pred_label
stringclasses 2
values | pred_label_prob
float64 0.5
1
| wiki_prob
float64 0.25
1
| text
stringlengths 68
1.01M
| source
stringlengths 37
43
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
__label__cc
| 0.566223
| 0.433777
|
African countries, regions, cities and maps
Facts about People, Maps, Cities and Countries in Africa
Oct 25th, 2020 By Harrison M
Africa is the 2nd largest continent in the world. It has 54 countries and several territories, as can be seen on the Africa map. The vibrant continent is a land of contrasts.
Nigeria is the richest country in Africa while Somalia, Niger and the Central African Republic are some of the poorest.
Algeria is the largest country in Africa, covering over 2.3 m km2. In contrast, the smallest African nation is Seychelles. The 115 islands that make up Seychelles cover about 458 km2 only.
Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa
Just as there are many countries in Africa, the continent has many cities. The cities in Africa vary in size and population.
Lagos in West Africa has the highest population. The former Nigerian capital is also the biggest city in Africa. But Johannesburg, in South Africa, is the richest city in Africa.
African nations are further divided into provinces, counties and regions.
Kenya, in East Africa, has 47 regions. These are the 47 counties in Kenya. The capital, Nairobi city, is the richest county in Kenya.
The country has many natural resources, especially wildlife and other tourist attractions. The Nairobi national park is one of the major tourist destinations in the world.
How Well Do You Know Africa? Take These Quizzes!
Posted in Africa
Africa Capitals Quiz – Do you know the Capital Cities of all African Countries?
Here is an Africa quiz. The Africa countries quiz is about the capital cities of the 54 countries in Africa….
African Flags Quiz: Can You Identify these African Flags?
African Football Teams And their Nicknames Quiz
Here is an African football teams and their nicknames quiz. The Africa quiz covers the countries that perform well in…
Frequently asked questions about countries in Africa (FAQ)
Africa is a large continent whose total land area is 30.37 million sq km. The continent is blessed with diverse people, vast deserts and sandy beaches. Africa has lush forests and mountains.
Moreover, there are multiple religions, diverse cultures, many climates and over 1,500 languages that are spoken in Africa.
However, many facts about Africa have been misunderstood - beginning with the fact that Africa is a continent and not a country. Here are some of the most asked questions about Africa and the 54 countries in Africa.
How many countries in Africa
There are 54 countries in Africa. These nations are broadly grouped into 5 regions. The regions in Africa are North, West, Central, East and Southern Africa. In addition to the 54 nations, there are 5 territories in Africa.
What is the largest country in Africa?
Algeria in North Africa is the largest country in Africa by land area. It is closely followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and Libya.
What country in Africa speaks Spanish?
Equatorial Guinea is the only Spanish speaking country in Africa. It is a West African nation.
What is the richest country in Africa?
Nigeria in West Africa is the richest country in Africa. However, the richest region of Africa is the North where oil is the main export commodity.
What country is Africa in?
Africa is a continent that is made up of 54 sovereign nations and several territories.
French speaking countries in Africa
French is mostly spoken in many nations in West, East and Central Africa. French speaking countries in Africa include:
These are the territories and the 54 countries in Africa. There are many nations in the African continent. But despite all the diversity in the huge continent, all Africans are known for their love of traditions and eagerness to welcome visitors.
Countries In Africa
Here are facts about the 54 African countries, and the several territories found in and around the continent.
Submit your business or website to the free directory.
Here is an African football teams and their nicknames quiz. The Africa quiz covers the...
Africa capitals quiz - do you know the capital cities of all african countries?
Here is an Africa quiz. The Africa countries quiz is about the capital cities of...
Africa has over 3,000 tribes, more than 2,000 spoken languages and over 1.3 billion people. But how well do you know the fastest growing continent in the world?
Harrison M. is an African who loves nature. He also likes to keep fit!
About Us · Contact Us · Privacy Policy · Terms and Conditions · Copyright © 2020 · Countries In Africa · All Rights Reserved
We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Read more.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line962
|
__label__wiki
| 0.972379
| 0.972379
|
With Obamacare, Colorado Hispanics See Both Coverage Gains And Disparities
By John Daley
(Courtesy Clinica Tepeyac)
Dr. Elisa Melendez-Eisman, the medical director of Clinica Tepeyac, with a patient.
When Cecilia Loya, 19, was growing up, getting sick didn't mean a trip to the doctor's office.
“We didn’t want to go because we couldn’t afford a doctor’s appointment, a dentist’s appointment," said Loya, now a college student.
For years, her family in Commerce City basically did without health care, unless it was an emergency.
The Percentage Of Coloradans Without Health Insurance Is Cut In Half
Her dad owns and runs a small concrete company, and her mother is a homemaker. As a child, Loya was covered for a time by CHP+, the public, low-cost health insurance program. But "for a long time" she says her family was uninsured.
(John Daley/CPR News)
Cecilia Loya, a community college student from Commerce City, enrolled in Medicaid, along with her parents, after the Affordable Care Act was implemented.
“Now I’m able to go to the dentist, and it doesn’t come out of my pocket," said Loya.
Hispanics, like Loya, represent a large share of the Coloradans who’ve signed up for insurance under Obamacare. According to the annual Colorado Health Access Survey, issued by the non-partisan, non-profit Colorado Health Institute, the Hispanic uninsured rate has now dropped 10 percentage points down to less than 12 percent.
Jim Garcia is executive director of Clinica Tepeyac, north of downtown Denver.
“I think it's been very positive, especially for the low-income members of our community that were going without insurance," said Garcia. "They were just kind hoping and rolling the dice and hoping that no one got really sick.”
Navigating The World Of Insurance
But with the gains have come challenges, according to Juan Espino, the health promotions program manager at Clinica Tepeyac. Before joining the clinic, Espino signed up new insurance enrollees as a health care guide.
“I think a lot of families have definitely benefited," from the ACA, said Espino.
But he said it was a steep learning curve for many families to understand everything from premiums to deductibles to in-network providers.
“A lot of people really don’t know what it meant to have health insurance," said Espino. "It was very new to them.” (John Daley/CPR News)
Despite gains in coverage, the uninsured rates for Hispanics is still more than double that of non-Hispanic white residents, according to the Colorado Health Access Survey. That survey also found a growing number of Hispanics also feel they are not getting the care they thought they need.
Espino says some are struggling with the costs that come with health insurance. That includes both the newly insured and Hispanics who already had health insurance before the ACA.
“Their premiums are getting a little high," said Espino. "Their deductibles are high."
Fight Coming Over ACA
Hispanics can expect to hear a lot about the pros and cons of Obamacare in the coming months of this election year.
In 2014, the well-funded, free-market advocacy group the LIBRE Initiative took out ads aimed at linking the state’s incumbent U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, and other Democrats, to Obamacare and healthcare costs.
“Health insurance doesn’t equate to health care," said Daniel Garza, the group’s executive director, a former George W. Bush White House staffer. He thinks the topic is still fertile ground, but won’t say specifically what ads the group plans for 2016. He said it will actively highlight for Hispanics what it sees as the ACA’s shortcomings.
“A lot of Latinos are now withholding health care because they can’t afford the deductibles or the out of pocket costs," said Garza.
Democrats and progressives are expected to counter those arguments by spotlighting coverage gains among Hispanics.
It’s a fast-growing demographic that now numbers more than 1 million people in Colorado, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s a fifth of the population in a state that could help determine both the presidency and control of the U.S. Senate.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line964
|
__label__wiki
| 0.813226
| 0.813226
|
U.S. Stock Market Rebounds On Report Of Trade Talks With China
Major U.S. stock indexes were up about 2 percent Monday morning after The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. and China have “quietly started negotiating” to improve U.S. access to Chinese markets. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is considering a trip to Beijing for negotiations, the newspaper said.
As of 10 a.m., the Dow Jones industrial average was up 468 points, or 2 percent, to 24001.23. The S&P 500 index was up 47 points, or 1.8 percent, and the Nasdaq rose 140 points, or 2 percent
Last Thursday and Friday, the Dow lost more than a total of 1,100 points amid increasing signs of a looming trade war between the two major trading partners.
The Journal, citing people with knowledge of the matter, said:
“The talks, which cover wide areas including financial services and manufacturing, are being led by Liu He, China’s economic czar in Beijing, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer in Washington.
“In a letter Messrs. Mnuchin and Lighthizer sent to Mr. Liu late last week, the Trump administration set out specific requests that include a reduction of Chinese tariffs on U.S. automobiles, more Chinese purchases of U.S. semiconductors and greater access to China’s financial sector by American companies, the people said. Mr. Mnuchin is weighing a trip to Beijing to pursue the negotiations, one of these people said.”
Stock indexes around the world fell last week as the Trump administration prepared to impose stiff tariffs on Chinese imports in a bid to cut the U.S. trade deficit with China by $50 billion.
“The tariffs on China are a response to long-standing complaints that Beijing unfairly requires U.S. companies to share their technology as a cost of doing business in that country,” NPR’s Scott Horsley reported.
The Chinese government announced a list of retaliatory tariffs it would impose on about $3 billion worth of U.S. exports, in response to a separate set of U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. President Trump on Thursday signed a temporary exemption — until May 1 — from the steel and aluminum tariffs for Argentina, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, Canada, Mexico and the European Union.
Speaking Monday on Morning Edition, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said the U.S. should focus “on what is a major issue … the forced transfer of valuable U.S. technologies to Chinese firms, and not concentrate on issues that are probably counterproductive for the American economy anyway, like steel.”
Tariffs on steel and aluminum could hurt other manufacturers that use those metals to make everything from aircraft to Hershey’s Kisses.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line965
|
__label__wiki
| 0.822845
| 0.822845
|
Many people remember England’s huge win against the Wallabies in 2003 four years after making the World Cup Quarter Finals in 1999. A field goal by Jonny Wilkinson scored in the very last seconds of extra time was one of the biggest moments in English sporting history.
The 2003 World Cup was set to be a hopeful one for England and the team was recognised as one of the favourites. They made the final against the Wallabies and played a gruelling final against Australia. The score was 14 all at the end of the game and extra time ensued. Both teams scored one penalty and it looked like the game might end in a draw. Then Jonny Wilkinson made the biggest move of his sporting career. He hit a dropkick that went over the posts in the last seconds. The Brit fans were hysterical as the colour white could be seen standing in the crowd as the goal went over.
The 20-17 win by England was too much for many disappointed Wallabies fans.
Wilkinson Was Not A One Kick Wonder
These days champion Wilkinson contributes extensively to the training of Rugby players in England. Wilkinson was more than just the man that made England proud of their national team again. He is the biggest points scorer in the Rugby World Cup after scoring 277 points from 1999 to 2011.
Why It Was Such A Huge Win For England
Wilkinson’s goal made England World Cup Champions for the first time ever. They had been runners up in 1991 and made the Quarter Finals in 1999. England was ecstatic as the last big international win they had on a world scale was the country’s win in the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
The 2003 World Cup win will be talked about for years to come and remains a huge historical sporting event for the Brits.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line966
|
__label__wiki
| 0.775958
| 0.775958
|
Effects Of Al Shabbab
Register to read the introduction… The insurgency is blamed for catastrophic attacks aimed against Somali nationals and foreign aid workers. In June 2006, members of Al Shabbab kidnapped four western aide workers and more than a dozen Somali’s. (Article, Fall of Mogadishu Leaves US Policy in Ruins, The Guardian 2006). This incident greatly affected the presence of aid workers in Somalia and has resulted in the African Union amending its policy on sending western aid workers into Somalia. Shabbab has also carried out car bombing attacks at the African Union base in Mogadishu. In addition to other failed state factors, the threat of violent acts of power, either by direct application, virtual, indirect or hidden use of power by insurgents, has left Somali in a constant state of …show more content…
New Wars refer to the concepts of privatizing wars, removing politics from the state equation and replacing with brutal force, and resource scarcity and abundance. The idea of privatizing wars has been implemented since the end of the Cold War and it describes the notion that war has evolved from and “blurred conventional distinctions between peoples, armies and governments....” (Chabal, 2005, pg 19) The concept is that money replaces politics and ideology as the main weapon for war. This certainly can be seen in many countries all over the world, from Opium sales to support the war in Afghanistan, to oil wars, and in the case of Somalia, piracy to support illicit leaders, privatized wars have seen an increase since the Cold War era and it can be argued that there are more private wars currently existing than any point since the signing of the Westphalia Treaty. Chabal indicates that warlords have manipulated the international community and aid agencies into funding civil wars for their own purposes, funding sophisticated weaponry and training, which has been manipulated to fall under the auspice of creating state
Human Rights Violation In Nigeria Essay
The administration of Yar’ Adua was also characterized by gross human rights violation in the Niger Delta. Notable among cases of human rights violation during this regime was the invasion of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State. In May 2009, the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom were caught in a fight between government security forces called the Joint Task Force (JTF) and armed groups. Thousands of people fled their communities and were unable to return to their homes (Amnesty International, 2009). The JTF offensive began on 13 May after the JTF was reported to have been attacked by armed groups in Delta State.…
Ten Stages Of Genocide
Sunni Muslim cities and towns were bombed and shelled by Syrian forces, intentionally targeting schools, hospitals and markets. Muslims were classified and discriminated as the inferior group by the Syrian Arab Republic. Sunni cities were deprived of food and medical services, which also fits under the persecution stage. According to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, the Syrian government continues to use chemical weapons, ballistic missiles, cluster munitions, incendiary weapons, and “barrel bombs” on civilians in residential areas. These weapons were stocked and armies were built in the preparation step of genocide, leading to the violence and murders.…
Importance Of Noninterventionist Foreign Policy
(Ivan, 2014) After we pulled out of Iraq we saw the rise of a now more brutal Islamic groups warning us that they will retaliate with full force while they chanted “Death to America”. The U.S military usually tries to take out leaders something that usually never woks because it makes the situation become a lot more wild and it always leads to the rise of even more radical and ruthless leaders. (Ivan, 2014) The country is also bankrupt so I think that it’s best for politicians to think before they act or before they start building embassies and running other countries because if an invading force tried to control us we would…
Rodney King Case Study
Rodney King’s case has become one of the most controversial cases in American history. The case in which King was a victim of excessive police force. It exposed the horrific truth of what police forces were capable of doing. The following excerpt of the incident is provided by "Long Road to Justice - Policing the Police and Prosecuting the Klan." “The beating of Rodney King by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department on March 3, 1991, captured on videotape and broadcasted around the world, shocked America.…
Operation Phantom Thunder Campaign Analysis
The Diyala province, now secured by coalition and Iraqi forces, produced over 2,200 insurgents as captive prisoners. On 29 July, the host nation security forces had begun their own offensive operations in the Diyala province, resulting in the establishment of laws brought forth by the government. The surge operations in Iraq, though considered a success, have brought forth a new enemy in the Middle East. A group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has begun to radicalize Iraq and its neighboring countries. ISIS became headline news in June of 2014 when they beheaded James Foley, an American journalist.…
The Consequences And Effects Of The Global War On Terrorism
The article discusses how the United States approach to terrorism has had underlying consequences. Many will agree that the attacks on 9/11 were the events that kicked off the current global war on terror. Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the attacks, goal “was to bleed the United States, which he hoped would commit enormous economic and military resources in an emotional knee jerking response” and the United States did just that (Dorschner,2013). Instead of pursuing Al-Qaeda and the perpetrators of 9/11, Bush embraced the idea of fighting the global war on terror and he invaded Iraq which had no involvement in 9/11. This policy was inherited by President Obama and he quickly learned it was not sustainable.…
Bin Laden's Speech Analysis
I was a terrible day in America a very disturbing and unacceptable day, when the twin towers were hit, a terrorist attack on American soil, how could this be? In response Bush addressed the American people. Bin Laden also had thing to say however the speech we are reviewing is from four years after the attack, but still relevant and based on the attacks and the war that was taking place. In both these speeches the audience is America. Bin Laden’s was really to the whole world, but directed at America.…
The Rise Of Al Qaeda
After being arrested for recruiting new members for Al Qaeda in Chechnya. He was then charged with the deaths of 62 tourists in Egypt as an act of terrorism. (Biography 2016) Al Zawahiri made the FBI 's Most Wanted Terrorists list and became part of the “Qaeda Core”(CIA). In 2011, Al Zawahiri published a Islamic Ideologies Book titled Knights Under the Prophet 's Banner. Islamic Ideologies are Al Zawahiri’s amin driving power, he really does believe in them and wants to spread them, the way he wants as the leader.…
Boko Haram Suicide In Nigeria
Nigeria’s Boko Haram Terrorists A blast, and suddenly everyone is on the ground, people everywhere are screaming and many have severe injuries—shrapnel wounds penetrating skin, burned skin and clothing, and more. Tragically, this horrific scene is not an uncommon one in Nigeria these days. When traumatic attacks such as bombings occur, especially in northern Nigeria, two words come to everyone’s minds: Boko Haram. Boko Haram is an extremely violent Islamist terrorist group who hopes to create a wholly Islamic government and has been trying to do so by perpetrating attacks in Nigeria for the past twelve years. One factor that led Boko Haram to take such violent measures is that they are aiming for an Islamic state and they greatly disapprove of Western education and ideas.…
An Example Of Extrajudicial Violence In The Rwandan Genocide
The Rwandan Genocide was an example of extrajudicial killing on a mass scale. Violence has long been used as a solution to problems within the Philippines, going back to colonial times. After Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law, the killings in the Philippines increased. With the country descending into lawless chaos, both the rebels and government forces resorted to barbaric tactics, with the NPA “known to have used death squads known as ‘Sparrow Units’ in the mid-80s to purge its ranks of government spies and to steal armaments” (Perreño 2011). When Marcos was ousted as president, the killings and the violence across the country slowed.…
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line968
|
__label__wiki
| 0.544154
| 0.544154
|
California Roadtrip Itinerary- Driving A San Diego To San Francisco Roadtrip
by Enchanted Serendipity | Jun 24, 2018 | Anaheim, Big Sur, California, General Travel, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Francisco, Travel Destinations, United States, USA, Wine Country
THIS ARTICLE WAS UPDATED ON MAY 24TH, 2019. California is always a good idea. I have spent many vacations in California over the past decade, which has included driving along the Pacific Coast from San Diego to San Francisco, or from San Francisco to Los Angeles, and...
Keep up to date with my travel tips and adventures!
Who Is Toni?
The USA has my heart - Australia is my home. I write travel tales with an entertainment edge, in a time when filming locations are truly driving tourism. Over the past decade, I have been traveling the world, bringing film, television and tourism together. I also have a love of history & food. I want travelers to be inspired to take their own vacations - and really connect to the places they visit. Join me as I embark on every adventure!
Like My Website? Create yours!
View enchantedserendipity’s profile on Facebook
View tonifrazer’s profile on Twitter
View enchantedserendipity’s profile on Instagram
View tonestar’s profile on Pinterest
Copyright © 2021 Enchanted Serendipity
This site uses cookies. Click here to view our Privacy Policy. Some cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others give us insights into how the site is used and allow us to personalise our services. Only essential and non-personal cookies are set when you first visit this site, but by continuing to use this site, we will set some non-essential cookies. You can opt-out below at any point.
I am ok with cookies.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line971
|
__label__wiki
| 0.695614
| 0.695614
|
Important notice: COVID-19 See Details
Show and Hotel Packages
Receive exclusive offers, new show ticket alerts and seasonal promotions
Read the back-story
Give us a call or send a message
Buy the gift of theatre
Group Theatre Bookings
Tickets for 10 or more
Theatre News & Features
What's going on in Theatreland?
EncoreTickets.co.uk
Best Selling Musicals
Family Theatre
Theatre Hotel Breaks
Matinee Shows
Off West End
Dance & Opera
Dance & Ballet
Top London Attractions
Day Trips from London
Palaces and Castles
River Cruises & Tours
Sports and Stadiums
Comedy & Cabaret
Dinner & Evening Cruises
Broadway Opera & Ballet
On Blueberry Hill Tickets
On Blueberry Hill Tickets Trafalgar Studio One, London An exploration of survival, forgiveness and love
We’re sorry, it looks like we no longer have tickets for this event
About On Blueberry Hill
After critically-acclaimed performances in Dublin and New York, Sebastian Barry’s On Blueberry Hill receives its West End transfer at Trafalgar Studios in 2020. Following the lives of two prisoners who spend every waking moment together in jail, see what The New Yorker called a “beautiful, mesmerising, mysterious” play that’s bursting with compassion, exploring what it means to forgive, to love and to survive.
WHO’S IN IT?: ON BLUEBERRY HILL CAST
Niall Buggy will play Christy, whose West End credits include an Olivier Award-winning performance in Dead Funny, An Inspector Calls and A Girl With a Pearl Earring. In Ireland, he has starred as the titular role in Uncle Vanya and Aristocrats.
Currently starring in Girl from the North Country, David Ganly will play PJ. In Ireland, Ganly has appeared in Once, Grease, The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz, as well as an Irish tour of The Plough and the Stars.
What's the story?
Sebastian Barry’s latest play follows Christy and PJ, two men who are destined to share their lives as they’re incarcerated for twenty years. Reflecting on an everchanging world outside, the pair become best friends and mortal enemies as they uncover events and face bittersweet consequences. What led them to their cell in Montjoy jail?
LOOKING FOR CHEAP ON BLUEBERRY HILL TICKETS AT TRAFALGAR STUDIOS?
With our huge range of cheap tickets for plays on in London, a visit to the West End has never been better value. Book with us for On Blueberry Hill and enjoy a great play at a price that won’t bring down the curtain on your budget.
We’re your one-stop shop for special offer theatre tickets. Book your cheap On Blueberry Hill tickets today and we’ll dispatch them straight away. #LifesBestLive
On Blueberry Hill Performance Dates & Times
On Blueberry Hill is not available to book, please sign up to our newsletter for updates and offers on forthcoming and available shows.
Latecomers will not be admitted.
Trafalgar Studio One
Find out more about the venue for your show: Directions, Transport options and facilities.
Where is On Blueberry Hill?
14 Whitehall London SW1A 2DY
Nearest Bus stop: (Whitehall) 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 88, 91, 159, 453; (Strand) 6, 9, 13, 15, 23, 29, 87, 139, 176
Parking: Some people may still know Trafalgar Studios as the Whitehall Theatre. Use both names if asking for directions.
Nearest Night Bus: (Whitehall) 12, 24, 53, 88, 159, 453, N2, N3, N5, N11, N18, N20, N44, N52, N87, N91, N97, N109, N136, N155, N381 (Strand) 6, 23, 139, 176, N9, N13, N15, N21, N26, N29, N41, N47, N89, N279, N343, N551
Nearest Tube: Bakerloo, Northern
(5mins) Head left on the main road Strand. Follow Trafalgar Square around onto Whitehall and the theatre’s on your right.
Nearest Station: Charing Cross
Infrared hearing loop
Attractions & Days Out
Cheap Theatre Ticket Deals
Secure Tickets from Authorised Retailers
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line972
|
__label__cc
| 0.683359
| 0.316641
|
“Liepājas Metalurgs” Successfully Handed Over to the New Owners
On January 12, “Liepājas Metalurgs” insolvency administrator Haralds Velmers handed over the symbolic keys of the company to the newly-established company's “KVV Liepājas Metalurgs” member of the board Igor Kovalenko. Prudentia has provided advisory services to “Liepājas Metalurgs” insolvency administrator Haralds Velmers in organizing a successful selling process of the steel mill’s assets.
“Today we can safely say that the process of selling company's steel mill’s assets is successfully finished. With a deal value of 107 million EUR, this is the largest M&A deal in Latvia in 2014. Undoubtedly it was a complicated process in a complicated industry, however we managed to find a serious investor who acknowledges the potential of the company and envisions further future development of the company. It is a substantial gain for the Latvian economy,” CEO of Prudentia Kārlis Krastiņš commented.
In the end of March 2014, Prudentia was selected as a consultant for the organization of an international investor attraction process by Haralds Velmers. Prudentia was chosen in a tender organized by the insolvency administrator of the steel mill “Liepājas Metalurgs” out of six consultants, with whom negotiations took place. The main criteria of the tender were: previous experience, the consulting team, consultant’s developed sales plan and offered timetable. An important factor was that Prudentia had been a consultant of “Liepājas Metalurgs” creditors club prior the insolvency of the company “Liepājas Metalurgs”, Velmers explained back in March.
Prudentia’s main tasks included a world-wide selection of the potential investors and buyers of the steel mill in a limited time frame, organizing of the information provision to the potential buyers, assessment of submitted non-binding and binding offers, as well as facilitating the negotiations stage with the goal to improve the value of the receivable offers.
In total, six binding offers were received from which two of the applicants were allowed to participate in the final negotiation stage. After receiving improved offers from both investors, the decision to sell the steel mill to Ukrainian investors “KVV Group” was made. An agreement to sell the company was signed in early October.
The chosen investor offered a price of 107 million EUR for the steel mill, where on the payment will be made in a combination of an up-front payment (17 MEUR) and the residual amount on a long-term (10 years) deferred payment basis. In addition, “KVV Group” will invest around 30 million EUR in the current assets of the company in order to resume operational activity of the company in early 2015. The investor plans to produce construction rebars, with the long-term goal to diversify the product portfolio of the company.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line973
|
__label__wiki
| 0.513349
| 0.513349
|
DISE Has Advantages, But Can Come Up Short on Outcomes
by Thomas R. Collins • March 15, 2017
Endoscopic surgery.
© Voisin / Phanie / Science Source
The value of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is a topic that continues to be debated in otolaryngology, and experts took sides in a panel session held during the Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting, shedding light on the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure, as well as its efficacy in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Cine MRI and DISE Equally Effective for Identifying Upper Airway Obstruction in Children
Sleep Endoscopy, Cine MRI Most Effective in Identifying Pediatric OSA Obstruction Sites
Few Outcome Differences, Higher Costs for DISE and TORS to Treat OSA
Detecting Obstruction
Jolie Chang, MD, assistant professor in the department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the University of California San Francisco, said DISE, which involves a three-dimensional assessment of the airway during sedation that’s intended to mimic what happens during sleep, can be an asset in several ways. “It’s especially useful as a procedure for assessing the upper airway to determine surgical planning, candidacy for the hypoglossal nerve implant, and for surgical non-responders,” she said.
In comparisons with in-office awake exams, DISE has been found to be better at detecting more severe obstruction in OSA, particularly at the hypopharynx, and can pick up epiglottis obstruction that might not be seen in patients who are awake (Laryngoscope. 2013;123:2315-2318).
In a 2011 study of patients who had undergone uvolopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) but still had persistent sleep apnea, assessment with DISE found that half of these patients still had residual palate obstruction, and almost all had prominent hypopharyngeal obstruction (Laryngoscope. 2011;121:1320-1326). Furthermore, a more recent study found that DISE led to changes in surgical plans in half of cases, compared with plans made after the awake exam (Laryngoscope. 2016;126:768-774).
Cost Versus Outcomes
But David Steward, MD, professor of otolaryngology at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, said the literature shows that DISE tends to lead to more procedures and more cost, without better results.
In a Level 1, randomized controlled trial, 39 patients selected for primarily palatal surgery by way of preoperative nasal pharyngoscopy were randomized to receive DISE and possibly additional procedures as a result. Both groups saw significant improvement in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, but there were no significant differences between the groups. The DISE group was more likely to undergo additional procedures (Laryngoscope. 2015;125:2220-2225). “About 60% of patients had an additional procedure added, based on the sleep endoscopy, with no improvement in their outcomes,” Dr. Steward said.
Dr. Steward acknowledged there were findings that DISE led to changes in surgical plans but noted that there was no association found between outcome and the use of DISE (Laryngoscope. 2016;126:768-774).
Filed Under: Features Tagged With: DISE, drug-induced sleep endoscopy, Obstructive sleep apnea, OSA, outcomes, treatment, Triological Society Combined Sectionsl MeetingIssue: March 2017
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line976
|
__label__wiki
| 0.829353
| 0.829353
|
Inscrivez-vous à notre newsletter et bénéficiez de 10% de réduction
Inscrivez vous à notre newsletter et bénéficiez de 10% sur votre panier
Paiement en 3x sans frais sécurisé et garanti
Eco-responsabilité : DES MATIERES ETHIQUES ET RECYCLEES ET DES CIRCUITS COURTS
Collection Intemporelle
L'Imperialist
L'Impératrice x Fête Impériale
Accueil / L'imperialist
We met with the band L’Imperatrice who were dressed by us for their recent concert in our Appolonie print which works perfectly with their last EP - Agitations Tropicales. We met with Flore, the singer of the group, to learn more about the band, which is very similar to our universe.
Tell us about yourself...
I’m Flore, I’m 23 years old, and I come from Luberon, South of France. I started out singing Jazz and now I’m part of the French group, L’Impératrice.
When did you start to sing ?
It all began in the streets, with a ukulele and a kazoo. I was 15, and my friends and I sang during the Festival d’Avignon. We reworked pop songs into jazz versions. That’s how I met musicians, and how I introduced myself to this universe. Since then I have always returned. The streets are the best place to learn.
What is the origin of your passion for singing ?
I’ve always loved singing. But, at the beginning, I was told that my voice wasn’t powerful enough. Then, one day, I listened to Chet Baker, and I understood that the point wasn’t the power but the sensitivity and feeling. I discovered that his sweet voice made him the great singer that he is. From that moment, I knew that I could sing too.
What inspires you ?
Jazz, definitely: Billie Holiday, Etta James, Nancy Wilson, in the 50’s. But also disco or funk from the 70’s : Chic, Cortex, Donna Summer, Bill Withers or The Jones Girls ! It’s not very original, but in terms of song writing, the group that influences me the most is the Beatles: for me, it’s pure pop, they have an incredible sense of melody and rhythm !
In terms of French artists, I admire Serge Gainsbourg or Alain Bachung, particularly for the way they work with the French language.
Did you work on the texts of the last EP by L’Impératrice?
Actually, I co-wrote the texts with Charles, the leader of the group. It was the first time I wrote in French, and we want to carry on this way, because it’s quite rare and unique. It’s a very difficult job,because words have a powerful meaning, and you share a lot of yourself. The French audience judges the quality of the lyrics a lot and can be quite discerning. In France, we really pay attention to the way we use our language. That’s why it’s not always easy, but, in the same time, you can move people deeply with the right words.
When and how did you join L’Impératrice ? What attracted you to this group?
I was already a fan of the group, and then I met Charles through common friends at a concert. He had already heard my voice on an EP from another band and liked it. Before I joined the group, L’Impératrice didn’t have a singer, and then things moved and happened very fast. I joined them when they were about to record their latest EP, without any vocals. All the tracks were almost finalised but, during the summer, we wrote all the lyrics, the melodies and added in my vocals.
How would you describe this music ?
Our music is both emotive and also for dancing. The idea is to make people dance, and feel at the same time. It’s quite difficult to mix both. I also think there’s a kind of elegance in our songs, like the name of the group !
Do you have an anecdote or memory you would like to share with us ?
Yes, our first concert at La Gaité Lyrique, in Paris, was something ! We were looking forward to it for 6 months, the space was packed with people. But Hagni, one of the guys who plays the synthesizer, hurt himself on the background set. One hour before the show, he was at the hospital getting stitches. We were under so much pressure, wondering if we would need to cancel the concert or not… but he finally came back in time and we played !
Which stage have you dreamed of singing on ?
The best would be the Montreux Festival, in France, for its history, the quality of the line-up, and the exceptional place. At the beginning it used to be a jazz festival, but now they host many different styles.
A song which always makes you dance ?
Definitely, “Somebody Else’s Guy”, by Jocelyn Brown. You have to listen to it to understand! The intro is incredible, and the riff works so well !
If you could live in the past which timeline would you choose?
I would hesitate between the 50’s, for the jazz, and the 70’s, for the disco. But I think life was more fun in the 70’s. What fascinates me about this time, is how music was conceived, it was very different from today, it used to me far more organic. People had more fun during concerts, they went there to dance, it was the only occasion to do so. Now, we have clubs for that.
How important are your clothes on stage ?
I’d like to say it’s 50% of the work. The image and representation of the artist is essential. The outfit is part of the bands image, like music or scenography. It helps create a personality and sets the tone.
Is there a piece of clothing in your wardrobe that you cant live without?
My worker jacket! I found it in a second-hand market, and the initials of the guy who owned it are still embroidered on it.
What do like about Fete Impériale?
There is something super new and fresh about it, a combination of simplicity and elegance. I don’t like stuff that too sophisticated. Here, the prints and silhouettes are very creative, feminine and easy to wear.
Why did you chose the Colette dress?
I love the colour and the material. The dress is feminine and the cut is original.
What are your future projects?
With regards to L’Impératrice, the next step is our first album. It’s a very important project which requires a lot of work and maturity.
For my part, I’d also like to continue with jazz and do some guest features.My last one was on the track “La Piscine”, with the group Hypnolove, you have to listen to!
But, L’impératrice remains my priority, I’m part of the family team now !
Interview by Emmanuelle Oddo - Photo credit : Emmanuelle Oddo
© 2021 Fête Impériale. all rights reserved
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line980
|
__label__wiki
| 0.555921
| 0.555921
|
GAIN Capital Promotes Joseph Schenk to Lead Board of Directors
After serving on the company’s board for almost 10 years, Schenk will take over from Peter Quick.
Victor Golovtchenko | Executive Moves ( Executives ) | Tuesday, 03/10/2017 | 15:44 GMT+2 2017-10-03T13:44:33+00:00 2017-10-03T18:52:52+00:00
Photo: Bloomberg
GAIN Capital (NYSE:GCAP) has just announced that following the resignation of Peter Quick as chairman of the company’s board on the 27th of September, Joseph Schenk has been elevated to the position.
Schenk’s position of independent director will be filled by Alex Goor, who is a former Chief Information Officer of Interactive Data Corporation.
Commenting on the moves, CEO Glenn Stevens said: “Joe Schenk has been an integral member of our board since 2008 and we have confidence that his leadership and deep understanding of our business will help drive long term strategic growth.”
“The Board joins me in thanking Peter Quick for his dedication to our company over the past seven years in his role as Chairman and are pleased that he will continue to support us as an independent director. Additionally, we welcome Alex Goor, an experienced financial services industry executive, who has helped leading companies evolve and increase in value over time through both organic and inorganic growth strategies.”
Mr Schenk has been on the board of GAIN Capital since April 2008. Presently he is Managing Director at Westaim Corp, a Toronto-based investment firm. Prior to joining the company Mr. Schenk worked with the Carlyle Group as a senior advisor beginning in 2012.
The new independent director, Alex Goor, has spent over 20 years building electronic financial markets. He comes with both technical and general management experience.
After working as Chief Strategy Officer of Datek Online Holdings Corporation, where he supervised all business development efforts. Mr Goor became Co-CEO and CIO of institutional agency brokerage Instinet.
Over the 17 months he and his team spent at the company, the firm’s value increased 6 times. Between 2010 and 2015, Alex was Chief Information Officer of Interactive Data Corporation (IDC), which was sold to ICE/NYSE for $5.3 billion.
Tags: gain / gain capital / Glenn Stevens
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line981
|
__label__cc
| 0.683389
| 0.316611
|
SEC Allows Tweeting and Social Media for Fundraising
Private companies raising up to $50M got the green light from the SEC to use social media to promote their
Ron Finberg | Investing ( FinTech ) | Monday, 29/06/2015 | 12:50 GMT+2 2015-06-29T10:50:13+00:00 2015-06-29T10:50:13+00:00
Photo: Photo: Bloomberg
Following the passing of Regulation A+ of the JOBS Act that went into effect earlier this month, private firms were given the ability to raise up to $50 million in funds from non-accredited investors. The main offshoot of the regulation is the widened base of investors now able to participate on equity crowdfunding platforms in the US.
As part of the new rules, the SEC has also passed guidelines to allow firms to use social media to market their fundraising goals and solicit new investors. First reported on Bloomberg, the rules are for funding deals up to $50 million of either equity or debt sales. Similar legislation exists in the UK and Europe, of which Twitter has become a popular method for startups and crowdfunding platforms to announce and provide updates on the funding campaigns.
For startups, the ability to use Twitter and other social media sites enables firms to target potential investors who have shown an interest in either investing in the products and services being marketed by the company. It also allows them to pitch their funding campaigns to influencers who could be critical to promoting the deal to their followers.
Overall, the rules for promoting private fundraising occur as global financial regulators have been reacting to the use of social media as a voice of communication of investments. Other examples where the SEC and other financial supervisors have created guidelines, include the dissemination of information by public companies using social media feeds, as well as the promotion of investment advice by banks and brokers.
Tags: sec / Twitter
Robinhood Receives $460M Cash Injection, Valuation Reaches $11.7B
Robinhood Reportedly under Investigation by SEC for HFT Dealings
BUX Zero Expands European Footprint, Launches in Belgium
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line982
|
__label__wiki
| 0.963922
| 0.963922
|
PlayStation 5 launch: Where to get a PS5 - and what time it goes on sale
PS5 launch: Where to get one and what time it goes on sale
By Kris Tatum @KrisTatumNews Trending Today editor
PlayStation 5 - Where to get one - and what time it goes on sale. Picture: Sony
The PlayStation 5 goes on sale across the UK today (November 19) - and has been hailed as a “new era for gaming” by the head of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE).
We've put together everything you need to know about the new console - including where to get it.
What are the differences between the PS4 and PS5?
The PS5 is several times more powerful than the current generation PlayStation 4 and is able to handle higher-quality graphics with significantly shorter loading times.
Jim Ryan, president and chief executive of SIE, said the new system had “limitless possibilities”.
How much will the PS5 cost?
As well as the flagship version of the console which features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive and is priced at £449, Sony is releasing a slimmer, digital-only version of the console which costs £349.
The console includes a new ultra-high-speed solid state (SSD) drive as well as the ability to run games in 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second (fps).
The DualSense controller, which comes with the console, has also been given a major update and now features enhanced haptic feedback to more accurately recreate in-game vibrations through the handset.
What have bosses at Sony said?
Jim Ryan, president and chief executive of SIE, said: “Today marks a historic moment for the PlayStation brand, and all of us at SIE are pleased to celebrate the release of PlayStation 5 together with our community of fans, game developers, and industry partners.
“PS5 is a truly next-generation console representing the beginning of a new era for gaming.
“I’m thrilled for the new worlds that players will begin to experience today, and I’m equally excited for the line-up of games still to come for PS5 that will continue to propel the gameplay experience forward.
“We are humbled to work with a talented community of world-class game developers. Their creativity will bring limitless possibilities to what the future of gaming can look like on PS5.”
What have the reviews been like for the new console?
The console, which first released in the United States and several other countries last week, has so far received positive reviews from critics.
Its launch also comes in the wake of rivals Microsoft releasing their own next-generation consoles – the Xbox Series X and Series S – making it a landmark month for the video games industry.
Which outlets are selling the new PS5 in the UK - and when does it go on sale?
These are the following retailers that we know are selling the PS5. Please note the details below are subject to change:
Amazon - Available to buy from 12pm (midday).
John Lewis - Expected to go on sale from 8am.
Argos - Currently unavailable, but customers can sign up to be notified when they have stock.
Currys PC World - Customers urged to check online for updates.
Very - Shoppers urged to check their website for updates.
Game - Check website for updates.
How was the launch of the PS5 marked in the UK?
PlayStation has marked the launch of the console in the UK by taking over several London Underground stations, including redesigning the roundels outside Oxford Circus station to match the famous cross, circle, triangle and square shapes found on the PlayStation controller.
Comments are closed on this article.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line984
|
__label__wiki
| 0.760793
| 0.760793
|
Margaret Leveque, 91 Formerly Of Farmville Dies In Richmond
Published 2:49 pm Monday, August 16, 2010
RICHMOND, Sept. 15 – Margaret Leveque, 91, formerly of Farmville, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2009, in Richmond.
Mrs. Leveque was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Leveque; daughter, Chrisann Leveque Seifried; sisters, Georgianna Steihler, Naomi Mason and Priscilla Pollard.
She is survived by her son, Frank Leveque and wife, Gloria of Richmond; five grandchildren, Frank Leveque II, Brian Leveque, Matthew Leveque, Samuel Bowles and Margaret Bowers; two great-grandchildren, Logan and Kaleb Bowers; four nephews, Richard Pollard and wife, Rosemary of Farmville, Scott Mason, Steve Mason, and Christian Mason; niece, Rachel Mason, and two great-nephews, Richard Pollard II and Erik Pollard.
Born in New York City on February 12, 1918, Margaret and Frank moved to Farmville in 1953. They owned and operated the Boxwood Tourist Court Motel and Restaurant located south of Farmville for many years. She was affectionately called “Mama Leveque” by many Hampden-Sydney students and townspeople.
After Frank's death, Mrs. Leveque worked for Gray's Drug Store, then People's, then CVS as the store changed over 20 years. She was a member of the Eastern Star for over 50 years.
She was also a member of College Church, Hampden-Sydney, where a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Southside SPCA or The American Cancer Society.
Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, is in charge of arrangements. www.puckettfh.com
Earl C. Whittley, Jr., 59 Former Hospital Nurse, Dies Tuesday
VICTORIA, Dec. 3 – Earl Clifton Whittley Jr., 59, of Victoria died Tuesday, December 1, 2009. He was predeceased by... read more
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line985
|
__label__cc
| 0.617833
| 0.382167
|
FASB Issues Standard on the Liquidation Basis of Accounting
Norwalk, CT, April 22, 2013—The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) today issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) that improves financial reporting by clarifying when and how public and private companies and not-for-profit organizations should prepare statements using the liquidation basis of accounting. ASU No. 2013-07, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205): Liquidation Basis of Accounting, is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted.
Liquidation is the process by which a company converts its assets to cash or other assets and settles its obligations with creditors in anticipation of ceasing all of its activities. An organization in liquidation must prepare its financial statements using a basis of accounting that communicates information to users of those financial statements to enable those users to develop expectations about how much the organization will have available for distribution to investors after disposing of its assets and settling its obligations.
“Stakeholders have requested guidance on when and how to prepare financial statements using the liquidation basis of accounting,” stated FASB Chairman Leslie F. Seidman. “This standard addresses their concerns and reduces the diversity in practice that has resulted in the reporting of these activities.”
Under the new standard, an organization will be required to prepare its financial statements using the liquidation basis of accounting when liquidation is “imminent.” Liquidation is considered imminent when the likelihood is remote that the organization will return from liquidation and either (a) a plan for liquidation is approved by the person or persons with the authority to make such a plan effective and the likelihood is remote that the execution of the plan will be blocked by other parties or (b) a plan for liquidation is being imposed by other forces (for example, involuntary bankruptcy). In cases where a plan for liquidation was specified in the organization’s governing documents at inception (for example, limited-life entities), the organization should apply the liquidation basis of accounting only if the approved plan for liquidation differs from the plan for liquidation that was specified in the organization’s governing documents.
The Update requires financial statements prepared using the liquidation basis to present relevant information about a company’s resources and obligations in liquidation, including the following:
The organization’s assets measured at the amount of the expected cash proceeds from liquidation. Included in its presentation of assets should be any items it had not previously recognized under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for entities not in liquidation but that it expects to either sell in liquidation or use in settling liabilities (for example, trademarks).
The organization’s liabilities as recognized and measured in accordance with the guidance in other Topics that applies to those liabilities. Importantly, the organization should not anticipate that it will be released from having to pay those liabilities.
Accrual of the costs it expects to incur and the income it expects to earn during liquidation, including any anticipated disposal costs.
The final standard and a FASB in Focus document explaining the standard are available at www.fasb.org.
Since 1973, the Financial Accounting Standards Board has been the designated organization in the private sector for establishing standards of financial accounting and reporting. Those standards govern the preparation of financial reports and are officially recognized as authoritative by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Such standards are essential to the efficient functioning of the economy because investors, creditors, auditors, and others rely on credible, transparent, and comparable financial information. For more information about the FASB, visit our website at www.fasb.org.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line986
|
__label__wiki
| 0.91313
| 0.91313
|
Buy 2020 edition
The Wisden Timeline
20 Wisden Facts
Cricketers of the Year
Wisden ebooks
Wisden home
Almanack archive home
Vernon Ransford
RANSFORD, MR. VERNON SEYMOUR, who died at Melbourne on March 19, the day before his 73rd birthday, was an attractive left-handed batsman and fine deep fieldsman for Australia and Victoria. He first appeared for his State in 1903-4 and between then and 1925-6 he scored 4,350 runs for them, including twelve centuries, average 37.24. Against New South Wales at Sydney in 1908-9 he hit a century in each innings, 182 and 110, and almost made three in successive innings against the same opponents, for he put together 94 in the first meeting at Melbourne.
He took part in 20 Test matches for Australia, 15 of them in his own country and five when touring England with M. A. Noble's team, scoring 1,211 runs. In England he overcame strange conditions so successfully that he hit 143 not out in the Test match at Lord's and headed the Australian Test figures with an average of 58.83. In all matches that season, 1909, he registered 1,783 runs, average 43.48, and his six three-figure innings included the highest of his career -- 190 against M.C.C. at Lord's. From 1939 to 1957 he held the post of secretary to the Melbourne C.C.
© John Wisden & Co
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line990
|
__label__wiki
| 0.730881
| 0.730881
|
Esports Content Series of the Year
Esports Content Series of the Year honours a series that significantly raised the bar for esports content over the past year. From behind the scenes documentaries, to in depth analytical dissections of in game action, the esports world has seen it’s fair share of incredible content, but this award is for the very best of the last year. It could be a technical masterclass, a gripping tale that keeps fans hooked or something we have never seen before, but one thing is for sure, it will be remembered for years and have you glued to your seat as you experience it. The Content can be in the form of video, visual, audio, podcast or more – ultimately celebrating content in any form
Criteria 1:
A series of content from the previous 12 months that primarily focuses on the world of esports.
The content will have reached a significant audience during the past year and kept them engaged.
Pushes the bar in terms of quality, expectations and storytelling.
Esports Content Team of the Year
Esports Awards Spotlight Show 1
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line991
|
__label__cc
| 0.632716
| 0.367284
|
WhereNext Magazine
Making Business Easy with ArcGIS
Utility Uses Map-Based Website to Help Companies Get Head Start on Development
With a 200,000-square-mile service territory and the largest electricity transmission network in the United States, American Electric Power is uniquely positioned to support business development.
With a service territory spanning 200,000 square miles and the largest electricity transmission network in the United States, American Electric Power (AEP) is uniquely positioned to support business expansion and community development in its service region.
AEP’s economic development team works closely with local communities and state agencies to promote economic growth. In 2015, the team generated 170 business attraction and retention projects that created 22,500 jobs throughout its service territory.
Promoting economic development across a large and diverse footprint requires efficiently integrating multiple systems to provide interested parties with timely and accurate information in a variety of formats. With this in mind, AEP recently redesigned aeped.com, a highly focused economic development website that furnishes data to site selectors and companies looking to potentially expand in the electric utility’s 11-state service territory.
The website—which was built using the ArcGIS platform—showcases featured properties, contains information and analysis on various states’ characteristics, and provides data on business feasibility for key industries.
The Central Role of Maps
AEP provides electricity to parts of 11 states: Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Throughout its seven operating companies, AEP employs economic development managers who are supported by a centralized economic and development group.
Within this group, the operations team handles a range of marketing, research, and GIS requests. Each request requires individual attention, though many similarities among them do exist.
That is why AEP’s economic development website (a collaboration between AEP’s corporate communications department and Adept Marketing) contains general data on frequently requested items and provides several interactive features for customized, self-service research. Unsurprisingly, maps play a central role.
“Geography is fundamental in economic development,” said Mark James, AEP’s vice president of economic and business development. “Economic developers [primarily] sell location, and our new website makes it easy to see why AEP and our service territory is the best choice for their next expansion project.”
For the aeped.com redesign, AEP’s economic development team exploited several Esri tools. ArcGIS for Desktop was used principally to create the thematic and analytical maps that display a wide range of data. The team employed Esri Business Analyst Online extensively to construct drive-time polygons for potential development sites, as well as to report business and demographic data for various geographies. The WordPress plug-in for ArcGIS Online was used to integrate several ArcGIS hosted web maps into the website. And the team employed the Pictometry extension for ArcGIS for Desktop to incorporate oblique imagery (aerial photos taken at about a 45-degree angle) where appropriate.
American Electric Power offers development sites, such as this one in Inola, Oklahoma, that are precertified for use as industrial zones.
Unveiling Certified Sites
To help businesses speed up their location search, AEP offers development sites that are precertified by independent consultants for use as industrial zones, data hubs, and food centers.
“These sites have a competitive advantage because the designation meets certain readiness that ensures shortened start-up time frames,” said Roland Peña, director of economic development for the City of San Angelo, Texas. “Simultaneously, companies are conducting regional analysis, and aeped.com’s infographics, maps, and data are helpful for influencing the deadline-driven process of site selection by providing up-to-date business location and facts.”
Certified sites are displayed on individual pages that each feature a map gallery. The maps on these pages (which are generated using ArcGIS for Desktop) include an aerial view of each site that identifies its key features, a local proximity map that shows how many people live within a specific radius relative to the site, and a one-day truck drive map that displays 200-, 400-, and 600-mile buffers—approximately how far a truck could drive in a day, depending on various factors—around the selected area. Each map gallery also features a drive-time analysis, completed using Business Analyst Online, to show the available workforce within 20-, 40-, and 60-minute drive times, as well as bird’s-eye view images (where available) made with the Pictometry extension for ArcGIS for Desktop. The maps and, in many cases, their accompanying analyses are available for download in PDF.
Accessing State-Level Development Data
AEP’s economic development website details the advantages of doing business in each of the company’s 11 states. It addresses infrastructure, business climate, workforce, and electric service.
As with the certified site pages, the state pages feature a map gallery composed of maps created in ArcGIS for Desktop. For each state, there is a transportation map; an AEP service territory map; an AEP certified sites map; and a proximity to markets map, which utilizes US Census data and information available in Business Analyst Online to calculate the percentage of the US population within a 600-mile radius of the state.
The state map galleries also include thematic maps, such as education levels and workforce characteristics throughout each state, as well as census and labor information. Additionally, users can employ an interactive map to select a county served by AEP and download its market profile, demographic and income information, and business summary reports (from Business Analyst Online).
American Electric Power created an interactive map of its certified sites by using the WordPress plug-in for ArcGIS Online.
Focusing on Target Industries
Based on the assets in its service territory, AEP focuses its business recruitment program on several key industries: manufacturing (automotive, plastics, and food and beverage processing in particular), data centers, and shale oil and gas.
For each target industry, the AEP economic development website includes detailed analyses of the fields’ workforce, transportation, existing industries, and business costs. The information is presented in a map gallery that integrates data from the US Census Bureau, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the National Transportation Atlas Database, among other sources.
A tab on the page allows users to switch from the static map gallery to an interactive certified sites map. AEP created this responsive map using the WordPress plug-in for ArcGIS Online. The pop-up for each AEP certified site—which includes the site’s name and an aerial photo—allows users to either zoom in to the site on the map or open the particular certified site page in a new tab.
Additional Geographic Resources
Maps are used in other locations throughout aeped.com as well. The website’s blog includes a maps section that allows users to share individual maps and geographic information. Additionally, a service territory locator tool enables visitors to enter an address or geographic coordinates to determine whether their location is served by AEP. Should the visitor want to learn more, he or she could use this tool to send an email to the appropriate AEP contact, who would then connect with the interested party.
Future Development Plans
As more visitors use aeped.com, the AEP economic and business development team plans to use analytics from the website to improve its content and functionality. Given how important location information and maps are to economic development, the team also intends to seek new ways to integrate geographic data into the website and create tools that meet its audience’s needs.
For more information about the website, visit aeped.com or email Robb Watson.
Robb Watson, GISP, is an economic and business development analyst with American Electric Power. He holds a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree in geography from Miami University.
ArcGIS Keeps Past Alive in Municipal Cemetery
Read the next article in this issue
ArcNews Summer 2016
View the PDF 7.22 MB
Subscribe to ArcNews
About ArcNews
Fill out this form to subscribe to ArcNews, a quarterly print magazine for GIS users of all levels to find out about new ways to employ GIS and what’s new with ArcGIS technology. It is mailed to subscribers within the United States.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line992
|
__label__wiki
| 0.983766
| 0.983766
|
Fleetwood Town Flyer Neil Willetts features for England Over 70s
Fleetwood Town walking footballer Neil Willetts was over the moon when he heard about his call up to play for England Over 70s in early November.
The 74-year-old – who has played for the Fleetwood Town Flyers for three years – played in England's first-ever international friendly in the Over 70s group against Guernsey, which finished 2-1 after a John Molloy brace.
Neil couldn’t believe that he was called up to represent England and is really pleased that it has happened.
“It was a brilliant experience. I never expected it at 74 to do anything like this in my life but it’s happened now and I’m really glad it has,” said Neil.
“You look round whilst there and think, I’m 74 and this is a brilliant achievement!
“I’m playing for North West England and have now been selected from at least 200 people to progress to play for England itself - it’s great that! Me and my family are over the moon!”
The Flyer explained that he had to go through trials at Wigan before moving on the regionals, which took place at Gloucester University, before getting the call-up.
Neil said: “To get in the England squad, you have to start off with regionals and I went and did my trails at Wigan.
“I had two lots of trials there, played for North West England down in Gloucester and it was there where assessors were watching, and players were selected from that match.
“Then, there were trials down in London where 150 players took part and I learned three weeks ago that I was one of ten players to be selected from all the squads.”
The 74-year-old – who was named man of the match in their game against Guernsey – has come away with some mementos to remember his time with the national team.
“When the manager phoned me up, he said you can make a career out of this and I said what at 74?
“I might get a year or so out of this but I’m more than happy to do that for England.
“Playing for England, I received a medal for the inaugural game, and I was also fortunate enough to be named man of the match and received a pennant because of that.
“I’ve also got a new wine glass with everything on to remember the occasion.”
*Neil is on the back row, second in from the right on the England team picture
Fleetwood Town Flyers
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line998
|
__label__cc
| 0.591589
| 0.408411
|
Acworth man gets three life sentences for sexually assaulting young relative
COBB COUNTY, Ga. - An Acworth man convicted of sexually assaulting a young relative multiple times over nearly a decade will spend the rest of his life in prison.
On April 24, a Cobb County jury took less than two hours to convict Gabriel Alvarez of all charges related to his case. That included multiple counts of rape, incest and child molestation, as well as cruelty to children in the first degree, aggravated child molestation, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, aggravated sodomy, and interference with government property.
On Wednesday, Cobb County Superior Court Judge Gregory Poole sentenced Alvarez to three consecutive life sentences plus 20 years.
The district attorney's office said Alvarez started assaulting the victim when she was just 8 years old.
“From the time this child was eight years old, she was forced to endure years of the most egregious sexual abuse imaginable, to include being repeatedly raped, forced to perform oral sex and forced to watch pornography, all at the hands of someone who should’ve cared for and protected her. His actions were compounded by a family who refused to protect this child, and instead chose to protect her abuser,” said ADA Courtney Veal last month. “This child’s strength and resilience in light of what she has lived through with no support whatsoever is truly amazing, and I’m glad the jury returned a verdict that reflects the truth.”
RELATED: Acworth man guilty of sexually assaulting young relative
Deputies searching for missing Georgia teenager not seen in weeks
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line999
|
__label__cc
| 0.747226
| 0.252774
|
Astros owner Jim Crane covering taxes on World Series rings for employees
By Mark Berman, FOX 26 Sports
Jim Crane
HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Astros ownership is going above and beyond when it comes to taking care of their employees concerning the 1,332 World Series rings the club is handing out.
These rings are very valuable and the taxes they generate are equally expensive.
Many of the Astros employees probably could not afford to accept the rings.
With that in mind, owner Jim Crane is also paying the taxes on the rings.
“Some of the rings are pretty expensive,” Crane said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. “We want it to be special. So we decided to gross up the cost of the rings, and basically pay the taxes for all the employees that have been great support for the team over the years.
“We just wanted to take care of our employees for putting in all the hard work, from the top to the bottom. So everybody gets to be included.”
Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel applauds Crane for doing what is best for all of the club’s employees.
“It’s a tremendous gesture, for sure,” Keuchel said. “We’re not all in the same position. Us players are very blessed to do what we do and earn a hefty paycheck.
“Some of the people around the ballpark, that have been here for numerous years and love this team, it’s a great gesture from ownership to reward those employees with the Astros.”
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1000
|
__label__wiki
| 0.725541
| 0.725541
|
France's Macron turns away from Trump in laying out roadmap
PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron laid out his roadmap for the country's diplomatic priorities in the year to come during a 90-minute speech to France's ambassadors Monday.
Notably, Macron appeared to be shifting his approach to the United States and President Donald Trump, with whom he has had such a demonstrative relationship the two leaders were teased about their "bromance."
His speech focused on strengthening the European Union to face today's challenges rather than counting on the U.S. support that had two world wars as a crucible.
Since his election last year, Macron repeatedly tried to convince Trump not to pull out of the Paris climate agreement and the Iran nuclear deal. France's 40-year-old pro-EU president also urged Trump not to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminum.
Bromance or not, his efforts were in vain.
On Monday, Macron urged the European Union to take more responsibility for its own defense .
A look at other issues on his roadmap:
The continent's future was Macron's major focus. Nine months before the next European parliament election, he stressed the need to make the EU more "sovereign." He has pledged to redouble efforts to counter rising nationalism in Europe.
He closed the door to further talks about Turkey's accession to the EU and proposed instead a "strategic partnership" with Russia and Turkey.
To promote his proposals, Macron plans to visit Denmark and Finland this week and to meet with counterparts from Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands next week. After that, he is scheduled to host German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris.
In line with France's position, Macron said he wants the EU to reach an agreement with Britain on the terms of its departure from the bloc and future relations with it by the end of the year.
"Brexit is a sovereign choice that we must respect, but it is a choice that cannot happen at the expense of the European Union's integrity," he said.
Macron added: "France wishes to maintain a strong, privileged relationship with London, but not at the expense of the European Union dissolution."
Macron's comments weren't new to the French ambassadors. He often advocates the value of multilateralism over each country pursuing what might be best for it alone.
During his speech, he specifically criticized what he described as the current "aggressive and unilateral trade policy" of the United States.
"Multilateralism is, in effect, going through a major crisis, which is striking all of our diplomatic relationships, above all because of American policy," Macron said in his pointed remarks. "The partner with whom Europe had built the order of post-war multilateralism seems to turn his back on this common history."
No major shift. Macron said France's main priority is to fight the Islamic State and that he does not consider Syrian President Bashar Assad's departure a pre-condition of ending the country's long civil war.
Yet maintaining Assad in power would be a "fatal error," Macron said. He stressed the importance of a negotiated political transition.
"It is not up to France to appoint the future leaders of Syria," the president said. "But it is our duty and our interest to ensure that the Syrian people will be in a position to do so."
Macron also called on Russia and Turkey to use their influence in the region to help bring the war to a close.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1001
|
__label__wiki
| 0.863148
| 0.863148
|
Michigan vs. Florida ranked No. 2 nonconference Big Ten game for 2017
Marlowe Alter
Less than six weeks until Big Ten college football returns, and Michigan opens the season with a marquee nonconference game.
In fact, U-M's contest against Florida on Sept. 2 is the second-biggest game on the Big Ten's nonconference schedule, according to AthlonSports.com's Kevin McGuire, behind only Ohio State vs. Oklahoma in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 9. Michigan State vs. Notre Dame (Sept. 23) is No. 5.
The Wolverines face a test at the start of the season — no five straight home games to open like last year — against the Gators in the annual Cowboy Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Gators went 9-4 last season in winning the Southeastern Conference's East division for the second straight season, and smoked Iowa, 30-3, in the Outback Bowl. The Wolverines went 10-3, losing three of their final four games, including a 33-32 loss to Florida State in the Orange Bowl.
Both teams lost talent, with the Wolverines seeing 10 defensive starters depart. The Gators must replace nine starters on defense, including top linebacker Jarrad Davis, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the NFL draft.
U-M may have the edge at quarterback, despite coach Jim Harbaugh's insistence that the job is still up for grabs. Wilton Speight is expected to again be the starter, while the Gators could start Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire.
Michigan pummeled Florida in the team's last meeting, 41-7, in the 2016 Citrus Bowl after the 2015 season.
This will be the third season for both coaches. U-M is 20-6 under Harbaugh; Jim McElwain is 19-8 at Florida.
Recruiting: Michigan gets commitment from Akron OL for class of 2019
5 Michigan football position battles to watch
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan hope talent, hard work outweigh youth
Predicting Michigan football's depth chart for 2017 season
Three reasons for optimism, concern with Michigan's 2017 team
Download our Wolverines Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1003
|
__label__wiki
| 0.831567
| 0.831567
|
JEFF SEIDEL
Bald P.J. Fleck brings energy to Minnesota, Big Ten media days
CHICAGO – P.J. Fleck swept across the stage at the Big Ten media day, his first appearance as the football coach at Minnesota, and he went into full hurricane mode.
Highly caffeinated.
Fully charged.
Electricity shooting through his veins. Air blowing in every direction. Selling his new football program at Minnesota, his philosophies and a few used cars along the way.
I’m not sure. He talks so dang fast. He spit out about 3,000 words in 15 minutes this morning. There was a lot to digest.
This guy makes Jim Harbaugh look calm and sedate. Until Harbaugh, Michigan's football coach, started shouting in the hallway this morning.
If nothing else, these guys are entertaining.
Fleck was the same way at Western Michigan until he bolted in January for a bigger job, a bigger paycheck and a bigger microphone.
“Good morning, I'm not sure if this was by design to make me go first by waking everybody up,” Fleck said to a banquet room full of reporters. “I do want to start by this: Just want to say hi to my kids – Gavin, Carter, Paisley and Harper – at home. They're watching right now. Just want to say hi, and, Harper, quit hitting your sister. Please don't do that anymore."
Yes, he started with a shout-out to his kids.
Fleck looked different. His head was shaved – he said he lost a bet with his wife – but he sounded the same. Before long, both hands were waving, as he got hyped up. He was “rowing the boat” and trying to be “elite. Yes, we have heard this before.
It’s the same spiel he used to transform Western Michigan, building that program since 2013 before converting a 13-0 regular season and a Cotton Bowl appearance into a Big Ten gig.
He bolted out the door, taking with him several WMU coaches, his strength and conditioning coach and a bunch of WMU recruits, including three from the state of Michigan. That’s what happens in college football when a program is used as a stepping stone.
You build it up as fast as you can, then bolt.
What happened to “Row the Boat?” His mantra?
He took that with him, too.
“I don't make any money from the row the boat saying,” Fleck said. “There's a portion that University of Minnesota will take and donate to charity at the Masonic Children's Hospital, which is something that my wife, Heather, and our family really feel strongly about that we would like that to be able to happen.
“I've learned a lot. John Cunningham, Mark Coyle, our athletic director and assistant athletic director, have done a tremendous job of educating me, our licensing department to make it all fit. So we're very lucky to have it. I love being able to bring it with us. I'm very thankful that Western Michigan was allowing us to bring our personal mantra but also a mantra we wanted to share with our entire community, to connect our community to our program, whether they like football or not.”
Say what you will about Fleck, but the guy is a born salesman.
He's also a born recruiter. And it will be fascinating to see what he can do at Minnesota, a school that hasn’t won a Big Ten title since 1967.
“It's a wonderful challenge here at the University of Minnesota, one we look forward to attacking as we go forward,” Fleck said. “We're not shying away from what we haven't necessarily accomplished in terms of championship feel of 50 years without a championship, but we want to be that bridge. We want to be that bridge that connects the past with the present and also the future moving forward.”
All I know for sure is the P.J. Fleck show officially has hit the Twin Cities.
But it’s also coming to ESPNU, which will air a four-part miniseries, “Being P.J. Fleck,” which debuts on Aug.2, with re-runs on the Big Ten Network.
Seriously, you didn't see that coming?
“First of all, they approached us,” Fleck said. “This wasn't something that we said: 'We're going to have a reality show; let's go find somebody to air it.' They approached us, which was an honor. One thing I am hired to do is bring national exposure, national attention to the University of Minnesota. And that's what we're going to do.
“And the title I don't get to pick. 'Being P.J. Fleck,' that's not a title that I would necessarily pick. But I think it's every head coach's job and responsibility to bring attention to their institution.
“That's not self-promoting, but I think every head football coach in America is self-promoting at some point. We're all selling ourselves and showing what we're like and recruiting our cultures and developing our cultures. You're the front porch of the institution.
“You're not the most important thing on campus, but you're the front porch of nationally what everybody sees, and you're representing a ton of people, from the faculty, to our administration, to our Board of Regents, to President (Eric) Kaler, the athletic director, Mark Coyle, to our players, to our Twin Cities, to our state. You're representing so much.
“So it's an honor to be able to have a reality show on the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher football. That is truly an honor. I have not seen the show. I've lived life, so I kinda know what that's like. But I don't know what the show is going to be like. I don't know if this is going to be like the Kardashians or they're going to spin it that way or it's going to be a little bit tamer. But it will be a little interesting to see what comes out of the reality show.
“But, again, it's about the University of Minnesota. It's about rowing the boat and it's our culture and our new program that we brought into the Twin Cities.”
Whew. Got all that?
Eventually, after 15 minutes, the self-admitted, self-promoting coach stopped talking.
And we were left with silence.
Ah, sweet silence.
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @seideljeff. To read his recent columns, go to freep.com/sports/jeff-seidel/
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1004
|
__label__cc
| 0.608106
| 0.391894
|
Home / AWW Free School Final: 6/4/89 / AWW Free School Final: 6/4/89
AWW Free School Final: 6/4/89
Tue June 04, 2019 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Co-presented with Ken Moffatt, The Jack Layton Chair and Melanie Panitch, The Director of The Office of Social Innovation, Ryerson University; PEN Canada
Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the student protests at Tiananmen Square, this culmination of the AWW Free School will feature an onstage conversation with journalists and activists reflecting on its impact. The panel will be introduced by Olivia Chow, Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson and core member of the Toronto Association of Democracy in China, founded in May 1989 to support the student protest in Tiananmen Square and the movement for democratic reform in China. Joining Chow will be labour activist Winnie Ng alongside journalists Doug Saunders and Jan Wong, who covered the Tiananmen Massacre as a foreign correspondent in China for The Globe and Mail.
Ai Weiwei is one of the world’s most influential artists and human rights activists, as well as one of China’s most formidable critics. Known for smashing conventions—and ceramics—with iconic works like Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn, he upends the cultural traditions and materials of his native China.
This highly-anticipated and timely exhibition explores the breaking of boundaries, both physical and symbolic, and considers how the artist’s ceramic works form a basis for his ongoing exploration of urgent social justice themes, including immigration, freedom of speech, and the repression of dissent. Learn more
PHIL LIND & ELLEN ROLAND
THE ROONEY FAMILY FOUNDATION
Programs Sponsor
ELEANOR & FRANCIS SHEN
AWW Free School Partners
AWW Free School Keynote Partner
Ai Weiwei – Study of Perspective, Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, 1995, gelatin silver photograph
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1005
|
__label__cc
| 0.590559
| 0.409441
|
Recreation Drugs They Not Worth It
Evette Hinzman
Addiction can be defined as someone having a psychological dependence on that particular substance or action. There are various types of addictions that range from substance abuse to physical actions such as sex addiction. The world over there has been a marked increase in substance abuse and this not only has a negative impact on society but also the economy of the country. On a daily basis, hundreds of people are admitted to prisons and hospital emergency rooms and for drug-related problems, this puts a heavy strain on the local economy.
The reasons why people turn to drugs for solace is diverse, many often start at a young age when drugs are seen as a method to show rebellion or to fit into a social group. Many social programs that focus on the youth has been launched the world over to inform and educate them on the negative impact that drugs could have on their lives.
List of the 10 most popular recreational drugs
10 – Solvents
This particular drug rose to popularity during the late seventies, as the drug of choice for the Punk Rock scene. Readily obtainable from any hardware or drug store the solvents usually bicycle inner tube glue, aerosols, or nail polish remover. The glue is normally inserted into a container and the vapors inhaled.
9 – Psychedelic Mushrooms
For centuries indigenous tribes have made use of the “magic mushrooms” to achieve a hallucinogenic state for various reasons. The effect of these mushrooms could be compared to that of LSD but the high is much shorter. The mushrooms can be ingested in various forms from being eaten fresh to being dried or being boiled and made into a tea.
8 – Opium
This particular drug also has been used for centuries dating all the way back to ancient Rome and Greece. The drug is obtained from the sap of the immature Papaver Somniferum plant. In contrast, the seeds are used as a spice and have absolutely no narcotic properties.
7 – LSD
This powerful hallucinogen was discovered by renowned Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman in 1938 while he was researching cures for the common cold. This drug usually takes effect 1-2 hours after being ingested and the user’s senses are usually heightened.
6 – Barbiturates
This drug falls into the category of prescription drugs and has been dubbed as “downers” by is users. The drug that’s original intent was to be used as a calming agent for violent or mentally disturbed patients. The withdrawal symptoms from this drug are said to be worse than that of opiates
5 – Amphetamines
This particular drug falls into a relatively small group of stimulant drugs that affect the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. This drug commonly known as “Speed” creates a feeling of euphoria and increased energy levels. This particular drug was very popular in the 1970s and then regained popularity in the ’90s
4 – Ecstasy
A derivative of Amphetamines, ecstasy gives the user a feeling of well being and euphoria. This particular drug can either be ingested orally or as a powder be sniffed. There have been instances where users will die after the very first dose and there is a real chance of dehydration if the user engages in extreme physical activity.
3 – Cocaine
Derived from the leaves of the Coca plant this particular drug has been used by the Peruvian Indians of South America for centuries. They would usually chew the leaves for their ability as an aesthetic and appetite suppressant. The drug is now more commonly referred to as crack cocaine due to it being sold in a clump that resembles a rock and smoked via a pipe.
2 – Heroin
A derivative of Morphine, Diamorphine, or heroin was used as a powerful painkiller and thought to have been less addictive than Morphine. This particular drug can be ingested in various methods from being injected into being smokes or sniffed. The withdrawal symptoms of this drug are often said to be of the worst of all the narcotics.
1 – Cannabis
By far the most used recreational drug and often referred to as the gateway drug, as in most cases this would be the first drug that most ventures to try. The effects of cannabis are fairly instantaneous which will include a feeling of euphoria and a slightly drunken state.
Narcotics no matter the type or strength is truly a gamble that anyone is making with their lives, the possibility of becoming addicted from that very first “hit” or even death is too great, many of these substances have been produced for a specific purpose and have been perverted for their side effects.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1011
|
__label__cc
| 0.509291
| 0.490709
|
Brighton East
Brighton Secondary College
Brighton East, VIC 3187 (10.93 km to CBD)
Median House Price: $1,868,750
Median Unit Price: $924,999
Suburb Profile Sold Price
School Sector
120 Marriage Road Brighton East VIC 3187
Nearby House Sold Price
http://www.brightonsc.vic.edu.au
Total Staff
Total Student
1210 (boy:709, girl:501)
None-English Student
ICSEA
VCE Rank
No.183 (2011), No.214 (2010), No.153 (2009), No.263 (2008)
This school, established in 1955 in Brighton East, is a Year 7 to 12 co-educational college with 1200 students. It has a formalised neighbourhood enrolment area. The student population has a female to male ratio of about 40:60, with 19% coming from families where a Language other than English is spoken at home. Up to 10% of the enrolment is international fee paying students. The families of our children are diverse in ethnic origin. Our motto is a Tradition of Excellence. The environment boasts a new VCE, Careers and Pathways centre, a Year 9 centre, a Year 8 Learning Community and other up-todate specialist facilities and resources. The college has produced a master plan under the auspices of the DEECD Building Futures Program which will, when approved will enhance the teaching and learning facilitiesand align with them with current BSC pedagogy. The College has extensive student wellbeing structures, policies and programs, a Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) program, a wide range of co-curricular programs at all year levels (including a growing music program) and Learning Advisor program for all students in Years 10 to 12. The College offers Year 10 students access to VCE Unit 1/2 studies and Year 11 access to VCE Unit 3/4 studies. Years 11 and 12 have access to Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL), Vocational Education and Training programs (VET) and an extensive School Leadership programs. This school has 89.6 equivalent fulltime staff and 24 Education Support Staff.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1012
|
__label__cc
| 0.729406
| 0.270594
|
Home » Family QAs » Get Help » Family Q&A » Sexuality Q&As » Grown Son Wants to Bring Gay Partner to Family Gatherings
Grown Son Wants to Bring Gay Partner to Family Gatherings
Should we allow our adult son to bring his same-sex partner to family gatherings? This makes us extremely uncomfortable, and we're also afraid that it may be harmful to the younger children in the family. What do you think we should do?
We’ll grant you that this is a delicate situation. But it’s not irresolvable. To handle it wisely and appropriately you simply have to find a way to hold two things in balance: respect for your son as an autonomous adult and faithfulness to the dictates of your own conscience. In other words, you need to approach it as you would approach any conflict of values with any friend or peer.
There comes a time in every child’s life when he or she crosses the threshold into adulthood. Once this line is passed, the parent-child relationship changes in some basic ways. As an adult, your son is your equal. He has graduated into a position of self-responsibility, in which he is accountable to a higher authority – the authority of God Himself. If he wants to engage in the homosexual lifestyle, he will have to answer to Him for that decision. He’s no longer bound by Mommy’s and Daddy’s rules.
Does this mean that he has the prerogative to adopt a dismissive attitude toward you or to disparage your values and opinions? Absolutely not. As your peer and a guest in your home he is still under obligation to respect your beliefs and standards of behavior. That’s not to mention that there is no time- or age-limit attached to the biblical command to honor one’s parents; as Paul writes (quoting Exodus 20:12), “‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth'” (Ephesians 6:2).
We suggest that you have a frank conversation with your son before his next visit. Explain that you have strong convictions about God’s plan for human sexuality and that your conscience won’t permit you to condone what you regard as sexual immorality. He should also be made aware of your desire to protect the innocence of younger family members. Tell him that you love him and that he’s always welcome to bring friends into your home. At the same time, make it clear that you cannot allow overt displays of homosexual affection nor any sharing of the same room while he and his partner are under your roof. If he’s willing to cooperate, you’ve achieved your objective. If not, let him know that he and his partner will have to make other arrangements. Help him see that the choice is his to make. And remember that you can have a huge influence in his life through the power of prayer.
Bear in mind that there’s a very real sense in which you are engaged in a deeply spiritual battle. You can find a tremendous amount of strength and encouragement for the fight in Beth Moore’s book Praying God’s Word. This resource is available through the ministry of Focus on the Family and can be ordered by calling our offices or visiting our
Online Store.
If you’d like to discuss this situation at greater length with a member of our staff, give our Counseling department a call for a free consultation.
If a title is currently unavailable through Focus on the Family, we encourage you to use another retailer.
How Should We Respond?
Someone I Love Is Gay
Understanding Revisionist Gay Theology
When A Loved One Says, “I’m Gay”
What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?
Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children: Six Steps to Hope and Healing for Struggling Parents
Praying God’s Word: Breaking Free From Spiritual Strongholds
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No, to Take Control of Your Life
Peacemaking for Families
Prodigals and Those Who Love Them: Words of Encouragement for Those Who Wait
How to Talk To Your Children About Homosexuality
When Homosexuality Hits Home
Homosexuality (resource list)
Establishing Boundaries With Adult Kids
Parenting Adult Children
Understanding Homosexuality
Copyright © 2010, Focus on the Family.
Tough Love in Adult Relationships: What It Is, What It’s Not, and How to Use It
Grandparents Threatened to Either Support Transgender Grandchild or Be Cut Off
How to Find Counseling Support for Teen With Sexual Identity Issues
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1013
|
__label__wiki
| 0.83079
| 0.83079
|
The Role of Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly
Dr. Maria Páez on the NCA and US Boycott
By Dr. Maria Páez Victor and Edu Montesanti
Global Research, September 13, 2017
Region: Latin America & Caribbean
Theme: Law and Justice, Media Disinformation, Police State & Civil Rights
The Canadian-Venezuelan Sociologist, Dr. Maria Páez Victor explains, in the following interview, the National Constituent Assembly in the context of the Bolivarian Revolution, the US boycott through an economic and media warfare.
“The achievements of the Bolivarian government will not be televised by the international media, because they show the failure of the neo-liberal ideas of development”, says the researcher.
Edu Montesanti: The National Constituent Assembly (NCA) has decided to assume partially Congressional duties. What are your thoughts on this, Professor Doctor Maria Páez, especially as the mainstream media and the Washington regime have been accusing President Nicolás Maduro of anti-democratic for promoting it. It is worth pointing out that you have said that there is a defamation campaign against Venezuela, specifically against the NCA itself: please detail each lie that has been said against the Bolivarian government, regarding the NCA.
Dr. Maria Páez Victor: What would happen in the USA (or any other democracy) if its Congress or Parliament refused to obey a sentence of the Supreme Court?
What would happen in the USA (or any other democracy) if its Congress or Parliament decided not to concern themselves to passing laws but to overthrow the legitimate elected President, all this while the country faced serious economic and security problems? You would, without a doubt have a political gridlock, a mayor institutional crisis.
Well, the National Assembly of Venezuela –in which the opposition has the majority having won those seats in the last congressional elections- took all of these undemocratic decisions.
When the opposition won the majority in the National Assembly in January of 2016, its president, Ramos Allup declared that they were not there to pass laws, but “to get rid of Maduro and his government”, declaring itself in rebellion against the Executive Power.
This un-democratic stance then created the crisis that started on the 29th of July 2016 when the National Assembly declared itself in rebellion against sentence of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court declared that 3 deputies could not be sworn in because of the blatant irregularities in their election and therefore there had to be by-election in that state.
The National Assembly refused to obey this order, and so, the Supreme Court had to declare all the acts of the National Assembly null and void until such time that it disallows these three persons. Later on, the second president of the National Assembly, Julio Borges declared publicly that the Assembly was “in open rebellion” and that it will not recognize the Supreme Court of Venezuela. In other words, the Legislature Power was in rebellion against the Judicial and Executive Power.
The National Assembly has proceeded to act as if it were a parallel government, even going to foreign countries and international banks asking for Venezuela to be sanctioned and blackballed and even asking help to overthrow the government. The opposition in Venezuela created a crisis that has put the state institutions in peril.
At the same time, there was an economic crisis promoted by the opposition and foreign powers, paramilitary attacks on the frontier, and violent street insurrections in certain city sections. President Maduro asked the National Assembly for help to jointly to face these problems but they refused to work with the Executive, insisting only that the president resign.
President Maduro could have taken the anti-democratic measure of suspending guarantees of civil rights, but instead opted for the most democratic of all decisions: he called for a Constitutional Assembly (CA) that would amend the constitution to deal with these serious problems and cut off the legal loopholes that sustained those problems.
The opposition coalition, the MUD, immediately realized the checkmate that this would mean. Therefore it used all its arsenal of weapons including its considerable foreign media connections to prevent the election of a CA.
Firstly it alleged that an elected CA was anti-democratic. It was akin to accusing the Pope of not being a Catholic. There is no higher democratic power than the will of the people represented in an assembly, and there is a cornerstone of international law that states that countries have the inalienable right to make their own laws, particularly if done through properly elected representatives.
Secondly, the opposition told the international press that the CA was simply a ploy so that President Maduro could make himself president for life and would eliminate elections forever in the country. They completely failed to acknowledge the 9 specific areas that of the mandate of the CA that do not include the terms of office for the president. It is quite absurd that having had 20 clean election in 18 years the Bolivarian government was about to give up on elections, especially as Jimmy Carter (Carter Foundation) has stated that Venezuela’s electoral process is the best in the world.
This is a blatant as the CA has a specified the mandate to deal with 9 specific priority issues, none of which pertain to the prolonging of presidential terms. These issues were not pressing or even existent in 1999 when the current Constitution was drafted: how to deal with the economic crisis, how to maintain security in the face of the growth of narco-traffic groups, paramilitary groups, urban terrorism and impunity, how to institutionalized the anti-poverty programs (misiones), how to preserve the rights of victims of crimes, the need to prepare a post-oil economy, climate change, the rights of homosexuals/ transgendered people, youth and disabled persons.
The representatives to the CA were chosen not as members of parties, but from among citizens who put their name forward as individuals. There were two categories of representatives: those who wished to represent the area where they lived, and those that wished to represent one of the special sectors: workers, businessmen, youth, women, disabled people, communal counsels, and indigenous peoples.
Most of the main parties that compose the MUD decided (in their un-wisdom) that they would not support the election of representatives to the new CA. However, many smaller opposition parties did decide to encourage members to stand for election.
The MUD tried to cast a pall over the elections alleging that it was a fraudulent election yet presented not one shred of evidence of this. All the international election witnesses confirmed that the process occurred without any distortion or bias.
What did happen and was not reported was that in many sections of the country this anti-democratic and violent opposition tried its best to prevent people from voting, even with the use of firearms. The international press did not once criticize the opposition for these appalling anti-democratic actions.
When the CA then met, it did NOT dissolve the National Assembly, which theoretically it had it in its power to do. The CA declared that it would work with the National Assembly and asked it to meet in joint session, but the National Assembly refused to meet with it. Instead, the National Assembly declared that it did not recognize the CA at all. It is utterly astonishing that it would disregard 8,089,320 million voters, who elected the CA.
Faced with this blatant insurrection, the CA passed a decree allowing it to pass the laws that are needed to meet the most pressing, vital problems that are threatening the State itself.
The CA got up and running. One of the first things it did was to fire the Attorney General Luisa Ortega Díaz based on a mountain of evidence that linked her and her husband, a National Assembly Deputy, German Ferrer office with a vast network of blackmail and dereliction of duty.
The people could not understand why the violent protestors that during four long months created havoc and terror on the streets were not arrested, or if arrested, let off on flimsy excuses. Crimes against public safety and peace that would never have been tolerated in any other nation, in Venezuela went unpunished and unchecked. It was the foreign companies of the petroleum belt that blew the whistle on Ortega Diaz, as she was black mailing them for millions of dollars.
In the end, it was recently discovered she was working with the Justice Department of the USA to maintain the street insurrections un checked.
Another of the measures taken by the CA to maintain peace was the creation of the Commission of Truth, Justice and Public Peace which is in charge of determining the political and moral responsibilities of those found guilty of the violent actions that have plagued the nation since 1999.
The Law Against Hate, Intolerance and Peaceful Conviviality is now under consideration. These are a direct result of the urban terrorism unleashed during the past April through June that left 100 people dead and the overt racist and classist tone that accompanied these vile acts.
The President of Venezuela has the clear an unequivocal right to call for a Constitutional Assembly: articles 347, 348, 349 of the Constitution.
The representatives to the CA were freely elected among citizens, not parties, in a clean, transparent and orderly election process totally backed by all the international electoral witnesses.
There were citizens who opposed the government who stood for election, although they may not have won the votes. The Opposition umbrella organization MUD refused to participate.
The National Assembly was not dissolved. It was invited to join the CA in dealing with pressing threats to the State. Having declined even to recognize the CA, the CA then had to assume some lawmaking powers in order to preserve the peace and security of the nation.
EM: Highlight please the principal lies against the Revolution in general, through years.
DMPV: Describing true facts:
Since 1999 when Hugo Chavez was elected president of Venezuela, the wealthy elite that ran that country for 40 years conspired to delegitimize him and depose him. The USA was and still is, their stalwart partner in this, along with its allied nations and corporations. There is ample proof that the State Dept orchestrated the coup of 2002, which overthrew President Chavez for 48 hours. These facts were later confirmed through information from the FOI and through through Wikileaks.
Upon the death of President Chavez, the conspiracy became virulent as the USA and its allies thought that President Maduro would be easier to overthrow. The fall of petroleum process increased their hopes. Apart from Cuba, no other Latin American country has had the full force of the spectrum of “fourth generation war “which includes terrorism, media manipulation, economic destabilization, low intensity conflict, and psychological warfare.
The psychological and media campaign centred on the person of Chavez, and later the person of Maduro: alleging they are dictators (despite clean elections), they are autocratic (“its not a question only of election but how they govern”), and with Maduro the outrageous media campaign that has seen the most violent and despicable terrorism of the opposition being presented to the public as if they were carried out by the government. It has been a grotesque twisting of the truth. The international media has lost any sense of balanced reporting when it comes to Venezuela; they are prostituting their once esteemed profession.
The economic war the USA and its allies in the elites and corporations have unleashed on the country has been brutal: whole-scale warehousing of goods, corporate smuggling by the millions, black market manipulations, pressuring international banks and rating agencies against the country, artificial scarcity of goods, the sabotaging of the electric and water systems, the paramilitary assassinations, the street violence.
Venezuela should be lauded for defending the rule of law, not tarred with malicious fake news. But its government is sitting on top of the Hemisphere’s largest oil reserves and it repudiates the policies of the cannibalistic neo-liberal capitalism. So for the USA State Department and its supine allies and greedy corporations, Venezuela must be defied, deposed and defamed.
EM: How could it be explained that Venezuela’s NCA is the most democratic event all over the world, so popular as the members of NCA are ordinary citizens, not hand picked elites or individuals chosen by parties, at the same time so attacked by the United States, its allies and the mainstream media?
DMPV: The USA and the right wing governments of Latin America are, in fact, not concerned with a lack of democracy in Venezuela even though this is the slogan that they continuously 43 repeat to the media.
Hypocrisy is quite blatant:
Why are they not concerned over democracy in Saudi Arabia where people are beheaded and women cannot vote or stand for election?
Why are they not concerned with democracy in Mexico where 43 students in Ayotzinapa in 2014 disappeared and where 300 journalists have been killed since 1980?
Why are they not concerned with democracy in Colombia where in the last 38 years 152 journalists have been killed and since 1977 there have been 3,000 unionists killed?
They are worried about the PARTICIPATORY nature of democracy in Venezuela: i.e., the fact that the Bolivarian option has won the 18 of the 20 different elections that Venezuela has had in the last 19 years. They are worried that other people -of Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Argentina, the USA or Spain- may want to re-write their constitution also.
The establishment of an elected Constitutional Assembly is entirely within international law: countries have the inalienable right to write their own laws, unhindered.
These last few years have demonstrated to Venezuelans that their 1999 Constitution, written within a neo-liberal framework, has loopholes that do not help with the pressing economic crisis, the terrorist and paramilitary problem, and the problem of rogue opposition that disregards the rule of law and seeks foreign intervention to overthrow the government.
EM: Your evaluation please on the OAS’s position against Venezuela, now and long ago contradicting its own chart – the UN has been quite silenced, too… No consistent position on the Venezuelan case.
DMPV: On 28 March 2017, Luis Almagro, the director of the Organization of American States (OAS) called for Venezuela to be suspended from the OAS opening the way for foreign intervention in Venezuela, alleging a violation of democratic principles.
This is the same OAS that kept silent about the coup d’etat against President Chavez in 2002, the parliamentary coups d’etat in Brazil and Paraguay, the coup d’etat in Honduras, which has kept silent on the hideous assassinations of students and journalists in Mexico, and the multitude of human rights violations of labour unionists in Colombia.
The Venezuelan National Assembly publicly supported this outrageous proposal. Almagro failed, as he could not get such a decision passed at the OAS.
Almagro – embarrassingly like a Latin American version of Uriah Heep – is at the beck and call of the USA and its satellite right-wing governments of the region. But he cannot get past the real fact that Venezuela is not alone and the majority of the OAS will not side with the forces that bolster a continued colonization of the region by the USA.
The Non-Aligned Nations of the UN, which represent 2/3 of all the countries of the world, have unequivocally backed the right of Venezuela to establish an elected Constitutional Assembly and write its own laws. The UN has also stated that Venezuela has the right to call a Constitutional Assembly and write its laws.
The UN will not be able to fully go against Venezuela because the country has international law on its side and the Non-Aligned Nations, who are not fooled by the manipulations of the great powers. Furthermore, both Russia and China have strongly supported Venezuela.
EM: The Washington regime has been for so long pressuring the Venezuelan revolutionary government: so what has maintained Persident Maduro in the presidency, as we see all over the world the US overthrowing democratic governments through color revolutions, or by the military force?
DMPV: The achievements of the Bolivarian government of Venezuela are real, tangible and impressive, they are the bedrock of its consistent public support. In 1999 Venezuela was a country although rich in oil, yet steeped in misery, high rates of malnutrition, maternal and infant mortality, high rates of school dropouts and illiteracy, high rate of poverty.
From the discovery of oil at the beginning of the last century, oil revenues were used in a corrupt manner by an unpatriotic elite and sold to the highest foreign bidder with little advantage to the country’s population.
Under Chavez and now Maduro, oil revenues are used to satisfy the social needs of the Venezuelans.
Poverty in Venezuela has been halved and the country, by mid-2014, boasted the highest average standard of living in Latin America. In 1999, half of the country was living under the poverty line, with 23 percent in “extreme poverty”.
By 2011, there were 23 percent poor and 8 percent in extreme poverty. No other country in modern history has accomplished that in just a decade. This triumph was accompanied by a huge increase in consumption and a drop in malnutrition from 13.5 percent in 1990 to 5 percent in 2010.
These dramatic domestic changes are mirrored by the changes in Venezuela’s foreign policy and activities. A genuinely independent foreign policy boosted Venezuela to a position of leadership in Latin America and made its oil reserves a source of political clout and a tool of international solidarity — as demonstrated by the vital petroleum contributions to several countries, including Cuba, made by its nationalized oil company: PDVSA.
The government also founded the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) whose 11 members — Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Venezuela — coordinate mutual economic support and serve as an alternative to the U.S. controlled Organization of American States.
There are now 59 physicians for every 100, 000 inhabitantes when before there was barely 20
Venezuela is now free of iliteracy, as UNESCO has verified and it has reached the educational Millenium goals
In the past two years -despite the fall of oil prices- they have built 1.7 million public housing
Poverty has diminished in half from levels that in 1999 were 50% – 80% in some areas to mid-20% and extreme poverty which affected 1/3 of the population has now been reduced to 4.5%
The UN has acknowledged that Venezuela has achieved the Nutrition Goals of the Millennium having reduced the number of people with hunger. Between 1999 y 2015, more than 5 million people ceased to suffer hunger.
There are more about 50,000 Communal Councils and Communes that now identify local needs and carry out many economic and social investments
The UN– Habitat declared that Venezuela is one of the countries in the region that most have reduced inequality according to the GINI Coefficient.
But the achievements of the Bolivarian government of Venezuela “will not be televised“ by the international media because they show the failure of the neo-liberal ideas of development, they show that the public socialist policies of government are strong enough to shield its population even from the economic war that the US and allies have unleashed against Venezuela.
While in Europe and North America the people have had to bear the brunt of the worldwide financial crisis with “adjustments” and “austerity” policies that have increased the total of people in poverty, in Venezuela, despite the economic crisis, the government of President Maduro has done everything in its power to shield the people by not cutting social benefits and distributing food and basic goods directly to the people at very subsidized prices.
The USA in particular wishes to undermine the regional integration of Latin America that is the cornerstone of the Venezuelan foreign policy. They do not want to see strong, independent nations in Latin America, but submissive nations that depend on the USA for everything: that is how they have dominated the region.
Venezuela is showing that the great defence against the great powers of the world is the participatory democracy of its people and regional integration and solidarity.
EM: What can we expect from the NCA?
DMPV: The Bolivarian government of Venezuela has demonstrably shown great political creativity.
Its new constitution in 1999 inspired the new constitutions of Ecuador and Bolivia.
Its communal councils and communes have been the breadbasket of the people at a time when food was being hoarded, smuggled and made scarce by the economic war.
The military-civil union has brought about a 180 degree change in the relationship of armed forces and civilians whereby harmony, solidarity and protection are pivotal, not repression.
The Venezuelan efforts to achieve regional integration brought forth the innovative institutions of CELAC, UNASUR, PETROCARiBE, PETROSUR and TELESUR.
I expect of the Constitutional Assembly more creativity – especially in changing the neo-liberal legal framework that has allowed the country to have been taken to the edge of disaster by unscrupulous and unpatriotic elites that only seek their own gain and not the public good.
As Simon Bolívar’s good teacher, Simón Rodríguez said:
“We are either creative or we err.”
I expect great things from the citizens of the Constitutional Assembly.
Not for nothing the movement for the Independence of Latin America from the Spanish Empire was born in Caracas.
Maria Páez Victor is the author of “Liberty or Death! – the life and campaigns of Richard L. Vowell, British Legionnaire and Commander, hero and patriot of the Americas” (Tattered Flag, UK). [email protected]
Edu Montesanti is an independent analyst, researcher and journalist whose work has been published by Truth Out, Pravda, Global Research, Telesur, 9/11 Truth.org, Brazilian magazine Caros Amigos, and numerous other publications across the globe. www.edumontesanti.skyro ck.com
The original source of this article is Global Research
Copyright © Dr. Maria Páez Victor and Edu Montesanti, Global Research, 2017
Articles by: Dr. Maria Páez Victor and Edu Montesanti
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1017
|
__label__wiki
| 0.51918
| 0.51918
|
Nigeria bombing kills 30, injures 80 in Borno state
Wed Aug 16, 2017 1:27AM
At least 30 people have been killed and some 80 more wounded in a bombing attack in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno.
According to a member of the local civilian defense forces, the attack was carried out in the town of Mandarari, located some 25 kilometers from the state capital Maiduguri.
"Three female bombers triggered their explosives outside of the IDP (internally displaced persons) camp... killing 28 people and wounding 82 others," said Baba Kura. "People were trying to close their shops when two other female bombers triggered their explosives, causing most of the casualties," he added.
A local medical source said that following the blasts a "huge number" of people were admitted to the Maiduguri hospital. Two of the wounded succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, but such incidents are usually blamed on the Takfiri Boko Haram terrorist group, which is particularly active in the country's northeast region.
In recent weeks, a number of bomb attacks by suspected members of Boko Haram have taken place in the capital of Borno state and its environs. Mosques, markets, camps for those displaced by the conflict in Nigeria and civilians have been targeted across the region.
In December 2016, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who came to power in 2015 with a pledge to eradicate Boko Haram, announced that the army had "crushed" the terror group by retaking its last key bastion, deep inside the thick Sambisa Forest in Borno.
The group has, however, resorted to sporadic shooting attacks and bombings in the northeast of the African country, spreading panic among local residents.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1018
|
__label__wiki
| 0.859561
| 0.859561
|
Home :: WMD :: Library :: News :: Libya :: 2017 :: August ::
WMD Menu
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
Libya's General Haftar meets Russian ministers, demands military help
Tue Aug 15, 2017 7:3AM
Powerful Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar has met Russian foreign and defense ministers during a visit to Moscow.
Haftar held separate talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Monday.
Following his meeting with Lavrov, the Libyan commander told reporters that he asked Russia for military aid.
"I am sure Russia remains a good friend of ours and will not refuse to help," Haftar said, without disclosing what kind of assistance he had specifically asked for.
Haftar described the outcome of his meeting with Lavrov as "very positive."
"We briefed [Lavrov] on our problems, described the picture in whole. Naturally, the Russian side considers how it can participate in the search for the required decisions. We'd be delighted if Russia continues to participate in this work," he said, without explaining.
Reports said that Haftar referred to the role of his self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) in fighting terrorism in Libya during the meeting with the Russian foreign minister.
Lavrov reportedly told Haftar at the start of the meeting that, "The situation in Libya remains complicated, the extremism threat in your motherland is still not overcome."
The top Russian diplomat also underlined the significance of seeking a political solution to the political and military conflicts in Libya.
"However, we are aware of the steps being undertaken and actively support the tendency… for political reconciliation, full restoration of statehood in your country," Lavrov said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement on the meeting that Russia had stressed the importance of inclusive dialog involving "all major political forces, tribes and regions" in the north African country.
"It was also confirmed that Russia is ready to provide further assistance in promoting the political process, in contact with all Libyan parties," the ministry added.
Haftar also held a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu following his talks with Lavrov.
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a brief statement that the "basic attention [of the meeting] was focused on the developments in North Africa with a focus on the situation in Libya," adding that the two sides had stressed the importance of continued bilateral consultations.
Haftar's visit to Russia, which started on Saturday, was his third. He had last visited the Russian capital in November 2016.
Libya has faced chaos since an uprising and a US-led military intervention resulted in the downfall of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country has been grappling with insecurity and the emergence of numerous militant groups, including Daesh, since then.
Libya now has two governments, the Government of National Accord (GNA), which is based in Tripoli and is led by Fayez al-Sarraj, and the other being centered in the far east, in the city of Tobruk.
Haftar's LNA is loyal to the government in Tobruk.
The two governments have been involved in negotiations, including most recently in France, to come to an agreement.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1019
|
__label__wiki
| 0.895672
| 0.895672
|
DC Mayor Bowser demands Trump withdraw military and federal law enforcement from city amid protests over George Floyd
Kevin Johnson / USA TODAY
Washington, D.C., officials hardened their opposition to the expanding federal law enforcement and military presence in the city Friday, demanding that President Donald Trump withdraw forces from the city.
Citing confusion over lines of authority and a dramatic decline in violence at recent protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, Mayor Muriel Bowser said the city had sufficient resources to ensure public safety.
"We are well equipped to handle large demonstrations and First Amendment activities," said Bowser in a letter to Trump dated Thursday, adding that the mass deployment of federal law enforcement officers and heavy equipment was serving to "inflame" demonstrations rather than secure them.
"This multiplicity of forces can breed dangerous confusion," Bowser said.
For days, the enlarged military presence, with hundreds of additional troops on standby at posts outside the city, have not only frayed tensions between municipal and federal authorities but also exposed dissent within the Trump administration, where the president has threatened to deploy active-duty troops to "dominate" the streets where some protests had turned violent.
As of this week, officials in 31 states had activated 30,000 National Guard members to assist state and local law enforcement in support of civil unrest operations across the country in the aftermath of Floyd's death in Minneapolis at the hands of local police officers. Hundreds have poured into the district in the past week. In addition to the 39,000 deployed to assist the COVID-19 pandemic, the deployments have surpassed the guard's response to Hurricane Katrina.
Further clouding the chain of command in the capital, the Trump administration has weighed a federal takeover of D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department, which has long secured demonstrations, inaugurations and other special events across the city.
In her letter, Bowser also announced the end of a state of emergency the city, noting that protests in recent nights have remained largely peaceful. She said police reported no arrests in the city last night.
Tensions between the city and federal government have been building throughout the week, as the Trump administration has requested National Guard assistance from several governors.
On Thursday, Bowser vowed to fight the expanding federal presence, warning authorities in plain terms to back off.
“Know this, at no time is the mayor going to support the federal government directing MPD,” Bowser told reporters.
At that time, she also said municipal legal advisers were exploring the federal government's authority for requesting National Guard help for the district, without seeking city approval.
Meanwhile, Trump has tapped Attorney General William Barr to coordinate a massive federal law enforcement response that has drawn officers and agents from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Prisons and immigration enforcement units from the Department of Homeland Security.
Some of the officers, Bowser and others have said, have been deployed in uniforms that do not identify agency affiliation.
"Our police and incident command have clear channels of communication and roles, and it is important to note that these additional unidentified units are operating outside of established chains of command," Bowser said in the letter to Trump, noting the recent deployment of a military helicopter engaged protesters in "war-like" tactics with low-flying maneuvers to "frighten" protesters.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said authorities were investigating the helicopter's deployment.
In addition to Bowser's letter, Washington Attorney General Karl Racine sent inquiries to state officials requesting information about guard deployments to the district. New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, Missouri, Indiana, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah have reportedly sent National Guard troops to the district. Another query was sent to Trump administration officials, including Barr and Esper, asking that they outline the specific missions of out-of-state troops and federal officers.
"The district government has received very little information about the legal basis for these entities' presence," Racine wrote.
Bowser has previously said she does not oppose the presence of out-of-state law enforcement officials, as long as they stay within federal boundaries and don't cross into district streets.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1022
|
__label__wiki
| 0.837563
| 0.837563
|
Wisconsin Right-to-Carry Update
On June 24, the Wisconsin State Assembly sent Right-to-Carry legislation to Gov. Scott Walker, who signed the law. This victory represents a decade of work by the NRA and pro-gun activists to restore the right to self-defense for the people of Wisconsin. When the new law goes into effect in November, Wisconsin will be the 41st Right-to-Carry state and the 49th state with some means of legal carry — leaving Illinois as the only remaining state to completely deny the right to carry firearms for protection outside citizens' homes or places of business.
The passage of Right-to-Carry legislation in Wisconsin also ends years of confusion surrounding the protections afforded by the state constitution. As amended in 1998 by Wisconsin voters, the state constitution reads "The people have the right to keep and bear arms for security, defense, hunting, recreation or any other lawful purpose." The courts have offered diverging opinions that left gun owners unsure of when and where they could carry concealed firearms.
For example, in the 2003 case of State vs. Hamdan, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that a Milwaukee grocery store owner, who had been the victim of past robberies, could raise the state constitution's protection of the right to keep and bear arms as a defense against charges of illegally carrying a concealed firearm. In its opinion, the court pressed the legislature to address the conflict between the constitution and the concealed carry statute, writing, "We urge the legislature to€¦consider the possibility of a licensing or permit system for persons who have a good reason to carry a concealed weapon."
But three years later, in the case of State vs. Fisher, the same court rejected a similar argument by a tavern owner who carried a handgun in the console of his vehicle. The court ruled that his "interest in exercising his right to keep and bear arms for purposes of security by carrying a concealed weapon in his vehicle does not substantially outweigh the state's interest in prohibiting him from carrying a concealed weapon in his vehicle."
Cases like these, combined with the Wisconsin legislature's failure to override repeated vetoes of Right-to-Carry bills by then-Gov. Jim Doyle (by the narrowest of margins, thanks to partisan arm-twisting) left Wisconsinites in an impossible situation. Every individual was forced to predict whether a judge might agree with his or her particular need to carry a gun for self-defense.
Confusing legal situations like these only serve to ensnare the otherwise law-abiding and undermine confidence in the rule of law. As James Madison wisely observed in Federalist No. 62, "It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood."
Fortunately, a political solution prevailed in Wisconsin. Gun owners — with air support from NRA Political Victory Fund radio and TV ads — took to the polls and replaced retiring Gov. Doyle, at long last, with pro-gun Gov. Walker, paving the way for overwhelming bipartisan enactment of Right-to-Carry legislation.
Unfortunately, the political outlook is less rosy in Illinois, where Chicago politicians dominate the legislature. That's why the NRA is taking the state to federal court. The lead plaintiff is Mary Shepard, who was brutally beaten at the church where she works as treasurer. Mrs. Shepard is licensed to carry in two other states, but — due to Illinois law — was unarmed at the time of the attack. (Joining Mrs. Shepard is the Illinois State Rifle Association, the NRA's state affiliate.)
Illinois isn't the only place where gun owners, with NRA support, are turning to the courts to correct restrictive laws and policies on concealed carry. We're supporting cases on the issue from California to Texas to Maryland.
Unfortunately, the courts work slowly. We hope legislators in Illinois and elsewhere, rather than continuing their resistance to citizens' rights, choose to learn from Wisconsin's experience and change the law. One thing is clear: No matter how long it takes, whether through the courts or the legislature, the NRA will not rest until Americans' right to carry firearms for self-protection is respected from coast to coast.
Howa HS Carbon Fiber Rifle Review Reviews
Howa HS Carbon Fiber Rifle Review
New from Howa is the HS Carbon Fiber rifle, a combination of adding a carbon-fiber barrel to...
At the heart of the rifle is the Model 2020 action which wish designed and built with very tight tolerances thanks to Springfield's technology-driven manufacturing capabilities The stainless steel action features an integral recoil lug, and pairs with a fluted bolt employing dual cocking cams and an enhanced extractor for high pressure loads. The blueprinted and precisely machined action allows Springfield to offer the Model 2020 with .75" MOA accuracy guarantee. Despite being a production rifle, the Model 2020 should rival more expensive custom builds.
Smith & Wesson Gunsmarts Campaign Industry
Smith & Wesson Gunsmarts Campaign
Smith & Wesson announced the launch of its new multi-media marketing campaign: Smith & Wesson...
More Trouble for NRA Industry
More Trouble for NRA
New York Attorney General sues the National Rifle Association.
The Star System: Joe Kurtenbach Joins G&A Industry
The Star System: Joe Kurtenbach Joins G&A
Founding Publisher Robert "Pete" Petersen believed in the Star System. We still believe in...
2020 Pistol
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1027
|
__label__cc
| 0.567459
| 0.432541
|
RDAP is Replacing WHOIS: What That Means For Your Website
Let’s say you finally landed on your dream domain name. You went to purchase the domain but found that someone else already owns the domain.
Instead of throwing up your hands and giving up in frustration, you could look up the domain registration information via WHOIS.
“Soon” Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) is slated to replace WHOIS. Don’t worry. This won’t change the way your website functions, just how to access information related to your domain.
Below we’ll dive into why this change happened, and give you insight into what it means for your website and domain name.
Note: the change to RDAP has been in process for a while, and the “go live” date was most recently slated for August 26, 2019. Keep up with current status here.
The End of the WHOIS Era
WHOIS has been the primary way to lookup domain name registration information or IP address details for the past 35 years. It’s been pretty much the only game in town.
Whether you wanted to know who owned a specific domain, or what the associated IP address was you would do a WHOIS lookup. You could do this through a website, or even via the command line. It was a simple and straightforward process. The data wasn’t always perfect, but the process worked.
However, the internet, its purpose, and how it’s used is continually changing. What worked twenty, thirty, or even ten years ago, probably doesn’t function as well today. Just think of how different websites were just five years ago.
Recent changes and awareness of data privacy, brought to light via the GDPR legislation, have helped to propel the development of RDAP.
Although WHOIS suited the needs of the internet population 35 years ago, it’s starting to show its age. Below we get into the limitations of WHOIS that RDAP seeks to address.
Limitations of WHOIS
Like most technologies that were started decades ago, they’re going to be a little dated. This was especially true regarding the domain name system. Currently, there are over 350 million domain names that are registered. That’s a lot of domain name data that needs to be managed.
The original WHOIS protocol definitely wasn’t engineered with this future in mind.
Below we look at the biggest drawbacks of the existing WHOIS protocol that are fixed with the RDAP protocol.
No standardized format. The output data is text-based and will have a different result depending on each registry. This makes data parsing very difficult.
Lack of data authentication. There is no authentication for who is accessing the data, so privacy issues might arise. RDAP seeks to address this.
No international support. As it currently stands there’s no way to make sense of different country/language data.
Lack of security protocols. Security standards across the web are rising. Data obtained from WHOIS isn’t very secure, as there were no verification, encryption, or authentication protocols in place.
What is RDAP?
RDAP stands for Registration Data Access Protocol. It will eventually fully replace the existing WHOIS protocol. The change won’t happen instantly, but the rollout is taking place as we write this article. Over time, RDAP will be the only way to access domain registration and IP address information, and WHOIS will fully be a thing of the past.
RDAP will deliver domain registration information just like WHOIS has done in the past, but it will do so in a different format (which we highlight below) that’s also more standardized across the board.
Right out of the gate RDAP has certain advantages over WHOIS, such as providing a secure way to access and request data, support for international data formats, and the ability to provide differentiated access to registration data.
On the surface, not much changes with the implementation of RDAP. Since RDAP will just return data, and it’s up to the registrar how that information will be displayed, so it could look exactly the same as the WHOIS source you’re used to.
Core Features of RDAP
RDAP was designed to help solve the existing problems of WHOIS. As it stands now here are some of the core features provided by RDAP:
Built-in security. Connections will be forced over HTTPS, so it’s automatically more secure. Authentication is also built-in to the protocol.
Standardized query, response, and error messages. All data that’s delivered will be in a standard format, the display of the information will be done on the end of the registrar.
Authoritative server access. The protocol will quickly find the correct and most authoritative server, so the resulting data should be higher quality.
Why is RDAP Being Implemented?
The existing WHOIS system worked for a while, but due to the vast changes in how the internet functions, along with increased security and privacy being a must today, it no longer serves the purpose it once did.
The issues with WHOIS have been known for over a decade, but replacing such a widespread system takes time. Deficiencies like no international support, lack of secure data access, lack of differentiated access, and no support for a standardized query, response, or error responses have been known for some time.
In 2011, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names (ICANN) was advised to evaluate and adopt a replacement protocol. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) was the organization that began to create the replacement protocol.
Recently, ICANN has been working with registrars to implement RDAP. Since there are so many different registrars across the globe, adopting this new protocol will take a while, but it is currently underway.
If all the above acronyms and organization names were confusing, here’s a quick rundown:
WHOIS has been around for so long it’s not as effective, and there are glaring drawbacks.
ICANN has known about these issues since 2011 and was working towards the alternative.
The alternative RDAP is now being implemented with registrars across the globe.
What This Change Means for Website Owners
For most website owners, this change won’t mean a lot. Your website and domain name will function the exact same way as they used to. Think of this as a behind the scenes change that doesn’t directly affect your website in its present form.
This is a much different situation than the recent GDPR rollout, which did impact websites and how they dealt with and stored data.
The only thing the move to RDAP will change is the type of data that you’re able to access. In the past, you would use WHOIS to lookup registration data associated with a given domain. Now, the process is the same, but you’ll have access to higher quality data that’s more secure. You’ll still access domain registration and IP address information the same way.
The only type of websites that this does affect are existing registrars. If you’re running a domain registrar, you would have known about this change a long, long time ago. But since it’s a protocol, it won’t change any data that’s currently being stored. It’s just a new way to access the data. The only thing that might change is how the resulting data might display, but this format will be more user-friendly anyways.
As you can see, the changes that RDAP brings into effect don’t really change much on the surface. Think of it as an upgrade to how domain registration and user data is accessed, making it much more secure and standardized moving into the future.
Posted in Web Hosting NewsTagged Register Domain, Transfer Domain
How to Use Google Analytics to Optimize Your Website Redesign
7 WordPress Plugins for Booking Appointments
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1029
|
__label__wiki
| 0.644922
| 0.644922
|
7 great Lebanese fashion designers to know now
The country is home to some of the world's most exciting couture, ready-to-wear and accessory brands
By Amy de Klerk
Kristy SparowGetty Images
If Lebanese fashion is not on your radar yet, now is the time to change that. The country is home to some of the most well-renowned designers in the world, some of which feature on the prestigious Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week calendar and have gone on to dress some of the most famous women in the world. Many of these talents are known for their glamorous and intricate designs, bringing the modern-day princess aesthetic to life. Alongside this are more contemporary, cult accessory labels which are fast becoming favourites with the A-list and influencer crowd.
Sadly, the country has been badly impacted upon by the recent devastating explosion in the heart of Beirut, which not only killed and injured many but also physically destroyed homes and businesses in the area - including the ateliers of many of the labels listed below.
Scroll down to learn more about and to shop collections from some of our favourite Lebanese designers. And, if you are able to help those affected by the explosion, we encourage you to make a donation to one of these charities.
A post shared by ELIE SAAB (@eliesaabworld) on Sep 10, 2020 at 9:09am PDT
As one of the biggest names in couture, Elie Saab has been dressing some of the most famous women in the world for years. From Beyoncé and Angelina Jolie to Cate Blanchett and Alicia Vikander, the designer has been part of some of fashion's biggest red-carpet moments, creating dresses for the most glittering of events - from the Cannes Film Festival to the Academy Awards.
Known for his more-is-more approach to embellishment and exquisite attention to detail, there is little surprise that so many of the world's most glamorous women turn to him for their most important occasions. And, Saab is a name to know even if you aren't looking for couture. A favourite on the ready-to-wear runway too, his work exudes a modern take on elegance – think tiered dresses and sleek jumpsuits with feathered detailing that will be great for your evening wardrobe.
A post shared by GEORGES HOBEIKA (@georgeshobeika) on May 14, 2020 at 9:55am PDT
Another Lebanese name on the Paris Couture Fashion Week calendar is Georges Hobeika, whose designs have been worn by everyone from Chrissy Teigen to Priyanka Chopra and Heidi Klum. The extremely glamorous gowns that make up the haute couture and ready-to-wear collections are all about drama and opulence, while the label also delivers with some seriously on-point accessories, including leather totes that any woman would dream to add to their arsenal. Plus, if you are a bride-to-be and want to feel like a true princess on your big day, make sure to check out the label's bridal collections, too.
A post shared by Zuhair Murad Official (@zuhairmuradofficial) on Mar 27, 2020 at 8:40am PDT
A couture label loved by Jennifer Lopez, Gigi Hadid and Kerry Washington, Zuhair Murad is another of the biggest names to come out of Beirut. The designer – who originally hails from Baalbek in Lebanon – launched his namesake label in 1997 where he sold to a small private clientele, before joining the Paris couture schedule in 2005. Now a world-renowned designer, Murad also creates ready-to-wear and accessories as well as couture, bringing a serious dose of optimism and glamour to everything he designs.
Alexandra Hakim
A post shared by Alexandra Hakim Jewellery (@alexandrahakim) on May 20, 2020 at 6:37am PDT
Although Lebanon might be most famous for its extensive array of couture designers, there are also plenty of accessory-focused labels to come out of it. These include Alexandra Hakim, a sustainable jewellery designer who specialises in giving a new lease of life to materials which would otherwise go to waste. She creates colourful, often metallic pieces which are meticulously made by hand, each completely unique and zero-waste.
Andrea Wazen
A post shared by ANDREA WAZEN (@andreawazen) on Jul 1, 2020 at 5:06am PDT
Another Lebanese accessory designer who has been making waves in the fashion industry is Andrea Wazen, whose Beirut-based business has caught the eye of many celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Sienna Miller, suggesting that she might just be the next cult shoe label to put on your radar.
"There is a love story between a woman and her shoes," Wazen told us of the magic that goes into her work. "A great pair is not just one that you wear, it’s one that makes you hold yourself differently and gives you confidence, a sense of power."
You can read more about Wazen in our profile on the designer here.
Sandra Mansour
A post shared by s a n d r a m a n s o u r (@sandramansour) on May 7, 2020 at 9:10am PDT
Sandra Mansour is a real fashion-editor favourite, a designer whose work is a truly modern take on romantic dressing – think statement silhouettes, intricate details and an ethereal aesthetic. Worn by plenty of the world's most stylish influencers, Mansour's profile has gone from strength to strength in recent months, even launching her very own collection with H&M recently, one which celebrated nature. Find out more about that and shop the collection here.
A post shared by GEORGES CHAKRA (@georgeschakraofficial) on Dec 23, 2019 at 11:30am PST
This round-up would not be complete without the mention of Georges Chakra, one of the most famous designers to have come out of Lebanon. Not only has his work been worn by some of the biggest A-listers around (Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively and Helen Mirren to name a few), but the designer's collections were also featured on perhaps fashion's favourite film, The Devil Wears Prada, confirming Chakra's very firm place at the top of the industry.
How to create a Carrie Bradshaw wardrobe in 2021
The easiest way to elevate your WFH look
How to dress like the Duchess of Cambridge
8 cashmere jumpers worth investing in
The best designer resale sites
Fashion editor-approved luxury activewear brands
15 of the best camel coats to invest in
19 pyjama brands loved by fashion editors
22 of the best buys in the winter sales
10 cosy jumpers to invest in this winter
7 watch trends to know for 2020
Why you're obsessed with interior design
5 new shoe brands to know about now
The best vegan shoe brands to know right now
Dolce & Gabbana launches the world's most luxurious kitchen appliances
14 chic jewellery brands you need to know about before Valentine's Day
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1033
|
__label__cc
| 0.655614
| 0.344386
|
Sheol In the Old Testament
Jacob, Job, and Solomon’s View of Sheol, the Intermediate State
We’ll begin our scriptural study on the intermediate state by observing how Jacob, Job and Solomon viewed Sheol in the Old Testament. All three were godly men of the Old Testament era. Jacob was the grandson of Abraham, the father of faith, and the patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel. In fact, his name was changed to “Israel.” Job was regarded so highly by God that He boasted there was no one on earth as great as him (Job 1:8). As for Solomon, the Bible says “King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart” (1 Kings 10:23-24).
These scriptural facts reveal that, although far from perfect, Jacob, Job and Solomon were great and mighty men of the Old Testament period. Hence, there’s no reason not to assume that their recorded statements about Sheol are sound and particularly so if they’re in harmony with what the rest of the Bible teaches.
With this understanding, let’s consider the very first passage in the Bible where the Hebrew word Sheol appears.
What Jacob Said
Sheol in the Old Testament first appears in GENESIS 37:35. This was the occasion where Jacob’s sons treacherously sold their brother Joseph into slavery and then lied to their father by telling him that Joseph was slain by a wild beast. Jacob believed the lie and was understandably heartbroken:
GENESIS 37:35 (NRSV)
All his sons and daughters sought to comfort him [Jacob]; but he refused to be comforted, and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son [Joseph], mourning.” Thus his father bewailed him.
Two simple facts can be derived from Jacob’s brief expression of grief in this passage: (1.) Jacob very much expected to go to Sheol when he died, and (2.) Jacob believed that Joseph was already in Sheol, that he would remain there, and that he would himself join him when he eventually died.
The King James Version translates Sheol in this passage as “the grave.” Why? Obviously because the verse refers to Jacob and Joseph, both righteous men of God (righteous, that is, in the sense that they were in-right-standing with God via their covenant, not that they were unflawed individuals). This is in harmony with the King James translator’s policy of rendering Sheol as “hell” when it applied to unrighteous people and as “the grave” when it applied to the righteous. As pointed out in Chapter One, there is absolutely no justification for this practice; the meaning of the word Sheol does not change depending upon the character of the person going there.
We thus find evidence in the very first appearance of Sheol in the Old Testament that religious people have tried to mislead the populace about its nature and who exactly went there.
As for the King James and other translations rendering Sheol as “the grave,” it was pointed out in the first chapter that Sheol never denotes the physical grave or tomb where bodies are laid to rest; there’s a separate Hebrew word for this. Sheol should only be understood as “the grave” in the sense that it is the graveyard of souls in the spiritual realm, where dead souls are held and “awaiting” resurrection to be judged by God. This will become more evident as our study progresses.
Another important point concerning Jacob’s view of Sheol in the Old Testament: Although Jacob doesn’t state anything about the nature of Sheol, it’s obvious that he didn’t regard it as some sort of nether paradise where his son was hanging out with father Abraham, which is what many ministers today advocate. If this were the case, would Jacob be “mourning” and “bewailing” Joseph so grievously? Of course not. It might be argued that Jacob was grieving over his own personal loss and not the destination of his son’s disembodied soul. If this were so, wouldn’t Jacob likely exclaim something to the effect of, “Praise you LORD that my son is now in the blissful presence of father Abraham, and I will one day go down to this same paradise rejoicing.” Yet Jacob says nothing of the kind; in fact, his reaction is completely opposite to this.
Job’s View of Sheol
Let us now consider Job’s view of the intermediate state. Job was the greatest man of his time and God bragged of his character, integrity, godliness and hatred of evil (Job 1:1,3,8). Furthermore, in the book of Ezekiel God spoke of Job in the same breath as Noah and Daniel, two other great men of God (Ezekiel 14:14-20). The LORD obviously has a very high opinion of Job. We can therefore regard Job’s views on Sheol as very reliable.
As we shall see, Job goes into quite a bit of detail on the nature of Sheol in the Old Testament. Did he just dream up all this information or did he have divine revelation on the subject? No doubt God revealed these truths to him. We can confidently draw this conclusion because what Job says about Sheol is in complete agreement with what the rest of the Bible teaches on the subject; only if Job’s position contradicted the rest of Holy Scripture would we question its validity.
NOTE: Some may understandably argue that, since the LORD later accuses Job of speaking “words without knowledge” (Job 38:2), his statements concerning the nature of Sheol are unreliable. But which of Job’s words did God feel were “without knowledge”? Obviously his erroneous belief that it was God Himself who was afflicting him, not the devil; which naturally provoked Job to rail against the LORD throughout the book, e.g. Job 10:1-3. This is what God understandably took issue with, not his theological insights concerning the intermediate state. Once again, Job’s statements about Sheol should only be questioned if they are not in harmony with what the rest of the Bible teaches.
For those unfamiliar with the book of Job, let me briefly explain its contents: Satan argues to God that Job is devoted to Him merely because the LORD blessed him so greatly and contends that Job will curse Him to His face if his blessings were removed. God therefore permits Satan to attack Job to find out. As a result of Satan’s attacks, Job loses his ten children, hundreds of his employees (with only four survivors), all his great wealth and even his health as he is afflicted with painful sores from head to toe.
After many months of suffering, three of Job’s friends go to “comfort” him and end up judging & accusing him of some great hidden sin, which they presume brought about all his horrible suffering. Most of the book consists of Job, in great anguish, profoundly debating with these “friends;” it should be noted, however, that much of what Job says is directed at God Himself. Such is the case with this passage:
JOB 14:10-15 (NRSV)
“But mortals die, and are laid low; humans expire and where are they? (11) As waters fail from a lake, and a river wastes away and dries up, (12) so mortals lie down and do not rise again; until the heavens are no more, they will not awake or be aroused out of their sleep. (13) Oh that you (God) would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me! (14) If mortals die, will they live again? All of the days of my service I would wait until my release should come. (15) You would call, and I would answer you; you would long for the works of your hands.”
Much is said in this passage of Sheol in the Old Testament, so let’s take it point by point.
Firstly, in verse 10 Job declares that “mortals die” and then asks “where are they?” He partially answers his own question in verse 12 by likening death to “sleep” which humans will not “awake” from until “the heavens are no more,” or, we could say, a very long time. What needs to be emphasized from these words is that Job describes the condition of death as “sleep” from which all human beings will one day “awake” or be resurrected.
Yet he still hasn’t really answered the question of where people go after they die. The very next verse answers this: In his great anguish he cries out to God to hide him in Sheol. Why does Job pray this? Because his suffering was so great he wanted to escape it through death; and obviously when a person died, Job believed, his or her soul would go to Sheol.
One may argue that, in verse 12, Job is perhaps referring to the body “sleeping” in the grave, but the obvious focus of his words is the death condition of the soul in Sheol because in the very same breath, verse 13, he prays to God to go specifically there: “Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath is past, that you would appoint a set time and remember me!”
Job erroneously believed that God Himself was causing his great afflictions; he was obviously unaware of the Devil’s hand in the situation. In truth, God only permitted Job’s afflictions by allowing Satan to attack him. Regardless, the fact is that Job believed that by dying and going to Sheol he would escape his intense suffering.
Yes, as amazing as it may seem, Job was actually hoping and praying to die and go to Sheol, a place traditionally considered “hell” and viewed as a horrible, devil-ruled torture chamber! Obviously Job’s view of Sheol was quite different from what religious tradition has taught us. He prayed to go to Sheol because, being one of God’s inspired servants, he knew that Sheol was a condition of unconsciousness which he describes as sleep. Job was understandably weary of his intense suffering and wanted it to end. He knew that in death, in Sheol, he would find relief from his misery, not an increase of it.
A vital fact that needs to be stressed from the above passage is that, regardless of the nature of Sheol, Job definitely believed that everyone would ultimately be resurrected from there. In verse 12 he makes it clear that all mortals who lie down in the sleep of death will one day awaken, that is, be resurrected when “the heavens are no more.” And, while Job prayed to go to Sheol in verse 13, it was not with the expectation that he would remain there forever. Job obviously believed that if God “hid” him in Sheol He would “appoint a set time and remember” him, which is obviously when his “release” would come (verse 14). Release from what? Obviously his release from captivity to Sheol, “the world of the dead” as scholar James Strong defines it. So God “remembering” him and “releasing” him are references to a future resurrection from Sheol, which is in harmony with what the rest of the Bible teaches.
“There the Wicked Cease from Turmoil, and the Weary are at Rest”
Job elaborates greatly on the nature of Sheol in the Old Testament in chapter 3 of the book named after him. In this chapter Job curses the day of his birth because his suffering is so great. In essence, Job is wishing that he were never born into this world because then he would never have had to experience such incredible agony. He then details what it would be like for him if this were so:
JOB 3:11-19
“Why did I not perish at birth and die as I came from the womb? (12) Why were there knees to receive me and breasts that I might be nursed? (13) For now I would be lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest (14) with kings and counselors of the earth who built for themselves places now lying in ruins, (15) with rulers who had gold, who filled their houses with silver. (16) Or why was I not hidden in the ground like a stillborn child, like an infant who never saw the light of day? (17) There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest. (18) Captives also enjoy their ease; they no longer hear the slave driver’s shout. (19) The small and great are there, and the slave is freed from his master.”
Job starts off this passage, of Sheol in the Old Testament, by asking why he didn’t die as an infant. He says that, in that event, he would not be enduring all the great suffering that he was experiencing. He explains in verse 13 that, had he died in infancy, he would be peacefully “lying down… asleep and at rest.”
Job then further explains that he would have shared this condition of sleep and rest with kings and counselors of the earth, with the small and the great, with rulers and slaves, with captives and weary people and, yes, even with the wicked! In this state of death, Job declares in verse 17 that “there the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest,” and in verse 18 he makes it plain that there’s no “slave driver’s shout” as well.
This coincides with what Job later says concerning the wicked:
“They [the wicked] spend their days in prosperity and in peace they go down to Sheol.”
Notice that Job didn’t say the wicked go down to Sheol in torment; no, they go down to Sheol in peace. This completely contradicts the religious traditional belief that the unredeemed go to some horrible devil-ruled nether realm immediately after physical death to suffer torments as they are goaded on by slave-driving demons in fiery pits with not a single drop of water for relief. Instead Job makes it clear that there is no turmoil or torment for the wicked in Sheol.
If Job’s view of Sheol in the Old Testament is divinely inspired and therefore coincides with the rest of the God-breathed Scriptures, these are potent facts indeed! They reveal that at death kings, counselors, rulers, infants, the wicked, the weary, captives, the small, the great and slaves all share the same condition, a condition of peaceful “sleep” and “rest,” which are obvious references to unconsciousness. No wonder Job, stripped of all his possessions, forsaken by his wife and friends, tortured by painful sores from head to toe, mocked and made a byword by everyone and mourning for his ten children & hundreds of servants, prayed to go to such a place. Needless to say, Job’s understanding of Sheol was quite different from that held by so many misguided religious people today.
Some may wonder if perhaps Job was referring to the literal grave or tomb where the body is laid to rest since there is no specific mention of Sheol in chapter 3. This idea is ruled out because Job makes it clear in verses 13-15 that, if he died, he’d be lying down asleep with kings, counselors and rulers. So Job is plainly referring to a common place or condition that all people shared together. Biblically speaking, this would be Sheol, the realm of dead souls, as verified in Ecclesiastes 9:10, a passage we shall examine in the next section. In addition, Job would not be referring to the literal grave or tomb for the body because it is not acceptable or usual practice to bury people together in mass graves or tombs, whether then or now.
Before we continue let’s remember that, as detailed in Chapter One, this was well before the death and resurrection of Christ, hence spiritual rebirth and the consequent attainment of eternal life were yet to be manifested. For this reason, the souls of Old Testament saints could not be ushered into God’s presence when they physically died; the souls of both the righteous and unrighteous went to Sheol at this time because redemption was not yet available.
Amazingly, some righteous captives to Sheol—death—were set free when Jesus was resurrected:
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
(51) At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split (52) and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. (53) They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
Notice how verse 52 says that these “holy people who had died were raised to life” and not these “holy people who had died physically, but were still very much alive in the paradise section of Sheol fellowshipping with father Abraham, were raised to life physically.” With passages like this it’s important to note what the Bible actually says, about Sheol in the Old Testament, and also what it doesn’t say. Interestingly, there’s no account of these resurrected people lamenting that they had to leave paradise with Abraham to come back to this lost world. Why not? Because it’s a false doctrine.
What about the rest of the Old Testament saints? They were possibly released from Sheol when Jesus ascended (Ephesians 4:7-10); if not, we can be sure that they’ll be resurrected at the time of their bodily resurrection when Jesus Christ returns to the earth, which takes place at the end of the Tribulation period and before Jesus’ millennial reign (Daniel 12:1-2 & Matthew 19:28-30). We’ll look at this in Chapter Eleven.
Solomon’s View of Sheol
Solomon was the wisest man on earth in his time (see 1 Kings 4:29-34) and God utilized his great knowledge and wisdom in three books of the God-breathed Scriptures.
NOTE: Although it is traditionally believed that Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, which I’ve always felt was fairly obvious, some modern scholars debate this.
Notice what it says about Solomon when the Queen of Sheba came to visit him:
Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions… (3) Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was hidden from the king which he did not explain to her.
1 Kings 10:1,3
The king’s wisdom was renowned and so the Queen came to test him with hard questions and verse 3 shows that “nothing was hidden from the king which he did not explain to her.” Do you think that one of the questions she asked him was what happens to people when the die? That is, where they go and what will it be like? Of course she did; after all, it’s one of the most common “difficult questions” people ask in life. With this in mind, it says that “Solomon answered all her questions” and that there was literally “nothing” he did not explain to her.
Furthermore, we know that Solomon had divine revelation on Sheol, the realm of the dead, because he commented on it quite a bit in the book of Proverbs, as we’ll see in Chapter Five. He also elaborates on it in Ecclesiastes, witness:
ECCLESIASTES 9:10 (NRSV)
Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
The language in this passage describes beyond any question of doubt that Sheol in the Old Testament is a condition of unconsciousness. Notice that, in Sheol, there’s neither good work nor bad work; there’s neither positive, hopeful thoughts nor anguished, hopeless thoughts; there’s neither knowledge of what’s good and holy or knowledge of what’s evil and impure.
This is further verified in verse 5:
ECCLESIASTES 9:5 (NRSV)
The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing.
The obvious reason the dead “know nothing” is because they’re no longer alive and conscious — they’re dead. This coincides with this passage from the Psalms:
PSALM 146:4 (KJV)
His breath goeth forth, he [his body] returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
The Psalmist makes it clear that when a person physically dies his or her thoughts perish. Note that there is no mention whatsoever of a person’s thoughts continuing to live on in some devil-ruled chamber of horrors. This is obviously because a dead person is no longer conscious of anything.
Take another look at Ecclesiastes 9:10 above and notice that Solomon doesn’t make a distinction between righteous or unrighteous people. Like Job, he plainly says that everyone would go to Sheol during this period of time, whether righteous or wicked, rich or poor, small or great. In fact, Solomon’s major point in Ecclesiastes 9 is that death or Sheol is the common destiny of all people before redemption was made available through Christ’s death and resurrection. He plainly states in verse 3 that “the same destiny overtakes all.” What destiny? The destiny of Sheol, the state of death, where—he goes on to say—there is neither work nor thought nor knowledge nor wisdom.
Jacob, Job and Solomon’s views of Sheol in the Old Testament can be summarized as follows:
1. Sheol is a condition that every spiritually un-regenerated person will experience immediately following physical decease, which includes godly men and women in Old Testament time periods preceding the ascension of Christ. It includes the rich and the poor, the small and the great, the pure and the profane. In other words, Sheol is the common destiny of anyone who is spiritually dead to God and therefore un-redeemed.
2. Sheol is a condition of unconsciousness, likened unto sleep, where there is no work, thought or knowledge of any kind. It is not a place or state of conscious suffering and misery.
3. Sheol is a temporary condition and all consigned to Sheol will ultimately be resurrected.
SHEOL KNOW is available in book form with additional sections; you can purchase a low-priced copy here (339 pages); or you can get the ebook version for only $2.99. Both links allow you to “Look inside” the book.
A freshly-edited Condensed Version of SHEOL KNOW is now available here for only $6.72 (153 pages) or you can get the ebook version for only 99¢!
Jim Beckett
Another chamber of Sheol, is where I understand that the angels that had sex with the mortals before Noah, were chained, so they had to be alive and being tormented awaiting the Lake of Fire!
You’re confusing Sheol (Hades) with tartaroo, Jim. Sheol is the “realm of the DEAD” and concerns human souls (Revelation 20:11-15). Tartaroo concerns evil spirits (2 Peter 2:4 & Jude 1:6).
For details, I encourage you to examine the relevant scriptural data contained in SHEOL KNOW. Click that link and it will provide access to all the (abridged) chapters.
If everyone going to Sheol is unconscious , then how do you explain the rich man in hell talking to Lasaus, who I believe is in The Paradise section of Sheol?
Hi Jim.
The tale of the Rich Man and Lazarus is a fantastical parable. For scriptural verification read this chapter of SHEOL KNOW.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1037
|
__label__cc
| 0.731753
| 0.268247
|
Battered Baby Falak Dies of Heart Attack
Battered baby Falak, who shocked the whole country with the brutality she received, died at AIIMS Hospital, Delhi, on Thursday evening after battling for life for two months. She died of heart attack.
Falak's shocking tale came to the fore when she was brought to AIIMS on January 18 by a 14-year-old girl in a bruised and battered condition with severe head injuries, arms fractures and human bite marks all over her body. The teenage girl initially claimed to be Falak's mother but later confessed that she was handed over the child by a man named Rajkumar Gupta, who is the main accused in the case.
The battered baby had been battling for life ever since she was hospitalized. She underwent brain surgery, and doctors tried to save her by conducting more surgeries. However, her health was inconsistent and she finally passed away.
The police had tracked down Falak's 22-year-old biological mother Munni, who claimed that she run away last year after the man she married forced her into prostitution. The police have also found Falak's elder sister and her five-year-old brother.
Ten people, including the main accused Rajkumar Gupta, have been arrested by the police in the case.
Indian Army Chief calls for revolution in bureaucratic affairs; hampers defence modernisation [details]
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1038
|
__label__wiki
| 0.896687
| 0.896687
|
John Gutmann
(1905 - 1998) American
John Gutmann received his bachelor's degree from the State Academy of Arts and Crafts in Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland) and studied with master painter Otto Mueller, one of the founding members of the New Realist movement in Germany. Gutmann moved to Berlin in 1927 where he earned his master's degree at the State Institute for Higher Education. The arts were flourishing in Berlin, and the city's vibrant social scene provided inspiration for subject matter and aesthetic. Gutmann's paintings were done in the vein of well-known German painter Otto Dix, who represented Berlin nightlife as both dizzily exciting and darkly isolating. In 1933, due to the rise of the Nazi regime, Gutmann was no longer able to exhibit his paintings or teach and began to experiment with photography as a means of supporting himself. He bought a Rolleiflex camera, shot three rolls of film, and immediately secured a contract with a German agency, Presse-Foto, to photograph in America and send pictures back for German publications. That same year he arrived in San Francisco and started to document America from the detached eye of an anthropologist. By 1936 he had secured a teaching position at San Francisco State College, where a decade later he founded its creative photography program, one of the first in the country. By the end of the thirties, Gutmann switched agencies to Pix, Inc., a New York-based agency, which promoted his work for publication in magazines such as Time, The Saturday Evening Post, Life, and Look. During World War II, he studied at the Signal Corps Motion Picture School in Queens and made still and motion pictures for the United States Army Signal Corps. He focused much of his work during this time on China, Burma, and India. Gutmann retired from teaching in 1973 and began to print and edit his earlier work for exhibition and publication. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art held a two-man exhibition in 1976 of John Gutmann and Walker Evan's work focusing on images of the Great Depression and the American culture that emerged from it. Two years later he was awarded a Guggenheim fellowship. In 1984 his first publication titled The Restless Decade was published by Harry N. Abrams, showcasing his work from the 1930s. Beginning in 1989 a major retrospective, Beyond the Document, traveled from San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to the Museum of Modern Art in New York and then to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Gutmann died on June 12, 1998 in San Francisco.
Gutmann brings a strong modernist sensibility to his black-and-white documentary photographs. Using a Rolleiflex camera and shooting from the waist, he combines unusual angles, close cropping, and careful--almost classical--framing to create works that are as poetic as they are impactful. Like Walker Evans, he finds beauty in ordinary and everyday subjects such as advertisements, street scenes, and automobiles--subjects he would return to throughout his career. His straight-style depictions of Depression-era America often include an element of humor, capturing quiet moments of human drama, charged with anxiety, but also hope.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1039
|
__label__wiki
| 0.957726
| 0.957726
|
Kicking In Doors And Crushing Credit: How a Texas-Based Retailer Torments Customers
Thousands of Rent-A-Center customers are complaining in growing numbers of harassment and wrecked finances after leasing furniture, electronics or appliances from the Plano-based company.
Brad Wolverton, Nerdwallet
| Posted on October 30, 2017, 1:36 PM
Olivia Quinn stands next to a dresser she bought as a part of a bedroom set from Acceptance Now, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 in Newport News, Va. Quinn says a series of mistakes by the company led to a ding on her credit report, which cost her years of hassle and a mortgage.
Virginia real estate investor Olivia Quinn says she lost her mortgage because Rent-A-Center, the nation's largest rent-to-own company, failed to correct her credit report. She had paid off her rented merchandise — twice.
Leroy Walton of Georgia settled his account with Rent-A-Center in 2013, his records show. But for years after, he says debt collectors pursued him, even threatening him with arrest.
Jessica Gonzalez's federal lawsuit says she huddled with her two sons in a closet of her Florida home while a Rent-A-Center employee pounded on her house to collect money.
And Andrea Gorman told authorities that Rent-A-Center workers kicked in the front door of her Ohio home after she fell behind on payments.
Thousands of Rent-A-Center customers across the United States are complaining in growing numbers of harassment and wrecked finances after leasing furniture, electronics or appliances from the $3 billion company, which is based in Plano.
Customers say their credit scores had been damaged unfairly and they were hounded by debt collectors after they settled their accounts. Many documented lengthy, unsuccessful attempts to get Rent-A-Center to correct its records, a joint investigation by NerdWallet and Raycom Media found.
Even Rent-A-Center shareholders have complained, filing a lawsuit against the company that argued shoddy record-keeping has damaged the business.
In most American industries, harassment over unpaid bills sets off alarms with regulators. But Rent-A-Center relies on exceptions carved out for the entire rent-to-own industry, allowing it to operate outside many consumer protection laws.
The Federal Trade Commission, aware of the industry's tactics, has warned about the risks of signing rent-to-own agreements.
At the state level, consumer advocates such as Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine say the industry needs more regulation.
Anyone considering turning to Rent-A-Center for furniture and appliances should "run — don't walk — out of that store. Get out of there," DeWine says.
‘A welcome hand up'
Rent-A-Center, a publicly-traded company, rents TVs, couches, washers and dryers, and other items for weeks or months. Customers typically can terminate their leases at any time and return the goods, or pay until they own the items.
The company has two basic business models. It has more than 2,400 stores largely near low-income neighborhoods and military bases.
It also operates as Acceptance Now inside nearly 1,300 independently owned furniture stores, including Ashley Furniture and Rooms to Go. In those showrooms, customers pick out furniture they want but instead of buying it from the store, Acceptance Now buys it for them and leases it back to them, removing the store from any responsibility in disputes.
Interviews by NerdWallet and Raycom and complaints to regulators show problems arise if a customer falls behind on rental payments. A missed payment can trigger aggressive responses by employees and touch off record-keeping errors, former employees told reporters.
Quinn and Walton missed payments, then caught up. But their accounts were not properly credited, their records show.
Gonzalez, Gorman and other customers who fell behind on payments faced immediate and aggressive harassment.
Chris Korst, Rent-A-Center's chief administrative officer, said in an email that the company takes complaints seriously: "We strive to provide the highest level of customer service and when we fall short of that expectation, we work equally hard to resolve those issues."
The rent-to-own industry has been controversial for decades, largely because it is pricey.
A Vizio soundbar with subwoofer retails for $148 at Amazon. It would cost more than five times as much, $779, if lease-purchased in a one-year contract from Rent-A-Center.
At a rental rate of $14.99 a week, a customer could save the money for 10 weeks and buy the item with cash.
Rent-A-Center said its prices are higher because they include delivery, setup and other services many retailers don't offer. The company says its prices also reflect the risk of doing business with a population many retailers do not accommodate.
Company won't explain charges
Caitlin Six is a financial services employee who signed a contract with Acceptance Now in 2013 to lease a sectional sofa, bedroom furniture and two mattresses from a Rooms to Go near Jacksonville, Florida.
Six signed a three-year contract, agreeing to pay $201.28 a month. She made monthly payments for 15 months, then returned the couch.
Rent-A-Center records show she had paid $3,030. She assumed she was close to paying off her account because she no longer had the couch, which she recalls cost $1,299, or two thirds of the total for the furniture.
Rent-A-Center told her she still owed more than $1,700. Six asked for an itemized statement, but the company would not provide one, she told the Florida attorney general's office in a 2015 complaint.
In March 2015, she got a call from Rent-A-Center demanding that she pay $497.06 or the company would pursue theft charges, her complaint said.
Rent-A-Center representatives began showing up at her house, leaving notes threatening to call police if she didn't pay or return the "stolen" items, she told a reporter.
Rent-A-Center has strict collection targets, former managers say. When they worked for the company, a store's percentage of past due customers had to be under 6 percent each week, say the workers, who asked not to be identified because they had signed nondisclosure agreements with the company.
If stores don't hit their numbers, managers are required to work extra shifts and can lose their jobs, former workers say.
Store sales staff doubles as first-line collectors. They call customers within hours of a missed payment, and workers often go out to track down customers late by a week or more.
The Federal Trade Commission received 2,779 complaints about Rent-A-Center and Acceptance Now between January 2016 and June 2017. More than 90 percent cited aggressive collection tactics.
Ohio customer Gorman says Rent-A-Center workers kicked in the door of her Lima home after she fell two months behind on a contract for a laptop, which she had nearly paid off. She had lost her job and says she told Rent-A-Center employees she needed a few more weeks to make final payments.
Instead, workers broke into her home while she was away, Gorman told Lima police, citing a neighbor who witnessed the incident.
Washington state sued Rent-A-Center in 2009 accusing the company of abusive collection practices.
Rent-A-Center settled the lawsuit in 2010, saying it had done nothing wrong but agreeing to not use abusive language, trespass or visit customers' workplaces after being told not to do so.
Since that settlement, the Washington attorney general has received more than 800 pages of complaints about Rent-A-Center.
Modern-day debtors prison
Laws in many states allow rent-to-own companies to pursue criminal charges against customers who miss payments and do not return the rentals upon the company's request.
David Strosnider, a former Rent-A-Center manager in Charlotte, North Carolina, says he pursued criminal charges against only those customers who paid off less than 30 percent of the merchandise.
But some Rent-A-Center managers filed charges on anybody who didn't pay, says Strosnider, who worked for Rent-A-Center from 2012 to 2015.
Rent-A-Center's corporate office gave stores "free rein" with delinquent customers, he says. "Their message was, ‘Do whatever you have to do to get your money.'"
A Rent-A-Center in Newport News, Virginia on Sept. 22, 2017.
In Houston, the Harris County District Attorney has filed criminal theft charges against rent-to-own customers for at least two decades, says Valerie Turner, county chief of consumer fraud.
Murray Newman, who worked as a Harris County prosecutor from 1999 to 2008, says he justified theft charges if a customer rented an item, never made a payment and refused to give it back.
But he said Rent-A-Center didn't make that distinction. It used the district attorney's office as a collection agency, he said, going after customers who fell behind on payments with no intent to steal.
Rent-A-Center said in an email it uses criminal charges in "extremely limited circumstances" and only when the intent to commit theft is apparent.
"We try every possible way to contact, visit and work with our customers, and view filing charges as a last resort," the company said.
Lasting damage to customers
Between January 2016 and June 2017, 674 people filed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission about problems with Rent-A-Center's subsidiary, Acceptance Now.
Nearly one-third had asked Acceptance Now for verification they owed money. The company failed to provide it, former customers said. Ten percent of those 674 customers said errors ended up on their credit reports.
Rent-A-Center shareholders filed a federal lawsuit against the company in December 2016 over problems with its system for tracking customer payments. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Texas, said Rent-A-Center had difficulty starting a new point of sale system in 2015, causing "severe harm" to company operations.
The company introduced the system despite repeated internal warnings about its flaws, leading to outages that caused customers to fall behind on their rental agreements, shareholders say in court filings. Rent-A-Center tried to get the case dismissed but a judge denied its request.
Companies that mishandle customer records can be subject to penalties, Ohio Attorney General DeWine says. He urged consumers harmed by Rent-A-Center to contact their state attorney general.
"This is an industry that needs regulation," he says. "This is an industry that is really hurting poor people."
Rent-A-Center's systems have also harmed middle-income consumers.
Walton, the Rent-A-Center customer from Georgia, says he has been called by at least five debt collectors about bills he paid in full.
His bank records reviewed by a reporter show he paid off the $2,035.93 he owed for a dining room set and sectional sofa from Acceptance Now in 2013.
Two years later, he learned his credit report included an unpaid balance. Walton says he made dozens of calls to Rent-A-Center and Acceptance Now but could not get the error corrected.
In February, four years after he settled his debt, a collection agency left voicemails with his sister and a nephew. The messages warned that Walton would be arrested if he didn't pay, he says.
Even debt collectors are angry
In late 2014, Rent-A-Center sold collection agencies more than 18,000 accounts it deemed seriously in arrears.
Brandon Vigliotti, a Houston debt buyer and president of Lismore Holdings, purchased those 18,000 accounts and gave about half to a second company to help collect on the debt.
Of the roughly half Vigliotti kept, he said at least 1,800 turnedout to owe nothing, or about 1 in 5. An additional 770 customers had been sued and paid their debts, according to Vigliotti's research, which NerdWallet reviewed.
The numbers were worse for the second company, Southwestern Investors Group, of Hamburg, New York, and one of its collection agencies, Element Global Services. At least one-third of the 8,200 customers Element contacted had no balance on their accounts, says Eric Westermeyer, former chief operating officer at the company.
Southwestern Investors Group and Element Global Services filed a lawsuit against Rent-A-Center and Lismore Holdings in October 2015.
Rent-A-Center would not comment on the allegations, citing the pending litigation. The case is in arbitration. But the company told reporters "there is a substantial risk that you may have been misinformed as to the facts."
Adam Parks, who worked with Vigliotti, said Rent-A-Center's Acceptance Now outlets in furniture stores continued to accept customers' money even after their accounts were sold to debt collectors.
"They were continuing to collect on accounts that weren't theirs and not crediting consumers," says Parks, who is on the board of the Receivables Management Association, an industry trade group for debt collectors. "To me it's fraud."
Paid twice but credit wrecked
Olivia Quinn is the Virginia woman who says she lost her mortgage despite twice paying off a $990 bedroom set.
She got the items at a Kane's Furniture store in Clearwater, Florida, in 2011. She thought Kane's had handled the transaction and wasn't told her agreement was with Acceptance Now.
In 2012, after her records show she made payments totaling nearly $1,500, she called Kane's to pay off the account. A Kane's manager said he would credit her payment, she says.
But three years later a collection agency in Amherst, New York, called to say she owed more than $1,600 to Acceptance Now, she says.
She didn't associate the debt with her Kane's furniture. But because she was shopping for a house and needed good credit, she accepted the company's $799 settlement offer, she says.
The collector, Huntington Debt Holding LLC, sent her a payoff letter she showed to reporters. A few months later, as she was applying for a mortgage, her credit report showed an outstanding Rent-A-Center balance of $1,698.
After investigating, she learned that her Kane's furniture had been paid for through Rent-A-Center.
With her mortgage hanging in the balance, Quinn spoke to nearly 20 people trying to resolve the problem, according to notes she showed reporters.
A Kane's spokeswoman told reporters the company has no record of the transaction. Quinn says Rent-A-Center employees refused to accept the payoff letter, asking her to pay them directly.
Armed with records showing she paid more than $3,000 for the furniture, more than triple the cash price, she refused.
That's when she says her mortgage fell through. The $1,698 debt is still on her credit report.
Julia Rendleman for NerdWallet
Subscribe to Today in Houston
Fill out the form below to subscribe our new daily editorial newsletter from the HPM Newsroom.
Newscredit Rent a center
Applebee’s Customers In 15 States Including Texas, May Have Had Credit Card Information Exposed
Rent-To-Own Complaints Spur Investigation By Federal Agency
The good and not so good of credit card reform
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1040
|
__label__cc
| 0.601194
| 0.398806
|
Home > About HRSA > News & Events > Speeches & Testimony > Remarks to the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality
Remarks to the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality
Good morning. I want to begin by thanking all of the committee members for your time and efforts dedicated to this committee and also thank you for your leadership in working with us on a number of fronts to reduce infant mortality in America.
Last year when I spoke with you I discussed the recommendations you had developed in your January 2013 report to the Secretary, the “Framework for a National Strategy” to reduce infant mortality. I mentioned to you that the recommendations aligned very well with ongoing HRSA activities and priorities.
Today I’d like to tell you what actions are currently underway at HRSA and HHS that are relevant to and support the focus of your recommendations. I think we’re making progress in a number of areas.
The first strategic direction of the 2013 report was pretty straightforward in its statement but, of course, highly complex in its attainment: to improve the health of women before, during and beyond pregnancy.
Clearly, for more than two decades, prenatal care had been the cornerstone of our national strategy for reducing infant mortality. But when efforts to increase prenatal care utilization did not cause a significant improvement in birth outcomes, most experts came to recognize that to improve pregnancy outcomes in the U.S., we also have to improve women’s health before pregnancy.
And the real game changer in implementing that strategy – the change that puts health care for women across their lifespans in reach -- is, of course, the Affordable Care Act -- the most important piece of legislation for maternal and child health in the last 50 years.
As some of you know, over 8 million individuals have signed up for health insurance through the Marketplace, and that number continues to climb. And 3 million previously uninsured young adults have been able to remain on their parents’ health insurance plan until age 26.
In terms of expanded access to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program alone, 5.2 million additional individuals have enrolled in health insurance coverage through those two programs since open enrollment began.
In Kentucky alone, Medicaid expansion has helped to reduce the number of uninsured individuals by half.
The 24 states that have yet to expand Medicaid could collectively provide health insurance coverage to 5.7 million of their neediest, poorest residents and boost their economies at the same time. Instead, to date, those 24 states are leaving substantial federal dollars on the table even as their residents struggle with the same old worries about how to pay for health care when injury or illness strikes. So clearly there’s more work to do in states that haven’t yet expanded Medicaid.
Women also benefit from the ACA’s prohibition on the discriminatory practice of gender rating – charging women higher premiums because of their gender. The ACA also prohibits the practice of denying coverage for pre-existing conditions like breast cancer and ends lifetime caps on benefits, which is expanding access for millions of women with chronic conditions.
And, as you all know, millions of women, children, and families are benefiting from access to preventive services mandated by the ACA. This particular and vitally important element of the law speaks to your strategic direction #3 from last year’s report: “deploy evidenced-based preventive interventions to a new generation of families.”
An HHS study released last month found that about 76 million Americans in private health insurance plans are now newly eligible to receive expanded coverage for one or more recommended preventive health care services, such as a mammogram or flu shot, without cost sharing, because of the Affordable Care Act.
Of those 76 million Americans with expanded access to free preventive services:
18.6 million are children who are able to receive coverage for immunizations; vision screenings; and hearing screenings at no out-of-pocket costs to families, for example.
And 29.7 million are women who can receive coverage for preventive services like mammograms and screenings for obesity and cervical cancer.
There’s still a lot we need to do, and I encourage you to help us continue to get the word out about the coverage options that are available right now. For example, some people don’t know that they are eligible to sign up for health care coverage whenever a life circumstance changes their connection to health insurance, say through getting married -- or divorced – having a baby, or graduating from college. The option to sign up associated with life changes continues throughout the year.
Additionally, we know that, too often, folks who now have health insurance – many for the first time -- may not be aware of the range of ACA benefits that I just discussed. They may think, incorrectly, that preventive services like mammograms aren’t covered or even wonder why those services are important. I can tell you that two days ago I was explaining this very point to someone when I was back home in North Dakota.
So once we’ve gotten folks enrolled, clearly we still have work to do. To help us with that, our colleagues at CMS have created a new website called “From Coverage to Care” to help health care providers with patients and others on topics that many of us take for granted, but that may be foreign to a lot of those newly insured Americans, such as:
We’re also making progress on your strategic direction #2 -- ensuring access to a continuum of safe and high-quality, patient-centered care -- by continuing to invest ACA funds into the ongoing expansion of the HRSA-supported community health center network and the National Health Service Corps.
Because the ACA’s authors recognized the critical need in this country to boost access to primary care infrastructure as they expanded access to affordable health insurance, they invested $11 billion over five years in health centers, which -- through a network of 9,500 health center sites, from mobile vans to new multi-story clinics -- deliver primary care to anyone who seeks it.
Health centers now deliver primary and preventive care to more than 21.7 million patients (2013) – and that’s up from 17 million when President Obama took office. Going forward, the President’s FY 2015 Budget asks Congress to continue this sharp focus on primary care by requesting funding that would allow health centers to serve approximately 31 million patients next year.
This much-needed boost to the primary care infrastructure provides a comprehensive range of services, including oral health, behavioral health, and vision care, in addition to traditional primary health care.
Of course, many health centers employ primary care providers who joined HRSA’s National Health Service Corps, including approximately 400 pediatricians who have committed to practice in underserved areas in exchange for student scholarships and educational loan repayments. Thanks in large part to the ACA, they are among the 8,900 physicians, nurses, dentists and other providers helping to expand access to health care services for the most vulnerable.
Let me move next to your Strategic Direction #6: Maximize the potential of interagency, public-private, and multi-disciplinary collaboration. In this direction, we’re pleased that preliminary data from March of this year show notable gains from the Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network initiative to reduce infant mortality and improve birth outcomes in HHS Regions IV and VI.
The data indicate a 28 percent decline in non-medically indicated early term deliveries – that translates to approximately 68,000 early, elective deliveries averted since the first quarter of 2011. The regions also report a 6 percent decline in smoking among pregnant women during that same time frame.
While we cannot attribute the decline in early deliveries and in smoking among pregnant women entirely to the Infant Mortality CoIIN, we are satisfied that it has provided a solid platform to accelerate momentum and sustain improvements across the initiative’s five priority areas.
And we are sufficiently encouraged by the new data that we plan to take the Infant Mortality CoIIN to all regions of the country and make it a national movement before the end of 2014.
Finally, I’d like to tell you about our efforts to reframe and transform our Healthy Start program, which respond directly to your report’s strategic direction #4 -- to reduce disparities by investing in high-risk, under-resourced communities. And since elements of the planned transformation of Healthy Start include strategies to improve quality, expand access to care, and invest in surveillance systems to measure outcomes, the changes actually touch on multiple strategic directions.
One of the most prominent revisions to Healthy Start is a new information system that will capture grantees’ efforts to enroll clients in Medicaid and connect them with the community health care system. As implementation of the ACA progressed, many Healthy Start grantees already expanded their outreach and enrollment activities. And a survey taken earlier this year anticipates that each Healthy Start grantee will enroll an average of 150 clients per month in health insurance coverage. This work is critically important.
And beginning September 1 of this year, HRSA will begin collecting client-level data from each woman and infant served to determine initial health status and needs at enrollment; track services received; and then measure the real-time impact of those services throughout the client’s participation in Healthy Start.
Before the end of this fiscal year, we plan to announce three sets of new and competing continuation Healthy Start awards. Two sets of awards will focus on improving women’s health by promoting quality services; strengthening family resilience; increasing accountability; enhancing performance monitoring; and encouraging community collaboration around a common agenda.
The third set of awards – called the Leadership and Mentoring Healthy Start awards – will establish a Healthy Start CoIIN. You’ll hear more details about those plans later today.
With that, I thank you for giving me this time to explain what HRSA has done over the past year to support your work and for allowing me to share with you our plans to reduce infant mortality and improve women’s health in the future.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1041
|
__label__cc
| 0.681212
| 0.318788
|
50,000 Sign Petition Asking Maroon 5 To Skip Super Bowl Show In Support Of Colin Kaepernick, #TakeAKnee
Just under 50,000 have already signed a Change.org petition calling for Maroon 5 to drop out of performing as part of the Superbowl halftime show in February. The band are rumored to have accepted the gig even after Rihanna turned it down in support of former NFL player Colin Kaepernick and other players.
Kaepernick originated the 'take a knee' protest over police brutality and racial inequality in the United States.
Rihanna reportedly turned down an offer to perform in front of over 100 million people at the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show in support of the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback.
Jay-Z turned also down a request to perform at the 2017 Super Bowl, and addressed it in his 2018 song Apesh*t: “I said no to the Super Bowl: you need me, I don't need you. Every night we in the endzone, tell the NFL we in stadiums too," while the music video shows a line of men on one knee."
From the petition:
"Until the league changes their policy and support players’ constitutional right to protest, no artists should agree to work with the NFL. Join me in asking Maroon 5 to drop out of the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show…
The band has a chance to stand on the right side of history. If they don’t, they will be remembered for choosing to side with the NFL over its players."
To sign the petition to to tell Maroon 5 to drop out of the Super Bowl halftime show in solidarity with Kaepernick and players who #TakeAKnee click here.
Bruce Houghton on 11/20/2018 in Live & Touring | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: Maroon 5, Superbowl, Take A Knee
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1042
|
__label__cc
| 0.691151
| 0.308849
|
HomeBLOGCollaborative HIV Program Improves Long-term Care for Youths in the United States
Collaborative HIV Program Improves Long-term Care for Youths in the United States
By: HIV.gov | Published: May 23, 2017
CDCCenters for Disease Control & Prevention
HRSAHealth Resources & Service Administration
Ryan WhiteRyan White HIV/AIDS Program
SMAIFSecretary’s Minority AIDS Initiative Fund
A new article published this week highlights a multi-agency, collaborative demonstration program that addressed health care barriers unique to adolescents and young adults living with HIV, a study supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The demonstration program was supported by a three-year investment of $1 million from the Secretary’s Minority AIDS Initiative Fund (SMAIF).
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics article, “Implementation of an Integrated Approach to the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for Improving HIV Care for Youth,” the demonstration program sequentially implemented three protocols – The Strategic Multi-Site Initiative for the Identification, Linkage to, and Engagement in Care of Youth with Undiagnosed HIV Infection (SMILE), SMILE 2, and the Project for the Enhancement and Alignment of the Continuum of Care for HIV-Infected Youth (PEACOC) – to increase the percentage of youths (ages 13-24 years) who remained in care.
Select Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part D sites, NIH Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions (ATN) sites, and CDC-funded health departments collaborated to enable 75 percent of nearly 4,000 youths to be linked to care, with 88 percent remaining in care throughout the study at up to 24 sites across the United States. In contrast, at the national level, about 68 percent of youths diagnosed with HIV are linked to care, with only 55 percent remaining in care, according to CDC estimates. The government agencies collaborated by signing a memorandum of understanding, participating in monthly calls, monitoring implementation and performance, providing technical assistance, feedback and guidance to local collaborators, and summarizing outcomes.
To improve health outcomes for adolescents and young adults with HIV, researchers created a unique multilevel, multiagency collaborative partnership at the Federal and local levels that addressed the national goals to end the HIV epidemic: increasing access to care, reducing HIV-related health disparities and improving coordination of the national response to HIV. As part of the demonstration program, partnerships were forged with memoranda of understanding between study sites and local health departments. In addition, formal referral networks between local HIV testing sites and service providers were expanded, full-time care coordinators were used to help the newly diagnosed youth navigate the clinic appointment process, and clinic staff embraced motivational interviewing techniques.
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides a comprehensive system of HIV medical care, medication, and support services to low-income people living with HIV. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part D provides direct funding to 115 recipients across the United States and Territories to provide HIV care and treatment to women, infants, children, and youth living with HIV. The NIH ATN is the only national, multi-center research network devoted to the health and well-being of youth living with HIV and at-risk adolescents and young adults. The CDC provides leadership in preventing HIV infection by working with community, state, national, and international partners in surveillance, program, research, evaluation and communication activities.
For more information on HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, visit https:hab.hrsa.gov. For more information on the NIH ATN, please visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov/research/supported/Pages/atn.aspx. For more information on CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/dhap/about.html. For more information about the Secretary’s Minority AIDS Initiative Fund, please visit https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/smaif/overview.
Article citation: Fortenberry JD, Koenig LJ, Kapogiannis BG, Jeffries CL, Ellen JM, and Wilson CM. Implementation of an integrated approach to the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for improving HIV care for youth. JAMA Pediatrics DOI:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.0454 (2017)
This article was jointly authored by Carrie L. Jeffries, MPH, MS, RN, ANP-BC, NEA-BC, AACRN, AAHIVS, Chief Nursing Officer, Division of Community HIV/AIDS Programs, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Bill G. Kapogiannis, MD, Program Director, Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Linda J. Koenig, PhD, MS, Chief, Prevention Research Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HIV Criminalization Commentary - January 11
AHEAD: Monitoring Progress Toward Achieving the Nation’s Viral Suppression Goals
Thanking Dr. Gail Bolan for a Career in Leading STI Prevention
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1044
|
__label__wiki
| 0.741348
| 0.741348
|
Title : BPP-English
Chapters/Pages : 4/48
Total Price : Rs. : 31
Poetry : How to Comprehend and Appreciate a Poem Total views (225)
Robert Herrick (1591-1674) was the son of a London goldsmith, After graduating from Cambridge, he spent a few years in London, where he came under the influence of Jonson, and belonged to a group of poets, who called themselves "the sons of Ben", He later became an Anglican divine when King Charles I bestowed on him a living in Devon, where he looked after his parishioners with kindness and compa ......
Charles Dickens: David Copperfield Leaves For School Total views (223)
The first thing that anyone would naturally observe is that Dickens (1812 1870) is an immensely popular writer. His novel, "David Copperfield" is probably the most reputed of all the novels and it is certainly the most autobiographical. Dickens passed his childhood in a very distressing circumstances and emerged out of the juvenile hardships and privations, a broken man, with only an uncertain ......
Nathaniel Hawthorne : the Miraculous Pitcher Total views (226)
Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804 - 1864) is a distinguished American novelist and short story writer. By temperament, he was cool, poised, highly sensitive, introspective and even cheerful in a mellow autumnal fashion. In him, the man and the writer-were different as a mountain and a cloud (Austin Warren). In this respect, he resembled Matthew Arnold in whose case also a charming surface concealed a bro ......
William Shakespeare: Scenes From Macbeth Total views (233)
For a good understanding of these two scenes of the play it is necessary to equip oneself with the knowledge of all that has gone before. Duncan, the aged King of Scotland sent out his two generals, Macbeth and Banquo to save the country from the invading foreign forces and the treacherous rebel , the Thane of Cawdor. After their brilliant victory, Macbeth and Banquo returned through a blasted ......
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1047
|
__label__wiki
| 0.788671
| 0.788671
|
World War II Essays
World War II: The Causes Of World War II
Intro The world War II was one of the defining events of the 20th century. The war was played out all across Europe, the Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The war even briefly reached North America and mainland Australia.The main Allied powers were Great Britain, The United States, China, and the Soviet Union. However The main Axis powers were Germany, Japan and Italy. Although World War I had been called the ‘war to end all wars’, only 20 years after its conclusion the world was once again
Racial Discrimination In World War II
During July of 1941, millions of jobs were being created, primarily in densely-populated areas, as the United States prepared to enter World War II. These densely-populated areas had large numbers of migration, specifically from African Americans, who sought to work in defense industries, but were often met with rejection and discrimination within the workplace. A. Philip Randolph, a civil rights activist and president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, and other black leaders, met with
Hitler's Use Of Propaganda In World War II
Propaganda in World War II Propaganda was a wide tool that was used throughout the entirety of World War II. The Nazi’s used it to put themselves in power and convince Germany that the Jews were the source of all evil. The Allied Forces used it to keep their countries unified and rallied in order to defeat the Germans and grow their own countries. There was no country involved in World War II that did not use propaganda in some form. Hitler made wide sweeps of propaganda to keep himself in perfect
Women's Role In World War II
Women and World War II Yolla Destika Maula Defense 1 Batch 2015 016201500035 Introduction World War II, as one of the most destructive wars in the planet, which brought around more than 50 millions of casualties, has brought many impacts towards the world. Along with it, there are many stories that has been constructed and happened, whether it is the good ones or the bad ones. But most of it left with poor conditions; a historic bombing places of dying innocents, the conquered states and specific
The Causes Of World War II Caused By The Holocaust
A lot of American students have the mistaken impression that World War II was caused by the Holocaust; that 's the Nazi persecution of European Jews. But, that 's definitely not the right answer. Before we can even begin to discuss the causes of WWII, we need to go back to World War I. People across the world had said that the Great War, as it was called at the time, was 'the war to end all wars. ' At its conclusion, the punishing Treaty of Versailles was supposed to have rendered Germany completely
The Six Causes Of World War II
ArnoldEssayCauses of World War IIOut of all the wars that the world has gone through, none has been more devastating as world war II. But what caused this war? Well, world war II had six major causes: anger over the Versailles Treaty, the failure of peace efforts after world war I, the rise of Fascism, the goals of Hitler, the isolationism by America and Britain, and the re-armament of Europe. This paper will go over each of these causes individually and then draw some conclusions about world war II.The first
The Holocaust: The Rise Of The Holocaust In World War II
the war. Hitler started his slow rise to political power when he joined a political party called the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, meaning German Worker’s Party. The name was later changed to the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, adding the words Nation Socialist before. Hitler eventually was named Chancellor and turned his reign into a dictatorship (Lace 59). The Nazi’s sought to legitimize their power and called themselves the German Reich, taking inspiration from the past (World War II
Hitler's Uses Of Propaganda In World War II
Propaganda in World War II Propaganda was a massive tool that was used throughout the entirety of World War II. The Nazi’s used it to put themselves in power and convince Germany that the Jews were the source of all evil. The Allied Forces used it to keep their countries unified and rallied in order to defeat the Germans and grow their own countries. There was no country involved in World War II that did not use propaganda in some form. Hitler made wide sweeps of propaganda to keep himself in perfect
The Pros And Cons Of World War II
World War II was a very brutal war that lasted from the years 1939-1945. There are a ton of different heroes from World War II. There is a variety of reasons as to why they are considered heroes and where their home countries are from. General Ulsterman Robert Blair Mayne, who was otherwise known as Patty ,was one of these heroes along with Bernard Montgomery. During the war there were also many sacrifices taken. Franklin D. Roosevelt, was the president of the time and he was also a World War II
World War II: The Worst Conflict In Human History
World War II is said to be the worst conflict in human history. About fifty to eighty million people died all together. There were concentration camps run by the Germans and there were essentially two wars raging. The two wars were the war in Europe and the war in the Pacific, which was Japan against the United States. World War II went on for six years and would destroy more land and property around the world and kill more people than any other war before. The war would unite countries around the
The Causes Of The German Resistance In World War II
World War II was a horrific time in history. Millions of innocent civilians and soldiers died. During the war, Germany invaded and took over many other countries like France, Yugoslavia, and parts of Russia. In all of these countries, citizens joined Resistances or took part in illegal activities such as reading illegal newspapers. A resistance is “a group of people organized to work clandestinely against an oppressor,” (Richardson). In the scenario of World War II, Germany was the oppressor and
The Importance Of Naval Warfare In World War II
Naval warfare played a key role in both the course and the outcome of World War II. This essay will explore the significance of the German U-boat campaign, the victory of the Allies in the battle for the Atlantic and the effect of naval warfare in the Pacific to the outcome of the Second World War. The battle of the Atlantic is a fundamental example of how sea power was decisive to the outcome of the war, where German U-boats attempted to deprive Britain of its raw materials. Initially, in 1942
The Impact Of Propaganda In World War II
Propaganda was a very important tool used in World War Two that even Hitler recognised its importance and used it during his rule in Germany with the Nazi Party. The word “propaganda” originated in 1622 and was used by many countries afterword to influence the populations’ behavior, beliefs, and attitudes toward something. Hitler realized how important propaganda was and established the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda and anointed Joseph Goebbels to be the head of it. The
Assignment: The Black May In World War II
Timothy Li Dr. Hogge AP European History March 8th 2018 Black May The Black May in World War II had been a major turning point in the Battle of the Atlantic for the Allied countries. Until May of 1943, the Germans had led a massive U-boat campaign that devastated the Allies vessels. Great Britain especially was hurt by the U-boats as Britain had relied on supplies from other nations in order to not only fight in the war, but also protect itself from a Nazi invasion. The German U-boats were effective
The Importance Of Propaganda In World War II
during WWII used this in a wide range of methods that provided a black and white picture of different countries with half-truths or ambiguous information. War took place on the battlefield, the air, on the water, and even below it. However, the battles of World War II cannot be only limited to combat; much of the home front battles during the war took place on the silver screen, posters, and comic books to name a few. These battles did not specifically result in casualties, although some but not all
Woodrow Wilson's Rearmament In World War II
Once the war was finally over Woodrow Wilson had to make great compromises during the Treaty of Versailles. his original 14 points shrunk into 3 goals. these goals were to defend the United States and its territories, stop European intervention in the Western Hemisphere, and preserve China's Nation. With most of the European powers being extremely worn out from the war these goals were not very hard to ensure and because the US did not have to dedicate as many resources or manpower as its European
The Importance Of The Enigma Code In World War II
a big role in world war 2 due it being used by the Germans to communicate with each other and to send their plans to the army bases and German commanders. The breaking of the enigma code made the Allis finally one step ahead of the German troops. The enigma code had to be kept a secret by the British so the Germans wouldn’t find out about it being broken. The breaking of the enigma code changed the war drastically by allowing the Allis to know the Germans moves body During the war great Brittan
The Importance Of Persuasive Communication During World War II
communication by the use of visual images, which can be easily recognized and understood, to agitate or psersuade the general public. “Hitler’s fervent desire to attain propaganda supremacy among nations was a direct result of the German defeat in World War I and his belief that superior allied propaganda trumped Kaiser Wilhelm II’s meager output.” It seemed that Hilter valued the importance of effective propaganda by appointing Josef Goebbels, as The Reichs Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda
Treaty Of Versailles: The Four Causes Of World War II
told you one single document cause World War II, would you believe me? The Versailles Treaty was a Treaty that all countries signed after World War I to finalize what would happen to Germany. How did the Versailles Treaty help cause a World War II? The Treaty punished Germany in four ways; territory loss, reparations, military reorganization, and war guilt. The most important cause was military reorganization. The least important of the four causes is war guilt. The Article 231 forced Germany
World War II: Joseph Stalin's Rise To Power
World War II was a crucial time in history, where dictators rose to power and promised to bring a change to their country, through tough love and intimidation. A prime example of a dictator who was all about these principles was Joseph Stalin. A man who made his name through instilling fear into the hearts of those who crossed his path. Joseph Stalin grew up poor and didn't have much. .It’s fair to say he indeed had a harsh childhood, and you would think that a man who had that kind of upbringing
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1049
|
__label__cc
| 0.735658
| 0.264342
|
To News
Goal Zero and In-Q-Tel Sign Strategic Agreement to Develop Deployable Power Systems
Goal Zero, a leader in portable, reliable solar power, announced a strategic investment and technology development agreement with In-Q-Tel (IQT). IQT is a non-profit, strategic investor that identifies, adapts, and delivers innovative technology solutions to support the missions of the U.S Intelligence Community.
“We’ve championed a new approach to the way consumers charge their essential devices,” said Joe Atkin, President and CEO of Goal Zero. “Being able to develop those same, easy-to-use solutions for IQT’s government customers will give us the opportunity to expand our reach to other relevant markets and continue our mission of powering the world.”
Goal Zero has engineered an innovative approach to consumer power needs by utilizing the latest in solar and battery technology. They’ve taken solar panels off rooftops and eliminated the need for charge controllers and inverters required for traditional solar power systems. Their scalable plug-and-play kits, some perfectly backpack-sized, are capable of charging anything from cellphones on a hike, to powering lights and a refrigerator during a power outage.
“Goal Zero has established a strong presence in the portable power market,” said Syd Ulvick, Senior Vice President at IQT. “The research and development that has allowed the company to make solar power scalable, versatile, and easy to use represents a valuable asset to our customers.”
Goal Zero’s solar kits have been tested and proven in some of the harshest environments possible. The company supports treks up Everest and expeditions to Antarctica, where dependable power is not just a convenience, but a life saver. After Hurricane Sandy, Goal Zero donated nearly $600,000 worth of portable power kits to residents in New York and New Jersey who had been living without power for days, even weeks.
For more information about Goal Zero and their portable solar panels, batteries and accessories, visit their website at www.GoalZero.com
About Goal Zero
Goal Zero is the industry leader for renewable and reliable solar power. Born out of the desire to empower people everywhere, Goal Zero’s products are designed to give you the freedom to go anywhere, regardless of battery life. From cellphones to refrigerators, and everything in between, Goal Zero products keep you connected and powered up in any situation. Life never stops. Why should your gear? Solar power. Perfected. For more information, visit www.goalzero.com
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1050
|
__label__wiki
| 0.849729
| 0.849729
|
فارسی | ENGLISH
Right to Health
Dual and Foreign Nationals
Right to Education
Art, Culture, Society
Prisoners / Arrests
Ethnic Discrimination
Assembly / Association
The U.N. and Iran
Executions / Life
Unfair Trials
GIFs & Graphics
Bio: Karen Kramer
Karen Kramer, Director of Publications
Karen is Director of Publications at the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), where she heads the English-language briefings and reports division. Karen also serves as Deputy Director and Head of Research for the Iran Business Responsibility (IBR) project, where she leads the research and analysis of the Iranian business, regulatory, economic and political environment. Previously, Karen taught international relations, political science and Middle East politics and economics at the State University of New York at Purchase. She worked as a private consultant on the Middle East for many years, advising and producing reports for leading political and business risk consultancies, major multinational corporations, think tanks and NGOs on the region. She has published in scholarly journals and international publications, and provided commentary and analysis on the Middle East to the media. Karen also served as Executive Editor of the MidEast Report, a leading publication on Middle East politics, business and oil.
Iranian Rights Groups Call on Khamenei to Allow Purchase of U.S. and UK COVID-19 Vaccines
"Suffering" Iranian Retirees Joining Nationwide Protests Against Chronic State Failures
Freemuse and Center for Human Rights in Iran Call on Iran to Free Writer Arash Ganji, Stop Prosecuting Free Speech
Athletes Appeal to Save Life of Wrestler on Death Row
Women's Rights in Iran
Three Baluch Prisoners Executed, Three Others in Imminent Danger of Execution
Get updates on the latest
human rights issues in Iran
Sign up for CHRI's newsletter.
Get the latest Iran updates. Sign up for our newsletter.
Website signups (en)
© 2019 Center for Human Rights in Iran (formerly known as International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran)
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1051
|
__label__wiki
| 0.978367
| 0.978367
|
Sandra Bullock’s five-year-old son Louis urged actress to find brother or sister with “some brown skin”
The Oscar-winner revealed how her five-year-old adopted son Louis was the driving force behind the family’s addition
Charlotte Wareing
She confirmed that she’s become a mother again with an adorable family shoot, and Sandra Bullock revealed that her son Louis specified the requirements for his new sibling before she adopted.
The Oscar winner, 51, adopted a three-year-old daughter called Laila into her family, and revealed that her son – five-year-old Louis – was the one who wanted an addition to their family.
Sandra revealed that her son also wanted a brother or sister with “brown skin”.
In her interview with People magazine, she said: “Louis spearheaded this whole journey.
(Image: People Magazine)
“I did remind him that it could be either a brother or a sister and that we would be so lucky to have either one. He did specify that he wanted a sibling who has some brown skin.”
The Blind Side actress adopted the tot from Louisiana who had previously been in foster care.
The Gravity actress told People magazine: "When I look at Laila, there is no doubt in my mind that she was supposed to be here.
"I can tell you absolutely, the exact right children came to me at the exact right time."
(Image: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Sandra also adopted her son Louis Bardo in 2010.
The star says the siblings have already formed an unbreakable bond, with Louis "spearheading the journey" to help welcome Laila (pronounced Lila), into the family.
Sandra also explained she was worried about protecting Laila's privacy during the adoption process, and that it felt "very much like witness protection".
News of the adoption first came to light in October but she dismissed the claims at a press conference for her film Our Brand Is Crisis.
(Image: Splash)
When a journalist congratulated her on her new arrival, she replied: "There is only one adopted child in my household and his name is Louis."
Her response now seems to indicate that the adoption process was not then complete, with Laila only being fostered by her at this point.
The star told People: "I knew she was scared, and all I wanted was for her to know Louis and I weren't going anywhere.
"My family is blended and diverse, nutty, and loving and understanding. That's a family."
Touching family photos released by the publication were taken by her boyfriend, photographer Bryan Randall.
The 51-year-old said she chose to speak about the adoption to shine a light on more than 415,000 children currently in foster care in the US.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1053
|
__label__cc
| 0.742033
| 0.257967
|
Home / Movies / A BEAUTIFUL PLANET
A BEAUTIFUL PLANET
Format Choose an optionBlu-Ray Clear
A BEAUTIFUL PLANET quantity
A Beautiful Planet is a breathtaking portrait of Earth from space, providing a unique perspective and increased understanding of our planet and galaxy as never seen before. Made in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the film features stunning footage of our magnificent blue planet — and the effects humanity has had on it over time — captured by the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). From space, Earth blazes at night with the electric intensity of human expansion — a direct visualization of our changing world. But it is within our power to protect the planet. As we continue to explore and gain knowledge of our galaxy, we also develop a deeper connection to the place we all call home. From IMAX Entertainment and Toni Myers — the acclaimed filmmaker behind celebrated IMAX® documentaries Blue Planet, Hubble 3D, and Space Station 3D — A Beautiful Planet presents an awe-inspiring glimpse of Earth and a hopeful look into the future of humanity.
Be the first to review “A BEAUTIFUL PLANET” Cancel reply
GOOSEBUMPS 2: HAUNTED HALLOWEEN
JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1057
|
__label__wiki
| 0.763661
| 0.763661
|
Home Featured Editorials Saying Goodbye to Rex Ryan
Saying Goodbye to Rex Ryan
On Wednesday January 14th, the same day the Jets signed former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles as their head coach, Rex Ryan was introduced as head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Owner Terry Pegula made his introduction: “Rex Ryan-coached teams have two characteristics…They’re always great defensively and they always work hard. Rex instills that in his players.”
After finishing up, he passed the mic over to Ryan, who was very much “in character.” His high-spirited and confident personality is something Jets fans grew accustomed to during his six seasons in New York. “Is this thing on, because it’s getting ready to be on, and that’s the truth.” He said as he looked out to a sea of reporters holding microphones in anticipation. “I am not going to let our fans down. I’m not going to do it. I know it’s been 15 years (since a playoff berth)… Get ready, because we’re going.”
Ryan was fired for the first time in his coaching career by the Jets front office following a 2014 season that saw New York win only four games and fail to make the postseason for a fourth straight season. When asked about his feelings following his dismissal, he said: “When it’s my name that leads that list. Yeah, it’s personal. … It’s embarrassing.”
By season’s end, Ryan’s overall regular season record with the Jets fell below .500 (46-50). He led the Jets to two consecutive AFC Championship appearances in 2009 and 2010, but could not get over the hump and into the Super Bowl on either occasion. His postseason record with the Jets stands at 4-2.
It is up in the air whether Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Marcus Mariota (-150) or Florida St. quarterback Jameis Winston (+120) will be taken number one overall in the 2015 NFL draft (Odds taken from SportsBetting.ag). However, it is anybody’s best guess if either will slip to the Jets, making New York’s future look quite bright. It’s something they shouldn’t count on though.
That being said, the Bills have gained a head coach that is never afraid to say what he thinks. He is a quote machine and he is taking most of his staff up to Buffalo. It will make the Jets \ Bills rivalry interesting over the next few years. Things are always interesting when Rex Ryan is involved.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1063
|
__label__cc
| 0.724115
| 0.275885
|
Ayca Yilmaz
Associate Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
ayca.yilmaz@kirkland.com
London +44 20 7469 2284
Ayca Yilmaz is a corporate associate in the London office of Kirkland & Ellis International LLP. Prior to joining Kirkland, Ayca worked at an international law firm in Istanbul, representing Turkish and foreign clients in principally cross-border transactions. Ayca’s practice concentrates on all areas of corporate law, including the structuring of private equity deals, leveraged buyouts, mergers and acquisitions, divestures and commercial contracts.
GIC on its joint venture with Kennedy Wilson to acquire and manage urban logistics properties in the UK, Ireland and Spain, targeting total assets of $1 billion (2020)
Oakley Capital on the acquisition of a majority stake in luxury British luggage brand Globe-Trotter (2020)
Beauty Industry Group (an HGGC portfolio company) in its acquisition of Beauty Works, one of the UK’s leading hair extension brands (2019)
Gazit-Globe Limited on the recommended €1.4 billion offer for Atrium European Real Estate Limited (2019)
MSX International (a Bain Capital portfolio company) in its acquisition of De Poel, the UK’s leading Managed Service Provider (2018)
Apax Partners on its acquisition of a majority stake in matchesfashion.com, a UK-based luxury fashion brand (2017)
Oaktree Capital Management on the sale of its Spanish student housing business to GSA (2017)
Vitruvian Partners on its acquisition of Phlexglobal, a leading technology company in the clinical trials industry, from Bridgepoint Development Capital (2016)
Admissions & Qualifications
2017New York
2012Istanbul
Harvard Law SchoolLL.M.2016
Galatasaray UniversityLL.B.2011
22 December 2020 Press Release Kirkland Advises GIC on ~$1 Billion Urban Logistics Joint Venture with Kennedy Wilson
03 April 2020 Press Release Kirkland Advises Oakley Capital on Acquisition of Globe-Trotter
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1072
|
__label__wiki
| 0.917628
| 0.917628
|
Archives: Staff
COORDINATOR OF OPERATIONS & EVENTS
Layla Freckmann joined the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) in October 2019.
Prior to joining the NBRPA, she was the Membership and Events Manager for the Commercial Association of REALTORS® Wisconsin (CARW). In addition, she worked three MLB seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers as a Guest Relations representative. Freckmann received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
SR. DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL IMPACT & EVENTS
Bridget Gannon joined the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) in 2018. Prior to joining the NBRPA, she oversaw the Nationals Dream Foundation - the charitable arm of the Washington Nationals baseball team - and was MLB's 2018 All-Star Legacy Projects Coordinator.
In addition to 10-plus years with the Washington Nationals, Gannon also had stints with the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, and Legg Mason Tennis Classic (now Citi Open).
A native of Philadelphia, PA, Gannon received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and a certificate from Yale University.
SR. DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS/COUNSEL
Cameron Ballard joined the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) full-time in August 2017, after previously serving with the organization as a legal intern.
Prior to beginning his professional career at the NBRPA, Ballard was admitted to the Illinois State Bar after attended the John Marshall Law School (Chicago), where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 2016. Ballard received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University.
The Houston, TX native began his career in sports interning with player-representation agencies All Pro Sports & Entertainment and BDA Sports Management.
VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP & PLAYER PROGRAMMING
Kenny Gattison joined the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) in 2016 following an extensive NBA career as a coach and player.
A 13-year veteran of the NBA coaching ranks, Gattison most recently served as an assistant coach with
the Phoenix Suns (2013-15), which followed stints with the Atlanta Hawks (2010-12), New Orleans Hornets (2003-09), and New
Jersey Nets (1996-99), as well as at his alma mater, Old Dominion University (2001-03). He was also selected as an assistant coach during the 2009 USA Basketball Summer Camp workouts in Las Vegas.
Gattison was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 55th overall selection in the 1986 NBA Draft. Gattison's nine-year NBA playing career with the Phoenix Suns (1986-89), Charlotte Hornets (1989-95), and Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96) saw him average 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 494 contests (130 starts).
The Wilmington, N.C. native was inducted into the Old Dominion Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 after a standout career in which he was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year as a senior and finished as the conference’s all-time leading rebounder.
Gattison and his wife, Harriet, have four children: Natasha, Kyle, Bryce and Grant.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS & EVENTS
Erin Miller is in her fourth year as SVP of Operations & Events after serving the previous four years as VP of Operations & Events with the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA). In her role as SVP, Miller manages day-to-day operations, partner relations and brand activations, player licensing and special events for the NBRPA.
Prior to joining the NBRPA in 2012, Miller spent four years as a legal assistant/paralegal for Codilis and Associates.
A Chicago, IL native, Miller earned her bachelor's degree in Communications and Political Science from the University of Illinois. Miller also holds a master's degree in Political Studies with a specialization in Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois.
Scott Rochelle was named President and CEO of the National Basketball Retired Players Association in March 2018, after serving one year as an Interim. He previously held the position of Senior Vice President of Partnership Development / General Counsel, and Vice President of Membership, Programming and Chapter Development.
In his role as President and CEO, Rochelle oversees the Retired Players Association’s day-to-day operations, including securing new cutting-edge partnerships for former players to thrive and prosper. In addition, he continues to strengthen and foster the association’s local chapters which has expanded to 12 cities during his tenure as President and CEO.
At 38, Rochelle, is a rising star in the basketball world, working closely with the NBA executive team to guide revenue-generating and philanthropic programs that involve the greatest names in the NBA. He is re-writing the business strategy of the Retired Players Association and has the support of the NBA and NBPA.
Rochelle has also been instrumental in the development of new content platforms aimed at targeting younger, newly retired players. These initiatives include the creation of a monthly podcast, an aggressive social media strategy and the creation of a new publication titled, Legends Magazine, the official publication of former NBA and WNBA players.
Prior to joining the Retired Players Association in 2013 as Vice President of Membership, Player & Chapter Development, Rochelle served as an attorney for six-years with Querrey & Harrow, leading the Sports and Entertainment practice group with a focus on professional athlete business advisement, contract and endorsement representation.
Rochelle is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and received his Master’s in Education and a law degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
RT @TylerIAm: A little hurt Felipe didn’t mention me when naming some of the best streetball players he went up against but they were legen… 11:33:42 PM January 21, 2021 from Twitter for iPhone
RT @NBAalumni: .@TylerIAm chats with #NBA Legend Felipe Lopez on this episode of #LegendsLive. https://t.co/zZTyc0epZJ 10:23:04 PM January 21, 2021 from Twitter for iPhone
@TylerIAm #LegendsLive https://t.co/MjKQsfrV4o 10:03:35 PM January 21, 2021 from Twitter for iPhone in reply to TylerIAm
.@TylerIAm chats with #NBA Legend Felipe Lopez on this episode of #LegendsLive. https://t.co/zZTyc0epZJ 10:01:25 PM January 21, 2021 from Periscope
@OrlandoMagic #LEGEND 07:31:09 PM January 21, 2021 from Twitter Web App in reply to OrlandoMagic
To access @estebanabed #NBA Legend Drazen Petrovic piece in english please visit #LegendsBlog 🔗:… https://t.co/iMpN1QgXPj 06:25:33 PM January 21, 2021 from Twitter Web App
For our spanish speaking🏀fans today we bring you, straight from Argentina🇦🇷 a fantastic read on #NBA Legend Drazen… https://t.co/0qj3HuDn3I 06:21:32 PM January 21, 2021 from Twitter Web App
@WNBA LEGENDS. 04:49:52 PM January 21, 2021 from Twitter for iPhone in reply to WNBA
LEGENDS. https://t.co/ysdDXbqCQe 04:49:45 PM January 21, 2021 from Twitter for iPhone
@NBAHistory @Hoophall 🎉 03:51:57 PM January 21, 2021 from Twitter Web App in reply to NBAHistory
@nbaalumni
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1074
|
__label__wiki
| 0.838711
| 0.838711
|
United States Navy Submarines - Part II
The Nuclear Age and the Cold War
USS Nautilus and SSN SUBMARINES Traditionally USN submarines have designations based on a combination of their propulsion and/or armament and mission capabilities. For instance, most diesel electric subs were “SS” to denote “(S)ubmarine (S)team,” however there were variations including “SSR” for “(S)ubmarine (S)team (R)adar picket.” And, with the advent of nuclear propulsion a number of new designations were derived, the most common being “SSN” for “(S)ubmarine (S)team (N)uclear,” SSBN for “(S)ubmarine (S)team (B)allistic missile (N)uclear” and “SSGN” for “(S)ubmarine (S)team (G)uided missile (N)uclear.” SSNs are also referred to as Attack Submarines or “Fast Attacks”, and SSBNs as “missile boats,” or “boomers” because of their massive destructive power. A single SSBN is capable of demolishing an entire continent. The USS Nautilus SSN-571 was the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. Named for the fictional submarine in Jules Verne's classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Nautilus broke new ground in submarine design and was capable of previously unheard-of submerged speeds and duration, and shattered numerous long-standing performance records. The Nautilus was launched 21 January 1954 and christened by Mamie Eisenhower, First Lady of the United States and wife of 34th U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, then Commissioned 30 September 1954. It’s design and construction was planned and supervised by Captain (later Admiral) Hyman G. Rickover USN, renowned as the "Father of the Nuclear Navy” who directed the development of naval nuclear propulsion and managed its operations for three decades as director of the U.S. Naval Reactors office. Adm. Rickover is remembered as one of history’s most important naval officers, and the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Hyman G. Rickover SSN-709 was named for him and commissioned two years prior to his death, one of the few Navy ships ever named after a living person. Nautilus put to sea on her maiden voyage on 17 January 1955, transmitting the historic message, "Under way on nuclear power." And, she was a game changer because prior subs had to surface periodically to charge their batteries using diesel engines reliant on combustion air. However, the Nautilus’ nuclear power plant facilitated her staying submerged for months with the only operational limitations being food supply constraints, and systems and crew endurance. The submarine was powered by the Submarine Thermal Reactor (STR), a pressurized water reactor produced by the Westinghouse Corporation and later designated the (S2W) that provided zero-emissions and eliminated the requirement for combustion air for the diesels. Nautilus was decommissioned in 1980, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1982, and has been preserved as the center piece of the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, Connecticut. Next up was USS Seawolf SSN-575 a one-of-a-kind submarine that was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for the Seawolf (Wolfish), and the second nuclear submarine. It was the only USN submarine built with a liquid metal cooled (sodium) nuclear reactor dubbed the Submarine Intermediate Reactor (SIR) and later-on the (S2G). Her overall design was a variant of Nautilus, however with a conning tower added, a stepped sail, and the AN/SQS-51 active sonar capability. Nautilus became the standard for all subsequent USN submarines of the early 1960s including the Skate class which was the Navy's first full production run of nuclear-powered boats. They served for many years with the last being decommissioned in 1989. And, USS Skate SSN-578 holds the distinction of being the first submarine to surface at the North Pole on 17 March 1959. The Skate class comprised four boats Skate SSN-578, Swordfish SSN-579, Sargo SSN-583, and Seadragon SSN-584. The next evolution was the Skipjack-class that entered service in 1959 thru 1961 with its lead boat being USS Skipjack SSN-585. Powered by the (S5W) reactor the Skipjacks were the fastest nuclear submarines until the Los Angeles-class submarines which entered service in 1974. And, they utilized the high-speed hull design of USS Albacore AGSS-569, a research submarine and test platform that pioneered the teardrop hull for modern submarines and that was derived through extensive hydrodynamic and wind tunnel testing with an emphasis on submerged speed and maneuverability. Skipjack was quite different from the preceding Skate class in that the new hull design was maximized for underwater speed by streamlining it similar to a blimp shape and had a single propeller aft of the rudders and stern planes that had been a matter of debate within the submarine force as the traditional two shaft arrangement offered redundancy and improved maneuverability, especially at low speeds. And, although the advanced hull shape reduced her surface maneuverability it was essential for vastly improved submerged performance. Like Albacore, the Skipjacks used HY-80 high-strength steel having improved tensile and compressive strength that remained the standard submarine hull material through future deep diving submarines. Next, the Permit-class submarine that was originally designated the Thresher class but re-designated when the lead boat USS Thresher SSN-593 was lost at sea with all hands in 1963; it’s sometimes referred to as the Thresher/ Permit class. The class was in service from the early 1960s until 1996 and they were a significant improvement over the Skipjacks having greatly improved sonar, deeper diving depth, and advanced stealth capabilities. Therefore, they became the forerunners of all subsequent US Navy SSN designs such as the Sturgeon and Los Angeles classes. The new class was a radical change in many ways having angled, amidships torpedo tubes and a bow mounted sonar sphere for optimum detection of targets at long range; engineering spaces were also redesigned, with the turbines supported on "rafts" that were suspended from the hull on isolation mounts for acoustic quieting. Too, hull drag was reduced with deck fittings kept to a minimum, the sail was reduced in size, and pressure hulls were produced using an improved design that extended test depth to 1,300 ft. Thresher had the smallest sail ever fitted to an SSN to compensate for the inherent increased drag of the longer hull giving it a top speed of 33 knots, same as the Skipjacks. However, the smaller sail offered space for only one periscope and a limited number of electronics masts, with uncomfortable surfaced operation in rough seas, and an increased possibility of "broaching" at periscope depth. Too, it was fitted with a five-bladed symmetric screw like those originally on the Skipjacks which allowed her to reach higher speeds. However, during sea trials, it was found that the propeller produced noise the source of which was blade-rate from the blades of the screw vibrating when encountering the wake coming off the sail and control surfaces that could carry for long distances under water and could be detected by enemy sonar to set up a target firing solution because the frequency of blade-rate was directly related to the speed of the submarine based on the RPM of the screw. Therefore, the solution was either a smaller prop or have a larger slower rotating one that moderately interacted with the disturbed water flow. The latter solution was adopted for all subsequent American SSNs, so consequently, Permit and later submarines of this class had seven-bladed skewback props having the blade tips swept back against the direction of rotation, and the blades tilted rearward along the longitudinal axis giving the propeller an overall cup-shaped appearance. The design preserved thrust efficiency while reducing cavitation, and thus made for a quieter stealthy prop which reduced the problem of blade-rate, however, reduced the submarines' top speed to 29–28 knots. Commissioned in April 1960, USS Tullibee SSN-597 was the product of Project Nobska a USN study that emphasized the need for deeper-diving, ultra-quiet submarines using long-range sonar. At 273 feet long and 2,640 tons displacement Tullibee was the smallest attack submarine ever except for the Navy research submarine NR-1 and had a crew complement of seven officers and sixty enlisted men. It incorporated three design changes; a bow-mounted spherical sonar array that required the second innovation of angled torpedo tubes amidships. And thirdly, Tullibee was propelled by ultra-quiet turbo-electric transmission powered by a S2C reactor. She achieved many submarine firsts including having submerged and surfaced 730 times and traveled approximately 325,000 nautical miles equal to the distance from the earth to the moon and halfway back. The Sturgeon-637-class of SSNs in service from the 1960s thru 2004 is renowned as the "workhorses" of the Cold War. They were lengthened and improved variants of the Thresher/Permit class having a five-compartment arrangement including the bow compartment, operations compartment, reactor compartment, auxiliary machinery room #2, and the engine room. A lengthier operations compartment accommodated larger torpedo racks for additional Mark 37 torpedo storage; the sub met SUBSAFE standards, with seawater, main ballast, and other systems redesigned for improved reliability. It had a larger sail with a second periscope and additional intelligence-gathering masts. And, the fairwater planes mounted on the sail could rotate 90 degrees for surfacing through the arctic ice pack; because of their larger displacement, speed was reduced 26 knots. The last nine Sturgeons were lengthened 10 feet to provide more space for electronic equipment and habitability and to facilitate dry deck shelters for delivery of SEAL teams. The boats were phased out in the 1990s and early 21st century as the Los Angeles class, followed by the Seawolf and Virginia-class boats, entered service. USS Narwhal SSN-671 was another unique boat and was the third Navy ship of the to be named for the white arctic whale with a unicorn-like ivory tusk. Launched on 9 September 1967 and commissioned on 12 July 1969, little of her design was based on the Sturgeon-class and so it was a class of one. The power plant, engine room, and forward compartment layouts provided expanded crew living and birthing space and access aft was provided by two separate reactor tunnels with individual water-tight doors and a large engine room. And, although some elements of her propulsion were incorporated in later submarine classes including the Ohio class, no others have incorporated all of Narwhal's innovations that included a natural circulation reactor plant, scoop seawater injection, the ability to cross connect main and auxiliary seawater systems and a directly coupled main engine turbine with two speed reactor coolant pumps. The result was the quietest submarine ever giving her stealth, equaled only by the Ohio class and finally surpassed by the Seawolf class. Another one of a kind submarine was USS Glenard P. Lipscomb SSN-685, named for the deceased U.S. California Congressman that was the Navy's second submarine design to utilize a turbo-electric transmission. Projected to test the potential advantages of the propulsion system to provide quieter submarine operations, and with a displacement of 6,400 tons and a length of 365 feet she was heavier and larger than similar vessels having conventional drive trains which resulted in slower speeds, and because of reliability issues too it wasn’t used for the follow-on Los Angeles-class submarines. The ensuing class led by USS Los Angeles SSN 688 has more active submarines to date than any other class in the world with 66 having been built and approximately 30 still in commission. With the exception of USS Hyman G. Rickover SSN-709, they are named after major American cities, such as Albany, New York; Los Angeles, etc., a change from the tradition of naming Attack submarines after marine animals. In 1982 the class underwent redesign adding 12 vertical launch tubes to deliver Tomahawk cruise missiles and the final 23 built had a significant upgrade with the 688i improvement program and are quieter, with more advanced electronics, noise-reduction technology, and retractable diving planes located at the bow rather than on the sail. The Navy acknowledges its top speed as exceeding 25 knots and although the actual maximum is classified, published estimates have it at 30 to 33 knots with a test depth of 650 Ft. and maximum diving depth is 1,475 ft. The 688s intended replacement is the Seawolf class and design work began in 1983 with a proposed fleet of 29 submarines to be built over a ten-year period, but that was reduced to 12 because the end of the Cold War and budget constraints led to the 1995 cancellation of any further additions to the fleet leaving the Seawolf class limited to just three boats. The Seawolf’s cost $3 billion per unit the most expensive USN Attack submarine ever and was intended to combat the threat of advanced Soviet ballistic missile submarines such as the Soviet Typhoon class, and Akula class attack boats. Seawolf-class hulls are constructed from stronger HY-100 steel to withstand water pressure at greater depths; their test depth is 1600 feet. And, with a top speed of 35 knots, they are faster, significantly quieter, carry more weaponry, and have twice as many torpedo tubes allowing them to launch up to 50 UGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles against land and sea surface targets. They have shallow water operations capability and employ the more advanced ARCI Modified AN/BSY-2 combat system, which includes a larger spherical sonar array, a wide aperture array (WAA), and a new towed-array sonar. Their propulsion is a single S6W nuclear reactor, delivering 45,000 hp to a low-noise pump-jet. The three boats of the Seawolf class are the USS Seawolf SSN-21, USS Connecticut SSN-22, and the USS Jimmy Carter SSN-24. The Virginia class Attack boats, also known as the SSN-774 after the lead ship USS Virginia are currently coming into service and are the Navy’s latest undersea warfare platform that incorporates stealth, intelligence gathering and weapons systems technology. Designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions, including anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering operations they are scheduled to replace the 688s, will be acquired through 2043, and will remain in service into the 2070s. The Navy’s early Attack submarines were key in the defeat of the Soviet Union that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end to the Cold War. They dogged the Soviet missile boats 24/7, often shadowing them at close range, deep depths and high speeds while evading enemy attack boats and surface craft. As well, they routinely participated in top secret covert intelligence missions by direct order of the president of the United States that the American public will never learn the details of as all submariners are sworn to secrecy. And, the new crop of USN Attack submarines stands ready to accomplish any mission far into the future.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1078
|
__label__wiki
| 0.64385
| 0.64385
|
LR will classify largest civilian hospital ship
Selected as classification society for world’s largest civilian hospital ship.
Lloyd’s Register (LR) is honoured to be the classification society of choice for Mercy Ships latest endeavour, a new 36,600 GRT hospital ship scheduled for completion in 2017.
“LR Marine’s global team – spanning the Americas, Europe and Asia, is very pleased to support Mercy Ships and their partners in the design, build and through life operation of the Atlantic Mercy, enabling this unique organization to continue their invaluable mission and expand their reach,” stated John Hicks, VP Global Passenger Ships and Americas Business Development, Lloyd’s Register.
The hospital ship will be designed by the Finnish firm Deltamarin and the vessel will be built at CSIC group’s Tianjin Xingang Shipyard in China. Stena RoRo will manage the actual project construction under the leadership of Per Westling, Managing Director.
The vessel will be certified as a passenger ship for long international voyages and will be registered under the flag of Malta with Lloyd’s Register classification. The main dimensions are 174 metres in overall length and 28.6 metres in breadth. The design service speed will be 12.0 knots. The vessel will have two hospital decks and can carry 500 persons on board when sailing; when in port, the capacity will be 950 persons. There will be a total of 641 beds in the 277 cabins. The vessel will even house a school for children of the staff.
Upon completion, Atlantic Mercy will be the world’s largest civilian hospital ship and will be assigned a class notation of + 100A1, Passenger Ship, *IWS, PC AC2, ShipRight (SDA, CM, ACS(B), SCM), ECO (IHM), + LMS, PSMRL, UMS, NAV1, Descriptive Note: Hospital Ship.
About Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, capacity building and sustainable development to those without access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1 billion, impacting more than 2.42 million direct beneficiaries. Each year Mercy Ships engages more than 1,600 volunteers from more than 45 nations. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, healthcare trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort. Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time. The charity has offices in 16 nations. www.mercyships.org
i4 Insight partner with FNT to integrate Condition Monitoring service.
Regulation is key to shipping's green push, Lloyd’s List survey finds.
LR unveils first members of Maritime Decarbonisation Hub advisory panel.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1082
|
__label__cc
| 0.551537
| 0.448463
|
Las Vegas Valley Humane Society
The LVVHS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue of sick, injured, and homeless animals in Southern Nevada.
Volunteer/Foster
The Las Vegas Valley Humane Society (LVVHS) is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation established according to Nevada laws for public benefit. It is dedicated to improving the welfare of animals. Its articles of incorporation detail the primary purpose of the organization as follows:
The prevention of cruelty to animals.
The relief of suffering among animals.
Reducing the over-breeding of domestic animals - primarily cats and dogs - through public education and sterilization programs.
Improving the tragic plight of animals used in biomedical research and testing.
Protecting endangered wildlife.
The LVVHS’s primary emphasis is on stray and abandoned animals. As a part of its efforts to deal with cruelty and the relief of suffering, it provides advocacy for animals in terms of legislation at both the local and state level. Recent examples include speaking at legislative hearings for anti-tethering efforts, dog fighting and puppy mill statutes, spay/neuter ordinances and, responding to complaints at local facilities such as the efforts which substantially reduced the sales of animals at the open air Broad Acre Swap Meet and required those vendors who continued to sell to meet temperature and other requirements.
In addition to its advocacy on behalf of animals, the LVVHS rescues and rehabilitates stray and abandoned animals, especially those that are injured.
In order to reduce the over-breeding of domestic animals, it provides low cost spay and neuter clinics (SNIP Clinics) for cats (dates and locations) and referrals for dogs. The LVVHS targets single family housing areas to provide spays/neuters for both dogs and cats in order to stop the population growth in those areas. It provides a trap-vaccinate-neuter and return to custodian program for feral cats as well.
Mailing Address: Las Vegas Valley Humane Society | 3395 S. Jones Blvd., #454 | Las Vegas, NV 89146
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1083
|
__label__wiki
| 0.575099
| 0.575099
|
Region selectorCA
Macquarie announces appointment of Phil Peters as Executive Director
London, 11 September 2017
Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) today announced the appointment of Phil Peters as Executive Director and Global Head of the Investor Solutions Group (ISG).
Bringing more than 24 years of experience in institutional investment and financial markets, Mr. Peters will lead the global team which engages with MIRA’s institutional client base across pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and other institutional investors. The team is responsible for all aspects of investor client management across unlisted funds as well as the development of new products and strategies across real assets. In the last two years, the team have raised over A$20bn of capital from global investors across a number of funds which invest in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia.
He joins Macquarie after nearly 10 years with Challenger Limited, where he was most recently Managing Director, Fidante Partners Europe. He previously worked with Macquarie, Citigroup and Cargill. Mr. Peters will commence employment with MIRA on 2nd October 2017, will report to Martin Stanley and will be based in MIRA’s head office in London.
Martin Stanley, Global Head of MIRA, said: “Phil has a wealth of experience in infrastructure and other real asset classes in Europe and Australia, including five previous years at Macquarie. He will play a key role in helping to further realise our strategy of expanding and diversifying our private funds business into real estate, renewables, energy and agriculture.”
Phil Peters added “MIRA is a clear leader in the real assets space and has enormous capacity for growth and a track record of innovation. We have strong investor-focused teams in each region of the world who are close to clients and have a strong track record in providing attractive solutions. This is a great opportunity for me to join the global leader in the real assets space - a business with scale, scope momentum, and most importantly investor support.”
The appointment is subject to FCA approval.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1084
|
__label__wiki
| 0.635311
| 0.635311
|
Merkley, Wyden Announce Investments in Rural Communities Included in Spending Bill
Merkley co-authored agriculture spending bill included in the fiscal year 2021 omnibus bill passed by Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley—who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on agriculture and rural development—and Ron Wyden today announced that the Senate has passed a fiscal year 2021 agriculture spending bill that will benefit Oregon’s farms and families. The next step for the bill is to be signed into law by the president.
“In every corner of our state, I’ve heard about the need for investments in our farms and rural industries, affordable housing, and good-paying jobs—especially as the coronavirus crisis’ toll on our health and economy continues to deepen,” said Merkley, who co-authored the agriculture appropriations bill. “I fought hard to ensure that those insights, and the specific ideas and priorities Oregonians have shared with me, would make it into this bill, so we can strengthen the vitality of our communities and keep delivering the world-class agricultural products Oregon is known for.”
“Building the strongest possible quality of life throughout Oregon requires robust investment to support signature job-creating state industries such as agriculture and fishing, while also ensuring rural residents have housing they can afford,” Wyden said. “I’m glad this bill helps to achieve all those goals that Oregonians have shared with me on Zoom calls, virtual town halls and socially distanced conversations during this most challenging year.”
Merkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield a generation ago to serve on the Appropriations Committee, considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill. He joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon would have a strong voice in decisions about the investments our nation should be making.
Key elements to benefit Oregonians in the spending bill are:
Wine Grape Smoke Exposure Research: This year’s unprecedented wildfire season blanketed much of the state of Oregon with dense, hazardous smoke, which has significantly impacted Oregon’s wine grape harvest. To better understand the challenges facing Oregon’s wine growers, the bill includes $3.5 million for research into smoke-impacted grapes at Oregon State University (OSU) and other West Coast universities, building on $2 million secured the prior appropriations cycle.
Rural Housing: The bill includes $1.41 billion for rental assistance and $40 million for Rural Housing Service Vouchers, which will help address the urgent housing crisis facing Oregon’s rural communities.
Rural Development: The bill protects funding for a number of USDA’s Rural Development programs, including rural housing and business development programs that President Trump proposed eliminating. These programs make billions of dollars of investments in rural America every year.
National Scenic Area: The bill includes $2 million to help Oregon’s rural communities promote economic development through the Oregon and Washington Investment Boards, rounding out a $10 million commitment that was authorized when the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area was created.
Soil Health: The bill includes $1.5 million for the establishment of a Soil Carbon Research Center at OSU focused on research into current and future dryland production practices to increase profitability and yield, conserve soil, enhance soil water storage, and promote sequestration of carbon for soil health.
Water Conservation and Habitat Restoration: The bill includes a $30 million for the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations in Oregon. Funding is included for irrigation districts that need to improve water efficiency and conservation or otherwise improve fish and wildlife habitat. This program is providing critical funding for the collaborative processes underway across the state working to conserve water and keep Oregon’s family farms in business while improving the habitats of endangered species. Construction has begun on several key projects to address water resource interests in Central Oregon, including in Tumalo Irrigation District and Central Oregon Irrigation District, and funding announced today will allow further expansion across the state, such as the East Fork Irrigation District project that has broken ground in Hood River.
Pacific Shellfish: The bill includes $3.5 million of federal funding for cutting-edge research to improve the productivity, sustainability, and health of the Pacific shellfish agricultural system. This research is critical to efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate chaos on the health and economies of Oregon’s coastal communities.
Western Rangeland Livestock: The bill includes $3 million for the establishment of a Western Rangeland Precision Livestock center to develop precision-based nutrition strategies for rangeland-based livestock, as well as technology-based rangeland and livestock management strategies to optimize the health and productivity of Western rangeland-based livestock and the rangeland ecosystem. This funding will be split among land grant universities in Oregon, Montana, and Wisconsin.
Agricultural Research: The Agricultural Research Service received an increase of $77 million in funding for cutting-edge research to improve the productivity, sustainability, and health of the nation’s agricultural systems. In addition, Merkley was able to secure funding for key Oregon agriculture research programs, including funding for research on the Sudden Oak Death pathogen plaguing the south coast. Other research funding victories include research for alfalfa, barley, tree fruits, pear, wheat, hops, hemp, apple, shellfish, small fruits, seaweed, floriculture, nurseries, and rangeland ecology.
Mass Timber Products: The advanced wood products program at USDA received $3.5 million for work on mass timber products that would enhance Oregon State University’s cutting-edge research.
Summer EBT: The bill continues funding the Summer EBT program at $42 million. This program has provided much-needed nutrition for Oregon families during the summer months when schools are not in session.
Food Corps: The bill provides an increase of $1 million for Food and Agriculture Service Learning. This program helps improve education resources for healthy eating especially among children.
Hemp: The bill provides $16.5 million to implement provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill allowing for the cultivation of commercial hemp, which can be used to make everything from cloth and rope to oil and soap. Hemp has already quickly become one of Oregon’s leading cash crops, and many feel has the potential to bring in more than $1 billion in sales to Oregon in the coming years, but only with a fair and reasonable regulatory framework.
In addition, the explanatory statement highlights several concerns raised by Oregon hemp producers over the USDA’s proposed testing and sampling regulations, and directs the USDA to ensure that the final rule for the Domestic Hemp Program is based on science and will ensure a fair and reasonable regulatory framework for commercial hemp producers. The bill also:
Extends the 2014 hemp pilot program until January 1, 2022, providing hundreds of Oregon farmers clear operating guidelines as the USDA smooths out regulatory challenges;
Encourages the USDA to study the usage and impact of energy and water in hemp cultivation and to make recommendations on best practices and standards;
Directs the agency to establish and maintain a hemp germplasm repository for hemp breeding purposes;
Provides $2 million for the agency to conduct regionally-driven research, development, and stakeholder engagement to improve understanding of how to effectively integrate hemp into existing agricultural cropping, processing, and marketing systems; and
Directs the USDA to work with institutions under its jurisdiction to provide access to guaranteed loans for hemp producers and businesses.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The bill provides $3.2 billion in discretionary funding for FDA. As FDA continues to be on the frontlines of addressing COVID-19, the bill ensures the agency continues to have adequate funding to respond to this urgent need. The bill also includes an additional $5 million for FDA to continue work on a regulatory pathway for CBD, a product derived from hemp.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1088
|
__label__wiki
| 0.541292
| 0.541292
|
Press Releases : MERU: Redefining The 'Taxi' Experience
MERU: Redefining The 'Taxi' Experience
Meru Cabs, operating in four metros of the country has popularised and boosted the concept of radio cabs. Anita Jain maps out the various strategies and brand building activities of Meru
"Today almost 70 per cent of our passengers say that they travel by 'Meru' instead of calling it a 'taxi' and this is what has been our focus. We are increasingly becoming a brand by itself, making the 'taxi' experience more comfortable, safe and reliable in India," said Gavin Dabreo, Vice President - Sales and Marketing, Meru Cab Company Pvt. Ltd. It's hard to believe that Meru Cabs, the brand which created the concept of radio taxis in India is not even two years old but according to the company; the brand is growing and has been giving tough competition to the other players in the market.
Early steps
It all started in 1998, when Neeraj Gupta, MD, Meru cabs started off with a small auto workshop, 'Elite Class' to provide high quality auto maintenance services at affordable prices. The unprecedented success of 'Elite Class' with corporate clients such as Tata Infotech, Blue Dart and Sony, led Gupta to start a passenger transport business under the name 'Travel Link' in 2002. Within a year, the sales jumped eight times. In 2004, Travel Link was rechristened 'V-Link Tours & Travels'. In partnership with private equity firm India Value Fund Advisors, Meru cabs - metered taxi services was launched last year. The company received an offer letter from Maharashtra government to operate the radio taxis in Mumbai.
Initially, the service was limited to Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), but by June 2007, the service slowly started covering the entire city with improving fleet size. Starting off with mere 46 cabs, the company was successful in registering about 200 cabs within three months of operations. It was known that the company faced stiff opposition from the conventional black and yellow taxis of Mumbai. The company later made a specific network of business and leisure travellers, thus creating its own brand in the market. Today, it has redefined transport sector backed with 24X7 call centre and with its trained staff of professional chauffeurs (called subscribers by Meru). Gupta even received the Udyog Rattan Award last year from The Institute of Economic Studies for the high quality of transport services offered by his company.
Today, Meru operates about 1800 cabs in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi and Bangalore. The company is planning to first consolidate the current operational markets and then introduce similar services in Kolkata, Chandigarh, Chennai and Pune.
Building the 'Meru' Brand
Since its inception, Meru has tried to encourage the trend of radio taxis in India. With about 35 per cent of repeat clientèle, the company has been recording a growth of 15 per cent in business every month. The future looks even brighter to Mark Pereira, CEO, Meru Cabs. "The current fleet of 1800 is not enough to meet the increasing demand from the market. We are aiming to put more 4200 cabs in the market by March next year to decrease the gap between higher demand and lower supply. By 2011, we are looking at operating about 12,000 cabs in India," said Pereira.
For building the brand, the company had started various ad campaigns and promotional activities. The tag line of Meru - 'Rely on us,' sends out a message of safety and hassle-free ride on board. It released a radio ad campaign of a small boy going all alone in Meru to receive his grandmother from the airport. Since last month in Delhi, it has rolled out the 'Don't drink and drive' promotion to encourage people to call for a Meru instead of drinking and driving. For this promotion, Meru Cabs identified four TGIF (TGI Friday's) pubs and 160 restaurants, where it has placed tent cards and utilised their LCD screens to spread the message. The tent cards carried the message - 'If you find this hard to read, it's time to book a Meru cab.' In another interesting innovation, colour coding was used on coasters. A customer was given the first drink on a black coaster. The subsequent drinks followed on green, amber and red coasters. The red coaster signified that it's time to call for a cab which comes with the message, 'You do the drinking, we do the driving'. Thus the company connected a public service message with the idea to boost sales. Dabreo added that the promotion will be intensified around New Year and other occasions in the coming years with more innovative ad campaigns. He further added, "Meru Cabs is a national brand now and the challenges in every city are different. For instance, in Mumbai and Delhi, the company needs to differentiate itself from other brands. In Hyderabad, it needs to create the category itself."
Services like 'Dial-a-Meru', 'SMS-a-Meru' and 'Meru-on-the-Net' are available and customers can also hail a Meru by the curb-side. All Meru cabs can be tracked from the main control room to determine their geographical location and ensure a quick response and despatch. Emergency security features such as a panic button are installed in the car along with First-Aid kits in case of any accidents or emergency situations. Meru also has a 'Lost and Found' tracking system in place so that any item left behind unintentionally in a cab can be traced to the vehicle that the reporting customer has used. Recently, it has also started a corporate travel programme on a test mode for business clients.
The company is constantly looking at various innovative ways to market the product and increase its visibility. Currently, there are various ideas being conceptualised by the marketing department of the company. Hence we will have to wait and see what will be the next marketing campaign Meru will use to increase the penetration of the concept of radio taxis in India.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1089
|
__label__cc
| 0.516213
| 0.483787
|
DECIPHERING NUMBER PLATES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Wondering how car registration numbers are generated and what you can learn from them in different countries?
You are probably familiar with the Czech number plate because it features on most official photos of ŠKODAs.
The standard number plate you can see on the vast majority of Czech cars and motorcycles comprises a set of black characters on a white background. The first letter from the left indicates which of the country’s 14 regions the vehicle has been registered in. The letter S denotes the Central Bohemian Region, where the town of Mladá Boleslav – ŠKODA’s headquarters – is located. This is why ŠKODA cars feature a registration number with the letter S in official photos. You can tell if a car is from Prague because of the letter A. Use of the letters G, O, Q, W and CH (“CH” is counted as a single letter in Czech) is not permitted because they could be confused with the letters C and V and the digit 0.
The current numbering system, launched in 2002, was prompted by the new administrative breakdown of the Czech Republic into regions. Registration numbers have five to seven characters and must contain at least one letter and one digit.
The first cluster of characters on the left, typically consisting of three characters, denotes the registration number series. This is followed by a space for the technical inspection (MOT) sticker. The right cluster is the serial number. Since 2004, when the Czech Republic joined the EU, number plates have also had a blue strip on the extreme left with the EU circle of stars and the Czech Republic’s country code.
CLICK HERE for further information and to see the how these have changed over the years.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1090
|
__label__cc
| 0.635583
| 0.364417
|
Corporate Select Investor Type
We use cookies to help improve your online experience. By clicking Accept & Save, you agree that we may store and access cookies on your device. You can change your cookie settings at any time or find out about our cookie policy
Martin Currie
Investing to improve lives Our investment edge Stewardship Environmental, Social and Governance Leadership teams Diversity Regulatory Information
Investing to improve lives
Outcomes Beyond Alpha
Our investment edge
High conviction, active management driven by a distinctive and repeatable research process.
At the heart of value creation.
An integral part of stewardship.
Enabling colleagues to achieve their best, for the ultimate benefit of our clients.
Ensuring an inclusive environment founded in equality of opportunity for everyone.
As a global investment management firm, Martin Currie is subject to a wide range of regulation.
Client Focused Solutions
Growth StrategiesIncome strategies
Strategies in focus
Global Emerging MarketsGlobal Long-Term UnconstrainedEuropean Long-Term Unconstrained
Martin Currie Global Portfolio Trust
High-conviction, stock focused emerging market portfolios.
Global Long-Term Unconstrained
Long-term alpha generation from the world’s strongest companies.
European Long-Term Unconstrained
Pandemic risk and growing climate-change concerns means our ESG expertise and a Triple A+ PRI rating are more relevant than ever.
Delivering real income and capital growth over the long-term.
Identifying and investing in high-quality, sustainable business models to generate positive long-term outcomes for our clients.
Aims to achieve long-term returns in excess of the total return from the MSCI All Companies World index.
Covid-19AFTERMATH - the world after COVID-19 Emerging marketsLong-Term UnconstrainedStewardship & ESGBehind the headlinesPodcasts
Insights related to the Corona virus outbreak
Insights related to Emerging markets
Long-Term Unconstrained
Long-Term Unconstrained related Insights
Stewardship & ESG
Insights related to Stewardship & ESG
Global stories from Kim Catechis
Weekly updates from our Emerging Market and Long-Term Unconstrained managers
AFTERMATH - the world after COVID-19
Looking ‘behind the headlines’ to navigate the world after COVID-19.
Site search icon
Asia Australia North America UK Europe Rest of the World
Select your investor type
For consultants, pension schemes, insurers and professional investors
The information and material contained in this website are designed to provide information on Martin Currie and is only directed at Institutional Investors and Consultants.
By accepting where indicated, you hereby acknowledge, agree and represent to Martin Currie that you are eligible by confirming that you are based in the UK, you are an authorised to conduct regulated activities in the UK and that you have read and understood the "Legal & Regulatory Information", which applies to any investment in our products referred to in this website.
The information contained within this website does not constitute an offer of or an invitation to apply for securities:
In any jurisdiction where such offer or invitation is unlawful or
In which the person making such offer is not qualified to do so or
To whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
Martin Currie Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The distribution of this information in written format is restricted to the UK. The information contained in this site has been compiled with considerable care to ensure its accuracy at the date of publication. But no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made to its accuracy or completeness. Any research or analysis contained in this website has been procured by Martin Currie for its own use. It is provided to you only incidentally, and any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice.
Accept and enter
Intermediary investor
For advisors, professional wealth managers and wholesale investors
Please read this important information
Please read this important information. If you cannot make the representations below, please do not enter the website.
By clicking on this link, you agree and represent to Martin Currie that you are a resident of or incorporated in the United Kingdom have read and understood the "Important Information and Risk Factors", which apply to any investment in our products referred to in this website, and that you are categorised as a per se or elective Professional Client for the purposes of COBS 3 of the FCA Handbook or rules and guidance. The information on this section of the website is not intended for use by any other person, including members of the public.
Martin Currie Investment Management Limited, registered in Scotland (no SC066107) is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. Martin Currie Fund Management Limited, registered in Scotland (no SC104896) is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority as a full-scope UK AIFM.
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing excludes, limits or restricts our obligations to you under the UK Financial Services and Market Act 2000 or any other applicable law or regulation.
The opinions and views in this website do not take into account your individual circumstances, objectives, or needs and are not intended to be recommendations of particular financial instruments or strategies to you. This website does not identify all the risks (direct or indirect) or other considerations which might be material to you when entering any financial transaction. You should consult with your professional advisers before undertaking any investment activity. The information provided on this website should not be treated as advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any particular security or other investment. The information on this website has not been reviewed by any competent regulatory authority.
This website is intended for, and is relevant to, UK residents only and should not be relied upon by persons of any other jurisdiction.
By accepting where indicated, you hereby acknowledge, agree and represent to Martin Currie that you are eligible by confirming that you are based in the UK and that you have read and understood the "Legal Regulatory Information" which applies to any investment in our products referred to in this website.
We do not give investment advice so you need to decide if an investment is suitable for you. If you are unsure whether to invest, you should contact a financial adviser.
By clicking on this link, you agree and represent to Martin Currie that you have read and understood the "Important information and risk factors", which apply to any investment in our products referred to in this website, and that you are incorporated in a country listed below and that you are either an institutional investor, a corporate professional investor or a consultant business. The information on this section of the website is not intended for use by any other person in any other jurisdiction, including members of the public. If you cannot make these representations, please do not enter the website.
All residents of Hong Kong: Neither Martin Currie Investment Management Limited nor Martin Currie Inc. carries on a business in a regulated activity in Hong Kong or is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission. The content of this section of the website is intended for Professional Investors only.
All residents of Singapore: The information in this section of the website is intended for institutional investors (as defined in the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, as amended) and consultants in Singapore only.
All residents of China: Neither Martin Currie Investment Management Limited nor Martin Currie Inc. is authorised by the China Securities Regulatory Commission to market its strategies in China. By clicking on this link, you warrant and represent that you are entering this website on your own initiative and without being influenced or induced by any third party to do so.
All residents of South Korea: The information in this section of the website is intended only for qualified professional investors and consultants based in South Korea.
Martin Currie Investment Management Limited, registered in Scotland (no SC066107). Martin Currie Inc, incorporated in New York and having a UK branch registered in Scotland (no SF000300), Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2ES Tel: (44) 131 229 5252 Fax: (44) 131 222 2532 www.martincurrie.com. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. Martin Currie Inc, 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor New York, NY 10018 is also registered with the Securities Exchange Commission as an investment adviser for the purposes of the Investment Advisers Act 1940.
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing excludes, limits or restricts our obligations to you under the UK Financial Services and Market Act 2000, the Investment Advisers Act 1940 or any other applicable law or regulation.
For consultants, Superannuation, insurers and professional investors
By clicking on this link, you agree and represent to Martin Currie that you are an Australian wholesale client for the purposes of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and have read and understood the "Legal and Regulatory Information”", which apply to any investment in our products referred to in this website. The information on this section of the website is not intended for use by any other person, including members of the public. If you cannot make these representations, please do not enter the website.
Martin Currie Australia is a division of Legg Mason Asset Management Australia Limited (ABN 76 004 835 849). Legg Mason Asset Management Australia Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc., and holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL No. 240827) issued pursuant to the Corporations Act 2001.
Martin Currie Investment Management Limited, registered in Scotland (no SC066107) is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority.
The FCA's regulatory regime differs from the Australian regulatory regime.
This material is provided on the basis that you are a wholesale client within the definition of ASIC Class Order 03/1099. Martin Currie is registered as a foreign company under the Corporations Act 2001 (ARBN 131 134 613). It is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence under the Corporations Act 2001 in respect of financial services provided to Australian wholesale clients by virtue of the application of ASIC Class Order 03/1099.
Please read this important information. The information on this section of the website is not intended for use by any other person in any other jurisdiction, including members of the public. If you cannot make the following representations, please do not enter the website.
All residents of Luxembourg, Republic of Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Belgium and France: By clicking on this link, you agree and represent to Martin Currie that you have read and understood the "Important information and risk factors", which apply to any investment in our products referred to in this website, and that you are categorised as a per se or elective Professional Client for the purposes of Directive 2014/65/EU (“MiFID II”). The information on this section of the website is not intended for use by any other person, including members of the public.
All residents of Switzerland: By clicking on this link, you agree and represent to Martin Currie that you have read and understood the "Important information and risk factors", which apply to any investment in our products referred to in this website, and that that you are resident in or incorporated in Switzerland and that you are a Qualified Investor for the purposes of Article 10 of the Collective Investment Schemes Act. The information on this section of the website is not intended for use by any other person, including members of the public.
Martin Currie Investment Management Limited, registered in Scotland (no SC066107) is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. Martin Currie Investment Management Limited has a MiFID II passport to provide investment services to Professional Clients in the European Union.
Please read this important information.
Please read this important information. If you cannot make either of the representations below, please do not enter the website.
Investors resident in the Canada: By clicking on this link, you agree and represent to Martin Currie that you have read and understood the "Important information and risk factors", which apply to any investment in our products referred to in this website, and that you are resident in, or incorporated in, Canada and are a Permitted Client for the purposes of NI 31-103. The information on this section of the website is not intended for use by any other person, including members of the public.
Investors resident in the United States of America: By clicking on this link, you agree and represent to Martin Currie that you have read and understood the "Important information and risk factors", which apply to any investment in our products referred to in this website, and that you are either incorporated in, or a resident of, the United States of America and that you meet the definition of an Accredited Investor as defined in Rule 501 of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (‘The 1933 Act’). The information on this section of the website is not intended for use by any other person in any other jurisdiction, including members of the public.
Martin Currie Inc, incorporated in New York with its registered office at 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017 and having a UK branch registered in Scotland (no SF000300), Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2ES Tel: (44) 131 229 5252 Fax: (44) 131 222 2532 www.martincurrie.com, is registered with the Securities Exchange Commission as an investment adviser for the purposes of the Investment Advisers Act 1940 and is also authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. Martin Currie Inc. operates under the International Adviser Exemption with the Ontario Securities Commission (‘OSC’) and is therefore currently not required to be registered as a portfolio manager for the purposes of MI 31-103.
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing excludes, limits or restricts our obligations to you under the UK Financial Services and Market Act 2000, the Investment Advisers Act 1940, National Instruments or any other applicable law or regulation.
Martin Currie Inc, incorporated in New York with its registered office at 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor New York, NY 10018 and having a UK branch registered in Scotland (no SF000300), Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2ES Tel: (44) 131 229 5252 Fax: (44) 131 222 2532 www.martincurrie.com, is registered with the Securities Exchange Commission as an investment adviser for the purposes of the Investment Advisers Act 1940 and is also authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. Martin Currie Inc. operates under the International Adviser Exemption with the Ontario Securities Commission (‘OSC’) and is therefore currently not required to be registered as a portfolio manager for the purposes of MI 31-103.
By clicking on this link, you agree and represent to Martin Currie that you have read and understood the "Important information and risk factors", which apply to any investment in our products referred to in this website, and that: (i) you are an institutional investor, an intermediary investor a consultant or other professional investor; and (ii) you are entering this website on your own initiative and without being influenced or induced by any third party to do so. The information on this section of the website is not intended for use by any other person, including members of the public.
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing excludes, limits or restricts our obligations to you under the UK Financial Services and Market Act 2000, the Investment Advisers Act 1940 or any other applicable law or regulation. The information on this website has not been reviewed by any competent regulatory authority in any jurisdiction.
If none of the above applies to you, please go to our corporate site.
US Long-Term Unconstrained
Long-term alpha generation from the one of the world’s most innovative markets.
About US Long-Term Unconstrained
The strategy is designed for investors seeking sustainable long-term outperformance of the market from a high conviction portfolio, backed by proprietary and systematic fundamental research.
The strategy’s portfolio of 20-40 quality growth companies offer sustainable growth and resilience to economic uncertainty.
Our three long-term mega trends of demographic change, the future of technology and resource scarcity, guide our proprietary fundamental research and portfolio construction. This allows us to invest on multi-decade investment horizon to meet client requirements for sustainable long-term returns.
Proprietary fundamental research can identify long-term value-creating companies undervalued by the market. We elaborate on this below:
The market is myopic and fades returns of quality companies too fast
Our proprietary fundamental research framework is able to identify these companies
Value creating companies compound returns over the long-term
We consider portfolio construction with equal importance to the research process, employing the same high-quality data from the research process. Here we focus on five areas – long-term thematics, company classifications, geographic revenue/profit, end user markets and industry lifecycles. These aid our understanding of the portfolio’s diversity, effectively manage risk and ensure we are positioned to capture long-term growth.
Portfolio characteristics
Benchmark Unconstrained (MSCI USA used for performance comparison only)
Performance objective Long-term capital appreciation
Market capitalisation Mid- and Large-Cap
Sector/country allocations Unconstrained
Number of stocks 20-40
Maximum active stock weight 10%
Portfolio turnover < 25% per annum
Inception 1 September 1983*
The characteristics shown are guidelines only and not hard limits.
* Moved from a benchmark relative North American equity strategy to an unconstrained US equity strategy on 20 December 2019
Podcast: New healthcare stock and US election preview
The debate around shape of economic recovery however remains valid in our view, and uncertain at the same time.
Zehrid Osmani
Head of Global Long-Term Unconstrained
Focused on the long term
We have strong expertise in ESG, culminating in a triple A+ rating by the PRI for the 4th year in a row
Led by Zehrid Osmani, the team combine experience of portfolio management, specialist sector research and accountancy to identify long-term value creation.
Amanda Whitecross
Yulia Hofstede
Robbie McNab
Roberto Venanzio
Sam Cottrell
Portfolio Manager, Global Long-Term Unconstrained
Zoe Hutchison
Jonathan Regan
We focus on sustainable businesses with good compounding characteristics, backed by low disruption risk, strong pricing power, good ESG credentials and high management quality.
Through our parent company, Franklin Templeton, investors are offered access to a segregated account or a range of pooled vehicles.
Please contact us to discuss the most appropriate investment to meet your requirements.
Martin Currie is a Specialist Investment Manager of Franklin Resources Inc, operating as Franklin Templeton.
Franklin Templeton is responsible for the sales and client service of our funds for financial advisers and individual investors.
If you would like to find out more about these funds, please visit the Franklin Templeton website.
Martin Currie is a ‘Specialist Investment Manager’ within the Franklin Templeton group.
Legg Mason IF Martin Currie US Unconstrained Fund (UK-domiciled ICVC)
EU Green Deal leads the way
EU policymakers appear to remain committed to a green stimulus, but will COVID-19 and the massive stimulus packages deployed to deal with it have a direct and adverse impact on the timing of the execution of the Green Deal?
Aftermath: Post Covid-19
Our Global Long-Term Unconstrained ESG Integration
In the paper, Zed explains how ESG is integrated throughout the investment process. From determining which stocks progress to in-depth fundamental research, the usage of their proprietary ESG risk scoring system and finally how analysis of ESG exposures helps determines the overall portfolio shape.
Stewardship Matters - Edition 1
Introducing our new update on the Stewardship and ESG activities that we are undertaking on clients’ behalf.
Regulatory information and risk warnings
Past performance is not a guide to future returns
This information is issued and approved by Martin Currie Investment Management Limited (‘MCIM’). It does not constitute investment advice. Market and currency movements may cause the capital value of shares, and the income from them, to fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested.
The analysis of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors form an important part of the investment process and helps inform investment decisions. The strategy does not necessarily target particular sustainability outcomes.
The information provided should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security. It should not be assumed that any of the security transactions discussed here were, or will prove to be, profitable.
The views expressed are opinions of the named manager as of the date of this document and are subject to change based on market and other conditions and may differ from other portfolio managers or of the firm as a whole. These opinions are not intended to be a forecast of future events, research, a guarantee of future results or investment advice.
The information contained has been complied with considerable care to ensure its accuracy. However, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made to its accuracy or completeness. Martin Currie has procured any research or analysis contained in this recording for its own use. It is provided to you only incidentally and any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice.
Keep up to date with the latest news from Martin Currie
Martin Currie Twitter Martin Currie LinkedIn Martin Currie YouTube
Legal and important information
Issued in the United Kingdom by Martin Currie Investment Management Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority © 2021 Martin Currie Ltd.
The information contained in this website does not constitute an offer of, or an invitation to apply for securities in any jurisdiction where such an offer or invitation is unlawful, or in which the person making such an offer is not qualified to do so.
© Martin Currie 2021
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1096
|
__label__wiki
| 0.866189
| 0.866189
|
Citizens for Safe Technology takes action against B.C. Hydro
Hana Ryu
The group Citizens for Safe Technology (CST) and its supporters have initiated legal action against B.C. Hydro for its implementation of the Smart Meter. They believe the Smart Meter invades people’s human and civil rights. According to Sharon Noble, director of CST, two lawsuits are in progress: one for violation of human rights and the other for infringement of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Smart Metering Program is an introduction of a modernized electronic power meter that supporters say can improve safety and reliability to the benefit of customers in the long term. Information about health and privacy posted on the B.C. Hydro website is rebutted and questioned by CST.
Objectives of the Smart Metering Program are to get lights back on faster and more safely during power outages, keep rates low by helping B.C. Hydro operate more efficiently, reduce wasted electricity, and provide customers with tools to conserve energy and save money. According to Mora Scott, representative of media relations and issues management for B.C. Hydro, “The electricity grid is the backbone of our economy and supports our quality of life in B.C. We need new meters to modernize our system and ensure it keeps up with growth in demand.”
“Smart meters help to make our electricity system more efficient and cost-effective by reducing power loss and operating costs,” says Scott. B.C. Hydro says that these savings will benefit customers by helping to keep their rates among the lowest in North America. Scott says Smart Meters have been proven safe and are helping to make substantial improvements to the electrical grid. “Both the B.C. Utilities Commission and the B.C. Court of Appeal have dismissed previous legal challenges related to the installation of Smart Meters,” she says.
Noble says, “The World Health Organization has classified the radio frequency emission from any wireless device including Smart Meter as 2B carcinogen, which is the same classification as lead.”
Stephen Sinatra, co-founder and medical director of the American College of Cardiologists, said, “The wireless microwave radiation from Wi-Fi and mobile phones is the greatest medical threat of our time.”
Noble believes that the accuracy of information on the B.C. Hydro website is questionable. She says emissions have been measured to be a hundred times more than a cellphone. She feels that experiments held in laboratories are not applicable to B.C. Hydro’s real life situations. She says, “The radiation level from each meter is extremely high.”
“B.C. Hydro’s new meters communicate using radio signals, which are common in our everyday lives and have been used safely for decades,” says Scott. She says most neighbourhoods’ common sources of continuous radio frequency include FM radio, television, and cellphone signals. B.C. Hydro also says that the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, the Provincial Health Officer, Health Canada, and the World Health Organization have all confirmed that the wireless technology used by Smart Meters does not pose any known health risks.
CST is concerned about more than just health risks, though. The group says there is also the issue of privacy, as Smart Meters collect data in order to tell users which appliances they use the most during the day.
“[Collecting personal data] is the entire purpose of this program. They are saying they want to gather our data,” says Noble. “How can they not gather our [personal] data, and be able to tell us what appliances we are using?” she asked. “It is getting to the point now where most of new appliances will have a Smart Chip in it?”
Scott sees the privacy matter differently; she says, “Protecting privacy is a top priority. The new meters do not give B.C. Hydro more information about you.”
B.C. Hydro says it protects the privacy of customers by consulting with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of B.C.’s office, designing a system with multiple layers of security and managing customer information according to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
One of the rights Noble feels is violated is the right to live in one’s home freely and secure from invasion. “I can say whether I do not want a cell phone, a cordless phone, and a Wi-Fi router, because they are dangerous with RF radiation. What right does B.C. Hydro have to tell me that I need to have a wireless device which is going to emit radiation into my home?” she said. B.C. Hydro’s statistics, on the other hand, say that over 97 per cent of customers throughout the province have accepted the new meters.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1097
|
__label__wiki
| 0.663747
| 0.663747
|
Office for Science and Society
Separating Sense from Nonsense
Dr. Joe's Books
OSS Press
Subscribe to the OSS Weekly Newsletter!
Risks of Altering Vaccination Protocols are Unknown
It seems counterproductive to ignore the trials that proved vaccines work when used as directed, and instead delay or swap second doses.
Christopher Labos MD, MSc | 5 Jan 2021
This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.
In an effort to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible, governments around the world have been openly debating how to stretch the vaccine supply as far as possible. The U.K. government has decided that it may swap one vaccine for another for the second dose, the United States is discussing whether people could receive two half doses of the Moderna vaccine rather than two full doses and in Canada the discussion is about delaying or deferring the second dose altogether.
The rationale for these decisions is not hard to understand. The sooner everyone can be vaccinated, the faster the pandemic will come to an end. But there is one fundamental and major shortcoming to all of these proposed strategies. They have not been tested.
The suggestion that vaccines might be interchangeable is not entirely without merit, given that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have the same basic mechanism of action. However, swapping vaccines has never been studied and no one knows whether it would be safe or effective. The issue is somewhat murkier when you introduce the AstraZeneca vaccine into the mix. This is a different type of vaccine, so its interchangeability with the others is even harder to guess at. Given the absence of data, substituting a different vaccine for the second dose would be a giant population-wide experiment that no one has actually volunteered for.
Delivering a half dose of the vaccine would be helpful in that it would allow twice as many people to be vaccinated, given the same manufacturing capacity. The justification comes from early studies showing that both lower and higher doses of the vaccine were able to produce antibodies in patients. But generating antibodies is not proof of immunity. The point of Phase 3 clinical trials is to test the effectiveness of vaccines (and all medications) against hard clinical endpoints. Measuring antibody levels provides helpful information, but antibody levels do not necessarily correlate with infection rates. Assuming that they do is simply an assumption.
Delaying or deferring the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine has the same problem. Very few people in the Moderna study got only one dose of the vaccine. If you examine the data submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in the roughly 1,000 people who got only a single dose of the Moderna vaccine, the vaccine efficacy was about 80 percent. But because of the relatively small number of people in this analysis, the margin of error means it could have been as high as 93 percent or as low as 55 percent. The Pfizer data is harder to interpret because there is no separate analysis of people who only got one dose. In the period between dose No. 1 and dose No. 2, vaccine efficacy was 52 percent (with the margin of error putting it between 30 percent and 68 percent).
You can make a calculated decision that some immunity in more people is better than more immunity in fewer people. I have my reservations, though, as the people not getting their second dose are largely health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities who are the highest risk group. If the delay in the second dose is simply a matter of one or two weeks, then the consequences will probably be minimal. But longer delays may mean that immunity wanes and people will need to get re-vaccinated. The truth is, we simply don’t know.
We went to the trouble and expense of conducting large randomized trials with tens of thousands of people to prove with high degrees of certainty that these vaccines work. It seems counterproductive to ignore the results.
@DrLabos
single dose
double dose
vaccine supply
vaccine rollout
(Jan. 21, 2021) "COVID & More" with guest Dr. Don Sheppard
Some Welcome Relief in the Treatment of Pain
The Right Chemistry: Will Supplements Protect You Against COVID-19?
The COVID-19 PCR Test Is Reliable Despite the Commotion About Ct Values
Reservations About Resveratrol
The Right Chemistry: Unusual Uses of the Placenta
Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1103
|
__label__wiki
| 0.878214
| 0.878214
|
A student-run publication of German news and culture
Books, TV and Film
Germany in the UK
Science, Tech & Environment
Ruskin's Review: Germany in 2019
By George Ruskin
@ruskinism
www.georgeruskin.com
Like every thirty-something, Germany ends the second decade of the twenty-first century in an identity crisis. For the past decade, it’s been the old-before-its-time member of the European friendship group: smug financial security and grown-up sincerity, taking the likes of Greece and Portugal home after they’ve been chucked out of the club by the fiscal bouncers.
Lately, though, there’s been more than the faintest whiff of an early midlife crisis creeping in to the national psyche: a study last year showed that Germans are generally less fearful than ever before, and a political willingness to throw caution to the wind resulted in 91 AfD seats in the Reichstag.
Although this identity crisis hasn’t been as spectacular as some of its EU (and soon-to-be non-EU) neighbours, it’s clear from the events of 2019 that Germany is at a crossroads with the omnipresent question of who will be at the steering wheel in the post-Merkel landscape. Although Merkel’s exit seems to be on the same timescale as Berlin Brandenburg Airport, the future of Germany has never been so hotly contested.
The event of most significance in 2019 was the 30th anniversary of the Mauerfall, a somewhat anticlimactic moment that serves as a paradigm of the decade Germany has had.
Commemorations were surprisingly muted for such a momentous anniversary and, in the international media, November 9th passed with, at most, a nice picture of the Brandenburg Gate. Authorities at local and national level seemed unsure as how to best commemorate a triumphant event steeped in tyrannical tragedy, especially as the crisis of east-west division that it caused is still largely unresolved three decades on.
Indeed, 42% of Berliners still feel uneasy about the process of reunification, nationwide a trigger for the AfD’s rise. The resultant gestures, or “decentralised storytelling locations”, failed to capture the imagination. The total bill for the commemorations came to just €10 million, which, compared to the £120 million set aside for the Festival of Brexit, is notably restrained.
Whilst understandably keen to avoid the somewhat chauvinistic national displays of Britain, France and America and fully resigned to the fact that in 2019 there was not one way to tell the story of the end of the cold war and the collapse of Soviet socialism that everyone could sign up to, commemorations were like meringue: delicately beautiful, yet lacking in substance.
This almost embarrassed display of national identity has angered those who want Germany to be playing with the populist big boys. Sure enough, the AfD harnessed this in late 2019, now running with the slogan “Vollende die Wende” (Complete the transition).
Nevertheless, Germany only really hit headlines twice last year. In November, the Dresden Heist, in which a ridiculous €1 billion’s worth of Saxon treasures were stolen, made Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen combined look frankly small-time. The international reaction of awe to the irresistible sexiness of a brazen heist enraged Saxony's President, Michael Kretschmer, who tweeted “not only the state art collections were robbed, but we Saxons.”
Hollywood glamour aside, the robbery was an immeasurable tragedy and the bumbling investigation by a clueless Polizei fuelled the barrage of memes, that, I would risk assuming, Merkel neither understands nor appreciates – she just doesn’t give off the meme queen vibe.
Further tragedy struck in the last few minutes of 2019, when a blaze killed more than 30 animals, including rare apes and monkeys, at a zoo in the western city of Krefeld. Caused by fire lanterns released by three locals who ended the last decade as reflective Mitbürgerinnen and began the new decade as public enemies number one.
Germany started 2020 in a nadir: a tragedy capturing international attention; and with every German’s waking nightmare: an economic wobble.
But if last year’s anniversary proves one thing, it’s that Germans are made of sterner stuff.
Books and corona: End of an era, or the start of a better one?
Opinion: Will a new face in the White House bring a “New Deal” for US-German relations?
Bamberg: the liberal enclave of Bavaria
Subscribe to our weekly news bulletin
© 2020 by Moment.de
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1108
|
__label__wiki
| 0.617077
| 0.617077
|
Marines Rush to Help Woman Pinned Under Car in Washington, DC
Things could have gone tragically wrong for a woman who was hit by a vehicle and pinned underneath it this month as she rode a scooter in downtown Washington, D.C., but for the fact that the accident happened near the Marine barracks in the capital.
“I was just going to the chow hall to get some breakfast and we hear a Marine call out, ‘A woman was just run over by a car,'” said Cpl. Denny Bohne of Guard Company, Marine Barracks Washington, on 8th and I Streets near the Navy Yard, in a video posted on Facebook of the dramatic rescue that followed. The accident happened a block away from the barracks.
Bohne and other Marines rushed to the car, removed the jack from the trunk and began lifting the back of the vehicle. Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Belko, who was the guard duty officer when the accident occurred on Nov. 7, used another jack that was handed to him by a passerby to lift the front of the car.
The Marines’ actions “were integral to reducing the amount of time it took for us to take care of that victim,” said Lt. Leo Ruiz, a rescue worker from D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services, who helped take the woman to a hospital.
It was unclear what injuries she sustained, but the woman survived, thanks in large part to the Marines’ actions, Ruiz said in the video.
“Honestly, if they hadn’t done what they had done, it could have delayed care for that victim,” he said. “We’re always taught in the fire service when you talk about EMS and trauma care, that (it’s imperative) getting those victims … to the right place quickly, and they absolutely helped us to do that.”
The Marines who helped rescue the woman were “relieved that she made it out okay,” Bohne said.
But they played down their heroism, with Belko saying the actions that saved her were “a team effort” including D.C. rescue workers and passersby who chipped in to help.
“Marines run to the sound of the gun, so it didn’t surprise me at all the Marines were there,” Belko said.
Retired Navy Officer Pleads Guilty in Child Pornography Case
How Military Members Should Deal With Fitness and Health as They Age
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1111
|
__label__wiki
| 0.813319
| 0.813319
|
GE and BHP Billiton partner to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in mining sector
1 November 2015 (Last Updated November 1st, 2015 18:30)
GE and mining major BHP Billiton have joined forces in a bid to improve efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the mining sector.
GE and BHP Billiton have joined forces in a bid to improve efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the mining sector.
As part of the partnership, the companies will also identify new solutions to address growing global demand for resources, including copper, iron ore and coal.
According to GE, new solutions would be developed under the partnership to reduce the emissions-intensity of mining operations, including transportation and power supply.
GE and BHP Billiton plan to share these outcomes to improve sector-wide economic and environmental performance.
"Our strategic approach to climate change is underpinned by engagement.
GE Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea president and CEO Geoff Culbert said: "The mining and resources sector is a vital part of Australia’s economic landscape.
"We are proud to partner with BHP Billiton in this mission, and draw on our combined capability and depth of experience to identify real, impactful ways to benefit the sector."
Under the partnership, the companies will assess mining operations to increase efficiency, optimise energy flows in addition to developing system-level approaches.
BHP Billiton chief commercial officer Dean Dalla Valle said: "Our strategic approach to climate change is underpinned by engagement.
"We look forward to continuing to engage with industry through this partnership and to contributing to the development of new solutions."
The partnership falls under GE’s Ecomagination initiative, which was first launched in 2005, and aims to solve global water and energy challenges.
Australia-based BHP Billiton had a market capitalisation of £41.5bn ($69.5bn) as of 19 August 2014.
TowHaul
Heavy-Duty Lowboy and Haul Truck Recovery Solutions for the Mining Sector
Ingear Engineering
Heavy-Duty Mechanical Equipment for Mines
Campbell’s Camps
Sea Container Buildings for the Mining Industry
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1112
|
__label__cc
| 0.520719
| 0.479281
|
Home Articles 5 of the Most Popular Cars to Get on Finance
5 of the Most Popular Cars to Get on Finance
Over 90% of cars sold in the UK are being bought on finance. It’s an attractive way to get yourself a high-quality vehicle because it’s affordable in the short term. Spreading the cost of a car over a period of years is much more manageable than dropping a large lump-sum in one go. Finance gives hundreds of people much needed access to a car and it can be incredibly transformative to their lives.
A lot of the growth in the popularity of car finance is down to the used car market and, with such a huge choice of fantastic used cars to choose from, it’s not surprising. This great choice can sometimes be overwhelming. To make things a little bit simpler, we’ve highlighted five of the most popular cars to get on finance in the UK. Each one includes a sample finance offer to give you a basic idea of the potential costs involved. Even if you have a poor credit history, there are companies that can help you get deals similar to those shown below.
Around £273 per month
The Ford Fiesta is not only the UK’s most popular car, it’s the UK’s most popular car to get on finance. There are many good reasons for this, from its streamlined and sporty look, to its reliability and practicality. Ford have made it a favourite for over 10 years by making constant improvements and offering an unrivalled choice of variants, from the Fiesta Trend and the Fiesta Vignale to the high-performance Fiesta ST. This is a small family hatchback that’s exciting to drive and affordable to run. It provides 292 litres of boot space in the latest models and achieves between 47 and 74 miles to the gallon.
Finance example:
Cash price: £7,499
Deposit: £0
Amount of credit: £7,499
Rate of interest: 10.5% per annum
Amount of interest: £2,362.19
Lender Documentation fee: £50.00
Lenders option to purchase fee: £50.00
Total charge for credit: £2,462.19
First repayment: £323.92
Followed by 34 Monthly repayments of: £273.92
Final repayment: £323.92
Total amount payable: £9,961.19
Representative APR: 21.3%
The US carmaker sells a huge number of vehicles in the UK and the Focus is a bigger brother to the best-selling Ford Fiesta. Buying used gives you a massive choice of vehicle types and versions, from the Focus Zetec and Focus ST to the Focus Vignale. If you need a bit more room, opt for the larger Ford Mondeo, but the Focus is a fantastic middle-sized car for most individuals and small families. The newest version comes with a 375-litre boot and manages between 46 and 81 miles per gallon.
The Corsa is Vauxhall’s (known as Opel in Europe) best-selling car in the UK. It’s a supermini that comes in a choice of petrol and diesel engines and even has an electric version with 209 miles of range – the Corsa-e. Although a competitor to Britain’s most popular car, the Ford Fiesta, the Corsa is more than a worthy challenger. Looking for a used Corsa is incredibly easy – there are plenty on the market and whichever year you choose will likely be a winner, from the 2015 1.6 litre turbo VXR hot hatch to the later Corsa GSI.
The Nissan Qashqai is a compact crossover SUV that came out in 2006. It’s a similar size to a standard family hatchback but has the advantage of sitting higher on the road to provide added visibility of the view ahead. The Qashqai is ideal for the average family, providing plenty of interior space and storage. It’s one of the more comfortable SUVs to drive and offers unique and stylish looks, as well as the performance and reliability you’d expect from Nissan. Competitors include the Peugeot 3008, the Kia Sportage (also on our list), the Seat Ateca and the Skoda Karoq. It has 400 to 430 litres of boot space when the seats are up and a generous 1,569 to 1,598 litres when they’re folded down.
Rate of interest: 3.5% per annum
Amount of interest: £787.40
Like its rival, the Nissan Qashqai, the Kia Sportage is a family SUV. The Sportage is nimbler than its size suggests, offering a speedy yet relaxed drive. It’s available in a range of petrol and diesel engines, and there’s also a 4×4 version. Its interior design has been described as dull by some, but others will appreciate it’s no nonsense style and focus on how well it drives. It has a smaller boot than some of the competitors we listed, but it should be more than enough for normal use. If you want something similar from another brand, look into the Hyundai Tucson, the Nissan Qashqai or the Skoda Karoq.
Junk Cars Company : All you need to know
3 Tips to Help You Buy a Used Car
Why Car Finance Is No Longer A Solution For Drivers
How to Protect Yourself When Buying a Used Car
Previous article3 Effective Ways to Get a Cheating Spouse in 2020
Next articleWays to be More Organized When Delivering a Presentation
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1113
|
__label__wiki
| 0.79729
| 0.79729
|
Top 100 MSSPs (2017, 2018)
Top 200 MSSPs (2019)
MSSP Alert
Managed Security Services Providers (MSSP) News, Analysis and Cybersecurity Research
F5 Networks Acquires Shape Security for Online Fraud Protection Services
F5 Networks acquires Shape Security to offer online fraud protection platform to enterprise organizations and partners.
by D. Howard Kass • Dec 22, 2019
F5 Networks, an application performance and security specialist, has ponied up $1 billion in cash to buy privately-held Shape Security, a Santa Clara, California-based company that sells an online fraud protection platform to enterprise organizations.
The deal will accelerate F5’s software revenue growth, speed up its transition to a software- and software-as-a-service (SaaS)-driven business model and boost its software subscriptions count, the company said. In the short term, the strategic move will give F5’s application protection services a jolt and expand its ability to protect customers in a multi-cloud market. In the long-term, Shape’s artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities will enable F5 to execute its plans to offer AI-enhanced services to its customers and scale and extend its overall portfolio.
The Seattle-based F5 will pay for deal, which is its second buyout this year, with cash on hand and $400 million in financing. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in Q1 2020. Earlier this year, F5 paid $670 million to land NGINX, an open source application delivery provider.
Shape plans to retain its existing headquarters with co-founder and chief executive Derek Smith and the company’s 375-person team joining F5, which has about 5,300 employees.
“When you combine F5 and NGINX’s expertise powering over half of the world’s applications across all types of environments, with Shape’s insight from mitigating 1 billion application attacks per day, you have a company that knows how to secure more applications – and more value – than any company in the industry. We believe that makes F5-NGINX-Shape absolutely essential to every digital organization in the world,” F5 President and chief executive François Locoh-Donou wrote in a posted letter to employees.
Shape claims it mitigates more than 1 billion fake transactions daily and protects 150 million legitimate, human transactions a day. In particular, its platform defends against credential stuffing attacks, where cyber criminals use stolen passwords from third-party data breaches to take over other online accounts. Its enterprise-heavy customer lineup includes nine Fortune 50 customers, eight of the top 12 U.S. banks, five of the top 10 global airlines, and five of the top 10 credit card issuers. Shape recently reached a $1 billion valuation after raising $51 million in a Series F round in September.
“Since Shape’s inception, we observed a consistent pattern in customer after customer: the use of F5 technology to deliver and enable their applications,” Smith said in a statement. “Now, we look forward to the opportunity to deeply integrate into F5’s platform for application delivery and security — F5 provides the optimum traffic flow insertion point for Shape’s industry-leading online fraud and abuse prevention solutions.”
The deal is the biggest in F5’s 23-year history but represents more than a complementary acquisition, Locoh-Donou said. “By laying out our vision to become the leader in multi-cloud application services back in 2017, we have been taking deliberate and disciplined steps to realize our future identity. We know what it will take to win; and make no mistake, we are playing offense.”
Top 200 Managed Security Services Providers (MSSP) Company List
Top 20 Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Company List
SOCaaS Company List
Guest Bloggers on MSSP Alert
Subscribe to MSSP Alert’s Newsletter
John Stewart:
Another questionable acquisition from F5 in a significantly over paid price, $1B for a small company with just around $70 million of revenues. Price-to-Sales (P/S) multiple of 14.3x for the target company (which is nearly 4 times F5’s estimated FY’20 P/S multiple of 3.6x). F5 is expected to fund $400 million of the transaction in debt of unsecured term loan, which will result in additional costs!
Additional Expenses of ~$115 Million Are Expected To Be Incurred Due To Shape Integration.
In addition the TAM of Shape seems to be capped to the high-end players and it is uncertain how much future growth it can scale to.
Maybe more importantly, there is an overlap with F5 existing products, the Versafe acquisition F5 made several years ago in the Anti-Fraud market, but more significantly the leading Anti-Bot product of F5 which was also offered as part of F5 WAF.
Seems F5 is again doing more of the same instead of thinking outside the box (more Load-balancing with Nginx, more Bot/Fraud they already have).
BTW: Nginx acquisition was also very questionable, most of the value is free open-source while the open-source community trend is migrating to open-source Envoy.
Joe Panettieri:
Hi John: Thanks for sharing the math. I often don’t worry or focus too much on total addressable market, since products can be repositioned and industries always shift. But I certainly keep multiples and valuations in mind… …. That said, we’ll be sure to track F5’s performance, particularly as it relates to the Shape acquisition.
-jp
PS: I’m traveling and haven’t had a chance to independently confirm the figures you’ve shared.
All contents © 2021 MSSP Alert and After Nines Inc.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1116
|
__label__wiki
| 0.781324
| 0.781324
|
Owning Greatness, Part 1 – Jennifer Mezquita
Katie Lovett
photography Matthew Guillory
Women Leaders of the Merrimack Valley Seek to Innovate and Transform
There are many leaders throughout the Merrimack Valley, including five exceptional women we’ll highlight during the coming weeks. They are leaders in their industries, respected by colleagues and the public, and at the forefront of changing the landscape for women in their fields.
JENNIFER MEZQUITA
Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, Northern Essex Community College
Jennifer Mezquita understands the struggles and challenges faced by students at a community college. She has walked in those shoes.
“My love for higher ed began when I was an undergrad at a local community college,” she says. “I’ve seen what it’s done for me and what it can do for others as well.”
A two-year financial scholarship enabled Mezquita to attend Valencia College in Florida, where her work-study job in the admissions office, giving tours of campus, exposed her to the opportunities of a career in education.
After getting her associate degree, Mezquita attended the University of Florida, where she earned a B.A. in food and resource economics. A native of the Dominican Republic who moved to the U.S. when she was 10, Mezquita planned to become an attorney who would focus on helping agricultural workers.
Life, however, showed her another path. After marriage and a child, Mezquita pursued a career in banking — but it never felt like the right fit. She missed the one job that never felt like work: higher education. A friend pointed her in the direction of a master’s degree in educational leadership and told her she could pursue a career in academia. She later earned her doctor of education degree in higher education and policy studies.
After stints at colleges in Florida and California, Mezquita needed to return to her passion — working with students. She saw a post for the job she now holds at Northern Essex Community College.
As a Latina, the demographics of the students and the NECC campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence appealed greatly to Mezquita. She felt she could serve students who were like herself, and help break down obstacles to higher education.
“It felt like they had created the job description with my name on it,” she says.
Mezquita recalls the moment she set foot on the Lawrence campus for her interview, calling it “magical.” She felt the warmth of a community that is rich in culture, passion and advocacy.
“It felt different — it felt like I was home,” she says.
Mezquita started working at NECC in September 2019, setting out to become part of the college while supervising a department of more than 100 people.
Northern Essex has done “a phenomenal job” embracing all voices and making sure that everyone is heard, she says. The priority is the same, according to Mezquita, for all administrators — to determine how the college best serves students and the communities they come from.
“Much of my time and attention has been spent with staff and with students,” Mezquita says. “Students are the reason for my work, they are not an interruption to my work.”
As the college grapples to meet the needs of students during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mezquita says she continues to put people first.
“I have leaned on what comes natural to me,” she says. “I ask questions, listen, show appreciation, and advocate. During this pandemic, we had to reengineer the way we served our students in our remote environment. It has been inspiring to see how our team did not miss a beat at the opportunity to continue to serve our students despite the ever-changing circumstances.”
As for life during the pandemic, Mezquita says, “Now more than ever, it is important to me to focus on the well-being of our staff members. Many are balancing work at home with other competing priorities. Understanding that work is one of their priorities during the day is important. I have learned the importance of remaining flexible and giving others grace while encouraging self-care behaviors. This pandemic has taught me that working from home is truly an art — a difficult balancing act.”
What advice does she have for other women who may want to pursue a leadership role in education?
“Own your greatness,” Mezquita says. “Never apologize for being smart, for being strong, for leading with your heart. All the wonderful things that make us a woman are things to celebrate.”
Mezquita is one of five exceptional women featured in the Sept/Oct 2020 issue of Merrimack Valley Magazine. Click here for more info. >>>
Style Editor: Lysa Pelletier, Anchor Artists
Hair / Makeup Artist: Morgan Maguire – Spa Nijoli, Methuen, Mass.
Shot on Location: 60 Vibe in Lawrence’s mill district offers the amenities that you deserve in a professional working space, but also provides the environment and resources to take your business where you want to go. Whether you are looking to boost your efficiency by separating work and home life, or train yourself to start a venture, 60 Vibe has affordable and professional options. At 60 Vibe, you’ll find traditional workplace comforts such as private conference rooms and printing services, as well as the tools to launch a career in web design, videography, photography, music and sound engineering and other fields. Members also have access to computers, microphones and cameras for professional webinars and podcasts. 60 Vibe even offers mentoring and training to entrepreneurs. At 60 Vibe, you have everything you need to prosper. For more information, visit 60Vibe.com.
The 495 – This Week’s Episode – Lane Glenn
Women Speaking Out About Ageism
Profiles in Leadership – Part 4
100 Elliot Street, Haverhill, MA 01830
Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers more than 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, more than 5,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,600 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu or call 978-556-3700. 100 Elliott Street / Haverhill, Mass. / (978) 556-3700 / NECC.mass.edu 45 Franklin Street / Lawrence, Mass. / (978) 556-3000
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1117
|
__label__cc
| 0.547659
| 0.452341
|
PDF // EN / FR / DE / IT
Kudelski and naxoo Extend Long-Standing Media Security Partnership to Protect naxoo’s LoRaWAN IoT Network
Kudelski has been a strategic security partner to naxoo for more than 20 years, providing multiple pay-TV revenue protection technologies and services
naxoo has launched its Sherpa IoT network, based on LoRaWAN technology, seeking to become a key provider to Lake Geneva-area Smart City players
Kudelski IoT Labs will provide important threat assessment and IoT device security assessment services to naxoo as part of the expanding partnership. The partnership is the first step toward the creation of a state-of-the art secure IoT network in Switzerland
Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne, Switzerland, Phoenix (AZ), USA, Geneva, Switzerland – November 11st, 2020 – The Kudelski Group (SIX: KUD.S), the world leader in digital security and IoT solutions, and naxoo SA, the cable operator of the City of Geneva, today announced a new partnership to secure naxoo’s LoRaWAN-based Sherpa network, dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT). Kudelski will conduct a system-wide security threat assessment of naxoo’s IoT network as well as doing hardware- and software-based security assessments of devices that will be used on the network.
naxoo is heavily involved in the development of the smart and sustainable city, a commitment it has achieved by creating Citiz’n a coworking space specifically dedicated to the Smart City, and by developing Sherpa, a secure platform dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT) that allows communities as well as institutional and private players to deploy and control networks of connected objects.
The development of IoT technologies marks the most important societal and economic transformation since the advent of the Internet and mobile telephony. It enables intelligent management and energy optimization of buildings (smart building), remote metering and opens up new perspectives for healthcare and agriculture players. The increasing complexity of data networks - sensors, devices, infrastructure, applications, storage - makes it necessary to manage security end to end and throughout its entire lifecycle, which is the objective of naxoo’s partnership with Kudelski.
Erick Pipault, Managing Director of naxoo, welcomed the new collaboration with the company’s historic pay-TV security partner: "The combination of Kudelski's expertise in digital security and naxoo’s infrastructure and operations will make our network a benchmark in the field of the Internet of Things. We will offer institutional and private players in the Lake Geneva area the first secure end-to-end IoT network, guaranteeing the confidentiality and integrity of their data and their customers’ data. Through this partnership, naxoo becomes a pioneer in infrastructure, technology and best practices for secure IoT networks.”
Kudelski Group Chairman & CEO André Kudelski concurred. “Our security partnership with naxoo dates back to the 1990’s, and the expansion of this relationship to include IoT security is a testament to the innovative capabilities of both companies. By leveraging our IoT Security Labs and other technologies and services like Kudelski IoT keySTREAM, naxoo is creating a robust, reliable regional network for its customers that guarantees them trust, integrity and control for their IoT activities.”
This demonstrates that long term partnerships can stimulate innovation in new promising business areas.
About Kudelski IoT
Kudelski IoT is the Internet of Things division of The Kudelski Group (SIX: KUD.S) and provides end-to-end IoT solutions, IoT product design, and full-lifecycle services to IoT device manufacturers, ecosystem creators and end-user companies. These solutions and services leverage the group’s 30+ years of innovation in digital business model creation; hardware, software and ecosystem design and testing; state-of-the-art security lifecycle management technologies and services and managed operation of complex systems. Kudelski IoT is a contributing member of the LoRa Alliance.
For more information about Kudelski IoT, please visit www.kudelski-iot.com.
About Kudelski Group
The Kudelski Group (SIX: KUD.S) is a world leader in digital security and a provider of end-to-end convergent media solutions to the digital entertainment industry, including services and applications requiring access control and rights management to secure the revenue in digital television, internet, mobile and interactive applications. The Group also offers cybersecurity solutions and services focused on helping companies assess risks and vulnerabilities and protect their data and systems. It also supplies integrated solutions to manage access control of people and vehicles to sites and events. The Kudelski Group is headquartered in Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne, Switzerland and Phoenix (AZ), USA.
For more information, please visit www.nagra.com.
About naxoo IoT (Sherpa)
Developed in 2017, Sherpa is the Internet of Things division of naxoo SA, based on LoRaWAN IoT network technologies. Sherpa provides end-to-end IoT solutions catering to the needs of cities, building managers, environmental, agricultural and health stakeholders, ranging from consulting, technical implementation, to dashboards and data management.
For more information, please visit www.sherpa-iot.ch.
About naxoo
Founded in 1986, naxoo SA is the cable operator of the City of Geneva connecting Geneva households to its latest-generation network. It offers a wide range of multimedia services, from basic TV to thematic and international programs, ultra-high-speed internet, video on demand, land lines and mobile phones. naxoo is also strongly involved in the development of smart and sustainable cities, a commitment it has materialized with creation of "Citiz'n", a coworking space dedicated to smart cities, and by launching "Sherpa", a secure platform dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT).
For more information, please visit www.naxoo.ch.
Christopher Schouten
Kudelski Group – IoT
Cédric Alber
Kudelski Group – Corporate Communications
Director Corporate Communications & Media Relations
Didier Bernaud
naxoo – Sherpa IoT
Aurore Devos
Communication & Media Relations
+41 (0)22 322 08 58 (FR, EN)
+41 (0)22 322 08 56 (DE)
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1120
|
__label__wiki
| 0.970303
| 0.970303
|
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
2019 SXSW Film Festival
SXSW 2018 Gallery
2019 Sundance Film Festival
Outfest 2018 Photo Gallery
Outfest 2017
Sundance 2018 Photos
2017 LA Film Festival
2017 Cannes Film Festival
2017 Berlin Film Festival
Sundance 2017 Gallery
2016 Los Angeles Film Festival
Berlinale 2016 Gallery
Filmmaker Gallery
'Amazing Grace,' documentary on Aretha Franklin 46 years in the making, to finally premiere at DOC NYC
Film documents recording of Franklin's 1972 gospel album, but she fought to keep it from being seen
A still image from the documentary "Amazing Grace," about the recording of Aretha Franklin's 1972 gospel album. Photo courtesy of Al’s Records and Tapes
A documentary about Aretha Franklin that was shot over 45 years ago but never released will finally make it to the screen.
Amazing Grace, which captured the live recording of Franklin's legendary 1972 gospel album of that name, will premiere at DOC NYC next Monday, November 12, the festival announced today.
“Amazing Grace has been a lost treasure of documentary filmmaking for over four decades," Thom Powers, DOC NYC artistic director, noted in a statement. "I can’t think of a bigger honor for a festival than to premiere this film.”
The documentary, originally shot by Sydney Pollack but not completed until after the director's death in 2008, was to have played three years ago at the Toronto International Film Festival. But the singer successfully filed suit to block that, arguing producers who finished the film needed her permission to release it.
Franklin's death in August from pancreatic cancer paved the way for it to see the light of day. The movie's release comes with the blessing of her estate.
"Amazing Grace is the heart and soul of Aretha Franklin,” said Franklin's niece, Sabrina Owens, executor of the Aretha Franklin Estate. “This film is authentic and is my aunt at her core. She was a daughter of the church, she loved gospel music, and she always incorporated some form of sacred music in her concerts.”
Amazing Grace Trailer 072718 from alan elliott on Vimeo.
The film has taken a complicated path to audiences, to say the least.
Pollack's cameras rolled as Franklin gave two concerts in LA that became the basis for her album 'Amazing Grace.' But audio synching problems bedeviled the shoot, and Pollack ended up shelving the film.
"The footage wound up in a vault," TIFF explained back in 2015.
Producer Alan Elliott obtained the footage from Warner Bros. in a quitclaim deed and proceeded to finish the film. But Franklin's lawsuit put the project back in limb, until now.
“I am thrilled to work with Sabrina Owens and the family to do right by Aretha’s legacy,” Elliott said in a statement. “Being able to share this film and the musical genius of Aretha Franklin with her family and the world is an honor. Aretha’s fans will be enthralled by every moment of the film as her genius, her devotion to God and her spirit are present in every frame.”
Amazing Grace finds Aretha at the top of her vocal powers, backed by a choir at Missionary Baptist Church. Among those present for the live recording were her father, Rev. C.L. Franklin, members of the Ward Family Singers, as well as Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones.
Aretha sings in a scene from the documentary "Amazing Grace," about the recording of her 1972 gospel album. Photo courtesy of Al’s Records and Tapes
Matthew Carey is a documentary filmmaker and journalist. His work has appeared on Deadline.com, CNN, CNN.com, TheWrap.com, NBCNews.com and in Documentary magazine.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1128
|
__label__wiki
| 0.853505
| 0.853505
|
About Oaklins
Go to team
Andrew Murphy
Andrew is an analyst at Oaklins Cavendish, one of Oaklins’ member firms in the UK. He has worked on a number of transactions and projects across multiple industries. More recently, he has focused on the legaltech sector, and was involved in the sale of CaseLines to Thomson Reuters.
Andrew joined Oaklins Cavendish in 2019. He graduated from The University of London, Royal Holloway, with a first-class BSc (Hons) in Economics with French in 2015, and qualified as a chartered accountant in 2019. Upon completion of his studies, Andrew spent a year working in investment banking before moving to Deloitte LLP, where he worked in the audit and assurance department.
a.murphy@cavendish.oaklins.com
CaseLines has been acquired by Thomson Reuters Corporation
Privacy policy Cookie policy Legal
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1129
|
__label__wiki
| 0.68883
| 0.68883
|
Patrolman William A. Flowers
End of Watch Wednesday, October 26, 1960
William A. Flowers
Patrolman William A. Flowers was shot and killed as he and his partner investigated a domestic call at 2673 Washington Boulevard.
He and his partner were working in plainclothes in the 27th District Station when a subject came in and told the officers he was having trouble with another man who was having an affair with his wife. The complainant added that the adulterer had threatened him several times and that he would call the station when he knew he was at home. At about 9:00 pm, Patrolman Flowers and his partner received a call from the complainant stating that the subject was in his apartment. They met the complainant and went to the manager’s apartment in the building. The manager told the officers to be careful of the suspect, as he was known to have several weapons in his apartment.
The officers then proceeded to have the complainant point out the apartment from the alley entrance. As they reached the alley and entered, the offender walked into the alley with a gun in his hand and immediately opened fire on both officers and the complainant. Patrolman Flowers was fatally wounded and never had a chance to draw his weapon. His partner drew his gun and fired several times at the assailant. The shooter ran into the building and up to his third-floor apartment with the officer chasing him, both exchanging gunfire. Additional officers began arriving at the scene and entered the gunman's apartment where he was found lying on the floor, wounded.
Patrolman Flowers was rushed to Illinois Research Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival.
The subject was also taken to the Illinois Research Hospital, treated and confined under police guard with six gunshot wounds. He recovered from his wounds and was charged with the murder of Patrolman Flowers.
On March 6th, 1961, the man was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in the Illinois State Penitentiary.
Patrolman Flowers had served with the Chicago Police Department for six years.
Weapon Handgun; .25 caliber
Offender Sentenced to 25 years
domestic, plainclothes
Patrolman Flowers,
On today, the 60th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Armed Forces. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
USBP
United States Border Patrol
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1132
|
__label__cc
| 0.650867
| 0.349133
|
Shell gets NOPSEMA approval for Crux project offshore Western Australia
5 August 2020 (Last Updated September 1st, 2020 09:28)
Australian offshore oil and gas regulator National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) has accepted Shell Australia’s Offshore Project Proposal (OPP) to develop the Crux gas field offshore Western Australia.
Comprising five production wells, the gas field will supply backfill gas to the Prelude FLNG facility. Credit: J Stephen Conn.
The Crux project involves the development of the Crux gas field located in Browse Basin, approximately 160km offshore north-west Australia.
Comprising five production wells, the gas field will supply backfill gas to the Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility via a 165km-long, 26in diameter export pipeline.
The gas field is being developed by a joint venture comprising Shell Australia, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell (82%, operator), SGH Energy, a subsidiary of Seven Group Holdings (15%), and Osaka Gas Holding (3%).
Shell Australia serves as the operator of the joint venture.
NOPSEMA stated: “The Crux development is subject to further regulatory approvals prior to proceeding, including an accepted environment plan, a well operations management plan and facility safety case. All required regulatory approvals must be in place before activity can begin.”
Once the final investment decision (FID) is made, the Crux gas field is expected to take up to five years to come online.
Following an expected life of 20 years, the field will be abandoned and decommissioned. It is estimated to have a production capacity of 2.9 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa).
Discovered in 2000, the Crux gas field was initially operated by Nexus, which is now part of SGH.
Last week, Royal Dutch Shell reported a sharp drop in its earnings in the second quarter of this year following an unprecedented fall in oil prices due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Acute Technological Services
Worldwide Engineering and Welding for the Offshore Industry
Stressman Engineering
Numerical Analysis for Oil and Gas Vessels and Pipelines
Dimeq
Digital HSE Solutions for the Offshore Maritime Industry
Industry News 1 day
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1133
|
__label__wiki
| 0.601914
| 0.601914
|
Aerospace-2021
Dr Wei Min Huang is currently an Associate Professor (tenured) at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. With over 20 years of experience on various shape memory materials (alloy, polymer, composite and hybrid), he has published over 190 papers in journals, such as Accounts of Chemical Research, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, and Materials Today, and has been invited to review manuscripts from over 280 international journals (including Progress in Polymer Science, Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, and Advanced Functional Materials, etc), project proposals from American Chemical Society, Hong Kong Research Grants Council, etc, and book proposals from Springer, Elsevier and CRC. He has published two books (Thin film shape memory alloys – fundamentals and device applications, Polyurethane shape memory polymers) and is currently on the editorial board of over three dozen of journals.
Prof. Wei Min Huang
Dr. Panos Pardalos is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Florida, and an affiliated faculty of Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science & Information & Engineering departments. He is a world renowned leader in Global Optimization, Mathematical Modelling, Energy Systems, and Data Sciences. He is a Fellow of AAAS, AIMBE, and INFORMS and was awarded the 2013 Constantine Caratheodory Prize of the International Society of Global Optimization. He has published over 500 journal papers, and edited/authored over 200 books. Panos Pardalos has lectured and given invited keynote addresses worldwide in countries including Austria, Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan etc.
Prof. Panos Pardalos
Will be updated soon.
Prof. Ramesh K Agarwal
Prof. George S. Dulikravich
Dr. McAndrew is an internationally recognized leader in aerodynamics research and expert on low-speed flight, He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Dr. McAndrew chairs several international conferences and journals and is invited to give keynote speeches all over the world. He is a very highly qualified academic with extensive experiences within industry and internationally recognized researcher with extensive teaching experience at all levels of education. As the Dean of Doctoral Programs at Capitol Technology University he is responsible for 15 different Doctoral Programs ranging from Cyber security, Analytics, Aviation and Technology based. Conference and Journal publication of 70 over 29 years, six books and numerous Keynote presentations around the world.
Prof. Ian Robert McAndrew
Giuseppe Aiello has been visiting scholar at Ohio State University 1999. He received his PhD production engineering from university of Palermo in 2000, and became associate professor of supply chain management since 2015 at the University of Palermo where he holds reticular curses in the college of engineering and agricultural sciences. With 100+ publications, his research interests span in several fields, involving multi objective optimization, mathematical programming, meta-heuristic evolutionary algorithms, with applications to Logistics, production, food chains, Oil Gas, Naval, etc. He is also an expert in the field of waste management and circular economy, and the holder of a patent concerning a recycling process. Recently he has also undertaken the research field of drone applications and industry 4.0, developing new models and methodologies.
Prof. Giuseppe Aiello
Prof. Daniel Kujawski
Dr. Hua Meng is a professor in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Zhejiang University, China. He received his Ph.D. degree from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, USA (2001). His teaching and research are mainly in the field of energy and power engineering, including supercritical-pressure heat transfer, high-pressure turbulent combustion, and PEM fuel cell modelling. He has published many high-quality archival journal articles and is one of the most cited Chinese scholars in Energy section. He is a Fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and an Associate Fellow of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
Prof. Hua Meng
aerospace-2021@olcinternational.com
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1135
|
__label__cc
| 0.712337
| 0.287663
|
Islands in the Rift
Land of Kythe
Full Thrust
The material on this site is owned by Samuel Penn, and any queries should be directed there. Most of the material on this site is licensed under CC-BY-SA.
The Land of Kythe
The Land of Kythe was a project that started in 1989, during my GCSEs. I had a big pad of A2 paper, and as a distraction to revision started sketching maps for a fantasy world. Some time later, I obtained a large sheet of A1 hex paper, and draw what was to become the map for the first campaign set in The Land of Kythe, using the newly released 2nd edition AD&D, using the Temple of Elemental Evil adventure as a base.
It made heavy use of speciality priests (basic Clerics didn't exist), and also made use of the weapon specialisation rules that I'd ported from the D&D Master rules.
Some years later, I wrote my own game system called Myths, and ported the setting to that. Though it went through at least one major round of terraforming, the campaign lasted about six years, until I grew tired of high fantasy and wanted something a bit darker and grittier.
The background was mostly written using Impression Publisher on RISC OS, and the later maps were drawn using Artworks. I no longer have anything capable of reading those files, so most of the information is now lost to digital history. However, what was converted to HTML has been reproduced here.
The Old Faith
Alundic Mythology
Overview of the Land
What follows is written for you, an inhabitant of the planet Earth, sometime in the late 20th century. Much of what is related here is easier to explain when put into some 'real' context with which you are familiar. There are two reasons for this. The first is that it is easier for me. The second, is that it is easier for you.
A second note, is that everything here is given from the point of view of a sage of Atharia, though one with knowledge of our own world. Because of this, there is much of Kythe which is not related here, for the simple reason that it has yet to be explored.
Kythe is more or less Earth sized, and its sun is quite similar to our own, though very careful comparison will show it to have a slight greenish tinge, and that it is slightly hotter than our own. Finally, Kythe has but one continent - that of Alabahn. It is similar in many ways to pangea, the super continent of Earth before that split up into its present day form. There are other differences, which will be related as they are come across, but otherwise, Kythe is very much like our own World of Earth.
The Land is the common name for the continent of Alabahn, on the northern hemisphere of the world known to its inhabitants as Kythe. Not all of the continent is inhabited, indeed, only a small fraction, on the northeastern corner, can actually be called civilised. This region is named Eumeria by its human inhabitants, and this name is often used when referring to the entire continent, though correctly it applies only to the northeastern part.
The rest is inhabited only by nomads and barbaric tribesmen, if at all. This uninhabited area is often called the Dark Lands by humans, for they have yet to be explored, and many fear that these lands are the home to evil civilisations, worshipping demons and other dark powers. Whether these stories are true has yet to be discovered, though it is known that the inhabitants of these areas are rarely friendly.
Alabahn covers many climatic zones, stretching from 80 degrees north to about 30 degrees south, its equatorial tips covered in thick jungles - home to many mythical lost civilisations. The continent is about twenty thousand kilometres wide, almost a full half of the globe, Some say it stretches even further, and that to reach its western edge a mere short hop across the ocean to the east is all that is needed.
Of course, many people still believe that the world rides on the back of a giant whale, the sun and moons kept aloft with the odd flick from the giant creature's tail. Most more knowledgeable sages hide their smiles when they here such tales, for it would not do to have the ignorant peasant versed in the true nature of the world, would it?
Eumeria is a collection of many different climates and terrains, ranging from frigid arctic wastes to sun bleached deserts and temperate forest belts. The largest single area within Eumeria is the Kingdom of Atharia - a human country for the most part united by religion. The land here is temperate, cool to the north, especially around the Dragonreaches - a mountainous region rich in lost treasure and old civilisations. For the most part though, Atharia is a mixture of forests and grasslands, the countryside covered in small villages and farmsteads, as well as the occasional towns and cities. Atharia is split by the Turgath Sea, a sea which is slowly draining as time goes on.
To the north of Atharia is Gorthan - a region of open grasslands, bordering on tundra to the far north, populated by barbarian nomads and a few city states. Gorthan is for the most part unexplored wilderness. Its northern boundaries are marked by glacier covered mountain peaks.
To the west is Lhorone, which is much like Atharia, though with fewer trees and warmer weather, especially to the south. To the southwest, the land becomes desolate bad lands and semi-arid desert, together with hilly uplands and further south, stretches of savanna.
A double inland sea marks the southern boundary of what is termed Eumeria - to the northwest is the Aeron sea, which flows out through the Sargath sea to the southeast. Mountain ranges run to the north of both, in particular the great Voldan Mountains, which border the Aeron. It is here that the cradle of civilisation is said to be founded. The religiously fanatical countries of Anquar and the Caliphates of Jadda are here, together with Drendora, once the most civilised country until civil war and religion tore it apart.
Seldor is much a mixture of warm forests, wet marshes and dry deserts. Civilisation here is both advanced and barbaric. The former trade with both the far north and far south across the seas, their ships and navigators being famed across the Land for their experience and daring.
Kythe and Her Neighbours
Kythe is not alone in the heavens, for she is accompanied in her continual journey around Lok, her sun, by her two sisters, the moons Udara and Fadora, Udara is the larger of the two sisters, and also the brightest, while Fadora is dull and not so large, sometimes taking to hiding behind her larger kin, being little more than a bump on the edge of Udara when both moons would otherwise be full.
Above is shown a scale view of both Udara and Fadora, together with our own moon of Earth in the background. This is how all three appear from the surface of their parent world.
The father of the three is Lok, whose anger and power is displayed by his brightness and heat. It is thought that Kythes sisters have done something to displease him, for it is rare that they are seen when He is in the sky.
On a clear night, it is possible to make out the suitors, who appear much like the stars, but wander across the sky in pursuit of Kythes younger sisters. The names for the six suitors vary, but the Atharic names are given here, with their scientific (taken from their Olabeth translations) names following in parenthesis. In order from the sun, the suitors are Thauron (Mekan), Mathus (Ariotha), Chrysath (Llarn), Solomus (Letha), Jaohl (Epodias) and Tharos (Forgena). The first two, Thauron and Mathus, are the chosen of Lok, for they often stay near Him, and can be seen only at times near to sunrise and sunset. Tharos is the oldest of the six suitors, for he is slow moving, and also dull red, compared to the others white.
Time in the Land
It was the Archmage Heigal who designed the calendar used almost universally throughout the Land today, while he was still advisor to King Trindith, before his great betrayal. He decided to mark all years from the time of Æthara, the warrior queen who started the slow but consistent unification of Atharia, and later Alwold. As such, all years are counted as Athara Einir, which is taken from the Olabeth meaning Ætharas Year, or A.E. Year 1 is usually taken to be the data of her birth, but of course this could be inaccurate by several tens of years. The current year is 743 AE, and this counting holds true for most of the Land.
The year, consisting of 392 days, is divided into fourteen months, each consisting of four quarters of seven days each. For the most part, it is a merger of three (some say four) different calendars, mainly those of Atharia and Alwold.
It should be noted that Udara takes one month to complete her phase about Kythe, and Fadora takes seven quarters. This brings the two sisters into conjunction at the times called High Moons, during the middle of the summer, and at the beginning of the year, during deep winter.
The months and seasons are listed at the bottom of the following page, together with a few of the more important festivals. Religious days, including those named for saints are not given here, since their importance (and existence) varies from place to place, and even over time.
Each of the seven days of each quarter is named, with the first day varying depending on the quarter. The first day of the quarter is known as First Quarter, if it is the first quarter of the month, Second Quarter if it is the second, Third and Fourth Quarter for the last two quarters. The rest of the days are the same whatever quarter it is.
1st/ 2nd/ 3rd/ 4th Quarter (or Firstday)
Thirday
Salansday
Faday
Metanday
Godsday
The first day of the quarter is sometimes referred to as Firstday, though this is only the case where the quarter in question is unambiguous, and being added some centuries after the calendars design, it is seen by the more conservative as 'not proper'.
Godsday is held as a day of rest and worship, and even the most tight fisted of lords usually allow their peasants a day of rest at the end of the quarter. Metanday is also often a rest day, though not all Lords hold it as such, and in nearly all cases, important work is done on this day. It is also a day of markets, councils and such public displays as executions or coronations. As such, on this day towns and cities are usually flooded with people from out laying districts, here to trade or just to enjoy themselves.
Those four yearly festivals which mark the seasons as shown on the calendar, are held on the first day of the following month, ie on First Quarter. This usually means an extra two days of rest for workers, for most Lords allow Uday to be held as a rest day, to recover from the celebrations of the day before.
The Major Festivals
Spring Dawning signifies the beginning of spring, though in some regions it tends to be a bit premature. It is uncommon for large banquets to be held at this time, for food tends to be scarce, and so instead it is a time of light entertainment, dancing and song.
High Moons is one of the two times in the year when both moons are full at the same time. Due to the slight angle of inclination of the sisters to Kythe, Fadora appears slightly above Udara, with two thirds of it hidden behind her (apparently) larger sister. It is quite a sight to behold, and the common people hold it as a time of great portent, and many systems of predicting omens, both good and bad, have been invented over the years. Of course, these are no more than superstitious nonsense, as any good mage would tell you. Despite this, many stay up to the early hours of the morning of First Quarter (High Moons occurs on the night of Godsday/Firstday), drinking and merrymaking, and this time is held as sacred by Druids. It should also be noted that lycanthropes tend to be very common at this time, due to the effect of both moons.
Harvestide signifies the end of summer, and the beginning of the autumn harvest. Huge banquets are held at this time, and it is among the more expensive of the festivals because of this, and lords who have the moral of their kingdom to think of, often supply food and drink for their peasants. Not all is good at this time though, for once the harvest has been collected, there is little to do, so Lords tend to use this time to start petty wars, hopefully to finish them before the snows set in.
Witfest signifies the end of the year, and is held on the shortest day - often also the coldest and darkest as well. Because of the bad weather conditions large festivals are rarely held, and it tends to be a quite, private festival, when family and close friends get together. In the richer communities, small gifts are exchanged, and these traditionally have been objects crafted by the giver.
The number of days sanctified for saints, old gods, historic events and other reasons for a day off work number in the hundreds, and could probably fill a good couple of years. For this reason, only a few are celebrated by any group of people, though it can be argued each day that there is at least one village somewhere celebrating.
Unlike for the four major festivals, these minor festivals rarely mean a day off work for the hard working peasants, but at least means some traditional food is eaten, ceremony performed, or prayers invoked by those honouring the day. Some of the more important of the minor festivals are listed below.
Fearnit (11th Losmar): On this day in 453, the Night of Unending Terror was unleashed on those who blasphemed against God, and took up worship of a man in His place. This day is recognised throughout the Kingdom, and is especially favoured by Telam since it marks the beginning of that religion in the Kingdom. Its name comes from the Old Atharic Fyrnit, which means Fire Night, so called because the old tradition was to burn a witch over a large bonfire at dusk. This old tradition is still followed in some places, but witches are hard to come by these days, and people tend to be a bit less blood thirsty, so a mere bonfire is used instead. Nevertheless, it should be noted that old women have a habit of being nice to people in the weeks preceding fearnite - just in case.
The majority of Eumeria is blessed with warm weather for most of the year, though it rarely gets hot enough for crops to wither and streams and rivers to dry up. The winters are for the most part short and cold, without being frigid, while the summers are long and warm.
For the central regions of Eumeria, those laying between the Voldan Mountains and the Dragonreaches, winters are short and cool. Snow is common during this time, though is only thick on the ground between the months of Akan and Meltha. Further north, particularly in northern Gorthan, winters tend to be harsh and cold, lasting well into Hibrith, with the first snows falling in Bronath. Just across the mountains, in Calhaina, winters last for most of the year, and it is a warm year in which snow does not lay on the ground throughout. South of the Voldan Mountains, winters are brief and short, with snow restricted to the higher regions only.
Spring is usually warm and wet, especially in Hibrith and Eldath, which were once known as the rains for good reason. During this time, lasting until High Moons, great storms sweep across Gorthan, and the already poor roads are completely swept away every few years. To the far north, spring doesnt come until Losun, but elsewhere they are mild and cool, with plenty of rain to keep even the farmers happy.
Summer is the time of many religious festivals, since the days are almost guaranteed to be warm and at least reasonably dry. It is during this time that Calhaina has been known to be almost hospitable, and elsewhere it is a time for both trade and hard work. Summer is probably the safest time of year as far as wars go, since most rulers are training their troops and getting them ready for the almost inevitable wars which occur after the harvest in autumn.
In the Land, Autumn is a time of war. Once the harvest is in, most petty barons and city rulers can find little to do, except revive old hatred, and blood feuds. Even in the Kingdom, neighbouring duchies start minor border skirmishes, and across Gorthan, it is often time for outright war between the city states. Climate wise, the snows and storms hold off until Colath and Druth, but when they do arrive, they can be quite sudden, and most lords try to ensure that their troops are home and dry before the winter storms set in. It is for this reason that southern Gorthan is more warlike than its northern regions - the southern tribes have far more time to practice that their northern neighbours. South of the Voldan Mountains, it is not until the later months that the weather turns cold, but the more stable southern states tend to hold off from this annual bickering - when they fight, they prefer to spend a good few years at it.
Currency in the Land
The use of coins as a stable currency has spread rapidly in the last couple of centuries, mainly due to the expansion and influence of the Kingdom of Atharia.
Because of the power of the Kingdom, it is its coinage which is used most often by the most people. Even countries which dont officially recognise it find it being used in their countries, and it is really only the non-humans, as well as the southern human kingdoms who refuse to accept it as a standard.
Four coins are used by the Atharic monetary system, these being the brass bit, copper tusk, silver sild and golden royal. Their values are listed below:
Bit brass 1/10th tusk
Tusk copper 10 bits
Sild silver 20 tusks
Royal gold 50 silds
The sild and royal are rare (almost unseen) among the common folk, and even amongst the nobility the royal is rare.
Ecology of the Land
The Land of Kythe is as much like Earth as it is different. It is not only the existence of magic and the gods that mark it as dissimilar, but also its more natural differences.
Geography aside, probably the most important difference is the animals which call Kythe their home. Not the intelligent races such as man, savesti or duergar, but the common animals which have no goals other than survival and comfort.
Whereas on Earth, the mammal is the most common of land based creatures, on Kythe, it is the saurial which dominates. A cross between bird and lizard, the saurials are probably best described as warm blooded reptiles. Such a description is not totally accurate, but it will do, for the only creature of similar kind which has existed on Earth is the dinosaur.
Saurial v Dinosaur
Though the saurial is similar to the dinosaurs of ancient Earth, they are not the same. Many look similar, but this shouldnt be taken to mean that they are. Their names are very different of course (since more common, less scientific names have been given to them). Also, saurials are warm blooded (something which is debated about dinosaurs), and some are fast and quite intelligent. They should not be taken to be slow lumbering beasts whose only purpose is to hunt and kill. Those of you who have read (or seen) Jurassic Park will recognise this description of dinosaurs. Dont expect saurials to exactly match Earth dinosaurs though. Because of the success of the saurial, other creatures, notably the mammals havent done quite as well. Felines and canines are rarer than on earth, but still do exist.
Many insects are larger than their earthly counterparts. The dragonfly for instance can often reach 30cm in length. Some species of beetles are also quite large, especially the fire beetle, which is about 15cm long, and which has a nasty acidic bite (the concentrated juices of which are often put on specially prepared sword blades to cause lingering wounds) which is irritating to adults, and sometimes dangerous for children, especially for those attacked by an angered swarm of the creatures.
Full details about all creatures which dwell in the land are given in the Bestiary, including descriptions of their appearance and where they fit into the worlds ecology.
Intelligent Races of the Land
The Land is home to many races which are generally considered to be intelligent. The wide diversity of intelligent life, especially between the two major strains of mammals and saurials, has led several sages to postulate that not all species are native to Kythe - an idea which is often ridiculed, since obviously the only other bodies large enough to support life which are near enough the sun to be warmed sufficiently by it are the moons, which appear quite dead to both mundane and magical observation.
The most diverse of the intelligent races are the humans. Next, come the kiar, who are for the most part barbaric savages, but have set up their own civilisation in southern lands. Duergar are quite rare, keeping to lands humans find desolate, through trade between duergar and other races is quite common. The savesti mainly avoid the company of other races, though their services are often sought by humans requiring their rather unique ability. For the most part though, they prefer uncultivated wilderness lands as their homes, mainly dwelling in the far west.
There is only one real race of intelligent saurials, known to humans as saurians. Their own name for themselves is unpronounceable by other races, for their language is as much based on scent as it is on sound. These creatures are slowly dying out, for they are generally hunted and killed by the other races.
Humans are as wide spread as they are varied. The common stock of humankind are taken to be the Atharic of the Kingdom of Atharia. The Kingdom is the largest single stable human nation, and also the most powerful. Humans in general tend to be suspicious of most other races (including other human sub-races to some degree) apart for duergar and huadan, with whom they get on reasonably well with.
To the north is Gorthan, which is populated by the gorthanic tribesmen. They are generally barbaric, though have a few small cities which are used as trading points for an otherwise semi-nomadic culture. Gorthanians tend to be large, with dark hair and well weathered skin. The majority are skilled warriors and hunters, for both war and a cruel environment are a common found thing in these northern lands.
To the west of the Kingdom of Atharia is the Kingdom of Lhorone, a country which was great long before Atharia rose to power, but has since been beset by much internal feuding (not to say several major rebellions and civil wars), as well as a near continual war with the human kingdom of Zalbeth and the kiar nations to the south. The people of Lhorone tend to be fond of either a good rebellion or a big celebration commemorating a good rebellion. The politics of Lhorone has enough political back stabbing to keep assassins in a job for a good few centuries to come.
Duergar
The duergar are a short stocky race of fierce warriors and greatly skilled craftsmen. For the most part they dwell in their secluded mountain kingdoms, though have recently started trading the fruits of their craft with humans. They have a natural distrust of magic, and are unique in having no deities of their own. For the most part, duergar are atheists.
They are also incredibly practical, to the extent that they are difficult and dangerous to deal with. They have absolutely no sense of honour or morality. They do what is necessary. If going back on their word will be to their advantage (this includes the long term), then they will do so.
The greatest of the duergan kingdoms is that of Norvenia in the Voldan Mountains. Though they generally dwell below ground, there are a few surface cities near the Stone Lands, where the duergar are carrying on a genocidal war against the kiar to that kinds home grounds.
The meaning of duergar is uncertain, but thought to mean the crafters or the builders. Humans call the duergar dwarves, because of their short stature.
Savesti
The savesti are for the most part an unknown race who keep very much to themselves. The most unusual feature of savesti is their ability to change their form. They are restricted to humanaid shape, but even this gives them a wide range of appearances. Their control over their body is almost total, and they are supposedly immune to poisons and disease. The natural form of a savesti is an ugly parody of a human, a skinny, pale skinned neutral look with very blank facial features, and devoid of hair. Savesti have the same ideas of beauty has humans do though, so they are seldom encountered in their true form, preferring the shape of beautiful human men and women. This has led to some conflicting tales about what they look like, with many people who deal with them unaware that their real form is anything other than their beautiful one.
Their inconsistent outside appearance is mirrored in their personality. Savesti are chaotic and temperamental. They are driven by their emotions rather than by rational thought. Their society is unstructured, for they see the importance of the individual over the group. They are deceitful, dishonourable and untrustworthy, the very opposite of the human ideal. Then again, they have a strong sense of humour, are generous and often friendly, and will rarely carry a grudge or hatred for longer than a few minutes.
For the most part they live in wilderness lands, away from the other races. They are sought for both their artistic ability, knowledge (for they are very long lived), and shape changing ability - they make among the best (non-magical) assassins, and have few qualms against such tasks.
Humans have many names for the savesti, amongst them being doppleganger, changer and face dancer. They are distrusted, but rarely fought. Savesti means simply The People.
The kiar is a race very similar in some respects to humanity. Many consider them a degenerate form of humans, though the two species are very much different. They tend to be slightly shorter than humans, though heavier of build. They are bald, but have hair on their arms and in a strip down their backs.
Their thick skulls, with a slight double dome (more pronounced on males) gives them an ugly, square faced appearance. Their skin is light brown, and they have well developed canines. They live for about as long a humans do.
The kiar are warlike and aggressive, and though humans consider them stupid, they are just as intelligent as humans, though more driven by instinct and emotion than reason. Their craftsmen rival, if not surpass, the duergar, though the latter are far more skilled artistically - a kiar sword may be just as good as a duergan one when it comes to war, but it looks a lot more inferior.
Kiar have a strong sense of what they call hikrat. This is vaguely similar to human honour, though the two are quite different. Hikrat represents bravery, the ability to stand on your own two feet, and social standing. When a kiar gives his word on his hikrat, it means he will keep it, whatever the cost. This oath is rarely given lightly though, and only to those who demonstrate that they too are worthy of hikrat.
It should be pointed out though that hikrat is more practical than honour. A kiar will gladly use poison, ambush and other tactics to gain back hikrat - all is allowed. If someone is unarmed and defenceless, then that is their fault.
Amongst humans, kiar are often known as orcs. Their own name for themselves means The Hunters - a name that well represents them.
The saurian race is an old one, pre-dating humanity by many millennia. For the most part they are a wise and honourable race, though they are currently very much in decline.
Saurians are humanoid, standing about two metres tall. They are covered in fine but tough black scales. Under the correct lighting conditions many shades of reds, blues and greens can be seen, dark iridescent patterns on a darker background.
To the saurian eye, such colourings are obvious, for they show up much better in the infrared spectrum - that which the saurian sees. They also have an acute sense of smell, and ears designed for far higher pitches than humans are capable of hearing. Needless to say, trying to communicate with a saurian by mundane means is impossible unless sign language is used.
Saurians have heads much like their saurial cousins - eyes on the sides of their head, and forward protruding mouth, filled with teeth which, despite popular belief, are designed for chewing plants, not tearing at meat.
Within the Kingdom, the most commonly spoken language is Atharic, which has over the last two centuries become very much a trade language in Eumeria. Their are other human tongues though, as well as many non-human ones, not all pronounceable - or even understandable - by humans.
Even in the more educated parts of Atharia and Lhorone, few can read and write. In Gorthan, writing is almost unheard of, except in the use of mystical runes which form a partially magical, partially informative language (ideas such as danger, food, shelter etc can be portrayed, but little beyond this).
It should be noted that not every spoken language has its own written form. Many human languages use a similar alphabet - notably Labeth - and knowledge of this is sufficient to understand any language this is used to record, as long as that language can be spoken.
Languages of the Land
Alundic is spoken by the Alundic people (surprise) of Frean Taer, and a few scatterings of what is left of this once numerous people. Since the majority of the Alundic were swallowed up by the expanding of Atharia, their previous written language (more a glorified rune language), Tolithian, has fallen into disuse, and now Labeth is most often used for writing.
Atharic is a common trade language in Eumeria, as well as being the native tongue of the Kingdom of Atharia. This does not mean that all civilised people speak Atharic, just that the chances of finding someone who does is much greater than for any other language. Of course, in northern Gorthan or Calhaina, doing so is still going to be almost impossible, but traders, merchants and travellers will often know it. Labeth is the written alphabet for Atharic.
Drendoran is the tongue of the southern country of Drendora, being a derivative of the Olabeth language. Its alphabet is Labeth.
Gorthanic is the language spoken by the nomads of Gorthan, though the wide diversity of tribes has led to many tribal dialects. On the whole, few difficulties are encountered by travellers, though meanings and pronunciations of a few words may differ from tribe to tribe. Gorthanic tribesmen do not use writing, believing the written word to be a poor substitute for memory. Within the seven cities that make up the civilised part of Gorthan, writing has made itself necessary though, and the Labeth alphabet is much in use.
Lhoric is the language of Lhorone. Many of that kingdom wish to see it replace Atharic as the common tongue, but Lhorone is just not central enough to be able to push this. Labeth is the written alphabet for Lhoric.
Thembian is spoken within Thembia, though those living on border lands may often speak Lhoric, Atharic or Gorthanic as applicable. Writing is very uncommon, being a privileged skill of the few scholars, some priests, and a scattering of the nobility. In such cases, Labeth may be used, but in such cases Olabeth is most often used along with it. Some of the religious orders use an obscure alphabet found only in Thembia, known as Old Thembian.
Olabeth is a dead tongue, originating in Drendora, and it was the first to use the Labeth alphabet. Today, it is used by scholars as a universal language for scholarly texts. Outside libraries though, it is very rarely used.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1136
|
__label__wiki
| 0.960498
| 0.960498
|
Mainland product Tank Dell ready to sign with FBS program after productive JUCO season
Chris Boyle @ChrisBoyleDBNJ
The 5-foot-9, 150-pounder led Independence Community College (Kansas) in receiving with 52 catches for 766 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games.
Nathaniel “Tank” Dell knows one thing for certain — he’s planning to sign a Division I football scholarship on Dec. 18.
“Once the 18th comes, everything is going to be said and done,” the former Mainland standout said in a phone interview this week.
At this point, the only question is where Dell will spend his final three years of eligibility.
Fortunately, Dell — an All-Area second team wide receiver in 2017 — has a handful of options after a putting together a productive single season at Independence Community College in Kansas.
The 5-foot-9, 150-pounder led Independence in receiving with 52 catches for 766 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games. Dell claims offers from Akron, Central Michigan, Houston, New Mexico State, Old Dominion and South Florida, among other Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
Dell made what he described as a “business decision” last January, opting to leave Alabama A&M after a breakout freshman campaign and enroll at Independence. Playing alongside former Mainland teammate Brian Jenkins Jr. at Alabama A&M, Dell recorded 12 receptions for 364 yards with three touchdowns in his one year at the Football Championship Subdivision program.
When he arrived at Independence, Dell said he was a relative unknown and initially struggled to gain the attention of the Pirates’ coaching staff. A program featured on the popular Netflix series “Last Chance U,” Independence typically fields teams of high-end recruits who fail to qualify academically as well as bounce-back athletes who leave, or are kicked out, of elite Division I schools.
Prior to spring ball, Dell said he lifted weights and worked with a “B group” of players, those he described as perhaps on the fringe of making the game-day roster.
“It definitely humbled me and made me more hungry to get out of there and go get it.” Dell said. “It showed me who was going to be there for me when I wasn’t at the top, or at a good place.
“I never thought about quitting, even if I was getting yelled at. Where I’m from, we’re used to getting out the mud. Once we put on pads and got out for field work, and they could see how skilled I am and how I could make plays, I knew I would be good.”
By the end of the spring, Independence coach Kiyoshi Harris knew Dell would be the Pirates’ “go-to guy” because of his explosiveness.
“After he gets the ball, he can make things happen,” Harris said. “You can tell he’s been coached, especially with his route-running skills. He’s an elite football player.”
In his first JUCO game, Dell torched Dodge City (Kan.) for 148 yards and three touchdown receptions. He added a 207-yard, two-score performance in a 62-23 win at Coffeyville on Oct. 19.
“He took our conference off guard,” Harris said. “People were not prepared for his talents.”
Dell began his official visits in November with a trip to Akron. He’s got two more scheduled this coming month with a pair of American Athletic Conference programs — Houston (Dec. 6-8) and South Florida (Dec. 13-15).
Harris mentioned TCU as a potential landing spot as well, though the Horned Frogs have “yet to pull the trigger” despite recruiting him throughout 2019. To this point, Dell has not received an offer from a Power 5 school.
In what’s sure to be a crucial few weeks, Dell keeps an open mind about his football future.
“I want to play on the biggest stage,” he said. “But I want to also go where I’m loved.
“I know God’s got me. I’m trying to go wherever I can play immediately, make an impact and get scouted to go to the NFL.”
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1140
|
__label__wiki
| 0.858404
| 0.858404
|
NIH to start initial human testing of investigational Ebola vaccine next week
Trial is first in series of accelerated safety studies of Ebola vaccines
Initial human testing of an investigational vaccine to prevent Ebola virus disease will begin next week by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.
The early-stage trial will begin initial human testing of a vaccine co-developed by NIAID and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and will evaluate the experimental vaccine's safety and ability to generate an immune system response in healthy adults. Testing will take place at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
The study is the first of several Phase 1 clinical trials that will examine the investigational NIAID/GSK Ebola vaccine and an experimental Ebola vaccine developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada and licensed to NewLink Genetics Corp. The others are to launch in the fall. These trials are conducted in healthy adults who are not infected with Ebola virus to determine if the vaccine is safe and induces an adequate immune response.
In parallel, NIH has partnered with a British-based international consortium that includes the Wellcome Trust and Britain's Medical Research Council and Department for International Development to test the NIAID/GSK vaccine candidate among healthy volunteers in the United Kingdom and in the West African countries of Gambia (after approval from the relevant authorities) and Mali.
Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has initiated discussions with Ministry of Health officials in Nigeria about the prospects for conducting a Phase 1 safety study of the vaccine among healthy adults in that country.
The pace of human safety testing for experimental Ebola vaccines has been expedited in response to the ongoing Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1,400 suspected and confirmed deaths from Ebola infection have been reported in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone since the outbreak was first reported in March 2014.
"There is an urgent need for a protective Ebola vaccine, and it is important to establish that a vaccine is safe and spurs the immune system to react in a way necessary to protect against infection," said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. "The NIH is playing a key role in accelerating the development and testing of investigational Ebola vaccines."
"Today we know the best way to prevent the spread of Ebola infection is through public health measures, including good infection control practices, isolation, contact tracing, quarantine, and provision of personal protective equipment," added Dr. Fauci. "However, a vaccine will ultimately be an important tool in the prevention effort. The launch of Phase 1 Ebola vaccine studies is the first step in a long process."
"Tried and true public health interventions, strong supportive medical care and the rapid testing of Ebola vaccines and antiviral treatments can help to reduce suffering now and in the future," said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.
The investigational vaccine now entering Phase 1 trials was designed by Nancy J. Sullivan, Ph.D., chief of the Biodefense Research Section in NIAID's Vaccine Research Center (VRC). She worked in collaboration with researchers at the VRC, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, and Okairos, a Swiss-Italian biotechnology company acquired by GSK in 2013.
Phase 1 clinical trials are the first step in what is typically a multi-stage clinical trials process. During Phase 1 studies, researchers test an investigational vaccine in a small group of people to evaluate its safety and the immune response it provokes. Phase 2 clinical trials of investigational vaccines are designed to further assess safety and immune response in larger numbers of volunteers. Under certain circumstances, the vaccine's ability to prevent infection or disease (called efficacy) can be determined in a Phase 2 trial. Phase 3 clinical trials are directed predominantly at determining efficacy.
The NIAID/GSK Ebola vaccine candidate is based on a type of chimpanzee cold virus, called chimp adenovirus type 3 (ChAd3). The adenovirus is used as a carrier, or vector, to deliver segments of genetic material derived from two Ebola virus species: Zaire Ebola and Sudan Ebola. Hence, this vaccine is referred to as a bivalent vaccine. The Zaire species of the virus is responsible for the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
The vaccine candidate delivers one part of Ebola's genetic material to human cells, but the adenovirus vector does not replicate. Rather, the Ebola gene that it carries allows the cells of the vaccine recipient to express a single Ebola protein, and that protein prompts an immune response in the individual. It is important to know that the Ebola genetic material contained in the investigational vaccine cannot cause a vaccinated individual to become infected with Ebola.
Single-dose nanoparticle vaccine for SARS-CoV-2
A high-temperature tolerant SARS-CoV-2 derived immunogen as a potential vaccine candidate
Scientists set research priorities for COVID-19 vaccines
"The experimental NIAID/GSK vaccine performed extremely well in protecting nonhuman primates from Ebola infection," Dr. Fauci noted.
The candidate vaccine builds upon three earlier NIAID-developed investigational Ebola vaccines that began Phase 1 clinical trial testing in 2003.
"The knowledge gained from each of those trials has contributed to the development of the candidate vaccine we are now studying, as well as our improved understanding of human immune responses to investigational Ebola vaccines," said John R. Mascola, M.D., director of NIAID's Vaccine Research Center.
The Phase 1 clinical trial, called VRC 207, will be led by principal investigator Julie E. Ledgerwood, D.O., chief of the VRC's clinical trials program, and will be conducted among 20 healthy adults ages 18 to 50 years. Participants will be divided into two groups of 10 participants each. One group will receive an intramuscular injection of the NIAID/GSK experimental vaccine. The second group will receive a single injection of the same vaccine but at a higher dose.
A number of safety features are built into the study's design, including daily and weekly reviews of patient data by clinical staff and the study protocol team. Additionally, the trial features a staged enrollment plan that requires interim safety reviews after three participants have been vaccinated and have undergone three days of follow up before enrolling additional study participants into the group. Participants in both groups will be seen and evaluated by clinical staff nine times over a 48-week period.
Additional Phase 1 Tests of the NIAID/GSK Vaccine
As part of the VRC 207 trial, NIAID will also test a version of the NIAID/GSK vaccine that contains genetic material from only the Zaire Ebola species. Hence, this vaccine is referred to as a monovalent vaccine. This portion of the Phase 1 safety study, which will also involve 20 healthy adults, is expected to begin in October at the NIH Clinical Center and potentially another U.S. location. Dr. Ledgerwood will also lead that effort. The VRC 207 clinical trial is being conducted based on expedited review and approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
In parallel, NIH has partnered with an international consortium that includes the British-based Wellcome Trust, as well as Britain's Medical Research Council and Department for International Development to test the same NIAID/GSK monovalent vaccine candidate. The vaccine candidate will be tested among 60 healthy volunteers at the University of Oxford in England and among 40 healthy volunteers in Mali by the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Vaccine Development and its Center for Vaccine Development in Mali (a joint enterprise of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Ministry of Health of Mali). Additionally, the vaccine candidate is expected to be tested among 40 healthy volunteers in Gambia after approval from the relevant authorities.
The Oxford trial is expected to launch in mid-September pending ethical and regulatory approval.
"Today's announcement shows how private and public partners can pull together to quickly respond to this critical public health emergency. Developing a new vaccine is complex with no guarantees of success, and we are still in the early days for our Ebola vaccine candidate. But we are encouraged by progress so far and will do the best we can, along with WHO and our partners, to speed up development and explore ways in which the vaccine could contribute to this or future Ebola outbreaks," said Dr. Moncef Slaoui, chairman of Global R&D and Vaccines at GSK.
Initial safety and immunogenicity data from the Phase 1 trials of the NIAID/GSK investigational Ebola vaccine are expected in late 2014.
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) Ebola Vaccine Testing
The NIH will also collaborate with the U.S. Department of Defense in support of efforts by NewLink Genetics Corp., a biopharmaceutical company in Ames, Iowa, to conduct Phase 1 safety studies of the investigational recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus Ebola vaccine (called VSV-EBOV) developed by and licensed from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Those clinical trials are expected to begin in the fall at the Clinical Trials Center of Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland.
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Posted in: Drug Trial News | Disease/Infection News
Tags: Adenovirus, Allergy, Biopharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Chimpanzee, Clinical Trial, Cold, C-section, Ebola Virus, Efficacy, Gene, Genetic, Genetics, GlaxoSmithKline, G-Protein, Health and Human Services, Immune Response, Immune System, Infection Control, Infectious Diseases, Medical Research, Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, Protein, Public Health, Research, Stomatitis, Vaccine, Virology, Virus
Study compares acceptance of HPV vaccine and meningococcal vaccine
Researchers use SARS-CoV-2 to bioengineer universal vaccine platform
Is your covid vaccine venue prepared to handle rare, life-threatening reactions?
Hospitals’ rocky rollout of covid vaccine sparks questions of fairness
MVA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate shows strong immunogenicity in preclinical trials
Will the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine be effective against the new N501Y SARS-CoV-2 variant?
Study supports continuing phase 3 trials of Ad26.COV2.S SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
Which SARS-CoV-2 mutations can potentially evade antibody recognition?
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1141
|
__label__wiki
| 0.996552
| 0.996552
|
Rights holders abandon ‘three strikes’ notice scheme as fresh piracy fight looms
IT WAS designed to be the weapon that would scare straight Australia’s army of illegal downloaders. Now, it’s all fallen apart.
Nick Whigham
news.com.auFebruary 24, 20169:27am
Village Roadshow, a major entertainment content right holder has decided to no longer pursue a three strikes policy for Aussie pirates.Source:News Corp Australia
A PLAN to send infringement letters to Australian internet users identified as having pirated illegal movies and TV shows has been shelved due to disagreement over who will pay for the cost of the scheme.
The code was intended to introduce a “graduated” system where Aussie pirates would receive letters from their internet service providers on behalf of rights holders if their account was identified as engaging in the downloading or sharing of illegal torrent files.
A repeat offender could be punished with slower internet speeds or a temporary account suspension, while a third notification would involve the threat of serious legal action.
Known as the Copyright Notice Scheme Code, it was originally slated to be introduced in September 2015 after being submitted to the Australian Communications and Media Authority earlier in the year.
Negotiations over who would cover the various costs of the letter-sending scheme were carried out towards the end of 2015 but have since broken down.
John Stanton, the chief executive of Communications Alliance — the body representing the ISPs that would have been tasked with carrying out the scheme — has confirmed to news.com.au that negotiations have broken down.
He said a disagreement between ISPs and rights holders was unable to be resolved, and that the parties could only agree on four of the five elements needed to pay for the scheme.
Speaking to CNET, Graham Burke of Village Roadshow — a major content rights holder involved in the negotiations — said an independent audit of the scheme showed the cost would be “too much of an imposition to ask the ISPs, and also from our own point of view”.
The outspoken campaigner for anti-piracy measures said the cost of sending an individual infringement notice would be between $16 and $20, which amounted to a “prohibitive” expense.
Village Roadshow has since informed the Communication Alliance it would no longer pursue the notification scheme, Mr Stanton said.
Ultimately, content rights holders were the driving force behind the introduction of the scheme. “Unless rights holders are keen to work on an agreement, there won’t be one,” Mr Stanton said.
The decision comes shortly after Hollywood right holders Dallas Buyers Club LLC declined to appeal a decision by an Australian court to protect the identity of iiNet users who illegally shared the Dallas Buyers Club film.
Mr Stanton said the final outcome of the high-profile case played no part in the decision to abandon the scheme.
“The outcome of Dallas Buyers Club case was encouraging from the perspective that any penalty ought to be proportional to the losses of rights holders,” Mr Stanton said, adding that “some useful markers were set” in that case.
Mr Burke said he believed rights holders would likely hold out for an automated version that would automatically send notifications when it detected violations. By removing the cost of labour, the system could conceivably send notifications for the cost of “cents”, he told CNET.
However Mr Stanton told news.com.au that he was “not aware of any ISPs undertaking that investment at the moment”.
“You need to have a strong sense it’s going to make a difference in deterrence,” he said.
Such a system was put in place in New Zealand in the past but ultimately fell by the wayside when rights holders declined to pursue offenders and infringement notices “slowed to a trickle”.
Mr Stanton said it remained unclear whether the ACMA would formally suspend the application of the Copyright Notification Scheme.
“There’s not a lot of legal precedent here,” he said.
Last week, Village Roadshow, along with Foxtel, launched legal action with an Australian Federal Court to block a number of websites that facilitate illegal piracy.
Village Roadshow, backed by Hollywood studios, is seeking to have SolarMovie.com blocked by Australian ISPs. The site allows users to stream movies and TV shows and has been blocked in the UK and Singapore.
Meanwhile, Foxtel has also sought to block a number of illegal torrent sites including the notorious Pirate Bay. Both cases appeal to the newly minted Copyright Amendment (online infringement) Act.
They are the first action to be taken under the controversial site-blocking legislation passed by the Australian Government last June.
Foxtel is part owned by News Corp Australia, the publisher of news.com.au.
PM backflips on ‘mandatory’ virus app
Google’s new Aussie piracy crackdown
Stream ripping sites to be blocked
‘Time for Google to clean up their act’
Google slammed for piracy crackdown
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1142
|
__label__wiki
| 0.989151
| 0.989151
|
An Imperial Honor
UCSB professor Shuji Nakamura to receive Japan’s prestigious Order of Culture Award
Shuji podium5.jpg
Nakamura at the press conference for his Nobel Prize in Physics
UC Santa Barbara Nobel Laureate Shuji Nakamura has been selected to receive one of Japan’s highest honors: the 2014 Order of Culture Award. The medal, which recognizes contributions to the nation’s culture, will be presented by Emperor Akihito in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace on Nov. 3, which is also Day of Culture in Japan.
Nakamura, UCSB professor of materials, was among several award candidates selected by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Chosen from a list of people designated as Persons of Cultural Merit, the recipients of the Order of Culture award are decided by the Cabinet of Japan.
“It brings me great pride to congratulate Professor Nakamura on this prestigious honor bestowed by the emperor of Japan,” said UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Henry T. Yang. “The Order of Culture award is a significant acknowledgement that Professor Nakamura’s invention of the first bright blue light-emitting diode will continue to be recognized the world over for its long-lasting and far-reaching impacts on our global society. By making white LED lighting a reality, he has opened the door to affordable, energy-efficient lighting for every person in every nation — a monumental contribution to all of humankind. He also has advanced the frontiers of science with his unparalleled breakthroughs in physics, materials science and technology.”
“This is the most prestigious award in Japan,” Nakamura said. “It is my great honor to receive it for recognition of my work in the invention of bright blue LEDs and energy efficient white light sources.” Nakamura is widely recognized as the world pioneer in light emitters based on the wide-bandgap semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN) and its alloys with aluminum and indium.
The Order of Culture award comes in the wake of Nakamura’s win of the 2014 Nobel Prize for Physics, an honor he received in recognition of his invention of the blue light emitting diode (LED). The blue LED, in turn, paved the way for the white LED, a breakthrough in energy-efficient lighting that has the potential to improve the quality of life for the people of the world who have little or no access to electricity.
“As one of Shuji’s closest colleagues and friends I am very proud that Professor Nakamura is receiving the most prestigious Order of Culture medal from his homeland in recognition for his work in changing the world with energy efficient lighting,” said Steven DenBaars, co-director of UCSB’s Solid State Lighting & Energy Electronics Center (SSLEEC).
Hiroshi Amano, who is also credited for the blue LED and is also a 2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics, also has been selected for the 2014 Order of Culture medal. Isamu Akasaki, who also won the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics, was awarded the Order of Culture in 2011.
Other friends and colleagues at UCSB expressed their pride and joined in the celebration of Nakamura’s selection for the important Japanese award. Rod Alferness, dean of the College of Engineering, called his selection “a wonderful and very fitting recognition and honor for the tremendous impact on people’s lives.” Tresa Pollock, chair of the Department of Materials, said the department is “tremendously proud of Shuji and his research accomplishments.”
Nakamura received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Tokushima, Japan. He spent the early years of his career in research at Japan’s Nichia Chemical Industries Ltd., and then spent a year at the University of Florida as a visiting research associate. In 1989, he initiated the research of blue LEDs using group-III nitride materials. In 1993 and 1995, he developed the first group-III nitride-based blue/green LEDs. He also developed the first group-III nitride-based violet laser diodes (LDs) in 1995. Nakamura is currently co-director at SSLEEC, where he continues to develop GaN thin-film technology.
Nakamura joined the faculty at UCSB in 2000 as professor of materials and of electrical and computer engineering. He was appointed to the Cree Chair in Solid State Lighting and Display in 2001. Six years later he and his team of researchers at what was then known as the Solid State Lighting and Energy Center at UCSB achieved lasing operation in nonpolar GaN semiconductors. Their demonstration of the the world’s first nonpolar blue-violet laser diodes represented a breakthrough in laser diode development.
“This is a great day for Shuji, Japan, the U.S. and UCSB,” said colleague and fellow GaN researcher Umesh Mishra, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “We are proud to share in this great moment.”
Nakamura has been the recipient of numerous other awards and honors, including the Millennium Technology Prize (2006), the Nishina Memorial Award (1996), the Materials Research Society Medal (1997), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Jack A. Morton Award, the British Rank Prize (1998), the Benjamin Franklin Medal (2002), the Millennium Technology Prize (2006), the Czochralski Award (2007), the Prince of Asturias Award for Technical Scientific Research (2008), The Harvey Award (2009), the Technology and the Engineering Emmy Award (2011) and the LED Pioneer Award (2012). He was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering in 2003.
sonia.fernandez@ucsb.edu
Shuji Nakamura
UCSB College of Engineering
‘For Pioneering Discoveries’
Massive Impact
A Royal Fellowship
Great Immigrant, Great American
‘An Outstanding Record’
A Meeting of Minds
Inspiration and Perspiration
UCSB Materials Professor Shuji Nakamura Wins Nobel Prize in Physics
Nobel Laureates Dispense Advice for Future Generations of Researchers
UC Santa Barbara Economist Finn Kydland Wins 2004 Nobel Prize
The Power of Light
The State of Light
Celebrating a Year of Light
Advancing Multiprincipal Alloys
Push for Bio-based Polymers
UV Lights the Way
Seeking Moments of Disorder
Toward a Better Battery
Physics at Your Fingertips
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1143
|
__label__wiki
| 0.926404
| 0.926404
|
Trump supporters storm US Capitol, clash with police
By Ben Fox, Ashraf Khalil and Michael Balsamo
WASHINGTON (AP) — Protesters supporting President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, clashing with police and forcing a delay in the constitutional process to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's win.
Dozens of people breached security perimeters at the Capitol and lawmakers inside the House chamber were told to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda.
A chaplain prayed as police guarded the doors to the chamber and lawmakers tried to gather information about what was happening, and an announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Biden's victory. Due to an "external security threat," no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said.
Protesters were also seen inside the Senate chamber. One got up on the dais and yelled "Trump won that election."
Several dozen are roaming through the halls, yelling "Where are they?" according to a pool report.
Congressional leaders were whisked to safety. Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris, who was attending the joint session, and was also said to be safe.
At an earlier rally, Trump had urged his supporters to march to the Capitol. After protesters clashed with law enforcement and breached the Capitol building, Trump tweeted to his supporters to "stay peaceful."
"Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement," Trump tweeted, as tear gas was deployed in the locked-down Capitol. "They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!"
"We're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and we're probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them," Trump said.
Both chambers abruptly went into recess. The District of Columbia's Mayor, Muriel Bowser, issued a curfew for 6 p.m.
The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks.
Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol's steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting "traitors" as officers tried to keep them back.
A suspicious package was also reported in the area, Capitol Police said.
The skirmishes came just shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday ahead of Congress' vote.
"We will not let them silence your voices," Trump told the protesters, who had lined up before sunrise to get a prime position to hear the president.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1146
|
__label__wiki
| 0.740386
| 0.740386
|
Board of Trustees Approves Intention to Merge Accreditations of the NHED Colleges
ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 29, 2020 – The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has approved a motion expressing support for the intention of merging the accreditations of the five colleges of the Northeast Higher Education District (NHED) into one accredited college. The action paves the way for the District to proceed with comprehensive planning to merge the accreditations, and subsequent action by the Board of Trustees will be required to approve this plan. There are no plans to close any of the NHED campuses.
“Restructuring our five colleges into one accredited institution with six campuses will have many long-lasting benefits for our region,” said Michael Raich, interim president of NHED. “We will create seamless learning experiences for students across the region, expand academic programming regionally, strengthen regional employer, university, and K-12 partnerships, and improve operational efficiencies. Operating our six campuses under a single accreditation will allow us to leverage the capacity and flexibility of a larger, cohesive college while still maintaining the important individual campus identities that our communities have grown to trust.”
NHED consists of five colleges: Hibbing Community College, Itasca Community College, Mesabi Range College, Rainy River Community College, and Vermilion Community College. The district has a total of six campuses in Ely, Eveleth, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, International Falls, and Virginia. The total credit enrollment of the district is approximately 6,000. According to Raich, district-wide strategic planning, regional academic planning, and numerous campus meetings involving multiple stakeholder groups helped guide this decision.
For next steps, NHED leadership will work with the Higher Learning Commission, the organization that accredits the colleges and universities of Minnesota State, to determine the necessary steps and application process for merging accreditations.
Raich continued, “The process will be evolutionary and will take several years to reach full implementation. We have set a goal of operating under the new model starting in Fall semester of 2022.”
“I appreciate Interim President Raich’s leadership regarding this work, as well as all those who have participated in the collaborative conversations to bring this recommendation forward,” said Devinder Malhotra, chancellor for Minnesota State. “Their efforts will result in more dynamic higher education options for the students and communities in northeast Minnesota.”
Minnesota State includes 30 community and technical colleges and seven state universities serving approximately 350,000 students. It is the third-largest system of two-year colleges and four-year universities in the United States.
Higher Learning Commission: Letter of Intent to Merge NHED College Accreditations, Dr. Michael Raich
Vision NE Advisory Council
Student & Academic Services Bus Trip
Vision NE Updates
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1147
|
__label__wiki
| 0.502086
| 0.502086
|
Social Security Act (1935)
Citation: An act to provide for the general welfare by establishing a system of Federal old-age benefits, and by enabling the several States to make more adequate provision for aged persons, blind persons, dependent and crippled children, maternal and child welfare, public health, and the administration of their unemployment compensation laws; to establish a Social Security Board; to raise revenue; and for other purposes, August 14, 1935; Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of Congress, 1789-; General Records of the United States Government; Record Group 11; National Archives.
Photograph 53227(1736), "Unemployed insured workers registering for jobs and filing benefit claims at a State employment office;" Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, National Archives and Records Administration.
On August 14, 1935, the Social Security Act established a system of old-age benefits for workers, benefits for victims of industrial accidents, unemployment insurance, aid for dependent mothers and children, the blind, and the physically handicapped.
Before the 1930s, support for the elderly was a matter of local, state and family rather than a Federal concern (except for veterans’ pensions). However, the widespread suffering caused by the Great Depression brought support for numerous proposals for a national old-age insurance system. On January 17, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent a message to Congress asking for "social security" legislation. The same day, Senator Robert Wagner of New York and Representative David Lewis of Maryland introduced bills reflecting the administration’s views. The resulting Senate and House bills encountered opposition from those who considered it a governmental invasion of the private sphere and from those who sought exemption from payroll taxes for employers who adopted government-approved pension plans. Eventually the bill passed both houses, and on August 15, 1935, President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law.
The act created a uniquely American solution to the problem of old-age pensions. Unlike many European nations, U.S. social security "insurance" was supported from "contributions" in the form of taxes on individuals’ wages and employers’ payrolls rather than directly from Government funds. The act also provided funds to assist children, the blind, and the unemployed; to institute vocational training programs; and provide family health programs. As a result, enactment of Social Security brought into existence complex administrative challenges. The Social Security Act authorized the Social Security Board to register citizens for benefits, to administer the contributions received by the Federal Government, and to send payments to recipients. Prior to Social Security, the elderly routinely faced the prospect of poverty upon retirement. For the most part, that fear has now dissipated.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1148
|
__label__wiki
| 0.897979
| 0.897979
|
Democracy Now! March 18, 2003
PZ0517.121a
President Bush vows to attack Iraq if Saddam Hussein doesn t flee within 48 hours: Democracy Now talks to response Dennis Halliday, Ralph Nader, Leslie Cagan and Jeremy Scahill; With 300,000 troops set to invade Iraq, Gulf War veterans are concerned the safety of US forces may be compromised: We talk to Steve Robinson of the National Gulf War Resource Center; U.S. government executes celebrated Gulf War veteran: Did exposure to nerve agents lead Louis Jones, Jr. to kill?; Oil, security and world domination: Professor Michael Klare discusses how the U.S. is working to redraw the strategic map of the Middle East
8:01-8:06 Headlines 8:06-8:07 One Minute Music Break 8:07-8:20 President Bush gives Iraqi President Saddam Hussein a 48-hour deadline to leave Iraq or face: We hear response from Dennis Halliday, Ralph Nader, Leslie Cagan and Jeremy Scahill President Bush last night vowed to attack Iraq if President Saddam Hussein and his sons do not flee the country within 48 hours. The Iraqi government immediately rejected the ultimatum. Bush also told Iraqi soldiers not to fight for a "dying regime" - and not to destroy Iraq s oil wells. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan ordered the evacuation of the weapons inspectors and humanitarian staff from the country. The first wave of UN workers has already landed in Cyprus. Annan also suspended the oil-for-food program. Bush s speech came just hours after the US and Britain admitted they had failed to win United Nations Security Council backing for war. They pulled the second U.N. resolution without taking a vote. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan challenged the legitimacy of unilateral military action but refrained from branding it illegal. In Britain, three ministers have already resigned. The leader of the British House of Commons Robin Cook resigned just after the US and Britain pulled the UN resolution. His resignation speech late last night was met with an unprecedented round of applause and a standing ovation by some Members of Parliament. Today, Home Office Minister John Denham and Health Minister Lord Hunt of Kings Heath also resigned. But International Development Secretary Clare Short announced she would stay in her cabinet post despite earlier threats to resign. Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a peaceful resolution said a U.S. attack would have the "gravest consequences." Meanwhile, the Russian parliament delayed ratification of a major nuclear disarmament treaty with the US. A parliamentary spokesman said the decision was made after Bush s declaration and in the conditions of the massive US pressure on the international community. French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin denounced the United States, for pulling the resolution from the U.N. He said a wide majority of the 15 members of the Security Council oppose the US. He said the US, Britain and Spain are resorting to force "despite the clearly expressed will of the international community. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said today there is no justification for war that will bring certain death to thousands of innocent men, women and children. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao opposed Bush's ultimatum to Hussein, and held out hope of a diplomatic solution. Meanwhile the U.S. government raised its terrorist threat level to orange, or "high risk," last night as President Bush was delivering his speech on Iraq. Top federal officials asked states to deploy the National Guard or state police to protect sensitive sites across the nation from possible attack. Tape: President George Bush, recorded March 17, 2003 Tape: Denis Halliday, ex-Director of UN Humanitarian Program for Iraq 8:20-8:21 One Minute Music Break 8:21-8:30 With 300,000 troops set to invade Iraq, Gulf War veterans are concerned the safety of US forces may be compromised: We talk to Steve Robinson of the National Gulf War Resource Center People in the US like to think of the 1991 war against Saddam Hussein as a sweeping victory, obliterating Iraqi forces while costing a minimal loss of U.S. lives. But ask many veterans of that war, and they say casualties can't be measured by the 148 who died or the 500 wounded in battle. In the 12 years since, nearly 164,000 Gulf veterans, about 28 percent of those who served, have been certified by government doctors for service-related medical claims more than twice the rate of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The Veterans Administration doesn't track how many of those are suffering from Gulf War Syndrome. But the government's own studies consistently show that up to 30 percent of Gulf vets are sufferers. Now, as some 300,000 troops await orders to strike Iraq again, a cadre of Gulf veterans worry that the same epidemic of unexplained illnesses threatens a new generation of soldiers. And, perhaps, their children. Guest: Steve Robinson, Executive Director of the National Gulf War Resource Center Contact: http://www.ngwrc.org 8:30-8:40 U.S. government executes celebrated Gulf War veteran: Did exposure to nerve agents lead Louis Jones, Jr. to kill? This morning at 7:00 a.m. a decorated Gulf War veteran Louis Jones Jr., was executed in Terre Haute, Indiana. Last night President Bush denied the request for clemency by Jones and his lawyers. The U.S. Supreme Court also refused to block the execution yesterday. Jones, convicted of kidnapping, rape and the murder of a fellow army officer in Texas, in 1995, was exposed to chemical agents as a soldier in the Persian Gulf war. In 2000, he received a letter from the Pentagon telling him that he had been exposed to nerve agents. The chemicals were released when the Army demolished a munitions plant in Khamisiyah, Iraq, in March 1991. The Pentagon has since said the chemicals were the nerve agents sarin and cyclosarin. The evidence of Jones's exposure to nerve agents was not available at his trial in 1995, though the defense did argue that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. In a letter to President Bush, Mr. Jones did not deny his crime and admitted that he "wantonly took" a "precious life, "I think of the marine she was engaged to," he wrote of his victim. "I think of the children she could have had. Her son could have discovered a cure for a disease of our time." Mr. Jones, who wrote that he had become a Christian, asked for clemency so that he could minister to other prisoners for the rest of his life. This morning, about a dozen death penalty opponents held a candlelight vigil just a quarter-mile from the prison. A sign leaning against a fence in front of the group said, ``The tragic irony: As we rush recklessly to war with Iraq we are killing a veteran of the first Gulf War.'' Guest: Dick Burr, lawyer for Louis Jones and federal death penalty expert 8:40-8:41 One Minute Music Break 8:41-8:58 Oil, security and world domination: Professor Michael Klare discusses how the U.S. is working to redraw the strategic map of the Middle East A recent piece by Michael Klare titled, New Global Hot Spot - Iraq War Will Redraw Strategic Map begins: The old Cold War theaters of Europe and the Far East are being replaced in strategic importance by the Persian Gulf basin, where the desires of Russia, China and the United States for oil, security and geopolitical advantage could collide. By invading Iraq, the United States will do far more than topple an odious regime that has resisted American policy goals for the past 10 years -- it will redraw the global strategic map in a way that has not occurred in more than half a century. Ever since the end of World War II, the two most important theaters of international political and military competition have been Europe and the Far East. These are the regions that attracted the greatest attention from U.S. and Soviet strategists during the Cold War period and housed the largest concentration of military forces. Most of the major confrontations of the Cold War era -- the various Berlin crises, the Korean War and the Vietnam War -- also occurred in these areas. But now, with the invasion of Iraq, these two areas are being supplanted by the Persian Gulf basin as the central cockpit of global political competition. From now on, relations between the world's great powers -- especially the United States, Russia, and China -- will be defined by their relative geo-strategic position in this vital region. The greater Gulf region, including the Caspian Sea basin (which stretches to within a few hundred miles of Baghdad), houses over two-thirds of the world's known petroleum reserves and will become ever more important to the world economy as oil supplies in other areas, including the United States, the North Sea and China become depleted. We go now to a recent speech Klare gave this weekend at the Socialist Scholars Conference in New York. Tape: Michael Klare, the Five College Professor of Peace and World Security Studies, based at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. 8:58-8:59 Outro and Credits Democracy Now! is produced by Kris Abrams, Mike Burke, Angie Karran, Ana Nogueira and Elizabeth Press. Mike Di Filippo is our music maestro and engineer.
BUSH, G. W. ADMINISTRATION
WAR & REVOLUTION
HUSSEIN, SADAM
NADER, RALPH
PEACE MOVEMENT
DEMONSTRATIONS & RIOTS
WBAI; Amy Goodman, host., March 18, 2003
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1149
|
__label__cc
| 0.562765
| 0.437235
|
"An alternate to socio-political paradigm of Pakistan."
PoliticsStyleTravel
Here’s why WHO Official said Pakistan is “next-in-line” to eradicate Polio.
Shahnaseeb Babar - 25/10/2020 0
Pakistan could be next in line to eradicate Polio, says the World Health Organization's (WHO) country director while addressing the audience at...
On the 75th anniversary of United Nations, Pakistan holds an event to remember its contributions towards World Peace.
It's been 75 years since the United Nations was established. Ever since the organization which was aimed to bring nations together has...
COVID-19 in Pakistan: WHO chief appraises on keeping economy afloat.
Saqib Ali - 30/09/2020 0
While COVID-19 has become a burning problem for many countries in the world, Pakistan has surprisingly been able to counter the pandemic...
Khalil Ur Rehman milks Motorway Rape Incident – just as he was expected.
Khalil ur Rehman is no stranger to using abusive and vile language on national television. The controversial writer has been in the...
Who is the new Chinese ambassador to Pakistan?
It is a well-established fact, the friendship between Pakistan and China is time tested over and over again; Both countries have helped...
MIT backs VR Startup from Pakistan
MIT backs a VR Startup from Pakistan. The investment was done under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) that...
Payoneer Faysal Bank: Partnership formed to aid freelancers.
Payoneer Faysal Bank, one of the most pro-efficient and safest digital wallets, and online money transfer; that is preferred by several Pakistani...
The Ambassador of Pakistan to Germany holds a “productive” meeting with BMW.
Many of us who have followed Dr. Muhammad Faisal are well acquainted with his passion to work for the betterment of Pakistan....
Pakistan Stock Exchange Miracle: PSX becomes the best performing stock market in Asia.
Pakistan Stock Exchange Becomes The Best Performing Stock Market in Asia Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has been showing signs...
AllPoliticsStyleTravel
Home Business Who is the new Chinese ambassador to Pakistan?
Shahnaseeb Babar
Image Credits: South China Morning Post.
It is a well-established fact, the friendship between Pakistan and China is time tested over and over again; Both countries have helped each other through their roughest of times. Thus it comes as no surprise when both China and Pakistan call each other “Iron brothers”.
When the diplomatic relations were established between the two countries, at that time, Pakistan was economically much stronger than its’ brother China. Fast forward to the twenty-first century the coins have flipped, and China is well on its way to becoming a global superpower due to the hard work of Chinese people, and the commitment of the Chinese Government.
CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR:
In 2013, China and Pakistan signed a pact known as China Pakistan Economic Corridor [CPEC]; which includes a series of projects aimed at boosting the capabilities of Pakistani ports, road infrastructure, and most important of all the energy infrastructure. Ever since 2013, the work has been on a steady path and showing signs of improvement(s) to Pakistani citizens.
Upon our interview with a resident of Lahore, Mr. Shoaib and his family live in a small house with four of their kids. The family describes prior to the CPEC agreement, they suffered load-shedding or power outrages for more than 14-Hours each day. Now, thanks to CPEC that load-shedding has come to an end.
While Pakistan still is energy hungry regardless this is a big achievement, made possible with the help of CPEC.
THE NEW AMBASSADOR TO PAKISTAN:
Mr. Nong Rong is a trade specialist. He does not have any experience in global diplomacy nor has he served as the ambassador to China at any Chinese embassy. Mr. Nong Rong previously served as the Communist Party’s secretary of ethnic and religious affairs. This means, Mr. Nong is well experienced and equipped to deal with sensitive matters if they arise at any given time within the CPEC.
Mr. Nong also worked as the mayor as well as the deputy Party’s secretary of the city of Guigang in Guangxi. He also served within the Trade and Economic Cooperation Department, during his time China managed to hold an expo of ASEAN states, promoting inter-regional harmony and trade.
With having a person like Mr. Nong, it seems obvious not only the commitment of China towards the early completion of CPEC but that of Pakistan. It will also ensure Mr. Nong uses his expertise to ensure CPEC is well on its way to increase regional trade and harmony.
Previous articleMajor Raja Aziz Bhatti, what led Pakistan Army to award him the country’s highest gallantry award.
Next articleOPINION: We need to have a debate to understand why Pakistani Hindus migrated to India in the first place.
The writer is based in Pakistan who works has an independent Journalist with interests in Politics and current affairs. He tweets at @shahnaseebb
Artificial Intelligence: How Pakistan Air Force is getting ready for next-gen...
French citizens seems to love “Made in Pakistan” face-masks.
Pakistan’s women are on their way to disrupt the nation’s food...
ex-Pakistan Air Force’s top-gun loses his battle for life at Dhaka.
Reproduction & Copyrights
iPhone 12 Price in Pakistan and Specs: All you need to know about iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Mini.
Education Staff - 31/10/2020 0
iPhone 12 Price in Pakistan 2020 iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Mini has officially launched all across the...
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1150
|
__label__wiki
| 0.825683
| 0.825683
|
Memorial Donation Information
Serving Danville for Over 100 Years
Kruger Coan Pape Funeral Home
| 10 E. Williams St.
| Danville, IL 61832
The Pape Family has been serving Vermilion County Illinois for almost 100 years. In 2013, Roby Pape, along with his mother Mitzi Pape, and long-time employee, Jennifer Kruger have stepped up to run the family funeral home.
In 2018, Jennifer Kruger along with Michael A. Coan purchased the funeral home.
Use the links above to see a little bit of the history of the 5 generations of funeral directors.
1875 - 1900 - Conrad Heppe
The earliest funeral director in the family was actually Conrad Heppe, born on May 24, 1837 in Hessen Germany, Civil War veteran, baker, saloon operator, farmer who married Catherine Ringler in 1875 in Chatsworth, IL. They were the first in the family to open a funeral home and also operate a livery service, dry goods and boarding house until the early 1900’s in Chatsworth. This marriage was blessed with two sons and eight daughters including Edith Cora Heppe who married E. R. Pape Sr. on April 14, 1904.
1900 - 1940 - E. R. Pape Sr.
E. R. Pape Sr., with his parents Herman Leopold (Mary Schwer) Pape of Crescent City, IL, started the first Pape Funeral Home and a furniture business in Milford, IL in 1900. E. R. Pape Sr. married Edith Cora Heppe on April 14, 1904. E. R. Pape Sr. was the first in the family to attend and graduate from the newly opened Worsham Mortuary College in 1903. In 1909, E. R. Pape Sr. sold the business in Milford and opened a funeral home in Pontiac, IL. He also operated a horse drawn ambulance service for St. James Hospital of Pontiac.
In 1916 E. R. Sr. and E. Cora moved to Danville. They rented the C. E. Blythe Funeral Home at 304 N. Vermilion which had been the office for Dr. Herbert E. Morehouse who died on December 19, 1912. They purchased the first motorized hearse and ambulance in 1920. In 1927 after a fire at the Vermilion Street property, E. R. Pape Sr. purchased the Col. John Calhoun home at 452 N. Hazel to become the new home for the family funeral business. E. R. Sr. and E. Cora had three daughters and a son, E. Robert Pape Jr. who married Helen Lange on June 28, 1939 in Lafayette, IN.
1940 - 1984 - E. R. Pape Jr.
E. R. Pape Jr. assumed leadership of the business, following the death of his father, E. R. Pape Sr. on July 18, 1940. E. Robert Jr. attended Purdue and graduated from Worsham College in 1941. He married Helen Lange on June 28, 1939 in Lafayette. They had a daughter, Patricia Ann and a son E. R. Pape III.
They tore down the old building in 1967 and built the FIRST facility in Danville designed to be a funeral home. They operated a county wide ambulance service until 1972.
E. R. Pape Jr. continued to run the business until 1984, when he sold the business to his son, E. R. Pape III
1977 - 2013 - E. R. 'Bob' Pape III
E. R. "Bob" Pape III attended Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois before graduating from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science.
In 1977, Bob purchased the Berhalter Funeral Home at 215 W. North in Danville and managed the home until 1995 when he donated the building to the Christian Home for Youth and later transferred ownership to the Illiana Genealogy Society.
In 1984, Bob purchased the Pape Funeral Home from his father, and the two worked side by side until his father's declining health forced him to retire.
In 1985, Bob added a cremation gardens/cemetery to the funeral home grounds, which remains in operations and growing today.
In 1995, Bob added an in-house crematory to the business.
Bob has four children, 2 daughters and 2 sons, including E. R. "Roby" Pape IV. He was very active in Danville Rotary, being instrumental in securing an international grant. Bob enjoyed the ballet, the opera, and wine dinners at the Orlando Hyatt. Bob passed away suddenly in September of 2013, leaving a great legacy and momentous shoes to fill.
© 2021 Kruger Coan Pape Funeral Home & Crematory. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1151
|
__label__cc
| 0.561853
| 0.438147
|
Thick as Thieves will be an animated short musical tribute to the AJ Raffles stories by EW Hornung
About the Stories
A.J. Raffles, The Gentleman Thief Series is a series of short stories chronicling the misadventures of AJ Raffles, a gentleman cricketer by day, and amateur cracksman by night. AJ Raffles is considered to be a complete inversion of Sherlock Holmes. Incidentally, E.W. Hornung, the author of the Raffles stories, is also the brother-in-law of Arthur Conan Doyle (the author of the Holmes stories.) Instead of solving crimes, Raffles commits them with the aid of his Watson-like sidekick, Bunny.
The stories have been a delight to generations of crime and mystery enthusiasts since they
appeared the Strand in the 1890s. The first time Raffles was ever translated to film was in the year 1917, with John Barrymore playing the title character.
"Thick as Thieves" will be an animated short musical tribute to these beloved stories by E.W. Hornung. The proposed song, "Thick as Thieves" by the group Kasabian, could have been written for the two main characters. The video will cover the entirety of the Raffles stories, using "clips" of the stories in beat with the music to show the main arc. It begins with Bunny at the Albany starting a new life as Raffles' partner in crime, and ends with Raffles’ death at Spion Kop. Bunny then returns to England as a crippled war veteran.
to see how the art is made
Production Artwork
Click on the images to make them larger, or scroll through the slideshow to view more art for the short!
For more information on how you can get involved with this project, please Contact Me. Just fill out the form and specify that you want to be added to the mailing list. You will get updates on the project sent directly to your e-mail!
Please follow me on social media to receive the most current updates about the project and to get first glimpses of the latest news and artwork.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1153
|
__label__cc
| 0.744606
| 0.255394
|
Home / Health / How the “superhero” immune system of newborn marsupials could help save premature babies
How the “superhero” immune system of newborn marsupials could help save premature babies
Andrea Schraven | April 6, 2019
One in 10 human babies are born prematurely every year; that’s 15 million babies.
The survival rate for a human newborn increases every week the baby remains in the uterus up until its due date. At 24-weeks, the human baby is considered ‘viable’, meaning there is a good chance of survival with the aid of medical intervention.
Now imagine a nine-week-old human foetus attempting survival outside the uterus. At this stage in their development they are about the size of a grape, their eyelids are fused shut and they have just entered the foetal stage of prenatal development.
It is obvious that a human would not be able to survive outside the uterus in such an underdeveloped state. However, this is not the case for all mammals. Marsupials for instance, do not require such a lengthy prenatal period of development to survive outside the uterus.
Still, when they are born, they are considered to be at the same developmental stage as a nine-week-old human foetus. For example; both the Tammar wallaby (Notamacropus eugenii) and the Gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) are able to survive outside the uterus, with less than 30 days of prenatal development.
At the time of birth, the marsupial newborn climbs from the vaginal opening, attaching itself to the mothers’ teat. The newborn remains in there while they complete their physical and immunological development.
Evolutionary research indicates marsupials diverged from humans about ~148 million years ago. One major difference between the two mammalian groups is their reproductive strategies, where humans complete their development in a relatively sterile uterine environment, whilst marsupials are born into a non-sterile environment.
Marsupials are born highly underdeveloped and without a fully functional immune system and therefore are heavily dependent on their mother (for several months) to obtain passive immunisation from their mother’s milk.
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues and organs that is designed to defend the body against disease. When a foreign agent enters the body, white blood cells produce antibodies to fend off the infection. In comparison, during the last three months of a human pregnancy, the foetus obtains the required antibodies needed via the placenta. Before this, the human foetus has no immunity to fend off any disease threats.
A premature human baby, born before the third trimester is at higher risk of infections as they miss out on important antibodies that are passed from the mother, via the placenta. Infections in premature babies can affect many biological functions that will inhibit the growth and development of the baby, and result in a multitude of problems, including sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis, all of which are life threatening.
A human baby at born at full-term (40 weeks), still requires still requires breast milk for the first few months after birth as it contains certain antibodies that cannot be passed on via the placenta during prenatal development, as well as immunisations from medical practitioners.
Various lymphoid tissues and cells of the immune system develop at different stages in marsupials from the time of birth. In eutherians, the production of cells begins in the liver, then at birth, is taken over by the bone marrow. However, since marsupials do not have a mature immune system at birth, these immune tissues develop ex-utero.
The liver is the first organ that produces the different blood cells used for immunity. In humans, the liver ceases its involvement in blood cell production at the time of birth, whereas the marsupial liver is still actively producing red and white blood cells for the first few weeks after birth, while the specialised immune organs and tissues have time to mature.
The marsupial thymus is the first specialised lymphatic organ to mature. Its primary immune function is the promotion of specific immune cells, called T-cells. In various marsupial species, including the Virginian opossum (Didelphis virginiana), Northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus)and Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), the thymus starts to form on the first day after birth.
Bone marrow is one of the main sites of blood cell development, though it develops much later in marsupials in comparison to humans. Since the bones of marsupials are still predominantly made up of cartilage at birth, there is no evidence suggesting blood cell development has begun.
It has been suggested that around the end of the second week, postpartum, that the blood cells start to develop in the bone marrow of the marsupial. In the Virginian opossum, the bone marrow begins making blood cells after 5 days and increases its involvement until it reaches maturity between 65 to 100 days after birth.
In humans, the foetus completes its development of the thymus and bone marrow during the 4th to 5th month of prenatal development. However, the thymus and bone marrow do not actively take over the role of blood cell development until after birth.
How do marsupials have the ability to survive (and thrive) outside the mothers’ uterus with very little prenatal development whereas humans cannot?
By advancing our understanding of the evolutionary divergence between marsupials and humans, we can gain a better insight into the development of the immune system which may aid in the care of premature babies.
Andrea Schraven
Andrea Schraven is a post-graduate Master of Research Student in the School of Science and Health at Western Sydney University. She researches the immunological development of postnatal marsupials and the phylogeny of immune genes.
Gearing up against skin cancer
Stumbling into the brave new world of gene editing
Why is learning difficult for children with autism?
The obesity paradox – myth or reality?
Half a dollar for healthier kids
Linking national heath data should boost Aussie health services
How to win the hunger games
Is the war against type 2 diabetes being won?
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1154
|
__label__wiki
| 0.719669
| 0.719669
|
The Challenge of K2 (ePub)
A History of the Savage Mountain
Reference Explorers & Adventurers
By Richard Sale
Imprint: Pen & Sword Discovery
File Size: 9.6 MB (.epub)
eBook Released: 2nd November 2011
Get The Challenge of K2 (ePub) for FREE when you purchase 2 other eBooks.
Other formats available - Buy the Hardback and get the eBook for free!
The Challenge of K2 Hardback Add to Basket £19.99
The Challenge of K2 Kindle (12.5 MB) Add to Basket £4.99
K2 is one of the most demanding mountaineering challenges in the world and one of the most treacherous – K2 is a legend. Extreme, unpredictable weather and the acutely difficult climbing conditions test the technique, endurance and psychological strength of the most experienced mountaineers to the limit – and often beyond. Many of the men and women who have sought to reach the summit have failed, often with tragic consequences - over 70 of them have died or disappeared. Yet this, the second highest mountain on Earth, continues to exercise for the world's top mountaineers a special – all too often lethal – attraction, and this is the subject of Richard Sale's fascinating new book. As he traces the climbing history of K2 over the last 150 years, he shows in graphic detail how it acquired this awesome reputation: it was during the first serious attempts on the summit in the 1930s and 1950s that K2 became known as the Savage Mountain.
A highly detailed account of the complex and often deadly history of climbing on the 'Savage Mountain' from the mid 19th Century up until 2011.
About Richard Sale
Dr Richard Sale is a theoretical physicist, a mountaineer and an expert on the history and ecology of the Artic. He has travelled extensively in the Arctic, Antarctica and the Himalayas, and is a prolific author. His many books include On Top of the World, To the Ends of the Earth and The Arctic: The Complete Story.
More titles by Richard Sale
Other titles in Pen & Sword Discovery...
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1158
|
__label__wiki
| 0.972826
| 0.972826
|
Joe Biden takes the helm as 46th president of the United States, declaring ‘democracy has prevailed’
Feds break up elaborate drug ring in region
Orioles adviser Lee Thomas may be the most interesting man in baseball you don't know
By David Hall
The most surprising thing about Lee Thomas isn't that he once played alongside Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris on one of the most fabled major league teams .
Or that he was teammates with Hank Aaron when he was in his home run-hitting prime in Atlanta, or that after his playing days, he turned the Philadelphia Phillies from also-rans to a World Series team.
If you know Thomas in the twilight of his days as a revered baseball man, the most shocking thing about him may be his old nickname: Mad Dog.
The unassuming Thomas, gentle and disarmingly pleasant as an 82-year-old, a welcoming smile always at the ready, earned the moniker during his playing days. Apparently, he had quite the temper.
"I don't show that, do I, now?" Thomas said, laughing as he ate steak in Norfolk Tides manager Ron Johnson's Harbor Park office earlier this season. "Yeah, I had a few temper tantrums. It mostly was on the golf course. I don't play golf anymore."
At Thomas' age, there is, naturally, a lot he doesn't do anymore. But he remains involved in a game he played at its highest level from 1961-68, next to some of its greatest performers.
The Phillies' GM from 1988-97, Thomas now serves as a special assistant to Baltimore Orioles vice president Dan Duquette. In that role, he usually makes two trips a year to the club's top four minor league affiliates, including Norfolk.
And he might be the most interesting man in baseball you may have never heard of.
In this undated photo from the early 1960s, Lee Thomas, left, poses with, from left, New York's Roger Maris, the Angels' Leon Wagner and Mickey Mantle of the Yankees. The four were some of the best outfielders in baseball at the time. (Photo courtesy of Lee Thomas)
"He has a rare combination of playing experience, executive experience," Duquette said. "His personal qualities are well known throughout the industry. When I tell my wife I'm going out with Lee Thomas, she goes, 'OK.' She stops worrying about what I'm doing or who I'm with. I mean that as a compliment to Lee."
When Johnson, a baseball lifer himself, introduced Thomas at a dinner with the Tidewatchers fan club early this season, he made sure to lay it all out.
"People," Johnson proclaimed, "if you don't know this guy – this guy's like baseball royalty."
Later, sitting at his desk, Johnson said of Thomas: "His resume is unbelievable."
Thomas, set to make his second trip of the season to see the Tides later this season, can tell stories with the best of them. A 6-foot-2, 195-pound outfielder when he played, he broke into the big leagues with the famed '61 Yankees, sharing a clubhouse with Mantle, Maris, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford.
Mantle and Maris, whose presence had kept Thomas stuck in the minors, took him under their wing every spring .
"Well, it was just a thrill to go into the clubhouse with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris – at the height of their power," Thomas said. "Mantle and Maris were two great guys. You know, they roomed together that year."
Then, in a nod to Mantle's notoriously hard-partying ways, he added: "Well, Maris roomed with Mickey's bags. But they roomed together."
Thomas didn't last long with the Yankees, though. After just two at-bats with New York, Thomas was a small part in a trade that sent him to the expansion Los Angeles Angels.
Without the Yankees' megastars blocking him, Thomas thrived in L.A. In 1962, he made his lone AL All-Star team, batting .290 with 26 homers and 104 RBIs .
Two years later, he was playing alongside Carl Yastrzemski with the Boston Red Sox.
"I played with quite a few guys," the self-deprecating Thomas said, "and I sat on the bench with quite a few guys."
He had his moments. After his trade during the '61 season, as Mantle and Maris raced to break Babe Ruth's season home run record, Thomas had the occasional front-row seat. When Maris hit his 50th that year, it sailed over Thomas's head in right field at L.A.'s old Wrigley Field.
Also in 1961, Thomas had a day that still stands among the best : On Sept. 5, in a doubleheader against the Kansas City A's, he went 5 for 5 in the opener and 4 for 6 with three homers, including a grand slam, in the nightcap.
He's one of just eight players to collect nine hits in a twinbill, and no one has done it since. His average rose from .276 to .292 in a day – late in the season, when it's hard to move your average by much in one game.
"Ooh, I remember that day," Thomas said, prompted only by the mention of the date. "That wasn't that day I got all those hits in that doubleheader, was it? That was a day I'll never forget. That ball looked as big as a beach ball coming up to the plate."
After a season in Japan, Thomas finished his playing career in the minors with St. Louis in 1970. He went to work the following season as the Cardinals' bullpen coach and managed two seasons in the minors before beginning his ascent through the club's front office.
By then, he already had the Mad Dog nickname. When he was with the Angels, Thomas was in a golf tournament in California. A sportswriter happened to be in his group when he hit a poor shot.
"I threw my bag and clubs and everything in the lake," Thomas recalled, laughing. "Caddie goes in and brings it back to me, and I threw it back in and I left."
The name stuck, even if that part of his personality didn't as he embarked on the next part of his career.
Duquette laughed when reminded of the nickname.
"Well," he said, "he's outgrown that."
In this Oct. 14, 1993, photo, Philadelphia Phillies manager Jim Fregosi, center, holds up the NL Championship trophy as Phillies general Manager Lee Thomas, left, and Phillies president Bill Giles look on during their victory drive around the field after the Phillies 6-3 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 6 of the NL playoffs in Philadelphia, Pa. (Associated Press file photo)
After a stint as traveling secretary, Thomas was the Cardinals' farm director from 1980-88, helping to build the 1982 World Series championship team and two other pennant winners.
Bill Giles hired him to run the awful Phillies, and he set about restructuring the club. Thomas brought in the notorious roughhouse gang that made the surprising 1993 run to the World Series, including Curt Schilling, Darren Daulton, Lenny Dykstra and John Kruk.
"We had some guys," Thomas said. "I call them crazies, but they were nice crazies. You can have some bad crazies."
Of course, the way that season ended was enough to make anyone crazy. Thomas watched from a SkyDome suite when Toronto's Joe Carter stepped in against closer Mitch Williams in the ninth inning of Game 6 of the World Series, the Phillies leading 6-5 and two men on base. A feeling of dread welled up.
"My wife was with me," Thomas said. "And I said, 'Uh-oh. Get ready. I don't know if I like this.' "
Carter, of course, hit a series-ending home run. Had the Phillies held on, Thomas said, Schilling would've started Game 7.
"It would've been on short rest, but this guy's an animal," Thomas said. "He could've pitched, and I would've taken my chances."
Johnson, sitting across the room , agreed.
"They would've won it all," he said. "That was the best team ever."
Thomas proudly sports his NL championship ring from that season – its 25th anniversary will be celebrated next Sunday by the Phillies – as he counsels players today who are unaware of his body of work.
After the Phillies let him go, Thomas went to work for Duquette, then the GM of the Red Sox. He was a special assistant from 1998-2003, followed by a stint as a scout for the Milwaukee Brewers that led him to retirement.
In October 2011, a text appeared on Thomas's phone. It was Duquette, who had been out of baseball for nine years but had been talking to the Orioles.
"I'm having an interview tonight," it read. "I will let you know what happens."
"About two hours later," Thomas recalled, "I got a text from him. It said, 'We be back.' So I knew he got the job."
Duquette said he had his reasons for tapping Thomas a second time.
"He's been a big help to me, evaluating players, knitting the organization together between the office and the field, helping scouting and development work together," Duquette said in a May interview.
"And he adds some credibility to our efforts with the major league team. He's been there. He's done that. He has a track record."
When Thomas is evaluating players in the minors, he's looking for two things: whether he can track the ball into the strike zone and whether he hustles – like guys were expected to do in his day.
"They run hard on a base hit, if they think they got a base hit. But it's not everybody. It's just the guys that do it is what stands out. The guys who hustle stand out," Thomas said.
One player who checks all of Thomas's boxes in Norfolk is outfielder DJ Stewart, the former Florida State star. But when told of Thomas' rich history during his last visit, in April, Stewart admitted it was news to him.
"Actually, I don't know much about him at all," Stewart, 24, said, adding that he'd met Thomas during spring training. "I actually didn't do any background research. I probably should, now that you mention it."
Drew Dosch, a 25-year-old third baseman, felt the same way.
"I see him poke his head around a few times or see him come through and know he's trusted amongst the organization and stuff like that," Dosch said. "But I've never had the pleasure of meeting him or sitting down and talking to him. I'll have to Google his name."
Right-hander David Hess beat him to it. Hess, who has since been promoted to Baltimore, said he's had a few conversations with Thomas.
"He's done a little bit of everything," Hess said. "He's nice as could be, too. It's always nice when he gets to come into town. You pass him, and you just get to say hi to him, talk to him for a little bit. It's always nice. Just real even, real level."
Added Johnson: "He's the nicest man in the world."
"Mad Dog," indeed.
The players' general lack of awareness about Thomas is why Johnson explains who he is before he comes in.
Before every game, Johnson holds what he calls the "Circle of Trust," a brief clubhouse team meeting in which announcements are made and kudos are handed out.
Filling the players in on Thomas is a pleasure.
"I tell them because they don't know," said Johnson. "(Shoot), they don't know who Hank Aaron is."
Thomas, who is from Peoria, Ill., and still lives in St. Louis, works when Duquette summons him, but he mostly makes his own schedule.
Despite the pressure of running a major league team, he admits he still has a fondness for his days in Philly.
"You know what? I loved the job," Thomas said. "And believe me: The minute you get a big job, whether it's a major league manager or general manager, the clock starts ticking, pal. You know it's not going to last forever. But I enjoyed it.
"I loved Bill Giles with the Phillies. I liked working there. We had a lot of bad years, but we had a couple of good ones. I kind of miss it a little bit."
When Thomas is in town, after he walks to the ballpark from a downtown hotel, he often sits on Johnson's couch and tells stories, digging deep into decades-old memories and anecdotes.
One minute, he's talking about hanging with Mickey and Roger and Yogi, the next he's recounting the time he ran into Pete Rose at a horse track or singing the praises of Mitch Williams.
"Mitch got us there," Thomas said of that '93 Series. "Mitch threw great all year long."
Molinaro: Generous gesture by “Bills Mafia” to support Ravens QB’s favorite charity is reason to cheer
At long last, ODU volleyball is ready to start its inaugural season
Old Dominion men’s and women’s basketball paused after positive COVID-19 results
Johnson, for one, can't get enough.
"To me, every time you have the opportunity to be around somebody that's done as much as he's done, you're bettering yourself," he said. "You're going to better yourself as a baseball person when you spend time with Lee Thomas."
At his age, Thomas loses more of his peers each year. But he continues to work because he loves the game and has no plans to quit anytime soon.
"Well, I feel good," Thomas said, flashing that friendly smile. "You know what? If you're 31 or 80 or 70, it don't matter. Something could happen at any time. Just enjoy it while you can."
David Hall, 757-446-2367, david.hall@pilotonline.com
Lee Thomas
Dan Duquette
Special Assistant
'61 Yankees
'93 Phillies
Drew Dosch
David Hess
Mitch Williams
In-Depth Feature
Bob Molinaro
Most Read • Sports
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1159
|
__label__wiki
| 0.779999
| 0.779999
|
UPDF launches ‘Ulinzi’ condom brand
by JAVIRA SSEBWAMI | PML Daily Staff Writer
UPDF launched condoms. (Net Photo)
KAMPALA– Uganda people’s defence forces (UPDF) has launched its own brand of condoms.
Named after the Swahili word, Ulinzi, to mean protection– the condom is aimed at preventing soldiers from contracting HIV.
“A soldier cannot defend his country if he “does not ensure that he’s safe,” said Chief of Staff Brig Leopold Kyanda at the launch of Ulinzi condom.
Nearly six percent of adults in the country are living with HIV but strides have been made in reducing the number of new infections.
In the past, the UPDF was known to have a high infection rate.
“The Ulinzi condom, which comes in a camouflage packet, should help stop soldiers bringing HIV back home after a tour of duty,” said the ministry of health’s Vastha Kibirige.
“The nature of this job has many challenges. [The soldiers] sometimes go to war zones where they meet up with women for pleasure.
“They have to protect their lives to avoid infecting their wives back home,” Kibirige told journalists during the launch.
United Nation’s HIV/Aids organisation, UNAids, says that Ugandans use condoms just over half the time when they engage in what is described as “high-risk sex.”
Aids-related deaths in Uganda peaked in 1999 at 74,000 people per year but have declined since then, UN reports read.
It estimates that 26,000 people died of Aids-related illnesses in 2017.
The fall in the death rate can be put down to more prevention campaigns as well as greater access to Anti Retro Viral (ARVs) drugs that help stop the growth of the virus in the body.
More than 70% of people living with HIV now use ARVs, which are available for free.
Tags: condomstopUPDF
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1162
|
__label__wiki
| 0.940261
| 0.940261
|
News from Billboard says that the original motion picture soundtrack of The Greatest Showman is the biggest-selling album of 2018 as per the IFPI. This is the worldwide association of the recording industry, which means that it knows what is happening in music sales everywhere.
The Greatest Showman is 2018 biggest seller
SOUNDS FAMILIAR - Baby A. Gil (The Philippine Star) - March 18, 2019 - 12:00am
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry has tabulated last year’s record sales and found The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman, on top with 3.5 million physical and digital copies sold.
The figures are in. The highly-reputable International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has spoken. The sounds of Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Dua Lipa and all those other purportedly big selling stars all pale in comparison to last year’s motion picture soundtracks. There is no question about it anymore. When big screen drama is coupled with moving music, the result is magic that sweeps everything aside, sells like mad and lasts for years on end.
News from Billboard says that the original motion picture soundtrack of The Greatest Showman is the biggest-selling album of 2018 as per the IFPI. This is the worldwide association of the recording industry, which means that it knows what is happening in music sales everywhere. The IFPI has tabulated last year’s record sales and found The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman on top with 3.5 million physical and digital copies sold.
A lot of factors brought about that result. One is the music by the award-winning tandem of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Their City of Stars from La La Land won the Academy Award, plus a few others for Best Song. They also wrote great ones for Showman that are performed by the enchanting cast against fabulous visuals. The Greatest Show and From Now On by Jackman, Rewrite The Stars by Zendaya and Zac Efron, This Is Me by Keala Settle, Never Enough by Loren Allred and others that have become modern classics.
Then, there is the fact that The Greatest Showman is a movie soundtrack and motion pictures and music have never been as closely intertwined in the hit charts as they are today. Take a look at the IFPI Top 10 for 2018. Four of the albums are movie soundtracks.
The other big sellers as per the IFPI report are Love Yourself, Answer by the South Korean pop group BTS with 2.7 million; Love Yourself, Tear, also by BTS; A Star Is Born, motion picture soundtrack by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, 1.9 million; Mon Pays C’est L’amour by the legendary French singing star Johnny Hallyday, who passed away late in 2017, 1.7 million; Divide ÷ by Ed Sheeran, 1.3 million; Bohemian Rhapsody, the movie soundtrack by Queen, 1.2 million; Beautiful Trauma by Pink, 1.2 million; Kamikaze by Eminem, 1 million; and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again by the cast of the motion picture led by Amanda Seinfried, Cher and Meryl Streep, 900,000.
And just to inform or to help collectors complete their treasured stash, here is the list of the biggest-selling soundtrack albums of all time as of December 2018 from Mentalfloss:
The Bodyguard, 1992, starring Whitney Houston, I’ll Always Love You, 18 million; Saturday Night Fever, 1977, starring the music of the Bee Gees, How Deep Is Your Love, 16 million; Purple Rain, 1984 by Prince 13 million; Forrest Gump, 1994, a jukebox of American hits through the years and a haunting theme song, 12 million; Dirty Dancing, 1987, I Had The Time Of My Life, 11 million; Titanic, 1997, My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion, 11 million; The Lion King with the music of Elton John, Can You Feel The Love Tonight, 10 million; Footloose, 1984, Let’s Hear It For The Boy by Deniece Williams, nine million; Top Gun, 1986, nine million; O Brother Where Art Thou?, 2000, eight million.
Grease, 1978, John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, Summer Loving, Hopelessly Devoted To You, eight million; Waiting To Exhale, 1995, Whitney again singing Exhale (Shoop Shoop), seven million; The Little Mermaid, 1989, Part Of Your World, Under The Sea, six million; Pure Country, 1992, a country music collection, six million; Flashdance, 1983, Maniac, six million; Space Jam, 1996, I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly, six million; The Big Chill, 1983, I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye, six million; City Of Angels, 1998, The Uninvited by Alanis Morrisette, five million; The Jazz Singer, 1980, by Neil Diamond, five million; Evita, 1996, Madonna and Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, five million.
And included as an honorable mention although it is not a movie soundtrack but because of its massive success and cultural impact, is the Broadway show Hamilton by the original cast which has already sold five million copies. Can you just imagine how much this one will sell once it becomes a movie?
HUGH JACKMAN INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE PHONOGRAPHIC INDUSTRY THE GREATEST SHOWMAN
Johnny Manahan: ABS-CBN was ‘scared’ of our TV5 show
By Jan Milo Severo | 1 day ago
"Maybe we can do something there at Channel 5. Might be fun going up against ABS-CBN!"
TV5 shows bid goodbye reportedly due to poor ratings
By Jan Milo Severo | 3 days ago
TV5 shows "Sunday Noontime Live," "I Got You" and "Sunday Kada" broadcast their final episode yesterday.
Joem Bascon's ex-girlfriend reveals wedding plans before baby with Meryll Soriano
YouTube vlogger Crisha Uy, Joem Bascon’s former girlfriend for eight years, reacted on the recent news on the actor...
Gerald Anderson slammed for ‘galawan’ comment on Diego Loyzaga’s post
Gerald Anderson was bashed for his comment on fellow actor Diego Loyzaga’s post about the latter’s surprise date...
Jamie Rivera on what guides her in writing inspirational songs
By Ricky Lo | 9 hours ago
Does Jamie Rivera, recently elevated to the CMMA (Catholic Mass Media Awards) Hall of Fame, let the Christian spirit guide...
Mariel Rodriguez laughs off rumor linking Robin Padilla, Mocha Uson
By Jan Milo Severo | 10 hours ago
TV host Mariel Rodriguez announced that she lost 30 pounds amid cheating rumors involving her husband Robin Padilla and...
Princess Punzalan evolves from villain to victim in new international film
By Ratziel San Juan | 12 hours ago
Actress Princess Punzalan is exploring new acting territory abroad.
Geneva Cruz lambasts bashers with bikini photos
Geneva Cruz finally replied to the "two women" who have been bashing her on social media.
Confirmed: ABS-CBN's 'ASAP' replaces 'SNL' on TV5
By Kathleen A. Llemit | 20 hours ago
The ABS-CBN and TV-5 partnership is now rolling and looking promising for the latter network as it begins to simulcast one...
Pinay debuts at number 1 on Billboard Hot 100
Born in California, Olivia is of Filipino descent through her father's side and German-Irish descent through her mother's...
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1166
|
__label__wiki
| 0.753184
| 0.753184
|
Obituary: Walter Ellsworth Corey, III
CUMBERLAND FORESIDE - Walter Ellsworth Corey, III, 79, of Mary Lane, passed away peacefully at Central Maine Medical Center on the morning ...
Walter Ellsworth Corey, III
FORESIDE – Walter Ellsworth Corey, III, 79, of Mary Lane, passed away peacefully at Central Maine Medical Center on the morning of Oct. 31, 2020 surrounded by his wife and daughters.
He was the first son of Walter E. Corey Jr., and Theresa Stallone and was born in White Plains, N.Y. on June 19, 1941. Walter attended Regis High School, Princeton University, and Yale Law School, from which he graduated in 1966.
He came to Portland, Maine with his wife, Mary Patricia Donahue, where he joined the Governor’s Staff in 1967 as Federal Coordinator. In 1972, Governor Ken Curtis appointed him as Chairman of the Maine Labor Relations Board. Soon after, the Governor appointed Walter as Chair of the Maine Humanities Council. He served under Governors Longley, King, Brennan, and LePage. In 1975, Walter helped to grow a solid law firm, originally named Curtis, Corey and Lipez. Although a lifelong democrat, Walter enjoyed his political independence and felt strongly that his loyalty ran directly to the people of Maine.
Walter maintained close relationships with his three daughters, Heather Corey of South Portland, Mimi Corey Maslan and her husband Carter of Burlingame, Calif., and Sarah Corey of Los Angeles, Calif. “Pop” was loved dearly by his seven grandchildren, Colin Maslan. Zachary Breed, Annie Maslan, Nick Breed, Eli Breed, Kate Breed, and Aiden Corey Trumbo.
Walter married the love of his life, Julie Lynn Houde, in 2004. With Peter, his younger brother, Walter and Julie divided the year between Yarmouth, Maine and Sarasota, Fla., eventually settling at Higgins Beach in Scarborough. Anyone who saw Walter and Julie walking their three beloved Maltese pups along the beach could easily see the joy and happiness Walter found at Higgins. The ocean always brought Walter tremendous peace. A lifelong swimmer, Walter became a staple at the PCC and YMCA pools swimming laps with his snorkel and mask.
In 2013, Walter lost his beloved brother, Peter, suddenly and unexpectedly. Walter took this devastating experience and grew in compassion and commitment to advocating for the disabled. Growing up with a younger brother who struggled with disabilities taught Walter to not only appreciate but also advocate for various minority groups, including the disabled population.
An avid sports fan, Pop shared decades of season tickets for the Maine Mariners, the Portland Pirates, and the Sea Dogs with his daughters, son-in-laws, and grandchildren.
In reviewing the vast scope of his work, one central theme emerges – the importance he placed on serving others. In the latter part of his career, Walter continued his work on behalf of young adults focusing on teaching and developing leadership skills. From 2007 onward, through Synergethics, Inc., Walter devised and continuously improved an electronic application for the measurement of emotional intelligence, called the Leadership Enhancement Training Tool (LETT). It has been in wide and consistent use for enhancing outcomes for young adults primarily in Maine, as well as throughout New England. It has become the gold standard for such measurement.
Walter was a wonderful man, rich in history, ideas, and energy. He never knew or embraced the word impossible. For him, all things were possible, if only you expanded your thinking. At his core, Walter was creative, kind, and poetic. His life was grounded in his Christian faith. There can be no doubt, Walter fulfilled his mission here to love and serve. We will all miss Pop’s humor, compassion, and inquisitive spirit.
We will be celebrating Walter’s life via zoom on Dec. 6, at 11 a.m. PST, 2 p.m. EST. If you would like to be included in this zoom, please contact Sarah at [email protected]. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home. To view Walter’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Walter’s honor to the non-profit he created and held dear to his heart:
The Maine
Press Herald Obituaries
Sign up to get local obituaries delivered to your inbox every morning.
Featured Obituary
Jason Shaw, 44, former finance and sales manager at Portland Volvo
The Saco resident earlier studied culinary arts and was a cook at several restaurants in southern Maine.
— Daily Obituaries —
Know when to
pay your respects.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1167
|
__label__cc
| 0.736811
| 0.263189
|
Download the Free Pretzelmaker Franchise Report
The QSR Franchise Industry Is Growing
/ By Dustin Thompson
Whether its burgers, pizza, subs, or pretzels, quick service restaurant (QSR) franchises have been adding convenience to all kinds of American favorites. With so many opportunities in this growing industry, it may seem difficult to find the right franchise concept for you. Pretzelmaker may be the perfect franchise for you. Not only do many people across the country love pretzels, but our concept and dedication to our franchisees make us stand out from other brands. Learn more about investing in a QSR franchise and how the industry is growing.
People Love Convenient Food for a Convenient Price
Pretzelmaker and other QSR franchises thrive at places like malls because people want a snack that they can easily walk with from store to store. In addition, other locations like airports and college campuses offer room for potential hungry customers. QSR franchises have thrived in recent years as more and more consumers search for fast, convenient food that they can take on-the-go for a lower price.
In addition, less equipment is required to make many of our products, so a franchisee can open their business in a food court, at a kiosk, near a concert, and several other places. These non-traditional locations have proven to extend our brand in the best possible way. By branching out from malls and other traditional spots that you think of having a pretzel franchise, we are able to tap into a market that may have been previously untouched.
What the QSR Franchise Industry Looks Like
In 2016, it was determined that the global QSR franchise industry was valued at $539 billion, and it is only expected to grow in the years to come. By 2022, it has been projected that the industry will be worth just under $700 billion. Now is a great time to invest in a QSR franchise because the market is projected to grow, and, by investing in a unique concept like Pretzelmaker, you can bring this salty snack to customers all over the globe.
Why a QSR Franchise May Be Right For You
With a QSR franchise like Pretzelmaker, we want you to know you’ve made a good investment. We strive to make sure every franchisee has what they need to get their franchise up and running, so we offer training, support, a business model, targeted territories, and more. These resources help franchisees determine where their highest chances for success are and how they can achieve it. For the initial investment, you could get all these resources, as well as our branding.
Contact us today to learn why a Pretzelmaker is the right QSR franchise for you.
Who Loves Our Pretzel Store Franchise? Just About Everyone!
What’s Hot in Pretzel Franchises
Blog Pretzel Industry
3 Things to Consider Before Starting a Pretzel Franchise
How to Start Your Own Pretzel Franchise
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1168
|
__label__cc
| 0.71189
| 0.28811
|
In one suburban Philadelphia high school where tobacco is a dangerous temptation luring teens into a risky addiction and a perilous future, Dr. Daniel Rodriguez is using the school as a proving ground where a critical transformation is at work. Kids in jeopardy are becoming healthy adolescents.
Rodriguez, a behavioral scientist funded by the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation (CRPF) at the University of Pennsylvania, is on a quest that began years ago on the streets of his hometown. When he was just a teenager himself, the Washington, D.C., native would walk miles from home with his friends into the heart of Georgetown. The weekend jaunts turned into an important outlet of physical activity for Rodriguez and sparked a lifelong interest that became the source of his professional ambitions.
He wanted to understand the power of physical activity. Can it change our attitudes and our lives? Can the simple act of exercise keep children and adolescents safe from harmful substances? Rodriguez tested his theory this past spring when he surveyed 400 10th graders in one school district outside Philadelphia. The students were questioned in depth about their smoking habits and history of physical activity, with some surprising results.
“The students reported involvement with 64 different types of physical activity, from kickball to rollerblading,” Rodriguez says. “There was an amazing variety. But the initial findings seem to indicate physical activity alone isn’t enough of a deterrent to smoking, and some activities, such as skateboarding, may even pose a risk.
The students reported involvement with 64 different types of physical activity, from kickball to rollerblading
“Kids who engage in certain activities, especially extreme activities like skateboarding, appear more likely to smoke,” Rodriguez says. Why? While individual activities may be filled with physical exertion, they are often unsupervised.
“It’s simply kids hanging out with friends,” he says, “and that can mean peer pressure and unhealthy behaviors, including smoking.
“Other activities involving adult supervision, such as ballet or karate, may actually prevent smoking,” Rodriguez says. The bottom line? Children need adult supervision.
“When coaches, parents and teachers set rules and monitor behavior, teenagers smoke less often. And the activity doesn’t even have to be physical.
“Our results also indicate that kids are more likely to smoke if they see their parents smoking inside their homes,” Rodriguez adds. “That isn’t news to those of us who are parents,” he says, “but it has been eye-opening to realize how much influence parents have on their children’s behavior.”
Despite the litany of good and bad influences, Mom and Dad continue to be their children’s role models. “More than ever,” Rodriguez cautions, “adults need to step up, get involved and take responsibility for helping children grow into caring, healthy intelligent grownups.” Now Rodriguez is hoping to expand his research and develop a nationwide pilot program, based on the data produced through his CRPF grant. “It has been a tremendous experience,” Rodriguez says, “and I’m optimistic that what we are learning will make a real difference in the lives of children.”
Find out how you can fund cancer prevention research here.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1169
|
__label__wiki
| 0.618642
| 0.618642
|
HomenewsTerm paper writingChinese history essay
Chinese history essay
Category: Term paper writing
China is an ancient country with rich history and it society has been considered rather conservative and traditional. Chinese culture has been studied by researchers for centuries. The present comparative analysis will be started with the study ��Chinese Cultural Studies’ written by Jiang was published in 1995. Author presents the consequent development of Chinese culture in the most important historical periods of Chinese history. Jiang (��Chinese Cultural Studies’) points out that ��the culture and power of China seem stronger in the late 20th century than at almost any other period in history.’ Jiang’s quote in partially contradicts the conclusions made by reporter Kathleen McLaughlin in her interview ��Why China’s youth find Western culture attractive’. McLaughlin explains that in the majority of cases Chinese culture makes different Western influences its own but nevertheless nowadays Western culture has managed to make a powerful impact on all spheres of Chinese people’s activity.
Jiang (��Chinese Cultural Studies’) begins with historical presentation of the origins of Chinese culture, and mentions the fact that the history of culture in China is the oldest one because of the known fact that first Chinese writing system appeared a almost 4,000 years ago. This author continues the description of the historical and cultural background by telling the audience that at the times of Yuan Dynasty (from AD 1279 to 1368), and during the Ch’ing Dynasty from AD 1644 to 1911, the country was under ruling of foreign invaders, but despite this fact, culture governed by the invaders has managed to absorb these rulers. It means that the culture of Chinese nation at that period of time was so strong that nothing could harm it r make it weaker.
The substantial changes in Chinese history and society first happened in 1911 and then in 1949 when the Communist Party came to power in China in 1949. The social changes has started with the active engagement of women into the social life. Chinese women used the opportunities suggested by the new policies and industrial development and started to actively engage themselves in professions such as teaching, social work, and medicine, student activism, and politics. Author notes that the role of modern China is the world economic and political affairs are significant.
Jiang (��Chinese Cultural Studies’) researches the early Chinese history is known to take the start in 600,000 BC and then the study continues with the New Stone Age, that feature the ��art of making pottery for storing food and drink’. (Jiang (Chinese Cultural Studies’) Then Jiang (��Chinese Cultural Studies’) suggests a description the various periods of Chinese history and its cultural attributes.
The period of the Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 BC) was characterized by by jade, bronze, horse-drawn chariots, ancestor worship and also by ancient form of writing too. The Shang Dynasty was followed by long period of the Chou Dynasty (1122-221 BC) which was the period of true development of Chinese state. It was an outstanding period in Chinese history simply because it was a time when Confucius has lived (551-479 BC). (Jiang, ��Chinese Cultural Studies’) It has to be emphasized that Chinese people have followed the ideas of Confucianism for centuries. These views had dominated the politics, culture, economy, religions, social life, and education of Chinese people for centuries, and clearly these values are incorporated deeply into the national character and the mechanisms of Confucianism to some extent are still could be found in every aspect of the Chinese life. Confucian norms are truly important for every Chinese; they were developed and applied towards the objectives, ethics, social norms, mode of living, and political institutions of the feudal age and not towards the Chinese society of the twentieth century. Chinese society is rather conservative and traditional, despite the fact that the history of this country has witnessed many events. Still the majority of Chinese society believes in traditional social roles in accordance with the principles of Confucianism. Jiang (��Chinese Cultural Studies’) mentions that almost nine centuries China was under Chou rule and then it was changed to Ch’in empire in 221 BC that haven’t managed to last long in comparison to other empires but at the time it was a first tine when the name China was mentioned and the idea and structure of the empire was suggested.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1171
|
__label__wiki
| 0.619469
| 0.619469
|
Login Create a free account
RSS Email Newsletters Put PRWeb on your site
Nechol Owens Named CCA's 2010 "Employee of the Year"
Training manager at Whiteville Correctional Facility receives major honor in nation's fifth-largest corrections system
Nechol Owens, CCA 2010 Employee of the Year
She is a great example of someone who has focused on professional development within CCA and active engagement in the company.
Past News Releases
CCA Celebrates 30 Years of Business
CCA Ranked as One of America's...
CCA Honors Military on Veterans Day...
Nashville, TN (Vocus) December 8, 2010
CCA, America's leader in partnership corrections, has named Nechol Owens of Whiteville Correctional Facility as the 2010 “Employee of the Year.”
Owens serves as training manager at the 1,536-bed, medium-security facility, located in Whiteville, Tenn., which CCA operates on behalf of the Tennessee Department of Correction. A professional with more than 10 years of experience in corrections, Owens was selected from among dozens of nominees representing CCA's 60 facilities across the nation – and a work force of nearly 17,000 corrections professionals.
"Nechol Owens is a deserving award recipient," said Damon Hininger, CCA president and CEO. "She is a great example of someone who has focused on professional development within CCA and active engagement in the company. Her peers praise her for continually training and nurturing staff throughout their careers."
In her role, Owens primarily trains new officers, oversees yearly in-service training, conducts specialized instructional programs for facility staff and other related duties. She joined CCA in 1999 as a correctional officer at the Whiteville facility, where she has been promoted to senior correctional officer and assistant shift supervisor. Owens was named training manager in 2007.
“I’m excited not only for Ms. Owens, but her honor also reflects well on the other staff at the facility," said Stephen Dotson, warden at Whiteville Correctional Facility. "She is a treasured and valued asset to the facility and to me, as warden.”
In addition to her official role, Owens also volunteers for a number of other duties. She is president of the facility's Employee Engagement Committee, serves as public information officer for the facility and is a member of the Peer Review Committee.
“It’s rare to find an employee who will step in when needed and one who all the other employees seek for advice,” said Assistant Warden Tamara Ford, who nominated Owens. “She holds herself to the highest standards, first and foremost, and makes sure everyone else in the facility is doing the same.”
CCA is the nation’s largest provider of partnership corrections to federal, state and local government, operating more than 60 facilities, including more than 40 company-owned facilities, with approximately 90,000 beds, in 19 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to providing the residential services for inmates, CCA facilities offer rehabilitation and educational programs, including education, vocation, religious services, life skills and employment training and substance abuse treatment. For more, visit http://www.cca.com and http://www.ccacommunities.com.
Share article on social media or email:
View article via:
Louise Grant
Email >
Questions about a news article you've read?
Reach out to the author: contact and available social following information is listed in the top-right of all news releases.
Questions about your PRWeb account or interested in learning more about our news services?
Call PRWeb:1-866-640-6397
PRWeb home
Why PRWeb
Create a free prweb account
©Copyright 1997-2015, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC. Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1178
|
__label__wiki
| 0.875708
| 0.875708
|
You are browsing the Blog for News.
PNSR Bids Farewell As It Ends Operations; New Publications
July 31, 2012 in News by admin
For more than five years, the dedicated men and women of the Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) worked vigorously to modernize the failing U.S. national security system. Alert to the dangers of the current antiquated system, PNSR’s staff analyzed the sources of dysfunction and inefficiency and formulated bold fixes to transform the system for 21st century challenges. This comprehensive, rigorous, insightful, and innovative collection of work is a source of pride for PNSR. The many accomplishments of PNSR are summarized here, and the publications tab contains PNSR’s reports, case studies, and related papers.
Despite the depth, breadth, and quality of these intellectual products and a long list of distinguished supporters, PNSR was unable to bring about the necessary transformation. Two principal obstacles blocked needed changes: denial about the seriousness of shortcomings in the national security system and lack of political will to fix these shortcomings.
Sweeping changes must be realized soon if the nation’s security and prosperity are to be assured. Toward this goal, this new website preserves PNSR’s work for use by those who will carry forward this critical mission. (PNSR’s former website may still be found at old.pnsr.org.)
Although PNSR ceased operations on December 31, 2011, work on national security transformation continues in many government and nongovernment institutions and among private citizens. Former PNSR staff will continue to have contact with these institutions, individuals, and others interested in national security transformation through Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook accounts. Inquiries can also be sent directly to PNSR at the email addresses provided on this website (info@pnsr.org).
More than one hundred organizations and three hundred national security professionals contributed to PNSR’s work. The entire PNSR community is grateful for this extensive support. Great appreciation and respect must also go to the PNSR core staff, a group of public-interest, selfless patriots who endured great hardships and worked pro bono in service to the nation. I was proud to have been their leader.
PNSR has charted the path to a more secure America. What is needed now are political leaders with the vision and courage to follow and improve upon this path.
James R. Locher III
Despite closing operations, the PNSR community continues work on a number of publications, which will be featured on the PNSR website as they are released.
Evan Munsing and Christopher J. Lamb, Joint Interagency Task Force–South: The Best Known, Least Understood Interagency Success (Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University 2011)
Fletcher Schoen and Christopher J. Lamb, Deception, Disinformation, and Strategic Communications: How One Interagency Group Made a Major Difference (Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University 2012)
Richard Weitz (Editor), PNSR Case Studies Vol. 2 (Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College 2012)
PNSR Recommends Active Role for Legal Community
December 2, 2011 in News, Report by admin
WASHINGTON, DC – The Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) released today a new report, “The Legal Affairs Roundtable Series on National Security Transformation.” It calls on the legal community, especially the American Bar Association, to “contribute their authoritative voice[s] to the public debate on needed changes” to the national security system.
The report represents the work of more than eighty dedicated national security attorneys, practitioners, and subject matter experts, including Secretary Michael Chertoff, Admiral Dennis Blair, Judge James Baker and General Stanley McChrystal. During three roundtables, participants debated the legal impediments to, and remedies for, the optimal performance of the national security system — specifically addressing the National Security Council, unity of effort proposals and the Intelligence Community. Additionally, during a concluding conference, participants discussed the legal challenges to making reforms and the role of the legal community. Although based upon the discussions during the roundtable series, the resulting report is solely the responsibility of PNSR.
A grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York funded the roundtable series. The American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Law and National Security, Bingham McCutchen LLC and the Bipartisan Policy Center’s National Security Preparedness Group joined PNSR as sponsors. Arnold & Porter LLP and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars also supported the roundtable series.
The majority of roundtable participants concluded that sweeping reform of the national security system, which encompasses the complex whole of all national security institutions, is necessary. They found the system “mostly ‘stove-piped’ and hierarchical, posing roadblocks to integrated [whole-of-government] consideration of national security policy and issues.”
Most roundtable participants recognized that the current National Security Council apparatus “struggles to be an effective management and integration arm of the president in a security environment characterized by increasing complexity, uncertainty and speed.” Debated remedies included expanding the role of the national security advisor to serve as a national security manager and strengthening the ability of the National Security Staff to integrate the expertise and capabilities of departments and agencies.
Concerning unity of effort in national security operations abroad, participants generally agreed on “the need for better interagency cooperation and for executive cross-agency authority to be developed.” They concluded, “Existing solutions, such as czars and lead agencies, have proven inadequate.” In particular, participants urged improved integration by departments and agencies in their execution of U.S. regional policy abroad and the need for interagency teams in the field.
Despite passage of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, participants found “the required level of integration across the sixteen components of the Intelligence Community has not been achieved.” Key areas for reform focused on the role of the Director of National Intelligence, oversight of the Intelligence Community and information-sharing policies.
Noting the important role of lawyers in any reform effort, the concluding conference produced several recommendations for the legal community:
• Develop a definition for national security law and an agreed-upon body of statutes and executive orders that make up this law.
• Draft and advance transformation proposals in all forms.
• Outline the scope of executive authority in making institutional changes and what reforms require legislative action.
• Advocate publicly for national security transformation.
• Review how congressional organization affects attempts to create a whole-of-government approach to national security issues.
PNSR Envisions National Security in 2026
November 9, 2011 in News, Report by admin
WASHINGTON, DC – The Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) today released “America’s First Quarter Millennium: Envisioning a Transformed National Security System in 2026,” a paper prepared by Christopher Holshek, PNSR Senior Associate. Holshek will present ideas from the paper at today’s National Defense University symposium, “Forging an American Grand Strategy.” The paper encompasses many transformative concepts developed by PNSR and its partners over the past five years.
The paper may be found here.
To view the website for the paper and post comments, click here.
“America’s First Quarter Millennium” finds the United States no longer the dominant power and standing at a crossroads. Of the two roads in front of the nation, the paper notes, “One way lays the path of inertia and declining returns from an aging national security system. The other way is the ‘road less travelled by,’ leading to greater security and prosperity for future generations.” Given the magnitude of required institutional changes, the paper observes, “To commit to this road, we must first envision its destination: a transformed national security system. A clear vision of a newly created system will point the way ahead for change, reduce fear of the unknown, attract commitment, and demonstrate that transformation is doable.”
PNSR envisions “an anticipatory, collaborative, agile, and innovative system capable of combining all elements of national strength, integrating intelligence, making timely and informed decisions, and taking decisive action.” It would be characterized by “whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approaches, unity of purpose and effort, and prioritized investments emphasizing strengths and opportunities.” Many changes would model organizational reforms successfully adopted by the private sector.
This short, modular paper seeks to inspire a true “national conversation” to envision this future. It is a public-working-draft, casting a wide net among stakeholders to capture the best of America’s collective wisdom. Written in the past tense, it looks back in order to look forward. Components of the envisioned system include: comprehensive strategy; foresight and anticipatory governance; strategic management; interagency high-performance teaming; integrated and flexible national security resourcing; role of Congress; public-private partnering and global networking; and our greatest strength – human capital.
Col. Christopher Holshek is a retired U.S. Army Reserve civil affairs officer. After leaving the Army, Holshek took an 8,000 mile tour of the country on his Harley-Davidson and created a blog, “Two Wheels and Two Questions,” where he reflected on America’s place in the world and experiences from his career. Over the years, he has had significant input to the development of civil-military policy and doctrine in the U.S. military, NATO, and United Nations. Effectively fusing his parallel civilian and military careers, he is a rare American who has served in United Nations peace operations in both civilian and military capacities.
Lessons Learned From the Demise of Bin Laden
May 19, 2011 in News by admin
WASHINGTON, DC – James R. Locher III, President and CEO of the Project on National Security Reform (PNSR), said he was “really proud” on Monday, May 2 after hearing about the successful raid on Osama bin Laden by U.S. Navy SEALs the day before. Locher, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict and architect behind the Cohen-Nunn legislation that created U.S. Special Operations Command, played a significant role in building modern special operations forces.
Kathryn Boughton, a reporter for the Litchfield County Times, interviewed Locher after he spoke at the Kent Memorial Library the day of the raid. He said, “In Kent, I talked about Gen. Stanley McChrystal and what he had done in terms of creating interagency teams. I suspect we saw that same approach in Pakistan. It is exactly the kind of collaboration and teamwork that we really need — but it is a real exception.”
Locher’s comments drew from a recent study in PNSR’s research agenda. Released by the Institute of National Strategic Studies (INSS), “Secret Weapon: High-value Target Teams (HTT) as Organizational Innovation,” authors Christopher Lamb and Evan Munsing describe the power of interagency teams and what makes them work. Foreign Policy defense blogger and Center for a New American Security Senior Fellow, Thomas Ricks, wrote of the study, “this is one of the most interesting monographs I’ve read in some time… The most compelling part of the study is the discussion of interviews with former members of the high-value targeting teams about what worked and why.”
Three key innovations — networked-based targeting, the fusion of intelligence and operations, and the integration of counterterrorism and counterinsurgency — required unprecedented collaboration between diverse departments and agencies and special operations forces. In order to succeed, the teams required common purpose, clearly delegated authorities, a small size, co-location, and a supportive organizational context.
The case study also illustrates the lack of interest in interagency teams, why they atrophy, and why in all likelihood the United States will fail to institutionalize this powerful new capability. Locher said, “The next time we have a need, we will be fortunate to have someone like Gen. McChrystal, because what he did is not institutionalized.”
In addition, as written on the PNSR blog, “even at this high point of success, high value target teams cannot be the sole solution to America’s security challenges.” Yet, if the U.S. government can bring the same effectiveness used in the bin Laden raid to address other security problems (for example, U.S. development aid to Pakistan), it could transform the future of U.S. national security.
Colonel (retired) Christopher Holshek, a PNSR Senior Associate, wrote in The Huffington Post:
“…National security writ large had not only become more globalized by 9/11, it had also become more humanized. Outside Iraq and Afghanistan, with which Washington has largely been obsessed for nearly a decade, in places like Africa that represent the bulk of security and development challenges around the world, “human security” and civil society challenges such as poverty and food security, rule-of-law and justice, governance, economic development and job creation, and public health contextualize the security problem. Human security is about individuals and communities, empowered by global interconnectivity and the 24/7 media — terrorists as much as protest organizers.”
However, Locher warns, the U.S. government is too slow at adapting to the rapid changes occurring in the world, especially at a time of fiscal constraint. He said, “We have always been able to win ugly by throwing money at a problem, but that is no longer the case. We have lost our margin for error and we are headed for a decade of austerity, when even great programs are being killed. The times call for a national security system that is effective, efficient, participatory, and agile. Unfortunately, we don’t have it. We have the opposite of that — a system that is archaic, designed 63 years ago, that still clings to Cold War concepts. How can we secure our children’s future with our grandparents’ government?”
Locher says in Washington, “Everyone is working as hard as they can to stay ahead of the 24-hour-a-day news cycle… There is no time to worry about institutional reform.”
Institutional reform is integral to the future of U.S. national security. As the PNSR blog states, “the special operations forces that conducted the bin Laden operation were themselves a product of Congressional reforms from the late 1980s. Legislation offered by Senator Sam Nunn and Senator William Cohen and supported by many others passed into law and created the U.S. Special Operations Command. As a result, the United States has the world’s finest special operations forces.”
As the U.S. reflects on the lessons learned from 9/11 to the demise of bin Laden, as the end of the heavy American presence in Iraq and Afghanistan comes into view, and as the Middle East reshapes itself, it is high-time to transform the U.S. national security system for the next chapter of the American power and influence in the world.
Jonathan Breul, Executive Director of the IBM Center for The Business of Government, Joins the Project on National Security Reform’s Guiding Coalition
March 31, 2011 in News by admin
WASHINGTON, DC – The Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) is pleased to announce that Jonathan D. Breul has joined PNSR’s Guiding Coalition, a group of preeminent national security leaders working to transform the national security system. Mr. Breul joins former Director of National Intelligence Admiral Dennis Blair, former Treasury Deputy Secretary Robert Kimmitt, and former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge as recent appointments to the Guiding Coalition.
Breul, formerly Senior Advisor to the Deputy Director for Management in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), currently serves as the Executive Director of the IBM Center for The Business of Government.
Of PNSR’s work, Breul noted, “The Project on National Security Reform is providing much deeper awareness and understanding of the need for fundamental reform to our national security system and an insightful view of the changes today’s world demands.”
During his time at OMB, Breul served as the senior career executive with primary responsibility for government-wide general management policies. He helped develop the President’s Management Agenda, was instrumental in establishing the President’s Management Council, and led the development and government-wide implementation of the Government Performance and Results Act. In addition to his OMB activities, he helped Senator John Glenn (D-Ohio) launch the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act.
PNSR President and CEO James R. Locher III said, “Jonathan Breul brings great expertise and experience to the Guiding Coalition. He is at the forefront of advanced management thinking. Having worked at the highest level of government, Jonathan has an invaluable perspective on how new management approaches could benefit our national security system.”
Mr. Breul is also an elected Fellow of the National Academy Public Administration (NAPA), and an adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Graduate Public Policy Institute. He holds a Masters of Public Administration from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts from Colby College.
“The national security system is grossly inefficient. Jonathan Breul’s expertise in formulating and implementing government-wide performance improvements will be vitally important as PNSR develops reforms to strengthen the national security budgeting process,” said Locher.
Margaret Cope, Retired Air Force Colonel and Logistics Expert, Joins the Project on National Security Reform as a Senior Advisor
WASHINGTON, DC – The Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) is pleased to announce Margaret Cope, a recently retired Air Force Colonel, has joined PNSR as a Senior Advisor. Colonel Cope is a transformational leader with over 25 years of success as a logistics officer with command and staff experience, including assignments in squadrons, groups, wings, logistics centers and headquarters. Her last assignment was in the Pentagon, HQ USAF in the Logistics Directorate, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support.
As the Air Force lead to the federal interagency logistics program, she developed the Air Force’s contributions and collaborated with other agencies from the Department of Defense, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security and General Services Administration to establish the Whole of Government Logistics Effort.
“My recent experience as Air Force lead developing the Whole of Government Logistics Effort clearly demonstrated the urgent need and value of interagency collaboration and the expansion from whole of government to whole of nation and in some cases whole of world to meet the rapid pace of threats, challenges and opportunities for our national security. I am delighted to join PNSR as it leads the transformation of our national security system to sustainability.”
She also championed the Air Force Maintenance Strategic Plan, transforming maintenance, inspection, and accounting processes that had remained virtually unchanged for 40 years. Colonel Cope’s guidance was instrumental in the Air Force Repair Network Transformation, a plan for modernizing the 55 year old maintenance organization of the entire Air Force into a lean and flexible system.
Prior to assuming her position at the Air Staff, Colonel Cope was the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, where she assisted in leading 13,000 military and civilian personnel. Colonel Cope also oversaw an $8.4 billion budget for global logistics support of cargo, warning and control, bomber, and stealth bomber aircraft. Colonel Cope represented the Air Logistics Center Commander at executive-level meetings with local, state, and federal government and industry.
Colonel Cope has additional experience in human capital, including building the initial Air Force Reserve Acquisition/Scientist and Engineer Career Developmental Team, and serving as a key senior advisor and member of the Aircraft Maintenance Career Development Team. Her leadership and oversight of the two teams ensured the Air Force provided over 8,000 officers with career guidance, resulting in the selection of over 758 highly qualified officers for command positions.
Chuck Lutes, Former Director for Nonproliferation on the National Security Staff, Joins the Project on National Reform as a Senior Advisor
February 28, 2011 in News by admin
WASHINGTON, DC – The Project on National Security Reform is pleased to announce Chuck Lutes, a recently retired Air Force Colonel, has joined the PNSR as a Senior Advisor. Until retirement, Colonel Lutes served as the Director for Nonproliferation on President Obama’s National Security Staff at the White House, and previously as Director for Counterproliferation Strategy on President George W. Bush’s National Security Council staff.
“My twenty-eight year military career took me from the flight line to the White House, and has convinced me of the need for reform at every level of our national security system,” said Colonel Lutes. “We owe it to our soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen and to the American taxpayer to transform our government to make it more flexible and agile to meet the security threats of the 21st century. I am pleased to be part of that effort through PNSR.”
“Chuck brings with him recent insight from the highest levels of U.S. policymaking, deep knowledge of national security issues from space to nuclear weapons, and education in organizational analysis,” said PNSR President and CEO James R. Locher III. “Chuck’s experience makes him a perfect fit for PNSR. We are thrilled to have him with us.”
Chuck Lutes is also an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) at the National Defense University and a Senior Analyst with The Tauri Group, an innovator in analytical consulting that applies creative, responsive problem-solving to homeland security, defense, and space enterprises.
While on active duty as an Air Force Colonel Lutes also served as a Senior Military Fellow at INSS, and in the Directorate for Plans, Policy and Strategy (J5) on the Pentagon’s Joint Staff as Chief of the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Division, Chief of Strategic Plans, and Chief of Engagement Strategy.
Chuck Lutes holds engineering degrees from Duke University and the Air Force Institute of Technology, and has completed doctoral coursework in Human and Organizational Learning through the Executive Leadership Program at The George Washington University. He was also a National Security Fellow at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Experts Consider Unity of Effort in National Security Operations Abroad
WASHINGTON, DC – On February 23, the second roundtable event in a series addressing legal affairs on national security transformation took place at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. “Unity of Effort in National Security Operations Abroad” examined the practical, political, and legal aspects of alternative means to promote unity of effort in these instances.
The American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Law and National Security, Bingham McCutchen LLC, the Bipartisan Policy Center National Security Preparedness Group, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) co-sponsored the event, made possible through the generous support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Participants included over forty legal and subject-matter experts with experiences ranging from U.S. federal military and civilian service, state governments, law firms, and think tanks. Topics covered the importance of unity of effort in national security operations, how this unity of effort might be achieved and the recommendation to apply the model of an expanded chief-of-mission authority to the problem. Regional frameworks for managing national security affairs abroad and the PNSR recommendation to establish integrated regional centers were also discussed. The roundtable event concluded with a discussion on the use of cross-functional interagency teaming at the sub-regional level.
Roundtable Chair and President and CEO of PNSR James R. Locher III stated: “As part of the discussion today, we answered the question that unity of effort is not only possible, but it is imperative. The experience and expertise of the participants provided great insight as to possible ways to proceed forward in addressing the lack of unity of effort on multiple levels of our national security operations abroad.”
This roundtable event was the second in a series of three roundtables and will include a concluding conference. The final roundtable will take place in May and will focus on intelligence reform. During the concluding conference, a final report will be produced to broaden awareness among participants and stakeholders of the process of shaping the legal instruments required to achieve national security transformation.
Groundbreaking Paper on Authorities for Interagency Teams
WASHINGTON, DC – The Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) recently released a paper entitled “Chief of Mission Authority as a Model for National Security Integration” authored by Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) affiliates Dr. Christopher Lamb and Ambassador Edward Marks. This paper is a significant accomplishment for the national security transformation research agenda on interagency teams.
Please find a link to the full report below:
http://www.ndu.edu/inss/docUploaded/INSS%20Strategic%20Perspectives%202_Lamb%20.pdf
Overview of the Paper
Interagency teams — groups of people with diverse expertise given the authority to manage a single national security issue — are a national security system innovation that could increase the government’s responsiveness to threats and opportunities. Currently, the system lacks strong integrating authorities to achieve this.
To understand how interagency teams can function, Dr. Lamb and Ambassador Marks studied the Chief of Mission Authority granted to Ambassadors to manage embassies around the world. Embassies are staffed with people from myriad agencies: diplomats, military and intelligence officers, law enforcement professionals, development specialists and many others. Dr. Lamb and Ambassador Marks recommend expanding the use of Chief of Mission authority to “Mission Managers”, leaders who would be empowered to run other interagency teams throughout the national security system.
National security professionals usually receive authoritative direction only through their home department or agency, leading to friction when working on teams whose membership reflects multiple departments. In the paper, Dr. Lamb and Amb. Marks argue, “‘Unity of command’ from the President on down through the functional departments and agencies seems to preclude “unity of effort” for missions that are intrinsically interagency in nature and cut across those same chains of command.”
Implementation of these recommendations would require a legislative initiative to create Mission Managers, Senate confirmation of particular nominees and Congressional funding on a case-by-case basis of larger interagency efforts. The intent would be to give the national security system the structural flexibility and agility required to address the fast-moving challenges of today and tomorrow.
Dr. Lamb is Distinguished Research Fellow and Director of the Center for Strategic Research at INSS at the National Defense University. In 2008 Dr. Lamb was assigned to the PNSR study of the national security system, which led to the 2008 report, “Forging a New Shield.” Prior to joining INSS in 2004, Dr. Lamb served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Resources and Plans where he had oversight of war plans, requirements, acquisition, and resource allocation matters for the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy).
Ambassador Marks was a Foreign Service Officer of the United States from 1959-1995, retiring with the rank of Minister-Counselor. During his career he served in many countries in Africa, in the Office for Combating Terrorism, and at the United Nations. He has been a consultant to the World Food Program and the United Nations Development Program (on reorganization of the foreign affairs ministries of several countries that were former members of the Soviet Union). He is currently an active consultant, lecturer, and writer on crisis management and U.N. affairs. He is also the Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Foreign Service Journal.
Tom Ridge Joins the Project on National Security Reform’s Guiding Coalition
First Secretary of Homeland Security to Contribute Guidance on Critical National Security Concerns
WASHINGTON, DC – The Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) is pleased to announce that The Honorable Tom Ridge has joined PNSR’s Guiding Coalition, a group of pre-eminent national security leaders working to transform the national security system. Secretary Ridge joins former Director of National Intelligence Admiral Dennis Blair, former Treasury Deputy Secretary Robert Kimmitt and former OMB Director James Nussle as recent appointments to the Guiding Coalition.
Ridge, the nation’s first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and former governor of Pennsylvania, is currently president and CEO of Ridge Global, an international security and risk management firm, headquartered in Washington, DC.
Of PNSR’s work, Ridge said, “Every day I see the serious challenges in the national security system that PNSR is working to resolve. I am pleased to contribute to PNSR’s important mission.”
During his tenure as secretary of DHS, Ridge worked with more than 180,000-plus employees from a combined 22 agencies to create an agency that facilitated the flow of people and goods, instituted layered security at air, land and seaports, developed a unified national response and recovery plan, protected critical infrastructure, integrated new technology and improved information sharing worldwide. Ridge served as secretary of this historic and critical endeavor until February 1, 2005.
PNSR President and CEO James R. Locher III said, “I am delighted that to welcome Secretary Ridge as a member of the PNSR team as we enter an exciting phase of continuing growth and maturity. His deep experience as a governor of change in Pennsylvania and as the first secretary of homeland security will be a tremendous asset.”
Prior to his appointment at DHS, Ridge became the first director of the White House Office of Homeland Security following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Ridge’s charge was to develop a comprehensive homeland security strategy and coordinate the government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s protection against terrorist attacks.
Ridge was twice elected governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001, where he led the state to excel in economic development, education, health and the environment. In 1982, he became one of the first Vietnam combat veterans elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and was overwhelmingly re-elected by Pennsylvania voters five times. Ridge graduated with honors from Harvard University in 1967 and received his J.D. from the Dickinson School of Law.
“Tom Ridge brings perspectives from state government, the executive branch, and legislative branch – all incredibly important given that our national security requires that we work together throughout all levels of government to keep our nation secure,” said Locher.
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1179
|
__label__cc
| 0.706957
| 0.293043
|
Why You Should Teach in the UK
For Teachers, Teaching in England
The UK is one of the most popular countries teachers are relocating to, and for good reason! Britain not only has great schools that teachers are proud to teach at, but the UK has something for everyone in terms of landscape and lifestyle.
We’ve rounded up our favourite reasons why you should consider teaching in the UK.
Why You Should Teach Overseas In The UK:
The UK has some of the world’s most prestigious schools
People from around the world relocate to the UK just to get their children in some of the fantastic schools here or to enrol themselves in one of the best universities in the world. Eton and Harrow are two examples of world-renowned institutions where tradition and education are taken seriously. Graduates from Eton and Harrow have gone on to change the world, including Winston Churchill and George Orwell.
Europe’s on the doorstep
With excellent transportation links, it is easy to take a spontaneous weekend trip to almost anywhere in Europe. Fly, drive, take a train, or jump on a ferry to get to mainland Europe and explore the different cities, each offering something different.
It is a real eye-opener when you’re able to visit many European cities and see another corner of the world so easily from the UK. Travelling to mainland Europe is also inexpensive, providing many opportunities to go exploring!
Experience in British schools is highly sought after
Because of the UK’s reputation for exceptional education, many employers look favourably on experience in teaching here. When teaching in the UK, many educators develop new skills they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to build upon. Because children are taught independent thinking early on, this can be challenging for teachers, but these challenges only help personal and professional growth that future employers will recognise. Teaching in the UK can be a way to open up doors to other places around the world to progress your career in the future.
There is currently a teaching shortage
Unfortunately, the UK is in a bit of a slump when it comes to recruiting quality teachers, but this is good news for other talented teachers around the world who are willing to jump at the opportunity to teach overseas.
Instead of relying on supply teachers, schools want a more permanent solution to be able to promote a more stable learning environment. Britain is actively looking for teachers from overseas, especially in core subjects like English, Mathematics and Science to fill roles up and down the country. Point to Point Education are certified and accredited by the UK Government and UK Department of Education as a provider of overseas teachers to the UK.
London is one of the best cities for opportunity
This bustling city not only has so much to offer in terms of employment opportunities, but is also a great place for anyone looking for an exciting and active lifestyle. There is so much to see and do just in London alone, but there are also great transportation links here to other parts of the country and to Europe.
It isn’t just London that’s great though. The UK has a myriad of fantastic cities and towns, each having a story to tell with its rich history. There are big cities, seaside towns, mountainous regions and plenty of rolling green countryside.
Point-to-Point Education works to put the most talented teachers in UK schools. We match teachers from around the world to the perfect UK-based school and provide support during the whole process, including filling out the appropriate paperwork, obtaining the right visa, and advice when needed. We’re always available to answer any questions before and during your placement.
Feeling inspired? Contact Point-to-Point Education to take your first steps towards a new adventure in teaching.
Live and Teach in Bedfordshire
For Teachers Information for Teachers Teaching in England Tips tips for teaching in the UK
Want to teach in Bedfordshire? Located in the East of England, Bedfordshire is a historic county that has Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire as bordering counties. It has a combination…
Teach and live in Surrey
Teach and live in Surrey Filled with heritage and culture, Surrey is one of the most beautiful regions in England. Surrey is a county in South East England and is…
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1180
|
__label__cc
| 0.537512
| 0.462488
|
Posted on November 8, 2020 by Portsmouth Daily Times
By Tim Throckmorton - Contributing Columnist
In the year 1681, Quaker minister William Penn was given the land between New York and Maryland. His desire for this land was clear, “my God that has given it to me…will, I believe, bless and make it the seed of a nation.” In 1682, the Great Law of Pennsylvania revealed the desire of Penn and the inhabitants of the colony to establish “laws as shall best preserve true Christian and civil liberty, in opposition to all unchristian, licentious, and unjust practices.” Listen to William Penn’s Biblical philosophy in the Frame of Government writing: “When the great and wise God had made the world, of all His creatures, it pleased Him to choose man his Deputy to rule it; and to fit Him for so great a charge and trust, He did not only qualify him with skill and power, but with integrity to use them justly.” And God did use the land, for from the loins of this colony came the birth of freedom unparalleled in world history.
Fast forward to the early spring of 1776, in a brief essay entitled Thoughts on Government, John Adams wrote, “You and I, my dear friend, have been sent into life at a time when the greatest lawgivers of antiquity would have wished to live. How few of the human race have ever enjoyed an opportunity of making an election of government, more than of air, soil, or climate, for themselves or their children! When, before the present epocha, had three millions of people full power and a fair opportunity to form and establish the wisest and happiest government that human wisdom can contrive?” There has never been a moment in time just like this Adams observed. In a colony, long since dedicated to God, this soil would transform the world.
In the year 1787, the founders who wrote and ratified the Constitution sensed a particular influence among them and went out of their way to acknowledge God in the documents creation: James Madison noted, “It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it a finger of that Almighty Hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the Revolution.” Alexander Hamilton also reflected, “for my own part, I sincerely esteem it a system which without the finger of God never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests.” Again, from this soil came the longest living form of Government the world would ever know.
Let’s consider a young Maine schoolteacher, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain who in Gettysburg Pennsylvania on the hot, humid day of July 2, 1863 was in the fight of his life. Earlier, a Colonel Vincent had placed Chamberlain and his men of the 20th at the end of that line, saying, “Whatever you do, you can’t let them come
through here.” If the Confederate Army overran them, the rebels would gain the high ground, and the Union Army would be quickly defeated. In essence, eighty thousand men would be caught from behind with no protection. After many attacks and late in the day with no reinforcements and very little ammunition, Chamberlain stepped to the top of the wall in full view of the advancing enemy. “Fix bayonets now!” As the cry Charge echoed from the hilltop, they advanced over the rock ledge. Within five more minutes, the ragged group of eighty men under Chamberlain’s command-with very ammunition-captured over four hundred soldiers of the enemy.
Historians have determined that had Chamberlain not charged that day, the rebels would have won at Gettysburg. Further, historians tell us, had the rebels won at Gettysburg, the South would have won the war…and the war itself would have been over by the end of the summer. Historians insist that if the South had won the war, we would now live on a territorially fragmented continent much like Europe-North America would be divided into nine to thirteen countries. Which means: When Hitler swept across Europe in the 1940s, had Chamberlain not charged on that afternoon so long ago, there would not have existed a United States of America to stand in the breach. When Hirohito systematically invaded the islands of the South Pacific, there would not have been a country big enough, strong enough, wealthy enough, and populous enough to fight and win two wars on two fronts at the same time.
The United States of America some say exists as it does today because of a single man’s bravery on a hill in that very ground of which William Penn declared, “I believe, bless and make it the seed of a nation.” As President Abraham Lincoln’s words spoken over a year later in that same Pennsylvania town reflected, “This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” This freedom is now in our hands. I truly sense that Americans today desire to preserve the grand republic! I do know this for certain, that whatever the outcome of today’s election, the God of William Penn is still alive and well!
https://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2020/11/web1_Throckmorton.jpg
By Tim Throckmorton
This writer’s opinion is their own and not the opinion of this newspaper
Tim Throckmorton is the Midwest Director of Ministry for the Family Research Council. he can be reached at 740-935-1406
Hi! A visitor to our site felt the following article might be of interest to you: Sacred Ground. Here is a link to that story: http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/opinion/54881/sacred-ground
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1182
|
__label__cc
| 0.647798
| 0.352202
|
How Foods May Affect Our Sleep
By Anahad O’Connor | December 31, 2020 | The New York Times
This has not been a very good year for sleep.
With the pandemic, school and work disruptions and a contentious election season contributing to countless sleepless nights, sleep experts have encouraged people to adopt a variety of measures to overcome their stress-related insomnia. Among their recommendations: engage in regular exercise, establish a nightly bedtime routine and cut back on screen time and social media.
But many people may be overlooking another important factor in poor sleep: diet. A growing body of research suggests that the foods you eat can affect how well you sleep, and your sleep patterns can affect your dietary choices.
Researchers have found that eating a diet that is high in sugar, saturated fat and processed carbohydrates can disrupt your sleep, while eating more plants, fiber and foods rich in unsaturated fat — such as nuts, olive oil, fish and avocados — seems to have the opposite effect, helping to promote sound sleep.
Much of what we know about sleep and diet comes from large epidemiological studies that, over the years, have found that people who suffer from consistently bad sleep tend to have poorer quality diets, with less protein, fewer fruits and vegetables, and a higher intake of added sugar from foods like sugary beverages, desserts and ultra-processed foods. But by their nature, epidemiological studies can show only correlations, not cause and effect. They cannot explain, for example, whether poor diet precedes and leads to poor sleep, or the reverse.
To get a better understanding of the relationship between diet and sleep, some researchers have turned to randomized controlled trials in which they tell participants what to eat and then look for changes in their sleep. A number of studies have looked at the impact of a diverse array of individual foods, from warm milk to fruit juice. But those studies often have been small and not very rigorous.
Some of these trials have also been funded by the food industry, which can bias results. One study funded by Zespri International, the world’s largest marketer of kiwi fruit, for example, found that people assigned to eat two kiwis an hour before their bedtime every night for four weeks had improvements in their sleep onset, duration and efficiency. The authors of the study attributed their findings in part to an “abundance” of antioxidants in kiwis. But importantly, the study lacked a control group, so it is possible that any benefits could have resulted from the placebo effect.
Other studies funded by the cherry industry have found that drinking tart cherry juice can modestly improve sleep in people with insomnia, supposedly by promoting tryptophan, one of the building blocks of the sleep-regulating hormone melatonin. Tryptophan is an amino acid found in many foods, including dairy and turkey, which is one of the reasons commonly given for why so many of us feel so sleepy after our Thanksgiving feasts. But tryptophan has to cross the blood-brain barrier to have any soporific effects, and in the presence of other amino acids found in food it ends up competing, largely unsuccessfully, for absorption. Studies show that eating protein-rich foods such as milk and turkey on their own actually decreases the ability of tryptophan to cross the blood-brain barrier.
One way to enhance tryptophan’s uptake is to pair foods that contain it with carbohydrates. That combination stimulates the release of insulin, which causes competing amino acids to be absorbed by muscles, in turn making it easier for tryptophan to cross into the brain, said Marie-Pierre St-Onge, an associate professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the director of the Sleep Center of Excellence at Columbia.
St-Onge has spent years studying the relationship between diet and sleep. Her work suggests that rather than emphasizing one or two specific foods with supposedly sleep-inducing properties, it is better to focus on the overall quality of your diet. In one randomized clinical trial, she and her colleagues recruited 26 healthy adults and controlled what they ate for four days, providing them regular meals prepared by nutritionists while also monitoring how they slept at night. On the fifth day, the subjects were allowed to eat whatever they wanted.
The researchers discovered that eating more saturated fat and less fiber from foods like vegetables, fruits and whole grains led to reductions in slow-wave sleep, which is the deep, restorative kind. In general, clinical trials have also found that carbohydrates have a significant impact on sleep: People tend to fall asleep much faster at night when they consume a high-carbohydrate diet compared to when they consume a high-fat or high-protein diet. That may have something to do with carbs helping tryptophan cross into the brain more easily.
But the quality of carbs matters. In fact, they can be a double-edged sword when it comes to slumber. St-Onge has found in her research that when people eat more sugar and simple carbs — such as white bread, bagels, pastries and pasta — they wake up more frequently throughout the night. In other words, eating carbs may help you fall asleep faster, but it is best to consume “complex” carbs that contain fiber, which may help you obtain more deep, restorative sleep.
“Complex carbohydrates provide a more stable blood sugar level,” said St-Onge. “So if blood sugar levels are more stable at night, that could be the reason complex carbohydrates are associated with better sleep.”
One example of a dietary pattern that may be optimal for better sleep is the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes such foods as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, seafood, poultry, yogurt, herbs and spices and olive oil. Large observational studies have found that people who follow this type of dietary pattern are less likely to suffer from insomnia and short sleep, though more research is needed to confirm the correlation.
But the relationship between poor diet and bad sleep is a two-way street: Scientists have found that as people lose sleep, they experience physiological changes that can nudge them to seek out junk food. In clinical trials, healthy adults who are allowed to sleep only four or five hours a night end up consuming more calories and snacking more frequently throughout the day. They experience significantly more hunger and their preference for sweet foods increases.
In men, sleep deprivation stimulates increased levels of ghrelin, the so-called hunger hormone, while in women, restricting sleep leads to lower levels of GLP-1, a hormone that signals satiety,
“So in men, short sleep promotes greater appetite and desire to eat, and in women there is less of a signal that makes you stop eating,” said St-Onge.
Changes also occur in the brain. St-Onge found that when men and women were restricted to four hours of nightly sleep for five nights in a row, they had greater activation in reward centers of the brain in response to pepperoni pizza, doughnuts and candy compared to healthy foods such as carrots, yogurt, oatmeal and fruit. After five nights of normal sleep, however, this pattern of stronger brain responses to the junk food disappeared.
Another study, led by researchers at King’s College London, also demonstrated how proper sleep can increase your willpower to avoid unhealthy foods. It found that habitually short sleepers who went through a program to help them sleep longer — resulting in their getting roughly an hour of additional sleep each night — had improvements in their diet. The most striking change was that they cut about 10 grams of added sugar from their diets each day, the equivalent of about two and a half teaspoons.
The takeaway is that diet and sleep are entwined. Improving one can help you improve the other and vice versa, creating a positive cycle where they perpetuate one another, said Dr. Susan Redline, a senior physician at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a professor of sleep medicine at Harvard Medical School who studies diet and sleep disorders.
“The best way to approach health is to emphasize a healthy diet and healthy sleep,” she added. “These are two very important health behaviors that can reinforce each other.”
Anahad O’Connor
Getting Sleep in the Hospital
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1184
|
__label__wiki
| 0.822646
| 0.822646
|
Authentic original newspapers for sale
Birthday & Gift Issues
All The 1600's and 1700's - American - British - Revolutionary War The Civil War - Confederate - Yankee The Old West Harper's Weekly - 1857-1860 - 1861-1865 - 1866-1869 - 1870-1879 - 1880-1889 - 1890-1899 - 1900-1916 Moments in American History - Post-Civil War - Pre-Civil War The 20th Century - World War II Displayable Issues Wholesale Lots War of 1812 Documents & Broadsides The 21st Century
Home > Back to Search Results > On Ben Franklin's will... Northwest coast of America...
Show image list »
On Ben Franklin's will... Northwest coast of America...
Item # 638619 THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1790 Included is: "Remarks on the Slave Trade Occasioned by Bruce's Travels". Near the back is a brief bit noting: "The common council at Paris paid to the illustrious Franklyn [Franklin] tribute of homage, singular in its nature but due from a free & enlightened city to the memory of a man who gave liberty to the New World...". Ben Franklin had just died a few months previous. Also a very early items concerning the Northwest Coast of America: "Declaration--His Britannic Majesty having complained of the capture of certain vessels belonging to his subjects in the Port of Nootka, situated on the North-west coast of America...further engages to make full restitution of all the British vessels which were captured at Nootka..." plus more on this.
Also of much interest is most of a column taken up with particulars of: "Dr. Franklin's Will" from Boston, noting how much of his wealth is being distributed. Also a bit on honoring him in Europe.
Included are the 3 full page plates called for, one including a view of Salisbury, and another showing many early coins.
Complete in 96 pages, 5 1/4 by 8 1/4 inches, full title/contents page with an engraving of St. John's Gate, nice condition.
A very nice magazine from the "mother country" with a wide range of varied content. This was the first periodical to use the word "magazine" in its title, having begun in 1731 and lasting until 1907.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
Genuine London Gazette newspaper from...
Mutiny on the Bounty... Captain Willi...
18th century Philadelphia, Pennsylvan...
View more related titles »
About Us Related Links Become a Member FAQs
Birthday Issues Gift Ideas Our Catalog Best of the Best
Informative Videos Featured Collections List of Common Reprints Recent Additions
Follow @rarenewspapers
Terms & Conditions| Return Policy| Privacy Policy| DMCA| Contact Us
Copyright © 2021 Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
|
cc/2021-04/en_head_0036.json.gz/line1185
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.