on U.S. Cut by BirthMoviesDeath critic Brian Collins and Filmmaker Simon Barrett; Introduction to Cinematic Void Screening At American Cinematheque by BirthMoviesDeath Critic Brian Collins; and Theatrical Trailer. You can find the latest specs for 'Cathy's Curse' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under April 11. Disc Announcements	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1052
__label__cc	0.617016	0.382984	Short Book Reviews: Dangerous Passions, Lion’s Bride & Petals On The River today I’m reviewing three old historical romance novels, two of which are actually quite enjoyable. Ready? Let’s get started: Dangerous Passions by Kat Martin It doesn’t happen often that I come across a historical romance novel that I like, but I did like Dangerous Passions by Kat Martin. A lot. The story takes place at the time of the Napoleonic wars. Elissa’s brother has been murdered while trying to capture a spy and so she decides to go to Austria, pretending to be a young widow so she would enjoy more freedom of movement, and discover the culprit, thus avenging his death and saving her country. Her brother in a letter sent before his death had mentioned the names of those he suspected and so Elissa tries to get close to them, but as a spy, she’s a complete disaster. She clearly doesn’t have a plan and almost gets caught more than once. In addition, she is distracted from her mission by dashing Colonel Adrian Kingsland, a man that seems interested only in soldiering and bedding women, but he behaves like that because he’s been badly scarred in the past. Despite the blurb of the book that leads you to believe that Elissa can’t get too close to him because she thinks he could be the spy, she actually only suspects him for 10 minutes or so. And despite her own faults as a detective, what really made me enjoy the book was the relationship between Adrian and Elissa and how she helps him heal the scars his childhood left him. There was also a sudden twist at the end. I thought I knew who the spy was, but turns out that I was wrong and the revelation of the true culprit completely caught me by surprise. Overall, Dangerous Passions is a well-paced novel full of danger, passion, twists and turns that you won’t be able to put down. Available at: amazon.com Lion’s Bride by Iris Johansen What attracted me to this book was its locations and time period: the Middle East and Scotland at the time of the crusades. Thea, a slave and accomplished needlewoman, steals some silk worms and escapes to start a new life in Damascus, where she plans to open a silk shop. But the caravan she travels with gets attacked and all are killed but Thea who is saved by a gloomy warrior, Wren, a former Knight Templar hunted by the members of the order for the secrets he knows about them. Wren is a gloomy man who seems to be interested only in bedding women. He has a deeper side, but he rarely shows it. His main fault is that he’s not very communicative. He doesn’t explain his actions and orders but expects everyone to obey them. Despite this, Thea and Wren fall in love and she even convinces him to save her sister Selene, who’s still at slave back home. This mission is entrusted to his friend Kadar, who, together with Selene, are the most interesting characters in the book. They certainly display more depth and are slightly more developed, while Thea and especially Wren remain kinda flat. However, the course of true love never runs smooth, and Wren’s enemies are still determined to kill him, and now Thea too, and the two will have to face lots of obstacles before they can be happily reunited. The book is well-written, full of action, violence and love. It also accurately portrays the awful situation of women at the time. Overall, a very enjoyable read. Petals On The River by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss I have really tried to like Woodiwiss books but I just can’t. The stories aren’t that bad, just unnecessarily long (usually have more than 400 pages) and several times, throughout her books, I stop and wonder: “what now? why aren’t you finished already?!”. Petals On The River was no exception. Everything is minutely described and even the dialogues are at times unnecessary and pointless really. And although they are well-done, they slow down the book a lot. I guess this I-have-to-decribe-and-explain-absolutely-everything style is better than the too-concise-straightforward-and-rushed style that gives the impression the author couldn’t care less about writing the book in the first place but the style I like is in between: explain what needs explaining, describe what needs describing, but don’t bog down the book with unnecessary details and scenes that don’t add anything to it. But what about the story? Shemaine O’Hearn, an half Irish and rich young woman, is mistakenly imprisoned and condemned to be shipped to the colonies where she will be sold as an indentured servant. Luckily for her, she is bought by Gage Thornton, a lovely widower with a young son. The two soon fall in love, but Shemaine has already made lots of enemies that constantly try to kill her throughout the book. And while at first I felt sorry and worried for her, after a while it just gets too repetitive, predictable and boring. The only thing I enjoyed about the book was the relationship between Gage and Shemaine. Although they are kinda flat and two dimensional characters, I like that they don’t hate each other nor have big fights or misunderstandings. They are just happily in love and live (when noone tries to kill Shemaine) a simple life in a cabin near a river in the woods. Overall, a nice story that’s spoilt by the repetitive incidents and unnecessarily descriptive and boring writing style. Have you read these books? What do you think of them? Categorieshistory Tagsbooks, historical romances, reviews Previous PostPrevious Book Review: The Last Song By Nicholas Sparks Next PostNext A Party Trick Gone Wrong	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1053
__label__wiki	0.61248	0.61248	English Catholics in the Reign of Elizabeth Marie Rowlands charts the changing fortunes of a religious minority. Marie Rowlands \| Published in History Review Issue 59 December 2007 In the sixteenth century Catholicism, an international religion based in Europe, was reaching out to the New World. It was conducting a vigorous overhaul of its teaching, its organisation and its procedures, to meet the challenge of Protestantism. Its decrees were to be obeyed by all Catholics, whether they lived in Catholic countries or in countries like England where Protestants were in the ascendant. The experience of Catholics in England in the reign of Elizabeth was therefore shaped not only by events and policies within the country, but also by the policies of the Papacy, of the European Catholic powers and of theologians abroad.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0013.json.gz/line1054

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