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Simon Baynes MP welcomes Prime Minister's Ten-Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution for 250,000 jobs
Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of an ambitious ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution which will create and support up to 250,000 British jobs.
Covering clean energy, transport, nature and innovative technologies, the Prime Minister’s blueprint will allow the UK to forge ahead with eradicating its contribution to climate change by 2050, particularly crucial in the run up to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow next year.
The plan – which is part of the PM’s mission to level up across the country - will mobilise £12 billion of government investment to create and support up to 250,000 highly-skilled green jobs in the UK, and spur over three times as much private sector investment by 2030.
At the centre of his blueprint are the UK’s industrial heartlands, including in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, Scotland and Wales, which will drive forward the green industrial revolution and build green jobs and industries of the future.
The Prime Minister’s ten points, which are built around the UK’s strengths, are:
1. Offshore wind: Producing enough offshore wind to power every home, quadrupling how much we produce to 40GW by 2030, supporting up to 60,000 jobs.
2. Hydrogen: Working with industry aiming to generate 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 for industry, transport, power and homes, developing the first town heated entirely by hydrogen by the end of the decade.
3. Nuclear: Advancing nuclear as a clean energy source, across large scale nuclear and developing the next generation of small and advanced reactors, which could support 10,000 jobs.
4. Electric vehicles: Backing our world-leading car manufacturing bases including in the West Midlands, North East and North Wales to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, and transforming our national infrastructure to better support electric vehicles.
5. Public transport, cycling and walking: Making cycling and walking more attractive ways to travel and investing in zero-emission public transport of the future.
6. Jet Zero and greener maritime: Supporting difficult-to-decarbonise industries to become greener through research projects for zero-emission planes and ships.
7. Homes and public buildings: Making our homes, schools and hospitals greener, warmer and more energy efficient, whilst creating 50,000 jobs by 2030, and a target to install 600,000 heat pumps every year by 2028.
8. Carbon capture: Becoming a world-leader in technology to capture and store harmful emissions away from the atmosphere, with a target to remove 10MT of carbon dioxide by 2030, equivalent to all emissions of the industrial Humber today.
9. Nature: Protecting and restoring our natural environment, planting 30,000 hectares of trees every year, whilst creating and retaining thousands of jobs.
10. Innovation and finance: Developing the cutting-edge technologies needed to reach these new energy ambitions and make the City of London the global centre of green finance.
To support this acceleration, the Prime Minister has announced £1.3 billion to accelerate the rollout of charge points for electric vehicles in homes, streets and on motorways across England, so people can more easily and conveniently charge their cars. £582 million in grants for those buying zero or ultra-low emission vehicles to make them cheaper to buy and incentivise more people to make the transition. And nearly £500 million to be spent in the next four years for the development and mass-scale production of electric vehicle batteries, as part of our commitment to provide up to £1 billion, boosting international investment into our strong manufacturing bases including in the Midlands and North East.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Although this year has taken a very different path to the one we expected, I haven’t lost sight of our ambitious plans to level up across the country. My Ten-Point Plan will create, support and protect hundreds of thousands of green jobs, whilst making strides towards net zero by 2050.
“Our green industrial revolution will be powered by the wind turbines of Scotland and the North East, propelled by the electric vehicles made in the Midlands and advanced by the latest technologies developed in Wales, so we can look ahead to a more prosperous, greener future.”
Simon Baynes MP said:
“The Prime Minister’s announcement is hugely ambitious and will turbo-charge a green industrial revolution across Wales and the UK.
“With its established offshore wind, nuclear and electric vehicle industries, Wales is exceptionally well-placed to drive forward decarbonisation of energy, industry and domestic heating and be a centre for innovation in green technology like carbon capture.
“The Prime Minister’s ten-point plan is excellent news for Clwyd South which will benefit from the UK Government’s Green Industrial Revolution.”
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Download Interventional Neuroradiology ebooks in PDF, epub, tuebl, textbook from Skinvaders.Com. Read online Interventional Neuroradiology books on any device easily. We cannot guarantee that Interventional Neuroradiology book is available. Click download or Read Online button to get book, you can choose FREE Trial service. READ as many books as you like (Personal use).
Author : Robert W. Hurst,Robert H. Rosenwasser
Publisher : CRC Press
GET BOOK!
Through the combination of the latest imaging modalities and microdevice delivery, interventional neuroradiologic techniques are currently revolutionizing the therapy for many of the most common neurological and neurosurgical disorders. Crossing the boundaries of classically delineated medical and surgical specialties including neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and neurology, interventional neuroradiology uses advanced neuroimaging combined with endovascular techniques to guide catheters and devices through blood vessels. These procedures can treat diseases involving structures of the head, neck, and central nervous system. These advances now provide noninvasive treatment for many disorders that were previously treated only with open surgical techniques, and make treatments possible for many patients—who until recently would have had no acceptable therapeutic options. Interventional Neuroradiology discusses CT, MR, and ultrasonographic evaluation of cerebrovascular disease, focusing on current neuroimaging evaluation of disorders. It emphasizes the integration of current neuroimaging information into decision-making and performance practices for neuroendovascular procedures. The book describes clinical techniques and includes the most current technical modifications for the varying devices in use today. Filled with scientifically concise illustrations, the text depicts pertinent neuroanatomy, imaging, and neuroendovascular techniques. Written by a panel of today's leading experts in the field of interventional neuroradiology, this volume demonstrates the potential of these lifesaving techniques.
Author : Kieran Murphy,Fergus Robertson
Interventional radiology has seen a dramatic increase in the number of minimally invasive therapies performed. Interventional radiology treatments now play a major role in many disease processes and continues to grow with new procedures added to the armamentarium of the interventional radiologist, almost on a yearly basis. There are many textbooks which are disease specific, which incorporate interventional radiology techniques. These books are important to understand the natural history, epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnosis of disease processes. However, a detailed handbook that describes the technique of performing the various interventional radiology procedures is a useful addition to have in the Cath Lab, where information can be accessed easily before, during or even after a case. This technique-specific book is primarily of benefit to those in training in general radiology and more specifically for Residents and Fellows who are training in interventional radiology and who may be taking subspeciality certificate examinations in interventional radiology. In addition, this book will be of help to most practicing interventional radiologists, be they be in academic or private practice. This is the kind of book that can be left in the interventional lab and will be of benefit to ancillary staff, such as technicians/radiographers or nurses who are specialising in the care of patients referred to interventional radiology. This volume on neurointervention will enhance the series by expounding on the specific techniques required when working on conditions of the head, neck and spine.
Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology
Author : Klaus Sartor
Publisher : Univ of California Press
Release Date : 2002
In this abundantly illustrated text, you'll find the latest information on diseases, imaging principles, differential diagnosis, treatment strategies, and much more!
Author : N.A
Publisher : Elsevier
Interventional Neuroradiology, Volume 179, provides a basic outline of the field of interventional neuroradiology that is accessible to fellows, residents, clinicians and researchers in various disciplines, from diagnostic and interventional radiology to vascular neurology, general and vascular neurosurgery, and vascular biology. This volume offers a timely update to experienced clinical practitioners in a logical, easy-to-follow format. Content includes neurovascular anatomy, vascular biology, neurovascular physiology, vascular imaging, as well as sections on the diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of neurovascular disease. Explores the general scope of current clinical interventional neuroradiology, both for endovascular and percutaneous image-guided diagnosis and interventions in a variety of pathologies Defines basic physiological principles (e.g., cerebral perfusion pressure, intracranial pressure, vasospasm, tissue osmolality) with reference to those most essential to the management of neurovascular diseases Discusses pathophysiology and the unique challenges of pediatric cerebrovascular diseases, as well as endovascular and surgical therapies
Case-Based Interventional Neuroradiology
Author : Timo Krings,Sasikhan Geibprasert,Karel ter Brugge
Featuring comprehensive coverage of the latest developments and technology in the field, Case-Based Interventional Neuroradiology provides a thorough review of commonly encountered neurovascular diseases, as well as detailed background information on the rationale for each treatment choice.Cases center on real life scenarios with high-quality images, and offer readers a concise, practical, and up-to-date approach to the diseases neurointerventionalists face. Each case describes the clinical presentation, the non-invasive imaging studies, and the treatment, including equipment used and a step-by-step description of the intervention. The authors then thoroughly discuss the case and provide background information on the disease, differential diagnoses, and a description of the non-invasive workup, including the physical exam and required imaging studies. A separate section in each case contains alternate treatment options -- including medical, surgical, or radiosurgical treatment options -- in order to broaden the reader's understanding of the benefits or disadvantages of treatments provided by related disciplines. Clinicians can rapidly refresh their knowledge on the success and complications rates of the different treatment options using the up-to-date literature review and a literature review featuring the latest references.Features 72 clinical cases enhanced by over 750 high-quality radiographs cover the full range of vascular and nonvascular neurointerventional diseases Interpretations of clinical and imaging findings help readers to fully understand the reasons for the treatment choice and the specific goals to be achieved Presents tips on how to avoid complications, as well as how to recognize and manage complications when they occur Examples of both successful and unsuccessful cases offer a well-rounded perspective Readers are brought quickly up to speed with practical information on imaging findings, the physical exam, epidemiology, differential diagnoses, treatment modalities, the risks of alternate treatments, and current studies This cutting-edge compendium is an essential resource for both the beginning interventionalist and the seasoned practitioner in radiology, interventional radiology, neuroradiology, and vascular neurosurgery. Residents will find the succinct presentation of cases an invaluable learning tool.
Author : Anton Valavanis
The methods of interventional neuroradiology represent a distinct and difficult branch with in the new field of interventional radiology. The editor of this volume, Anton Valavanis, is a pioneer in this area, and one of the outstanding neuroradiologists in the world. Furthermore, he has brought together the foremost scientists and clinical neuroradiologists in the field to present the individual chapters. The book gives an overview ofthe state of the art in interventional neuroradiology. Each of the 12 chapters is devoted to a disease which can be treated by interventional neuroradio logical techniques. Pertinent information is provided on anatomical detail, technical back ground, and clinical aspects; in each case a detailed description of the indications, techniques, and possible complications of interventional neuroradiology is provided. Due consideration is given to the endovascular and nonvascular applications of the techniques. This book is the first comprehensive update of interventional neuroradiology and will acquaint the reader with well-established facts, recent advances, and future perspectives within this new discipline. It will be of special value to those working in neuroradiology but will also prove very helpful for neurosurgeons, neurologists, and ophthalmologists, as well as all physicians and researchers in the clinical neurosciences. We hope that the book will meet with the reception and success that it undoubtedly merits.
Endovascular Interventional Neuroradiology
Author : Robert N.N. Holtzman,Bennett M. Stein
Endovascular Interventional Neuroradiology is comprised of selected papers from the prestigious "Stonwin Medical" "Conference," which each summer invites a group of internationally prominent neuroscientists, bioengineers, neurosurgeons, and radiologists to explore and discuss selected topics of neurosurgical investigation. This volume addresses recent advances in endovascular approaches to cerebral circulation, including: Surgical exposure of the superior ophthalmic vein in the management of carotid cavernous fistulas at Johns Hopkins; Current and future perspectives in interventional neuroradiology at New York University; Interventional neuroradiology; Principles of endovascular neurosurgery: N.N. Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute; Intravascular embolization of craniocerebral vascular diseases: Beijing Neurosurgical Institute; and more.
Interventional Neuroradiology of the Spine
Author : Mario Muto
ISBN 10 : 884702790X
Accurate interpretation of indications for treatment is the cornerstone of success in medicine. This book carefully examines the relation between clinical features, diagnosis, and choice of minimally invasive technique for a range of spine pathologies. It explains how selection of technique is intimately related to clinical and diagnostic aspects and how recognition of this relation forms the foundation for an optimal outcome. In addition to examining the various minimally invasive options, including the latest techniques, careful attention is paid to the role of medical treatment in avoiding recurrence after initial therapy. Nerve blocks, epidural injections, and intradiscal procedures are among the many options available in the armamentarium of the interventionalist, and advice is given on their use in different contexts. This volume will be of great value for neuroradiologists and others responsible for treating patients with spine disorders.
Tutorials in Endovascular Neurosurgery and Interventional Neuroradiology
Author : James Vincent Byrne
This book aims to provide the trainee and practicing minimally invasive neurological therapist with a comprehensive understanding of the background science and theory that forms the foundation of their work. The contents are based on the tutorial teaching techniques used at the University of Oxford and are authored by the MSc Course Director. The tutorial is a learning episode focussed on a particular topic and intended to guide the student/reader through the background literature, to highlight the research on which standard practices are based and to provide the insights of an experienced practitioner. Each chapter of the book covers a different topic to build a complete review of the subspecialty, with in-depth discussion of all currently used techniques. The literature is reviewed and presented in context to illustrate its importance to the practice of this rapidly expanding field of medical treatment.
Imaging of Brain Metabolism Spine and Cord Interventional Neuroradiology Free Communications
Author : Maschallah Nadjmi
The proceedings of the XVth Congress of the European Society of Neuroradiology are presented in this volume. The four main topics are: new imaging of brain metabolism, the spine and cord, interventional neuroradiology, and free communications including multiple sclerosis, AIDS and the hypophysis.
Neurovascular Anatomy in Interventional Neuroradiology: A Case-Based Approach
Author : Timo Krings,Sasikhan Geibprasert,Juan Pablo Cruz
This case-based book presents detailed information on neurovascular anatomy in concise, easily digestible chapters that focus on the importance of understanding anatomy when performing neurointerventional procedures. The case discussions include modern examples of invasive and non-invasive angiographic techniques that are relevant for general radiologists and diagnostic neuroradiologists as well as interventionalists. This book gives readers the detailed knowledge of neurovascular anatomy that allows them to anticipate and avoid potential complications. All neuroradiologists, interventionalists, general radiologists, and diagnostic neuroradiologists, as well as residents and fellows in these specialties, will read this book cover to cover and frequently consult it for a quick review before performing procedures.
Author : J. J. Connors,Joan C. Wojak
Publisher : W B Saunders Company
ISBN 10 :
Here's a comprehensive guide to the very latest procedures in interventional neuroradiology. State-of-the-art interventional therapies such as embolization, aneurysm treatment via catheters, emergency drug treatment of brain tumors, head and neck angioplasty, stroke treatment, and more are covered in ready-to-use, step-by-step detail. Presents the latest developments in emerging areasfields such as brachiocephalic revascularization (including carotid artery stenting and intracranial angioplasty), emergency stroke treatment, and coil embolization of aneurysms. Covers many topics not found in other textssuch as percutaneous therapy for herniated discs; treatments for superficial head and neck vascular malformations; pharmacology in interventional neuroradiology, and more. Examines each neuroradiologic disease in detail, discussing why treatment is necessary, what materials are needed, how to conduct treatment, what results to expect, and how to manage and avoid complications. Offers more than one example of many pathologies, since individual cases of the same disease may require completely different approaches. Includes more than 1385 detailed illustrations that depict maneuvers and their results step by step.
Imaging of Interventional Neuroradiology
Author : Feng Ling
Publisher : Peoples Medical Publishing House
Offers descriptions of the theoretical background and the practical aspects of the interventional neuroradiology. This book includes a special discussion on the complications occurring during interventional treatment in the hope of avoiding repeated mistakes. It features schematic illustrations, 3D sketches, and charts.
Author : Charles J. Prestigiacomo
Covering not only the latest techniques but also the science and rationale behind neuroendovascular treatment, this reference reflects the current knowledge base of the endovascular surgical neuroradiology subspecialty. It covers all aspects of neuroendovascular surgery, such as the science of vascular biology to the more advanced clinical applications in acute stroke interventions and AVMs. Written by neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroradiologists, this timely text provides readers with a thorough review of all the considerations pertinent to the endovascular treatment of diseases of the cerebrovascular system, spine, head, and neck. Key Features: Technique chapters include complication avoidance and management High-quality, unique illustrations and up-to-date images guide the reader through clinical concepts and technically challenging procedures Covers topics that are often overlooked but are critical to understanding the dynamics of endovascular treatment, such as the use of anticoagulants or procoagulants and the biophysics of vascular disease Each chapter ends with a Summary which distills and highlights the key takeaways for that topic Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology is a key resource that trainees as well as more seasoned clinicians will refer to repeatedly over the course of their careers.
Interventional and Endovascular Therapy of the Nervous System
Author : Pearse Morris
Dr. Pearse Morris has written a timely and comprehensive reference for those who are interested in expanding their knowledge of neuroendovascular procedures, but have not had a specialized neuroradiology fellowship. The emphasis throughout is on patient safety and the outcome of various treatments. Neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, and neurologists will find this reference a much needed and practical asset for both their education and for updating their practices.
Advances in Interventional Neuroradiology and Intravascular Neurosurgery
Author : Waro Taki,Luc Picard,Haruhiko Kikuchi
Publisher : Excerpta Medica
Hardbound. The treatment of cerebrovascular lesions has undergone remarkable changes, with surgery being replaced by interventional radiological treatment. The greatest innovation can be seen in the treatment of aneurysms combined with the progress management of vasospasm. Additionally, treatment of arteriovenous malformations became more sophisticated, combined with surgery and/or stereotaxic irradiation. Both thrombolytic therapy and angioplasty widened their indications, greatly increasing the number of clinical cases and providing analytic opportunities of the relatively long-term follow-up of angioplasty. This book will provide a better understanding and will further promote this field of new scientific therapy.
Author : James V. Byrne
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Interventional Neuroradiology describes a range of endovascular, percutaneous and imaging techniques used in the region of the brain, spine, and head and neck. These techniques have a growing number of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The coverage starts with a look at the anatomy of the regions concerned, then moves on to describe the techniques and equipment used, before covering their application in a range of specific diseases, including stroke, aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, tumours and vascular malformations. The book closes with a section looking at other related aspects of patient care and service organisation. James Byrne has commissioned chapters from renowned international experts in this field. This is a concise and up-to-date book on interventional neuroradiology, and unlike other available texts, it covers both the theoretical background as well as the practical aspects of this exciting discipline.
Publisher : Springer
The new edition of this book updates an established text written for trainees and practicing endovascular therapists.The content is based on the curriculum of the Endovascular Neurosurgery MSc degree course at Oxford University and its tutorial system of teaching. The tutorial is a learning episode focused on a particular topic. The book is presented as a series of tutorials, which introduces and guides students through background literature, highlights relevant research data, and provides insights on treatments from an experienced practitioner. Each tutorial covers a different topic to provide a complete review of the subspecialty and its theoretical basis. It is intended to equip the reader with a foundation of knowledge on which to build their clinical practice and a reference base for further study. Its practical approach to endovascular therapy will help the reader to understand recent developments in this rapidly expanding field of medicine.
Neuroanesthesia
Author : J.O. Johnson,R.J. Sperry,T.H. Stanley
Neuroanesthesia contains the edited presentations of the 42nd Annual Postgraduate Course in Anesthesiology given by the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Utah School of Medicine, February 1997. The chapters reflect recent advances in neurophysiology, pharmacology and monitoring related to the practice of neuroanesthesiology. The sections on central nervous system trauma, intraoperative management, brain protection and postoperative care provide a conceptual framework for current clinical practices. This textbook is the fifteenth in a continuing series documenting the proceedings of the Postgraduate Course of the Department of Anesthesiology of the University of Utah School of Medicine. It reflects, as well as past and future volumes, the rapid and continuing evolution of anesthesia in the last years of the twentieth century.
Problem Solving in Neuroradiology E-Book
Author : Meng Law,Peter M. Som,Thomas P. Naidich
Problem Solving in Neuroradiology, by Meng Law, MD, Peter M. Som, MD and Thomas P. Naidich, MD, is your survival guide to solving diagnostic challenges that are particularly problematic in neuroimaging. With a concise, practical, and instructional approach, it helps you apply basic principles of problem solving to imaging of the head and interventional neck, brain, and spine. Inside, you'll find expert guidance on how to accurately read what you see, and how to perform critical techniques including biopsy, percutaneous drainage, and tumor ablation. User-friendly features, such as tables and boxes, tips, pitfalls, and rules of thumb, place today's best practices at your fingertips, including protocols for optimizing the most state-of-the-art imaging modalities. A full-color design, including more than 700 high-quality images, highlights critical elements to enhance your understanding. Apply expert tricks of the trade and protocols for optimizing the most state-of-the-art imaging modalities and their clinical applications used for the brain and spine—with general indications for use and special situations. Make the most efficient use of modern imaging modalities including multidetector CT, PET, advanced MR imaging/MR spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and perfusion weighted imaging (PWI). Successfully perform difficult interventional techniques such as biopsies of the spine and interventional angiography—key techniques for more accurately diagnosing cerebral vascular disease, aneurysm, and blood vessel malformations—as well as percutaneous drainage and tumor ablation. Know what to expect. A dedicated section is organized by the clinical scenarios most likely to be encountered in daily practice, such as neurodegenerative disease, vascular disease, and cancer. Avoid common problems that can lead to an incorrect diagnosis. Tables and boxes with tips, pitfalls, and other teaching points show you what to look for, while problem-solving advice helps you accurately identify what you see—especially those images that could suggest several possible diagnoses. See conditions as they appear in practice thanks to an abundance of case examples and specially designed full-color, high-quality images which complement the text and highlight important elements. Quickly find the information you need thanks to a well-organized, user-friendly format with templated headings, detailed illustrations, and at-a-glance tables.
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News + Features What's New
Philippine Congress Holds Online Poll on Same-Sex Unions
Can we be the next Taiwan?
by Christa I. De La Cruz
(SPOT.ph) Just a few weeks before the whole world celebrates Pride Month in June, the House of Representatives is holding an online poll that may affect the lawmakers' discussion on the legalization of same-sex unions as civil partnership in the country. The poll is posted on the official website of the 17th Congress, and voters can choose whether they're in favor of the proposal or not.
Atty. Jesus Nicardo Falcis III in May 2015 filed a 31-page petition asking the Supreme Court to nullify Articles 1 and 2 of The Family Code of the Philippines, which "defines and limits marriage as between man and woman," since the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the 1949 Civil Code of the Philippines "did not define and limit marriage as between man and woman," among other things. It was the first petition of its kind in Philippine court.
Three years later, the Supreme Court tackled the issue in two rounds of oral arguments in June 2018. Solicitor General Jose Calida, however, argued that "same-sex couples can live happily together but they cannot demand that the state recognize same-sex marriages because the Constitution doesn't allow such unions" while Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza said he was "more inclined" to dismiss the petition.
Chief Justice Antonio Carpio made a remark that civil partnerships among same-sex couples is constitutional and directed the opposing parties to submit their respective memoranda within 30 days. The same phrase "civil partnerships" was also used by former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez when he filed a bill seeking the recognition of same-sex unions in October 2017.
Votes as of May 21, 6 p.m. House of Representatives
It was used again in the Congress’ online poll.
As of writing, 24% (almost 7,000 votes) said that they're in favor of the proposal "because this will give equal civil rights to same-sex couples. The bill provides such couples with legal partnership status that will govern their property rights, custodial rights over children and adoption rights" while 76% (more than 22,000 votes) are against the issue "because the underlying intention is to legalize marriage between members of the same sex and I personally believe this is wrong."
Taiwan on May 17 passed a bill that gives same-sex couples the right to get married. It is the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. The new law takes effect on May 24.
To vote, visit House of Representatives’ official website.
Main photo by Hanna Sorensson, Flickr
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What is Abuse?
Why Call?
Sunday 6pm - 8.30pm
Monday 3pm - 5.30pm
Tuesday 11am - 1.30pm
Thursday 11am - 1.30pm
Organisations helping with abuse.
General Organisations
Other Helplines
Counselling Organisations
Statutory Agencies
Stop it Now! UK and Ireland
http://www.stopitnow.org.uk
Stop it Now! UK and Ireland is a useful website for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse.
Stop it Now! UK and Ireland is a useful website for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse. The Stop it Now! campaign operates a confidential Freephone helpline for any adult with concerns including those worried about the sexual behaviour of another adult towards children, those worried about their own thoughts or behaviour towards children and those concerned about the worrying sexual behaviour of a child or young person (0808 100 900 [email protected]).
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre
https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
The CEOP Centre is the UK's national police agency set up to tackle child sexual abuse.
The CEOP Centre is the UK's national police agency set up to tackle child sexual abuse. If you are worried about someone's behaviour towards a child, online or offline, you can report this at www.ceop.police.uk. You can get help, advice and support on all issues related to internet safety for young people by visiting www.clickceop.net.
Childnet International
http://www.childnet.com/
Childnet International is a non-profit organisation working with others to help make the Internet a great and safe place for children.
https://www.internetmatters.org
An internet portal which aims to direct parents and carers to credible information on how to keep children safe online.
https://www.childline.org.uk
Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, talk to a counsellor online. You can also send ChildLine an email.
Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, talk to a counsellor online. You can also send ChildLine an email or post on the message boards.
The National Rape Crisis Helpline
http://rapecrisis.org.uk
Offers confidential support and information to women in England and Wales who have survived any form of sexual violence.
Offers confidential support and information to women in England and Wales who have survived any form of sexual violence, no matter how long ago. Also provides immediate support to friends and family on how to support female survivors of sexual violence.
http://www.samaritans.org.uk
Samaritans provides confidential emotional support 24/7 to those experiencing despair, distress or suicidal feelings.
https://www.victimsupport.org.uk
Victim Support is the national charity for victims of crime in England and Wales.
Chatdanger
http://www.chatdanger.com
A site all about the potential dangers on interactive services online like chat, IM, online games, email and on mobiles.
Kid Smart
http://www.kidsmart.org.uk
Teaches children and adults about the internet and being a SMART surfer.
Barnardo's
http://www.barnardos.org.uk
A children’s charity working to improve the lives of children.
https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk
A children's charity that supports and speaks out for the UK's most vulnerable and neglected children and young people.
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation
http://www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF) is the only UK-wide child protection charity committed solely to reducing the risk of children being sexually abused.
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF) is the only UK-wide child protection charity committed solely to reducing the risk of children being sexually abused. LFF’s staff work with all those affected by abuse including adult male and female sexual abusers; young people with inappropriate sexual behaviours; victims of abuse and other family members.
MOSAC (Mothers of Sexually Abused Children)
http://www.mosac.org.uk
MOSAC is a voluntary organisation supporting all non-abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused.
MOSAC is a voluntary organisation supporting all non-abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused. They provide advocacy, advice and information, befriending, counselling, play therapy and support groups following alleged child sexual abuse. Visit their website or call their national helpline on 0800 980 1958.
NAPAC
http://napac.org.uk
NAPAC is a registered charity providing support and information for people abused in childhood.
NAPAC is the National Association for People Abused in Childhood. It is a registered charity providing support and information for people abused in childhood.
SURVIVORS UK
https://www.survivorsuk.org
Survivors UK provides information, support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused.
Survivors UK provides information, support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused. Thousands of men contact them each year. Helpline: 0845 1221201.
The Safe Network
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/safeguarding/
Works with voluntary and community organisations to help keep children and young people safe when taking part in activities.
Run by NSPCC, Children England & Child Accident Prevention Trust, the Safe Network works with voluntary and community organisations to help keep children and young people safe when taking part in activities. There is a wide range of free information and advice available, access to safeguarding standards, training materials and other vital resources.
The Internet Watch Foundation
https://www.iwf.org.uk
You can report child sexual abuse images hosted anywhere in the world.
You can report child sexual abuse images hosted anywhere in the world, criminally obscene adult content hosted in the UK and non-photographic child sexual abuse images hosted in the UK, to the Internet Watch Foundation at www.iwf.org.uk.
Parent Port
http://www.parentport.org.uk
Set up to help parents, guardians and carers make their voices heard in relation to media content they find inappropriate for children.
Parent Port is a website that has been set up to help parents, grandparents, guardians and carers make their voices heard in relation to media content they find inappropriate for children.
Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation (Pace)
http://paceuk.info
Works alongside parents and carers whose children are or are at risk of being sexually exploited by perpetrators external to the family.
Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation (Pace) works alongside parents and carers whose children are or are at risk of being sexually exploited by perpetrators external to the family. They also offer guidance and training to professionals on how child sexual exploitation affects the whole family. They were formerly known as CROP.
http://www.lifecentre.uk.com
A UK based charity that supports survivors of rape & sexual abuse. It offers a national helpline and a counselling team based in Sussex, England.
Lifecentre is a UK based charity that supports survivors of rape & sexual abuse. It offers a national helpline and a counselling team based in Sussex, England.
The Blast Project
http://www.mesmac.co.uk/projects/blast
The Blast project is the UK’s leading male only sexual exploitation project supporting and advocating for boys and young men.
The Blast project is the UK’s leading male only sexual exploitation project supporting and advocating for boys and young men. They deliver 1.1 emotional and practical support, group work in educational settings, and training and support for professionals. They also offer an anonymous reporting mechanism on their website for anyone concerned about a boy being sexually exploited (see http://mesmac.co.uk/report-now) in addition to online and phone support. Face to face is available in Leeds and Bradford and other services are available nationally. More information is available on their website.
http://www.safeline.co.uk
Provides free support and counselling for survivors of sexual abuse or rape.
Survivors Trust
http://thesurvivorstrust.org
Provide support and signposting for women, men and children who are survivors of rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse.
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/mental-health-services-explained/Pages/camhs-information-for-children-and-young-people.aspx
CAMHS are specialist NHS children and young people's mental health services.
CAMHS is used as a term for all services that work with children and young people who have difficulties with their emotional or behavioural wellbeing.
Local areas have a number of different support services available. These might be from the statutory, voluntary or school-based sector, such as an NHS trust, local authority, school or charitable organisation.
Guard Your Eyes
https://guardyoureyes.com/
GYE helps those struggling with inappropriate materials and related behaviors.
The Jewish Helpline
http://www.jewishhelpline.co.uk
We provide a lifeline to those who are feeling lonely, anxious, depressed or suicidal.
The Guard Your Eyes organization (www.guardyoureyes.com) has been relatively unknown until recently, but with the expansion of its efforts and proven success, it is becoming known throughout the Jewish world today as the number one resource for dealing with the growing problem of the struggle with/addiction to inappropriate materials on the Internet and related behaviors in our communities.
Shema Koli refers callers to a number of Jewish organisations and services. While we have partnered successfully with many of these organisations, we are not formally affiliated to any of them and we cannot take responsibility for their clinical work, professional practice or referrals.
Jewish Counselling services
Bikur Cholim – North London
Jewish Marriage Council – North West London
Chana – Infertility and Sexual Health
Ezer Leyoldos – North London, Children and Families
Noa – North West London Young women at risk
Talking Matters – North London
Counselling referral agencies
Nachas Ruach
Relief UK
Interlink (Manchester)
Abuse specialists
JWA – Domestic Abuse and Domestic Violence
Stop It Now!
Mental Health charities
Chizuk
Social Care agencies
The Fed (Manchester)
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HomeTagsPosts tagged with "Matt Damon"
Matt Damon apologies for comments on sexual harassment
Last year, actor Matt Damon came under fire for a series of comments he made regarding the Hollywood sexual harassment scandal.
He previously told ABC news in an interview: 'I do believe that there's a spectrum of behaviour and we're going to have to figure, you know, there's a difference between patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation.'
'Both of those behaviours need to be confronted and eradicated without question, but they shouldn't be conflated.'
He later said that there are men who will be tarred with the same brush as sexual predators, which isn't being discussed.
'We're in this watershed moment, and it's great, but I think one thing that's not being talked about is there are a whole s***load of guys – the preponderance of men I've worked with – who don't do this kind of thing and whose lives aren't going to be affected,' he told Business Insider.
Damon received major backlash for his words, and has now apologised for them.
Matt Damon needs to stop talking for awhile. The hole he's digging for himself has passed middle earth and is heading for the inner core.
— Tessa J. (@CalifTessa) December 19, 2017
Speaking to Today, the star said that he wished he had educated himself further on the issue before commenting.
'I really wish I'd listened a lot more before I weighed in on this,' he said.
'I think ultimately what it is for me is I don't want to further anybody's pain with anything I do or say, so for that, I'm really sorry.'
A post shared by Mark And Matt Updates (@jkhappy2) on Jan 17, 2018 at 1:49am PST
He also voiced his support for the Time's Up movement.
'A lot of those women are my dear friends and I love them and respect them and support what they're doing and want to be a part of that change,' he said. "
'But I should get in the back seat and close my mouth for a while,' he finished.
‘There’s a difference’ Matt Damon criticised for harassment remarks
Matt Damon is facing criticism over comments he made regarding the recent sexual harassment allegations in Hollywood.
Taking your typical ‘not all men’ style stance, the actor shared that he felt that there will be men who will be unaffected by the #MeToo movement.
He seems to believe that the men who do not sexually assault women should be praised and discussed.
‘We're in this watershed moment, and it's great, but I think one thing that's not being talked about is there are a whole s–tload of guys—the preponderance of men I've worked with—who don't do this kind of thing and whose lives aren't going to be affected,’ he shared with Business Insider.
‘If I have to sign a sexual-harassment thing, I don't care, I'll sign it.’
‘I would have signed it before. I don't do that, and most of the people I know don't do that.’
We’re not sure about you Matt, but we think that not sexually harassing women is far from an accolade, more like a hallmark of a society that’s safe for women?
The actor also told ABC News that certain behaviours are not as bad as others.
'There's a difference between, you know, patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right?' he said.
'Both of those behaviours need to be confronted and eradicated, without question, but they shouldn't be conflated, right?'
Matt Damon admits ‘naivety’ to the level of racial tension in the US
Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old woman who was killed while protesting a white supremacy rally in Charlottesville last month, became a tragic symbol of the increasing racial tension in the United States.
And as her family, friends and wider community struggle to come to terms with her death, high-profile figures have shared their thoughts on the violent demonstrations taking place in the US.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Matt Damon admitted he was truly stunned by the level of racism exhibited by young people in the States, saying: "It’s so much worse than I naively thought.”
Reflecting on the images which circulated widely in the wake of Heather's death, Matt continued: "I just feel naïve at this point. It was shocking to see those kids — they looked 20 and 30 years old — in button-down shirts, with Tiki torches, walking down the street."
"Those people are a lot younger than me. Who raised them? Again, I naively thought that, behind our generation, another one was coming with more awareness and inclusiveness, and that everything was getting better with each generation," he continued.
Echoing the thoughts of millions who were left dumbstruck by the footage which emerged out of Charlottesville, Matt added: "And to see these young, aggrieved, white boys walking with their torches and screaming ‘Jews will not replace us!’ It was just shocking."
Unsurprisingly, the 46-year-old actor took the opportunity to deride President Trump's feeble response to the violence, saying: "Then the night that the President [made his] ‘many sides’ comment was absolutely abhorrent.”
‘Matt Damon’s wedding photo’ from 1961 MELTS the internet
We love nothing more than getting a glimpse behind the scenes at some of Hollywood’s most glamorous events.
And what’s more glamorous than a Hollywood wedding?
Well, a picture that surfaced recently of ‘Matt Damon’s wedding photo’ is not as it seems.
Posting on Reddit, a user by the name of ‘coffeeandtrout’ shared this image and the internet’s collective jaw dropped.
“My parents wedding day, February 1961. I think Dad looks like Matt Damon,” read the caption.
My parents Wedding day, February 1961. I think Dad looks like Matt Damon…… from OldSchoolCool
Ok, we're officially freaked out.
The mesmerising image has left many believing the actor may have figured out the key to time travel.
Some are even testing ‘coffeeandtrout’ to see if he slips up on the details.
Many demanded a more up to date picture of the now 75-year-old Damon-doppelganger and it looks like this is what Matt Damon is going to look like in 50-odd years.
Matt Damon went for PINTS and fulfilled his bucket list in Dublin
Matt Damon is currently promoting the latest instalment of the Bourne movie franchise, and while chatting to Spin, he told them that he was in Dublin not too long ago.
Now, you'd think an award-winning (and very hot) actor would make every single girl in a ten mile radius run to meet him, but alas, nobody did.
Matt came over to Ireland at the end of last year while he was on a short break from filming Jason Bourne – and he even ticked something off his bucket list!
"We had a weekend free and it just happened to be the weekend that U2 was playing two shows in Dublin so we went 'that's where we'll go'.
"It was awesome that gig, it was like a bucket list thing," he added.
And when asked if anyone bothered him, Matt said he was totally left alone, even when he went for pints after the show.
"Oh completely (left alone). Everybody was so unbelievably nice it couldn't have been any better."
Saying that, if I had bumped into him, there's no way I'd let him go without a selfie. It's Matt Damon guys, like c'mon…
‘Do it again’ Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon CRACK UP during skit
Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon's 'feud' has become part of modern day folklore at this stage, and while the public are always eager to hear the latest instalment, it looks like the two lads are more interested in building bridges.
In a sketch for Jimmy Kimmel Live, Matt and his frenemy, Jimmy, decided to hash out their issues in the company of a couple's counsellor, and the internet can't get enough.
In footage which has been viewed more than 100,000 times in 24 hours, the lads recalled the trials and tribulations they have endured over the course of their relationship.
And the best part? The two lads clearly find the skit as hilarious as the audience.
After seven minutes of straight acting, Jimmy and Matt use drawings to describe their feelings for one another, and they can barely keep it together.
Bright-red and giggling uncontrollably over Jimmy's perception of him, Matt demands they re-shoot the shot, but thankfully it made it on to the internet in its unedited version.
Skip forward to 6.30 for the golden moment…
Matt Damon is back as Jason Bourne and the trailer is AWESOME
About time! The full trailer is finally here for Jason Bourne – and the lovely Matt Damon is returning to the lead role.
In the next part of Jason's story, he makes his way back out from the shadows after living off the radar for a couple of years.
Jeremy Renner reprised the role in 2012 for The Bourne Legacy (and we all know how that turned out) but Matt puts the cherry on top for the fifth instalment in the franchise.
Did we mention he's looking better than ever, too? The flick is out in cinemas on July 28.
Matt Damon looks oh-so-HOT in the all NEW Bourne film trailer
Yep ladies, you read that right. Matt Damon is finally coming back to reprise his role as Jason Bourne.
The new movie debuted its trailer at the Superbowl last night, which shows Matt shirtless and ripped.
We honestly never thought we'd see another Bourne film, but there you go – he surprised us all.
Now, whether you just can't wait for all the thrills of this dramatic spy movie or you just can't wait to see Matt Damon topless again, you won't have to wait very long as the premiere date is this July.
Say cheese! There were MORE famous faces at U2’s gig last night
U2 have been rocking out in Dublin all week long, with many famous faces joining the lads for a few laughs.
Actor Matt Damon came over to see U2 play their homecoming tour gig and Colin Farrell was also seen at one of the concerts during the week.
Ireland's sweetheart Amy Huberman even made an appearance with her hubby, Brian O'Driscol.
But last night, more celebs joined the boys for a selfie on stage. Imelda May and Panti Bliss were welcomed to the e stage and there was clearly a lot of banter among them.
Tonight from the 'e stage' with @pantibliss and @imeldaofficial #U2ieTour pic.twitter.com/x06uU5qhfV
— U2 (@U2) November 28, 2015
All we want to know is how can we get an invite?!
panti bliss
Matt Damon says it was ‘painful’ being BFFs with Ben Affleck
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have one of Hollywood's longest-standing friendships, first meeting as kids aged just eight and ten.
But in a new interview, Matt reveals his relationship with Ben hasn't always been easy – quite the opposite in fact.
Ben's career has developed hugely in recent years, with a series of critically acclaimed films and even an Oscar for his work on Argo.
But back in the early Noughties he had a very different image, which Matt says was hard to deal with.
"Ten years ago, the public image of him could not have been farther apart from who he actually is," he tells The Hollywood Reporter.
With films like Gigli, Bounce and Jersey Girl on the go, plus a blossoming romance with J-Lo, Matt admits it was hard to see his long-time friend living a life that wasn't authentic.
"It was like he was being cast in a role, that he was a talentless kind of meathead, with his whole relationship with Jennifer Lopez.
"He just got cast as this person that he wasn't."
And though Ben seemed fairly happy with his lot, Matt says it was tough on their friendship.
"It was just really painful. It was painful to be his friend, because it wasn't fair, you know? To my mind, nobody really got him at all."
Not to worry though, as Ben finally got his pal's approval in the end.
"Through his work, he climbed from the bottom of the mountain all the way back up to the top," Matt says. "And past where either of us had ever been."
Compliment or insult? Hard to tell…
10 years married: Matt Damon admits marriage is insane
Although his best friend is going through a rather tough divorce, Matt Damon is quickly approaching his 10th wedding anniversary.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight Matt speaks about his best pal Ben Affleck, saying that although he wasn't with his to celebrate his 43rd birthday, the actor is doing well.
"I think he was actually in Atlanta with his family. So we missed each other but…he’s good. He’s good."
Matt also speaks about marriage as gears up to celebrate his wedding anniversary, although he does admit that "Marriage is insane!"
He has been married to Luciana for ten years this December and he says that "It's a crazy idea but I love being married to my wife."
He does however realise how things to work out for some married couples and says he would never even being to offer any advice to someone else about their relationship.
The only secret to staying together for over a decade that he was willing to share was that the secret is so feel lucky. "I'm lucky I found my wife. And I guess maybe, if there's any secret… It's to feel lucky."
"So much of it is out of your hands," Damon said. "I mean, I just had that conversation with my father this weekend. He says the same thing to me. Says it's God's grace, is what he said. Because you just don't get lucky."
The actor is currently filming Martian, a movie which follows an astronaut who was left behind on a mission to mars which is set to be released in October of this year.
This role, like many of his previous movies, requires him to stay in serious physical shape and during the interview he was asked about how he stays healthy. He also has the fifth instalment of the Bourne franchise which means that he may not have time for a beer and a burger any time soon.
"I always look for an excuse to hang out and have a beer and a burger," he joked. "But no, right now, I have to be in shape, just until February, and then I'm going off the rails."
Ben Affleck is all smiles post-divorce, says BFF Matt Damon
The Ben-and-Jen divorce drama just keeps getting seedier.
Earlier this week, rumours that Ben Affleck was dating his children's former nanny Christine Ouzounian escalated after the 28-year-old was pictured on a private jet headed to Vegas, with Ben and footballer star Tom Brady also believed to be on board.
And rather than working to quell the rumours, Ben's long-time friend Matt Damon seems delighted that his friend is no longer married. Speaking at the premiere of HBO's Project Greenlight earlier this week – which Ben also attended – Matt said his Good Will Hunting co-star was doing "great," adding, "He's got a big smile on his face."
Ben and his wife of ten years Jennifer Garner announced they were divorcing at the end of June, though they had been unofficially separated since the early spring.
Despite the complications of dissolving a ten-year marriage and working out custody agreements, the pair have been working hard to keep things amicable for the sake of their children, even heading to the Bahamas together with all three kids 24 hours after making their divorce announcement.
However it's rumoured that it was during that very trip that Jennifer first discovered something was going on between Ben and Christine… so we can't imagine the former couple will be planning any more joint holidays in the near future.
christine ouzounian
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Schweden im 21. Jahrhundert: föderale Strukturen statt Einheitsstaat?
Sweden in the 21st century: federal structures instead of a single state?
Moding, Philip
Aring, Jürgen
Trends have developed during the nineties in Sweden which point towards a political regionalisation. After an intensive discussion process, new territorial, political and administrative structures are to be or have been created in three regions of Sweden. These are the regions of Schonen (centred in... view more
Trends have developed during the nineties in Sweden which point towards a political regionalisation. After an intensive discussion process, new territorial, political and administrative structures are to be or have been created in three regions of Sweden. These are the regions of Schonen (centred in Malmö), West Sweden (centred in Göteborg) and Gotland. This article focuses in particular on the development in Schonen. The traditional political-administrative system in Sweden in based on a combination of strong, autonomous local government units and a strong, centralist state. The reform is intended to change this system and introduce a new, middle level. In this way, the regions gain more responsibility for themselves and more possibilities to design their own political structures. The influence of the central government in Stockholm or their representatives in the former administrated provinces (Län) is to be reduced. The efforts towards regionalisation in Sweden, which have occurred very late in European comparison, are based in essence on two causes. First of all, the "Model Sweden" -the welfare and distribution state- has reached its limits in view of a globalised and flexible economy. Additionally, networks which cross the boundaries of local government units are growing in Sweden as well. The local government units have only limited possibilities to solve problems which have a regional character. In regionalism -defined as a gain in im portance of regional units for the process of political decision-making and for the implementation of political strategies- Sweden obviously sees a way out of the dissatisfactory current situation. There are therefore motives from above and below in favour of regionalisation. Discussions focused on how far the regionalisation should be taken. The creation of new regional administration structures alone was not viewed as being a satisfactory solution. There was fear of a growth in democracy deficit, if regions were apolitical executive levels without democratic control in a bi polar administrative structure (local government units and state). That is why the regions were set up as new, political executive levels, with a regional parliament, a regional administration and their own budget. The hope in Sweden for the creation of regions as political levels is to establish suitable political-administrative structures for the 21st century. The formation of regions in Sweden has initially been viewed as a "test" limited in terms of area and time, and it will be re-examined after several years. However, it appears likely -in the test regions at least- that this will be made permanent law.... view less
Sweden; geopolitics; regionalism; administration; reform; population; economy; network; national state; municipality; population development; regional distribution; regional policy
Political System, Constitution, Government
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Flagler College junior developing device to save firefighters like his dad
By Travis Gibson tgibson@staugustine.com
Growing up the son of a firefighter, Flagler College junior Blake Richardson heard plenty of stories from his father Brad about his work at the Fernandina Beach Fire Department.
Over the last 15 years of his dad's career, two of the common themes that always came up were the stress of the job and the lack of sleep. But one thing always stood out.
“[My dad] always told me that the leading cause of death for a firefighter is a heart attack,” Richardson said. “A lot of that comes from stress and overexertion. When I realized the implications of that it was kind of shocking.”
Richardson said he always wanted to come up with a way that would make his dad’s job easier, and healthier. He hopes EaseAwake, an innovative device he came up with in high school that is now gaining attention around the state, will do exactly that.
The goal of EaseAwake, a wearable wristband device similar to a FitBit, is to help sleeping firefighters wake slowly when a call to service comes in. It's typical for firefighters working long shifts to be jolted awake by loud alarms that can quickly elevate heart rates. But firefighters wearing the EaseAwake will feel a vibration five seconds before the station alarm goes off allowing them to slowly wake up from a deep sleep.
“When you can mitigate that stress a little bit by having a physical alert, especially when they are in the middle of a deep sleep, I think that will decrease their stress levels,” Richardson said. “It’s a stressful job, there is no changing that, but mitigating stress in any way we can, that’s what I want to do.”
Richardson, 21, along with classmates in his entrepreneurship course at Flagler College, pitched the idea to a panel of judges in a "Shark Tank" style presentation during Business Week at the school in March. The idea won first place. Richardson also placed in the top five at a statewide entrepreneurship competition at the University of South Florida in April. He was one of 20 fellows selected for the program and received a prize of $5,000 for placing in the top five.
Much of the credit for helping to develop the idea, Richardson said, came from professor Paula Holanchock and classmate Jaydie Allen, who helped Richardson pitch the idea during Business Week.
“[Holanchock] has been the motivator for me. Connected me with people and encouraged me to enter competitions. Without her none of this happens,” Richardson said.
But while Richardson racks up the accolades, there is still plenty of work to be done. He’s currently looking for someone to produce a 3D sketch of the device and create a prototype. Once he does that, he will then begin to test EaseAwake on firefighters and collect data that shows that he hopes will show device’s benefits. If all goes well, he will look to trademark and patent for the name and idea as soon as this summer.
“In between internships and classes I will be pushing it as hard as I can,” he said. “After I graduate I plan to pursue it full time and see what I can make out of it over the next few years.”
Richardson said he's pitched the idea to about 30 firefighters who say it's definitely worth pursuing. But there is one opinion matter matters most — his dad's.
“He is really excited about it. He wants me to push it so he can retire,” Richardson said.
The St. Augustine Record ~ One News Place, St. Augustine, FL 32086 ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Cookie Policy ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service ~ Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy
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Carol D’Amico is a higher education reformer with decades of experience designing and implementing strategies to help students make the leap from higher education to the world of work.
Prior to Strada, D’Amico served in the U.S. Department of Education as assistant secretary for adult and vocational education from 2001–2003.
While serving as a senior fellow in education and co-director of the Center for Workforce Development at the Hudson Institute, she co-wrote “Workforce 2020,” which describes the demographics of the future U.S. workforce and the challenges in preparing the American workforce to prosper in the global economy.
D’Amico previously was executive vice president and chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. Additionally, D’Amico has served as president and chief executive officer of Conexus Indiana, a manufacturing and logistics initiative.
D’Amico has chaired and served on several national and state boards, including a multi-term appointment by President George W. Bush to the Institute for Education Sciences and appointments to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity and the National Assessment Governing Board.
She serves on the boards of the WGU Foundation, INvestED, the Indy Chamber, the Higher Education Council of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, the Indiana Conference for Women, and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is a past member of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
D’Amico holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy studies and a master’s degree in adult education and organizational development from Indiana University Bloomington.
Latest from Carol D’Amico, Ed.D.
Completion with a Purpose: The Path To Higher Learning, with Carol D’Amico
The need for a seamless intersection between higher education and workforce development has led Carol D’Amico, Executive Vice President of Strada Education Network to lead a major national effort to …
Mentors Matter: Students Value Advice and Guidance from Faculty and Employers
January is National Mentoring Month and students have a message for faculty and employers:…
Mentoring Matters
This week, recent college graduates affirm a growing body of research: faculty-student relationships matter. At…
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Vietnam's working women opting to stay single
Their numbers on the rise with greater financial independence
Apr 29, 2017, 5:00 am SGT
http://str.sg/42N4
HANOI • Vietnam is seeing a rising number of working women who delay or reject the idea of marriage regardless of social or biological factors.
Experts on gender and population said the trend comes as no surprise in a more developed society. They said equal access to education and employment are the key reasons behind Vietnamese women's growing financial independence, which can drive them towards remaining single.
"Women don't necessarily need a man to support them any more. They can earn a good income, especially in cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City where women have fulfilling careers," said Dr Luu Bich Ngoc, director of the Institute for Population and Social Studies under Vietnam's National Economics University.
Vietnam has been cited by the World Bank for being able to close gender gaps in education, access to healthcare, and many aspects of employment since the early 1990s.
In its 2015 report on social inequality, the international development organisation Oxfam assessed that Vietnam was one of the countries with the highest female participation in the labour force across South-east Asia.
Last year, 72.2 per cent of Vietnamese working-age women were in the labour force compared to 81.7 per cent of men, the General Statistics Office said.
Ms Nguyen Thi Dieu Hong, a former gender specialist at the United Nations Development Programme, said the number of single mothers has also been increasing in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang City.
"The majority of them are highly educated and can earn a good living so they can finance themselves and their babies," she said.
The right to motherhood of single women has been officially recognised by the Vietnamese government since 2003, allowing them to receive sperm donations and have a baby through in-vitro fertilisation.
Ms Alex Nguyen, 33, a journalist in Hanoi, returned home three years ago after studying and working overseas. She said she has faced pressure from her family to get married, but is in no hurry to do so. "I can afford to insist on choosing my love with no hurry at all. There may be pluses to getting married but if I don't find my true love, I can still have a good life on my own," she said.
"My way of thinking is not so strange among my peers and my kind of lifestyle is becoming more popular in my generation," she added.
Sign up for the ST Asian Insider newsletter to get exclusive insights into Asia from our network of overseas correspondents.
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 29, 2017, with the headline 'Vietnam's working women opting to stay single'. Print Edition | Subscribe
SINGLE, WORKING WOMEN
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Next:PROCUREMENT: Iran And The Deadly Temptation
Afghanistan: Can't Have That
December 22, 2010: Diplomats and military commanders in Afghanistan have a hard time explaining to the politicians back home how Afghanistan operates. In short, most Afghan leaders are corrupt (by Western standards). Most Afghans are quick to violence and tribal, ethnic and religious affiliations are more important than national ones. Over 70 percent of the population is illiterate, and the population is generally hostile to strangers Including fellow Afghans. The best known clean government movement in the country is run by the Taliban, who are also into Islamic global conquest and the support of Islamic terrorism.
The Taliban have embraced the use of terrorism to intimidate opponents (mainly the national government and tribal leaders). After years of resistance, the Taliban have accepted the use of suicide attackers. This tactic is an Arab thing, that was long opposed by the Afghans. But decades of Arab supported religious schools in Pakistan has produced young Afghans indoctrinated to accept the concept of suicide tactics. This, and the widespread use of landmines and roadside bombs was found to be more effective in causing casualties among foreign troops. Afghans fighting foreign troops usually ends in disaster (for the Afghans), so the Afghans concentrate on Afghan security forces. However, these can also be hard to handle if they have been trained. For all the talk of "Afghan warriors", most Taliban are untrained, but eager, country boys with guns.
Pakistan has become less hospitable to the Taliban in the last year (the Pakistani Army invaded the tribal territories because of an Islamic terrorist offensive against Pakistani cities and leaders), so many Taliban who would have gone to Pakistan sanctuaries for the Winter, are staying in Afghanistan this year. This means that these groups of gunmen can be found (they are generally not welcome in Afghanistan) and attacked. Thus there is more Winter combat this year than last. The Taliban usually take heavy losses.
The surge offensive this year has used a third more bombs and missiles (about 500 a month) than last year. In the last few months, American Special Forces alone have arrested about 800 terrorism suspects a month, and killed 320. These losses are usually inflicted via raids and exploiting intelligence. The special operations troops are hurting the drug gangs, who are protected by the Taliban, and this makes a lot of Afghans (about ten percent of the population) who made a lot of money from the heroin trade, unhappy with this aggression against drug operations.
The Taliban is consistent in some respects. For example, they are still hostile to foreign aid, seeing it as dangerous foreign interference. At best, the Taliban will tolerate foreign aid if cash, goods or services are given to the Taliban in the process. The drug gangs don't like the foreign aid workers, because too many of these troublesome foreigners are hostile to the drug business. Can't have that.
AIR DEFENSE: Deadly Dimona, The Desert Deathtrap
PROCUREMENT: Iran And The Deadly Temptation
Afghanistan: Current 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
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Posted on September 25, 2009 in Friday's News Quiz
DIRECTIONS: Write TRUE or FALSE next to each statement. Rewrite each false statement to make it true. (10 points each)
1. __________________ Gen. Stanley McChrystal said in a confidential report that without more troops, the war against insurgents in Iraq will end in failure.
2. __________________ In response to Gen. McChrystal’s report, President Obama has said he will make a decision on whether to authorize the deployment of more soldiers to Afghanistan by the end of September.
3. __________________ The president of Honduras was ousted from the country after he was ordered arrested by Honduras’s Supreme Court for pushing an illegal constitutional rewrite that would have allowed him to remain president beyond his term limits.
4. __________________ In addition to citizens, the congress, the courts, the armed forces and the Catholic Church do not want President Zelaya to return to Honduras.
5. __________________ In response to the ousted President sneaking back into the country and taking up residence in the Brazilian Embassy, the Honduran government has cut off power, water and telephone contact in the Embassy.
6. __________________ An AIDS vaccine recently tested in Thailand has cut the risk of becoming infected with HIV by 100%.
7. __________________ The biggest drawback to the vaccine is that the study used strains of HIV common in Thailand, and scientists stressed it is not clear whether the vaccine would work against other strains in the U.S., Africa or elsewhere.
8. __________________ In a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency this week Iran has revealed the existence of a secret uranium-enrichment plant which is being used to for the creation of nuclear weapons.
9. __________________ Ahead of a scheduled meeting with the U.N. Security Council on Oct. 1, the Iranian government has declared that it will not bargain on its enrichment program.
DIRECTIONS: match the people mentioned in this week’s Daily News Articles with their titles (1 point each)
1) _______ U.S. General, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan
2) _______ U.S. Secretary of Defense
3) _______ U.S. Secretary of State
4) _______ U.S. General, the head of CENTCOM
5) _______ President of Afghanistan
6) _______ ousted president of Honduras
7) _______ interim president of Honduras
8) _______ president of Venezuela
9) _______ president of Costa Rica
10) _______ president of Brazil
a. Manuel Zelaya
b. Oscar Arias
c. Hugo Chavez
d. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
e. Roberto Micheletti
f. Robert Gates
g. David Petraeus
h. Hamid Karzai
i. Stanley McChrystal
j. Hillary Clinton
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TBL Consultant – Kevin Krane
N. Kevin Krane, M.D., F.A.C.P.
Professor Medicine and Vice Dean
Tulane University School of Medicine
Email: kkrane@tulane.edu
N. Kevin Krane, M.D., is Professor Medicine and Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at Tulane University School of Medicine. He received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University with high honor and his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine. Following an internship in internal medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, he completed his residency training and chief residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in nephrology and hypertension at Henry Ford Hospital before he joined the faculty at Tulane. He joined the faculty at Tulane as Director of Dialysis and then became Director of Student Programs for the Department of Medicine. Currently he is Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Chief, Clinical Nephrology. In 1997-98 he was awarded a Harvard Macy Fellowship in medical education reform, focusing on ambulatory education. Dr. Krane’s clinical interests are in the areas of renal disease in pregnancy and systemic lupus erythematosus. His major area of publication has been focused on different aspects of acute renal failure in pregnancy and its management. In his administrative positions at Tulane, he serves as the Chair of the Curriculum Committee, having overseen significant curriculum reform in both basic and clinical science. He is also Chair of the Personnel and Honors Committee, which oversees faculty appointments, promotions, reviews and tenure decisions. Dr. Krane is the immediate past-Chair of the AAMC’s Southern Group on Educational Affairs and in 2004 served as the site host for the 8th International Association of Medical Science Educators. He has presented medical educational programs at many national educational meetings and has received numerous teaching awards from students and residents throughout his career including the Tulane University Medical Center Teaching Scholar Award and the 2001 Tulane University Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence.
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Home News Tommy Ford Wins Firs...
Tommy Ford Wins First World Cup Race Of His Career With Giant Slalom Victory In Beaver Creek
By Paul D. Bowker | Dec. 08, 2019, 4:04 p.m. (ET)
Tommy Ford in action during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup on Dec. 8, 2019 in Beaver Creek, Colo.
Two-time Olympian Tommy Ford saved his best performance for home snow.
Ford won the men’s giant slalom in the Birds of Prey world cup at Beaver Creek, Colorado, capturing his first career victory on the world cup tour with a two-run time of 2:31.25.
The podium finish was the first in any world cup discipline for Ford, who is off to the best start of his career. He began the year with a fourth-place finish – one spot ahead of U.S. teammate and four-time Olympian Ted Ligety – in the season-opening giant slalom at Soelden, Austria.
"I've been working hard," Ford said on the telecast after his winning run. "And the crowd's been here year after year."
Ligety, a two-time gold medalist, finished 11th with a time of 2:33.89.
Ford defeated Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway, who finished second with a time of 2:32.05, and Leif Kristian Nestvold-Haugen of Norway, who was third with a time of 2:32.48.
Download the Team USA app today to keep up with alpine skiing and all your favorite sports, plus access to videos, Olympic and Paralympic team bios, and more.
Ford was the fastest skier in the first run Sunday, completing the run in 1:16.40, marking the first time in his world cup career that he was the leader after the first run of an event. Ligety was fourth. By the time Ford and the rest of the skiers took to the hill for the second run, portions of the course had become enveloped in a dense fog, causing difficulty in seeing from gate to gate. Two skiers couldn’t complete the run.
Ford was the last to go in the second run, and by then dense fog had given way to snowfall. He executed a clean run, completing it in 1:14.85, nearly two seconds faster than his first run. When he reached the bottom of the hill, the crowd roared, waving American flags.
Ford’s best finishes in the giant slalom have come over the last two seasons. After finishing 15th at Beaver Creek in February 2018, he finished a career-best sixth at Val d’Isere, France, and then topped that with a fifth-place finish at Alta Badia, Italy. Six of his last nine giant slalom races on the world cup tour have produced top-10 finishes.
Sunday’s performance marked his first podium finish in an international competition since placing second in an FIS super-G race in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, this past January.
Paul D. Bowker has been writing about Olympic and Paralympic sports since 1996, when he was an assistant bureau chief in Atlanta. He is a freelance contributor to TeamUSA.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
Mikaela Shiffrin Wins Downhill World Cup Silver In Lake Louise
Mikaela Shiffrin Dominates Killington Slalom, Ties For No. 2 On Women’s World Cup Win List
At Home For Killington World Cup, Mikaela Shiffrin Tallies Seventh Straight Giant Slalom Podium
Why Mikaela Shiffrin’s Fourth Reindeer Has An Extra Special Name
Mikaela Shiffrin Breaks 33-Year Record For Career Slalom World Cup Wins In First Race Of The Season
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Monitoring Cancer Progression
By automating the tracking of tumor cells that circulate in the blood, doctors can see if a cancer treatment is working.
Alla Katsnelson archive page
Researchers have developed an automated imaging system for analyzing changes in a tiny number of tumor cells floating through the bloodstream. They hope the analysis will provide clues to the success of cancer treatments.
Tumor cell snapshot: Prostate tumor cells circulating in the bloodstream are captured onto microscopic posts (gray) on a chip designed by researchers at Harvard University and the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. The cells are imaged using cancer-specific protein markers. The larger, green cell is positive for prostate-specific antigen; the blue cell is a white blood cell.
One way that cancer is thought to spread from its original site and metastasize elsewhere in the body is through cells that detach from the primary tumor and circulate in the bloodstream. Recent studies have shown that tracking blood levels of these circulating tumor cells could help monitor how well a cancer treatment is working. But because their concentration in the blood is so low, researchers have struggled to detect them with enough accuracy to be clinically relevant.
Three years ago, bioengineer Mehmet Toner and cancer biologist Daniel Haber of Harvard University reported making a microfluidic chip that captured these cells at a higher rate than other techniques. The chip had a good enough resolution for proof-of-principle studies, says Shannon Stott, a postdoc in Haber’s lab, but analysis required an individual to scan thousands of images with a microscope–a process that takes about eight hours per sample and is therefore not amenable to diagnostic use in the clinic.
In the current work, a pilot study of prostate cancer patients led by Stott and Shyamala Maheswaran at the Mass General Hospital Cancer Center, and published in Science Translational Medicine, the researchers tested an automated imaging system. In addition to reducing analysis time by more than 75 percent, the scientists could use the imaging to analyze the cancer cells at different points–before and after tumor removal surgery and during hormone-based therapy.
“It’s a very nice investigational study which shows really what kinds of analysis can be done in prostate cancer patients,” says Klaus Pantel, chairman of the Institute of Cancer Biology at the University of Hamburg, in Germany.
The new system uses the same device as in the group’s earlier work to capture tumor cells from a drop of blood–a microfluidic chip containing microscopic posts coated with an antibody to a protein found on tumor cells. The cells were then stained with an antibody for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a molecule specific to prostate tumor cells, and imaged with a fluorescent marker and a marker for the cell’s nucleus. Though they used PSA, says Stott, the system is “completely universal,” and the researchers have begun testing it with antibodies for other types of cancer cells as well.
One diagnostic assay measuring circulating tumor cells is already on the market. That test, called CellSearch, received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for metastatic breast cancer in 2004, and has since received the go-ahead for use in colorectal and prostate cancer.
But the Harvard system is more likely to detect tumor cells in patients before their tumor has metastasized, when there are far fewer circulating in the blood, says Alison Allan, an oncology scientist at the University of Western Ontario, who uses the CellSearch system. “It’s actually these patients that have the most chance of benefiting” from the technology, she notes, because it could allow them to get earlier treatment.
Also, unlike CellSearch, the Harvard technology quantifies the cells present and determines some of their molecular features. “I think that’s going to be really important moving forward in the field,” says Allan. “The capacity to allow subsequent molecular characterization is going to tell us more about patient’s individual diseases.”
Stott says the group hopes to finish fine-tuning the technology in the next six months, at which point they will disseminate it to six other cancer centers to conduct a larger-scale clinical trial. Also, she says, “we are working on making the machine that runs these devices much more user-friendly so clinicians can just put the blood in and press go.”
Alla Katsnelson
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Enhancing Learning
Prep Curriculum
Prep Enhancing Learning
Pre-Prep Curriculum
Pre-Prep Enhancing Learning
Transition to Senior School
Latin & Classical Studies
Sixth-Form
Teeside High
Senior Computing
“Computers themselves, and software yet to be developed will revolutionize the way we learn” Steve Jobs
Computing and computer technology are part of just about everything that touches our lives from the cars we drive, the movies we watch, to the ways in which businesses and governments deal with us. Understanding the many different dimensions of computing is part of the skills needed for an educated person in the 21st century to interact with the world at large. Whether you want to be a scientist, develop the latest application, or just know what it really means when someone says “the computer made a mistake”, studying computing will provide you with valuable knowledge.
WHAT WE COVER IN YEARS 7-9
We follow a varied scheme of work that seeks to embed the principles of Computer Science. Pupils will look specifically at algorithms, Data Representation, computer hardware, communications, networks and a range of programming languages all with the framework of promoting digital literacy ensuring that all pupils are well equipped to produce coursework or ultimately thrive in the world of work.
Lessons are structured to give pupils both the opportunity to work independently on a number of different projects and the chance to developed their skills at working collaboratively using a range of Google apps for education.
WHAT WE DO AT GCSE
(OCR GCSE Computing J275)
GCSE Computing is a rich and interesting course that really starts to delve into the world of computing. The focus is on how computers work and the underlining fundamentals that make everything possible. This course does require pupils to have strong mathematical skills and the ability to logically approach problems. More specifically, pupils will cover topics including; Fundamentals of computer systems, software, representation of data, computer communications and networks and programming
The course is assessed in three ways:
A written exam worth 40% of the total marks
Controlled assessment
A practical investigation worth 20% of the total marks.
A programming project worth 20% of the total marks.
WHAT WE DO AT A LEVEL
(AQA Computer Science 7615, 7517)
A-Level Computing seeks to dramatically expand on the content of the GCSE course. Whilst the general topic headings are similar, the breadth and depth of knowledge are far greater. The complexity and nature of the content are also more mathematical and scientific, suiting those students who have a real interest in STEM subjects. At AS Level students will study units including:
Fundamentals of programming
Fundamentals of data structures
Fundamentals of data representation
Fundamentals of computer systems
Fundamentals of computer organization and architecture
Consequences of uses of computing
Fundamentals of communication and networking
The AS Level is assessed via two examinations each carrying a 50% weighting. One is an onscreen programming examination, based on pre-released material and the second is a standard theory examination.
If pupils continue to A2 Level they will also have to study additional units on:
Fundamentals of databases
Fundamentals of functional programming
A systematic approach to problem-solving
Assessment is via two examinations. One is onscreen programming based examination and one is standard theory examination. Each carries 40% of the total marks. Additionally, pupils must complete a large programming based project. Pupils are free to suggest their own project which can be linked to personal interest and providing it is suitably complex and offers enough scope then they are free to continue.
Our digital strategy is making information available 24/7. Pupils can access their work from anywhere and at any time. The classroom is now a very big place which is open to information from around the world. The ability to share and collaborate with classmates makes learning fun and speeds up progress. We embrace technology such as Google Classroom and Edmodo to allow learning to take place at any time and on a range of devices.
The computing department runs a number of enrichment activities:
Programming club: Pupils have the opportunity to come along and try a range of different programming languages. Resources and encouragement are provided but self-study is also encouraged.
Robotics club: This is a popular club that gives the student to chance to build and program their own robots using Lego Mindstorms. We also enter local and national robot competitions with our work.
Scratch Club: Students come together to build and play their own games in Scratch. Sharing and collaboration are common with great results being observed.
WHERE MIGHT THE SUBJECT LEAD
Qualifications in Computing can lead an individual in many directions, not always in directions you may think. Computing courses equip you with the ability to solve problems and look at the world in a different way. These skills are very useful in a wide range of careers including science, engineering, business, healthcare or every world of technology. Computing will open many doors and close none, a true facilitating subject.
Mr. Steve Atkinson – Head of IT
What To Expect In Our Private High School
The school traces its roots and foundations back to the Queen Victoria High School, which was founded in Stockton in the nineteenth century. These buildings no longer survive, but the site was opposite St Peter’s Church on the Yarm Road in Stockton.
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Trump denies working for Russia and calls past FBI leaders “known scoundrels”
By Yucatan Times on January 14, 2019
WASHINGTON D.C. (Washington Post) .- Today, President Trump absolutely denied he worked for Russia, and he called FBI officials “known scoundrels” and “dirty cops”, as they have launched a counterintelligence investigation to determine whether he did.
Trump’s comments to reporters as he left the White House came in response to the announcement that an FBI investigation that was opened after Trump fired then-Director James B. Comey in May 2017 included a component to determine whether the president was seeking to help Russia.
“I never worked for Russia,” Trump said as he prepared to leave for an event in New Orleans, adding: “Not only did I never work for Russia, I think it’s a disgrace that you even asked that question because it’s a whole big fat hoax. It’s just a hoax.”
During a television appearance Saturday night, after the counterintelligence component of the Trump investigation was first reported by the New York Times, Trump called a question whether he had ever worked for Russia “insulting” but did not directly answer it.
On Monday, he did not equivocate and also attacked Comey and others in the FBI responsible for the investigation of possible coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential campaign. That investigation is being conducted by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who was appointed after Trump fired Comey. “He was a bad cop and he was a dirty cop,” Trump said of Comey.
Dodging a question on U.S. intelligence on Jan. 14, President Trump slammed “dirty cops” who he claimed started the election meddling probe. (The Washington Post)
The president also attacked former acting FBI director Andrew McCabe as “a proven liar and was fired from the FBI.” McCabe made the decision to open the counterintelligence component of the Trump investigation.
Trump also pointed to “bias” shown by former FBI agent Peter Strzok and former FBI lawyer Lisa Page, two employees who were having an affair and exchanged derogatory texts about Trump.
Speaking more broadly of FBI leadership at the time, Trump said “the people doing that investigation were people that have been caught that are known scoundrels. They’re … I guess you could say they’re dirty cops.”
Trump and Comey have sparred repeatedly, particularly since the release of a book last year by Comey that describes Trump’s presidency as a “forest fire” and portrays the president as an ego-driven congenital liar.
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Six years later, parents of 43 missing students still want answers
By Yucatan Times on September 25, 2020
© Provided by Associated Press Students, joined by relatives of the 43 missing students from the Rural Normal School of Ayotzinapa, chant outside the Supreme Court during a protest to mark the upcoming sixth anniversary of the students' disappearance, in Mexico City, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. Family members continue to call for justice six years after the Ayotzinapa students were allegedly taken from buses by local police and turned over to a drug gang. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Families of 43 students who were kidnapped in southern Mexico on Sept. 26, 2014 are still demanding answers about their sons’ whereabouts as the sixth anniversary of the crime approaches.
Relatives gathered Thursday outside Mexico’s Supreme Court, holding photos of their missing sons and banners demanding justice.
Some of the lawyers in the case hope that a new investigation report to be released on Saturday’s anniversary will include information on federal police or soldiers’ possible involvement in the mass abduction. © Provided by Associated Press Students, joined by relatives of the 43 missing students from the Rural Normal School of Ayotzinapa, chant outside the Supreme Court during a protest to mark the upcoming sixth anniversary of the students’ disappearance, in Mexico City, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. Family members continue to call for justice six years after the Ayotzinapa students were allegedly taken from buses by local police and turned over to a drug gang. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
“There is enough proof to proceed against these people,” said Santiago Aguirre, a lawyer for the PRODH human rights center, noting that new testimony and tracing records of cellphones backed up the theory that “without doubt, they were part of the scheme.”
The 43 students from the rural teachers college at Ayotzinapa in the southern state of Guerrero were abducted by corrupt local police in the town of Iguala. They were then allegedly turned over to a local gang that killed them and purportedly burned their bodies. © Provided by Associated Press Students, joined by relatives of the 43 missing students from the Rural Normal School of Ayotzinapa, chant outside the Supreme Court during a protest to mark the upcoming sixth anniversary of the students’ disappearance, in Mexico City, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. Family members continue to call for justice six years after the Ayotzinapa students were allegedly taken from buses by local police and turned over to a drug gang. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
But burnt bone fragments found near a local garbage dump have been matched to only two of the students.
Clemente Rodríguez is the father of one of the two students whose DNA profiles matched some of the bone fragments. But Rodríguez is still demanding to know exactly what happened and who was responsible for the death of his son, Christian Alonso.
“They have to give us something concrete, some progress,” said Rodriguez.
Many of the suspects arrested in the case were later released, and many claimed they had been tortured by police or the military. In March, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Tomas Zerón, the former head of investigations for the Attorney General’s Office, for alleged violations in the investigation of the case.
Zerón and five other former officials face charges including torture, forced disappearance and judicial misconduct.
Zerón was at the center of the government’s widely criticized investigation, which has failed to definitively determine what happened to the students. Two independent teams of experts have cast doubt on the insistence of Mexican officials that the students bodies were incinerated in a huge fire at the trash dump.
The students attended the Rural Normal School of Ayotzinapa. They were in Iguala to hijack buses to use for transportation to a rally in Mexico City.
They were attacked on the buses by local police and allegedly handed over to members of the Guerreros Unidos cartel, some of whose members confessed to killing them and burning the bodies.
Implicating soldiers in the case would be difficult for President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who praises and relies on the army to a degree unparalleled in recent Mexican history. However, his administration has pledged to get to the bottom of the mystery and prosecute anyone responsible.
Source: https://www.msn.com/
43 missing studentsayotzinapaMexico
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(USA Today Sports Images)
Building the Spine: Portland Timbers new DP signings bolster key positions
7 July, 201412:07PM PDT
Dan ItelMLSsoccer.com
Follow@ dan_itel
BEAVERTON, Ore. – In the span of three days, the Portland Timbers made two moves they hope will solidify the spine of their club for the coming years.
Signing striker Fanendo Adi on June 23 and then central defender Liam Ridgewell two days later, both to Designated Player contracts, to go along with DP attacking midfielder Diego Valeri, gives the Timbers their highest-paid players at key positions along the back line, midfield and up top.
It is a strategy of building a complete team that is not focused on spending big money on big-name attacking talent but on addressing specific needs, both head coach Caleb Porter and Gavin Wilkinson told MLSsoccer.com – even if that means spending on a less-than-sexy defender in Ridgewell, who will become just the third DP defender in MLS history when he joins the team this week.
It may sound simple, but with a majority of the DP dollars being spent on forwards, it’s relatively uncommon in MLS.
“We don’t have to bring in a name DP that’s possibly a little bit older, that’s possibly on the downward slope of their career, to sell tickets because of name recognition,” Wilkinson said in a recent phone conversation. “We hope the players we’re signing will come into Portland and reinforce what they are and what they represent and hopefully create a bigger name for themselves.”
VOTE: Diego Valeri is in the running for the latest AT&T MLS Goal of the Week!
Most importantly, Wilkinson hopes they come in and help the team produce results on the field.
Wilkinson said it is exactly what happened with Valeri, an Argentine who came to the Rose City without the biggest name but burst onto the scene to win the MLS Newcomer of the Year award last year. He noted that to a certain extent, the same can be said of defensive midfielder Diego Chara, who was signed out of Colombia as a DP but no longer qualifies as such because his initial acquisition costs are now off the books.
Players like Adi, a 23-year-old Nigerian who first came to the Timbers on a short-term loan from FC Copenhagen, and Ridgewell, a mainstay in the lower reaches of the Premier League, do not necessarily light up a marquee. But Wilkinson and Porter believe their contribution to the group will give the club’s impassioned fan base what they ultimately flock to Providence Park to see: wins.
“I don’t think we necessarily had it in our minds that we were going to spend DP money,” Porter said, of the Ridgewell signing after a recent training session. “We needed that position. We weren’t just going to go after a DP just because we needed a name; we just needed a good player.”
Since joining the team in mid-May, the impressive Adi has filled a need for a target forward, scoring four goals and recording two assists in just five starts. At 6-foot-4, he is a threat as a target for set pieces and crosses, and his hold-up play has helped the team’s dangerous on-ball attackers such as Valeri and Darlington Nagbe.
The signing of Ridgewell is intended to shore up one of the league’s worst defenses. Porter said Ridgewell is mobile, good in the air, a good man-marker and, perhaps most importantly, has been holding his own against some of the planet's best attackers for 10 years in the English Premier League.
“He’s in the prime of his career as a defender, and he’s been playing game in and game out in the top league in the world going against many of the top attackers in the world,” Porter said. “So that’s why you have to pay a little bit more to get him.”
Porter said one of the things that sold him on Ridgewell was watching his West Brom side go up against Liverpool as the Premier League season drew to a close. In the Feb. 2 game, Ridgewell led his team to a 1-1 draw against the likes of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling.
“He’s managing players like that for a 90-minute game, and he’s playing against all these guys game in and game out, and he’s in 1-v-1 situations,” Porter said.
The Timbers brain trust contend that as MLS continues to spend money to add talent on the offensive side of the ball, eventually teams will have to do the same on the other side to manage those attackers.
“As you start to see better players in this league, better attacking players more specifically, you have to have something to counter that,” Wilkinson said. “So I think it will be a trend where teams start to invest a little bit more in their back line.”
Another aspect of signing a Designated Player is that player's effect on the locker room dynamic. Portland had the luxury of seeing what Adi brings to the table in that regard over last two months. With Ridgewell, Porter spent the day with him in Portland during a sort of “recruiting trip” and said he is a player who is “humble” and eager for a new challenge after “grinding” in the lower levels of the Premier League.
Catch the latest PTFC news at Timbers.com
“If you get the wrong type of guy or they don’t have the character or think they’re better than the other players or not a good pro, it can turn into a bad situation,” Porter said. “If you don’t get the right type of guy, then the players might resent that because they are making more money.”
In a club culture where every player is treated equally, from the highest-paid player to a new pro making the league minimum, Wilkinson said any player they bring in has to play a role on the field and off it.
“We have the luxury of doing what’s right for the group on the field, and hopefully what’s right in getting points and winning games,” Wilkinson said.
Dan Itel covers the Timbers for MLSsoccer.com.
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International News >
Sean Bean doesn't want to die on-screen; turns down roles
Updated Sep 22, 2019 | 23:27 IST | IANS
Sean Bean's iconic roles include Ned Stark on Game of Thrones, Alec Trevelyan in GoldenEye, and Boromir in The Lord of the Rings.
Sean Bean doesn't want to die onscreen anymore
Los Angeles: Game of Thrones star Sean Bean says he is no longer interested in taking on acting roles that lead to his character's demise. In an interview with The Sun, the British actor said that after nearly two dozen of his characters died across 35 years in the business, he has become selective, reports people.com.
"I've turned down stuff. I've said, 'They know my character's going to die because I'm in it!'. I just had to cut that out and start surviving, otherwise it was all a bit predictable," he said. Bean's iconic roles include Ned Stark on Game of Thrones, Alec Trevelyan in GoldenEye, and Boromir in The Lord of the Rings.
"I did do one job and they said, 'We're going to kill you', and I was like, 'Oh no!' and then they said, 'Well, can we injure you badly?' and I was like, 'OK, so long as I stay alive this time'," he said. "I've played a lot of baddies, they were great but they weren't very fulfilling -- and I always died," said Bean, who has played villains in most of his roles, with one exception in "Game of Thrones".
"I'd read the Game Of Thrones books and they said to me, 'You do die in this, but it's near the end of the series'. And I was like, 'Yeah, yeah, fair enough'. So they made it very clear at the time I was going to die, and I thought, 'I don't want to get stuck in one of these series that lasts seven years'. "But I wish I'd have got stuck now," he added.
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IPL 2017 >
Indian Premier League: Hyderabad’s last chance to confirm playoff berth
Updated May 12, 2017 | 23:28 IST | Times Now, Agencies
Facing almost a do-or-die situation to qualify for top-four in 2017 IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Gujarat Lions in their last league match on Saturday.
Kanpur: Facing almost a do-or-die situation to qualify for top-four in 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL), Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Gujarat Lions in their last league match on Saturday.
After two losses in last three games, Sunrisers Hyderabad must win tomorrow’s to get to 17 points and secure their place in playoffs. A loss would mean that Hyderabad’s fate lie in the hands of Kings XI Punjab, who, if won in their last league match against Pune, will qualify for top-four.
With 15 points from seven wins and five losses in 13 games, Sunrisers are currently placed at the fourth spot, while the Lions are already out of contention with only eight points from 13 matches.
If Sunrisers lose against Gujarat tomorrow, then their playoff hopes will depend on the match between Rising Pune Supergiant and Kings XI Punjab in Pune on Sunday. They would need Supergiant to beat Punjab to make it to the Playoffs.
Going into the match, Sunrisers are the favourites as they seemed to have the most balanced side in the tournament with Warner and Bhuvneswar Kumar currently grabbing the orange and purple caps respectively.
For Sunrisers, Warner and Shikhar Dhawan have done the bulk of the scoring and emerged as the highest run-getters of the season. They are placed at No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the most runs list this season with 535 and 450 runs respectively from 12 matches each.
Their bowling unit too has delivered with Bhuvneshwar claiming 23 wickets so far, while Siddarth Kaul and Rashid Khan have claimed 15 and 14 wickets respectively. Gujarat, on the other hand, have been inconsistent but they still possess the firepower to disrupt Hyderabad's applecart.
The Lions have a power-packed batting line-up with skipper Suresh Raina delivering the goods with 440 runs so far in the tournament.
During their last match, Aaron Finch (69 off 39) stitched a 92-run stand with Dinesh Karthik (40 off 28) to lead Lions to 195-5 and they remain vital cogs in Gujarat's wheels.
However, it is the bowling which Raina would be wary of as they have failed to take wickets and put the brakes on their oppositions this season.
Gujarat seemed to have been affected much by the injury of Andrew Tye, who had emerged as their best bowler early in the event. In his absence, too much onus has been put on the young shoulders of seamer Basil Thampi.
James Faulkner and Ravindra Jadeja too haven't fired in the tournament and it affected their campaign.
(With inputs from PTI)
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Pocatello acoustic guitarists
Who doesn’t enjoy the smooth sounds of an Acoustic Guitarist? Book one on The Bash for any event: weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, and more. Choose from the most gifted guitarists in the Pocatello, ID area when you search today.
Acoustic Guitarists /
Idaho /
Pocatello, ID Acoustic Guitarists
Please note these Acoustic Guitarists will also travel to Fort Hall, Inkom, Springfield, Pingree, Aberdeen, Sterling, McCammon, Arbon, Moreland, Arimo, American Falls, Lava Hot Springs, Bancroft, Blackfoot, Firth, Basalt, Rockland, Downey, Shelley, Atomic City, Holbrook, Swanlake, Idaho Falls, Grace, Conda, Iona, Stone, Malad City
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Pro Tip: You can hire a virtual acoustic guitarist from any location to bring your online event to life.
Top Acoustic Guitarists Near Pocatello, ID
(57)({{searchCtrl.fullFilteredResults.length}}) REFINE
Are you planning a wedding in Pocatello, ID? We can help you find the best vendors and entertainers for your upcoming wedding.
WillowStar
Acoustic Guitar from Jackson, WY (93 miles from Pocatello, ID)
WillowStar is the perfect accompaniment for your party! Whether solo or with a small ensemble, she will delight your guests with her gracious personality, her beautiful voice, and her finger-picking acoustic guitar stylings. She is a song-writer, originally from New York City, and moved out West as many creative, adventuring artists do. Many of her original tunes will be appropriate for your venue, as she writes from the heart, and the topic of love has no trouble finding it's way into her... (more)
Guitarist & Bagpiper- Michael Lancaster
Just Booked!
Acoustic Guitar from Denver, CO (447 miles from Pocatello, ID)
From Bach to Beatles to Bagpipes, classy to casual to hip, and everything in between. Michael's music is the perfect complement to your special event. Guitar, Voice, Bagpipe, DJ/MC, Sound Equipment, Lighting. The elegant sound of the guitar will add a touch of class to your special occasion. The powerful sound of the bagpipe will make your affair unique and memorable. When Michael DJs you can have any artist (their music, that is) show up to your event! Michael can provide everything... (more)
Travis Daudert
Hello! Travis Daudert provides a customized solo guitar performance of great music spanning the diverse styles and genres of jazz, classical, acoustic, pop, rock, folk, R&B, funk, world, country and the blues. With 30 years of professional performing experience, you are guaranteed an enriching addition to your party, wedding or event. Travis performed and toured extensively on the west coast while living in San Diego, California. While there, he earned an associates degree in classical... (more)
Laurie Dameron
Jazz Acoustic Guitar from Boulder, CO (419 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Laurie Dameron, has been playing the guitar for over 50 years and singing even longer. Between solo performances and performances with her band, Laurie D and the Blues Babes, she has performed for hundreds of venues in and out of Colorado over the past 20 years. Most recently, on Dec 7, 2013, Laurie passed the first round audition for AMERICA'S GOT TALENT, at the Denver Convention Center! Laurie has produced three CDs and is versatile with selections from folk, instrumental, pop,... (more)
Joshua Robert
Singer Guitarist from Las Vegas, NV (485 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Joshua Robert is one of the the most talented and hard working young entertainment professionals in Las Vegas. He travels frequently between Nevada, California, and Ohio. -He is an Acoustic Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter -Full Time Musician with 10+ Years Experience -3 Years Spent in Nashville entertaining thousands of people -Performs over 100 Gigs a year -Can Perform any song on short notice -Uses a Professional Sound System that is both clear and dynamic -Is available... (more)
Scott Warren
Singer Guitarist from Evergreen, CO (433 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Thanks for taking the time to check out my site! I'm a Colorado-based singer and guitarist available for your next wedding, corporate event or private party. Voted "Best of" for 2017 & 2018 here on Gigmasters, I have played events all over Colorado & California (see list below). My repertoire is a mix of classic and current singer/songwriter, pop and rock from artists like The Beatles, Tom Petty, Coldplay and The Lumineers. You can check out my current song list by clicking on the "SONGS" tab... (more)
Steve Shurack
Guitar from Denver, CO (447 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Steve is one of Colorado's most experienced and versatile guitarists. From elegant, beautiful classical guitar sounds perfect for listening or background music to electric guitar for cool jazz & Latin, fun rock & roll favorites, folk, blues, country, and more for a fun variety. Steve is very experienced playing for weddings, often playing classical for the ceremony and then a fun mix of jazz, rock, folk, flamenco, Bossa Nova, and more for the cocktails and dinner music. His wide repertoire... (more)
Bagpiper - Scott Beach - 24 Years Exp.
Celtic Bagpipes from Denver, CO (440 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Trained to play the bagpipes at the age of 9 years old in Angus County, Scotland by an international gold medal bagpiper, Scott Beach has over 30 years experience bagpiping, with over 10 years as a solo professional musician, and averaging 250 events annually. Scott grew up playing the bagpipes along the banks of the South Esk River, where his kilted grandfather would salmon guide for for the Earl of South Esk. Scott's father is a career US Navy man, and proud Irishman, and Scott performs... (more)
Ricardo Griego - Spanish/Flamenco Guitarist
Flamenco Guitar from Las Vegas, NV (492 miles from Pocatello, ID)
From Flashy Flamenco to Romantic melodies to Contemporary hits, Ricardo Griego and his Spanish Guitar covers it all. Mr. Griego has a unique skill of sizing up the event and with communication and direction from the client, he will provide the correct sound, songs and presence to any event. Ricardo has both a Bachelor's Degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a Master's Degree from the University of Southern California in Guitar Performance. He is also very polite and well... (more)
Michael Delalla
Guitar from Longmont, CO (420 miles from Pocatello, ID)
"One of the very best acoustic guitarists in the world....music of the most exquisite order." Matt Fink, All Music Guide Guitarist and composer Michael DeLalla's music is a delicious brew of traditional influences and classical, jazz, Celtic, World Music and folk stylings. A trained classical guitarist, he can bring a wide-reaching repertoire to any occasion, drawing on traditions worldwide. Weddings, corporate events and concert series are a specialty. Michael's longstanding reputation... (more)
Mike Heuer
Singer Guitarist from Denver, CO (443 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Weddings · Private Events · Corporate Functions · Bar & Club Shows · Intimate Listening Rooms *For More Reviews, Please visit the website GigSalad and search Mike Heuer. Thanks! Mike Heuer is a seasoned professional in event performance, specializing in solo, duo, and full band entertainment. His past and present venues include Weddings, Private Parties, Corporate Functions, Bar & Club Entertainment, Listening Rooms, and more. With over a decade of experience, Mike is an accomplished... (more)
Manuel Molina And His Magic Guitar
World Music Guitar from Aurora, CO (455 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Manuel Molina was born in Peru . He attended the Conservatory of Peru in Lima where he studied composition and classical guitar. At the age of 17, he was the youngest person to conduct the Peruvian National Symphony. Manuel Molina has led various musical Concerts around the world for over 25 years providing professional Latin entertainment. Manuel Molina, has traveled the world performing for the United States US embassies overseas. He enjoys a thriving international career as a solo... (more)
Acoustic Guitar from Charleston, SC (1890 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Matt Commerce's sound blends soulful, acoustic folk/rock with a smooth, beachy vibe. Matt entertains for parties, weddings, and corporate events all around the United States, and has shared the stage with legendary artists such as Usher, Sheryl Crow, Natasha Bedingfield, and Stevie Wonder. With a repertoire of over 1200 songs ranging from current top hits, through the wide reaches of rock and R&B, all the way back to classic jazz and swing, Matt brings each song to life with his fresh... (more)
Christopher Wooley
Acoustic Guitar from Woodland Hills, CA (688 miles from Pocatello, ID)
"Every guest raved about Chris - If you're looking for an accommodating, talented, no worry performer, Chris is the person to book straight away!"... Hi - Thanks for visiting ! I'm a solo guitarist, vocalist & ukulele player, playing the finest, most beloved songs from the last 40 years, from Ed Sheeran & Mumford & Sons to The Beatles, Van Morrison, James Taylor & The Eagles to The Police, Tom Petty, U 2, Springsteen, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Train & Dave Matthews. My 700+... (more)
Vinnie Hines
Booked 4 Days Ago!
Acoustic Guitar from Orlando, FL (1984 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Many Fortune 500 Companies including ELVIS PRESLEY ENTERPRISES, HARD ROCK ENTERPRISES and CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES have all hired this AMERICAN IDOL alumnus to bring his talent to their stages! He is a seasoned pro, playing more than 1,500 shows in 12 countries for a variety of nationally accredited colleges, corporate events, tradeshows, conventions and private performances like weddings and parties. Broadening his reach in the music industry, he bought into a Chicago-based company called... (more)
Looking to celebrate remotely? Hire a virtual acoustic guitarist to help bring your online event to life!
LIGHTS OUT ACOUSTIC AND SOLO/DUO ARTISTS
Acoustic Guitar from Dallas, TX (1099 miles from Pocatello, ID)
LIGHTS OUT ACOUSTIC AND SOLO/DUO ARTISTS PROVIDE LIVE MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT ALL OVER THE USA AND CANADA! ONE FEATURED ARTIST WE REPRESENT IS CORNBREAD! CORNBREAD IS AN ALL-PRO COUNTRY ARTIST THAT PERFORMS A REPERTOIRE THAT CONSISTS OF CLASSIC NASHVILLE COUNTRY AND CLASSIC ROCK HITS FROM THE 70'S, 80', AND 90'S WITH SOME CURRENT NASHVILLE AND TEXAS COUNTRY AS WELL! HE IS CURRENTLY SIGNED WITH SSM NASHVILLE RECORDS IN NASHVILLE, TN! HE ALWAYS PLAYS TO HIS AUDIENCE! CORNBREAD IS AN... (more)
Jose Prieto
Acoustic Guitar from South Pasadena, CA (679 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Jose Prieto is a well known acoustic guitarist/singer from Madrid, Spain. He has been performing all over California for several years. Jose plays as a Solo Artist, Duo Guitarist with Victor Torres and with a full band named Cale. His technique allows him to play a wide variety of styles,ranging from classical, rumba flamenco, to Latin and a mixture of modern songs adapted into flamenco guitar. Please check out the video section, you will find several videos with some of the most popular... (more)
David Cordoba - Flamenco guitarist
Acoustic Guitar from Austin, TX (1189 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Forget about flamenco copycats and imitators... if you need authentic flamenco guitar music for your party, I am exactly what you need. I come from Spain and have been in the flamenco scene for more than 15 years. I have played in private parties, social, political and corporate events, weddings and music festivals, among other events. I have an extensive repertoire, with both traditional flamenco jondo tunes and modern pieces. I can play solo, or with a whole flamenco group. If you'd like to... (more)
John Wayland Harr
Acoustic Guitar from Portland, OR (534 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Hello there! Thanks for visiting my page. Here's a bit about me and how I can help you with your special event: I have had the privilege of providing music for MANY, MANY wineries, wine bars, cocktail parties, weddings, dinners, restaurants, concerts, and other public and private events in my career. I have been especially busy performing since moving to the Pacific NW in August 2008. I have played for events all throughout this region from Seattle to Eastern Washington, the Oregon... (more)
Payam Larijani
Acoustic Guitar from Irvine, CA (701 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Thank you for the consideration. My name is Payam. (pronounced Pie-Yum) I am a UCLA music department graduate with a Masters in Commercial Music from Cal State Los Angeles, and Doctoral Degree in Music Performance of guitar from Claremont Graduate University. I am a dedicated professional artist/musician. I am always willing to go above and beyond to help my clients create a memorable experience they will never forget. My selection of guitar music repertoire creates an upbeat, fun, and... (more)
Jason Liebman
Top 40 Acoustic Guitar from Whitestone, NY (1975 miles from Pocatello, ID)
MTV-FEATURED ARTIST with the MOST MASSIVE & DIVERSE SONGLIST on Gigmasters. ***NEW VIDEOS JUST ADDED! Read the reviews - they say it all! Clients call Jason the "Human Jukebox"! WORLD-TRAVELED MUSICIAN whose set lists range from contemporary hits and mainstream pop/rock/indie rock to 80's new wave, classic Motown/R&B and modern and vintage Americana. Jason also performs traditional classical and jazz instrumentals. JASON WILL PLAY AS MANY REQUESTS AS YOU HAVE! The Beatles to The Stones,... (more)
Eric Berdon
Acoustic Guitar from Thousand Oaks, CA (692 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Gigmasters "BEST OF 2016"! Corporate clients include - MICROSOFT, AT&T, STARBUCKS, DHL, STARZ, AB&C, MAVERICK PRODUCTIONS, ACHF ... and many more! TALENTED. RELIABLE. PROFESSIONAL. DEPENDABLE. - Everything you want and need for your special event! Eric Berdon is the voice and guitar you've heard on TV shows and commercials, and is here to make your wedding / party / event PERFECT! READ THE REVIEWS from his previous gigmasters bookings ... they say it all. The original Eric Berdon songs... (more)
Kenny Cunningham/Acoustic English Guitarist/Singer
Acoustic Guitar from Philadelphia, PA (1929 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Kenny is a solo acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter from Liverpool, England. Kenny has played music all over the world - from parties/restaurants in Liverpool and London to the South of France to the Caribbean where he also worked on Yachts and played music for guests. His acoustic music of classic rock/contemporary folk, unique voice, fingerpicking guitar style is reminiscent of Paul Simon and James Taylor and sounds like two guitars! He often (when requested) provides a coffee... (more)
Top 40 Acoustic Guitar from Roslyn, NY (1983 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Pop Acoustic Guitar from Daly City, CA (636 miles from Pocatello, ID)
An award-winning, nationally known musician, Bobby Jo Valentine is an exceptional artist who gives soulful, friendly, powerful acoustic performances at weddings, theaters, concert halls, and commercial venues. With over 40 5-star reviews in a row across several wedding and corporate websites, BJV is the premier choice for any event requiring, upbeat, soulful, acoustic music. Professional and friendly, energetic and warm, current and timeless, he is available to travel nation-wide to... (more)
Brian Ripps
Acoustic Guitar from New York City, NY (1967 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Brian Ripps is the guy you want at your event. From bars and music clubs to weddings, birthday parties, colleges and other private events, he has made nearly 1500 appearances since 2007 as a solo act, an acoustic duo and with his rock band, The Turn. In addition to his growing catalog of original material, Brian maintains a vast repertoire of rehearsed cover songs (over 1000 songs), amongst which Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," The Beatles' "Come Together," and Kings of Leon's "Use... (more)
John Bartus (Solo or Band)
Acoustic Guitar from Marathon, FL (2174 miles from Pocatello, ID)
Versatile, professional, original, and uniquely entertaining – audiences in the Florida Keys have kept John Bartus one of the busiest and most booked musicians since his arrival in the islands in 1984. Whether it's with his band Storm Watch, or his solo acoustic act that redefines what a one-man band can be, John has performed for events large, small, and everything in between. From sharing the stage with acts like Kansas, 38 Special, Rick Derringer, Edgar Winter, and Clarence Clemons, to the... (more)
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Share this Story: Jason Kenney says he might file trade complaint if Joe Biden revoked Keystone XL permits
Jason Kenney says he might file trade complaint if Joe Biden revoked Keystone XL permits
Biden said through his campaign that he would halt the project that would carry more than 800,000 barrels of crude per day from Alberta to U.S. refineries
Ashley Joannou
May 20, 2020 • May 20, 2020 • 4 minute read
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he would consider filing a complaint through USMCA if Joe Biden is elected U.S. president and quashes the permits for the Keystone XL pipeline project. Photo by Jason Franson /The Canadian Press
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he would consider filing a complaint under international trade law if Joe Biden wins the U.S. election and rips up the Keystone XL pipeline permits.
“If that were to happen, obviously we would use every legal means at our disposal to protect our fiscal and economic interests, and I would have to assume that any U.S. administration values the Canada-U.S. trade relationship so much that they would be sensitive to costs of that nature,” Kenney said Tuesday.
Jason Kenney says he might file trade complaint if Joe Biden revoked Keystone XL permits Back to video
Kenney said the Alberta government would look at objecting to the move through various trade agreements such as the USMCA or through the World Trade Organization.
Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee in November’s U.S. election, issued a statement through his campaign on Monday, saying he would halt the project that would carry more than 800,000 barrels of crude from Alberta oil fields to Gulf Coast refineries in the U.S. per day. Biden was vice-president when former president Barack Obama blocked the project in 2015.
“Stopping Keystone was the right decision then and it’s still the right decision now. In fact, it’s even more important today,” Biden’s policy director Stef Feldman said in a written statement, first reported by Politico on Monday.
“That denial of science ends on Day 1 of a Biden presidency,” she said. “Biden strongly opposed the Keystone pipeline in the last administration, stood alongside President Obama and Secretary (of State John) Kerry to reject it in 2015, and will proudly stand in the Roosevelt Room again as president and stop it for good by rescinding the Keystone XL pipeline permit.”
Kenney’s UCP government has promised up to $1.5 billion in equity investment in 2020 for the project as well as a maximum of $6 billion, via a loan guarantee in 2021.
Construction has already started and Kenney said the government’s investment “creates a reality to which any administration will have to respond to next year.”
If Biden is elected, Kenney said he wants to take time during the transition to present the work that has been created on the ground.
“I cannot imagine that a U.S. president eight months from now, nine months from now, would require that thousands of miles of pipes be pulled out of the ground by the union workers who are now employed creating that project,” Kenney said.
As for a potential legal route, Kenney said the government has “done extensive legal analysis.” The Energy Ministry refused to release that analysis, citing attorney-client privilege.
Greg Anderson, a political science professor at the University of Alberta who focuses on international trade, doubts Alberta has much of a route to force the U.S. president’s hand if need be.
In 2016, Calgary’s TC Energy — then known as TransCanada Corp. — filed a complaint under the old North American Free Trade Agreement’s (NAFTA) Chapter 11 which established a mechanism for the settlement of investor-state disputes. That complaint was withdrawn a year later after President Donald Trump indicated he would approve the plan.
Now that the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) has been ratified by all three countries to replace NAFTA, Anderson doesn’t see a way the old complaint could be resurrected. As for a new complaint, Chapter 11 no longer exists.
“Under the old NAFTA, one of the big complaints about it was that it gave private firms this tool, this legal mechanism, where they could essentially challenge state sovereignty, could challenge the state’s right to legislate or regulate in the public interest,” Anderson said.
The new deal has more of a focus on sovereignty, and there is no longer an arbiter who can decide who is right or wrong and make binding orders.
“It’s essentially diplomacy where the two national governments can get together and try to sort out any disputes that are arising on investment matters,” Anderson said.“So that requires Ottawa and Washington to get their heads together and essentially work out a diplomatic solution.”
The World Trade Organization also emphasizes sovereignty, Anderson said.
“If the United States wants to rip up those permits, there’s nothing in the WTO that can force the reinstating of anything,” he said.
Instead, if the WTO rules that one country is in violation of the agreement, the offended country is allowed to withdraw concessions of the equivalent amount that it has lost, such as through tariffs.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Opposition Leader Rachel Notley said “Keystone XL is an incredibly important project to our oil and gas sector, and province as a whole” but called on the government to be clearer about the $7.5 billion it has promised for the project.
“We agree that it is important to keep making the case to American lawmakers about the need for the pipeline while taking real action to improve our environmental record in this sector,” Notley said.“But it is also time for the UCP to finally come clean and release the details of this deal, so Albertans can evaluate the risk for themselves.”
Kenney said the loan guarantees do not get triggered until the 2021 construction season following the U.S. election and inauguration.
“Those $6 billion in loan guarantees are not at risk and we and the operators, TC Energy, will be able to make an assessment of the state of play in late January of next year,” he said.
— With files from the Canadian Press
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Can Canada pivot from pandemic to progress?
Kim Pate
Published September 19, 2020 Updated September 19, 2020
Senator Kim Pate represents Ontario. For nearly 40 years she has worked with and on behalf of marginalized, victimized, criminalized and institutionalized youth, men and women.
This year, we learned that the emperor had no clothes. A pandemic hit and Canadians who thought their lives and financial situations were secure were abruptly – sometimes lethally – faced with the inadequacy of social, economic and health services we once dined out on internationally. Described as the great equalizer, the pandemic actually exposed massive inequality. That inequality had a face – and it was not white, male or privileged.
Data from Toronto and Montreal – two of the hardest-hit cities in Canada – revealed higher rates of COVID-19 in lower-income neighbourhoods. It is no accident; systemic racism and inequality have produced these cramped and predominantly racialized communities.
The risks and dangers of COVID-19 have fallen disproportionately on those living on the margins. Though they’ve been called “essential,” precarious workers – in particular racialized women – face health risks, poor working conditions and inadequate benefits, if they even receive any.
Hygiene requirements and efforts to physically distance have been virtually impossible to meet for those living in long-term care, on the streets, or in overcrowded, low-income housing. For those in prisons, the response has been the increased use of solitary confinement.
So the Liberals' Throne Speech on Sept. 23 will be an opportunity to set out policies and programs to carry us forward in ways that are more inclusive and equitable. What might such a Canada look like?
We must address the long-term effects of colonization and embedded racism. We must take up the calls of the Parliamentary Black Caucus, starting with the elimination of mandatory minimum penalty measures. Such penalties interfere with the ability of judges to craft fit and fair sentences based on the circumstances and context of each individual, including their history as a member of a Black, Indigenous or other racialized community. These proposals echo Call to Action #32 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Call for Justice 5.14 of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, both of which the government has committed to implementing.
An inclusive Canada must also promise the enhancement of community-based alternatives to incarceration, including the decriminalization of drugs. In Canada, eight in 10 imprisoned women are incarcerated in connection with their attempts to negotiate poverty and ensure the economic survival of their families, including by carrying drugs. Their incarceration perpetuates decades of policies forcing the separation of children from their parents, particularly in racialized families. Such practices have included residential schools, the state-sanctioned removal of children in the Sixties Scoop and discriminatory child welfare policies.
Another systemically racist barrier that must be dismantled is the impact of criminal records. For those who have served their sentences and been held accountable, criminal records too often perpetuate marginalization, stigma and poverty. They bar access to jobs, education, volunteer opportunities and even housing – all of which are vital to moving on from criminalization and creating safer and more just communities. We need to remove barriers to criminal-record relief, including the costs involved (upward of $645) and the exhausting, complex application processes.
Finally, a guaranteed livable income, along with adequate wages and benefits for the employed – as well as other social and health supports such as child care, education, pharma, mental health and dental care – would be a way to protect all Canadians. The majority of Canadians support a guaranteed livable income, according to an Angus Reid study from June, and it would enable people to further their education, step away from an unsafe or unsuitable job, or take time to look after others – without the fear that they will not be able to feed or house themselves or their families, especially during times of crisis. This type of policy could level the playing field and give everyone a fighting chance and – perhaps most importantly – the power to choose their own path.
As we brace for the coming waves of the pandemic, I am confident that this minority government will seize the opportunity to tackle a significant challenge, much as Lester B. Pearson’s administration did in creating Medicare and the Canada Pension Plan in the 1960s. Dismantling systemic racism and implementing infrastructure, economic and legal supports will assist all Canadians in contributing to the country’s economic recovery and well-being – and the Throne Speech must deliver a map for how the government can lead the way.
Speech from the throne
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Design of post-CERB benefits could change as COVID-19 pandemic shifts course, Qualtrough says
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Executive pay and bonuses
Shocking inequality: why San Francisco voted for 'overpaid executive tax'
Faced by inaction on national and state level, city decided to go it alone and tackle huge wealth gap
San Francisco’s first temporary sanctioned tent encampment for the homeless. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Rupert Neate Wealth correspondent
@RupertNeate
Sat 21 Nov 2020 03.30 EST
Last modified on Mon 23 Nov 2020 09.57 EST
On Matt Haney’s walk to work at San Francisco city hall he passes the luxurious homes of some of the richest US tech billionaires, as well as hundreds of the country’s most desperate people living in tent encampments on the street.
The “extreme, shocking inequality” he and the other 900,000 residents are forced to navigate every day led Haney, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the city’s legislative body, to propose a new “overpaid executive tax” designed to help tackle the problem.
San Francisco voters overwhelming backed a new law that will levy an extra 0.1% tax on companies that pay their chief executive more than 100-times the the median of their workforce. The surcharge increases by 0.1 percentage point for each factor of 100 that a CEO is paid above the median, up to a maximum of 0.6%.
Many of the biggest and best-known US companies would easily fall into the highest bracket. For example, Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla and the world’s third richest person, was paid $595m (£449m) last year, almost 10,000 times the firm’s median salary of just under $60,000.
Elon Musk was paid $595m last year, almost 10,000 times the median pay at Tesla. Photograph: Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images
Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple, was paid $134m in 2019, more than 2,300 times the firm’s median pay of $57,600.
At Google’s parent company, Alphabet, Sundar Pichai’s $86m was only 350 times the median of $246,804. Unlike Tesla and Apple, Alphabet does not operate high street stores, which brings down average pay.
Sundar Pichai, the chief executive of Alphabet and Google, was paid 350 time the median pay of his employees. Photograph: Tsering Topgyal/AP
The pay levels of US chief executives have increased by an average of 940% since 1978, compared with a 12% increase in workers’ pay, according to the Economic Policy Institute thinktank.
San Francisco’s new tax is estimated to bring in an extra $60m-$140m a year, revenue that will go into the city’s general budget. The tax, which comes into force in 2021, will be collected from all companies operating in the city, not just those headquartered there. The pay ratio will be calculated comparing CEO pay with the median of workers in the city, not worldwide.
Haney said that while the city desperately needs more money, the tax is also designed to “encourage companies to pay the lowest paid more or cut their executives’ huge pay”. He hopes the new law will set an example for other cities, states and even countries, like the UK, to follow to try and help tackle inequality worldwide.
“San Francisco has some of the most extreme inequality anywhere in the world, and many of the best-known companies growing here have some of the largest gaps between executive pay and worker pay,” said Haney, in an interview over Zoom as he walked to work this week.
Haney, who represents District 6, which includes the Tenderloin, Mission Bay and South of Market, added: “The contrasts are especially stark in my district where I represent some of the richest parts of San Francisco – and the country – and some of the poorest parts with huge numbers of homeless people without access to healthcare.”
The tents set up by homeless people in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
He said the coronavirus pandemic had exacerbated San Francisco’s inequality problem, which had already created “a city of extreme suffering” that drained local government of resources.
“The health system was already very strained, and the pandemic has exposed it even more,” Haney said. “It has shown how stark the inequality is, poor people could not afford to shelter and people of colour and essential workers bore the burnt of the pandemic.
“At the same time the richest have gotten much richer [from the pandemic] it shows the fundamental flaw of our economic system. A small number of people continue to make massive profits at a time when almost everyone else was suffering more than ever.
“The only way to solve inequality in San Francisco, is to make those making making huge profits to share it,” he said.
“There is a very dangerous imbalance here, people don’t like where we are going. We want to live in a city where we and our neighbours are doing OK, are healthy and safe, when you have a city so unequal it is very hard to keep everyone health and safe.
“It is the 0.001% of society who are causing the problem, there has to be a reckoning or we will see more suffering and poverty and it is a concern to all of us – our health and quality of life. The pandemic has shown us how we are all connected, and when some people are unable to take care of themselves it can put us all at risk.”
Haney said that in the face of inaction from the national and state government, the city had decided to act on its own. “It is a twofold goal, to address inequality and bring in new resources to allow us to response to the biggest emergency,” he said.
Haney hopes San Francisco could act as a template for others to follow. Portland, Oregon, introduced a similar but more limited levy in 2018 and expected to collect about $3m from roughly 150 companies.
“The overwhelming victory here will lead other cities and states to follow,” Haney said.
“San Francisco is a modern day version of a A Tale of Two Cities everywhere you look, we can’t have a nation that turns into that.”
• This article was amended on 23 November 2020. Revenue from the new tax will go into the city’s general budget, rather than being spent on improving the housing and healthcare provision for the city’s poorest people as an earlier version said.
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FactCheck: Will 180,000 homes and businesses begin 2020 without high-speed broadband?
Éamon Ó Cuív TD made the claim last week.
By Rónán Duffy Wednesday 27 Sep 2017, 10:00 PM
Sep 27th 2017, 10:00 PM 9,624 Views 37 Comments
THE SLOW ROLLOUT of broadband is surely one of the most frustrating issues facing people in some rural areas.
Politicians are constantly reassuring rural dwellers that high-speed internet is coming, but such reassurance is of little use to people who are trying to run a business with dial-up speeds.
The issue was a hot topic at the National Ploughing Championships in Offaly last week and new figures about how the work is progressing have raised fresh concerns about the length of time people will be waiting.
What was said
Among those who’ve been critical of the government’s efforts is Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cuív.
The Fianna Fáil deputy said on 12 September that the department is “stalling on the issue” and claimed that some people in rural areas still won’t have “this basic service” by the end of 2020.
Specifically, Ó Cuiv said that “180,000 homes and businesses will start new decade without high-speed broadband”.
We decided to take a look at that particular claim and asked the deputy where that figure came from.
In response, he said the figures were given to him in a briefing with the minister who said that 10% of the proposed connections won’t be completed by the end of 2020.
A broadband engineer searches for a wireless signal from a rooftop in Athgarvan, Co Kildare. Source: RollingNews.ie
The first thing that we need to clarify is what exactly constitutes “high-speed broadband”.
Legally speaking, high-speed broadband is a connection that has a download speed of at least 30 megabits per second (mb/s) .
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) has insisted that this is the minimum standard, however.
Instead, it wants connections at speeds of 100-150 mb/s to be possible in many areas so that the service is up-to-date for 20 years.
But for the sake of the defining high-speed broadband, 30 mb/s is the figure being targeted.
To look at the provision of broadband, it’s important to first point out that the National Broadband Plan (NBP) envisages this being achieved in a number of ways.
The first is through commercial telecommunications companies investing in the infrastructure. The department estimates the sector has invested €2.5 billion in the sector since 2012.
Most centres of population have benefitted from this investment but it is not a catch-all.
In the areas where it is deemed not commercially viable for telecoms companies to invest, the State is committed to intervening with investment.
This intervention will be in the form of the State contributing a subvention for operators to go in and provide high-speed connections.
The department’s high-speed broadband map displays where these approaches will be required.
In the map below, dark blue represents areas where broadband is being provided commercially or where companies say they will provide it.
Light-blue represents areas where they have agreed to do so, such as a current commitment by Eir to reach 300,000 premises in rural areas.
Finally, amber represents areas where the State will have to intervene.
The High Speed Broadband Map Source: dccae.gov.ie
(Note: It is perhaps worth pointing out that not every inch of grass in amber above needs to be connected, only dwellings in those areas. Some places have no such dwellings)
Speaking last week at the National Ploughing Championships, NBP director Fergal Mulligan and Patrick Neary of the DCCAE provided an update as to how the NBP is progressing.
They outlined that 840,000 premises were targeted as being in need of high-speed connections.
Eir has committed to rolling out broadband to 300,000 of those, leaving 540,000 that need State help.
Eir’s work on this began late last year and by the end of this month they will have passed the 100,000 mark. The plan is that 300,000 will be reached by the end of next year.
That leaves 540,000 premises that need to be covered with the help of the State subvention.
This project has been hit by repeated delays, having being first mooted back in 2012.
Source: dccae.gov.ie
It was revealed on Monday this week, the closing date for interested parties to submit their procurement bid, that just two bidders are now in the running. These are Eir and Enet.
An ESB-Vodafone joint venture, Siro, announced that it would not be competing for the tender, saying that it could not “develop a competitive business case to justify continued participation”.
Once the winning bid has been selected next year, the department says it will “move on as quickly as possible” to the next phase and hopes that “the majority” of the work will be completed by 2020.
“We do expect the majority of this to be done by 2020, that was always the ambition, that was always the plan for 2020. When we hear people talking about 2022 or 2024 it’s very misleading statistic because the majority of premises will be done by 2020,” Mulligan said at the briefing.
In terms of numbers, there are currently about 1.5 million premises with high-speed broadband, representing about 67% of the national total. Figures from the DCCAE record about 2.3 million premises across the 26 counties.
Patrick Neary said he expects 91% of these premises to have high-speed broadband by 2020.
Going by those figures, that remaining 9% would constitute about 201,00 premises, slightly more in fact than the figures provided to Ó Cuiv.
So by the department’s own figures, over 200,000 homes and business will not have high-speed broadband by the start of the upcoming decade.
It could of course be more or less depending on how the rollout continues, but the initial claim is correct as per DCCAE’s figures and we rate the claim as TRUE.
Tune in to TheJournal.ie’s FactCheck slot on The Pat Kenny Show tonight, Wednesday, 20 September, on TV3 at 10pm for more on the claims, facts and figures around life in rural Ireland.
Follow TJ_FactCheck on Twitter
Find more FactChecks here
TheJournal.ie’s FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles. You can read it here. For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out our Reader’s Guide here. You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here.
Rónán Duffy
@ronanduffy_
ronan@thejournal.ie
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Over 100 Expert Writers
Recycled Plastic Cups
S.A. Rogers
S.A. Rogers is a freelance writer who specializes in sustainability and corporate responsibility.
Photo: russelljsmith/Flickr.
Plastic cups are sold by the millions at restaurants and cafes, doled out at parties and events and all too often tossed in the trash after a single use only to languish in landfills indefinitely. Though reusable cups are the most environmentally-friendly choice, disposables are still in high demand, so other options are needed. Recycled plastic cups are an important part of the solution to unnecessary waste, and more of them are being offered as an alternative to cups made of virgin plastics.
The problem with plastic
A disposable plastic cup can take up to 80 years to decompose; an astonishing 1 million of them are used every six hours just on airline flights within the United States. Plastic cups are typically made from domestic natural gas, a finite fossil fuel, in an energy-intensive manufacturing process that results in the emission of toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases into the air. In 2009, it was discovered that chemical emissions were changing the DNA of cattle located on a farm downwind of a plastic manufacturing facility. Cutting back production on new plastics could help diminish such unfortunate effects.
If Americans choose to recycle more of their plastic waste, including beverage bottles, plastic bags and product packaging, producing single-use plastic cups from virgin plastics could become a thing of the past. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States generated 13 million tons of plastic waste in 2009 but only 7 percent of that was recovered for recycling. The good news is, the rate of recycling rises each year, and as the market for recycled plastics has expanded, the number of businesses handling or reclaiming post-consumer plastics has increased. Easy access to recycling facilities, in conjunction with education campaigns, helps ensure higher recycling rates.
Options for recycled plastic cups
Recycled plastic cups are not only popping up on store shelves, they're increasingly available at restaurants, hotels, festivals and other places where beverages are sold in disposable cups. PepsiCo recently rolled out a new line of cups that are not only recyclable, but also contain 20 percent post-consumer recycled content. These fountain cups are now available at restaurants, stadiums, theme parks, colleges and universities.
Solo, one of the world's largest manufacturers of disposable plastic tableware, now offers a line of products called Bare - Bringing Alternative Resources for the Environment. In addition to offering cups that are recyclable and made from compostable or renewable materials, Bare includes plastic cups made from 20 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. Solo reports that these clear recycled cups can be recycled in most communities that accept plastic water bottles.
And what about those plastic lids that are provided along with paper or styrofoam coffee cups? The world's first hot cup lid with recycled content debuted in early 2011. The 'EcoLid 25' by Eco-Products is made from 25 percent post-consumer recycled content, made in the U.S. from recycled materials discarded by large retailers.
How to recycle plastic cups
The number '6' or '7' in a triangle seen on the bottom of most plastic cups, including those iconic red party cups from Solo, indicates that it's rather difficult to recycle. Facilities accepting these cups aren't available in every community. Check Earth911.com to find out whether these plastics can be recycled in your area.
Unfortunately, used plastic cups can't be recycled into new plastic cups, so it's best to avoid using non-recycled and hard-to-recycle plastic cups when possible. When you do find yourself stuck with a few, try to re-use them instead of immediately tossing them in the trash. Use them to start seeds indoors, as organizers for small loose objects, or as scoops for pet food. You can also cut them in half and use them as cups for dips and sauces.
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July Events in Metro Detroit
United States Michigan Detroit
All Detroit
Think fireworks, outdoor music, water slides, and art fairs
Laura Sternberg
Laura Sternberg is a Detroit native and freelance writer.
July brings warm, humid days and long, balmy nights to the Metro-Detroit area. The month is also characterized by fireworks, music festivals, and marathons. The ultimate symbol of the season, though, is the Ann Arbor Art Fair. To help you plan your fun this July, here are some great, typically Detroit things to fill those sweltering days.
Summer Fireworks
Mike Kline (notkalvin) / Getty Images
Nothing says summer like an explosion of colored lights, flames, stars, and crackles orchestrated by a professional. Michigan's largest fireworks display is Ford Fireworks, which light up the sky above the Detroit RiverWalk in June. But there are plenty of other professional fireworks displays, before and after July 4, all over the Metro Detroit.
Ann Arbor Summer Festival
VasenkaPhotography / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival, which takes place from mid-June through early July, celebrates the season with three weeks of circus and street arts, dance, comedy, music, film, and great summer food.
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival calls itself an independent voice "dedicated to presenting a world-class celebration of arts and entertainment that enriches the cultural, economic, and social vitality of the region." That it does.
For more details about the festival, email info@a2sf.org.
Festival Office: 310 Depot Street,
Ticket Office: (734) 764-2538
July 4th Weekend
Deb Nystrom / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
There's plenty to do in Metro Detroit over this iconic holiday weekend celebration. In addition to multiple free fireworks displays, there are also festivals, parades, concerts, shows, picnics, and more.
Michigan ElvisFest, Ypsilanti
Courtesy of Michigan ElvisFest Ypsilanti
This loving homage to The King is in July every year. From the first to the last act, Michigan ElvisFest is a true concert with spectacular performances by the best professional Elvis tribute artists in North America. The Chicago Tribune calls it "one of the best music festivals in the Midwest."
Not only does it showcase artists in live musical performances and impersonations, it also serves as a venue for the average Joe to dress up and play The King for a day. The festival, held at Riverside Park in Ypsilanti's Historic Depot Town, also features food, drink, and classic cars.
Buy tickets online or at the gate.
Art in the Park, Plymouth
Courtesy of Plymouth Art in the Park
Plymouth's Art in the Park has grown to rival Ann Arbor's, making it the second largest art festival in the state. Some 400 artists from around the U.S. offer paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, fiber, glass, woodwork, photography, folk art and much more at the festival.
In addition to the art and crafts showcased, Art in the Park features musical artists, kids activities, entertainment and great summer food.
Courtesy of Ann Arbor Art Fair
The Ann Arbor Art Fair, the centerpiece of Ann Arbor's summer returns every July, bringing thousands of art lovers to the city's downtown.
The Ann Arbor Art Fair is actually a composite of four different fairs held in different areas of downtown Ann Arbor. In addition to arts and crafts, the fair has live music, street performances, and art workshops.
A Townie* Street Party with live music from area bands, food and drink from the townie pub kicks off the event.
*For the uninitiated, "townie" is what college students call the permanent residents of the town where they study, an apt reference for Ann Arbor, which is home to the sprawling University of Michigan.
Bell's Beer Bayview Mackinac Race
Courtesy of Bell's Beer
The nearly century-old Bayview Mackinac Race is one of only two large freshwater sailboat races in the world. More than 200 boats sail from Port Huron's Lakeside Park (a good place to watch the race) north of Detroit through Lake Huron to Mackinac Island at the northern tip of Michigan. Watching the race is free to the general public.
Saint Clair Riverfest and River Classic Offshore Powerboat Race
Courtesy of St. Clair's Riverfest
St. Clair Riverfest and the River Classic Offshore Powerboat Race takes in July in downtown St. Clair, Michigan. Watch the explosive action as powerboats race down the St. Clair in different classes as part of the Great Lakes Silver Cup Series and the Offshore Super Series.
Alongside the race, hospitality tents, family-friendly activities, music, games and live entertainment will line the river. Big-name bands will regale the crowds from the St. Clair stage.
For more information, call 810-987-8687 or 800-852-4242 toll-free.
Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images
Vans Warped Tour sponsored by the BMX/Skateboarding manufacturer Vans and other companies, makes its rounds into July. It features extreme sports merchandise and contests, as well as more than 60 bands, from Futuristic and Street Dogs to Attila and Jule Vera.
Concours d'Elegance, Plymouth
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
The annual Concours d' Elegance takes place in late July at the Inn at St. John's, Plymouth. The idea has morphed over the years, but the Concours d'Elegance at St. John's still features luxury collector cars, about $90 million worth. Addendum events include a motoring tour in vintage cars, an Italian date night, a vintage car auction, and many seminars.
The Concours d’Elegance of America originated at Oakland University’s Meadow Brook Hall, the historic home of Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of automotive pioneer John Dodge. In 2011, this world-class event moved to the beautiful grounds of the Inn at St. John’s in historic Plymouth, Michigan.
prettyemmy / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
Maker Faire is a festival of sorts that showcases local inventors and arts-crafts-science enthusiasts. The idea started in San Mateo, California, but spread nationally in 2010 as a "wild two-day spectacle of maker inventions and creations at the home of American innovation," as organizers put it. The fair is located in the parking lot of The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. Several related exhibits are also in various places inside the museum itself.
Beaches and Parks
Courtesy of Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority
Detroit, Michigan's largest city, is situated on the Detroit River, which connects Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, opposite Windsor, Ontario.
Downtown Detroit has RiverWalk, a wide, cement pathway for biking, skating, and walking with the Detroit River bordering one side and a greenway on the other.
But the real draw is the amazing number of park swimming holes and beaches, including the gorgeous, fine-sand kind along the Great Lakes. Either in the city itself or the metropolitan region, there are plenty of parks with rolling lawns of green, forested preserves, and playgrounds. Note that most beaches and parks in the Metro Detroit area require some kind of vehicle-entry permit.
Michigan as a whole is blessed with great sandy beaches and grassy dunes, thanks to its geographic location bordering four Great Lakes, from east to west: Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior.
Continue to 13 of 15 below.
Water Parks and Slides
If natural ponds and lakes don't provide enough excitement for you this summer, check out the many Detroit-area water parks and slides in the city itself and the suburbs. They're open throughout the summer.
Deb Perry / Getty Images
The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is always brimming with tours for adults and children, events, films, exhibits, and music, all of which is that much more pleasant in the wake of six and a half years of renovations. (The renewed DIA opened its doors in 2007 to show off a new design and new galleries. )
Paul Warner/Getty Images
At any given time during the summer, the Detroit area hosts a massive variety of shows and classical, jazz and rock music concerts; Broadway plays; comedy shows; county fairs; and dance events.
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Jayne gives a poignant account of being unloved and abused throughout her childhood.
The people who should have protected her disbelieved her, or criticised her behaviour, instead of questioning the possible causes.
Jayne was the youngest of four children. She relates that she has no memory of her father but she remembers her mother had mental health problems.
She was very young when she was put into foster care with a family. She says that for a time she stopped speaking and used to hide if anyone visited.
Her foster parents were an older couple and the foster father, Tony, was a particularly large man. Jayne grew up in fear of him, and a lot of her friends were scared of him too.
She says he never really spoke with her, and she remembers that he didn’t like having people in the house. She remembers that he would curse and make ‘dirty remarks’ about people.
Jayne describes feeling as a child that she was unloved by her own family, and just a source of money for her foster family. Tony bragged he fostered Jayne and her sister because no one else would have them, as if they were somehow bad.
Tony sexually abused Jayne and her sister. She chose to not go into many details about the abuse but she says he began to abuse her when her sister got older and started having boyfriends.
She adds that if her foster father ever saw Jayne with any boys she was friends with, he would call her a ‘harlot’.
On one occasion, Tony took her to the doctors to check if she was pregnant.
Because there was a lot of tension in the house, the children used to all go out as much as possible. Jayne describes catching the bus and ‘roaming everywhere’.
But as she got older her foster parents wanted her to do more jobs around the house. If she was late back she got ‘a thrashing’ from Tony and was sometimes denied meals as a punishment. She says that her friends fed her a lot.
Jayne frequently got into trouble and she spent time in children’s homes. She says she tried to tell some people in authority what had happened to her but she was called a liar.
Her foster parents used to visit her in the homes, and the staff seemed to think they were nice and loving. And when social services visited the family house, Jayne says her foster parents always made sure the place was tidy and the girls were nicely dressed.
When Jayne was in her mid teens, she took an overdose and was put in care again. She ran away often, but the police never asked her why.
She feels that many people in her life, including police, teachers and social workers, were quick to judge her, but no one did anything to help.
The sexual abuse Jayne endured has affected her marriage, her relationship with her children and her physical health.
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Should you put your kids in French immersion?
The debate starts before your child can even recite her ABCs: Will you put her in French immersion?
Nancy Ripton May 28, 2013
Photo: Tony Lanz
Growing up in Calgary, I didn’t know one person who was enrolled in French immersion. I struggled through core French, and graduated from high school knowing little more of a second language than when I went in. When I travelled abroad, I couldn’t say much more than “Je m’appelle Nancy,” or “Me llamo Nancy,” and sometimes wished I could communicate more effectively. But to be honest, knowing only English wasn’t a hugely significant issue in my life. Then I had kids.
A few decades later, I’m the mother of three children (ages six, four and two), and I have a dilemma. Should we enrol our children in a French-immersion school? My husband argues that it makes sense to keep our kids in the perfectly good, English-only community school that’s just three blocks from our home. I point out that the French-immersion school is only a five-minute drive away. But I do worry that since no one in our family speaks French, my children’s ability to learn a new language will be limited, and we won’t be able to help them with school work. Then again, I’d never discourage my kid from taking a physics or calculus class, for example, just because I know I wouldn’t be able to keep up. If we choose not to place our children in the French stream, I fear they’ll be at a severe disadvantage when they apply for university or enter the job market. Some parents think bilingualism will soon be as important as having a university degree.
Since 2000, national enrollment in French immersion has soared, with almost every province seeing growth. (New Brunswick is the only province where enrollment has decreased.) Throughout the ’90s, enrollment rates held steady at 7.9 percent, but by last year, 14 percent of all Canadian students were enrolled in French immersion, and the numbers continue to climb. The demand is most pronounced in Ontario and on the east and west coasts — Prince Edward Island’s enrollment accounts for almost 25 percent of their total student population, and lotteries and enrollment caps are now common in British Columbia.
“French immersion growth is outstripping our overall growth,” says Shirley Ann Teal, superintendent of Education for Peel, the GTA school district where my family lives. This year, when numbers topped out at 25 percent, our board placed a cap on the program and started a lottery system to get in. My son has been accepted to start French immersion next year, in grade one, but there’s no guarantee that his younger siblings will also get in, which is one of my biggest concerns.
“The first wave of French immersion graduates are having children and placing them in the program, too, because it worked for them,” says Lisa Marie Perkins, president of Canadian Parents for French, a volunteer group that promotes French as a second language for Canadian kids. But that’s only part of the story. A recent survey by the Peel District School Board found that one of the top reasons parents in my district enroll their children in the French stream is to open the door to future opportunities.
“For many parents, French immersion is seen as a way to get their child into what they consider to be a better school,” says Janet McDougald, our school-board chair. Some parents refer to it, half-jokingly, as akin to free private school. French-immersion schools do tend to score higher on provincial exams. French programs can also be self-selecting, often drawing the most involved parents, and the most academic students, which sometimes causes English programs to suffer. What parent wouldn’t want their kids surrounded by the smartest, most motivated peers possible?
Advocates argue that early immersion is the best way to learn a second language, but research has shown that there’s actually more than just language skills at stake. A 2013 study in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology found that learning a new language — especially between the ages of five and seven — improves the working memory, which is responsible for tasks such as reading and math. Another 2013 study, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, looked at elderly bilingual people and found that speaking more than one language from childhood increases cognitive flexibility — and the ability to adapt to unfamiliar or unexpected circumstances — later in life. It also increases the size of the hippocampus, a deep-lying brain structure that’s involved in learning new material and spatial navigation, and enhances three parts of the cerebral cortex.
Then there’s the lingering “what if” question. No one wants to limit a child’s life aspirations. “You don’t know who or what your child will want to be,” says Perkins. “You need to be bilingual to become prime minister. Isn’t that option the right of every child?”
In the likely event your child doesn’t end up at 24 Sussex Drive, he or she may need another language simply to get a job. French advocacy groups claim the unemployment rate for bilinguals is three percent lower than it is for Canadians who only speak English. They also point out that bilinguals earn an average of 10 percent more than monolingual people, making it more important than ever for new graduates to speak a second language. All of this evidence, however, does nothing for parents like me who are worried about whether we’ll be able to help our kids when the going gets tough.
“We were told we wouldn’t have to do anything, and that’s not what we’ve experienced,” says Kimberly Park*, a Toronto mom. Her six-year-old son, Liam, brings home French words to review, and Park feels she can’t go over them with him, because she doesn’t know how to pronounce them herself. While on mat leave, she volunteered in Liam’s class once a week, and saw her son and a handful of other children “silently struggle” because they didn’t understand what was going on. “I feel so guilty for putting Liam in French immersion, because I haven’t been able to support him at home,” she says. “The standout kids all have at least one French-speaking parent.”
She’s considering switching him to the English stream for grade one. Perkins urges anxious moms and dads to trust the process, and says her English-only parents couldn’t help her when she was a student in French immersion, either. “It’s designed for students without a French-speaking parent at home.” The most important thing you can do is provide a positive learning environment and be willing to get extra help (like a tutor or learning buddy) if needed. Remember that math is usually — but not always — taught in English (check with your area’s program).
McDougald says that before parents decide, they also need to know whether they’re comfortable pulling their child out of French immersion if they need to, and fine with sending siblings to separate schools or programs (if only one or two kids are taking the French route). Is your child adaptable to change, and does he handle transitions well? Will your family be able to manage two different school schedules if necessary? “Ultimately, as a parent, you know your child best,” says McDougald.
She also argues that when a child is struggling, sticking it out in a French classroom can be more damaging than the trauma of switching back to an English one. “How would you like to be deposited into a classroom where you’re not comfortable and don’t understand what the teacher is saying, and it doesn’t get better?” she asks. “Continual exposure to a stressful situation can undermine confidence.” She feels that if a child has been facing challenges year after year, it’s time to go back to English.
Most of my research has made a strong case for French, but the decision hasn’t been so simple for us. My gut tells me I should send my children to French immersion, but my heart says to keep them in the same school, where we’re comfortable, and where they have many neighbourhood pals. Right now, my gut is winning, but I still have a few more months to change my mind.
*Names have been changed.
A version of this article appeared in our June 2013 issue with the headline “Trending French,” p. 97.
Looking for a fun way to get your kids engaged in a second language? Check out our 10 Best Language Apps for Kids. >>
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Home » GLOBAL TRAVEL NEWS » Vale Of Glamorgan MP Visits Soon-To-Be Upgraded Stations
Vale Of Glamorgan MP Visits Soon-To-Be Upgraded Stations
Published on : Thursday, February 7, 2019
Vale of Glamorgan MP, Alun Cairns, met with Network Rail representatives to find out more about the accessibility upgrades planned for Barry and Cadoxton stations.
Access improvements are currently being designed for both stations and will be delivered through UK Government’s ‘Access for All’ funding with match-funding from Welsh Government. Once designs have been completed, work is expected to begin at Cadoxton Station in Summer 2019, and at Barry station in 2020.
Dale Crutcher, senior commercial scheme sponsor for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “Improving access at stations will make a real difference to passengers by making it easier for people to get to work, or travel to see friends and family.
“We are delivering record levels of investment over the next five years to cater for increasing demand and to transform the railway in Wales.”
Alun Cairns MP said: “I’m really pleased to see funding from the UK Government being allocated locally, so that much needed improvements to accessibility can be carried out at Cadoxton and Barry train stations. The regeneration of Barry as a whole is one of my biggest priorities and attracting investment is a key part of that. The station upgrades add to this and helps to make Barry a better place to live and work.”
The funding for these schemes was allocated at the beginning of Network Rail’s current control period (2014-2019). The UK Government has allocated a further £300m funding to continue with the Access for All Programme in Control Period 6 (2019-2024).
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A Look At Star Trek
Star Trek is one of the most famous TV shows of all time. Most critics weren’t impressed but millions of fans watched every week. Did a fan campaign save the show from cancellation? Did NBC take demographics into consideration when it decided to cancel Star Trek in 1969? Learn more in this look at Star Trek.
Perhaps the first mention of Star Trek in the media took place on November 25th, 1964 when Hedda Hopper noted in her “Looking at Hollywood” column that Susan Oliver had been painted green for a scene in the pilot to Star Trek, co-starring Jeff Hunter [1]. TV Guide reported in its December 12th, 1964 edition that Desilu was working on an hour-long, science-fiction series called Star Trek, starring Jeffrey Hunter [2].
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According to The New York Times in late December 1964, Star Trek was one of 76 pilots currently in production that would be considered for the 1965-1966 season. NBC alone was working on 24 pilots, including Star Trek, The Mayor, I Spy, Guilty or Not Guilty and Please Don’t Eat the Daisies [3]. NBC ultimately rejected the pilot to Star Trek but then took the unusual step of ordering a second pilot.
TV Guide reported in late May 1965 that the network had replaced Jeffrey Hunter with William Shatner and was considering using it as a mid-season replacement or a fall entry in the 1966-1967 season [4]. When an early version of NBC’s 1966-1967 schedule was released in late February 1966, Star Trek had been given the 10-11PM time slot on Fridays [5].
The final schedule, however, placed Star Trek on Thursdays from 8:30-9:30PM and gave the series a September 15th premiere date.
The Voyage Begins
At the start of August, NBC announced it would preview three of its new series the week before the 1966-1967 season officially began. Sneak preview episodes of Star Trek, The Hero and Tarzan would be broadcast on Thursday, September 8th [6]. The debut aired opposite the premiere of The Tammy Grimes Show and a repeat of Bewitched on ABC and a repeat of My Three Sons and the first half-hour of The CBS Thursday Night Movie (which was also a repeat).
The preview of Star Trek easily won its time slot with a 19.8/40.6 Trendex 26-city rating [7]. The following week, however, against all new programming, Star Trek fell to second place with a 15.7/29.4 Trendex rating [8]. Only the poor performance of The Tammy Grimes Show, which hurt ABC’s average during the 8:30-9:30PM hour, kept Star Trek from ranking third. The third episode drew a 15.6/29.8 Trendex rating, again ranking second [9].
Nationally, the September 15th and 22nd episodes of Star Trek (broadcast during the two-week period between September 11th and September 25th, the first ratings period of the new season) averaged an 18.7/31 Nielsen rating and ranked 33rd out of 94 programs [10, 11]. The next two episodes averaged a 17.4 Nielsen rating and fell to 51st [12]. Still, Star Trek was doing better than the vast majority of new fall series on the three networks; only nine new series ranked above it.
What The Critics Had To Say
In their reviews of Star Trek, television critics were rather doubtful about the long-term prospects of the series. A nationwide survey of 24 critics conducted by Television Magazine found only five considered Star Trek “good,” while eight found it “bad” and eleven were “indifferent” [13]. One of the best reviews came from Harry Harris of The Philadelphia Inquirer, who called the premiere episode a “suspenseful, puzzling and ultra-imaginative yarn” [14].
Other positive reviews came from The San Francisco Chronicle‘s Terrence O’Flaherty, who noted that the “opening yarn was a breath-catcher” and Bill Irvin of Chicago’s American, who wrote “I LIKE THIS ONE” [15]. Lawrence Laurent of The Washington Post wrote that “the plots may be space opera but the show has been produced with care and lots of money” [16].
Other critics were less impressed. Percy Shain of The Boston Globe felt that the series was “too clumsily conceived and poorly developed to rate as an A-1 effort,” and Bob Williams of The New York Post suggested that “one may need something of a pointed head to get involved” [17]. The Houston Chronicle‘s Ann Hodges called the premiere a “disappointingly bizarre hour” [18].
According to Jack Gould of The New York Times, “‘Star Trek’ makes clear that life in space will probably be more traumatic than on earth. […] The accent was less on the super-duper gadgetry usually associated with travel in the heavens than on astronautical soap opera that suffers from interminable flight drag. It was TV’s first psychodrama in orbit” [19].
One of the worst reviews came from Mary Ann Lee, who wrote in The Memphis Press-Scimitar that Star Trek was “one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Producer Gene Roddenberry had promised a show that would be science fact, not bizarre fiction” [20].
Star Trek Renewed For A Second Year
By November, Star Trek was performing well enough to warrant full-season order. The series was one of only nine new programs ranking above the 50th position in the Nielsen ratings (others included Tarzan, A Family Affair and Iron Horse) [21]. Still, increased competition from ABC — which had shifted Bewitched to 8:30PM and Love on a Rooftop to 9PM — had impacted Star Trek‘s ratings: the January 12th, 1967 episode ranked third in its timeslot with a 13.2/23.9 Trendex rating [22].
Nonetheless, NBC renewed Star Trek for a second season in March 1967, tentatively placing it in the 7:30-8:30PM hour on Tuesdays [23]. Instead, Star Trek was shifted to Fridays from 8:30-9:30PM when the final NBC schedule was released [24]. For the 1966-1967 season as a whole, Star Trek placed 52nd, and Television Magazine noted that it and Mission: Impossible were “examples of marginal shows that got tapped for a second season” [25].
Star Trek‘s second season premiere on Friday, September 15th, 1967 drew a 22.5 Trendex share, easily topping ABC’s Hondo but ranking a poor second to Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. and the first half-hour of The CBS Friday Night Movie on CBS, which averaged a 47 share from 8:30-9:30PM [26]. Nationally, the premiere ranked in the bottom 20 for the week [27]. Star Trek was off to a less than stellar sophomore season.
In October, as NBC planned its mid-season changes, reports surfaced that Star Trek would move to Mondays to replace The Man from U.N.C.L.E., which was facing cancellation [28]. Instead, it stayed put on Fridays.
Star Trek Cancelled?
It was at about this point that rumors began circulating that Star Trek was in danger of being cancelled. In a November 1st column, The Hartford Courant reassured fans of the series that Star Trek had not been cancelled and in fact would be filming an additional twenty-six episodes (the series produced 26 episodes during the 1967-1968 season; likely this report was referring to the fact that the series had been picked up for the remainder of the season and fans would be getting a full season’s worth of episodes) [29].
The rumors returned in full force in January 1968. The Hartford Courant ran a headline exclaiming “‘Star Trek’ Doomed, Renewal Is Unlikely,” reporting the cast had “been warned the show probably won’t be renewed” [30]. The paper printed a retraction the following month and quoted Leonard Nimoy: “We’ve gotten no word yet one way or the other. And at this point we seem to be in a better position than we were a year ago” [31].
NBC released its 1968-1969 schedule in February 1968 and Star Trek was on it. According to The New York Times, the series was “returning to the schedule after N.B.C. received thousands of letters protesting its possible cancellation” [32]. The move to Monday evening that had been suggested in October had been implemented and Star Trek would face The Mod Squad on ABC and Gunsmoke on CBS.
The rumors that Star Trek would be cancelled surprised NBC officials, who noted “that was never our intention” [33]. The network received some 114,667 letters between December 1967 and March 1968, including 52,151 in February 1968 alone [34]. Broadcasting reported that letters were sent by “two governors, several mayors and corporation executives, pleading for its return” [35].
The overwhelming response from fans led NBC to include the following notice at the end of the March 1st episode (“The Omega Glory”):
“And now an announcement of interest to all viewers of Star Trek. We are pleased to tell you that Star Trek will continue to be seen on NBC Television. We know you will be looking forward to seeing the weekly adventure in space on Star Trek.” [36]
The announcement was repeated at the end of the following week’s episode (“The Ultimate Computer”). It is questionable whether NBC had ever considered cancelling Star Trek and, in turn, whether the fan campaign had saved the series. Obviously, NBC took note of the thousands of letters and shifting Star Trek to Mondays did give the series a better chance of increasing its ratings.
The Third (and Final) Season
In mid-March, NBC announced Star Trek would not be moving to Mondays after all and would instead air from 10-11PM on Fridays [37]. Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, which had been given that time slot, would stay in its popular Monday period. Star Trek would now face Judd for the Defense on ABC and the second hour of The CBS Friday Night Movie.
Although the third season premiere won its time slot in New York City (it may have fared worse nationally), the following week it was a poor second to The CBS Friday Night Movie in the Trendex ratings with a 22.1 share (Judd for the Defense drew a 20.2 share, The CBS Friday Night Movie a 50.2 share) [38, 39].
One reason for Star Trek‘s poor performance — aside from the dismal time slot — was the number of affiliates it was seen on. NBC had 210 affiliates in September 1968 and only 181 of those were showing Star Trek (by comparison, 222 stations, both NBC affiliates and others, showed Bonanza) [40]. Only five NBC programs were seen on fewer affiliates, including Adam-12 and NBC White Paper.
Star Trek was cancelled in February 1969 when NBC released its 1969-1970 schedule [41]. This time, no amount of letter-writing would change NBC’s mind [42]. Paramount Television announced in early March that it would put the series into domestic syndication following the conclusion of the third and final season [43].
NBC placed Star Trek on hiatus in mid-April, replacing it with The Saint; the series returned on Tuesday, June 3rd with its final first-run broadcast, taking over for The Jerry Lewis Show. Repeats were shown through September 2nd, 1969.
What About Demographics?
For decades, fans have suggested NBC cancelled Star Trek just before the TV networks began taking demographic into consideration when determining the success or failure of shows. If demographics had been taken into consideration, some believe, there’s no way NBC would’ve dropped Star Trek. However, demographics were a part of the decision making process during the mid-1960s.
In February 1967, as Star Trek was winding down its first season, CBS made the shocking decision to cancel its long-running western Gunsmoke, despite the fact that the series had a 21.7/35 Nielsen rating [44]. CBS was disappointed that twice as many viewers over the age of 50 were watching Gunsmoke compared to viewers in the 18-to-34 demographic. CBS eventually reversed its decision, but the precedent had been set. At the time, an NBC spokesman noted that the network was focusing on general rating trends when canceling programs [45].
A year later, however, Broadcasting reported that NBC’s upcoming 1968-1969 schedule “represents the fruition of a five-year process in building shows with youth appeal [46]. The schedule “would emphasize an attraction to the young influentials,” or the “articulate, upper-income families from the more heavily populated areas of the country” [47]. At the same time, officials noted that the network wasn’t forgetting other age groups: “Our programming is aimed for balance, diversity, with strong leaders, such as Bonanza and the Dean Martin Show, which appeal to all age groups” [48].
Star Trek was renewed for the 1968-1969 season — perhaps due in part to a letter writing campaign — but saw a drop in its per minute commercial price, from $39,000 to $36,000 [49]. At the end of the 1968-1969 season, Star Trek‘s last, NBC trumpeted its ratings success in a variety of categories, including the 18-to-49 demographic [50]. If Star Trek had been a demographic success, why would it have been cancelled?
In reality, Star Trek‘s young adult audience wasn’t any larger than the ABC and CBS programs it competed with. According to Television Magazine, the four episodes broadcast between October 27th and November 17th, 1966 averaged 8,630,000 viewers in the 18-to-49 age group, making up 43% of the show’s total audience [51]. By comparison, during the same period ABC’s Bewitched (which aired opposite Star Trek from 9:30-10PM) averaged 10,210,000 young adult viewers or 37% of the total audience.
As for CBS, My Three Sons (aired from 8:30-9PM) averaged 8,580,000 young adult viewers (the series was pre-empted on October 27th) or 36% of the program’s total audience. Thus, while Star Trek had a larger percentage of viewers in the young adult demographic, two of the programs it competed with had more viewers overall (and Bewitched had more young adult viewers as well). This was at the start of the show’s run; ratings fell every season.
Star Trek Reaches New Heights
While never a success on network television, Star Trek did become very popular in local syndication. During the early 1970s, Star Trek fans began to hold conventions in honor of Star Trek, inviting members of the cast and crew to give talks, screening episodes, holding contests and selling Star Trek collectibles. The television industry took notice and in March 1973 an animated spin-off of Star Trek was announced [52]. Broadcast by NBC, the series premiered on Saturday, September 8th, 1973 and ran until August 30th, 1975. A total of 22 episodes were produced, spread across two seasons filled with plenty of repeats.
A live-action feature film reuniting the cast was rumored to be in the works in late 1975 and early 1976 [53]. An “official” announcement regarding a film version was made in August of 1976 [54]. However, in June of 1977, Star Trek was said to be returning to television:
“The ‘Star Trek’ television series will return to airwaves next spring as part of a television service being established by Paramount Pictures. Gene Roddenberry, who created the original series for NBC in the 1960’s, will be executive producer. The series has never been off the air and is currently seen in reruns on 137 stations in this country.” [55]
The television series never materialized. Instead, on March 28th, 1978, Star Trek: The Motion Picture was announced [56]. After years of trying, Star Trek was finally making the move to the big screen. The film was released on December 7th, 1979, ushering in a new era for Star Trek franchise.
1 Hopper, Hedda. “Looking at Hollywood: Shirley Temple’s Laurie a Beatle Fan.” Chicago Tribune. 25 Nov. 1964: A2.
2 Walt Anderson. “TV Teletype: Hollywood.” TV Guide. 12 Dec. 1964: 28.
3 Adams, Val. “76 Pilot Films Contend for TV Places.” New York Times. 23 Dec. 1964: 53.
4 Hickey, Neil. “TV Teletype: New York.” TV Guide. 29 May 1965: 36.
5 “Here’s how the network programs shape up for next fall.” Broadcasting. 28 Feb. 1966: 24.
6 Adams, Val. “Holbrook Puts Twain to TV Test.” New York Times. 7 Aug. 1966: 101.
7 “The numbers game, part one.” Broadcasting. 19 Sep. 1966: 58-60.
9 “The latest form sheet.” Broadcasting. 26 Sep. 1966: 66-69.
10 Gowran, Clay. “Nielsen Ratings Are Dim on New Shows.” Chicago Tribune. 11 Oct. 1966: B10.
11 Gould, Jack. “How Does Your Favorite Rate? Maybe Higher Than You Think.” New York Times. 16 Oct. 1966: 129.
12 Gowran, Clay. “Nielsen Shows New Series Still Slipping.” Chicago Tribune. 25 Oct. 1966: B7.
13 “Consensus.” Television Magazine. November 1966: 52-55; 64-68.
14 “Critics’ views of hits, misses.” Broadcasting. 19 Sep. 1966: 58-64; 91.
19 Gould, Jack. “TV: Spies, Space and the Stagestruck.” New York Times. 16 Sep. 1966: 56.
20 “Consensus.” Television Magazine.
21 “Two more shows axed.” Broadcasting. 14 Nov. 1966: 72.
22 “Second season loses to movies.” Broadcasting. 23 Jan. 1967: 60-62.
23 “NBC fills final hole for 1967-68.” Broadcasting. 6 Mar. 1967: 52.
24 Gent, George. “Alex Segal to Produce 3 Danny Thomas TV Shows.” New York Times. 15 Mar. 1967: 9.5
25 “TV’s Vast Grey Belt.” Television Magazine. August 1967: 54-55; 81.
26 “Few of TV’s virgin shows look like hits.” Broadcasting. 25 Sep. 1967: 70-71.
27 “New shows get no brass rings.” Broadcasting. 2 Oct. 1967: 60.
28 “‘Juggling Fever’ Hits TV Network Shows.” Hartford Courant. 27 Oct. 1967: 1A.
29 Beck, Marilyn. “That’s Showbiz: Will Dorothy Malone Leave ‘Peyton Place’?” Hartford Courant. 1 Nov. 1967: 46.
30 Beck, Marilyn. “That’s Showbiz: ‘Star Trek’ Doomed, Renewal Is Unlikely.” Hartford Courant. 11 Jan. 1968: 22A.
31 Beck, Marilyn. “That’s Showbiz: ‘Trek’ Wasn’t Axed, Says Leonard Nimoy.” Hartford Courant. 15 Feb. 1968: 25.
32 Gent, George. “N.B.C. Schedules Changes in Fall.” New York Times. 21 Feb. 1968: 95.
33 “NBC-TV aims at the young.” Broadcasting. 4 Mar. 1968: 28.
34 “Star Trekkers Are Restored.” Hartford Courant. 17 Mar. 1968: 12H.
35 “NBC-TV aims at the young.”
36 A press release including the announcement was issued by NBC on March 4th, 1968 and was reprinted in The Making of Star Trek by Stephen E. Whitfield and Gene Roddenberry (1st Edition, Pages 394-395).
37 “‘Laugh-In’ staying put.” Broadcasting. 18 Mar. 1968: 9.
38 “First showdown at the ratings corral.” Broadcasting. 30 Sep. 1968: 32-33.
39 “NBC takes 6 of 7 in NTI rankings.” Broadcasting. 7 Oct. 1968: 58-60.
40 “Missing links in the TV chains.” Broadcasting. 13 Jan. 1969: 48-52.
41 Gent, George. “N.B.C. Replacing 7 Shows in Fall.” New York Times. 18 Feb. 1969: 82.
42 In a March 26th, 1969 article in The Chicago Tribuen, Clay Gowran noted that fans were “bombarding NBC and television columnists with pleading SOS letters. But it looks like the network, which relented a year ago and gave Star Trek a lease on life, won’t this time around.” (“TV Today: NBC Special to Bring Broadway to Home Screen.” Page B27).
43 “Program notes.” Broadcasting. 10 Mar. 1969: 66D.
44 “CBS reshuffle: emphasis on youth.” Broadcasting. 27 Feb. 1967: 25-26.
49 “Fall line-ups go on the street.” Broadasting. 4 Mar. 1968: 23-28.
50 In a two-page advertisement in the March 31st, 1969 edition of Broadcasting, NBC proclaimed that “Just for the record, here’s the record” and showed a chart containing the overall season’s rating, the number of viewers between the ages of 18 and 49, plus families with annual income over $10,000 and families with college-educated heads of household. NBC topped all four, with a 20.3 rating and 10,300,000 viewers between in the 18-49 bracket (Pages 15-16).
51 All numbers from “What young adults are viewing this year.” Television Magazine. January 167: 52-53.
52 Krebs, Albin. “‘Star Trek’ Returning to N.B.C. As a Saturday Morning Cartoon.” New York Times. 23 Mar. 1973: 75.
53 For example, a “Q & A” segment found in the May 25th, 1975 edition of The Chicago Tribune Magazine responded to a question about new episodes of Star Trek by writing that “you may catch the crew of the Enterprise at your local moviehouse later this year. Paramount hopes to make a feature film with the original cast and add a sprinkling of major Hollywood names in cameo roles” (Page 4).
54 The Chicago Tribune‘s Gary Deeb reported on August 18th, 1976 that “Paramount Pictures, after several false starts, finally has given the official go-ahead to produce a multimillion-dollar sequel to ‘Star Trek,’ the popular science-fiction television series that ran for three seasons on NBC in the late ’60s.” Negotiations between Paramount and Leonard Nimoy were reported to have been holding up production (Page C10).
55 From an AP snippet in The New York Times on June 18th, 1977 (Page 12).
56 Krebs, Albin. “Notes on People.” New York Times. 29 Mar. 1978: C2.
Originally Published September 1st, 2006
Last Updated April 26th, 2018
9 Replies to “A Look At Star Trek”
godwinshelley says:
Didn’t some of the props and uniform shirts show up in one of the later episodes of “The Saint” or was it “The Persuaders”? I remember seeing it and being very annoyed that obvious Star Trek equipment and shirts were being used on other series.
Hi there were some Star Trek like costumes used in the Saint episode ‘The Man who gambled with Life’ Regards
RGJ says:
May 27, 2009 at 10:25AM
I have never heard of any props/uniforms from Star Trek being reused in other programs. And both The Saint and The Persuaders were produced in the U.K. which makes it unlikely that props Star Trek would be used.
Well, to put the “tentative” placements of the series in its second and third seasons in persepctive, NBC changed its mind about “STAR TREK” on Tuesdays at 7:30pm(et) for the fall of ’67 when they needed a space for “THE JERRY LEWIS SHOW”. That, and the fact that “I DREAM OF JEANNIE” had performed well enough to warrant a third season [without “primary/alternate sponsorship”, though, after Colgate-Palmolive dropped out; it was “participating advertisers” for the rest of the series], the network had to find room for THAT as well. So they scheduled “JEANNIE” at 7:30, Jerry Lewis at 8. Instead, “STAR TREK” replaced the cancelled “LAREDO” on Fridays at 8:30, with the network hoping that “TARZAN” (at 7:30) would keep its “action-adventure” audience tuned in for “STAR TREK”. They didn’t.
After changing their mind about cancelling “STAR TREK” at the end of the second season, NBC “pencilled in” the show for Mondays at 7:30pm(et) in the fall of ’68…but not after “ROWAN & MARTIN’S LAUGH-IN” became an unexpected hit that spring. There was no way they were going to move Dan & Dick back a half-hour to 8:30, and upset the rest of the evening’s schedule [“MONDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES” was already set to return- after four seasons- at 9pm that fall]. So, “STAR TREK” moved into the Friday 10pm time period that had already doomed “THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR” the previous season….
Charles Eclee says:
I am trying to find the list showing ALL (not only the first-time) dates of original Star Trek airings during the years 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969. This means any reruns (before they were “syndicated” reruns) should be included on the list. For example there should not be the usual huge gap between March 14, 1969 and June 3, 1969, as there is on the list of first-time-only dates for the Third Season. During that gap NBC was showing reruns. I’d like the list showing all the broadcasts and their dates, including NBC (non-syndicated) reruns during that time. I saw such a list about a year ago on the internet, but now when I need the list I cannot find it despite many hours of trying different searches. Anyone have such a list or know where it can be found? Thank you. P.S. Is it generally known that the original Star Trek was transmitted over the airwaves to America during an exact 1000-day window? From September 8, 1966 (“Day One”) to June 3, 1969 (“Day 1000”) is a window of exactly 1000 days.
Is this the site with the lists showing original broadcasts and repeats you found a year ago? I had some trouble navigating but was able to find lists for the first two seasons:
http://ericba0.tripod.com/cgi-bin/trkrtng/st01tos1.html
Dave R says:
June 12, 2013 at 10:01PM
GREAT site with all lot of excellent historical information, Thanks!
Aaron Handy III says:
August 30, 2013 at 10:34AM
I love it that Star Trek was gonna get The Monkees‘ old timeslot on NBC (7:30 PM Monday). :)
But, of course, Laugh-In refused to be moved to 8:30, and I Dream Of Jeannie (which ironically piggybacked The Monkees on NBC in 1966-7) got the slot instead.
Dennis Sweatt says:
October 8, 2013 at 3:11AM
Info I didn’t know. This is great!
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See, he’s got it all down to a science and a concrete plan. He is open to some alterations along the way, though.
“I'm just kind of spacing it out,” Morono said. “I don't want to be one of those guys who fights haphazardly into my late 30s. I'm giving myself a good strong six years. When I started, the goal was 20 fights in the UFC. And if that happens sooner than later, I'll reassess and probably tack on another ten fights if I can. But I expect to give myself long-term goals so I'm not shooting in the dark.”
At the moment, Morono sits at nine UFC bouts, but after a trio of wins over Song Kenan, Zak Ottow and Max Griffin, he didn’t know if Octagon fight number 10 was going to come off this weekend when Dhiego Lima was forced out of the UFC 247 contest due to injury. And for a couple of days, Morono was not happy.
Vs James Moontasri, 2016 (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
“I had a pretty horrible couple days,” he said. “It was just no fun. Especially being in Houston, I've got family flying in and they've spent money on tickets and everyone from the gym's going.”
It’s only the second time Morono has dealt with a last-minute opponent change in the UFC, and the first time wasn’t great.
“It was the exact same scenario,” he recalls. “I fought in Houston, two weeks' notice and the other guy pulls out. It was Sheldon Westcott, a really favorable matchup, and then I got a young, unknown Nico Price as a backup. That was no fun.”
Morono was knocked out by Price, and while the result was overturned to a no contest when Price tested positive for marijuana, the Texan knows just what can happen with a late change of opponent. But he’s ready for Williams, who is making his UFC debut by entering the lion’s den at Toyota Center.
“I was pretty much willing to take whatever they were gonna offer,” Morono said. “I checked my email every five minutes for two days, waiting for a message from (UFC matchmaker) Sean (Shelby). Thankfully everything came in pretty quick.”
Social Post
And now he gets to fight at home for the first time since that bout, and he’s excited not just for the fight, but for the reduced level of logistical hurdles.
“The energy was amazing last time and it's almost indescribable,” he said of fighting in Houston. “It was such a fun feeling and a fun night. Plus, it's just really convenient not having to travel and stay in a hotel and struggle to find good, clean food. Everything about it is a lot more convenient and easier. Plus, it's on a pay-per-view, so that's really cool.”
Yeah, Alex Morono has it all figured out. Not bad for 29 years old.
“I've run my business and my gym in Houston, Gracie Barra The Woodlands, for a long time, and even when I was a younger adult in my early 20s, people would tell me all the time that they thought I was much older or that I had a good head on my shoulders,” he said. “I've always kind of operated that way and it always felt like normal life to me. I had great role models in my parents, especially my dad. He was always his own boss and a business owner, and it always felt normal. My oldest brother, he runs his own SEO and web design company. He's extraordinarily independently successful and it's been the way my family operates and it's always just felt normal and like regular life to me.”
For more information and updates, sign up for the UFC Newsletter here.
UFC's 2020 By The Numbers
Recap an incredible year of UFC by the numbers.
Dominick Reyes Warns Jones: "I’m coming for you”
Tafa Just Wants To Represent His People
Read on to learn about UFC heavyweight Justin Tafa.
Light Heavyweight Title Bout
Sat, Feb 8 / 10:00 PM EST
Toyota Center, Houston United States
Tickets How to watch
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FANS HAVE RIGHTS
FANS' CHARTER
Death by Refund: Could the cure be worse than the cause?
“There will inevitably be severe financial implications as a result of this cancellation – not just for us, but also the Festival’s charity partners, suppliers, traders, local landowners and our community”. If even Glastonbury, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious music festivals, is talking of tough times ahead, then spare a thought for the little guy.
Covid-19 has ravaged the global events industry. Almost every major event has been cancelled or postponed, including the likes of Coachella and Burning Man in the US; This is Tomorrow and Download in the UK; Tomorrowland in Belgium; Primavera Sound in Spain. The list goes on and on.
For the last few weeks the airwaves have been filled with vitriolic contempt for “greedy” ticket companies “taking advantage” of people during a time of crisis. “It’s bad enough having your event cancelled”, they would say, “but then to have your refund cancelled as well!” These outlets are holding billions of pounds in consumer’s cash, that people desperately need right now for everyday essentials.
Fans’ anger is further stoked by the idea that the likes of StubHub changed their policies mid-way through the crisis. Ticketmaster, for instance, originally promised refunds would be “available if your event is postponed, rescheduled or cancelled”, before changing their website in mid-March to say they “are available if your event is cancelled”. Let’s face it, ticketing outlets are not looking good right now.
But for the companies involved in the industry, this issue goes far beyond optics.
StubHub, a secondary marketplace for live events, sells around $5bn worth of tickets each year, and has to pay the resellers that are supplying its stock. According to Pollstar, a trade publication covering the tour business, the top 200 events that have been cancelled this year were expected to generate $12bn in ticket sales globally. When this is all said and done, the live events industry could potentially be staring down losses of up to $9bn.
According to the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), event organisers are hoping people elect to rollover, rather than refund their tickets. The body, which represents over 60 events in the UK, say many of its smaller members fear going under. “If they refund on mass, they might not be able to return next year, says Paul Reed, AIF’s chief executive.
In Spain the government has acknowledged this issue and has stepped in to help. Dice, another live event ticketing platform, confirmed that “emergency regulations have been introduced in Spain to help promoters through this crisis”, as the government suspended the need for festivals to process refunds.
Live events will be key in returning any semblance of normality. Mat Schultz, the artistic director of Unsound, an experimental arts festival in Krakow, believes there will be a “craving for live music after this”. He points to the “experience of collectively listening or dancing together”, a long overdue catharsis that will signal, “we’re out the other side”.
Of course, it is simply not viable for some to keep hold of their tickets for another year, especially during an unprecedented time like this. But if you are in a position to do so, perhaps pause for a second before requesting that refund. I’m sure every event organiser around the world would happily echo the words of Michael and Emily Eavis, Glastonbury’s co-founders, who managed to capture the current sentiments of an entire industry in just three sentences. “Again, we’re so sorry that this decision has been made. It was not through choice. But we look forward to welcoming you back to these fields next year and until then, we send our love and support to you all”.
Together at Home: Bringing music closer to you, but not too close
A Year In Tickets
The Failure of the Primary Ticketing Industry
© 2019 by UK Fans Trust
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Home » News and Information » Success Stories » From Lawyer to Designer: Displaced, and Thriving, in Ukraine
From Lawyer to Designer: Displaced, and Thriving, in Ukraine
Kateryna Kyselyova, an internally displaced person from Horlivka, Donetsk oblast, designs a dress at the company she owns.
Mykola Yabchenko
Tailor shop expands operations to meet demand
“Since the circumstances forced me to reboot my entire life, I decided to change my profession as well!”
August 2018 — A positive attitude and a strong belief that looking back is less useful than looking forward helped Kateryna Kyselyova, a young internally displaced person in Ukraine, not only to move on but changed her life completely.
Before her displacement, she worked as a lawyer in Horlivka, Donetsk oblast, and sewing was merely a hobby. “Since the circumstances forced me to reboot my entire life, I decided to change my profession as well!” says Kyselyova.
She moved to Dnipro in June 2014 and took the daring step of going into business and opening a tailor shop. At first, Kyselyova and a co-worker were the only employees, but soon the shop became known in the neighborhood for its quality services and affordable prices. Business was booming, but Kyselyova had to turn away clients because of limited capacity.
“We received more orders than we were able to deliver. To increase our production, we needed additional equipment and more staff,” she said.
In January 2017, Kyselyova applied for a grant from USAID’s Economic Opportunities for People Affected by Conflict activity. Implemented in eight oblasts, including Dnipro, the activity helps people affected by conflict start new businesses or expand established ones.
Thanks to the grant, Kyselyova was able to buy professional sewing machines and hire four new employees, all internally displaced persons. The increased capacity brought more clients, and leading Ukrainian fashion designers became interested in her talents, including Andre Tan, who is quickly developing a global reputation.
In just a few years, Kyselyova’s tailor shop has grown into a middle-sized design company with a new location, more employees, new clients, and increased profits. Her recipe for success is very simple: “Never be afraid to start something new and implement what you have conceived. Dream, set a goal, and work to achieve it,” she explains.
Since August 2016, USAID’s Economic Opportunities for People Affected by Conflict program has provided 120 grants to entrepreneurs who have created 154 new jobs. In addition, 500 internally displaced persons and 300 people with disabilities have attended trainings to develop their business skills. The project has also provided legal consultations to nearly 3,200 people.
USAID’s mission in Ukraine
As Volunteerism Grows in Ukraine, a New National Identity Emerges
Follow @USAIDUkraine, on Facebook, on YouTube, on Flickr
Ukrainian Parents Help Children with Disabilities Succeed in School
Protecting the Rights of Ukraine’s Displaced
New Irrigation System Saves Energy, Expands Fertile Land in Ukraine
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Home Building Historically Books
Shelters, Shacks & Shanties & How to Build Them
By: D.C. Beard Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties presents lively, step-by-step tutelage on building all types of temporary and long-term accommodations from both natural and man-made materials. Originally published in 1914, this practical classic is as essential a guide for today's...
Traditional American Farming Techniques
By: Frank D. Gardner Traditional American Farming Techniques remains as valuable today as when it was first published in 1916. More than one thousand pages brim with information - everything from the science behind crop rotation to the specifics of...
Practical Projects for the Handy Man: Over 400 Projects Including a Hammock, Kite, Toaster, Sundial, Lantern, Swimming Pool, Camera, and Much More
By: Editors of Popular Mechanics Press Practical Projects for the Handy Man, Second Edition, is the perfect book for any modern maven, do-it-yourselfer, or just plain grown-up kid. Originally published in 1913 by the editors of Popular Mechanics Press, this...
Fences, Gates, & Bridges & How to Build Them
By: George A. Martin Fences, Gates, and Bridges is an instructional guide to the best methods of building an incredible variety of these devices for all regions and weather conditions. Written in 1900, this book is a functional pocket manual...
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Spiritual landmarks
Artful space in Spokane
Many artful touches make the building and grounds of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane memorable.
Sonja L. Cohen | 9/1/2019 | Fall 2019
Harold Balazs designed the boldly patterned black and white porcelain enamel-on-steel doors for the Unitarian Universalist Church in Spokane, which was designed by another member of the congregation, architect Moritz Kundig. (© 2019 Sonja L. Cohen/UUA
Spiritual landmarks: Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, Washington
Sonja L. Cohen
UU World Magazine Fall 2019 , published by the Unitarian Universalist Association
Fundraising for Congregations
The dramatic front doors of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, Washington, are one of the first clues that you are entering a special space. Composed of porcelain enamel on steel, the boldly patterned black and white doors were designed by well-known artist and member Harold Balazs (1928–2017). They’re just one of the artful touches throughout the building and grounds that make it memorable.
In the sanctuary, light spills in from high windows on the left and right. A large fabric art banner hanging behind the pulpit is permanent, but a smaller one to the side changes seasonally. Throughout the building are elements designed by Balazs, including an iron candelabrum and wall sconce in the sanctuary. (General Assembly 2019 attendees will have seen Balazs’s work in the Spokane convention center and around the city.)
Behind the building, tucked away in a quiet, shady copse of trees, is the Memorial Meditation Garden, featuring a tranquil fountain made of basalt columns. The garden’s entrance is marked by the carved cedar Székely Gate, a copy of one in Barót, Transylvania, where the congregation’s partner church is located.
Another cool feature is located in the church’s lobby. GroUUnds 4 Change, an espresso cart run by UU youth on Sunday mornings, raises money for youth programming and scholarships to regional and national events.
The 17,650-square-foot building, designed by architect and member Moritz Kundig and completed in 1995, was financed through the sale of the congregation’s previous building, capital fund drives, and—more unusually—through the sale of $1 million worth of building investment notes to church members and friends, who were all repaid by the end of 2016, says member Marie Bjork-Haugen.
“It was a very exciting thing,” she says. “It was a big deal, and it was a lot of work, but worth it.”
Sonja L. Cohen is deputy managing editor of UU World and a lifelong Unitarian Universalist.
Arts & Music, Fundraising for Congregations
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Hamza Azhar Salam
Murtaza Ali Shah
Master plan shows Gwadar to become trade, tourism hub of South Asia
LONDON/QUETTA: Gwadar's population is set to exceed two million people in the long run with high paid expatriate professionals accounting for up to 80% of the population, according to the new Gwadar Smart City Master plan.
High paid jobs, tax-free environment, high-tech industries, mega shopping malls, luxury resorts, man-made islands and Pakistan's largest international airport, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan last year, are all included in the blueprint that will see Gwadar become the 3rd largest city in Pakistan by economic output.
The 75-page master plan document, prepared by Chinese state-owned company China Communications Construction Company in conjunction with Pakistan's Minister of Planning, Development & Reform and Gwadar Development Authority, chalks out an elaborate road map and plan on how Gwadar is to become the trade and economic hub of South Asia with a GDP per capita of $15,000 - 10 times that of Pakistan's average.
The government of Pakistan and China project Gwadar's economy to surpass $30 billion per annum in the long-term, creating 1-1.2 million high paid jobs with an income per capita of $15000. Pakistan's current income per capita meaning the economic output the country generates per person is around $1500 which Gwadar will eclipse by some 1000%.
According to Gwadar's new master plan, the city will become the fulcrum of economic development in western Pakistan, the main port in western Pakistan, one of the westward sea routes in western China, the five Central Asian countries and the trade centers of Afghanistan, South Asia and the neighboring Middle East.
Mega projects include a $5 billion investment into Gwadar's power sector with 15 new power plants, $1 billion invested into generating 700000 m3 of freshwater per day through desalination plants, a man-made island, central business district, Pakistan's tallest building all in a tax-free environment where life can be enjoyed whilst avoiding taxes.
Think Dubai but on a much larger scale and in a quicker time frame, the master plan details how Gwadar will become the economic hub of not only Pakistan but the entire South Asian region.
Shared by Pakistani officials here with media, the master plan shows that Gwadar is set to see a massive influx of skilled workers and high powered executives as it gears up to become the technological, industrial and high-tech service hub of South Asia. According to the recently released Gwadar smart port city master plan Gwadar's economic output is expected to exceed $30 billion whilst creating up to 1.2 million jobs for skilled workers and professionals.
The master plan details international exhibition centres, multiple theme parks, luxury 5 resorts, botanical gardens and museums in a thriving modern city economy all within Pakistan's first 'weapon-free' city.
Pakistan's current trade and economic hub of Karachi sees an estimated 65 million tons of cargo through the port each year and with Gwadar eclipsing that by 2030 as the key route for trade with the Middle-East, Afghanistan, Central Asia and China, the city is expected to become the region’s leading trade centre.
With a population of some 15 million people, Karachi is Pakistan's trade centre however in Gwadar the population is expected to rise to only two million yet with trade exceeding Karachi we can expect high standards of living in Pakistan's first 'tax-free' and 'weapon-free' city.
Gwadar will require some 15800 new homes by 2025, 47600 by 2030 and 254500 by 2050 according to the new Gwadar Smart City Master Plan. A tax-free haven with high technology industries, man-made islands, science and technology parks, 5 beach resorts, concert venues, exhibition centres, shopping malls and Pakistan's first 'weapon-free' city will see Gwadar economic output reach $30 billion per annum and population balloon to 2 million residents resulting in a mega shortage of housing.
The current supply of quality housing in Gwadar is in the 100's at most and rental demand is burgeoning putting upward pressure on prices. With a ban on new NOC's for the last 5 years and limited supply within the private sector coming through we can expect to see a massive boom in property prices in Gwadar in the coming years, unfortunately, resulting in a housing crisis.
Pakistan's first 'tax-free' haven Gwadar's development will see the crescent-shaped man-made islands representing Pakistan's flag, grand theaters, concert halls, cultural exchange centres, a university city, lakeside shopping mall, waterfront shopping and leisure promenades, parks, golden beaches, 5 hotels and cruise ships linking to Muscat, Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Jeddah to name a few.
In line with Pakistan and China's grand development plans for the Port City of Gwadar, the city will be Pakistan's first weapon-free city. The city is being developed under the highest of international standards to be an economic hub not only for Pakistan but for the region and for this reason a robust security environment will be developed to ensure security for foreigners and expats coming to Gwadar.
The security plans include the highest levels of urban security mechanisms through CCTV, vehicle management, urban video and alarm networks, and police management programs.
Pakistan's first dedicated high education centre and University City have been planned at the centre of Gwadar's new master plan. Built as a city of the future along the highest of international standard's Gwadar will have a dedicated University City focused on the technology and medical sectors enabling locals of Gwadar and the expected two million population to educate themselves in the most sophisticated environment.
Plans for an uber luxury golf course have been revealed in Gwadar's new master plan which projects a booming city of two million people with a GDP per capita some 10 times that of Pakistan at $15000 per capita.
The uber luxury facility is located on the cities Marine Drive some 26 kilometres from Gwadar Port and old town and will be the 'first of its kind' waterfront golf course in Pakistan.
This is all detailed within the new Gwadar master plan which has been developed by the government of Pakistan alongside Chinese state-owned construction and planning giant China Communications Construction Company.
Four mega desalination plants with a capacity of 700000 m3 of freshwater per day are to be installed in Gwadar at $1 billion USD. The mega plants which will be amongst the world's largest, have been detailed in Gwadar's new smart city master plan.
Located the Marine Drive and stretching towards Zero Point on the Coastal Highway the Central Business District is to include a state of the art amusement park, Art & Culture Museum, Grand Theatre, Concert Hall, International Expo Centre, 5 Hotels & Resorts, Multiple Shopping Malls and Waterfront Walk and Shopping Promenade to name a few.
Commenting on the report, Governor Balochistan Amanullah Yasinzai said: “This project will be a game-changer for the people in the region. It will bring a lot of development and significantly raise the standard of living of the people of Gwadar. I am hopeful that this project will bring huge employment opportunities for the youth of Balochistan.”
More From Pakistan
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Virtual session: Dr Fauci fears about vaccine’s efficacy against S African variant
Air Chief calls on Turkish Defence Industries chief
Court seeks arguments over Gill plea to stop defamation suit
Keyhole bypass surgeries begin at CPEIC
Pakistan’s exports to 10 countries decline
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Friday | July 22nd, 2016
Wood Heading Up FrontStream
Nonprofit software industry veteran William “Bill” C. Wood is the new president of FrontStream, Inc., a provider of fundraising and community engagement solutions. Wood is responsible for the company’s strategy, products, marketing and sales, professional services, operations and customer service activities.
Wood has more than 25 years’ experience in the nonprofit-focused technology space. A founding member of Blackbaud, he moved on to Access International where he served as president & CEO, guiding the company through a re-engineering and launch of its constituent relationship management and donor engagement solution for large, complex charities and local United Ways.
Wood was also founder & CEO of DonateTo.com, one of the industry’s first online giving platforms.
“Bill’s background, leadership, vision and deep understanding of the nonprofit and corporate CSR landscapes make him the ideal person to lead FrontStream going forward,” said Shawn Abrams, operating partner of Arsenal Capital Partners, FrontStream’s parent company.
“I’m also excited about introducing a fully integrated, strategic engagement platform that’s unlike anything available today,” said Wood. “A new solution for small and large charities alike that provides cross-discipline metrics & analysis stemming from a single constituent ID, best practice workflows and an intelligent engagement engine to increase participation, giving, impact and retention.”
FrontStream’s products include GiftWorks, BiddingForGood, FirstGiving & Artez, Employee Giving, and Truist. It employs more than 200 professionals with offices in Cambridge, Mass., Reston, Va., Lancaster, Pa., Toronto, Canada and Melbourne, Australia.
« Africa-Focused Organizations Merge
Is Pokémon Go The Latest Shiny, New Toy? »
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BOOKS | AMERICA
Caste by Isabel Wilkerson review — a country divided by race
But equating racism in America with Nazism feels like a step too far
Sunday August 09 2020, 12.01am, The Sunday Times
Know your place: the film Driving Miss Daisy
Isabel Wilkerson is accustomed to experiencing social indignities. Like the time she went to interview a shop owner in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and he told her to leave because he was “preparing for an important appointment with The New York Times”. The shop owner couldn’t imagine that the black woman in front of him was a reporter from that illustrious title.
Or the time she boarded an aircraft with her first-class boarding pass in her pocket, and asked the steward to help her with her luggage. “He waved me along as if I were holding up the line,” she writes. “He seemed insulted even to have been asked, as if I was not aware of how the boarding process worked. ‘There are two flight
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Russia and China in Prophecy
Copyright © 1999, 2001, 2003, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2017 Philadelphia Church of God
Chapter 1: The Emerging Asian Superpower
In the next few years, there will be a staggering turn in world events! A giant Asian superpower, with a modernized Russia and China at the helm, will dramatically affect the course of history. This emerging power bloc—a conglomerate of peoples which comprise over half of the world’s population—will be deeply involved in the tumultuous tide of events that will lead to the conclusion of mankind’s 6,000 years of self-rule!
How can we know this?
In Matthew 24 and Luke 21, Jesus Christ described the key events leading to His return. Many other passages add critical details. Russia, China and their Asian allies are prophesied to be heavily involved in these climactic end-time events.
Biblical Identity of Asian Nations
After the Flood, God told Noah and his family to go and replenish the Earth (Genesis 8:15-18). Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. Each son was the beginning of a separate race. Shem was the father of the white race; Ham the father of the black; and Japheth, the yellow race. Renowned educator Herbert W. Armstrong explained in Mystery of the Ages that Japheth evidently married a yellow woman, and Ham a black.
Genesis 10:2-3 list the sons of Japheth: “… Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.”
In his book Compendium of World History, Dr. Herman Hoeh correctly identified Meshech and Tubal as fathers of those who comprise greater Russia today. Magog fathered the people of China and Mongolia. Gomer fathered the Japanese people as well as the Cambodians, Thais, Burmese, Laos and Vietnamese. Togarmah also factored into the ancestry of Japan and some of these other nations.
Greek historian Herodotus wrote that the descendants of Noah’s grandson Cush split into two branches: a dark-skinned, curly-haired branch that migrated to Africa and a dark-skinned, straight-haired branch that migrated to India. This group of people later intermarried with Aryan settlers from Persia, producing the brown coloration of the Indian peoples today (Herman Hoeh, “The Truth About the Race Question,” Plain Truth, July 1957).
Mr. Armstrong concurred with Dr. Hoeh’s research. Referring to Ezekiel 38:2, he said, “There is general agreement among students of prophecy that ‘Gog’ in the land of ‘Magog’ is the vast regions of northern Eurasia extending from the Baltic to the Pacific. ‘Meshech’ is Moscow, ‘Tubal’ is Tobolsk. The Bible margin says ‘Prince of Rosh,’ which is Russia” (Plain Truth, April 1981).
This passage in Ezekiel goes on to list “Ethiopia, and Libya … and many people” being allied with Russia and China (verses 5-6). Ethiopia and Libya should be translated “Cush” and “Phut.” Although portions of the tribes of Cush and Phut migrated to African nations, the rest settled in areas of India. The context of this passage shows that it refers to modern-day Indians (and perhaps Pakistanis) rather than to the African peoples.
These identities are critical for us to understand where modern nations fit in biblical prophecy.
At the same time, understanding the history of these peoples will help us identify certain character traits that resurface even in modern times.
History of Russia and China
History between Russia and China reveals a relationship vacillating between cooperation and conflict.
Oriental influence in Russia came with the advance of the Tartar Mongol horsemen. Under Genghis Khan and his successors, the Mongols had, by a.d. 1250, established the Golden Horde Empire extending across China, much of Central Asia, and Russia.
By 1368, the empire had collapsed. Mongolia came under Chinese domination, ruled by the Ming Dynasty. It was not until 1480 that Ivan the Great finally ended Moscow’s subjection to the Mongols.
Following the Middle Ages, the first Russian settlers reached the sparsely populated areas north of the Amur River in what is now far eastern Russia. Although the Chinese empire claimed this territory, it never effectively controlled it. Three hundred years of border clashes between Russia and China ensued. Sporadic fighting continued until 1689, when the Treaty of Nerchinsk defined the border well north of the Amur River.
Conflict reignited in 1870, when an imperialistic Russia seized the Chinese border province of Ili. With China weakened by the various opium wars of the 19th century, Russia was able to force the Chinese to sign the Treaty of Aigun, ceding to Russia everything north of Amur plus a large slice of land east of the Ussuri. This established today’s frontiers.
After the Russian Civil War (1918–22), the Chinese were driven out of Outer Mongolia. The Mongolian People’s Republic was established in 1924, closely tied to the Soviet Union.
For some time after World War i, Marxism gained popularity in China, culminating in the founding of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921. With the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese government under Mao Zedong modeled its political structures on those of the Soviet Union. This attracted Soviet loans and boosted growth in the Chinese economy.
After Mao signed a mutual defense treaty with the Kremlin in February 1950, he declared that the Chinese-Soviet friendship would be “everlasting, indestructible and inalienable.” Within 15 years, however, this friendship dissolved and tensions deepened.
Mao launched his disastrous Great Leap Forward in 1958. When it failed two years later, Russia openly criticized Mao and cut off military aid to China. By 1968, following the failed ideological initiative of the “Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution,” China had descended into anarchy. The government, fearing a Soviet invasion, called in the army to restore order. By then China had drifted far from Soviet Russia both philosophically and strategically.
Clashes erupted on China’s eastern border with Russia in 1969. Emergency talks between premiers Alexei Kosygin and Zhou Enlai in September that year curbed hostilities, and formal demarcation talks commenced.
In 1971, China gained membership in the United Nations, raising its status as a major world political power.
The histories of these two great powers show a record spotted with tension and battle. Strategically, Russia has needed to remove the possibility of a war on two fronts: Europe and China. The Russians have seen in China a nation capable of amassing an army of unheard-of proportions.
China has also had much to fear in Russia. Though the Russians wouldn’t be able to field as many soldiers, they have a sizable stockpile of superior weapons. Many observers have speculated that the Russians would have long ago launched a preemptive strike, conventional or nuclear, against China to destroy its weapons-making capability if not for the United States and other Western powers threatening retaliation. So the Chinese have made great efforts to match the military might of the Russians.
Throughout the Cold War, Russia and China played their usual game of cat and mouse. At the same time, however, another factor existed that would have the opposite effect, drawing these two great nations together into cooperation.
This is where biblical prophecy enters the picture in a most intriguing way.
The Spread of Communism
For decades, both Russia and China have had their eyes fixed on conquering Middle Asia, Indochina and Southeast Asia. Their ultimate goal, said Mr. Armstrong, is not just frontier expansion, but global control.
Reality dictates that achieving such a goal is only possible if these two countries cooperate.
The December 1959 Plain Truth revealed some of their plans—including Russia and China’s goal to form a coalition: “Russia’s program is not to take Europe and to attack the United States, first. The Communist program, which our leaders should know, calls first for the seizure of Asia. Lenin wrote that the way to Paris, London and New York is via [Beijing] and Delhi! …
“[P]art of the Communist plan [is] to place India and Pakistan in a giant vice between Russia and China. …
“Red China insists it has a legal right not only to Tibet but to many parts of India and Southeast Asia. … [The Mongols and Chinese people’s] constant dream for centuries has been ultimate world conquest! … China knows, however, that in this highly industrialized age she can accomplish this dream only as an ally of Russia. …
“China is now ready to begin devouring the rest of Asia with Russia’s secret military backing” (emphasis added throughout).
Remember, that was written in 1959. It was the thick of the Cold War, and communism was thought to be the factor that would unite this Eastern bloc. History appears to have since largely left that political and economic theory behind. But the forecast of a Russia-China alliance that would come to envelop the rest of Asia remains as viable today as it was half a century ago! That’s because what informed those remarkable statements, in addition to the histories of these nations, were the biblical prophecies about Asia that we will examine in this booklet.
The Plain Truth did forecast some geopolitical changes that, at present, yet remain unfulfilled. But based on prophecy, it warned—even while the U.S. stood at the pinnacle of world power—of America’s impending international setbacks in Vietnam. Notice this from the November 1961 issue: “Having advanced virtually to the brink of another ‘Korea-type’ war over Laos, the United States would almost certainly have to fight a major battle in either Thailand or South Vietnam ….”
In May 1968—seven years before the unconditional surrender of South Vietnam to communism—the Plain Truth stated, “Bible prophecy reveals that not even America, with all of her nuclear muscle, can prevent Southeast Asia from eventually being overrun by communism”—or, more accurately, from being drawn into a Chinese-Russian-dominated geopolitical bloc.
China, with the ussr’s help, continued to push into Middle and Southeast Asia throughout the 1960s. In December 1962, the Plain Truth reported on the Chinese-Indian border conflict: “[The Soviets are] supplying the Chinese with technical know-how and letting China’s 600 million people gobble up the rest of Asia! … It is part of their propaganda that these areas once were under Chinese control.”
The article also said, “A cunning two-point Red thrust has again caught the West off guard. While Soviet Russia was secretly establishing a missile beachhead in Cuba, the Red Chinese were assembling immense supplies, 100,000 men and heavy armor for an attack on India.
“Red Chinese have already captured more than 50,000 square miles of Indian territory. …
“Almost no one, it seems, is aware that India is far more important to Communist leaders than is Cuba. Cuba is an extra prize which the Communists chanced upon. But the next big goal in Communist thinking is India. …
“The petty jealousies between Moscow and [Beijing] are not deterring either from their joint goal: world conquest.
“This is all part of the great Communist plan enunciated by Lenin 30 years ago.“
The Plain Truth continued to track the Sino-Russian affinity throughout the next several years. In July 1966, it made this startling prediction: “India knows Red China is completing massive troop buildups on the Indian border. India knows Red China has the atomic bomb, and possibly the hydrogen bomb. That means, in the most urgent considerations of national security, India must have the bomb! Purely as a defensive measure against Red China, of course.
“But then there’s Pakistan! … [Pakistan is] born of violent hatreds between Hindu and Muslim. Should India build the bombs, Pakistanis would turn in desperation to the big powers—they would be forced to obtain nuclear weapons!”
By 1998, this forecast came to pass: Both India and Pakistan had tested nuclear bombs, abruptly pronouncing themselves members of the exclusive nuclear club.
In addition to pushing into Middle Asia, China would attempt to pull some of its island neighbors into its grip. On this issue, Western leaders have tried to appease China through various “peace talks,” generally to no avail. The very non-politically correct Plain Truth of the 1960s didn’t mince words regarding this problem. “The Asiatic mind is totally different from the occidental [Western] mind. It doesn’t reason in the same manner. Try though we may to delude ourselves into believing our dollars, trade missions, military advisers and arms shipments, our hospital ships, our missions, our food supplies are helping stem the tide of the advancing threat of communism in these Eastern nations—we are failing!” (November 1961).
The people of Asia, this article continued, “are impressed with strength, not talk. They feel a much closer kinship with other peoples of the Asian sphere than they do with the far-away ‘Yankees’ with customs, languages and religions so totally different from their own”
Yes, eventually the forces pushing Russia and China apart would be overwhelmed by forces driving them into each other’s arms. It is rapidly happening now!
Just as the Plain Truth said would happen—based on the prophecies of the Bible.
Improving Relationship
Following the Cold War, Russia and China found themselves isolated and in need of cooperation if they were to survive. Economic and political unions forming between the Americas, a newly united Europe and other such cooperative efforts necessitated the Russians and Chinese forge a positive relationship.
Even before the collapse of the Soviet empire, in 1989 Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev visited China to repair ties and revitalize dialogue on the demarcation disputes that were still mired in 17th-century detail. In 1991, Russia and China signed a border agreement, beginning a practical demarcation process. In April 1997, China and Russia—along with former Soviet republics Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan—signed an accord in Moscow on troop reduction and security-building measures along the 4,700-mile border between China and the former Soviet Union.
As a clear sign of surging cooperation between their two countries, Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Chinese President Jiang Zemin signed a declaration in November 1997 ending disputes over the implementation of the 1991 accord. This seemed to confirm that Russia and China, long vacillating between a historic relationship as friend and foe, were entering a new era of cooperation in strategic partnership to counter the perceived dominance of Western military and economic power.
Sino-Russian relations further improved under the leadership of Yeltsin’s successor, Vladimir Putin. In July of 2001, Russia and China signed a “friendship cooperation” treaty.
August 2003 saw Russo-Chinese military cooperation leap to the next level when armed forces from both nations participated in joint antiterror exercises under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (sco). Since that time, they have held half a dozen joint military, naval and antiterror drills, often including troops from other sco members such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Many view these exercises as evidence of an emerging military bloc that could eventually rival nato.
The first military strike of this rising Asian superpower came in August 2008, when Russia attacked the former Soviet republic of Georgia. This marked Putin’s first military step toward reviving Russia’s control over central Asia.
On January 1, 2010, Putin further advanced his revival of the Soviet Union by building a Eurasian Economic Union with Kazakhstan and Belarus. Moscow has since been working to bring other former Soviet nations—like Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan—into the union. Putin has said his goal is to enlarge the union to include all post-Soviet states (excluding the three Baltic European Union member states).
Other key economic and military treaties have improved trust and cooperation. Both nations are reaping the benefits, realizing their very existence depends on good relations with each other.
The Only Alternative
Sino-Russian relations have evolved out of common interests. On the same day that the Eurasian Economic Union was made official, Russia completed an oil pipeline and port complex that positions Moscow to become a more powerful oil exporter than Saudi Arabia. This pipeline, which runs from central Siberia to the Pacific coast, unlocks a gate through which Russia’s vast oil fields will gush into Asia’s energy-hungry economies. For over a century, Russia’s entire energy infrastructure has focused mainly on supplying Europe. Now Chinese, Korean, Indian and Japanese currency will flow into Russia, and the Kremlin will have the option of turning off Europe’s energy taps if the situation warrants it.
Both share common defense concerns, which include protecting against radical Islam in and around Central Asia, challenging Western power in nato, and the prospect of taking advantage of a weakening U.S.
Trade between Russia and China blossomed in the early 1990s. In 2000, $8 billion in annual transactions took place between the two. By 2008, Russian-Chinese trade had leaped to an astounding $56.8 billion. Six years later in 2014, the trade turnover was $95 billion. That year Russia announced that trade would increase to $200 billion by 2020.
China is now Russia’s largest trading partner. In fact, because economic partnerships have proved mutually beneficial, the prospect of filling other needs is bringing Russia and China even closer together—especially over energy supplies. Of all nations, Russia is uniquely able and willing to provide the secure source of energy needed to power China’s rapid industrial and economic growth. Russia has the oil, natural gas, uranium and nuclear technology to provide power for the 1.3 billion inhabitants of Earth’s most populous country.
There appears to be no alternative for these great powers. Both share common philosophies economically, politically and militarily—and both have a common enemy in the West.
The way that China, for decades, counterbalanced Russia’s presence in Asia benefited the United States geopolitically. But that equation is changing as Russia and China march toward a military alliance.
The types of headlines that would have seemed strange 50 or 15 or even five years ago have now become commonplace: “Time to Take the Russia-China Axis Seriously” (Diplomat, Nov. 4, 2014), “A Sino-Russian Alliance to Rival Europe” (Yahoo News, July 26, 2015), “Why Chinese-Russian Friendship Is Here to Stay” (Foreign Affairs, Oct. 29, 2014).
In May 2014, President Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping inked a gargantuan gas supply agreement worth $400 billion. Less than six months later, they did it again, signing another tentative deal worth a sum of similar immensity. These are the two largest business transactions in human history.
Analyst Charles Krauthammer at the time wrote, “[Russia and China’s] enhanced partnership marks the first emergence of a global coalition against American hegemony since the fall of the Berlin Wall” (Washington Post, May 22, 2014).
Gerald Walpin, former inspector general for the United States Corporation for National and Community Service, wrote, “[A]ny fair [onlooker would] compare this axis to the Hitler-Japan Axis that came close to defeating democracies (including [the] U.S.) and resulted in 50 million deaths throughout the world. The only significant difference is that this new axis has nuclear weapons …” (Oct. 13, 2014).
Meanwhile, America’s relations with both Russia and China have notably deteriorated.
In fact, for some years now, several nations, including these two Asian giants, have shaped their foreign policy largely around a desire to contain American power. Russian strategic bombers have once again taken to the skies to challenge U.S. airspace, and Russian pilots taunt U.S. interceptors off the coast of Alaska. Russia’s navy has also extended its tentacles into waters generally considered America’s backyard. The nuclear-powered cruiser Peter the Great and the submarine destroyer Admiral Chabanenko conducted war games in the Caribbean with the Venezuelan Navy in 2008—Russia’s first venture into the Caribbean since the end of the Cold War. In August 2009, two Russian attack submarines were sighted off America’s East Coast, apparently the first such sighting for 15 years. In June 2014, Russian bombers were intercepted 50 miles off the coast of California, the closest they had gotten since the Cold War. On July 4, 2015, Russia flew nuclear-capable bombers just 40 miles from California. The date was not arbitrary. When intercepted by U.S. jets, the Russian pilots delivered the following message: “Good morning, American pilots. We are here to greet you on your Fourth of July Independence Day.”
In the Pacific, conditions have been just as tense. In 2007, an undetected Chinese submarine surfaced inside a U.S. convoy formation and within easy torpedo range of the uss Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier that the convoy was protecting. Other incidents, including collisions between U.S. and Chinese naval vessels, have become increasingly common as China has adopted a more confrontational approach with its growing naval strength.
In 2001, after a couple of high-profile incidents that saw the U.S. expel Russian diplomats and the Chinese intercept an American spy plane, U.S. intelligence firm Stratfor noted, “This period will be remembered as the end of the post-Cold War period, and the beginning of a new era in international relations. … At stake is the international system’s composition” (April 10, 2001).
These are huge stakes—global stakes! It is about the composition of the international system that governs world business and communications, and economic, social, political and military interaction. And the deterioration of relations between the U.S. and both Beijing and Moscow has contributed to shaping a new set of global alliances.
It is evident that both Russian and Chinese officials are working to form a new alliance and counter American dominance of world affairs. Russian diplomats want to create a multipolar world, and they know that the most expedient way to do so is to cement relations with their closest neighbor to the south.
Chapter 2: Russia Frightens Europe—and Fulfills Bible Prophecy
For over a decade after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia was outside the mainstream of world affairs. But under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, who became president in 2000, things have changed radically.
Putin has called the Soviet Union’s collapse the “greatest geopolitical catastrophe” of the 20th century. He has dedicated himself to reversing that “catastrophe” and restoring Russia to what he sees as its rightful position as a formidable world power.
As we have seen with Putin’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, and territories in Georgia and Moldova, he has already been very successful—but he isn’t finished.
Russia’s return to great-power status has tremendous prophetic importance. Not only because of the role Russia is prophesied to fulfill in world affairs, but also because its aggressive actions are provoking alarm and urgency within Europe—and that is the power that we really must watch!
The Europeans still remember how violent Russia was in World War ii, and Russia is a close neighbor with massive piles of nuclear weapons.
Russia’s bold moves are triggering a fear that will hasten the uniting of the European Union. This fear will cause Germany and other European nations to want stronger leadership. Throughout history, Germany has often sought a strong leader. Bible prophecy says it will do so again—for the last time!
These events are about a rapidly approaching World War iii. You can prove this for yourself by reading our free book The Holy Roman Empire in Prophecy.
Political Earthquake
In parliamentary elections in 2003, President Putin cemented control over Russia in a way that recalled that nation’s authoritarian history. We should remember that Mr. Putin was shaped and molded by the infamous kgb—the ruthless, murderous secret service arm of the Russian government that succeeded Joseph Stalin’s secret police.
Clearly, Putin had used his presidential powers to manipulate the process to ensure a victory for his United Russia party. His strong-arm moves struck intense fear in Europe.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (osce) complained that the elections “did not meet international standards” and represented a “regression in the democratization of this country.” Stratfor wrote, “What bothers the osce is less the hardball campaign tactics than the size of Putin’s win. Putin has nearly a two-thirds majority in both chambers of parliament. The liberal parties have been devastated. … The shape of Russian politics is shifting as anti-authoritarian parties disappear. Increasingly, the choice is between mild or hard authoritarianism” (Dec. 9, 2003; emphasis added throughout).
The Wall Street Journal reported how the election expanded Putin’s power. “What the elections foretell is a compliant Duma [lower house of parliament] implementing the agenda of an essentially liberal government, albeit one that wants more control of its single-most strategic asset, oil. … This means that if Mr. Putin wants to take Russia in the direction of dictatorship (or, as fashionable jargon has it, toward ‘managed democracy’) the Duma could speed him on his way” (Dec. 9, 2003).
Russia’s “single most strategic asset” is oil. From the beginning, Mr. Putin has sought to control that asset, no matter how much Western powers thundered in protest. The soaring price of oil from 2003 through 2008 thrust Russia back on the world stage as a dominant power.
Just before the 2003 election, the Russian government arrested the country’s richest man, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, ceo of the country’s largest oil company, Yukos. That move eventually led to Yukos declaring bankruptcy and the government purchasing the private company at a fire-sale price (experts called it “scandalous,” “daylight robbery”). These events dramatically increased the Putin government’s control over Russia’s oil.
In 2014, Putin seized control of another massive oil company, oao Bashneft, and jailed the billionaire who had run it. In 2015, he quietly set a plan in motion to take over oao Surgutneftegas, another oil and gas giant.
By seizing control over Russia’s vast oil and gas resources, Putin gained considerable global influence. Some analysts say his de facto ownership of Russian energy makes him not only the richest man in the world today, but one of the richest people in the history of the world. Russia is the largest oil supplier on the planet, and with global demand for oil increasing even as oil supplies are dwindling, Putin has a lot of leverage over other nations.
ihs Jane’s intelligence firm wrote shortly after the Khodorkovsky arrest, “[I]t is becoming clear that Russia is undergoing a profound political convulsion. This amounts to nothing less than the birth of the Second Russian Republic …. The new republic will continue to be a mixture of market and state-controlled economic forces. But it will be a country in which President Vladimir Putin controls both the political and economic levers of power. The Russian president has staged his own coup” (Nov. 5, 2003).
Those were very accurate statements! This article called Putin’s moves “the birth of the Second Russian Republic”! A new Russia has been born. Mr. Putin “staged his own coup”! He took over this new Russia. Now the world has another major reason to tremble! Russia is indeed “undergoing a profound political convulsion”—one that will convulse Europe and many other nations!
Notice more of what Stratfor wrote after the 2003 election: “[T]hat is why the osce is getting nervous …. Putin is, first and last, a Russian nationalist, utterly pragmatic (or ruthless) in the tools he will use to strengthen the Russian state. He has greater power now than anyone in Russia since the collapse of communism. He can reshape the regime. Consequently, the osce and Europe are nervous about where Putin is taking Russia. They have every reason to be: Putin is slowly and systematically changing Russia’s direction. When Russia changes direction, the rest of Europe should indeed be nervous” (op cit).
Stratfor used the word nervous three times for special emphasis. Europe has not forgotten Russia’s recent dictatorial history. It is nervous for good reason. And it is going to get a lot more nervous in a few short years.
Europeans are not the only people who should be nervous. The whole world should be alarmed. Mr. Putin is changing the course of world history. And Bible prophecy reveals exactly where it is leading.
Pipeline Power
Vladimir Putin went on from the 2003 parliamentary election to amass more power both at home and abroad. In 2004, he enacted a law whereby regional governors, rather than being elected by the people, would be appointed directly by the president. Sergei Mitrokhin, a former liberal parliamentary leader, called the move “a step toward dictatorship.”
Putin took further major steps to consolidate government control over Russia’s natural resources—most importantly, oil and gas. More Russian firms were absorbed into state-controlled companies. Foreign companies were forced to sell out or face heavy fines for imaginary offenses. Russian oligarchs who resisted were imprisoned or fled the country.
Putin was busy building a powerful weapon. And in the winter of 2005–06, he unveiled it publicly for the first time.
Early the previous winter, Ukraine rebelled against Russia: In presidential elections, the people rejected the pro-Russian candidate in favor of pro-Western Viktor Yushchenko. It was termed the Orange Revolution. Yushchenko immediately moved his country away from Russia’s influence and toward EU membership.
Russia was not happy—and it soon demonstrated its new weapon. In the middle of the following winter, it cut off gas to Ukraine and said it would only resume supply when Ukrainians paid a far higher price. Ukraine had no choice but to cave in. The gas cutoff also affected Europe—a timely reminder that Russia could make European states pay if they dared cross the Kremlin. As of 2006, the EU imported 56 percent of its energy, mostly from Russia. Germany, Italy and France imported 90, 91 and 95 percent of their daily oil needs respectively, and the vast majority of their natural gas needs.
Russia continued to grow bolder and more belligerent. In 2007, strong evidence pointed to Russian involvement behind a massive and organized Internet attack against Estonia. For three weeks, the nation’s computer systems were under constant assault in what some called the first state-to-state cyberattack in history. In August that year, Vladimir Putin announced that the Russian Air Force would resume Cold War-style nuclear bomber flights into international airspace. That summer, Russian bombers entered UK airspace and flew on an intercept course toward the U.S. military base in Guam. “The message to the West is clear: The days of dismissing Russia as a spent force are over,” wrote the Washington Times (Aug. 19, 2007). In February 2008, American fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers, one of which buzzed the aircraft carrier uss Nimitz.
Russia also increased its power through strategic arms sales, courting nations throughout Asia, South America and even the Middle East. “The Russians are not indiscriminately selling arms,” Dr. Alexey Muraviev, a strategic analyst at Curtin University of Technology in Australia, said. “Russia has pursued a policy driven by strategic design. If it creates a strong client base, that can later be transformed into a larger relationship.”
Then in December 2007, after a parliamentary election that consolidated yet more power under Putin, the Russian president officially rejected the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. Thus, Europeans no longer had any guarantee that Russia wouldn’t station thousands of tanks on their eastern borders.
But 2008 looked like the end for Putin—at least to some. Under the Russian Constitution, the president is limited to two consecutive terms in office. Putin could not continue as president beyond the 2008 elections without changing the Constitution. So he switched jobs. He became prime minister and kept the power, with Dmitry Medvedev, more or less a puppet, taking the presidency. Putin remained to continue to push his belligerent policies and returned to the presidency in 2012.
First Military Strike!
Another alarming indication of the direction Russia is taking came in August of 2008, when Russia attacked the former Soviet republic of Georgia. This was the first military strike of the rising Asian superpower!
Look at a map of the Caucasus region. Much of Russia’s oil comes from the Baku region on the western Caspian Sea. The Baku-Supsa oil pipeline cuts right through Georgia, and until Russia’s invasion it transported oil through this strategic area free from Russian control. That is no longer the case. Russia not only owns the oil in the ground, it now controls the pipes distributing it to Europe, amounting to many billions of dollars’ worth of energy!
Russia is determined to be an energy superpower in an age when the whole modern world is hungry for energy. If Russia sees a prime source of oil being threatened, it is going to fight!
We can understand Russia’s violent actions within Georgia far better in light of some recent history in the Balkans, specifically Kosovo. There, Russia felt that Western nations had basically declared war. Georgia was Russia’s retaliation.
But even before that, tensions were heating up. “U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton had promised the Russians that nato would not expand into the former Soviet Union empire,” wrote George Friedman for Stratfor. “That promise had already been broken in 1998 by nato’s expansion to Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic—and again in the 2004 expansion, which absorbed not only the rest of the former Soviet satellites in what is now Central Europe, but also the three Baltic states, which had been components of the Soviet Union” (Aug. 12, 2008). Russia was deeply unsettled by these developments.
President George W. Bush also tried to bring Georgia and Ukraine into nato, but failed. It seems highly unlikely Russia would ever allow that to happen. Making Georgia a part of nato would put that Western organization on Russia’s doorstep, placing the security of Russian oil on the western Caspian at serious risk. All it would take is 30 minutes of bombing to knock out this major source of Russian energy! So, as far as Russia is concerned, this is a matter of survival.
But it’s not really the United States that Russia is afraid of. The nation the Russians truly fear is Germany.
Turning Kosovo Over to Germany
In February 2008, Kosovo, a republic in the Balkans, declared its independence from Serbia. Moscow was against the move because it didn’t want similar independence movements in Russian territories getting any stronger. Dr. Friedman wrote, “The Russians publicly and privately asked [the U.S. and Europe] that Kosovo not be given formal independence, but instead continue its informal autonomy, which was the same thing in practical terms. Russia’s requests were ignored” (ibid). Europe and the U.S. supported the separation anyway.
“From the Kosovo experience, [Moscow] concluded that the United States and Europe were not prepared to consider Russian wishes even in fairly minor affairs,” Friedman continued. “That was the breaking point. If Russian desires could not be accommodated even in a minor matter like this, then clearly Russia and the West were in conflict. For the Russians, as we said, the question was how to respond. Having declined to respond in Kosovo, the Russians decided to respond where they had all the cards: in South Ossetia.”
Russia wanted a war—and for an important reason! Kosovo was the breaking point.
Remember that history. In 1991, Germany supported the independence of Croatia and Slovenia. Initially, all the rest of Europe and America were openly hostile to Germany’s action. But Europe caved in when Germany threatened to pull out of the European Union. Soon, civil war broke out in Yugoslavia. The U.S. secretary of state at the time said Germany was responsible for the war in the Balkans—but he quickly shut his mouth. The “superpower” America fell in step with Germany!
This foreign-policy shift in 1991 enraged America’s traditional allies Britain, France and the Netherlands. These nations saw what Germany was doing, not only in Yugoslavia, but all over Europe. Postwar Europe had hoped to keep powerful Germany under control—with help from the U.S.! Instead, America helped Germany enforce its will on Europe!
Once the U.S. released and then supported this European beast in Croatia and Slovenia, there was no stopping it. It didn’t cease until all of Yugoslavia was under its strong influence or control!
Kosovo was a turning point in the Yugoslav war. After this state essentially came under German influence and control, it was inevitable that the rest of Yugoslavia would fall. When Germany’s oppressive influence moved beyond Croatia and Slovenia, the careful observer could see that Germany’s ambition was to control all of Yugoslavia.
Germany’s defense minister at the time, Volker Rühe, urged the use of force against Serbia regardless of backing from the United Nations. “We must avoid to be dependent on a Russian veto,” he said at a meeting of nato defense ministers. He said that the relationship between nato and Russia meant that “Russia has no veto whenever nato needs to act.” Russia was going to veto it, and Germany wanted to get around that—and convinced the U.S. to join in!
So Germany led the U.S. into breaking its promises to Russia. You can read about this history in our free booklet Germany’s Conquest of the Balkans.
Russia rightly blames the U.S. for what happened. We lied to Russia about expanding nato, and then ignored Russia over Yugoslavia, which culminated in Kosovo declaring independence in 2008.
The U.S. allowed itself to be a tool of Germany—and helped its rise! America bombed Serbia into submission and then handed it over to a German-led EU! If you know Europe’s history and prophecy, you realize what a shameful act that truly was! America likes to think of itself as squeaky clean and righteous, driven by only the purest motives. But this was truly an act of treachery—and incredible weakness.
We have written quite a lot about this issue, and receive many sympathetic letters from Serbs who were double-crossed by America. Remember: The Serbs were America’s allies in World Wars i and ii, and Germany was our enemy! In the Yugoslav wars, everything was turned around.
America is one of the modern nations descended from biblical Israel. We have a history with God. We should be setting the example for the world! When we make a promise, we should keep it! And we should be placing our faith in God rather than in our enemies. Today, Yugoslavia is gone because of our evil.
The Intelligence Digest of August 11-25, 1995, said this: “Germany’s control of Western Europe is exercised through the European Union (EU), and American support for German dominance of the EU has been evident since at least 1990. … [Washington] is following an intentional policy, the purpose of which is to leave both east and west Europe under complete German domination. …
“So Germany, with the full backing of America, is to be the sole great power of Europe.”
In biblical prophecy, God condemns America for treating the Germans like our “lovers”! He prophesies that this relationship will end in our destruction! (See Ezekiel 23; you can read about this prophecy in our free book Ezekiel—The End-Time Prophet.)
Russia’s Revenge
Russia shrewdly evaluated these events and saw an opportunity. After watching and not interfering as Germany and the U.S. sponsored Kosovo’s independence, Moscow reasoned that it had the right to sponsor the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia from Georgia. The populations in those two breakaway regions are comprised mostly of Russian sympathizers. And if the U.S. or Europe objected, Russia could say, Hey—that’s what you did in Kosovo and the Balkans—you just went in and conquered the whole area! Don’t accuse us for simply doing what you did!
When Russia made its move in August 2008, the strategy worked to perfection. “The Russians knew the United States would denounce their attack,” Friedman wrote. “This actually plays into Russian hands. The more vocal senior leaders are, the greater the contrast with their inaction, and the Russians wanted to drive home the idea that American guarantees are empty talk” (op cit).
Does Russia fear America? Not very much. And it used this opportunity to make the U.S. look stupid and weak before the whole world!
Russia had been planning for this invasion for some time. As Ralph Peters wrote in the New York Post, “Let’s be clear: For all that U.S. commentators and diplomats are still chattering about Russia’s ‘response’ to Georgia’s actions, the Kremlin spent months planning and preparing this operation. Any soldier above the grade of private can tell you that there’s absolutely no way Moscow could’ve launched this huge ground, air and sea offensive in an instantaneous ‘response’ to alleged Georgian actions. …
“Every one of these things required careful preparations. In the words of one U.S. officer, ‘Just to line up the airlift sorties would’ve taken weeks.’
“Working through their mercenaries in South Ossetia, Russia staged brutal provocations against Georgia from late July onward. Last Thursday, Georgia’s president finally had to act to defend his own people.
“But when the mouse stirred, the cat pounced” (Aug. 12, 2008).
This was a war of revenge, and it was planned months, perhaps years, in advance.
Vladimir Putin is really the dictator of Russia. He may not appear to exercise the kind of brutality of some of his predecessors, but he certainly is intent on using whatever power is necessary to secure his country’s resources and make Russia into a global power! When this former kgb agent calls the Soviet collapse a “catastrophe,” you have to believe he is going to do something about it! Remember how Adolf Hitler told the world exactly what he was going to do in his book Mein Kampf, years before he did it? Why will we never heed such warnings?
Friedman concluded, “The war in Georgia, therefore, is Russia’s public return to great power status” (op cit).
That is exactly right. The Bible warns us to expect a great power rising from the East. It calls it “the kings of the east” (Revelation 16:12). The attack on Georgia was the first act of war from the kings of the east—but it was not the last.
The Ukraine Crisis
Just after Russia used military force to invade Georgia, Gerald Flurry wrote the following in our October 2008 Trumpet issue: “Russia’s attack on Georgia in August marks the beginning of a dangerous new era in history. This was the first military strike of a rising Asian superpower—and there will be more! … Will a crisis occur over Ukraine? That area is the breadbasket of Russia, and surely it is willing to wage war over that as well.”
Time proved that forecast to have been stunningly accurate!
For several years, Ukraine had been working to join the EU. The plan was for Viktor Yanukovych, then president of Ukraine, to make it official on November 29, 2013, by signing the Ukraine-European Union Association Agreement. But on November 21, Yanukovych abruptly announced that he would not sign the agreement. Many analysts were shocked. They had thought Ukraine would make the deal and become part of the EU, or at least become allied with it in some fashion. Why did the Ukrainian president make such a dramatic U-turn?
Because of Russia! It emerged in late November that Mr. Yanukovych had secretly flown to Moscow early in the month to meet with Putin. At this secret meeting, Putin apparently agreed to stop putting an economic squeeze on Ukraine and he also offered Yanukovych some rich financial rewards that would help him cling to power—if the Ukrainian president would pull out of the EU deal.
Experts agree that it was these tactics that caused Ukraine to pull out! “[T]he unprecedented pressure from the Russians was the decisive factor,” said former Polish president and intermediary Aleksander Kwasniewski. “The Russians used everything in their arsenal.”
Instead of linking with Europe, Ukraine appeared to then be on course to become a member of Russia’s Customs Union. That would have placed it alongside Moscow’s fellow dictatorships Kazakhstan and Belarus. When the Ukrainian government made this about-face, many of the people felt betrayed and oppressed. They feared Russia’s lengthening authoritarian shadow and the corruption of their own government, so they staged massive protests!
Putin applied all that pressure on Ukraine because that nation is the linchpin of his goal of a renewed imperial Russia! A linchpin is the pin in an axle that keeps the wheel from coming off. Putin has long known that if Ukraine allies with Europe, it would significantly diminish his power. Mr. Putin was doing everything in his power to keep the wheels from falling off his dream of a new Soviet empire.
The Ukrainian people protested until Yanukovych fled the country. Putin may not have expected this outcome, but he used the turmoil to advance his goal even further. He focused specifically on the federal Republic of Crimea, which was a semi-autonomous region of Ukraine. After deploying undercover agents to destabilize the peninsula, he arranged for a referendum to be held which would ostensibly let the people of the peninsula decide whether they wanted to return to Mother Russia or not.
In truth, Ukrainian law unambiguously forbids any such referendum. Its constitution explicitly states that Crimea is “an inseparable constituent part of Ukraine,” and its laws are subservient to those of the central government in Kiev. But no one stood up to stop the referendum, so on March 18, 2014, Crimea became an official part of Russia. The borders of Europe were redrawn.
Putin is doing everything he can to prevent Georgia, Ukraine and all other former Soviet countries from developing closer ties with Europe. He also recently pushed the U.S. out of his backyard by pressuring Kyrgyzstan to kick America off of Manas Air Base. This was America’s only military base left in Central Asia. Russia’s deep involvement in the Middle East has allowed the brutal Syrian regime to retain power. It has also been instrumental in allowing Iran to continue pursuing nuclear weapons.
Domestically, Putin has transformed the Russian media into a propaganda machine. He has severely curbed the power of democracy and emasculated Russia’s parliament. Under Putin’s reign, nuclear-armed Russia is also transforming its military machine into a modern, technological, 21st-century force.
By all of these heavy-handed tactics, President Putin has not only brought Russia back into play as a world power, he has also secured his position at the nation’s helm.
This world has a lot of authoritarian rulers. But Vladimir Putin is one we need to keep a particularly close eye on. His track record, nationality and ideology indicate that he could—and we strongly believe he will—fulfill a specific, linchpin Bible prophecy recorded millennia ago. The time frame of his rule makes it almost certain. This will be thoroughly discussed in Chapter 6.
Russia, Germany Behind the Scenes
Things aren’t always what they seem in the world of geopolitics. Often there is more to an event than most people realize. Russia’s invasion of Georgia was an example.
Russia has much at stake in the Caucasus and is extremely sensitive to anyone who gets close to that area. Again, it doesn’t fear the U.S. much—but it does fear Germany, and will do what it needs to in order to neutralize it.
Actually, Russia and Germany fear each other. Russia supplies quite a lot of Europe’s energy—especially Germany’s—and that gives it power.
By attacking Georgia, Ralph Peters wrote, “[t]he Kremlin is telling Europe: We not only have the power to turn off Siberian gas, we can turn off every tap in the region, any time we choose” (op cit).
The Wall Street Journal reported, “Putin’s Russia got its hands around the energy-needy throats of Germans, the French, Italians and many other Europeans.” This is a cutthroat business! “When this crisis ends, Georgia will be either a model for a world that works or a world whose members do business with knives,” it continued. “If the world’s foreign ministries, ceos, investors and policy intellectuals can’t see the implications for their world in Georgia’s fate, it’s time to reorder our best efforts to playing by Mr. Putin’s rules” (Aug. 14, 2008).
Shortly after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and destabilized eastern Ukraine, it looked like Germany was siding with the U.S. in condemning the Russian moves. But by mid-2015, Germany had shifted to what the Wall Street Journal called a “speak no evil” policy toward Russia: “Germany of 2015 has a stance on the big trouble to the east. … It involves pressing old friends from the West to ease up on the Russians. Diplomats from the U.S., Canada and northern European countries have been admonished by a German counterpart … to stop their ‘blame game’ in support of Ukraine” (Wall Street Journal, Aug. 10, 2015).
In July 2015, Martin Erdmann, the departing German ambassador to nato, said the U.S. and Europe were being “very one-sided” by enacting protective measures against Russia, including military maneuvers in Eastern European nato nations.
Why does Germany not want to blame Russia for its acts of brazen aggression? Why is Berlin so soft on Moscow regarding both Georgia and Ukraine?
History provides a sobering answer. Every time competition between Russia and Germany heats up, they form a deal with each other—just before going to war! A few of these agreements came before World War i, including German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck’s Three Emperors’ League with Russia and Austria. In 1922, four years after the Great War ended, Germany and Russia stunned the world with a pact signed in Rapallo, Italy, that opened complete diplomatic relations between them. Europe’s power balance had shifted overnight. Through the pact, the German Army could test weapons in Russia that were forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles. Even when Hitler became chancellor in 1933 and a wave of anti-Russianism gripped Germany, the Nazis made a move that seemed contrary to their anti-Soviet policy. Hitler’s foreign minister, Joachim von Ribbentrop, secretly flew to Moscow in August 1939 to sign a non-aggression pact with Russia’s Stalin. This became known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. With Russia neutralized, Hitler’s eastern flank was secure. One week later, Hitler invaded Poland, and Russia took the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). Two years later, Germany violated the pact and attacked Russia.
The history is quite clear. Whenever it has wanted to expand its empire, Germany has always first removed the Russian threat through diplomacy. Its fear of Russia drove it to arm and become strong on the one hand, and seek peace with Russia until it had finished dealing with the rest of its enemies on the other.
There is evidence that such a deal may have been struck before the Georgia invasion.
When U.S. President George W. Bush was pushing for Georgia and Ukraine to enter nato, Europe initially supported the idea. But in April of 2008, Germany’s minister of foreign affairs, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, suddenly came out against the plan. He said Georgia wasn’t qualified because of unresolved territorial conflicts. Berlin officials also argued, off the record, that “Russia has no veto, but Russia’s views must be taken into account”; “Russia is a factor [in decision-making] and this is undeniable,” and “Russian concerns cannot be ignored if we want a real partnership with Russia” (Eurasia Daily Monitor, April 1, 2008).
This was opposite of what Germany said a year before, when it wholeheartedly supported these nations’ entrance into nato. Why the sudden change? What did the German leaders say privately to the Russians about Georgia and Ukraine?
Germany knows Russia can be very brutal. Perhaps Putin told Germany, We didn’t do anything about Kosovo and the Serbs—you’d better stay out of the Caucasus! If you give us problems over Georgia or Ukraine, we’re cutting off your energy—or we’re going to war! And we have a lot of nuclear weapons!
Germany may well have been complicit in Russia’s plan to attack Georgia and Ukraine! If Russia formed an agreement with Germany over those situations, then Russia would have known the only possible other nation to be concerned about was the U.S. And Russia knew America was too weak to do anything about it!
Russia has Germany—and all of Europe—over a barrel. Cutting off part of the flow of gas to a country would wreak havoc on its economy!
Germany’s about-face on Ukraine and Georgia smells rotten! The U.S. is extremely foolish to trust Germany—to treat it as a “lover.” That ignorance is sure to end in the greatest possible disaster!
The fact that Steinmeier was so quick to dismiss the idea of nato membership for Georgia and Ukraine tells us something else: Germany sees that it doesn’t have a future with nato. Its ultimate plan is to kick nato aside and stand as an independent power! It doesn’t respect America’s view on these nations. So America ends up being a dupe all along the way.
The relationship between Russia and Germany is very tense right now. Germany ignored Russia over Kosovo—but Russia will not be ignored anymore. The presence of a deal between these two nations is not a sign of peace. Like the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, and so many others before it, it is a sign of exactly the opposite. Both of these nations are looking to secure their shared border—so they can pursue their imperialistic aims elsewhere! It is a precursor to war! That is the way they operate! And the U.S. has no clue.
The summer of 2008 marked the beginning of a new era! We saw an extraordinary military strike by one of the kings of the east. The Ukraine crisis was another massive blow indicating Russia’s resurgence. China, another of those “kings,” is also making inroads all over the world. What power those kings of the east are amassing—and so quickly! Europe can see it. And it is formulating a counterstrategy.
The whole world should see this developing and realize: This will inevitably end in nuclear war!
Nuclear Arsenal
Russia has publicly stated that nuclear weapons remain key to the nation’s defense strategy—and it is not averse to the possibility of launching preemptive strikes, if necessary, to defend its interests!
Experts tell us that once a nuclear war starts, it cannot be stopped.
Such a monstrous Russian nuclear power is going to impact this world. The nuclear “genie” is out of the bottle. We have reached the point of no return.
How can these words and events not strike fear in all of us? Do we realize this Earth is like a ticking nuclear bomb, waiting to explode?
This world is in a kind of madness! It is precisely how Jesus Christ prophesied, almost 2,000 years ago, it would be in the end time. “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved [alive]: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:21-22). These words should cause us to tremble—and repent!
If Christ didn’t intervene and stop the madness, there would be no flesh saved alive. Not one person or animal would be left alive!
Do the major media carry more weight with us than Christ’s own words? Do we listen to our political leaders more than we heed Christ’s own warnings?
It’s time for plain speaking and writing.
All According to Plan
Europe’s growing nervousness about events in Russia gives us a flash of light into a terrifying Bible prophecy. It is building now—at this moment—to a spectacular fulfillment! These events in Russia and Europe are working out according to God’s master plan.
Even the Russian people don’t understand why their nation has returned back to the center of global events. But you can know. All we need to do is understand the Bible, which tells us to watch world events—not dates.
World events will date the Bible’s prophecies and reveal where we are in the overall time frame. A more dictatorial Russian government is on the scene, and you need to know where it is leading. That power will be able to challenge Europe when nobody else can—including the U.S. The EU is going to become the world’s number one superpower. So says Bible prophecy.
The Russian economy is in trouble, and time is running out on its opportunity to cut itself a position of lasting significance. Its conventional military and its nuclear arsenal are both aging quickly, though it is spending aggressively to update its armaments. Demographically, birth rates are plunging precipitously. Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin are running out of time to restore Russia to great-empire status! “This is Russia’s moment,” wrote George Friedman. America is squeezing Russia, hoping nature will take its course, and Russian power will wane. But Friedman said “the Russians will squeeze back hard before they move off the stage of history” (Stratfor, July 27, 2009).
Bible prophecy says that will indeed happen!
Don’t expect Russia to drop from the headlines. In fact, expect Russia to ramp up its efforts to restore the Soviet empire. Among other activities, this will likely mean the forging of a major agreement with Germany and Europe that will address both European and Russian vulnerability. Expect Russia to continue to be highly active in defending and enlarging its periphery; Ukraine, or at least its eastern regions, will likely continue gravitating toward Moscow. It’s highly unlikely we will see nato expand much further eastward.
Behind these developments is an invisible power, assuring that a master plan is being fulfilled. As Winston Churchill said, “There is a purpose being worked out here below.” The nations are blind to where these events are leading. But they should know because this message has been proclaimed for over 70 years. But even though the nations fail to heed, you can have God’s protection wherever you may live on Earth.
“And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown …” (Daniel 11:40-41). The king of the north is a united Europe, and the king of the south is radical Islam led by Iran. (Request our free booklet The King of the South.)
Europe will win this war. But that victory will trigger some other events. Europe will then ally itself with the moderate Arabs and attack America, Britain and the nation called Israel. Many Bible prophecies thunder this truth.
Then Russia will lead a bloc that includes China and other Asian nations. They know that they are next on Europe’s hit list—the world’s new number one superpower, which likes to attack without warning. Germany has a history of such treachery—and Germany leads the EU. That is the ideal way to win nuclear wars. So Russia and China will gather their armies on the borders of Europe. This move will make Europe intensely nervous! So much so that it will attack Russia and China.
“But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him” (verses 44-45). This is where the rise of Europe and Russia is leading. It is building now even as you read this.
The “tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him”—united Europe. That means the frightening news comes from the northeast. Look on any world map and see who is located northeast of Europe—Russia and China, which will soon unite.
Remember, this is an end-time book (Daniel 12:4, 9). We must understand who these nations are today, or Daniel will have prophesied in vain! So God gives us the specific time factor and the direction of where Europe’s enemy is located!
As you will see in the chapters to follow, these prophecies get far more detailed. And they are being rapidly fulfilled before our eyes. It’s all happening just as Daniel and other prophets prophesied thousands of years ago. Never have we seen so many prophecies fulfilled so fast. How many people are going to believe God?
These events are hurtling toward Jesus Christ’s Second Coming! How magnificent! How wonderful!
Will you believe God?
Chapter 3: What the China Miracle Means
Russia knew exactly what it was doing by timing its invasion of Georgia for August 7, 2008. It so happened that the world was engrossed in an apparently far more compelling drama at the time: the imminent start of the spectacular Olympic Games in Beijing.
China used the occasion to announce itself to the world as a power every bit as vibrant and muscular as the athletes it hosted. Unabashedly confident, radiating with national pride, exploding into modernity—China is on fire.
“There are simply no words adequate … to describe this phenomenon, especially as seen by the eye at street level,” one of our readers wrote us from Beijing after the Olympics opening ceremony. “Economic growth figures, China’s purchase of U.S. treasury bonds and takeover of British companies—[these] can’t capture in words what is visible to a person in this city. Ordinary people who still regard China as [backward] would be stunned into silence if they laid eyes on Beijing (which … is not as large as the main commercial city, Shanghai). In fact, judging by what I see, the day China surpasses the U.S. as the world’s largest economy is much nearer than all the forecasts indicate.”
Critics groused about China’s poor human rights, its authoritarianism, its support for corrupt regimes, its pollution. Correct as they are, their criticisms simply aren’t going to stop this bullet train. This country is barreling into the future—and, in the process, changing the world.
This is a revolution. It is, in fact, a prophecy—a look at the future.
America Plus a Billion
In one sense, it’s a question of simple math. China has 1.4 billion people—1 out of every 5 people on Earth. That’s America’s population plus a billion. Now, multiply any trend—relating to society, economy, technology, food or anything else—by 1.4 billion, and you will see a huge global impact. And the trend in China is definitely toward bigger, faster and more.
China uses about 60 percent of the world’s cement. From having no highways just 30 years ago, today it has almost 65,000 miles of them. And those roads bear the weight of over 50,000 more cars every day—21 million more per year. Soon, China will be not only the world’s biggest market for new cars, but also its largest carmaker. It consumes about half of the world’s iron and steel.
As of 2005, China had 135 civil airports. By the end of 2016, the number had grown to 218.
Each year, almost 8 million Chinese move from the country to the city. This urban migration is driving the construction of the equivalent of Chicago plus Detroit—each year. Today, the United States has 10 cities of over 1 million people. China has more than 160 of them.
China’s mushrooming economy is growing at five times the speed of America’s and has passed Japan’s as the world’s second largest. By some measures, China already has a larger economy than the United States. In a single generation, China has lifted 600 million people out of poverty, half of them into the middle class. Such development is simply jaw-dropping, historically unprecedented.
Here’s why this trend is so earthshaking. It takes a lot of resources to fuel such explosive growth on such an enormous scale: more food, more electricity—more everything. That’s a crushing reality when over a billion people suddenly start gaining an appetite for consumption.
The trouble is, some of those resources are already in short supply on our planet.
An abc News report, China Inside Out, quoted one expert saying that for China’s mammoth population to enjoy affluence as great as America’s, the necessary resources would demand another planet.
And that is why, with just a pinch of foresight, you can see where this trend is headed.
The World’s Hungry Teenager
In 2010, China passed the U.S. as the world’s largest energy consumer. Between 2000 and 2006, China’s increase in energy demand exceeded all the electricity it had used to that point in history. Some Chinese factories have to shut down several days per week simply because they don’t have enough voltage. The nation is making a valiant effort to keep pace with demand: In 2007 alone, it built new power-generating capacity equivalent to what all of France uses. It commissions a new power station every four days. Besides the 26 nuclear power reactors in operation and the additional 26 it is constructing as of 2015, China operates 620 coal-fired power stations—27 percent of the world’s total. It already consumes almost half of global coal production.
Meanwhile, those 21 million new Chinese cars each year need gasoline. China already imports 308 million tons of oil per year, and this demand is skyrocketing, which puts additional, unwelcome strain on global oil supplies. In 1998, China was a net exporter of oil; by 2013, it had become the number one importer.
China is the world’s hungry teenager. In order to fill these colossal cravings, Beijing has launched an extraordinary outreach program into the rest of the world.
Forcing the Issue
In September 2013, newly appointed Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled his plan called “One Belt, One Road”—a land and sea version of the Silk Road trading route that would run through Asia, Europe and Africa. The initiative would cover an area that holds 55 percent of the world’s gross national product, 70 percent of the global population and 75 percent of known energy reserves. DefenseNews wrote, “China’s ‘one belt and one road’ initiative could usher in a new era that sees China as the undisputed geopolitical powerhouse in the region” (April 12, 2015). The idea is mainly economic, but as vice director of Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Center for National Strategy Studies Zhuang Jianzhoug said, it “has political and strategic components and implications.” China is extending its influence and reach to create what Quartz called “the most extensive global commercial-military empire in history” (June 9, 2015). Beijing is making a “resource grab” wherever it can, creating economic alliances to fund its global ambitions of becoming a superpower.
China started by being an invaluable neighbor, making itself the top or number two trading partner of virtually every nation in Asia. “Seeking strength in numbers, Southeast Asian governments strive not only to tap into China’s new wealth, but also to embed Beijing in a thicket of organizations and dialogues in the name of ‘community-building’ and closer integration,” wrote Ellen Frost in Global Politician. “Conscious of residual wariness, Chinese leaders go out of their way to reassure their Asian neighbors that Chinese intentions are entirely peaceful. Unlike Washington, China has projected a sympathetic and listening attitude, offering aid and trade deals without immediately demanding anything in return” (May 14, 2008).
Beijing is also extending itself diplomatically, economically and even militarily into anywhere and everywhere in the world with resources for sale. It has significant economic ties with all but five of Africa’s 54 countries.
China overtook the U.S. as Africa’s top trade partner in 2009. By 2013, bilateral trade between China and Africa reached $210 billion. China is now helping to build railroads, roads and airports to link every African country. Some have raised concerns over China’s rapid invasion into Africa, calling the Chinese “the new imperialists.” Some debate whether China is genuinely trying to stabilize Africa or just selfishly exploiting its natural resources.
China has also stormed virtually the whole of the Caribbean and Latin America. As the U.S. has retreated from this region, China has been the main player to move its way into the void. From 2000 to 2009, trade between China and Latin America increased by a staggering 1,200 percent. According to data provided by the Americas Society and Council of the Americas, China surpassed the European Union in 2016 to become Latin America’s second-largest trade partner. China’s push into Latin America also includes an increasing amount of investment. In January 2015, President Xi pledged to invest $250 billion into the region over the next decade. “With relatively little fanfare,” said Latin America expert Juan de Onis, “China has taken over the inside lane of economic development in Latin America with an ambitious 10-year regional investment plan on the scale of the Marshall Plan” (Jan. 14, 2015).
China has also laid inroads throughout the Middle East. Trade has risen from around $20 billion a decade ago to an estimated $230 billion in 2014. Trade volume is expected to exceed $500 billion by 2020. In 2015, China imported 7.4 million barrels per day and overtook the U.S. as the world’s largest oil importing country. The Middle East accounts for more than 52 percent of that supply.
And Beijing exhibits none of the qualms that many Western nations have over doing business with corrupt, authoritarian, dictatorial, even genocidal regimes. It doesn’t sermonize—it just floods other nations with cash, workers, infrastructure, weapons and whatever else they need. Usually, it leaves with resources. And in some cases, it leaves behind a political mess.
Look at what is happening here. China’s meteoric growth and aggressive chase for resources are forcing the issue on the rest of the world.
Ethical hang-ups, anemic ambition, bureaucratic sluggishness—these factors are starting to leave other nations out in the cold in the intensifying contest over Earth’s wealth. China has upped the ante. Its success—in what could be viewed, at this stage, as soft imperialism—obliges other nations that want to remain competitive to step up. You can already see it happening.
This is what makes these trends so prophetic.
China’s AIIB
January 16, 2016, marked a radical turning point for the global economy, particularly America’s economic dominance. On that date, at a lavish ceremony, President Xi officially launched the massive Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (aiib)—a new, Chinese-run international bank that directly challenges U.S. global economic leadership.
This bank’s official role is to help finance development of infrastructure in Asia. It will facilitate the completion of energy and power projects, transportation and telecommunications networks, rural infrastructure and agriculture development, water supply and sanitation utilities, and urban development and logistics programs. The goal of the aiib is to become the premier source of development funding in Asia.
Unofficially, the goal of the bank is to reduce Asian dependence on the American-controlled World Bank—and replace it with dependence on China. And ultimately, it is to replace the U.S. dollar with the Chinese yuan as the medium of finance.
Astoundingly, America’s allies appear willing to play along as long as they get a piece of the economic pie. When China proposed the launch of the aiib in March 2015, America tried to convince other nations not to agree to join. But it failed—even with its closest allies. It was “a diplomatic debacle for the U.S.,” wrote Financial Times columnist Gideon Rachman. “By setting up and then losing a power struggle with China, Washington has sent an unintended signal about the drift of power and influence in the 21st century” (March 16, 2015). The global embrace of the aiib was a major embarrassment to America and a colossal victory for China.
China can now use the aiib as a means of pressuring other nations. For example, since the Philippines expressed interest in joining, Manila now has a compelling reason to turn a blind eye to China’s illegal construction of those islands in Philippine territory. By hushing up about the Chinese expansionist project, the Philippines is likelier to gain favor and funding from China’s aiib for any number of economic initiatives. The same kind of motivation may have factored in to Australia’s decision in 2015 to give China 99 years of control of the vital Port of Darwin.
The aiib marks a huge step toward making the yuan a reserve currency that could potentially compete with the dollar. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers called the introduction of the bank the most important financial event since America led the world off the gold standard in 1971. It signals a seismic shift in financial power away from the United States and demonstrates the tremendous economic clout China has gained.
China and Taiwan
Ties between Taiwan (officially named the Republic of China) and China have been icy for as long as the two have existed as separate nations. That separation was the result of a bloody civil war between the Communist Party and a party called the Kuomintang. The war raged in mainland China from 1927 until 1950, with a brief intermission during World War ii when both sides fought against Japan. By 1949, the Communists had defeated the Kuomintang, forcing its members to flee to the island of Taiwan—about 110 miles off the coast of mainland China. Ever since, China, under the Communist Party, has actively claimed ownership of Taiwan. China views Taiwan as kind of an offshore rebel province and has often vowed to use force to dominate it.
For decades, the Taiwanese have lived in fear of invasion from Chinese forces. But this tiny island has stayed independent thanks to military equipment, political support and a promise from an ally that also happens to be a superpower: the United States.
Now, however, America’s support for Taiwanese independence has diminished. In 1998, Bill Clinton became the first American president to publicly oppose Taiwanese independence. Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry said Clinton’s opposition meant it was only a matter of time before Taiwan would come under China’s rule. “The Chinese leaders pressured the president and America to speak against our freedom-loving friends” in Taiwan, Mr. Flurry wrote. “The people of Taiwan fear for their future. They feel betrayed. … Once again, America has showcased its broken will to the whole world. … How could anyone fail to see that Taiwan is destined to become a part of mainland China? These 21 million people are going to be forced into the Chinese mold; and it is going to happen for one reason: because of a pitifully weak-willed America. Does freedom really mean so little to us?” (Trumpet, August 1998).
At the time that was written, the idea of Taiwan becoming assimilated into China may have seemed likely only in the distant future. But not now.
Bowing to China
Throughout his term as Taiwan’s president—from 2008 to early 2016—Ma Ying-jeou prioritized improving Taiwan’s relationship with China. He accomplished that largely by giving in to Beijing. Many Taiwanese were furious about Ma’s capitulations. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets to protest trade deals he made with China on the grounds that they gave Beijing dangerous economic and political leverage over Taiwan. But in light of America’s track record of weak foreign policy, especially under the Obama administration, Ma’s actions were logical. He saw the U.S. retreating from its role as global stabilizer. He saw America abandoning its allies and kowtowing to its enemies. And Ma may well have concluded that the U.S.’s security assurances are worthless, and that prudence required appeasing China.
However, Ma’s presidency ended on January 16, 2016, and Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (dpp) came into power after a landslide victory. When the dpp was previously in power, it took a stance opposite Ma’s. It aggressively pushed a pro-independence agenda. Now under President Tsai Ing-wen, the dpp is set to follow the same path. Tsai has always refused to endorse the so-called “one China” principle. And with the landslide victory, the people of Taiwan signaled that they are tired of giving in to their giant Communist-run neighbor. Tsai’s early rhetoric after the victory suggested that the dpp will likely try to reverse some of Ma’s moves toward China.
The question is, how long will Beijing tolerate a less-cooperative Taiwan? Likely not for long. After the election, China’s official Xinhua news agency said there was “no denying that the dpp’s return rule poses grave challenges to cross-strait relations.”
It is possible the dpp may acknowledge that the new reality of a broken-willed America requires that Taiwan continue on the path Ma was taking—the path of submission to China. Or if the dpp decides to stay tough against China, it could prompt Beijing to react with force and swallow Taiwan. If that happens, as Mr. Flurry said, “it is going to happen for one reason: because of a pitifully weak-willed America.” This is certainly a prophecy worth continuing to watch.
Military Rise
To add teeth to its aggressive economic and political policies, China is working diligently to upgrade its military capabilities.
In 2008, China overtook the United Kingdom as the world’s second-largest military spender. Though far behind America’s $607 billion of military spending, China is quickly closing the gap. In 2014, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimated that China spent $216 billion on its military. The People’s Liberation Army (pla) is the largest standing army in the world, with 2.3 million troops, and China has 318 million men fit for military service. The pla Ground Force contains 1.6 million men. Experts say this number can be quickly augmented by an 800,000-strong reserve force, 1.5 million armed police, and 8 million militia men.
One of the biggest growth areas in China’s military is the pla Navy (plan). As China looks further afield for resources, it needs a robust navy to defend its maritime lifelines. April 2009 marked the 60th anniversary of China’s navy, and China celebrated by showcasing many ships that had never been displayed before. “By celebrating the plan’s diamond anniversary, China was doing more than fostering nationalistic pride,” wrote Stratfor. “The review showcased China’s domestic military-industrial prowess in order to command global recognition of China as a significant naval power” (April 24, 2009).
Since 2000, China has focused on modernizing its Navy. The plan possesses more than 200 surface combatants, submarines, missile-armed patrol craft and amphibious ships and is set to have more ships than the U.S. Navy by 2020. In 2012, China commissioned its first aircraft carrier and it has made plans to build two more. China launched more naval ships than any other country in 2013 and 2014, and analysts expect the trend to continue. China now has more submarines than any other Asian nation and will soon have more than America. It arms its subs with intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying multiple warheads up to 7,500 miles.
In 2014, China ramped up its territorial claims in the South China Sea when it began creating artificial islands in disputed waters and militarizing them. Some of the islands are as far as 800 miles from mainland China, but only 150 miles from the Philippines. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, such turf belongs to the Philippines. But who is around to enforce “international law”? Despite complaints from America, the Philippines and other nations, China keeps building these islands, thereby bolstering its claims to almost the entire South China Sea. Beijing saw from America’s weak response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that the U.S. is no longer willing to confront aggressors with any real power. It wasted no time taking advantage of the new reality.
Of course, despite its growth, China still lags far behind the U.S. and remains less advanced than Europe militarily. This is why China is looking for unconventional ways to level the playing field.
China sees cyberwarfare as an important tool for “undermining the U.S. military’s technological edge,” according to the U.S. Department of Defense’s 2007 Annual Report to Congress on China’s military power.
One of the largest breaches in American military history happened in 2013 when, in a single attack, China stole two dozen major weapons systems from the United States. The next year, National Security Agency (nsa) director Mike Rogers said China and one or two other countries could invade and shut down U.S. utilities, aviation and financial networks. That same year, Chinese hackers penetrated U.S. Transportation Command contractors 20 times, and the Chinese military flaunted its new J-31 stealth fighter jet—made from knowledge it stole out of American servers. In 2015, China hacked as many as 18 million current and former government employees’ personal information. Mike McConnell, former director of the nsa, said, “The Chinese have penetrated every major corporation of any consequence in the United States and have taken information” (March 12, 2015). These hacks included the U.S. Congress, the Department of Defense and the State Department.
Space warfare is another way China is trying to level the playing field. On January 11, 2007, China took the space race to a new level. By shooting a warhead from a ballistic missile into space, destroying an old Chinese weather satellite, China exploded more than a satellite; it exploded the myth that China’s space program does not threaten America. Christopher Bodeen, writing for the Associated Press, observed, “The test is a shot across the bow of U.S. efforts to remain predominant in space and on the ground, where its military is heavily dependent on networks of satellites …. [A]ny potential conflicts in space would put much of the industrialized world’s economies at risk …” (Jan. 23, 2007). China blew up another satellite in 2010. High-tech militaries like America’s and the EU’s are heavily dependent upon satellites. Dr. Ashley Tellis, an expert on China at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank, stated that China’s space program is aimed at America’s “soft ribs” in space, and that China could carry out a “space Pearl Harbor.”
A Terrifying Reality
Watch. The rise of the Chinese juggernaut graphically presages a developing—and terrifying—reality: More and more, the nations reaping the richest rewards in this rapidly developing resource war will be the more assertive, enterprising nations—the more rapacious nations.
They will also be the more autocratic nations—those governed by tough, politically empowered leaders; those least encumbered by political correctness and bureaucracy. These are the nations that will strike aggressively, ruthlessly to stake their claims and defend them.
This trend portends more than just a world dominated by more aggressive nations. As soon as you have more than one power acting this way, you have all the makings for intensifying competition—and ultimately, out-and-out war.
Now, align these trends with biblical prophecy. Read Revelation 17 and 18. There you see a detailed, horrifying picture of an emergent empire of unprecedented rapacity. In order to fuel its furnaces and drive its imperialist machinery, it will conquer nations, establishing colonies and protectorates the world over and raping them of their resources. In its opulence it will seduce and deal with the globe’s wealthiest corporate moguls, riding their backs and enriching itself at the expense of the rest of the world.
Those biblical prophecies speak of our day today—this time of America’s decline, of China’s rise, of global economic instability and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We are about to see the sudden, violent surfacing of this superpower.
But this empire will not be China and Russia! It will not be Asian at all.
In fact, in light of biblical prophecy, we must view Russia and China’s rise as a likely trigger for this empire to rise up and strike!
This passage in Revelation—along with dozens of others that provide more vivid details—is speaking of an emerging European empire, a resurrection, in fact, of the Holy Roman Empire! You can be sure it is watching intently what China and Russia are doing today and, behind closed doors, plotting its retaliation. It simply will not be left behind in the coming resource war.
You need to understand these prophecies—their fulfillment is going to rock the world off its axis. Request free copies of Herbert W. Armstrong’s masterful booklet Who or What Is the Prophetic Beast? and our book The Holy Roman Empire in Prophecy for a riveting study of this vital subject.
The rise and cooperation of Russia and China that we are witnessing is prophecy being fulfilled! For not only is it certain to provoke Europe to assume a far more combative posture in securing its much-needed resources, but these Asian nations have a significant role to play in the events prophesied to unfold shortly. Keep your eye on China. Within a few short years, this nation—the ascendant, proud China that has emerged today—will dazzle the world. Watching its vault into great-power status truly is a look at the future.
Chapter 4: India: Asia’s Other Economic Powerhouse
India—with its population of more than 1.2 billion people—is almost certain to join the Asian bloc that is prophesied to congeal in the end time.
In May 2014, after five weeks of voting and more than 800 million ballots cast, India’s Bharatiya Janata Party won a landslide victory. It was the largest election in mankind’s history. The new government run by Narendra Modi achieved the first absolute majority in India’s lower house of Parliament in over 30 years. This gave Modi powers his predecessors could only have dreamed of.
During his victory speech, Modi said, “Good days are coming. The journey has started.” This “journey” holds great geopolitical significance because it is one that is steering India ever further from the United States and Britain—and ever nearer to Russia, China and other Asian states.
Away From the West, Toward the East
Back in 2005, the U.S. revoked Modi’s visa on the grounds that he had played a role in one of India’s bloodiest episodes of religious violence. The violence had taken place in the state of Gujarat, where Modi worked at the time as chief minister. Hindu rioters there killed more than 1,200 Muslims and forced another 150,000 to flee their homes. Modi was accused both of failing to stop the violence and encouraging it. His involvement was never proved, but the U.S. slapped sanctions on him, and the EU quickly followed suit.
Modi responded to the Western snub by looking east. Ever since, he has been making friends and forging alliances with China, Russia, Japan and other Asian countries. The South China Morning Post explained that his ascension as India’s prime minister represented a bane to the U.S. and a boon for Eastern powers: “Modi is also known to have an Eastern bias, with Asian nationalism forming the core of his worldview. Apart from China, that also draws him closer to Japan and Singapore, with whose leaders he has struck up a similar rapport. … Modi’s unimpeachable conservative background and open admiration for China has in the past raised hopes of him becoming a sort of Indian Richard Nixon” (May 16, 2014).
Nixon is not the only world leader Modi has been compared to. The Diplomat called him “India’s Shinzō Abe” because some of his nationalistic leanings mirror those of the Japanese prime minister. India’s Economic Times reported, “Many Chinese officials who have dealt with Modi compare him to their present boss Xi Jinping” (May 14, 2014). Oneindia skipped to the chase, likening Modi to Asia’s big man himself: “[He is] India’s Putin,” the website stated. His heavy-handed leadership “may revive India as Putin did in Russia [because] Modi has similar Putin-like capability to metamorphose India into an economic and military powerhouse through a series of tough measures and steps, which would help India leverage and unleash its real potential” (May 6, 2014).
A Resilient Friendship
Modi has made his fondness for Russia especially clear. During the 2014 brics summit, he said: “Even a child in India, if asked to say who is India’s best friend, will reply it is Russia because Russia has been with India in times of crisis.”
A look at the long history between India and Russia reveals why he would make such a statement.
Starting back in the 17th century, Indian merchants—mostly from Sindh and Multan—regularly crossed into Russia and began building the foundation of the Russo-Indian relationship. By the early 18th century, Indian traders were living not only in Russia’s southern city of Astrakhan, but also as far north as Moscow. By the 1900s, Indians were dispersed throughout Kazan and St. Petersburg, and many had become assimilated. It looked as if the peoples of India and Russia were on course to build a lasting bond.
But then came the British.
Britain colonized India in 1858 and brought rule of law and governance to the subcontinent. British rule was far from perfect, but it lifted millions from squalor and oppression. Its influence also replaced Russian influence, aligning the subcontinent with London rather than St. Petersburg.
Russian leaders were never indifferent about Britain’s colonization of India. They were outspoken in their desire to see the British pushed out of India.
Vladimir Lenin, who later became ruler of the Soviet Union, said in 1918: “There can be no general peace without a free independent India. … We, Russian Revolutionaries and International Socialists, feel it our duty to rejoice at the announcement of a revolution in India but also to support this revolution by direct or indirect means and with all our powers.”
Thanks in part to Soviet support, anti-British sentiment took firm root throughout India.
Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, the primary architect of India’s independence movement, acknowledged Russia and its revolution as a source of inspiration to him: “We, too, can resort to the Russian remedy against tyranny. … Our shackles will break this very day if the people of India become united and patient, love their country and think of the well-being of their motherland disregarding their self-interest. … We also can show the same strength that the Russian people have done.”
Shortly after Russia’s February 1917 revolution, Gandhi said, “Bolshevik ideals sanctified by the sacrifice of such master spirits as Lenin cannot go in vain.”
India’s struggle continued to intensify, and in 1947 the British granted it independence. The Soviets wasted no time moving into the void and fostering close relations with the newly independent Indians. In fact, the Russians had taken some key steps toward rebuilding a Russo-Indian bond even before India’s independence was official.
In April 1947, two months before independence, India and the Soviet Union announced the establishment of formal diplomatic relations. By 1951, India had adopted the Soviet Union’s Five-Year Plan economic model, complete with Communist-flavored heavy centralization. Under this framework, India’s growth and progress was extremely slow.
Officially, India was nonaligned during the Cold War. Unofficially, however, both sides viewed it as an ally of the Soviets. When the U.S. tilted toward Pakistan, India’s rival, relations between India and the West grew even more strained. The camaraderie between Russia and India took a great leap forward in 1974, after India had conducted nuclear tests and the Soviet Union emerged as the only major nation to support India’s right of “self-defense.”
Throughout this era, India remained weak. The Soviet economic model stifled its growth and progress. The nation suffered from high unemployment, rampant corruption and prolonged periods of stagnation. But the weakness would not last!
The Elephant Rises, and Leans Toward Moscow
After the fall of the Soviet Union, India moved away from the Soviet-inspired economic model. It took steps to liberalize, privatize and reform its economy. It quickly began to undergo staggering growth.
In retrospect, it was clear that India’s earlier adoption of a Soviet-modeled economy had hindered the nation’s growth. But India seemed to harbor no ill will toward the Russians. After the Soviet Union collapsed, Russo-Indian relations remained warm and were soon after transformed into what was labeled an “Indo-Russian partnership.”
In 2000, India’s and Russia’s leadership signed the Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership, and the two nations entered new levels of cooperation in such areas as defense, economy, technology and security. Around that time, India became the largest purchaser of Russian military gear.
India’s unwavering support of Russia was made plain in 2008 after Russia invaded Georgia. The Western world decried Moscow’s expansionism, but India refrained from all criticism. By the end of the year, India signed a joint declaration with Russia, showing that the two were in agreement over the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
In 2010, Putin elevated the Indo-Russian partnership to a “special and privileged” strategic partnership. And he began issuing calls for India to be given a permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.
In 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea, India openly backed Moscow while Western powers condemned Russia’s actions.
Meanwhile, India’s economic growth continued to surge. At the end of the Cold War, India’s gross domestic product was $274.8 billion. By 2014, it was over $2 trillion—the seventh-largest in the world. By 2015, India had become the world’s fastest-growing large economy.
And it is set to keep on mushrooming. “India is the most promising story in Asia on a five- to 10-year view,” said strategist Christopher Wood in 2015. “Mr. Modi is the most pro-business, pro-investment political leader in the world.”
During a March 2015 lecture in New Delhi, International Monetary Fund Chief Christine Lagarde said: “Indeed, a brighter future is being forged right before your eyes. By 2019, the economy will more than double in size compared to 2009. When adjusting for differences in purchase prices between economies, India’s gdp will exceed that of Japan and Germany combined.”
Can India and China Get Along?
Relations between India and China have historically been frosty and fraught with competition and border disputes. But since both nations heartily support Putin’s Russia, and since both are driven by increasingly anti-Western ideologies, it is not unreasonable to anticipate a great thaw in the future of Indo-Chinese relations. Already, many signs point to such a shift.
During nato’s Kosovo campaign, Russia wanted to challenge America’s dominance by suggesting a Russia-China-India axis. Neither India nor China ruled the notion out. This was a powerful signal that China’s and India’s desire to see the era of Western dominance come to an end overrides the grievances they have against each other.
Then from 2000 to 2014, bilateral trade between China and India surged from under $3 billion to $71 billion.
And all of that was before Modi came to lead India. Since the Chinese knew that Modi shared in their anti-Western ideologies, they were delighted when he was elected. “This has caused worries from the West,” China’s state-run Global Times wrote. “Western countries like the U.S. hope to use India to counterbalance China, but they don’t support India on issues of the country’s core interests” (May 5, 2014).
Within days of his election, Modi invited Xi to visit India. In September 2014, Xi traveled there and promised $20 billion worth of investments in India over the next five years. More visits are on the horizon.
On October 12, 2015, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the Indian Army began a joint counterterrorism exercise, code-named Hand-in-Hand 2015. It was the fifth of such counterterrorism drills the two sides had held since 2007. The goal of the exercises, according to India’s Ministry of Defense, was “to develop joint-operating capability, share useful experience in counterterrorism operations, and to promote friendly exchanges between the armies of India and China.”
The Global Times said, “There is no need to be astonished over the joint drill, for the idea of peaceful coexistence has already been deeply rooted among people from both China and India” (Oct. 11, 2015).
The Times article said “a joint military exercise is a barometer of bilateral relationships.” The article acknowledged the historic tensions between China and India, but said the new wave of military drills means these are mostly superficial. “Confrontations in recent years were not created on purpose but happened by accident. Leaders from both China and India have consensus and enough means to take divergences under control” (ibid).
Another remarkable indication of Indo-Chinese cooperation came in July 2015 when China allowed Modi’s India to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
A Rising Military Powerhouse
Many view India as a pacifist culture bound by a creed of Gandhian nonviolence, but the nation has astounding military potential. And in recent years, India has worked to expand that potential.
From 2004 to 2009, India’s military expenditure increased by 45 percent. According to ihs Jane’s 360, India imported $200 million in military equipment in 2009 just from the U.S. By 2013, that figure had risen to $2 billion.
In May 2014, when Modi was elected, India began a rapid military modernization and buildup. By November, the new prime minister had approved $19 billion of arms procurement proposals. Within six months, he had approved 41 deals from heavy guns to submarines to build up the Indian military. India had never before undergone a buildup on that scale.
In 2015, India became the world’s top arms importer, and the bulk of those imports came from Russia. From 2009 to 2013, Russia provided roughly 75 percent of India’s military imports. “Russia has been India’s foremost defense partner through the decades,” Modi said on December 11, 2014. “Even as India’s options have increased today, Russia will remain our most important defense partner.” The two countries have also agreed on joint development and production of future, cutting-edge weapons systems.
Analysts estimate that by 2020, India will have spent around $100 billion on new military hardware and will possess no fewer than 1,600 Russian T-90 tanks.
India’s Future
In an article titled “America’s New Nightmare: India, China Plus Russia,” Russia’s Svobodnaya Pressa wrote about the congealing bond between Russia, India and China: “For Russia, the rapprochement between India and China is an issue of paramount importance. For a long time, the concept of a strategic triangle between Russia, China and India has existed, but until recently it has not appeared particularly viable. The ric [Russia, India, China], as the group is known, has been largely an economic forum, without much to show in strategic terms” (May 14, 2015).
But somewhat suddenly, things are different. The three are the top shareholders in China’s aiib, all are part of brics bank, and all are members of the sco. All of these massive institutions are designed to diminish and eventually end the era of Western dominance. In February of 2015, ric held its 13th meeting during which members called for a new world order and vowed to “build a more just, fair and stable international political and economic order.”
Many signs today show that global power is shifting from West to East. India has been a key part of that shift, and if it continues to cooperate with Russia and China, it is likely to take on an even greater role.
Chapter 5: Japan’s Place in the Future
For the past 70 years, a strong relationship between the U.S. and Japan has guaranteed economic and military security in East Asia. But now it seems Japan’s leaders are increasingly edging away from that partnership.
Unable to fix its own deflationary economic spiral, might Japan try to revive its economy by taking a more independent approach to security in East Asia? Any separation from the U.S. would require Japan to crank up its defense spending. This could be just what Japan needs to mend its economic sickness.
The problem is, Japanese militarism has a dangerous history. Its most recent resurgence was only halted by nuclear bombing in 1945.
Awakening the Samurai
Today, Japan boasts one of the top 10 military arsenals in the world and the fourth-largest navy. Despite all its industrial, economic and naval strength, Japan has until quite recently been seen as a benign power, constrained by memories of the nuclear disaster that ended its past imperial exploits. But, as has been the case with so many other nations, the events of September 11, 2001, altered the Japanese mentality.
Just one month after 9/11, then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi adopted antiterrorism legislation in the Diet that enabled the Japanese military to supply logistical support for America’s declared war on terrorism.
Why was Japan able to enter the battle theater so readily? Look beneath the surface and you will find that Japan has not, in reality, been the benign power it has projected itself to be since its defeat in World War ii.
For decades Japan has evaded the strict enforcement of Article 9 of the constitutional law imposed by America after World War ii, which states unequivocally that “the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. … [L]and, sea and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained” (emphasis added throughout). Japan’s military began to be resurrected as early as 1950, when a National Police Reserve was established as a replacement for American troops who were sent into the Korean War. The Japanese government transformed this police force into the Self-Defense Force (sdf) in 1954, with the full support of the U.S.
As time went on and memories of World War ii faded, the force gradually expanded its scope. In 1992, Japan passed the UN Peacekeeping Cooperation Law, which allowed the Self-Defense Force to take part in certain nonmilitary aspects of UN missions. Japanese soldiers could now be stationed outside Japan’s borders.
Events stemming from September 11, 2001, brought about what the New York Times called “the most significant transformation in Japan’s military since World War ii” (July 23, 2007). Japan’s military is looking less and less like a “self-defense” force. In 2004, Japan sent noncombat troops to Iraq. At the end of 2006, Japan’s Defense Agency was upgraded to become a full-fledged ministry, giving it a louder and clearer voice in Japan’s cabinet. In 2007, Japan’s F-2s flew 1,700 miles without refueling and dropped 500‑pound live bombs as part of a training exercise. Now Japan is even looking to use space for military purposes.
With many of the taboos already broken, it would be a small step for Japan to amend its pacifist Constitution.
“For many years Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have been laying the groundwork for this new era. Japan has a small army—although it is larger than most people imagine—but more importantly, Japan’s military industrial capability is much greater than is generally assumed.
“Japan has already created some of the most advanced weapons in the world and knows how to mass-produce them. Japan’s emergence as a great military power in the future depends more on its will than its ability. In order to have a world-class military force in a few short years, Japan merely has to decide that it needs one” (George Friedman and Meredith Lebard, The Coming War With Japan).
In April 2014, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe removed the weapons-export ban that had been enacted in 1967. The embargo had banned weapons exports to Communist bloc nations, countries subject to arms-export embargoes under UN Security Council resolutions, and nations involved in or likely to be involved in international conflicts.
A few months later, Tokyo made the decision to “reinterpret” a key section of its pacifist Constitution: the ban on collective self-defense. For 70 years, it had interpreted this section as limiting Japan’s forces to acting in its own defense, and never in defense of its allies, and never in any conflict outside Japanese territory. The reinterpretation meant Japan could use its large, cutting-edge military in ways that would have been unthinkable just a few years earlier: Now, if a U.S. ship is under fire, Japan can assist it; if a North Korean missile is aimed at an Australian ship, Japan can shoot it down; if the United Nations is involved in a “gray zone” activity, Japanese troops can participate.
The landmark reinterpretation paves the way for greater changes to Japan’s Constitution.
Adding to the worry is the fact that Mr. Abe is a member of the Shinto Association of Spiritual Leadership (sas), which is the political arm of the Association of Shinto Shrines. Besides working to scrap Article 9, the sas is also committed to blurring the separation of religion and state. It is dedicated to “educational reforms” that would better nurture a “love of country” among Japanese youth.
sas Director Yutaka Yuzawa believes it is time to undo the changes brought about during the U.S. occupation. “After the war, there was an atmosphere that considered all aspects of the prewar era bad,” he said. “Policies were adopted weakening the relationship between the imperial household and the people … and the most fundamental elements of Japanese history were not taught in the schools.”
Abe also serves as supreme adviser to the Nippon Kaigi, a lobby group committed to restoring lost Japanese values. University of Auckland’s Prof. Mark Mullins told Reuters that both “Nippon Kaigi and the Shinto Association basically believe the occupation period brought about … the forced removal of Shinto traditions from public space and public institutions. For them, this was authentic Japanese identity … and to be an independent and authentic Japan again those things need to be restored” (Dec. 11, 2014).
Would Abe really endorse a return to something as arcane and archaic as emperor worship? A clue to the answer came in October 2013 when he became the first Japanese prime minister since World War ii to participate in a ceremony at the Ise Shrine, the holiest of Japan’s Shinto institutions. The ceremony entailed rebuilding the shrine and bringing idols to it that represent the emperor’s divine ancestry. John Breen, a professor at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies in Kyoto, said the implications of Abe’s participation in the Ise Shrine ceremony are enormous. “Without anyone blinking an eye … it became a state rite,” he said.
Abe and other nationalist leaders continue to make strides as they work toward a constitutional revision and a restoration of Japan’s “lost values.”
These “lost values” were a big part of what drove Japan’s tragic wartime fanaticism. Efforts to restore them—from no less an authority than Japan’s hawkish prime minister—should be cause for alarm.
The continued restructuring of Japan’s security policy turned a new corner in April 2015 when its new defense guidelines were released. This marked the second time a revision has been made to the country’s security policy since it was first issued in 1978. At that time, Japan was essentially restricted to relying on the U.S. for protection. In 1997, it was updated to allow both nations to cooperate regionally in situations and areas immediately surrounding Japan. Under the newest revision, Japan’s geographic limits on sdf activities are entirely eliminated.
With North Korea’s perennial and increasingly warlike threats to “destroy the world” via its nuclear capability, Japan is taking advantage of this serious regional security problem to strengthen its position in the area as America’s power declines. Washington has given Japan’s march toward remilitarization full support since U.S. leaders want Tokyo to shoulder some of the burden of stabilizing global conflicts. It would not be surprising to see the U.S. even encourage Japan to gain nuclear capability under the guise of self-defense!
Since World War ii, Japan has willingly submitted to having America bear the load of maintaining its security by U.S. naval and air presence in the greater Asian region. Meanwhile, Japan has steadily built up one of the largest peacetime navies in the world. But perceptions of U.S. overstretch, coupled with North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons capacity and China’s increasingly aggressive behavior in the region are motivating Japan to build its capacity to more independently secure its waters and airspace.
In recent years, Japan has done much to quash the results of some of its past quarrels with Russia and China. At the same time, Japan has developed a close relationship with Germany in trade, cultural affairs and, more recently, security and defense issues. Ultimately, as the European Union’s motive for global hegemony becomes apparent, Japan will most likely, as Bible prophecy indicates, join in a grand alliance with Russia and China as one of the three leading powers in the greater Asian sphere.
Global Power Bloc
Across the China Sea from the land of the rising sun, a dragon awakens. Mythological dragons may be known to fall asleep at the entrance to their caverns, but they are certainly not known for their weakness. The Chinese dragon has long been, it might seem, slumberously watching as U.S. global dominance wanes. But it seeks to build a global power bloc in the East to replace it.
To create such a bloc, China needs more than just Russia. As Stratfor wrote, “China and Russia, bound together into the tightest alliance, can change the regional balance in Eurasia but cannot affect the global balance …” (April 16, 2001). To be able to truly alter the global balance of power, this alliance likely needs Japan to add its technological prowess and naval might.
Such an alliance would have seemed all but impossible just a short time ago. But we’re seeing the trend shift in Asia.
The first step came in the form of a proposal in November 2001 to create a free-trade area between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (asean). Then, at the China‑asean summit in November 2002, a framework agreement on comprehensive economic cooperation was signed, with further trade agreements being signed since then. This new Asian bloc was made official in 2010, and with over 2 billion consumers having a combined gross domestic product of about $11 trillion, it is the world’s largest free-trade zone, in terms of population.
Japan, though it has one of the world’s largest independent economies, continues to be hamstrung by the failure of successive governments to confront the need for painful economic restructuring. As much as it may resist being relegated to a follower role behind Russia and China, Tokyo knows that it needs to work toward this pan-Asian future if it is to have anywhere near the influence in the East Asian sphere that the size of its economy and industrial weight demand. It wants to forge a trading bloc that would emerge as a major driving force within the global economy.
All it would take is a major regional crisis to spur the Japanese into action to offer their naval might in particular as a guarantor of security to their neighbors. Japan has this powerful tool to use as a trade-off in negotiations for economic cooperation from the rest of Asia.
The prospect of the continued expansion of the EU into a combined bloc larger and more powerful than the U.S. and Russia, and the perceived weakening of U.S. global influence, is driving China and its Asian neighbors to position themselves as the next great global power bloc. Russia, China and Japan will likely combine in Asian alliances, with the ultimate intention of forcing the U.S. out of the Russian “sphere of influence” and out of the western Pacific. Then, as has been the strategy of the EU, Asian political and economic cooperation will ultimately progress to a military and security alliance.
The West is in decline. Islam is on the rise globally. The European beast power is almost ready to roll. The kings of the east are becoming restless. U.S. influence in and access to the Korean Peninsula, Chinese and Soviet coasts, Asia-Pacific sea-lanes, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Micronesia, Polynesia and Papua New Guinea are declining.
Filling the Power Vacuum
Who will fill the power vacuum?
China’s economy overtook Japan’s in 2010 to become the world’s second-largest, but Japan is still ahead of China in terms of the quality of its growth. Japan has the (presently underutilized) industrial capacity developed to the point that it could easily match the U.S. and the EU in high-tech weapons development and production.
Seventy-five years ago, Japan sought to extend its empire via military might. After decades of decolonization, development and growth in the Far East, Japan now faces a vastly different and more powerful China and a much more industrialized collective Asian sphere. It must fulfill its goals using very different means from those it used in the 1940s. Any dominance Japan now seeks in the Eastern Hemisphere must be done via alliances and treaties.
This effort will result in a nuclear alliance!
If Japan decided to do so, it could become an independent nuclear power within a single year. Voices within Japan calling for such action are getting louder.
The Plain Truth magazine foretold an alliance between China and Japan years ago. An article in the February 1963 issue stated, “There is an utter inevitability of the ultimate tie-up between Japan and Red China! The big question is how long China will remain ‘Red’ and survive without a tie-up with Japanese capitalism.” Today, China is not as “Red” as it once was, and it is ready for a closer union with Japan.
An article in the April 1968 Plain Truth said, “Despite its many national, religious and political differences, Asia will ultimately be welded together into a common power bloc. It will ultimately send its military muscle into the Middle East at the return of Jesus Christ. This prophecy is recorded in Revelation 16:12 and 16. Japan will play a vital role in this battle.” We will cover that prophecy in detail in the next chapter.
Watch for the East Asian alliances to develop economically and militarily. Watch for coming agreements between Russia, China, Japan, South Korea and others to harness the maverick North Korea and muscle the U.S. out of Oriental diplomacy in Korea and Taiwan. Watch for a third great power bloc to emerge in the East to balance the power of the expanding European Union and the volatile Islamic tide.
The new order of global powers is emerging precisely as depicted in Bible prophecy.
Chapter 6: Asia in Prophecy
Herbert W. Armstrong said that about one third of the Bible is devoted to prophecy. The framework of all prophecy, he explained, is found in two prophetic books—the books of Daniel and Revelation. And only in Revelation “do we find events of the various other prophecies correlated in order of time sequence,” he wrote in The Book of Revelation Unveiled at Last!
The book of Revelation details events that lead to the return of Jesus Christ. The events are symbolized by seven seals, seven trumpets and seven vials. These portray a progression of catastrophic plagues God will inflict on mankind.
Mr. Armstrong categorized these prophetic happenings in three major events. “So here we have three successive world-shaking events to come—first and, now, next to occur in possibly this decade or the next, the Great Tribulation. Second, immediately after the Tribulation, the heavenly signs in the sun and moon and stars. Third, following the supernatural signs in the heavens, the terrible Day of the Lord!” (ibid).
The first four seals in Revelation 6:1-8—false religion, war, famine and pestilence—lead to the fifth seal, the Great Tribulation—the time of Satan’s wrath. Many scriptures describe the Great Tribulation, including verses 9-11. The Tribulation will last 2½ years.
Next, in verses 12-14, we read: “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.” These are the heavenly signs Mr. Armstrong highlighted as the second of the three successive events.
Finally, we come to the Day of the Lord—the time of God’s wrath. This is when God punishes mankind for its rebellion against Him and His government. God will send plagues upon all sinners to bring them to repentance. The inhabitants of Earth who survive the previous disasters will know that they are entering the time of God’s wrath (verses 15-17).
The Day of the Lord lasts for one year. Because it takes place during the last year of a 3½-year period the Bible frequently refers to, some have supposed the Day of the Lord is synonymous with the Great Tribulation—but it is not. The time sequence is this: first the Great Tribulation, then the heavenly signs, and then the Day of the Lord. Those three shattering events fall within a 3½-year period the Bible calls “a time, and times, and half a time” (Revelation 12:14). It is critical we understand this time sequence.
Start of Great Tribulation
The time of “great tribulation” is an end-time period of suffering on a scale never experienced in human history (Matthew 24:21; Daniel 12:1). Many scriptures show that the nations devastated the most will be America, Britain and the Jewish nation of Israel.
In the past, we believed this Tribulation would begin when these three nations were attacked militarily. But the Prophet Ezekiel describes the Tribulation as beginning with an economic siege against these nations.
Notice the specifics: “Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray [or engrave] upon it the city, even Jerusalem: And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about. Moreover take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city: and set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This shall be a sign to the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 4:1-3).
The “house of Israel” primarily refers not to the Jews, but to the modern descendants of Israel, specifically the United States and Britain. Here is pictured a siege against the house of Israel. It is a prophecy that one third of these nations will be destroyed economically and socially by a siege! Other prophecies show that this siege will cause an economic cataclysm that will develop into race wars and fighting for food and survival!
The Prophet Isaiah discusses a powerful “mart of nations” that includes both European and Asian nations, including Russia, China and Japan (Isaiah 23). Events are moving toward the fulfillment of this prophecy. In recent years, the European Union’s economic powerhouse overtook the U.S. and Japan to become China’s biggest trading partner. China and Europe have undertaken many joint ventures in recent years, including a 2015 landmark deal between Germany’s largest exchange and China’s Foreign Exchange Trade System, which is significantly strengthening financial links between the two sides.
A top German banker, Folker Hellmeyer, chief economist at Bremer Landesbank, predicts that the Moscow-Beijing economic axis will prevail against the United States. He also warns that economic damage for Germany and the European Union will be significant if they continue to follow U.S. policy in opposition to the brics alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Germany has already joined the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Financial analysts like Jim Willie are warning that Germany may already be planning to ditch the dollar and join the brics nations!
The relationship we see developing between the “king of the north” and the “kings of the east” is exactly what Isaiah prophesied over 2,700 years ago! Think about the role that this alliance will likely play in the economic besiegement of America!
Mr. Armstrong prophesied for many years that the alliance between Europe and South America would grow extremely strong. The most significant factors that will cement this connection are religion and language: Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion of Latin America; and after Chinese and English, Spanish is the next-most spoken language in the world. But it will not be a union of equals: The Latin American countries will become vassal states of Europe!
With a German-led Europe (referred to in prophecy as “the king of the north”) possessing great maritime power, North America will be flanked on the east by Europe and on the south by Latin America.
The Bible contains many prophecies of that European power attacking America. This is where China and the other giants of Asia enter the picture. Considering that China now possesses most of the world’s strategic sea gates (at one time held by Britain and America), the German-led Holy Roman Empire will need to form a brief alliance with the Asian powers identified in Isaiah 23 (Russia, China, Japan—the “kings of the east”).
If Europe finds a way to take advantage of key resources and strategic holdings of China, Russia and Japan—even for a short period—then it would have more than enough power to besiege the Anglo-Saxon nations. The United States and Britain are going to be left out in the cold as two gigantic trade blocs, Europe and Asia, mesh together and begin calling the shots in world commerce. These nations of Israel are going to be literally besieged—economically frozen out of world trade!
This economic siege is all part of the fifth seal of Revelation—the Great Tribulation that Ezekiel prophesied. It will usher in the crisis of crises—the worst ever on Earth! Time is extremely short. Do we dare scoff at the living God?
Superpower Under Siege
The Prophet Ezekiel further reveals that one third of the people inside America and Britain will die during this Euro-Asian trade siege. That equates to more than 100 million people in the U.S., and more than 21 million in Britain.
Notice what God commanded His prophet Ezekiel to do: “Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel [primarily America and Britain] upon it: according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity. For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 4:4-5).
God is getting very detailed and specific here. He doesn’t want people to suffer any more than they have to in order to realize they don’t know the way to peace apart from God’s law. The Tribulation starts with an economic siege, and this siege will last exactly 390 days—about 13 months!
Verses 6-8 specifically address the house of Judah—the Jewish nation—not the house of Israel, or America and Britain: “And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year. Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it. And, behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one side to another, till thou hast ended the days of thy siege.”
The main prophecy here is that the much longer siege happens against the United States and Britain. I’m sure the worst of the siege is against the U.S. because it is the superpower. While the siege against America and Britain lasts 13 months, the siege against the Jews will only last 40 days.
The siege against the Jews will begin 350 days after the siege against America and Britain. Both sieges end at the same time, when all three nations are invaded militarily. Hosea 5:5 says that America, Britain and Judah will fall together. That is referring to the military attack!
The story flow now continues into Ezekiel 5, where Ezekiel discusses the three successive parts of Israel’s destruction.
When fire begins to burn the cities, that concludes the siege. The siege will keep intensifying until the cities burn with fire. It concludes with the economy being absolutely destroyed, and with a lot of burning, race wars and other forms of societal meltdown.
A lot of mind-splitting terror faces this land! This is building even now—you can see it!
When the siege ends, then comes the attack, so the situation gets far worse. The siege of these three nations leads to an attack that will leave cities without inhabitant!
America is weak and bitterly divided already. This makes it extremely vulnerable for a foreign power to lay siege to it. With the threat of terrorism and racial hatred, it is easy to see how the siege will lead to a third of Americans dying. One third of Britain will die at the same time. The siege of Judah will end at the same time, but it begins later and is much shorter. Yet one third of the Jewish nation will still die.
This devastating military attack of Hosea 5:5 will occur 13 months after the German-led European Union forms an alliance with the nations of Asia to besiege the Anglo-Saxon nations. This military attack will come from the revived Holy Roman Empire!
Tidings Out of the East
The Prophet Daniel shows us what will happen to the brief Euro-Asian alliance: “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south [this is a radical Islamic Middle Eastern power, led by Iran] push at him: and the king of the north [a revived European Holy Roman Empire, led by Germany] shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many” (Daniel 11:40-44).
The king of the north—the Holy Roman emperor—will hear troubling tidings from the east and north. These tidings come after the king of the south has been destroyed. They come from the Asian axis! The Holy Roman emperor will be disturbed about what the Russians and Chinese are doing.
Before this, when the Tribulation began, this emperor was cooperating with the Russians and the Chinese to besiege the Anglo-Saxon nations economically. But perhaps he hears rumors that the Asian axis is planning to invade North America and conquer it for its own. (Such an invasion would also cut off the Holy Roman Empire from its strong alliance with Latin America!)
Regardless of what the exact tidings are, the Bible is clear that it will be the Holy Roman Empire that single-handedly invades North America. And this passage is clear that these tidings will provoke the emperor to go forth with great fury to destroy!
This is the big picture! This is what will happen at the end of the 390-day siege. Europe and Asia may work together to economically besiege America, but their alliance will fall apart once the revived Roman Empire conquers America, Britain and Judah.
Back in World War ii, Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan worked together to conquer the world. After the war ended, however, historians found that each empire had plans to go to war with the other after the Allies were defeated. Let’s not be naive: This is the way it has always been with these powers. That is why, in biblical terminology, the “times of the Gentiles” is so horrific!
This is what we have to be concerned about! Two empires are building right now that are out to conquer the world!
After the 390-day siege is ended and the Holy Roman emperor has conquered North America, the Tribulation will continue for 510 more days until the 2½ years are fulfilled. According to the prophecy in Ezekiel 5, another one third of the people inside America and Britain will die during this military invasion. Those who are left alive will be taken as slaves to foreign lands!
At the end of the 2½ years, the sixth and seventh seals will be opened. Again, the sixth seal represents the heavenly signs and the seventh seal marks the beginning of the Day of the Lord.
Consider the words of Revelation 8:1-2: “And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.” All seven trumpet blasts occur after the seventh seal is opened, during the Day of the Lord. These trumpets symbolize plagues sent from God as He directly intervenes in the affairs of mankind. God will plead with mankind in the only language we seem to understand—violence! This is the result of people refusing to listen to God now and believe the warnings He is sounding through His Church.
The first four trumpet blasts make living conditions on the Earth unbearable as God destroys the environment. They are described in Revelation 8. The fifth trumpet signifies world domination by a European beast power. The Bible also gives the fifth trumpet another name—the first woe.
The book of Daniel sets the stage for the first woe. Daniel 11:40-41 reveal that after the king of the north conquers the king of the south, this European beast power will be invited into the glorious land (called Israel today), as a peacekeeper! This occurs just before the Great Tribulation. Putting this verse together with another prophecy in Hosea 5:13, both Britain and Judah went to the king (dictator) of Germany and the Holy Roman Empire. But he could not heal Britain of its sickness or Judah of its wound. Within a month of this invitation, the Euro-Asian trade siege of Isaiah 23 begins. This is the start of Great Tribulation!
Shortly after the victories of the king of the north, tidings out of the north and east will trouble the beast power (Daniel 11:44). The king of the north is disturbed by the power it sees Russia and China amassing! This could well refer to Europe recognizing that Asian powers are about to conquer America. Rather than allow that—which would leave Europe flanked in both hemispheres by an Asian alliance—Europe makes the first move.
You can already see the fulfillment of this prophecy occurring in embryo today! Europe is deeply troubled by the increasingly expansionistic and aggressive behavior of Russia and China. Europe is plotting what to do about it.
Daniel’s spectacular prophecy continues, “therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.” Rather than let the Asiatic armies have the advantage of striking North America first, the European beast power will turn its full attention to conquering America, Britain and the little nation in the Middle East called Israel!
Approximately 17 months after this attack, we come to the first woe—the beginning of all-out war to determine who will rule the world!
The First Woe
This first woe is described in Revelation 9:1-11. The Apostle John prophesies here that the beast power will launch a preemptive military strike against the kings of Asia. Just like Kaiser Wilhelm ii launched a preemptive strike designed to halt Russia’s ascension to superpower status during World War i, this German empire will strike out in a desperate attempt to thwart Russia and China from achieving world domination.
The language of the book of Revelation is symbolic. In describing this battle, which God showed to him in prophetic vision, John described the events he saw in terminology with which he was familiar. For instance, verses 3 and 7-10 say locusts came upon the Earth with power in their tails like a scorpion. This describes modern military equipment—perhaps thunderous helicopters that fire missiles.
During this first woe, the military beast power is unleashed on the inhabitants of the Earth. For five months, it torments mankind—but it doesn’t kill everyone. Its attack is so cruel that its victims actually seek death in order to escape their misery (verse 6).
The invisible force behind this ruthless army is actually Satan. Verse 11 explains the king over these soldiers is Abaddon or Apollyon—names of Satan. He is a destroyer and full of wrath as he wreaks havoc on Earth and its inhabitants. But this is only the first woe. More destruction will follow, as God works to bring all men to repentance.
The Second Woe
Continuing in Revelation 9, the sixth trumpet then sounds, which is also called the second woe (verses 12-13). Four angels are released specifically to amass an almost incomprehensibly large, 200 million-man army (verses 14-16).
Imagine how stunningly enormous this 200 million-man army sounded to John about 2,000 years ago! But he knew that God’s prophecy had to come true.
Most Bible critics today argue that it would be impossible to assemble an army this size. Yet consider the numbers. The current population in China is over 1.3 billion. Russia has 144 million. Other Asian nations are prophesied to join this alliance—among them, India, with its 1.2 billion people and third-largest army in the world. Japan, the nations of Southeast Asia, and the former Soviet republics are all definite or probable participants in this alliance. With these staggering populations, it is easy to see that the family of Japheth—the father of the Asian peoples—has indeed been “enlarged,” just as God prophesied through Moses that it would be (Genesis 9:27).
There will easily be a total approaching 4 billion people from which to make up an army of 200 million! Further, consider the fact that they would have just been attacked by the beast power. They would be engaged in the fiercest battle ever fought! Now, to muster an army of 200 million men, these Asiatic masses would likely only have to call upon a small fraction of their combined populations to fight this battle—hardly unrealistic.
Mr. Armstrong wrote, “The second woe … is also referred to as an event in the Day of the Eternal in Joel 2:4. This refers to a tremendous military power—also to the north—due north! … World events are now moving rapidly to make possible the creation of a Communist Eurasian army of that unbelievable manpower! Yes, it’s time to wake up to what’s taking place today—the true significance of the time in which we live, and where it is leading!” (ibid).
In Joel 2:11, this Asian army is actually called God’s army. The great Creator God will inspire it to wreak havoc on the European beast power. This astonishingly numerous Asian army is going to counterattack against Europe and obliterate it.
This Asian conglomerate will unite to “slay the third part of men” (Revelation 9:15). That has never happened in history. In fact, it would not be possible without the super-weapons of this modern age. This is warfare like this world has never seen. And the Bible also reveals vital details about an individual who will lead this gargantuan Asian force!
A Prophesied ‘Prince’
Ezekiel 38 gives us some of these important details about the 200 million-man army. “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him” (Ezekiel 38:1-2). These verses begin in the latter days (verses 8, 16) before the Great Tribulation, the Day of the Lord and Christ’s Second Coming.
In Chapter 1, we explained that Meshech and Tubal were the fathers of those who comprise greater Russia today. One other Russian people is mentioned in Ezekiel 38:2. There is controversy over how the Hebrew word rosh should be translated in this verse. The King James Version uses the adjective “chief.” But the correct rendering (used by the Moffatt, New King James and others) uses the word not as an adjective, but as a proper noun: Rosh. Thus, that verse should read, “the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.”
Rosh was the ancient name of Russia. Many encyclopedias and commentaries (such as the Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary) recognize this. So who is this “prince” of Russia, Moscow and Tobolsk? The use of all three names states that this is an individual ruler of all the peoples of Russia, from the west to the east. Ezekiel’s command to “prophesy against him” further indicates a specific individual.
When you study these scriptures alongside current events revealing modern Moscow’s imperialist direction, you see that Vladimir Putin could well become the leader of that gigantic army of the East. We strongly believe Vladimir Putin is going to lead the 200 million-man army (request our free booklet The Prophesied ‘Prince of Russia’). Just look at the power he already has.
Can you think of any other Russian politician who could become so powerful and have the will to lead Russia into the crisis of crises? Such a man doesn’t appear overnight. It takes years for even a strong-willed leader to gain such control. Vladimir Putin already has the power—and the will to use it. There is not enough time for a competitor to arise and challenge him.
When Russia took Crimea, world leaders and even some top-notch analysts were convinced that the nations of the world would side with the West against Moscow. Then U.S. President Barack Obama said the international community was “largely united” in its belief that Putin had violated Ukraine’s territory. But in a stunning fulfillment of Bible prophecy, China and India made clear that they supported Putin.
“Backing Russia is in China’s interests,” said the Global Times, a mouthpiece for China’s Communist Party, on March 5, 2014. “We shouldn’t disappoint Russia when it finds itself in a time of need.” The next day, a senior official from India said, “There are legitimate Russian and other interests involved [in Ukraine]. We hope … there is a satisfactory resolution to them.”
In his March 18, 2014 address to the Duma, President Putin singled out these two nations to thank for their support. “[W]e are grateful to all those who understood our actions in Crimea; we are grateful to the people of China, whose leaders have always considered the situation in Ukraine and Crimea taking into account the full historical and political context, and greatly appreciate India’s reserve and objectivity.”
This is an early fulfillment of the Asian nations falling in line behind and in support of the “prince of Rosh.”
When these Asian nations—extremely powerful, nuclear-armed countries—begin to show solidarity with each other regarding moves like that, what does that portend for the world? It is woe to the world! It will cause many serious problems. And it is going to affect everyone.
This Asian cooperation blindsided many in the West, but the Trumpet and the Plain Truth before us never made that mistake. Actually we have been proclaiming for over 50 years that Russia, China and other Asian nations would ally themselves in the end time. And we are in that end time now.
Mr. Obama and even top-tier analysts thought the idea of a revived Russian empire would pose too great a danger to China and India for those countries to support it. But that perspective fails to recognize a significant truth: To India and especially to China, the West is a far greater enemy. More importantly, that perspective fails to recognize the prophecies of the Bible.
We now turn to another critical passage of Scripture that describes this massive counterstrike against the beast power.
Jeremiah 50 adds many details to the progression of end-time events. God warns Babylon in verse 1. Babylon is the name God gives the political-religious system that sprung from the ancient city of Babylon. Historically, Satan has perpetuated that system primarily in Europe as the “Holy” Roman Empire, though Satan’s influence on this world stretches much further than that (see Revelation 12:9). The fall of Babylon described here in Jeremiah 50, however, refers to the destruction of the end-time European union of church and state—the beast power.
In verse 3, God says, “For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.” The beast power will attack first. But the massive Asiatic counterattack will overwhelm the beast power. This is the second woe.
Now verse 9: “For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.” An “assembly of great nations from the north” could only be Russia and China, along with various other nations, which will join this power bloc. The end of the verse illustrates how effective the attack will be—without any munitions spent in vain! The devastating collapse of the Babylonian system, the beast power, is further described in Revelation 18:2-19.
“Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the Lord. Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the Lord: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her” (Jeremiah 50:14-15). God is behind this Asiatic counterattack. These armies spare nothing. The Russians and Chinese both possess nuclear weaponry. When we read about the level of destruction upon Babylon (it will “slay the third part of men”), there can be no doubt that it will be attacked with nuclear weapons! Notice that this attack is provoked because the people of this beast power have sinned against God. God says in verse 15 that this is His vengeance. He instructs the Asiatic hordes to attack Babylon in the same way Babylon attacked others.
God says in Revelation 18:5-6, “For [Babylon’s] sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.” God’s anger is so full that He has the Asian armies deal a doubly destructive attack against the beast power. Reading through Revelation 18, we see that Babylon is destroyed in the space of one hour! Again, we find the reason for this in Jeremiah: “Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the Lord, against the Holy One of Israel” (Jeremiah 50:29).
Verses 18-20 of Jeremiah 50 speak of the reward measured unto the kings of Babylon and Assyria, or Germany. Further, they describe the time of restoration of physical Israel to the land God gave it millennia ago. The repentant people, collected from their former captivity under the beast power, will turn to God and His law in their lives. “In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve” (verse 20).
Babylon’s complete destruction is detailed in the remaining verses of Jeremiah 50. Verse 31 reminds us, “Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord God of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee.” God is personally against the people of Babylon for their treatment of His chosen people. He expresses His anger through the Day of the Lord.
To review: The first attack of the beast power against the Russians and Chinese makes up the first woe. The second woe is the Asiatic counterattack. Read through all of Jeremiah 50 and 51 to better understand the level of destruction God is going to exact through Russia and China. His anger will never be fueled like this again because Babylon will be utterly destroyed—never to rise again! (Jeremiah 51:60-63). “And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah” (verse 64).
Two Individuals
Notice that there is a second individual discussed in Ezekiel 38:1-2. This is an Ezekiel-type that God calls “son of man.” God tells this individual to proclaim the message of Ezekiel 38 in the end time.
So there are actually two specific individuals discussed here: the prince of Rosh and the man commanded to proclaim the message about him. Can you believe that God would get that specific in the Bible? And He tells us we are to live by every word of God (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4).
Ezekiel 33:33 says that at a certain future time, people will finally “know that a prophet hath been among them.” They will know it after these events come to pass. At that point it will be too late for them to be protected physically, but not spiritually.
Verse 7 of that same chapter speaks of a “watchman.” This same individual who is called a prophet in verse 33 is called a watchman here. He is also the same individual God commands in Ezekiel 38:2 to watch what is happening in Russia, Ukraine, Europe and elsewhere, and to warn people about it. In Ezekiel 33:7, God says, “I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” This is not the word of man—it comes right from God’s mouth! That is really significant.
The Bible comes alive when we can understand specific prophecies like this.
On November 13, 2013, we recorded an episode of the Key of David television program that was broadcast on November 24. In that program, presenter Gerald Flurry expressed, for the first time, his belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin was almost certainly going to be the “prince of Rosh” that biblical prophecy says will rise up in this end time, revive Russian power, and “trouble” Europe (Daniel 11:44).
In the days after that episode was recorded, earth-rattling events took place in Russia and eastern Europe. Is it just coincidence that Putin yanked Ukraine away from the EU right after Mr. Flurry delivered that program and just around the time that it aired? Maybe it was. But if you are proclaiming God’s prophecies, then God is going to work with that message and bring events into sync to support His messenger.
After all, it is God who tells this “son of man” to warn the world of what is happening in Russia and what is coming upon the world. If a man is speaking about God’s prophecies, you can be sure God is going to help him in many ways. Much of what happened was orchestrated according to God’s perfect timing.
To those watching these events, the identity of the second individual in Ezekiel 38:1-2 is hard to deny. God’s loyal servants surely will know who these two individuals in that passage are. And that will tell them where God’s Work is, where God’s message is, where God’s fulfilled prophecy is, and where God’s revelation is!
Mankind Still Doesn’t Repent
Revelation 9:13-21 describe this second woe within its proper time sequence. Verse 16, as we have seen, says there will be 200 million men in the massive army. Verses 17-19 describe the bloody destruction to occur during this second woe.
Yet the last two verses of the chapter reveal just how hardheaded and stubborn man can be, even after such severe correction: “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts” (verses 20-21).
Even after most of the Earth’s population has been personally afflicted by nuclear war and complete destruction, they still are not willing to turn to God and His law!
The Third Woe
As we keep in mind the time sequence, let us move ahead to Revelation 11:14-15: “The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Two of the three woes are complete. After that, the kingdoms of this world are to become God’s Kingdom. At this stage, Christ will return, and God’s government will again take over the Earth—with God at the head!
This announcement will cause the angels to rejoice (verses 16-17), but the world will not, even after all the destruction. Verse 18 says the nations will be angry and wrathful toward Christ. And, difficult as it may be to believe, what’s left of the beast power and of Asia will actually gather to fight against Christ! This battle at the last trumpet blast will determine the final outcome of World War iii.
Revelation 15 and 16 describe this third woe in greater detail. Just as the seventh seal was divided into seven trumpet blasts, the final trumpet blast is divided into seven vials of God’s wrath—the last seven plagues (Revelation 15:1, 6). At Christ’s return, God sends seven plagues upon mankind because of its hardheadedness.
In Revelation 16:12, we see that God dries up the Euphrates River to prepare the way for the Asiatic hordes to gather with what remains of the beast power near Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. God gathers them in a place called Armageddon (verse 16), the Greek name for Mount Megiddo. A spacious, bowl-shaped valley, Megiddo is located about 55 miles northwest of Jerusalem. After Christ returns to Jerusalem, the gathering armies at Armageddon will turn their attention toward their one common enemy—the King of kings.
There is wonderfully good news in the midst of all these horrors. Both of these armies will gather in Armageddon to fight each other, but will end up fighting Christ at His Second Coming!
The “king of fierce countenance”—the leader of the beast power—will try to fight Christ, and will be “broken without hand” (Daniel 8:25). The armies will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them (Revelation 17:12‑14). All of these evil forces will be soundly defeated!
The conclusion of that battle will mark the beginning of a new, peaceful age for the whole Earth!
But realize what horrifying blackness will occur before the dawn of that day. It will be a time of suffering unlike any in human history. And we are already seeing the beginnings of that blackness!
Are you awake to what is really happening in this world?
Think about this: The soldiers of Europe, Russia and China today are some of the same soldiers that will march from Megiddo to Jerusalem to be destroyed by Jesus Christ Himself!
That is how close we are getting to the end of this age of man! Are you ready for what is about to occur?
Revelation 19 describes Christ’s triumph over the evil forces of man. This victory ushers in the World Tomorrow, when Jesus Christ will rule this Earth with His saints! For 1,000 years, the world will blossom in abundant peace and prosperity!
Ezekiel’s Prophecy
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Christ will begin the Millennium by gathering His scattered people—the end-time descendants of Israel. They will gather, like they did anciently, around Jerusalem, in what the Bible calls the “glorious land.” Yet all will not be glorious—at least not at the start. Mankind’s rebellious spirit will not disappear at once.
To finish our story, we turn to the Prophet Ezekiel, who describes Israel’s gathering in great detail. Ezekiel also tells us about yet another burst of rebellion to spring from northeast of Jerusalem. That’s right. With the Millennium only just begun, and Jesus Christ ruling the world from His throne in Jerusalem, the people of Asia will muster their forces for one final attempt to overthrow Christ’s rule!
Let us first get the background. Ezekiel’s prophecies were written 130 years after the house of Israel was taken captive by the Assyrians (Ezekiel 1:1-2). Yet God told him, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17). God’s message, through Ezekiel, was for the nations which make up Israel in this end time. The warning could not have been for ancient Israel. These prophecies were written for our time today. These messages were prophecy for the end time, and are directed at the house of Israel (Ezekiel 2:3; 3:1, 4-7).
In chapter 4, Ezekiel pictured war against Jerusalem. This was to be a sign to the house of Israel. Then, in chapter 5, we find a prophecy about the future destruction of the house of Israel. Consider the wording of verse 4: “Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.” That is future tense. This prophecy is soon to be fulfilled.
Ezekiel 7 speaks of the Day of the Lord (verses 17-19). Parallel scriptures can be found in Isaiah 13:6-8 and Zephaniah 1:14-15, 17-18. To better understand these accounts, request our free booklets Isaiah’s End-Time Vision and Zephaniah’s Day of the Lord. Verse 26 of Ezekiel 7 reveals the people searching and crying for a true minister of God after the destruction comes—but it is too late! During the Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, the famine of God’s Word, spoken of in Amos 8:11, will be fulfilled.
Chapter 11 of Ezekiel brings a warning from God that He will execute His judgment upon the house of Israel. Then, chapter 12 gives the account of Israel being taken captive (verse 11). “And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries” (verse 15).
Notice what Mr. Armstrong wrote in the April 1981 Plain Truth: “The expression ‘They shall know that I am the Lord’ is used repeatedly through the book of Ezekiel—always referring to the time of the Second Coming of Christ and Israel’s final restoration back to her original land. Many prophecies show that the modern nations descended from ancient Israel are to be scattered in this latter-day captivity when Christ comes to restore them back to that land.”
As we progress through the book of Ezekiel, we see how God warns His sinning and rebellious people. But they refuse to repent, even after repeated warnings. This did happen anciently. After the Israelites had rejected repeated warnings, God allowed them to be conquered by their enemies, who burned their land. The captives were taken and scattered from their own land.
Ezekiel 13 describes problems with God’s own ministers. These lukewarm ministers bring false messages that they conjure up by themselves (verses 1-10). Our books Ezekiel: The End-Time Prophet and Malachi’s Message more thoroughly explain the meaning of these prophecies. God is speaking against the prophets and priests of Israel who cry, “Peace; and there was no peace” (verse 10). This is a common cry today, which is almost always followed by a breach in that peace.
God’s Flock
In chapters 25-32, Ezekiel digresses to prophesy against several Gentile nations.
Then in chapter 33, Ezekiel and God both plead with Israel to turn back (verse 11). Again, in chapter 34, God has a message for ministers in this end time. Notice: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? … And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them” (verses 2, 5-6). God blames His unfaithful ministers in this end time because they sought their own will, not God’s.
Reading through the remainder of chapter 34, we find that, after the Day of the Lord, God will gather His sheep—those enslaved Israelites left alive after that terrifying time—and rescue them from captivity. This is when God will remove the spiritual blindness from their eyes, and they will seek God’s ways. God’s Kingdom will be set up to finally establish lasting peace (Isaiah 11:9; Romans 11:25‑26; Micah 4:2-3).
Ezekiel 36 pictures the remnant of Israel returning to the land God originally promised them. Yet they do not return to the Promised Land wealthy and prosperous. They return as former slaves and captive people. They will be humble. God will finally be able to teach His people. Dozens of prophecies refer to the end-time descendants of Israel being scattered around the world during the Tribulation and the Day of the Lord. But there is a happy end for the Israelites. God will gather them to one place, as Ezekiel confirms.
Chapter 37 contains a well-known prophecy, referred to as the valley of dry bones. Verses 1-11 speak of the rebirth and resurrection of the whole house of Israel (Judah and Israel). They are saved from captivity, dispersion and slavery. (This prophecy also pictures a literal fleshly resurrection of those who had long since died, never knowing the truth. They too will finally have access to God’s Spirit and His truth—spiritual knowledge. This resurrection occurs at the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ.)
Beginning in verse 15 of chapter 37, God pictures Israel and Judah as two sticks that will be united together in the land of Israel after Christ’s return. God says in verse 21 that He will take the children of Israel from among the heathen and gather them into their own land. He will make them one nation (verse 22). A Spirit-born King David, resurrected with the rest of the saints at Christ’s return, will be king over Israel (verse 24). David will rule forever (verse 25). God will make an everlasting covenant of peace with His people—the New Covenant (verse 26).
We now come to the critical 38th chapter of Ezekiel.
Punishment of Gog and Magog
“Notice, now, the story flow,” Mr. Armstrong wrote, “the time sequence: The prophet has carried us through the sins of his people, the coming invasion and captivity and dispersion, and the coming of Christ as Deliverer to restore the fortunes of Israel. We have come to the time when both the houses of Israel and Judah shall be reunited into one nation, rescued from captivity and dispersion, and regathered again in their land, once again made prosperous, having learned our lesson, now living God’s way, under His laws, enjoying His richest blessings, both material and spiritual!” (ibid). So the events of Ezekiel 38 and 39 take place after the return of Jesus Christ. (Jeremiah 50, on the other hand, shows us what Russia and China are prophesied to do before Christ’s return.)
The battle of Ezekiel 38 and 39 takes place in the land today occupied by the Jewish state of Israel—not in the United States, Britain or Europe as many have falsely assumed. The final battle takes place in the Holy Land, after Jesus Christ has returned!
“Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal” (Ezekiel 38:2-3). Gog and Magog primarily refer to the Russians and Chinese. The chief prince of Meshech and Tubal is referring to the ruler in Moscow, almost certainly Vladimir Putin.
This prophecy indicates that the prince of Russia becomes the leader of the 200 million-man army that is formed before the Great Tribulation—it is virtually formed already. A part of this vast army even extends into the first few years of Christ’s rule. When this mighty army comes against an unarmed Israel, Christ will destroy them with great hailstones and fire from heaven.
The Bible strongly indicates that Vladimir Putin will lead the remainder of that army to its death.
It takes time to amass the kind of power that Mr. Putin has today. And there is a small space of time left to build such a powerful military.
When you look at the big picture here, who else could be the prince of Russia but Vladimir Putin?
Ezekiel was told to record an end-time prophecy for Russia and China. God’s anger is against them—just as it was against the Babylonians! Before Christ’s return, God uses the Russians and Chinese to punish the beast power. As a result, they too become proud and haughty, therefore needing correction from God.
God sets His face against Gog and Magog due to their rebellion. God even tells these nations to prepare for a coming battle with Him (verse 7). Remember, this is after Christ has returned. Notice that verse 8 says Israel has been “brought back from the sword.” In this chapter, we find the people of Israel dwelling in villages “having neither bars nor gates” (verse 11). They are living in peace, totally unprepared for war! Verse 13 shows that these villages, because the Israelites are now obedient, begin to prosper.
Gog and Magog will see how God has blessed His people. They, too, want to live under these conditions, but on their own terms—not God’s! The Russians and Chinese think they have found an easy target to spoil: a blessed land that is undefensed!
This passage is astounding! It is common to think that after Christ returns, peace and abundance will overflow throughout the Earth immediately. But that is not what the Bible teaches. There will still exist those who haven’t submitted to God’s law and government. They will learn the “hard way” that God’s system is the only one that will yield such blessings in life!
God issues a challenge to the Russians and Chinese in verses 14-16: “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord God; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.” God has a purpose for bringing them to battle against His people.
Mr. Armstrong said the time of this battle is “not before, but after the Second Coming of Christ—after the great Deliverer has come and rescued our people and restored us to the land of Israel—after Israel and Judah are reunited” (ibid).
It is true that some of the Asiatic hordes will gather at Armageddon and be destroyed during the third woe when Christ returns—but not all. The rest of these forces will descend upon the glorious land a short time after it has been occupied by the regathered Israelites. It will only be a land of villages at this point, early on in the Millennium.
What is recorded in Ezekiel 38 and 39 is the last great rebellion this Earth will experience for 1,000 years! (There will be another at the end of the Millennium when Satan is loosed for a little season—Revelation 20:7-9.) Through this battle, God will not only defend and deliver His people once again, but He will make one final statement to all of mankind that He is the Eternal! God will prove to the Israelites, and to Gog and Magog, that He fights and wins our battles for us. The people who live in Israel will have to totally rely upon God to defend and protect them. God will utterly crush this final rebellion against His government.
The tremendous wrath of God will be felt and witnessed throughout all the Earth (Ezekiel 38:18-20). God will have the angry nations of Gog and Magog destroy themselves (verse 21). He once again pleads with mankind in the only language we seem to understand: “And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord” (verses 22-23).
Notice the last part of that passage! Through blood, pain and suffering, God will get His message across to rebellious mankind that He is the Eternal! All nations will finally come to this understanding. All peoples will finally come to know God. What a hope-filled prophecy.
This, in itself, dates the prophecy. It’s at the beginning of the Millennium when there are still skeptics—those who do not accept Christ’s rule; those who do not know God. Christ must eradicate the spirit of rebellion from mankind. When He does, mankind will, for 1,000 years, finally come to know its Creator.
Chapter 39 provides more detail about the destruction of Gog and Magog. God says that those who come to attack Israel will be destroyed. He gives this warning specifically to those nations, yet they still come to fight this battle. God must again teach them a lesson. “So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel” (Ezekiel 39:7). God will achieve something here which has never occurred in the past. All nations will finally know that He is the Eternal. Yet consider the cost mankind must pay to learn this lesson. We could learn it much easier if we would simply believe God’s Word and submit ourselves to His loving, family government now. Why must we learn through pain and suffering?
The number of dead will be incalculable. God will burn and destroy their weapons of war. He will allow Israel to spoil this defeated people. The people of Israel will be called upon to bury the fallen fighters. “And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land” (verse 12).
What a lesson for all of us to learn. God will prove that He is the Eternal and that He, alone, possesses the knowledge of how to achieve lasting peace!
Jesus said, “For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled” (Luke 21:22). God is working out a purpose here below. We have been blessed with an advance warning of events which are yet to occur and which will shape our lives for eternity. God gives us a choice: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). We have a choice to learn a vital lesson now through the warning God gives in prophecy, or we can learn from the language God has to use to shake this world to its senses: blood and suffering!
God wants us to choose life! He doesn’t want to inflict His wrath—but this world is going to force Him to do so. Do we believe this is all going to happen? Will we listen to God’s warning message from His true Church? Individually, you can still be protected from the horrors to come.
History shows that God’s prophets and ministers have almost always stood alone. But they have stood with God!
Where will you stand?
Copyright © 1999, 2001, 2003, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2017 Philadelphia Church of God, All Rights Reserved.
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Home News Post-rape care needed to protect against HIV in conflict-affected Ukraine
Post-rape care needed to protect against HIV in conflict-affected Ukraine
Zhanna* receives support at New Day, which provides counseling and facilitates treatment in the conflict-affected Donetsk Region of Ukraine. © Maks Levin/UNFPA
KRAMATORSK, Ukraine - Zhanna*, 36, is an HIV-positive mother of two in the conflict-affected Donetsk Region of Ukraine. She says she contracted HIV from her former partner, a man who beat and raped her. Her candour about these issues is unusual; very few women are willing to speak out about experiencing violence or contracting HIV.
Today is World AIDS Day, a time to recommit to stopping the spread of the disease. And with an unprecedented number of people around the world displaced by conflict and the continuing global epidemic of violence against women, it is also a day to reflect on the tragic intersection between HIV, violence and crisis for women like Zhanna.
Even before the conflict in Ukraine, sexual and gender-based violence often went unreported due to stigma, fear of retribution, and lack of trust in legal, medical and social support systems. But the conflict has made things worse.
The Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights has said that women in areas with active fighting are at intensified risk of sexual violence. And experts say disruptions in the community are making women more vulnerable.
A woman gets a professional haircut at New Day. © Maks Levin/UNFPA
"In Ukraine, like everywhere, gender-based violence is grossly under-reported, which makes it more difficult to fully comprehend the magnitude of the epidemic,” said Ekaterina Kristesashvili, a UNFPA expert on gender-based violence in Ukraine. “But we see that... the conflict has severely undermined men's ability to fill their traditional gender roles, such as providers and protectors of the family, particularly among displaced and military families. This has led to a breakdown of family support systems, which increases the caregivers’ reliance on negative coping strategies, such as perpetrating domestic violence, neglect and alcohol abuse."
Women in conflict zones may also face a heightened risk of HIV transmission, with displaced women increasingly vulnerable to sex trafficking. According to 2014 data from UNAIDS, Ukraine has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Europe and Central Asia, and the majority of new infections are through sexual transmission.
Post-rape care can prevent HIV transmission
Zhanna decided to speak out because she wants things to change.
“I was pleading [with my partner] to stop. But he didn’t. I felt ashamed, and I did not tell anyone,” she said. “Only when I got pregnant the second time and was screened during a regular check-up did I find out I was HIV positive.”
Survivors of sexual violence should receive health services as soon as possible after an assault. Post-rape treatment can help them avoid unwanted pregnancies and prevent life-threatening infections like HIV.
In Ukraine, UNFPA is providing post-rape treatment kits to maternity hospitals, family planning centres and HIV support centres. These kits contain the tools needed to conduct gynaecological exams, and also include post-exposure prophylaxis, which can prevent HIV transmission, as well as emergency contraception and antibiotics for treating sexually transmitted infections. UNFPA also trains health personnel on the clinical management of rape and helps make services more survivor-centred.
Alina, Director of New Day, says medical services for post-rape treatment are essential to saving lives. © Maks Levin/UNFPA
Regaining a sense of safety
Zhanna now finds comfort and care at New Day, a local non-governmental organization responding to the HIV epidemic. UNFPA is coordinating the humanitarian response of groups, including New Day, in conflict-affected areas of Ukraine.
New Day provides counselling and facilitates treatment for people living with HIV. It also offers an environment where people, including survivors of sexual violence, feel safe. Women can bring their children, have a coffee and even visit a professional hairdresser at the centre. Often, little things like getting a haircut can help vulnerable women regain a sense of comfort and normality.
But Alina, New Day’s director, also emphasized the need for prevention. “If we can be sure on the quality and availability of medical services for post-rape treatment, we can educate women and refer them to live-saving treatment,” she said.
* Name changed to protect identity.
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Home>Business>Football Commands Highest TV Ad Prices
Football Commands Highest TV Ad Prices
Washington Informer Send an email September 30, 2014
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) escapes from New Orleans Saints defensive end Tyrunn Walker (75) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. NBC's "Sunday Night Football" charges $627,300 for a 30-second advertisement, more than any other program in prime-time broadcast television, according to a survey by Advertising Age. On its heels is CBS' new Thursday night football telecast, being shown this fall for the first time, at $483,333. (AP Photo/The Waco Tribune-Herald, Jose Yau)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) escapes from New Orleans Saints defensive end Tyrunn Walker (75) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” charges $627,300 for a 30-second advertisement, more than any other program in prime-time broadcast television, according to a survey by Advertising Age. On its heels is CBS’ new Thursday night football telecast, being shown this fall for the first time, at $483,333. (AP Photo/The Waco Tribune-Herald, Jose Yau)
NEW YORK (AP) — Pro football pays the bills in prime-time television.
NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” charges $627,300 for a 30-second advertisement, more than any other program in prime-time broadcast television, according to a survey by Advertising Age. On its heels is CBS’ new Thursday night football telecast, being shown this fall for the first time, at $483,333.
Television’s top-rated comedy, “The Big Bang Theory,” is the scripted show with the priciest ads, at $344,827, Advertising Age said.
Otherwise, ad prices don’t always mesh with the Nielsen company’s measurements of which programs get the biggest audience. That’s because advertisers pay a premium to reach a younger audience
For instance, CBS’ “NCIS” is often television’s most-watched scripted show each week, certainly the most popular drama. But with an ad price of $170,948, it didn’t make the top 10 of Advertising Age’s most expensive shows in which to buy commercial time.
NBC’s “The Black List,” a hit in its second season, is the priciest drama with an ad price of $285,975. NBC’s “The Voice” on Monday night gets $274,157 per 30-second spot.
ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” is competitive with “The Voice” in viewership, but is penalized by advertisers for having an audience heavy with older women. The show is commanding an ad price of $118,606, Advertising Age said.
“Modern Family” commands a higher ad price than any other ABC show, at $239,650, while “Sleepy Hollow” is tops at Fox, at $202,500, the magazine said. “American Idol” isn’t included in the calculations because it doesn’t start until January.
Advertising Age bases its numbers on ad sales this spring. They can vary depending on sales taking place closer to airtime, and some advertisers get a discount if they buy a large volume of ads.
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CCM Weakens the Biblicist Stance
The following is excerpted from Baptist Music Wars (slightly enlarged), available for free reading and downloading from www.wayoflife.org:
A final reason why we are opposed to Contemporary Christian Music is that when it comes into a church (or into the life of an individual) it weakens the church’s Biblicist stance and results in a gradual lowering of standards of morality and doctrine.
The late Gordon Sears, who had an evangelistic music ministry for many years and ministered with Rudy Atwood, was saddened before his death by the dramatic change that was occurring in many fundamental Baptist churches. He warned:
“When the standard of music is lowered, then the standard of dress is also lowered. When the standard of dress is lowered, then the standard of conduct is also lowered. When the standard of conduct is lowered, then the sense of value in God’s truth is lowered” (Sears, Songfest Newsletter, April 2001).
Dr. Frank Garlock of Majesty Music warned,
“If a church starts using CCM it will eventually lose all other standards” (Bob Jones University, chapel, March 12, 2001).
The late fundamentalist leader Dr. Ernest Pickering gave a similar warning:
“Perhaps nothing precipitates a slide toward New Evangelicalism more than the introduction of Contemporary Christian Music. This inevitably leads toward a gradual slide in other areas as well until the entire church is infiltrated by ideas and programs alien to the original position of the church” (Pickering, The Tragedy of Compromise: The Origin and Impact of the New Evangelicalism, Bob Jones University Press, 1994).
Victor Sears called Contemporary Christian Music “the Trojan Horse of the ecumenical movement.”
“Good fundamental Baptists and others that refuse the teachings of the charismatic crowd concerning tongues, signs, miracles, and so forth are now singing their music in our churches and preparing our people for the world, the flesh and the devil. It is the new Trojan Horse move ... to deaden our churches to spiritual truth” (Sears, Baptist Bible Tribune, 1981).
In New Neutralism II: Exposing the Gray of Compromise (1991), John Ashbrook observed, “As the message declines, so does the music.”
David Sorenson, a third-generation fundamental Baptist preacher and author of the Understanding the Bible commentary series, says,
“When a church begins to move to the left, one of the first changes is its music. It is symptomatic of a church moving from a fundamentalist to an evangelical stance. ... the basic issue of CCM is a conformity to the world and the world’s music. It is a musical rejection of the biblical principle of separation. ... When the music shifts, a repudiation of separation in general is often not far behind. Dress standards are lowered or eliminated. Preaching against the world and its pursuits evaporates. Fellowship and association with groups and preachers toward the liberal side of the theological spectrum develop” (Sorenson, Broad Is the Way: Fundamentalists Merging into the Evangelical Mainstream, pp. 187, 212).
We can see this happening on every hand today.
The reason is that contemporary worship music is not just music. Even when its lyrics are biblical and its rock rhythm is toned down, it represents a philosophy of Christianity that is opposed to what Biblicist churches stand for. It is a philosophy that is opposed to a staunch, unwavering doctrinal stance, opposed to separation from the world, opposed to ecclesiastical separation.
The writers of the old hymns, though they were not all Baptist in theology, did not represent a movement that was brashly opposed to old-fashioned Biblicist, separatist Christianity, whereas the contemporary worship crowd most definitely does represent such a movement.
Dan Lucarini, author of Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement: Confessions of a Former Worship Leader, says:
“NO ONE SHOULD DENY THE POWER OF MUSIC TO PROSELYTIZE! Pastors in particular must defend their flocks from false teaching, heresies and ‘ear ticklers’ who bring worldly sensuality into the congregation; you are right to point out how easily this comes into a church through worship music. IT SEEMS WISER TO DECLINE THE USE OF WHAT SEEMS TO BE A PERFECTLY GOOD SONG, RATHER THAN TO GIVE ANY HONOR AND HINT OF ENDORSEMENT TO THE COMPOSER AND HIS/HER MISSION” (e-mail, May 24, 2009).
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Venezuela: captured US spy charged in alleged terrorist plot
by: SCOTT SMITH, Associated Press
Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab holds a photo of bullets he says were seized with other weapons in connection with what the government calls a failed attack over the weekend aimed at overthrowing President Nicolás Maduro, during a press conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, May 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s chief prosecutor on Monday said a U.S. citizen recently arrested in the country as a suspected spy has been charged in an alleged terrorist plot to sabotage oil refineries and electrical service in order to stir unrest.
The man, alleged to have CIA ties, had help from three Venezuelan conspirators, who were arrested with him last week near a pair of oil refineries on the country’s north Caribbean coast, Venezuela’s Chief Prosecutor Tarek William Saab said on state television.
The office gave the U.S. suspect’s name as Matthew John Heath.
Authorities said cellphones taken from the men when they were arrested last week include images of suspected targets, including a large bridge in Zulia state, military installations and dilapidated oil refineries in Falcon state. The prosecutor showed pictures of equipment allegedly seized from the group, including a grenade launcher, plastic explosives, a satellite phone and a bag of U.S. dollars.
“Everything here could qualify as a lethal weapon designed to cause harm and to promote assassinations, crimes against the people of Venezuela,” said Saab, who also accused the man of planning to open a drug trafficking route through Venezuela.
President Nicolás Maduro announced on Friday that an unnamed suspected U.S. spy had been captured, saying he was a Marine and former CIA operative in Iraq.
Heath has been charged with terrorism, trafficking illegal weapons and conspiracy, authorities said.
U.S. authorities have not commented on the case. The Associated Press was unable to make immediate contact with Heath, an attorney or a relative representing him for comment on the accusations.
The arrest surfaced as this nation, once wealthy from oil, has been gripped by a deep gasoline shortage that has sparked mile-long lines to fuel up, even in the capital of Caracas. Venezuela also struggles to provide electricity to residents, especially in Zulia state, once a major hub of the nation’s vast oil production.
Heath is accused of targeting the Amuay and Cardon refineries — part of the massive Paraguana Refinery Complex on Venezuela’s northern Caribbean coast. However, the refineries have ceased producing gasoline, and Venezuela depends on shipments from Iran, despite having the world’s largest oil reserves.
He is accused of entering Venezuela illegally, the prosecutor said, adding that he didn’t have a passport but rather had a copy of it hidden in one of his shoes. The three Venezuelans accused of conspiring with Heath include a military officer, Saab said.
The investigation also landed the arrest of four other Venezuelans accused of helping him sneak into the country from Colombia, authorities said.
Saab said Heath had worked in Iraq as a communications specialist three months each year from 2006 to 2016 for MVM Inc., a Virginia-based private security contracting company.
MVM provided a statement to the AP saying that Heath is “not currently an employee or contractor” with the firm.
The U.S. Marine Corps said it had a record of a man by the same name who served from 1999 to 2003, but it could not confirm that this was the same person detained in Venezuela. Military records showed the decorated Marine was a specialist in communication.
This arrest follows a failed beach incursion in early May that landed two ex-Green Beret soldiers in a Venezuelan jail for allegedly participating in a failed attempt to overthrow the socialist government.
The two former U.S. special forces soldiers were arrested along with more than 80 rebel Venezuelan fighters who staged a failed beach attack called Operation Gideon aimed at arresting Maduro.
The operation mounted from makeshift training camps in neighboring Colombia left several rebels dead. It was orchestrated by Jordan Goudreau, an American citizen and three-time Bronze Star recipient who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The ex-Green Berets in Goudreau’s force — Luke Denman Airan Berry Venezuela — have been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Authorities say the two men confessed to being part of the plot.
While the Trump administration denied having anything to do with the bungled May incursion, Washington backs Venezuelan opposition politician Juan Guaidó as the country’s legitimate leader in place of Maduro.
Follow Scott Smith on Twitter: @ScottSmithAP
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Exaptation: A cell enzyme becomes a viral capsid protein
The acquisition of a capsid is thought to be a key event in the evolution of viruses from the self-replicating genetic elements that existed during the pre-cellular stage on Earth. The origin of viral capsids has been obscure because their components are not similar to cellular proteins. The discovery that a viral capsid protein evolved from a CRISPR-associated nuclease provides insight into how viruses emerged.
Thermoproteus tenax virus 1 (TTV1) infects the hyperthemophilic archaeon Thermoproteus tenax, which grows at 86°C. The enveloped virus particles are flexible filaments 400 nm long and 40 nm in diameter (illustrated; image credit) built with four capsid proteins, TP1-TP4. The basic proteins TP1 and TP2 bind the 16 kb double-stranded DNA genome to form the nucleocapsid.
Thirty years after the discovery of TTV1, the capsid proteins remained ORFans – meaning that they had no sequence homology with viral or cellular proteins. Recently a more sensitive homology analysis revealed that TP1 is similar to Cas4, a nuclease that is a part of the prokaryotic CRISPR-Cas defense system.
Although TP1 clearly matches the Cas4 protein, it is not complete: codons at the carboxy-terminus are missing. A re-examination of the TTV1 genome sequence revealed a previously undetected open reading frame of 74 codons just downstream of the TP1 gene which are the missing C-terminal residues of the Cas4 nuclease. It is not known if this protein, called gp7, is produced in infected cells; it is not part of the virus particle.
Together the TP1 and gp7 proteins represent a full length Cas4 nuclease. TP1 is probably not catalytically active due to amino acid changes in the active site of the enzyme.
Why does TP1 lack the carboxy-terminal residues of Cas4? The amino terminus of the TP1 protein comprises a positively charged surface that might be involved in binding the viral DNA genome. The same surface in Cas4 is covered by the carboxy-terminal domain of the protein. This observation suggests that transformation of Cas4 from a nuclease into a viral capsid protein probably required removal of this shielding domain, so that the protein could bind the DNA genome.
How did a nuclease become a viral capsid protein? An ancestor of TTV1 might have encoded a Cas4-like protein with nuclease activity with a role in genome replication or repair. Mutations causing loss of nuclease activity might have been followed by truncation of the protein to expose the DNA binding domain, which then became a viral capsid protein. Support for this idea comes from the observation that a Cas4-like protein encoded in the genome of another archaeal virus, the rudivirus SIRV2, has nuclease activity.
Exaptation, a change in the function of a protein during evolution, is known to have taken place in the viral world. The case of Cas4 and TP1 shows that capsid components can evolve from proteins with a very different function.
Next post: TWiV 367: Two sides to a Coyne
Previous post: TWiV 366: Doctorates down under
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2020 Impact Award Winners
The holidays look different this year and, so too, our lives, that much is indisputable. Yet the kindness of people in the Lake Geneva area remains as unfailing as ever in its ability to change lives as well. Each year about this time VISIT Lake Geneva presents its Impact Awards to deserving individuals and businesses in the community, a tradition that dates back to 1974. The awards honor those who have made positive and significant impacts on the quality of life in the area as nominated by their peers and voted on by the board of directors of VISIT Lake Geneva. Now more than ever, their stories bring good cheer and remind us that brighter days are always just around the corner.
Stu Herzog Outstanding Citizen Award - MICHAEL PLOCH
This year’s Stu Herzog Outstanding Citizen Award, given to the individual who represents the Lake Geneva region at its very best and consistently makes a positive difference, goes to Michael Ploch. Many know him as the go-to guy for help in growing their business and strengthening the community in his role as a senior vice president and commercial lender for Community State Bank.
Ploch has lived in the Lake Geneva area for 63 years, raising seven children here with wife Jamie and now enjoying five grandchildren, calling the grandkids “a beautiful dimension of life.”
He was actually born in Chicago, just six months old when his parents moved the family to Lake Geneva were his father’s family farmed. He is the oldest in a large family and that pecking order instilled in him early on qualities that he still calls on today. “When you’re the oldest, your siblings look up to you and that helped me to become a good ear to listen to people and to lead with a kind heart,” said Ploch. “You develop an empathy to see what you can do to help.”
He’s forthright in noting that being a good listener can mean being both the voice of encouragement as well as the voice of reason, with both styles ultimately helping business owners be successful. “I put myself in their position and look for ways to help them in any way I can, that’s being a good neighbor and a good person,” said Ploch.
And help he has. For example, Ploch led the charge to distribute $50 million in payment protection plan loans to local businesses as the pandemic’s grip tightened. “Business owners were scared and so they were relieved to know the bank was here to help them.”
He also contributes to the community by volunteering on boards of the YMCA, the Lake Geneva Economic Development Corporation, and the Geneva Lake Museum. “The community is only as strong as the people who volunteer their time and talent and I’ve always said, don’t complain, instead get involved to make it better, and the more people involved the lighter the work and the better world for all of us.”
Ploch has been in banking for 40+ years now and over those decades has come to call customers his friends. “It’s more than just a business relationship, they’re looking to me for advice and guidance and I hope they respect me and trust me over time.” He added, “And if I don’t have an answer, I’ll try to find someone or something that can help.”
When queried about some of the best changes in the community he’s seen in the last few years, Ploch happily pointed out success in attracting quality industries that bring with them better wages as well as the new buildings that have beautified once blighted neighborhoods. On his wish list is growth in cultural offerings with the renovated Riviera building a venue that is bound to dazzle.
With all that on his plate, Ploch laughed when asked what he likes to do in his free time. “I do enjoy gardening, I love to golf and read,” said Ploch. In the same breath he added, “The true rock star in our family is my wife and there is no way I could it without her support.”
The interview wrapped up with this nice bit of advice from Ploch: “We’re lucky to travel, yet I always enjoy coming back home, and I encourage residents to be a tourist in your own town, it’s a treat we never take for granted.”
Rising Star Award - THE CANDLE MERCANTILE
Friends since high school and both corporate escapees, Liz Doyle and Leigh Ann Myers are the creative force behind The Candle Mercantile, this year’s recipient of the Rising Star Award. To be considered for this honor, a business must have made a substantial impact in their profession, with the catch being that the impact needs to be demonstrated in five years or less. Doyle and Myers did that one better, moving from completing a business plan for a candle-making experience in Lake Geneva in February 2019 to opening their doors less than five months later.
“This was a new challenge for both of us, but everything came into place and we found our skills complement each other so well,” said Doyle.
This shop in the heart of downtown Lake Geneva is one-of-a-kind, although the owners never say never to the potential of a second location. Customers choose favorite scents from some 90 different offerings lining the walls as the first step in making their own unique candle. To add to the atmosphere, customers can enjoy wine and beer paired with a charcuterie tray from Lake Geneva Country Meats.
Even with the pandemic pause, they managed to grow their business, a testament to the quality of their product. “Even during quarantine, people were looking to create a cozy environment at home,” said Doyle. Myers added, “We sold a lot of lavender candles during those few months of our store being closed.” There is also a nostalgia factor with the scents. “We hear customers say all the time, ‘Oh this me reminds me of my grandmother’ or someone else in their lives,” shared Doyle. Myers mentioned it’s not unusual for customers to tear up as memories flood in.
Both commented how reassuring it’s been to see their customers, a mix of residents and visitors, enthusiastically support local businesses. And given it takes 90 minutes for the candle to set, the owners have ample opportunity to send people to different shops and restaurants in the community. “All the businesses in town do well in supporting each other,” said Meyers.
The owners’ love of all things Lake Geneva is evident in two more ways, the first being their signature Lake Geneva Candle. They held a contest asking customers to select scents they think best define the area. The winning combination is a mix of balsam fir, summer lawn, and lemongrass. The second is their Candles for a Cause program, with the proceeds from select candles going to a different charity each month.
Hospitality Award - THE BOTTLE SHOP
Imagine, if you will, the perfect evening. A wonderful hostess, a great bottle or two of wine, easy conversation, and a wish that time would stand still. If that sums it up for you, then you’ll want to make The Bottle Shop a regular stop. Why? Because that narrative perfectly describes the warmth that owner Beth Tumas brings to her business and why she’s been bestowed with this year’s Hospitality Award for exemplary customer service and care.
Tumas became the shop owner five years ago. She jumped in fearlessly, even though she never owned a business before, bringing with her a different kind of background in the wine industry. “I always wanted to be my own boss, I like making people happy and providing a fun experience,” began Tumas. “When I came to Lake Geneva I worked for a wine distributor and loved my job, so when the gentleman who previously owned this shop asked if I wanted to buy it, I said ‘yes’ and haven’t looked back since.”
Tumas’ customer service philosophy is wonderfully straightforward. “I want my shop to be a place I’d want to hang out in, a place where people are comfortable and want for nothing, a low-stress experience so people want to come back.”
So how does she know when she’s getting that philosophy just right? “When people stay, when they refer people, when they come back, and when they write a good review, then I know we’re succeeding,” said Tumas. “I love when visitors tell me The Bottle Shop is their first stop when they come into town and their last stop when they leave, and I’m just so grateful people like my shop.”
While providing customers with a great wine-centric experience, whether that’s choosing from a selection of some 800 different wines or sipping a selection in the open-air, dog-friendly courtyard, may be at the core of her hospitality, Tumas and her team don’t stop there. “We’re a resort town, so people often want to know where to go for dinner, and we’ll make a recommendation based on what they like and even help them with the reservation,” said Tumas.
There is also no such thing as “glass half empty” here. “We want to make sure our customers are comfortable in every way, which means we don’t want them to have to ask for something, and that means no glass is half empty for long,” laughed Tumas. It’s that kind of cozy, comfortable, unpretentious vibe that lends itself to making friends of strangers as they strike up a conversation over glasses of wine here.
Tumas had another important insight on the ripple effect of hospitality. “When visitors have a good experience here, they want to try other things in the community.” When it comes to hiring, Tumas looks locally for employees. “My staff cares about this business as much as I do - not every business owner can say that – and that comes through in a big way in the hospitality experience.”
Of course, a pleasant chat with Tumas wouldn’t be complete without a wine recommendation and she was happy to oblige. “Go with both a red and a white, don’t choose one over the other,” she suggested. “For the red, try the Austin Hope Cabernet, for the white, the Macon-Charnay.” Two down, and about 798 bottles to go.
Community Betterment (tie) - INSPIRED COFFEE
When is a mug of coffee more than just a cup o’ joe? When it’s made and served to you at Lake’s Geneva’s Inspired Coffee, a new kind of coffee shop that employs and celebrates people with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities. While open just six months, Inspired Coffee earned the Community Betterment Award, which puts the spotlight on a person, business or organization that enhances and improves the quality of life in the Lake Geneva region.
Leading this coffee-making, community-building enterprise is one terrific trio: general manager Jessie Bongiorno, along with Erik Barber, president, and Merik Fell, director of development, of Inspired Ministries, the organization that’s been helping those with disabilities in Walworth County for 70 years and the creator of this concept.
In an interesting business concept twist, employees here are coached and trained with the ultimate goal to prepare them for employment at other businesses in the community - think launching pad, not landing pad. There’s a 12-month training program to get trainees ready to spread their wings. Bongiorno and Barber have both been amazed at how much the employees have blossomed in such a short time.
“At the beginning, trainees were still in their shell and now they’re moving up in their skill levels, excelling and growing, and we’re so proud of them,” said Bongiorno. Barber added to that sentiment, noting, “Trainees understand they work differently and they are very patient in helping each other and that empathy is also helping them to build confidence.”
Bongiorno said the positive feedback from the community means a great deal to the trainees. “Our employees engage with the customers and customers come back for that.”
When asked for a specific example of the extraordinary growth of employees, Bongiorno didn’t stop at just one. “Every day there is a little moment of something remarkable happening,” she said. “One employee, for example, who was very shy and had trouble reading, presented an idea for how to help her memorize the menu using visual cues, and that self-advocating was huge and it will encourage her to continue that in her next job.” Bongiorno continued, “Another employee is taking on multiple roles, and yet she still always makes a point to greet every customer, and there are so many stories like that.”
Along with the top-notch customer service, Bongiorno points out that they are a coffee shop, and that the product has to be good to get people in the door.” We are all a bit of coffee snobs here, so that’s what we start with, with coffee being the first connection and the experience drawing them back.”
Barber built on that point. “People would rather go to place that is doing good, plus get a good cup of coffee, and we’re providing that here in Lake Geneva.” He also shared that he’s been contacted by people from other communities who’d like to start something like this in their hometowns and he’s happy to share the plan. “That’s exciting to me, how our spark of an idea that started three or four years ago is inspiring others now too.”
The coming year looks to be one of new milestones for the trainees, with Bongiorno looking to transition employees to work at other businesses in the community and supporting them on that journey. “That will put our mission out into the community in an even bigger way,” said Bongiorno.
By the way, if you’re looking for a good experience/tasty coffee combo to warm the soul this holiday season, Bongiorno says she can vouch for the Peppermint Fudge Mocha at Inspired Coffee.
Community Betterment - STEPHANIE KLETT
It doesn’t happen too often, but every once in a blue moon there is a tie for an Impact Award, and what better category for a tie than Community Betterment. This year, the award also goes to Stephanie Klett, president and CEO of VISIT Lake Geneva, the community's Chamber of Commerce and official Visitor & Convention Bureau.
Klett has spent her entire professional career promoting Wisconsin tourism, most recently serving as Tourism Secretary in the governor’s cabinet before accepting the position with Lake Geneva. So she knows a thing or two about what makes tourism and quality of life inextricably linked.
“You can’t separate the two,” said Klett. “Lake Geneva is tourism, plain and simple, with the tourism economy elevating the quality of life for residents, providing jobs for thousands of people, and contributing to the tax base that supports services critical to a thriving community.” While that’s the dollars and cents of it, Klett said the other part of that equation is how tourism creates incredible experiences and lifelong memories for visitors, and how that’s more important than ever during these unusual times.
While Klett was certainly familiar with Lake Geneva, having grown up in nearby Beloit and also singing the community’s praises as longtime host of the popular TV series, “Discover Wisconsin,” she said there were still lots of surprises for her as she settled into her new position. “This is such a deeply motivating place,” she said. “The range of businesses, the eclectic quality, the big ideas and big personalities all came as pleasant surprises to me.”
Given that, Klett called this award the highest compliment, fully sharing the accolade with her team. “The VISIT Lake Geneva staff goes above and beyond, particularly the Visitor Center ambassadors who love this region and share that passion with every person who comes through the door.”
It’s not just visitors to whom the team is talking up Lake Geneva. Klett scored a major coup in getting The TODAY Show to cover the record-breaking Winterfest 2020. “That positive press keeps us invigorated and it doesn’t just happen overnight.”
While national coverage can’t be beat, Klett also believes in keeping Lake Geneva top-of-mind with Wisconsin residents. To stay “in the know” with travel trends in the rest of the state, Klett accepted a board position with the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives, marking the first time in a century that Lake Geneva has a place at the table with this influential organization.
With the award being for betterment, Klett reflected on where she likes to devote her energy in pursuit of bettering the community. “I think it’s working with our partner businesses, bringing people together to explore the ‘what ifs’” and then making those possibilities happen, there’s nothing better than that feeling.”
Other partners Klett relies on to better the community include the VISIT Lake Geneva board of directors, which she called “the best I’ve worked with in my professional career,” and important local groups including the business improvement district. “If we’re going to go forward and win, we have to go forward together.”
One last question posed to Klett read, “If you could ask residents to promote one or two attributes of the community, what would those be?” Here’s her answer: “First, shop local, with our stores offering special items and a personal touch and that is so often missing in retail these days. And two, let visitors know we love having them here, how we’re welcoming to all, and how we plan to host them in the most wonderful way.”
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Iconic Golf Courses in Pennsylvania
With rolling terrains, cascading waterways, and lush farmlands providing the perfect backdrop, it’s no wonder why Pennsylvania is considered a golfer’s paradise. Golfers pursuing their happiness in Pennsylvania can tee up at the nation’s oldest golf course, as well as courses challenging enough to host professional championship tournaments. Offering more golf courses per capita than any other state, Pennsylvania has become a destination for diverse golf experiences – so dust off those clubs and see if you can stay under par in the Keystone State.
For more information on specific courses, visit www.golfinpa.com.
Aronimink Golf Club - Philadelphia and the Countryside
www.aronimink.org
Featuring 300 scenic acres full of fresh air and relaxation, the challenging course was designed by one of America's foremost golf architects, Donald Ross. Serenely nestled in the rolling hills of Newtown Square, the private club attracted the world’s attention when it hosted the 2010 and 2011 “AT&T National” and was named Platinum Club of the World 2015-2017.
Foxburg Country Club - Pennsylvania Wilds
Foxburg
www.foxburgcountryclub.com/
Test your skills on the oldest golf course in continuous use in America. Established in 1887, the renovated Foxburg Country Club’s historic nine-hole course has challenging narrow fairways, deep roughs and fast greens. The country club’s log clubhouse is home to the American Golf Hall of Fame, featuring a priceless collection of golf clubs and memorabilia covering 400 years of golf. The golf course, clubhouse, and Hall of Fame are open to the public from April through October.
Bedford Springs Resort - The Alleghenies
www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/BedfordSprings/Golf.aspx
Home to one of the country’s first golf courses and spanning more than 100 years of history, this resort has won accolades from Golfweek.com, Golf Inc., and Golf Course Industry magazine for its remarkable renovations. Restored to its original layout, the course provides guests and members with small greens, classic bunkers, and breathtaking views of the Allegheny Mountains.
Latrobe Country Club - Laurel Highlands
www.latrobecountryclub.com
Drive, pitch, and putt on the same course on which legendary Pennsylvanian Arnold Palmer grew up. The Latrobe Country Club in the Laurel Highlands, open to limited public play, gives guests the opportunity to walk the fairways where Palmer learned the game from his father. After a round of 18 holes, visitors can check out the memorabilia on display from Palmer’s amateur and professional golfing careers.
Oakmont Country Club - Pittsburgh and its Countryside
www.oakmont-countryclub.org
Ranked fifth out of America’s Top 100 courses by Golf Digest in 2019, the members-only Oakmont Country Club is one of the few courses in the world offering championship-caliber golf. Introduced in 1903, Oakmont has hosted 20 national championships, including nine U.S. Opens, five U.S. Amateurs, three PGA Championships and its second U.S. Women’s Open in 2010. The Oakmont is considered to be one of North America's toughest golf courses, challenging players with slick greens, 210 deep bunkers, and tight fairways.
Saucon Valley Country Club - Lehigh Valley
www.sauconvalleycc.org
Saucon Valley Country Club’s Old Course hosted the U.S. Women’s Open in 2009 and is rated one of the top 100 courses in the country by Golf Digest. Club owners have expanded the original 205 acres of farmland along the Saucon Creek to an 850-acre complex boasting three championship golf courses, a six-hole Short Course, 16 tennis courts, swimming pools, squash courts, and other recreational facilities sure to keep anyone occupied at one of LINKS Magazine’s top 100 most prestigious private clubs in the world.
Whispering Woods Golf Club - Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region
www.whisperingwoodsgc.com
Whispering Woods Golf Club accommodates all types of golfers by offering five sets of tees, chiseled fairways, 50 bunkers, and creatively shaped greens. Located in northwestern Pennsylvania, golfers can relax and enjoy a round of golf while their senses take in the hallmarks of Pennsylvania golf – tall trees, wandering streams, soothing waterfalls, and rolling terrain. Not to mention, you’ll be teeing up at one of PGA.com’s best public golf courses in the state.
Scottish Heights Golf Club and Lodge - Pennsylvania Wilds
www.scottishheights.com
Located in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds, Scottish Heights Golf Club and Lodge adds to the rustic charm of this beautiful region with mature tree-lined fairways, sculpted landing areas, and well-protected, undulating greens. Water hazards come into play on five holes and the natural beauty of the area culminates on the 18th hole. The signature hole is Number 4, which requires a tee shot over Rattlesnake Creek, one of the state’s purest trout streams.
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort - Laurel Highlands
www.nemacolin.com/GOLF
Ranked as the number one “Best Public Courses in Pennsylvania” by Golfweek.com, Nemacolin offers 36 holes of championship golf against the backdrop of the Laurel Highlands, located just 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Guests can perfect their backswing on two courses at Nemacolin, Mystic Rock and Shephards Rock, both equally designed to challenge every part of the golf game, while the surroundings provide some of the most breathtaking scenery. The golf courses, paired with world-class facilities and a top-notch spa, make Nemacolin one of Pennsylvania’s best weekend getaway locations.
Woodloch Springs Golf Course - Upstate PA
www.woodloch.com/golf/
Woodloch Spring’s spectacular, 18-hole, championship, par-72 golf course winds over 6,579 yards of fern-carpeted forest, lush wetlands, and broad upland meadows. Nestled in the Pocono Mountains, the championship course hosts four sets of tees on every hole and alternative pin placements to accommodate all levels of play and provide a variety of challenges. Woodloch’s 16-acre, state-of-the-art teaching facility provides personal lessons tailored to individual needs and levels. The golf course is nationally recognized by GOLF Magazine as "one of the finest courses in America" and rated 4.5 Stars by Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play.
Hershey Country Club - Dutch Country Roads
www.hersheycountryclub.com/
Boasting 45 pristine fairways, Hershey Country Club’s three courses offer a challenge to golfers of all skill levels. Golfers can play a quick nine-holes on the Spring Creek Golf Course, which stretches 2,200 yards and features a natural stream gently winding through the course. In 1932, the original course was built as the first in the United States open to players 17 and under. The 18-hole, par 71 East Course features three lakes and more than 100 bunkers weaving through the scenic Pennsylvania countryside. From the hilltops of the 18-hole, par 73 West Course, golfers will enjoy views of the town of Hershey below.
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort - Upstate PA
www.shawneeinn.com/golf
On the banks of the wild and scenic Delaware River, the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort’s 45-hole championship course boasts some of the best golf in the Pocono Mountains. Opened in 1911, golf legends like Walter Hagan and Arnold Palmer have graced the fairways at Shawnee. The Golf Resort opened the Tillinghast Golf Academy and its state-of-the-art golf practice facility in 2003 to instruct and inspire all players.
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Brett Callwood
| Concerts |
Bon Jovi's Tico Torres Says There Is Life After Sambora
Brett Callwood | February 16, 2018 | 9:07am
Bon Jovi (Left-right: Phil X, Tico Torres, Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Hugh McDonald).
Norman Jean Roy
When charismatic Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora left the band in 2013, many guessed that would be the end for the Jersey hard rockers. After all, without his right-hand man, wasn’t this just Jon Bon Jovi’s solo gig now?
That’s not actually fair, though; in fact, until Sambora flew the coop, the only previous departure from the group had been bassist Alec John Such, back in 1994. So original drummer Tico Torres and keyboardist David Bryan are still in there, and that’s not a bad level of turnover for a band that formed in 1983.
There was a point in the mid- to late ’80s when Bon Jovi was pretty much the biggest band in the world. The group had a mega-smash in 1986, Slippery when Wet, followed by an arguably even better record in ’88, New Jersey. In truth, the group has struggled to match that level of mania since, but Keep the Faith and These Days in the ’90s were better than decent, as was 2005’s Have a Nice Day. This House Is Not for Sale, from 2016, was the first album recorded without Sambora, and while he’s clearly missed, new player Phil X is a badass.
The Springsteen- and Bon Jovi-free DNC acceptance speech
Bon Jovi's Coming to Denver. We Hope He Shows!
Bon Jovi Axes Denver Show; Reschedules in New York That Weekend
The band has spent much of the past decade or so transforming from a nostalgia-heavy pop-rock group to something more akin to the home state that also birthed Springsteen: blue-collar, Mellencamp-esque hard rock. Still, there are anthems on the latest album that will please longtime fans, not least the title track. Drummer and OG member Tico Torres has been ecstatic with the reaction.
“It seems like people really like it,” he says. “To be able to have something that’s so popular — it came out at number one. These days it’s different, but we’re so happy to see our fans enjoy the music, because you have no idea when you put out a record.”
He’s not kidding when he says that things are different now. Back when Bon Jovi was dropping albums in the ’80s, the money coming in (and going out) was almost obscene, certainly by today’s standards. Multimillion-dollar deals and glitzy video shoots led to an era of rock-and-roll excess and storied debauchery. So how does the band approach making an album in this decade?
“I think we approach it the same way we always have,” Torres says. “We went backwards and recorded everything, then put the album together inside the studio. More like we did with Slippery, New Jersey and stuff like that. We recorded it pretty much live. As long as we’re happy with it, then we put it out there, and it becomes its own embryo and grows with the fans. Subsequently, we’ve been blessed that the fans really love it.”
The band Bon Jovi is more than three decades old and has now seen two original members leave. Bassist Such was effectively replaced by Hugh McDonald back in 1994, though his inclusion was only made official last year (perhaps because he always looked a little out of place with his Dad hair, until the rest of the band caught up).
“We’ve gone through different members, and [the band’s] gone through a lot of time, trials and tribulations,” Torres says. “The wonderful thing is to be able to create something that’s very current, enough where people can relate to it. We’re not reverting back to anything that we did in the ’80s or ’90s. Except our gut feel, which has always been our mainstay. And try to do something a bit positive, as well. Our message it to always try and be positive.”
Regarding Sambora, Torres says that the band has been able to use the past three years to transition Phil X in, which helped the group get over losing a key member.
“Phil X filled in and did the last tour with us, and it’s like anything — you have to move on,” he says. “Richie has to find his own path; we’re finding ours. We had Phil X play on the record, and we also had John Shanks, the producer who took that Clint Eastwood-type role, where he would direct the film and also act in it. John Shanks was in the studio recording with us, and that process was more organic for us. All playing at once, recording that way, working off each other with a lot of feel.”
Still, you lose a character as big as Sambora, and you’re going to feel it. The six-stringer co-wrote songs for Bon Jovi and played pretty much all of the band’s more recognizable licks. Indeed, there are people out there who have been saying for years that the band should be called Sambora.
“Richie was a big entity of this group — not only writing, but his voice and guitar playing,” Torres says. “You just have to be open-minded and say, ‘Okay, we’re going with other players.’ Open your mind and creativity to form that. It’s no easy task to find the missing piece in the puzzle, but I think we did well with Phil X and John Shanks.”
In March, Bon Jovi plays the Pepsi Center, and Torres says that once he gets used to the lack of air (same old story), he loves coming to this region.
“We’ve always done well there,” he says. “Let’s face it. It’s almost like the Bahamas of the snow. People go there to enjoy the wonderful skiing weather and to have fun. When we play, they’re in a good mood to have some fun. You’ll hear a lot of the new stuff, as well as the standards — you’re not going to miss out on those. We did a run of small theaters before the tour to do a listening party of the new album with stories in between, which gives you an inkling of where they all came from. There’s a little bit of that in the show, and people have been very receptive to it, because it’s a more personal view.”
Strip away the big hair and ’80s fashion, and that’s really what Bon Jovi is: personal stories told in the form of blue-collar rock anthems. And few do it better.
Bon Jovi, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, Pepsi Center; 1000 Chopper Circle, 303-405-1100.
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Category: Language History People World Art Education Technology Internet Business Food Beauty Miscellaneous Industry Science Anatomy Health Crafts Cars Home Finance Medicine Fashion Fitness United States Environment Travel Law Hobbies
What Is a Three-Act Structure?
G. Wiesen
A three-act structure is one particular way in which a story can be told and is often employed when writing a screenplay for use in film. This basic format breaks up the story into three pieces, each called an "act," and though some writers find it flawed, this structure works well for many screenplays. The first act introduces the characters and the problem faced by them, presenting a moment at which point the main character sets on his or her path. In act two, this problem intensifies and nearly seems overwhelming, until a climax is reached and the problem is solved in act three.
Arriving at a villain's location, such as a castle, giant space station, or hidden lair, often signals the end of the second act.
The first act of the three-act structure is typically described as being the first fourth of a story; a 120-minute film would have a first act of about 30 minutes in length. In this section, the main and supporting characters are introduced and the basic problem of the story is presented. For example, if a hero needs to free a land from a cruel tyrant, these characters are shown and the audience sees how evil the villain is. In a three-act structure, the first act ends with a plot point that usually consists of the hero taking on the problem, so in this example the hero might set out to find and defeat the evil king.
A three-act structure is often employed when writing a screenplay.
Following the plot point, the second act of a story in a three-act structure begins, as the hero sets off to solve the problem. This act is usually half of the story, so it might be the middle 60 minutes of a 120-minute film. During the second act, numerous obstacles arise that prevent the hero from solving the problem, such as groups of creatures that must be defeated before reaching the evil king's castle.
At one point in the second act, all hope seems lost and the characters believe that success cannot be accomplished. This is often called the midpoint and falls about halfway through the story in a three-act structure. They come through this, however, and continue moving with renewed purpose toward the plot point that ends the second act, such as them reaching the tyrant's castle.
The final act within the three-act structure is the last fourth of the story, or about the last 30 minutes of a 120-minute film. In this third act, the problem reaches its climax at the moment of greatest dramatic tension, such as the hero facing the evil king in personal combat and defeating him. Once this occurs, the problem is essentially solved and the remaining story is a resolution, such as the hero returning home to rejoin now liberated loved ones. The rest of the three-act structure allows the audience to return to normalcy and enjoy the victory of the hero over the problem.
Language History People World Art Education Technology Internet Business Food Beauty Miscellaneous Industry Science Anatomy Health Crafts Cars Home Finance Medicine Fashion Fitness United States Environment Travel Law Hobbies
What Is Truss Structure?
What Is a Divisional Organizational Structure?
What Is a Functional Organizational Structure?
What is a Data Structure?
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Mom says her son was racially bullied, demands action from Collierville Schools district leaders
Mom says her son was racially bullied, demands action
By Joyce Peterson | November 23, 2020 at 10:41 PM CST - Updated November 24 at 8:38 AM
COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. (WMC) - A Mid-South mother says her son is the victim of racist and homophobic bullying at school, and she’s accusing district leaders of failing to take any action.
The student is Black and attends West Collierville Middle School. His mother says he’s been called the N-word in person and online. And, she says, he was recently sent an invitation to another student’s Snapchat group - a group nicknamed the “Ku Klux Klan.”
“It’s just incredibly hurtful,” she told WMC Action News 5. “It’s hurtful to know my child doesn’t want to go to school because of this. It’s hurtful to me as a parent.”
She asked WMC not to reveal her name in order to protect her son. She’s speaking out because she says she wants the student who created the racist social media page disciplined, and she wants the Collierville School System to be more responsive in how it handles issues of racism and harassment.
“There’s no way that a child should be subjected to this type of cyberbullying, there has to be zero tolerance for this type of action,” she said.
She says her son’s white classmate created a Snapchat group and sent her son an invitation to join it during the school day. Her son saw the KKK name and comments from another student, who’d written the N-word. When her son expressed his objections, she says he was then called a homophobic slur in the messaging group.
She said one student called her son the N-word and another told her child Black lives don’t matter. Her son went to the assistant principal of the middle school, who then called his mother.
“Her response was very,” she said pausing, “...dismissive. And it made me wonder what’s going on here? What is the school policy? And how will the school address these types of issues?”
The word “Death” was also sent directly to the child via Snapchat, which the mother said was a relation for him reporting the group to the school and police.
WMC reached out to Collierville Schools for comment. Public Information Officer Mario Hogue sent the following statement:
“Collierville Schools takes every academic disruption very seriously, both West Collierville Middle School and the District Administration are aware of the incident and have launched a full investigation into the disruption that occurred at the school campus. We are very concerned by the actions that took place, Collierville Schools works very diligently and collaborates with industry experts to build our academic landscape that welcomes, honors, and appreciates cultural diversity and inclusion for all. We are actively speaking with the family, we respect and understand their concerns as it relates to this situation.”
The Collierville Police Department also confirmed it is investigating the incident:
“CPD is aware of an incident regarding a Collierville Middle School student and currently investigating this matter. Due to this being an active investigation and parties involved being juveniles. We cannot comment on this matter until the investigation is completed.”
This protective parent wants justice for her son and says she’ll keep fighting for change in the district.
“At this point, there’s got to be some training, some diversity training, sensitivity training,” she said. “And then also disciplinary action to be taken when these types of incidents occur.”
She says she intends to address the Collierville School Board about racism in the school system. In 2018, Black pastors and parents appeared before the school board to express concern about racist vandalism that had appeared on desks and on a minister’s car. District leaders pledged zero tolerance then, and now.
The student’s mom says she also wants to press criminal charges against the students who cyberbullied her child.
Joyce Peterson
Joyce Peterson is a second-generation TV journalist. She's reported news in the Mid-South now for more than 25 years.
TDH: Over 73K active cases reported in Tennessee
TDH reported 5,557 new cases and 79 more deaths, bringing the state’s totals to 676,039 and 8,311 since the start of the pandemic.
The Memphis Fire Department is investigating a house fire they say was intentionally set overnight Friday.
Published 4h at 12:00 PM
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Published on: Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Spending a night out admiring a blanket of stars gets easier in these quiet spots across six continents
Once upon a time, our ancestors used to look at the stars every night, using them to plan their crops, navigate, and of course, tell stories about gods and goddesses. This deep connection with nature is mostly lost today, especially to a generation of city-dwellers who are more accustomed to artificial light than using Ursa Minor to determine the north-south direction in the Northern Hemisphere.
Yet authorities worldwide still work hard to protect areas with little light pollution, allowing the public like you and me opportunities to enjoy the night sky. Some of these places also run educational programmes to help us understand stars, the constellations and planets better. If you’re keen for a dazzling night show, here are some top places you can visit across six continents.
1. Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA
Hawaii offers sun, sand and surf, and its remote location in the central Pacific Ocean also makes it a top stargazing spot. The best place to go is Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano that stands at 4,205m (13,796ft) above sea level on the Big Island. While the night views from the summit are unmatched, beware that access is restricted after sunset. This means stargazing can only take place around the Visitor Information Station at 2,804m (9,200ft). Quite a few companies provide a sunset tour to the summit, then take you down to stargaze at a lower level.
A night view on Mauna Kea
2. Crater Lake, Oregon, USA
If you look at the geography of the United States, you’ll notice the Cascade Range occupying a large part of western US. This chain of snow-capped volcanoes, being relatively high in elevation, far from cities with little light pollution to corrupt the views, provide an unparalleled stargazing experience. Crater Lake, Oregon’s only National Park, is our top pick. Sunsets and sunrises over the lake, the deepest in the USA, are pretty incredible too.
A night view in Crater Lake National Park
3. Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah, USA
The Colorado Plateau, wrapping around the Four Corners region where the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona meet, is brimming with natural wonders, including several heavyweight attractions like the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Mesa Verde.
Natural Bridges National Monument, containing three sandstone bridges carved by nature in southwest Utah, is not as well-known as the aforementioned. And even fewer people know that it’s the first International Dark-Sky Park in the US, a recognition bestowed by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) in 2007. Over the years, the park has made tremendous improvements to protect the night skies, like only using low-impact bulbs with shields when necessary, so visitors can enjoy some of the clearest skies in the country.
A night view in Natural Bridges National Monument
4. Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Canada is the world’s third-most forested country by area, and with so much wilderness available, it is easy to see why the country has 12 Dark-Sky Preserves and one International Dark-Sky Park. Among them is Jasper National Park on the eastern flank of the Canadian Rockies.
For those who enjoy looking at the night sky without sacrificing comfort, check into Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta. This mountain resort has dark-sky-friendly lighting, an on-site planetarium and regular astronomical programmes. But the most anticipated event is undoubtedly the Symphony Under the Stars event, which features the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Strings perform under the stars every October. Here’s a video of the event © Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
5. Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta, Canada
About 1,000km (621mi) north of Jasper and occupying an area that’s slightly larger than Denmark, Wood Buffalo is the largest national park in Canada and also the largest Dark-Sky Preserve in the world. This is a prime destination for Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, particularly from December to February, but the twinkling stars on display here also deserve a mention. Together with the nearby town Fort Smith, the park runs an annual Dark Sky Festival during the third weekend of August, targeting stargazers of all abilities.
6. Atacama Desert, Chile
One of the driest places in the world, Atacama Desert has few rain clouds to obstruct the night sky, making it an optimal stargazing spot for professionals and amateurs alike. Government-funded observatories dot across the vast desert and some of them are open to the public at selected days.
In addition, there is also a growing number of tourist observatories around Valle de Elqui (Elqui Valley), which is at the southern tip of the Atacama Desert. If you’re into molecular gas and dust, the building blocks of stars, planets and galaxies, then schedule a visit to ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter Array) not far from San Pedro de Atacama.
A road sign showing stargazing spots in Elqui Valley
ALMA near San Pedro de Atacama
7. Parque Nacional El Leoncito, Argentina
Parque Nacional El Leoncito or El Leoncito National Park, about 200km (124mi) from San Juan by car, is arid and relatively high in elevation. The land here inclines gradually from about 1,829m (6,000ft) on its western side to about 3,657m (12,000ft) as you move further east. Just like the Atacama Desert, being high and dry promises many clear nights. There are two observatories within this park – the Astronomical Observatory El Leoncito (CASLEO) and Carlos Ulrrico Cesco Astronomical Station (formerly known as Félix Aguilar Observatory). Both observatories are open to the public at certain times only. While CASLEO is dedicated to measuring the brightness of stars, the other studies the size of stars.
Mendoza, Argentina’s leading wine region, is about 220km (137mi) south of El Leoncito. As tourists flock to tour vineyards and drink good wine, enterprising operators have begun to offer stargazing tours – either in the vineyards or venturing to El Leoncito. It’s a rather good idea, as long as you’re seeing the real stars and not having vision problems caused by too much alcohol.
El Leoncito National Park
A night view in El Leoncito National Park
8. Pic du Midi de Bigorre, France
For a large part, the Pyrenees form a natural border between Spain and France and Pic du Midi de Bigorre, or Pic du Midi, is a mountain in the French Pyrenees. In 1878, Société Ramond began to build an observatory on the summit, but the rising costs soon forced them to hand it over to the government. Subsequently, the state completed the first dome in 1908.
In the 1960s, the observatory played a vital part in the Apollo missions by capturing detailed photos and creating maps of the Moon for NASA. Over the years, astronomers working here also discovered a string of other celestial bodies, including Saturn’s moon Helena. While you can certainly hike to the summit from La Mongie, a cable car is also ready to take you and save you from hours of climbing.
Pic du Midi Observatory
9. Kielder Forest, England
Northumberland is England’s northernmost county and also one of its wildest, with very low levels of light pollution. Kielder Forest, together with the adjoining Northumberland National Park, is one of Europe’s largest International Dark Sky Parks. So, bring a blanket and a pair of binoculars to make a fun evening out of it.
Within the park, Kielder Observatory is open to the public during events – which you must book in advance. According to the observatory, about 85% of the UK population ‘has never seen a truly dark sky or experienced the sense of wonder that a clear night filled with billions of stars can give’. Therefore, staff and volunteers here work tirelessly to engage the public, especially school children, about astronomy. Needless to say, we applaud their dedication.
A night view in Kielder Forest
10. Lauwersmeer National Park, the Netherlands
Most of the stargazing spots featured in this article are high in altitude but that doesn’t mean that a flat piece of land can’t be a world-beating place for astronomical observations. On cue, we shall introduce Lauwersmeer, which was actually underwater before a dam was built to shut the flow of seawater between Lauwers Sea and Wadden Sea in 1969. Gradually, a freshwater lake replaced seawater and efforts to reclaim the rising land also began. Today, Lauwersmeer is not only a paradise for birds, but it’s also a blissful corner for humans to enjoy the natural wonders under dark skies.
Lauwersmeer © foto provincie Groningen
11. Westhavelland Nature Park, Brandenburg, Germany
Like Lauwersmeer in the Netherlands, Westhavelland Nature Park in Germany is another slice of wetland that offers world-class night-sky viewing. The park sits just 76km (47mi) northwest of Berlin, the largest city in Germany, yet it has some of the clearest skies in the country.
The best spots to watch the night sky are on the north shore of Lake Gülper (GPS coordinates N52.751903, E 12.272470), south of Spaatz (GPS coordinates N 52.685701, E12.297415), between Görne and Dicke (N 52.713701, E 12.485025) and south of Rübehorst, which is the best option in our opinion, as you can park your car and walk along the dike to find a spot that works for you. The GPS coordinates are N 52.785688, E 12.317483.
The water-logged lowlands here are equally amazing during the day. They are home to many endangered animal and plant species, including Otis tarda or the Great Bustard. An adult Great Bustard male can weigh 18kg (40lb) and is one of the heaviest flying birds.
A night view in Westhavelland Nature Park
12. Kruger National Park, South Africa
South Africa’s largest game reserve, Kruger is an iconic safari destination. Visitors come to spot the Big Five – buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros – along with over 100 species of other mammals and 500 species of birds. Kruger’s flat grassy plains are also great for spotting celestial objects. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, after a bushwalk, sit back and watch the sunset quickly make way for an inky sky studded with bright stars.
A night view in Kruger National Park
13. Kalahari Desert, Botswana
Covering a large part of Botswana and small parts of Namibia and South Africa, the Kalahari Desert is a sizeable sandy plain stretching as far as your eyes can see. Native mammals such as kudu and springbok roam the plain. Their presence attracts fearsome predators like cheetah, leopards, and of course, the famous Kalahari lions.
With little cloud cover and far away from cities, Kalahari Desert offers clear nights with twinkly stars hanging gracefully across the sky. Most safari tours in Botswana take visitors to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the country’s biggest reserve, for a day or two, but for the best experience, look for one that provides expert stargazing guides.
A night view in the Kalahari Desert
14. Ramon Crater, Israel
Contrary to popular belief, Ramon Crater is not the result of a meteor strike or a volcanic eruption, instead it was created through erosion over millennia. Measuring 500m (1,640ft) deep and 40km (25mi) in length, this elongated crater is now a hiking, mountain-biking and horse-riding paradise. When tour groups leave in the evening, Ramon is the place to seek solitude and stargaze.
Located in the Negev desert in southern Israel, Roman receives very little rain, but be mindful that if it rains, there is a risk of flash floods.
Ramon Crater, Israel
A night view in Ramon Crater
15. Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, Japan
If you’re looking for a place where you can admire the underwater seascape during the day and enjoy nature’s stellar show at night, then head to the far-flung Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Consisting of several islands, the waters here are home to the Sekisei Lagoon, Japan’s largest coral reefs, which are under threat due to climate change, and everyone on the island is working tirelessly to reverse the impact. Their conservation efforts are noteworthy. You see farmers creating ‘green belts’ to stop soil runoff, fishermen reverting to traditional fishing methods, divers removing coral-eating and damage-causing starfish, and businesses contributing towards the efforts.
On land, the island of Iriomote is covered by lush subtropical forests in the interior but fringed by mangroves at the mouths of its many rivers. There are kayaking tours taking visitors to the mangroves, including night tours to observe some brilliant celestial action.
Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park
A night view in Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park
16. Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
The highest peak in Borneo, Mount Kinabalu stands at 4,095m (13,435 ft) above sea level and offers well-trodden paths to the summit. Most visitors take two days to complete the ascent and descent. The most popular option is to stay one night at Laban Rata, a camp at 3,272m (10,735ft), then start the climb to the summit at 2am under a blanket of sparkling stars, in time to reach the summit and catch a gorgeous sunrise at around 5am.
You’re advised to book in advance as the authority only issues 185 climbing permits a day (out of which 150 are allocated to International tourists). The best time to go is between March and September when the weather is relatively dry.
A night view in Mount Kinabalu
17. The Outback, Australia
The success of the TV series Outback Opal Hunters – now screened in over 100 countries – has put the largely uninhabited region in the limelight. While precious gemstones like the ‘milky opal’ are found below the surface, treasures in the sky, like the Milky Way with billions of stars, are also waiting to be admired should you decide to look up. Do note that you can’t just camp anywhere in the Outback. If you drive a 4WD and are well equipped, we recommend purchasing a Desert Parks pass to camp in the Simpson Desert, in central Australia. But if you like a site with modern amenities, head to Ayers Rock Campground near Uluru.
A night view in the Australian Outback
18. The Coromandel Pinnacles, North Island, New Zealand
Touted as one of New Zealand’s most popular overnight walks, this route follows an original packhorse track from the early 1900s when giant kauri trees in the area were logged for construction. Today, this peaceful quarter in the stunning Kaueranga Valley welcomes hikers of all abilities to enjoy its magical settings and also the night skies. Staying at the Pinnacles Hut is highly recommended – this way you can stay up late to watch the night skies, take a short nap, then walk up to the summit to catch magnificent views of the sunrise.
A night view in Coromandel Forest Park
19. Aoraki/ Mount Cook National Park, South Island, New Zealand
Mount Cook, known as Aoraki to the indigenous Māori people, is the highest mountain in New Zealand, standing prominently at 3,754m (12,316ft). The namesake national park consists of Mount Cook and more than a dozen peaks over 3,000m (9,843ft) high, as well as New Zealand’s largest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. This unspoilt wilderness warmly invites you to come and walk, relax or even train – Sir Edmund Hillary honed his climbing skills here before attempting Everest.
Mount Cook National Park is also said to have the clearest, darkest night sky in New Zealand, offering unmatched opportunities for stargazing. So, when the sun sets, do gaze up to a sky, laced with twinkling stars, in awe.
Astro-tourism is rather well developed in New Zealand and there are quite a few stargazing tours. If you’re around this area, check out the one that takes you to the University of Canterbury Mount John Observatory.
The village sign under the night sky
A night view in Mount Cook National Park
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RT BOOKLOVERS Presents: The Haunted West Volume 2
by Eileen Dreyer
Invoke Books
Paranormal Romance, Paranormal Romance: Anthology
Available in: e-Book, Trade Size
In this two volume collection, written especially for RT Booklovers Presents: The Haunted West, best-selling and award-winning authors take you on a time-traveling, spellbinding journey through America’s sprawling West.
Over twenty all new tales, both contemporary and historical, weave a web of mystery, the supernatural, and romance. Join us for a passionate tour of the West, accompanied by ghosts, witches, shapeshifters, time-travelers, vampires, and a glimpse into the afterlife.
Fall in love… in the Haunted West.
Other Books by Eileen Dreyer
With a Vengeance
Medical Thriller
Head Games
City of the Dead
Miss Felicity's Dilemma
Drake's Rakes Series Book 7
Dukes by the Dozen
Some Men's Dreams
Korbel Classics Book 8
Korbel Classic Humorous Series
Three Complete Contemporary Romance Novels in One: Romantic Comedy
A Rose For Maggie
Perchance To Dream
Jake's Way
Eileen Dreyer's Bio
Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Eileen Dreyer is actually evil twins. Known as Kathleen Korbel to her Silhouette readers, she has published thirty-seven novels and novellas and 11 short stories in not only the various genres of romance (including historical, suspense, fantasy and contemporary) but suspense---most particularly medical forensic suspense, where she kills off the people who annoyed her when she worked as a trauma nurse She came to publishing from that world of trauma nursing, which taught her some very important lessons, the most important being "don't sweat the small stuff," or, as her family puts it, "come see me when you get hit by a bus." In addition to trauma, she is trained in death investigation and Tactical Medicine (technically she is eligible to be a medic on a SWAT team). Eileen won her first publishing award in 1987, being named the best new Contemporary Romance Author by Romantic Times. Since then she has garnered not only a prestigious Anthony Award nomination for mystery, but five Rita Awards from the Romance Writers of America, which afforded her a place as only the fourth member in the RWA Hall of Fame. Eileen is a voracious reader---of everything---who started writing at ten, when she ran out of Nancy Drews. She writes in two genres, because she believes in the message of both: hope and justice. (well, and because she hasn't finished that big fantasy yet) You can figure out which is which. A frequent speaker at writer's conferences and universities all across the country (and more recently, Italy), Eileen is a member not only of Romance Writers of America, but Novelists, Inc, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and, just in case things go wrong, Emergency Nurses Association. She has also assumed the mantle of unofficial mascot for the International Association of Forensic Nurses, a new forensic subspecialty that, amazingly enough, has begun to show up in her work. A lifelong resident of St. Louis, Missouri, Eileen has been married for forty-four years to husband Rick, and has two children and might have grandchildren. She also has animals but refuses to expose them to the glare of the limelight. An addicted traveler, she has sung in some of the best Irish pubs in the world, and enjoys the kind of hands-on book research that lets her salve an insatiable curiosity. She counts film producers, police detectives and Olympic athletes as some of her sources and friends.
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New IRS rule will push many US small businesses to the brink
The U.S Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a new ruling November 18 which will affect millions of small businesses that received a portion of the total $717 billion in relief funds from the US Small Business Administration (SBA) through the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) beginning in April 2020.
A man looks at signs of a closed store due to COVID-19 in Niles, Illinois [Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh]
Revenue Ruling 2020-27 and Revenue Procedure 2020-51 clarify “the tax treatment of expenses where a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan has not been forgiven by the end of the year the loan was received,” according to the US Treasury Department website.
The latest ruling outlines a number of restrictions that small businesses owners will face if they attempt to deduct business expenses from their annual tax returns if those expenses were paid for with money from a PPP loan. It states that a small business which “applies for loan forgiveness in 2020 and reasonably expects that its loan will be forgiven... may not deduct otherwise deductible expenses paid for with PPP funds.” The same rule applies to small business owners that have not applied for a PPP loan in 2020 but plan to do so in 2021 and who expect that the loan will be forgiven.
This affects a great majority of small businesses, who due to their ability to maintain full-time employees with the loans are expected to be eligible for some level of forgiveness. The rate of forgiveness is reduced if a small business spends the loan on anything other than rent, mortgage, utilities and payroll costs, and if wages were reduced by over 25 percent for employees earning less than $100,000 per year.
Faced with a mounting economic crisis which was exploding the social tensions in the US caused by mounting inequality, the federal government enacted the PPP as part of the over $3 trillion CARES Act. The PPP officially authorized up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay employees during the crisis, up to $100,000 on a yearly basis per employee and $10 million per business or non-profit organization.
Small businesses in the US are allowed to deduct business expenses before ordinary income rates are applied each year. For many small business owners, the ability to write off significant amounts of operating costs and expenses spells the difference between staying afloat or going under financially.
After the PPP application process had begun, the IRS released Notice 2020-32 in May, which outlined that a small business that received a loan would not be able to deduct otherwise deductible expenses if paid with funds from a PPP loan that was later forgiven.
These types of expenses include rent, mortgages and utilities, but also a number of others which small, independent retail shops, restaurants, service centers, studios, and others have had to take on to operate as safely as possible under conditions which no substantial form relief from the federal government was provided to working class people and small business owners. These could include personal protective equipment, plexiglass barriers, sanitizers, cleaning services, webconferencing tools, packaging and shipping costs, air filtration devices, outdoor dining permits and furnishings and more.
For many small businesses, the costs of operating during the pandemic have come at great expense. Out of an estimated 31 million small businesses in the US, at least 97,966 have closed permanently as of September, according to data from the online review site Yelp. Taking into account the number of unreported closures and accelerating rate of closures since COVID-19 spiked again in July, the real number of permanent small business closures in the US is likely far higher.
The latest IRS ruling will further devastate many small businesses in the US that have been staring down destitution. Varying lockdown measures across the US and the shift to remote work and schooling upended certain sections of the small business economy. The World Economic Forum noted October 6 that “in the US as a whole, data suggests that nearly a quarter of all small businesses remain closed” either temporarily or permanently during the ongoing health crisis and that “many of these temporary closures are looking to be permanent.”
The World Economic Forum suggested that 37 percent of small businesses in the leisure and hospitality sector have recorded no transactions since mid-March when statewide lockdown orders first went into effect. It also reported that over half of small business closures in the retail and nightlife categories have become permanent.
To add insult to injury, Gallup reported that the average holiday spending budget for individual Americans is expected to drop by over 14 percent this year compared to 2019, to the lowest level since 2016. The drop in spending will disproportionately affect small businesses, which lack the capital and resources to offset the projected sales dip.
Ostensibly enacted to preserve workers’ jobs, in many instances the PPP took on the form of an added corporate bailout. Far from glorifying the small business owner and entrepreneur as it likes to proclaim, the US federal government gave nearly three quarters of all larger loans under the program to large organizations including big corporations, religious institutions, charter schools, and Democratic and Republican think tanks.
There is ample reason to believe these large-scale recipients make up the bulk of those using the loans for their own financial interests, instead of using them to preserve employment. As the WSWS noted in its perspective, “What the rich are thankful for” on November 25, “An MIT team concluded that the PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] handed out $500 billion in loans yet saved only 2.3 million jobs over roughly six months… the annualized cost of the program comes out to roughly $500,000 per job.”
Although large corporations dominate the total share of wealth, small businesses make up a significant section of the US economy. According to the World Economic Forum, small businesses employ nearly half of all workers in the US private sector. The closure of more small businesses and layoffs that will follow when business owners cannot make ends meet because of the IRS rule will fan the flames of the ongoing social crisis well into 2021.
Round two of the “Paycheck Protection Program”: Another disaster for US small businesses and their employees
Charter schools cash in on “small business” Paycheck Protection Program
World economyUnited StatesNorth AmericaCapitalism and inequality
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August 2, 2019 11:17am Comment Joe Fedewa
Google tests a new Play Games design with a revamped Home page and bottom bar
If there’s one thing we know Google loves to do, it’s testing new features and designs on the public. We regularly see reports of users getting unannounced design changes in Google apps. Sometimes these are nothing more than A/B tests, but in other cases, they reveal upcoming features. The company’s latest test is a revamped design of the Google Play Games app.
Google Play Games may not be one of the company’s most popular apps, but it did gain a dark theme last year. This new design that appears to be in testing is a pretty big change. The bottom bar now has four buttons across the bottom: Home, Library, Hub, and Profile. The Profile page used to be accessible from the user icon in the top right corner, but now it’s down in the bar.
The “My Games” page used to show extremely large app icons in a scrollable carousel, but now it has been broken up into “Home” and “Library.” The Library page is the same vertical list as before, but now it has a button on the bottom bar rather than relying on a swipe up gesture. The Home page also replaces the old “Arcade” tab, but it functions largely the same: focused on the discovery of new games and your own library.
The “Hub” and “Profile” pages are basically the same as before. There are a lot of small visual tweaks throughout. In the old design, the Play Games icon and “Games” text appeared at the top of most pages. Now, that has been replaced by the page title in some areas. We were able to activate the redesign to get these screenshots. If this ever does roll out to the public, it very likely will be a server-side change. What do you think of Google Play Game’s new look?
Via: 9to5Google
Tags GoogleGoogle Play Games
XDA » Mini XDA » Google tests a new Play Games design with a revamped Home page and bottom bar
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Rochester Man Sentenced Again For Sexually Abusing Young Girls
Minnesota DOC
Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - A Rochester man has been sentenced a second time for sexually abusing young girls.
Sentenced to 140 months on Thursday was 69-year-old Karyl Ingalls. He pleaded guilty in April to two counts of 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Ingalls was accused of sexually abusing two young girls in Rochester between 2009 and 2016. He was charged in February - while incarcerated at the state’s sex offender treatment program in Moose Lake. That’s where he was sent in 2016 after being convicted of sexually abusing two young girls. Ingalls was given a 15-year sentence for that conviction. His new sentence will run concurrently with the previous one.
He remains at the Moose Lake facility.
Rochester Public Schools expected to announce its return model next week.
CHECK IT OUT: Here Are the 77 Most '70s Things About 1977
Source: Rochester Man Sentenced Again For Sexually Abusing Young Girls
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The Ice Cream Tradition
Ice cream, that tasty, refreshing summertime treat is a tradition at the Yoho General Store. And for many who visit the store today, the first taste of an ice cream cone brings back a memory or two of Cotton, Pearl, Donnie, or Lavon Yoho reaching into the old ice cream freezer scooping out a dip or two of butter pecan, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or whatever ice cream flavor was available that day.
“I always love to hear how people, who are older than I am, come in and tell me about how their grandparents brought them to the store in the back of a pickup truck for ice cream,” said Renee Jones, manager of the Yoho General Store. “Back then, you could have kids ride in the back of the truck. Makes me want to be like that again.”
In addition to visiting the Yoho General Store in the back of a pickup truck, local children would ride their bicycles, skip, or walk to the Yoho General Store for an ice cream cone.
“I grew up just a few houses away from the Yoho General Store. I remember riding my bike up the hill with my sister when we were young with a dime or two in our pockets for an ice cream cone. Chocolate was my favorite back then. Today, it’s cookie dough, but butter pecan runs a close second,” said Kris Yoho, former Solsberry resident.
Today, children of all ages are reminiscing and making new memories of the Yoho General Store.
“We used to hear stories all the time about the Yoho’s and the ice cream, but now we are starting to get a new generation of people who are making new memories,” said Renee.
Following the grand opening on July 3, 2013, The Eastern Fire Department had the annual fireworks show attracting thousands of spectators to Solsberry. It was estimated that 960 ice cream cones were sold that day and an additional 350 cones were sold over the course of the weekend – 434 gallons of ice cream was enjoyed that weekend!
During a “regular” week, about 20-25 gallons of ice cream is sold, plus another 2 gallons of soft serve. There are eight flavors of ice cream to choose from, however, butter pecan, mint chocolate chip, and cookie dough are the top three requested.
This summer, come try the popular, tasty treat at the Yoho General Store and make an ice cream memory or two of your own. It’ll leave a smile on your face and you’ll hear the words of that old children’s rhyme echoing in your head – “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!”
Yoho General Store Prevails & Reminisces the Good Ole Days
Restoration Uncovers Products
Refinishing the Yoho General Store's Tabletops
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James Erskine Calder
James Erskine Calder (8 June 1808 – 20 February 1882) was a Surveyor General of the Colony of Tasmania, now an Australian state.[1]
Great Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England
20 February 1882 (aged 73)
Surveyor, geographer
Elizabeth Margaret née Pybus
(died 1891)
married 8 Jan 1838[1]
5 (or more) natural children
Parent(s)
James Calder was born in Great Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England, the ninth of eleven children of Alexander Calder, a quartermaster at the Royal Military College. James Calder was educated at village schools and from 1822 to 1826 at the college after it had moved to Sandhurst. Calder then joined the Ordnance Survey in England; his interest in this work led his father to seek an appointment from the Colonial Office for James in one of the colonies.[1]
Career in Australia
On 5 June 1829 Calder accepted an appointment as assistant surveyor in Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania). In July he sailed in the Thames for Hobart Town, at half pay on the voyage. On 21 November he took up his position at full pay under the Surveyor General of Tasmania, Edward Dumaresq.
Calder had a strong physique and gained a reputation for taking on difficult work. He cut a track through the mountains to prepare for Lieutenant-Governor Sir John Franklin's proposed expedition to Macquarie Harbour on the West Coast, Tasmania. On the journey in 1842, Calder once travelled 77 kilometres (48 mi) in 54 hours to bring a return load of supplies weighing 36 kilograms (79 lb), at the same time cutting a section of new track and securing bridges.[1]
On 1 September 1859, Calder was appointed Surveyor General, succeeding James Sprent. Calder appointed reliable surveyors in the districts, providing a good foundation for future survey systems.[1]
Late life and legacy
On 30 June 1870, the position of Surveyor General was abolished and Calder accepted the role of Serjeant-at-arms in parliament. Calder died on 20 February 1882, survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.[1] Calder River is named in his honour.
Thwaites, Jack (1966). "Calder, James Erskine (1808–1882)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
"Obituary". Launceston Examiner. Tas.: National Library of Australia. 21 February 1882. p. 2. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
Mennell, Philip (1892). "Calder, James Erskine" . The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co – via Wikisource.
Some Account of the Wars, Extirpation, Habits, &c., of the Native Tribes of Tasmania, 1875
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United Kingdom Supreme Court - Live Streaming with TriCaster® TC1
February 27, 2020 by Matt Allard
Despite hundreds of years of judicial history, The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is a relatively new institution. Previously the Justices sat as Law Lords on the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords in Parliament. The Constitutional Reform Act of 2005 set up a Supreme Court separate and distinct from Parliament. In 2009 the Court became operational as the Law Lords transferred across from Parliament to became Justices of the Supreme Court. The Justices also sit as members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council which hears cases from some Commonwealth countries, overseas territories, and crown dependencies who have retained the right of appeal to the Privy Council.
Between them the 12 Justices hear around 90 Supreme Court cases a year and then another 40 or 50 come from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Cases come to the Court because a significant point of law has arisen when a case has been heard in a lower court, and the law is not clear on the issue. The Justices do not look at the entire case but look only at the point of law in question and determine what Parliament intended when it passed an act or statute.
The Court added live streaming and media coverage because the Justices wanted the court to be open, visible, and accessible. When they had sat previously as Law Lords it was not easy for the public and interested parties to attend and there was no media coverage provided. The Justices wanted people to come in and be able to see what goes on, because what happens in the Court matters and can affect everybody. A Supreme Court ruling is binding on all lower courts in the United Kingdom.
The Court had cameras recording in the courtroom since it began in 2009 and began live streaming in 2010. Since then the number of people that log on and watch the cases have increased year on year.
The main courtroom at the United Kingdom Supreme Court where a Brexit case reaching 4.8 million viewers was heard. Note the Panasonic PTZ cameras located in the upper corners of the room
The media equipment that had been installed in 2009 had reached end of life. The Court was not able to broadcast in HD format and the equipment and broadcast quality were not up to modern standards. The IT team looked for a replacement system. The new system had to provide viewers with the best video and audio experience possible. The system also had to be cost effective and easy for the broadcast staff to operate.
The IT team could not even consider a traditional audio video approach as they had to implement an IP infrastructure for their upgrade project. The court is located in a historically listed building, which restricts what work can be carried out - no knocking down walls, drilling holes or removing historic paneling. IT cabling had already been installed from the existing courtrooms back to the television gallery control room. The IT team had to work with the IP infrastructure and set up an internal media network. Fibre cabling had been put in, so they were required to use converters to permit standard copper Ethernet connectivity.
With IP infrastructure being a necessity, the technical staff read about NDI in their discovery phase, and NDI was one of the solutions recommended by the Microsoft Azure streaming platform team as an out of the box solution. After speaking to other partners as well, the staff realized that utilizing IP with NDI was the way that media production and broadcasting is going.
The United Kingdom Supreme Court uses 3 TriCaster TC1's located in this confined space. Shown here are the control surfaces and video displays for each courtroom. One TC1 per courtroom
The technical staff always looks for assistance from the technology suppliers for their projects as a collaborative venture. When the IT team contacted NewTek, they were given a lot of support right from the beginning through the regional sales manager and through technical support, to find a solution that would fit the needs of the Court. A NewTek business partner was selected to supply the equipment based on the value and services they could supply.
The IT team works with a broadcast contractor and the contractors staff had to feel confident in using the new system. All court cases are recorded, archived and streamed to the UKSC website to watch live or on demand after the hearing has ended. Various media outlets also have access to the feed so they can broadcast it as well. The recorded content is stored, archived, and eventually sent to The National Archives. The recorded footage forms part of the official record.
Three TriCaster TC1's connected to cameras via NDI in each courtroom. Minimal space and cabling required, every two TC1's act as backups to the other one. NDI drastically reduces the amount of cabling required using the building's local area network to transmit video signals
Each courtroom has four Panasonic PTZ 1080p 50fps cameras that go to the production control room where the operators mix, record, and output to the streaming platform. There are three TriCaster TC1 digital media production systems, one for each courtroom. This also provides backup and resiliency. Everything can easily be switched to another system as all sources are IP, so the cameras are available to connect instantly with no downtime.
The system provides the Court with a flexibility and a level of resilience it did not have previously as well as being prepared for future changes. The system is regularly updated, including bi-annual feature updates. This means that it forms a platform that can be built upon.
The Court has microphones in the court rooms, and they are mixed in the production control room. As a next step they will be switching over to Dante IP audio that will integrate directly with the TriCaster TC1 systems.
The first test of the new media production system occurred sooner than anticipated. The project had to be brought forward to ensure the Court was ready to hear the Brexit case in September 2019. This was a very high-profile case to use as a test, but everything worked very well. The feedback from the broadcast engineers is that they have a good system that has been implemented in a way that is simple to set up and use.
Brian Shek, the Courts Senior System Administrator and Commercial Officer said, “The project just gives us a firm foundation for the future and on how we can call upon the system for our needs.”
The Court has received a lot of very positive feedback. particularly from the media and the public, who have observed that the quality of the output has noticeably improved – good picture quality and clear sound. The Court had a record number of people logging onto their website to watch the live stream. At one stage the count was about 4.8 million viewers. In addition, there were other people watching via news outlets. While the Court has always provided a feed for media use, the Brexit case, as was expected, attracted more media attention than usual, both domestic and international. The Court was linked not only to a television center in Millbank, but also to a lot of OB vehicles outside for the duration of the hearing from Sky, ITN, BBC, and some overseas, who were all picking up the stream and broadcasting it.
According to Paul Brigland the Head of IT and Building Services, “The new system has stood up and stood up really well. We’ve had nothing but positive feedback so far.”
One of three courtroom's inside the United Kingdom Supreme Court in London. This courtroom hears cases from other countries within the Commonwealth. Note the Panasonic PTZ cameras above. These cameras are controlled from the main control room where the TriCaster TC1's are located.
TriCaster TC1's user interface showing the various camera angles in one of the UK Supreme Court's three courtrooms. Panasonic PTZ cameras can be controlled from this position via NDI
**featured image at top of page courtesy of DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0**
More Articles by Matt Allard
Staffordshire University Esports Degree Gets Boost from NDI and VMC1
Broadcast, Broadcast - Web, Cameras, Customer Stories, Government, Home Page, IP, IP Workflow, Live Production, Live Streaming, NDI,
United Kingdom Supreme Court, Constitutional Reform Act of 2005, Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, NDI, TriCaster, TriCaster TC1, Microsoft Azure, Panasonic PTZ, Brian Shek, Paul Brigland, Millbank, Brexit,
Previous Post: Feb 21, 20
Edwards Lifesciences 'Hearts' Live Video Production In-House With NDI®
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