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By Danielle Steel
4.5 Score: 4.5 (From 368 Ratings)
Even the most perfect lives can be shattered in an instant. In this moving, emotionally charged novel, Danielle Steel introduces readers to an unforgettable cast of characters striving to overcome tragedy and discover the inner resources and resilience to win at life—once again.
Lily Thomas is an aspiring ski champion training for the Olympics, a young woman with her heart set on winning the gold. But in one moment, Lily’s future is changed forever, her hopes for the Olympics swept away in a tragic accident.
Dr. Jessie Matthews, the neurosurgeon who operates on her that night, endures a tragedy of her own, and instantly becomes the sole support of her four young children, while her own future hangs in the balance.
Bill, Lily’s father, has pinned all his hopes on his only daughter, his dreams now shattered.
Other lives will entwine themselves with theirs: Joe, a financial manager, faces a ruined career at the hand of a dishonest partner. Carole, a psychologist at Mass General, is a breast cancer survivor, her body and heart scarred by what she’s been through. Teddy, with a spinal cord injury worse than Lily’s, dreams of college and becoming an artist.
From the ashes of their lives, six people fight to alter the course of destiny and refuse to be defeated. When Bill builds a remarkable rehab facility for his daughter, countless lives are forever altered, and each becomes a winner.
Winners is about refusing to be beaten, no matter how insurmountable the challenge. And when Lily gets on skis again and enters the Paralympics, the battle to brave life again is won.
Winners is about more than surviving, it is about courage, victory, and triumph. When all appears to be lost, the battle has just begun.
BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from Danielle Steel's Pegasus.
Praise for Winners
“Steel skillfully weaves the strands of the Matthews and Thomas families together in a layered story. . . . Together, they discover friendship, loyalty, and new dreams.”—Publishers Weekly
“[Winners] will leave readers crying and cheering.”—Booklist
Love this book!!!!!
By Julie/Texas
So well written as usual by DS. I was sad when it ended as I wanted the story to continue. Well worth your time to read!
Awesome story
By Zzzskp
A wonderful read with a story full of hope and real life experiences that give a look into the lives of real people and the challenges they overcome. It was a heartwarming story and an uplifting enjoyable book.
By Girliepot
I wanted a few more pages for Bill and Jessie's married life. Wished it did not end yet.
By Catsdtr
I couldn't put it down. It proves to us that not everyone has a perfect live and how fast it can change. Awesome.
An ok read
By Yeahbubbie
This was totally predictable and slow paced at times.
By Pam rc
Very enjoyable book to read, but as usual Danielle Steel is so repetitive. Just don't take this one seriously!
Predictable....
By StatNurse💉
A little too phony and very predictable...how could a father who loves his daughter THAT much, let her go out skiing in a horrible snowstorm?!?! Everyone is also SUPER wealthy in all of her novels.
More by Danielle Steel
A Perfect Life
Until the End of Time
The Sins of the Mother
Precious Gifts
Property of a Noblewoman
Rushing Waters
Accidental Heroes
Blessing in Disguise
The Right Time
Dangerous Games
In His Father's Footsteps
Beauchamp Hall
Five Days in Paris
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When should the Twins call up Buxton, Sano, and Berrios?
Putting an early end to all the "will they make the Opening Day roster?" questions, the Twins sent top prospects Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, and Jose Berrios to the minor-league side of camp. All three players are expected to begin the season at Double-A, where they'll likely be joined by fellow top-15 prospects Jorge Polanco, Nick Burdi, and Max Kepler, so Chattanooga Lookouts fans should enjoy their first season as a Twins affiliate.
After years of hearing about their upside it's understandable that many fans are clamoring to see Buxton, Sano, and Berrios at Target Field as soon as possible, but a little more patience is needed. For one thing, none of them look ready for the majors. Buxton was limited to just 31 games last season due to significant injuries and didn't play very well when in the lineup. Sano missed the entire season following elbow surgery. Berrios has pitched all of 43 innings above Single-A.
There have certainly been instances in which the Twins have kept prospects in the minors too long and in fact 25-year-old Alex Meyer may be a current example, but Buxton, Sano, and Berrios don't fit the description. Buxton and Sano are 21 years old, Berrios turns 21 in May, and all three are on track to reach the majors at some point this season. Opening Day jobs would short-change their development and short-change the Twins' team control of three building block talents.
By waiting as little as a few weeks to promote a prospect to the majors the Twins gain an entire additional year of pre-free agency team control over that player. In other words, if Buxton were in the majors for Opening Day and stayed there for good he would become a free agent following the 2020 season. However, if the Twins waited to call up Buxton until May he would become a free agent following the 2021 season. For better or worse, service time is an important consideration.
Even if you think Buxton, Sano, and Berrios are ready to thrive in the majors--and there's little evidence that's the case--why would a team prefer one month of them at age 21 over an entire season of them at age 28? If the Chattanooga Lookouts are destroying the Southern League in June and the Twins still haven't moved their stud prospects up the ladder there will be plenty of reason to complain, but for now their patience is better for everyone involved.
In the meantime the Twins need to evaluate whether Trevor Plouffe is part of their future plans, either at third base if Sano is forced to shift down the defensive spectrum or at another position. And if he's not, then his first-half performance will help determine if he's able to fetch something via trade or looks more like an offseason non-tender candidate. Similarly, the Twins need to figure out whether Aaron Hicks is a lost cause and could let him keep center field warm for Buxton.
Berrios is somewhat different in that the pitcher keeping his rotation spot warm is likely Tommy Milone or Mike Pelfrey, neither of whom have any real upside, but Meyer is still likely ahead of Berrios on the call-up list by virtue of being four years older with 160 more Double-A and Triple-A innings. Plus, it's a mere 14-hour drive from Minneapolis to Chattanooga and after watching the Twins' future on one field you can stop by the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame.
This week's blog content is sponsored by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, which is hosting a Twins season ticket giveaway contest on their website, MNFarmTeam.com.
Byron Buxton
Jose Berrios
Miguel Sano
The problem with the whole “service time” discussion is that teams are always so eager to lock up young talent into multiyear contracts. Rays did it with Longoria, Angels did it with Trouts, etc. So, this is a moot point. Heck , the Twins are already talking with Dozier and he’s under team control for 4 more years!
Comment by Tom — March 18, 2015 @ 10:07 am
Doesn’t mean that the service-time-related calculations are not real or are not a factor. If you’re running the team, why not keep the team in a better bargaining position up until the signing of a contract extension that may or may not happen?
If anything it’s a moot point because, as the article’s evidence suggests, these guys aren’t ready.
Comment by wrong em — March 18, 2015 @ 11:27 am
The whole service time thing is vitally important and not a problem because the number of years left has a huge influence on the extension signed. Longoria signed the long term deal at the great rate because he had X number of years left, not X-1.
For example, if the Twins only had Dozier under team control for 3 moe years, they would have to pay him more in an extension because they’re buying out a free agency year, not a team control year.
It is very rare that its not worth leaving a guy in AAA for two and a half weeks. It would be worth at the most 1 game and it saves the team millions.
Comment by Jack MP — March 18, 2015 @ 12:30 pm
How’s the dietitian at AA? Do they have a massage therapist? Keep Sano in shape and Buxton healthy or we could go full-Brit and just wrap them in cotton wool till June/July. Call it Christmas in July and everyone will be totally pumped.
Comment by Jeffrey Michael — March 18, 2015 @ 10:13 am
I’m from Chattanooga and have a friend who worked at the towing museum but, for hopefully obvious reasons, I have never been there myself. Far more interesting sights for those who want to visit Buxton & Co. in Chattanooga are: the Tennessee Aquarium, the excellent riverfront area and Walnut Street Bridge, and some scenic areas like Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge which are also Civil War historical landmarks.
I don’t go to a lot of Lookouts games but will probably try to see what I can of that group of prospects while they are around.
Comment by John W — March 18, 2015 @ 1:57 pm
“or looks more like an offseason non-tender candidate”
Huh? The guy is coming off a 4 rWAR season, his fourth straight of rWAR improvement. Nontendering shouldn’t even be considered a possibility. Trade him, switch his position or switch Sano’s position but don’t just let a valuable player like Plouffe walk. At the very least, Plouffe could be a primary bench player that can give corner infielders, outfielders and the DH a day off.
Comment by Darin McGilvra — March 18, 2015 @ 4:52 pm
Plouffe will likely make around $8 million via arbitration in 2016. He wouldn’t be worth keeping at that price as a “primary bench player” or perhaps even as a LF/RF/1B/DH with a .750 OPS.
Comment by Aaron Gleeman — March 18, 2015 @ 4:59 pm
That would be why you would trade him before that happens, not just dump him for nothing. $8M for a 4 rWAR player would be a good deal. Plouffe would only need to be a 1.5-2 rWAR player for the Twins to make good on such a deal.
I literally mentioned that they could look to trade him in the same sentence you’re finding fault with.
And if Plouffe is a 1.5-win player–which he has been every year prior to 2014–then the Twins have no use for him at $8 million because they have tons of young, cheap 1B/DH/LF/RF options.
They actually only have to wait for like a week and a half to get the extra year of service time. Rays brought Longoria up on April 12th for their 10th game of the season in 2008. Current service time? 6 years and 170 days. With 172 days of service being a full year, and a ~183 day calendar, two weeks should always be long enough to wait.
Also, even when young stars do sign long contracts early in their careers, the service time considerations still affect the size of those contracts. Had Long been brought up a week sooner in 2008 he probably would’ve had a few million dollars more leverage than he did when negotiating his long-term deal.
Comment by Sam Larson — March 20, 2015 @ 1:13 pm
Is that picture taken in a shower
Comment by anon — March 21, 2015 @ 8:46 pm
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Home / Archive / 2016 / HQ AIRCOM exhibits Allied missile defence capabilities
HQ AIRCOM exhibits Allied missile defence capabilities
NATO Missile Defence Systems static display at HQ AIRCOM. 10th Army Air and Missile Defence Command PATRIOT firing unit and French Air Force SAMP/T firing unit. Photo: Cynthia Vernat, HQ AIRCOM PAO.
French Air Force SAMP/T and US Army PATRIOT missile units were set up at Allied Air Command Ramstein on 27 April in static display in the margins of a US-led Air and Missile Defense exercise and NATO’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) exercise Steadfast Alliance, which were held at HQ AIRCOM and other NATO entities and commands.
The US Army PATRIOT firing unit consisted of three vehicles carrying the engagement control, a radar and the actual launcher. The unit was provided by 10th Army Air and Missile Defence Command stationed at Baumholder some 40 km away from Ramstein. The French Air Force SAMP/T medium range firing unit deployed the same set-up of three trucks with the unit modules. It is based at the French Saint Dizier base near Nancy (more details can be found at). The firing units were deployed with a crew of 6-7 operators each.
While the long-range, all-altitude, all-weather PATRIOT air defence system relies on a static radar with a coverage of 120°, the medium range SAMP/T system exploits a rotary radar that allows tracking and engaging high-speed threats with a coverage of 360°. More details about the systems can be found at http://www.army-technology.com/projects/patriot/ or http://www.army-technology.com/projects/aster-30/.
Both units are possible national contributions to NATO’s BMD efforts. BMD is a system of systems including national sensors and weapon systems connected to NATO's command and control system.
Allied Command Operations and HQ AIRCOM are at the front line of NATO BMD. HQ AIRCOM is bringing to bear new Air Command and Control systems to run all operational and tactical parts.
More to follow on NATO’s exercise Steadfast Alliance which is focused on assessing the Alliance’s entire BMD structure, including planning and decision-making processes at various levels.
Find more photos at the HQ AIRCOM Flickr account.
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The Blarg
About Pav
Dubious Advice
Terrible Reviews
Hey! Free Stories!
Accidentally Inspired
An expanse of drivel
By Pavowski
Here’s the funny thing about language: though we speak the same one, it’s so rare that we actually understand one another. We spend our days in constant contact with people who we very rarely get to choose: coworkers, supervisors. And nice though they may be, and well as you may work together, how often do you feel really in sync with them?
We muddle through our days making the best of our circumstances and putting on the niceties that society calls for. But for some of us – and here I’ll single myself out as one of those socially retarded individuals who never quite know what to say and who live in perpetual fear of saying or doing the wrong thing, and ends up as a result standing around looking at people long after a conversation has reached its natural terminus or awkwardly exiting early – those trifles are exhausting. Others, it seems, glide through the world as effortlessly as figure skaters, joking and laughing and shaking hands and hugging, but every time I’m in a social situation I stress out and lock up, hitting the ice less like a figure skater and more like a newborn goat.
I don’t do well with people, generally (well, outwardly I guess I do okay, but in my head is another story). I pretend it’s because I hate everything, and by extension, most people. But the truth is that it’s because I’m cripplingly shy and overwhelmingly insecure.
How did a guy like that end up teaching the next generation to be actors, to get up on stage in front of crowds of people? Easy. It’s an act. On stage, or in front of a classroom, or here on a webpage, I get to play a character who’s like me but who isn’t exactly me. I get to manufacture a guy who isn’t a social mess, who isn’t a walking train wreck when it comes to human interaction. Turns out I’m pretty good at faking it. But at the end of the day? I’m speaking a second language. That air of confidence and easy interaction is not my native tongue — it’s a hacked-together pastiche thinly layered over a perpetually vulnerable underbelly.
But I started this post today by thinking about the way we talk with people, and the way I manufacture speech with most of the people in my life, trying to say the “normal” things or the “right” things. And the reason I’m thinking about that is that recently I’ve had a few encounters where I haven’t had to manufacture anything.
There are a very few people on this planet that I don’t have to speak that second language with — with whom I can speak my native tongue and get along just fine, be understood just fine. I’m married to one of them; unfortunately, the others pretty much all live in different states, so interaction is limited. But when that interaction does come, it’s refreshing. Invigorating. I come away energized, recharged, like I’ve slept for a weekend after a long bout of insomnia.
But I guess that’s why you learn that second language.
Then again, I wonder. I can’t be the only one speaking it. There have to be other fakers out there. I wonder how many times I’ve been fooled the way (I think) I’ve fooled others?
This weekly remotivational post is part of Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Every weekend, I use Linda G. Hill’s prompt to refocus my efforts and evaluate my process, sometimes with productive results.
3 Comments | tags: awkwardness, fake it til you make it, faking it, rant, shyness, stream of consciousness | posted in Ramble
Terrible Reviews: Welcome to Limetown
Why Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is the Worst Kids' Show
That Time I Gave My Son an Enema
Weekly Re-Motivator: Summary Stew
Effing Savage -- A Holistic Race Report
Metaphor Monday -- The Half-Life of a Tantrum
Righteous Bread Pudding
I Finally Get Radiohead
1000 words chuck wendig Commitment 2014 dark editing Flash Fiction funny horror humor inspiration kids motivation parenting rant running running is awesome Science Fiction short stories short story SoCS stream of consciousness The Project toddler life toddlers weird word count writer's block writer problems Writing writing about writing
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Wild Western Midcentury
In architecture, the dominant image from the 1950s and 1960s is Modernism. Clean lines. Forward thinking. Leaving the past behind. The embrace of technology. Machine purity. The march of progress. The future!
The middle decades of the Twentieth Century are more complicated than that, however, and like all aspects of culture, architecture too had quite a few contradictory influences.
Chicago’s MidCentury building stock, simple though it may seem, draws from a broad range of cultural influences. The clean and largely unadorned lines, the glass block (a very modern material), the broad picture windows, and the minimalist, geometric decoration, are the influence of High Modernism.
(The windows, by the by, are the clearest evidence that Chicago builders were not really interested in the high ideals of Modernism. Modernists proclaimed the liberation of the wall from structure. The wall could be anything, they said: glass, metal panels, whatever building materials were at hand. Nowhere was this more clearly expressed than at the corners. Corners traditionally were solid, as they had to hold up the building; Modernists delighted in having windows wrap the corner, showing the world that the wall was a free-floating object, rather than a load-bearing mass. Chicago builders, however, almost never used this design trope — perhaps because, underneath the Modernist trappings, their buildings were still fairly traditional wood-framed structures sheathed mostly in Chicago common brick. The back sides of many Chicago MCM apartment buildings look exactly like their pre-War contemporaries whose backs face the Elevated in the older parts of town.)
The Prairie School brought in elements of horizontality and natural forms and materials — the rough fieldstones and boulders that adorn the walls of countless MidCentury apartments in Chicago, and perhaps the more organic forms seen in the sculpted glass blocks common on the south side. The stones, however, can also be seen as evoking several other ideals: the rough terrain of the desert southwest (freshly accessible at the time via the nation’s growing highway system), and the volcanic rocks of Hawaii and Polynesia (also seen in the thriving Tiki culture of the time.)
Plant life is another part-and-parcel of Chicago Midcentury. The ideal Chicago bungalow or three-flat has meticulously sculpted shrubs growing outside of it, or perhaps an evergreen.
The contemporary style of the New Formalism had a heavy hand as well. It can be seen in the form of repeating arch shapes (including the very same fieldstone wall decorations), stylized lamps strategically placed as objects of elegant, isolated adornment, and in the cream-and-brown color palette of a certain brand of suburban houses.
But beyond all these contemporary influences, the past played a role as well. America being a relatively young country, two great periods of glory stand out and seem prominent in the mind of the 1950s: the Colonial era and the Old West.
Old West nostalgia was at a peak in the 1950s, driven by Western flicks at the movies and a surge of television shows. Perhaps it makes a certain amount of sense: with the closing of the frontier passing out of living memory, it would become much easier to romanticize that wilder, untamed time. The ongoing space race was sold to the public under the guise of “The New Frontier”, but the old frontier was just as easy for builders to evoke.
This building on Estes is perhaps the most flagrant example imaginable. It has faux shutters (nowhere nearly big enough to cover that very modern picture window), faux clapboard siding, the obligatory old-styled lamps, and a metal-relief eagle. An eagle!
Any doubts that I’m misinterpreting this should be dispelled by the laundromat sign right up the street.
The apartment on Estes is not alone, though. On Touhy near the lake, a series of townhouses features the same eagles, along with shutters and pedimented porch roofs perhaps intended, along with the red brick, to evoke Colonial America. Their layout — pairs of rowhouses facing each other along a common courtyard, perpendicular to the street — is quite modern, but their trappings are purely backward-looking.
And look at that fence! If that isn’t intended to call out images of frontier forts, nothing is.
The most ubiquitous Old West element of Chicago MidCentury, however, is the wood number plate. Proper capital-M Modernists would never used a serif font on their buildings. Serifs were decoration, decoration was The Enemy, and lettering was Arial font or some equally minimalist font, or nothing at all.
The men who built Chicago, however, were not Proper Modernists. Thousands of apartments and houses have their house numbers proclaimed on little strips of wood with ragged edges seemingly meant to look like jagged splinters, as if this were a random chip left over from splitting firewood, with curved and serifed fonts.
All these elements were thrown into the pot, swirled around, boiled down, and distilled by architects and builders who clearly knew how to appeal to contemporary sensibilities. They were selling an image: Modern elegance, life on the suburban frontier, clean but natural design. And sell it did, as testified by the thousands of buildings that went up in the Chicago MCM style and still stand today.
This entry was posted in building types, Mid-Century Apartments and Flats, Midcentury Modernism. Bookmark the permalink.
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5 thoughts on “Wild Western Midcentury”
BWChicago says:
Outstanding post
Well done! Heading to Chicago Thursday and want to see for myself!Jeannine
Bigboi65 says:
I Live In Chicago I Wonder Are Those Building Houses Or Apartments?
I have been wondering for a long time if those styled houses are houses or apartments?
Pingback: Wallpaper Buildings | A Chicago Sojourn
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About ActionCOACH Franchise
Our Franchise Story
Our global story: An interview with ActionCOACH Founder, Brad Sugars
How ActionCOACH went global
“I’m a business coach,” says Brad Sugars. “I started in business in my teenage years. By my early twenties, it had got much more sophisticated. I’ve been teaching business, mostly from a stage but I have also written 16 books on the subject. I teach on business, sales, marketing, management, leadership, systemisation. All of the different areas of business which help someone become a great entrepreneur.”
How do you describe the venture now headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada?
“ActionCOACH is the original business coaching company,” Sugars says. “We started business coaching in 1993, spread across the world. Now, we are in 73 countries helping owners grow their businesses. Working with C-level executives, we coach them on how to grow their business by growing themselves and their team. We do group programmes and one-on-one programmes; we operate at all sorts of different levels.”
“Now we have offices in 73 countries and we will do hundreds of millions in revenue this year. But it’s not really about our size, our culture is more about the size of our clients, who keep growing and adding new jobs. Each year we add tens of thousands of jobs around the world and that’s what excites us.”
Where did it all start?
“We started in August 1993, so it will soon be our 25th birthday,” Sugars says. “The company was launched from a spare bedroom; like most people starting out, I couldn’t afford an office. At the time I was doing seminars for people and they were asking me how could I help them? I couldn’t really consult with them all, so I started this thing called coaching where I talked to them once a week and helped them out.”
What made you start franchising?
“I didn’t have the time to help people. We began to franchise when we spread into Asia. It was hard to manage the business there with employees, so we turned to a franchising operation and have never looked back.”
Franchising, he explains, became an important option for three reasons. Number one was the need for local ownership. “Like an accounting firm or a legal firm wants partners at a local level, that’s what we really needed. The second reason was because we were expanding internationally and it made sense to have local ownership but most importantly, to have the right people on the ground. We weren’t getting the caliber of people we needed as employees, because the industry was so young. The third reason is that franchising brings capital and skills to the table as you grow the business”
Our Franchise Story: An interview with ActionCOACH UK Co-Founder, Ian Christelow
Personal financial success is not the only motivation that drives Ian Christelow, the master franchisor for ActionCOACH in the UK.
Certainly it is one of them, as with any entrepreneur. His underlying commitment to see the 3000 businesses supported by ActionCOACH coaches has at its heart his memories of a period of deep family difficulties, when his father’s business failed.
The reason behind his journey
When he was just a child, the advertising agency his father had founded went under, the memory of which has stuck with Christelow to this day. “Because he didn’t have access to business coaching, he lost his business and we really suffered as a family,” he says. “He lost his job, all of his money and he nearly lost his wife.” For this reason, Christelow, now master licensee of ActionCOACH UK, the business coaching franchise, has dedicated his life to helping other business owners avoid the same fate. “For me, it’s personal,” he says.
He understands the feeling of business failure, and passionately cares about helping businesses grow and succeed. By recognising and addressing skills gaps.
That in very simple terms is what ActionCOACH does, and with great success.
Rollercoaster career
Not least, the model that Ian bought into following what he refers to as his formative rollercoaster business development when he experienced six months boredom in mainstream banking, ten years growing business models, and six months travelling to experience real life, has in itself created nearly 200 successful businesses under the ActionCOACH franchise banner.
The franchise has in fact been so successful that it won ‘The Best Franchise Awards in 2016, and was referred to in Elite Franchise Magazine as ‘franchise owners are flocking to ActionCOACH thick and fast’.
Ian refers to three key components that have underpinned the position that ActionCOACH now has as one of the most in demand and fastest growing franchises:
People. By their very nature those who invest in an ActionCOACH franchise are successful entrepreneurs in their own right. Quite simply they have to be as those businesses that look to ActionCOACH to support them with their growth demand nothing less. This means rigorous vetting of coaches, but as a result also some of the most successful franchisee owners on the market.
Model. Any successful franchise relies on an established proven model. What makes ActionCOACH special though is that the model not only creates value for the franchise owners, but also for the businesses that they work with, and so much so that if the coached businesses fail to grow, then they pay no fees. With such a brand promise, it is no surprise that the growth in businesses reaching out for Action Coaches is so great.
Vision. It is hard to imagine a more inspirational global franchise leader than Brad Sugars. A hugely successful businessman himself, his vision and enthusiasm underpins the whole ActionCOACH family, from the individual country master franchisees like Ian, right through to those delivering world leading coaching on a daily basis.
Ian’s determination is for the UK franchise to be at the forefront of the global ActionCOACH brand. With an ambitious target of 1000 coaches supporting 10,000 businesses by 2020 the opportunities for aspiring Coaches are boundless.
WATCH THE OVERVIEW VIDEO TO FIND OUT MORE!
What drives the business forward from day to day? A strong mission with a clear focus, helps to remind us what we are doing and why. The Vision we support is "World Abundance through Business Re-Education".
The ActionCOACH UK Support Team are dedicated to the vision, mission, company culture and values created by ActionCOACH Founder, Brad Sugars. Find out more about our UK support team here and see why they love working for the World No.1 Business Services Franchise... ActionCOACH.
Our 14 Points of
Over the past two decades, ActionCOACH has served thousands of businesses and their owners around the world and in every category imaginable. Our 14 points of culture consists of the values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours that the clients, Action Coaches and support team use on a daily basis in their work.
Interested in a
Attend our business
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At The Rails
Tag Archives: magpies
by At The Rails | February 8, 2011 · 6:34 pm
Weekend 10: The Misery of Others
Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow
My Mum always taught me not to revel in the misfortune of others, that it could be me getting the bad end of the stick. Then my French-Canadian father taught me the age-old tradition of dancing gleefully on your enemies’ missteps. Vive le Schadenfreude!!
1) Manchester United’s Unconvincing season of Invincibility has come to an end, after the Mancs lost 2-1 at Molineux to the league’s last-place team. United has had this annoying habit of grasping points from the jaws of defeat…. instead they were left grasping their ankles on the weekend. The loss meant the title race would have been broken wide open except…
2) Arsenal blew a 4-0 lead at Newcastle United. The Magpies were supposed to be distraught over the loss of Prince Andrew, and probably were after conceding three goals in the first 10 minutes. But then they remembered that Arsenal’s defence is pants, and let Joey Barton chew at the Gooners’ ankles. But Arsenal were not alone in their misery because…
3) Chelsea thought they were making a massive move of football irony, playing newly-acquired Fernando Torres against his former club. But the aging — and fading — champions were bereft of ideas against Liverpool’s back five, losing 1-0. Three centrebacks! Two wingbacks! One of them is Glen Johnson! And he’s cut his hair AND he’s playing on the left! It must have been confusing for the old buggers.
It hurts right heeeeeerrreeee...
4) Torres looked like a high school freshman who couldn’t find his first class. This particular John Hughes movie saw Jamie Carragher starring as the school bully, taking the ball — and lunch money — away from the Spaniard, who thought he was joining the gifted programme, but instead accidentally showed up at remedial gym class.
5) Speaking of audacious debuts, El-Hadji Diouf appeared in his first Old Firm game, less than a week after joining Rangers on loan. Never a favourite with the green side of Glasgow, The Human Camel was the subject of constant taunting by the Bhoys. Celtic captain Scott Brown received a yellow card for his efforts, calling it “the best booking I’ve had in my life.”
6) Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley says he will freeze ticket prices for the next 10 years. A club spokesperson says, “We know these are tough times for everyone so we’re trying to do all we can for the fans. Mike is fully on board with this… it is a good way of showing commitment back to the fans… ”
In the words of Homer Simpson, “It takes two to lie: one to lie and one to listen…”
Um, doctor, it's my, er...
7) Schteve McClaren has lost his job at VfL Wolfsburg, after the Bundesliga team only won one match in the last 12. But rumours abounded that McClaren was really turfed by a faux pas. Ever the cunning linguist, McClaren was keen to show off what he learned from his German Made Easy cassettes, but then answered a question auf Deutsch about squad formation by mistakenly threatening the “annexation” of the owner’s wife…
8 ) Fabio Capello’s policy follows his predecessors: pick a player for their badge rather than their form. A hugely slumping Wayne Rooney is getting a game against Denmark, as is Carlton Cole. Of course, players like Blackpool’s DJ Campbell and Bolton’s Kevin Davies have more goals than them this season, but England managers have never been ones to let success get in the way…
9) West Brom fired manager Roberto Di Matteo after a run of bad results. No doubt the newly-promoted team will replace him with a gaffer comparable to their other talismanic figures, like Bryan Robson and Gary Megson. Hey, Roy Hodgson’s available!
10) Cristiano Ronaldo is still a horse’s arse… and I’m not the only one who thinks so…
Brent Lanthier
Filed under La Liga, Premier League
Tagged as arsenal, blackpool, bolton wanderers, bryan robson, carlton cole, celtic, chelsea, cristiano ronaldo, dj campbell, el-hadji diouf, fabio capello, fernando torres, gary megson, glen johnson, jamie carragher, joey barton, kevin davies, liverpool, magpies, manchester united, mike ashley, newcastle united, old firm, rangers, roberto di matteo, roy hodgson, scott brown, steve mcclaren, wayne rooney, west bromwich albion, wolfsburg, wolverhampton
by At The Rails | February 6, 2011 · 2:54 am
Carroll: Bad Bargain, Good Buy
The Geordie and the General
Alright, now that the dust has settled — and the incredulity has been reduced to simple head-shaking — let’s get this out of the way: Andy Carroll is not worth £35 million right now. He’s 22 years old, he has only ever scored 34 goals at the senior level, and is carrying a thigh injury. He has one England cap. One. And he has already been in the papers several times for the wrong reasons.
That doesn’t make him a bad buy.
The long-and-short of it was that Liverpool’s situation was dire. Last year’s mediocre campaign became the millstone for this year’s disaster. The Reds are down 10 points from this time last year, a season that saw Liverpool plummet 23 points from their almost-title winning finish in 2009. (This is the point where you can hear the collective snorts from the crimson side of Manchester). It’s because they couldn’t score. For all intents and purposes, Liverpool had no strikers.
Over the last 10 seasons, Liverpool averaged about 62 goals a season in the Prem. In the early part of the decade, a peaking Michael Owen shouldered much of the load. When he started to get hurt, Liverpool’s goal totals slumped and so did their form. After he left for sunny Spain, other players managed to fill in the gaps, and Rafael Benitez’ stingy formations meant Liverpool were always contenders.
Then Fernando Torres arrived and the goals started to come again. In the 2008-09 EPL season, Liverpool scored 77 goals… their highest total since they were winning the League. (In fact, they came two goals away from doing it that season. If Liverpool had scored a goal in two of their drawn games, they would have tied United on points, but pipped them to the title on superior goal difference).
Torres brought the goals — and so did mighty midfielder Steven Gerrard. But the team began to rely too much on the pair. An infuriating tinkerman early on, Benitez eventually built his formation around Torres and Gerrard, neglecting the development of other forwards.
Both players wanted to play all the time: Premier League, Champions League, cup ties. The result was that Torres and Gerrard got hurt… a lot. Combine that with the departure of defensive keystones Xavi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, and the team fell into shambles.
Fast forward to this month. The team is trending to top out at 50 goals this season. Top that with an atrocious goals-against and they are looking at a paltry +3 goal difference. That would almost certainly rule them out of the lucrative Champions League again… and maybe even the Europa League.
Unhappy Torres
So when the transfer window was closing, an unhappy Torres handed in his transfer request. He wanted to play in Europe. He wants to win titles (which he never did on Merseyside. Not one piece of silverware.). The team’s shiny new owners realized they had both an opportunity and a dilemma. Free-wheeling Chelski was willing to pay top dollar for the Spaniard… but that would have left the Reds without a paddle, in the popular parlance. If Torres goes, there is no one. The cupboard is bare.
Enter Newcastle United. The perfidious Mike Ashley had to have known what Liverpool were doing with Torres. He is simply desperate for cash so he pounced, jacking up Carroll’s price. The overlords of Anfield paid and made the young Geordie the most expensive British player ever.
He ain't pretty, he just looks that way...
The reality is it would have been foolish not to take him. Liverpool are replacing Torres with England’s best striker this season. Who has more goals? Not Wayne Rooney, the man who was considered to be among the best in the world. Not Peter Crouch or Jermaine Defoe or Emile Heskey. In fact, no England player has found the back of the net this season as much as Carroll — and he hasn’t played since Christmas.
Carroll is not a pretty goal scorer. He doesn’t have Rooney’s skill on the ball. But he’s tall like Crouch, big and strong like Heskey and heads the ball like Tim Cahill… only he doesn’t have to jump.
Instead of Joey Barton or Kevin Nolan to feed him the ball, he now has Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez (don’t laugh, he’s come along this season!) and Luis Suarez. That last one could be telling. There are big hopes that Suarez and Carroll could be the new Owen and Heskey (except a Heskey that actually scores).
Finally — and this is important — he is only 22-years-old. He will learn the game — and learn discipline — from Dalglish, one of the finest strikers to ever play the English game.
The club paid far, far too much for him. I admit that, even with my red-tinted glasses on. But Andy Carroll could end up being the finest money that Liverpool ever threw away.
Filed under Premier League
Tagged as andy carroll, anfield, dirk kuyt, emile heskey, fernando torres, javier mascherano, jermain defoe, joey barton, kenny dalglish, kevin nolan, liverpool, luis suarez, magpies, manchester united, maxi rodriguez, michael owen, mike ashley, newcastle united, peter crouch, rafa, rafael benitez, reds, tim cahill, wayne rooney, xavi alonso
Football talk to take you from the bar to the terrace and back.
End of the Season
Unemployed Winners, Part 3
What's Wrong on Merseyside?
Real dominates in derby
The New Gentlemen of Verona
HSV makes hash of young season
Luis Suarez: The Rob Ford of Football
Europe's Poor Performance
The boys do Ipanema, then Belo, goodbye
From @AtTheRails
Premier League 2018/2019
Brent Lanthier picks the cream of the crop from each team in the EPL
Born of Frustration
An England fan's life of pain
Kevin Hoggard's laments for the Three Lions and a lifetime of World Cup woes.
Hope for Euro 2012?
England’s Folly: Mexico ’86
England’s Tears: Italia ’90
England’s Absence: USA ’94
England’s Fury: France ’98
England’s Whimper: Japan/Korea ’02
England’s Pain: Germany ’06
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Our man in South Africa
Simon Hagens shares his adventures from World Cup 2010
Soaking up the scene in Cape Town
Party time in Port Elizabeth
Life's a beach at the World Cup
Follow Simon on Twitter
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Ryan Johnston – TFC
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At The Rails · Football talk to take you from the terrace to the bar … and back again.
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Measles Outbreak In Western Sydney
CDC Global
NSW Health has issued an alert for an outbreak of measles in South Western and Western Sydney.
Three infants and a young adult from the western Sydney region, and a young adult from Queensland who spent time in far northern NSW, have contracted the disease.
Of the cases, the three were infants were too young to be vaccinated and the adult could not remember their vaccination status. One infant acquired the disease from a previously reported case.
Known locations that patients visited while infectious with measles include:
Hillsong Church, Bella Vista 26 March - 11am-12:30pm
Westpoint Shopping Centre, Blacktown 25 March – lunch period
Costco Lidcombe 24 March - lunch period
Total Tools, Parramatta Rd, - Auburn 24 March – early afternoon
Toongabbie RSL 23 March - between 5:30 – 7:30pm
Auburn town centre 23 March - between 11am – 1pm
Chester Hill Minett’s Pharmacy - around 8pm
It is important for everyone to ensure that they have received at least two doses of measles containing vaccine (MMR). Infants and young children are vaccinated with measles containing vaccine at 12 months and 18 months of age. Older children and adults born during or after 1966 should ensure that they have been vaccinated with two doses of vaccine. The Measles vaccine is free, so please make sure you visit you local GP and make sure you have had the recommended 2 doses.
Symptoms of measles include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash spreading from the head and neck to the rest of the body.
People with measles symptoms should seek medical advice as soon as possible, stay home from work or school, and limit other activities to avoid exposing other vulnerable people, such as infants, to the infection.Children shold be excluded for 4 days after the onset of the rash
For more information in regards to signs, symptoms and prevention of measles, read: Measles
NSW Health Alert: Potential Measles Outbreak
Last modified on Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Published in Childcare News
child infections
child illness
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Childcare Service Fined For Giving Child Food Twice That They Were Allergic To
More in this category: « Unvaccinated Children Banned From Childcare In NSW || Action Against Dodgy Training Colleges and Incompetent Students »
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Professor Robert Langdon gazed up at the forty-foot-tall dog sitting in the plaza. The animal's fur was a living carpet… - Dan Brown, Origin.
Grounding Your Memoir in Space and Time
I’ve read thousands of manuscripts and worked with hundreds of writers over dozens of years in myriad venues, and the one habit all but the most practiced of memoirists fall victim to is lack of attention to the space/time continuum.
What is the space/time continuum? The foundation of the world you create with your writing, the one readers let loose the ordinary bonds of daily life and agree to explore when they pick up your memoir.
Yes, according to our friend Albert, there is a space/time continuum.
That world unfolds in locations, and happens at moments in time, whether chronological or a patchwork of memories across time.
Whatever structure your memoir uses, the reader needs to be cued about where the action takes place and when it takes place.
And, that reader needs to be cued often, especially when either of those variables change.
This seems obvious once stated. Yet many writers forget to do it.
Most writers don’t even realize they are forgetting to mention space and time. In their minds the story makes sense; they see it all in their own heads.
Yet, they fail to realize the reader does not have access to the same mental pictures the writer sees, and instead must be told about settings and movement through time.
Unconsciously, the reader is always watching for signposts that will help him stay oriented in your story world.
It’s easy to do: just drop in a small reference to where you are at any given moment. Are you in the next service station down the road? At a deli on the corner of 84th and L? A closet under the oak staircase?
And how does that location relate to what came before?
Perhaps that is obvious in your writing, but if not, help the reader understand the relationship.
Such careful writing will win you readers.
Same thing with time; it’s easy to say something like: “Three weeks later Will joined the expedition and that’s when I began to notice the maps weren’t stored as they should have been.” The point is, readers search for orientation points in a story, and two of the most basic are space and time.
“Where am I? How does this relate to what came before?” the reader asks quietly as he moves through the pages, as if focusing up a sheer rock wall looking for the next place to catch a finger or hook a toe.
The wise writer provides these handholds long before questions about the wisdom of going on a story journey with you rise to the surface.
The Art & Craft of Memoir
Writing Retreat in Santa Fe
Join Lisa in Santa Fe July 22-24, 2016 to work on your book and learn the subtle and complex art of memoir.
Gather in Lisa’s house and garden and in the cafes and coffee bars of Santa Fe for teaching sessions on craft, discussions about style and trends in memoir, and options for publishing. Ten writers only accepted.
Learn more about the retreat, Lisa and her workshops and editorial services at http://lisadalenorton.com/
Categorised in: Writing Insights
All Writing Insights
Recent Writing Insights
13 Ways to Help You Overcome Writer’s Block
Confronting Bad Reviews
How Long Does It Take To Write a Memoir?
Is It Okay to Begin Writing a Memoir and Then Turn it Into a Novel?
Ten Perfectly Normal Novel Writing Struggles
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AMN Reviews: If, Bwana – E (and sometimes why)
December 18, 2013 December 18, 2013 ~ dbarbiero
If, Bwana: E (and sometimes why) [pogus 21062-2]
If Bwana (Photo credit: kubia)
This new, fascinating two-disc set from If, Bwana (Al Margolis) could easily have been named for its last track, Diapason, Maybe. Diapason can be defined as either the just octave of Pythagorean tuning, or a great upsurge in harmony. Both definitions come into play throughout this album, which documents a well-conceived and -accomplished virtual collaboration between Margolis and the Trio Scordatura (Elisabeth Smalt, viola d’amore; Bob Gilfrun, keyboard and laptop; and Alfrun Schmid, voice), a Netherlands-based ensemble dedicated to exploring novel harmonic relationships through the use of just intonation or tunings that aren’t based on conventional twelve-pitch equal temperament.
A recurring theme throughout E (and sometimes why) is the layering of long tones into emergent harmonies that shift and swell over time. Because of the tunings and instruments used, the harmonies have a microtonal flavor—they seem to roll, pitch and yaw somewhere in the spaces between equal-tempered harmonies. The Diapason, Maybe, along with the title track and All for Al(frun) exemplify this. Each of the three uses a different voice as a kind of urtext. E (and sometimes why) layers long-bowed tones from the viola d’amore with Schmid’s voice; All for Al(frun) is built up of overdubs of Schmid and electronics; Diapason, Maybe has as its foundation Monique Buzzarté’s trombone drones. On all of these tracks, Margolis’s additive layering of samples produces harmonies that fluctuate between the apparently concordant and discordant, often getting denser as the piece develops. Because of the manner in which the sounds are presented, the listener is likely to become sensitized to the micro-variations in pitch that attend even the seemingly steadiest, long-duration tone. There’s something of a paradox here in that this highly electronic music highlights the tiny inconsistencies that make music human, whether these make themselves apparent through the ebb and flow of breath, barely discernible changes in bow pressure on a string, or a slight wobble in the voice.
A few of the pieces bring out a different side of the sound altogether. The wonderfully titled The Tempest, Fuggit is an ultimately unsettling work centered on Michael Peters’ recitation of Prospero’s lines from Act 1, Scene 2 of The Tempest, punctuated by sampled pizzicato strings and set within a looming, suspenseful electronic drone. Cicada 4AA is a predominantly textural work, while Gilmore’s Girls, augmented by the appearances of Buzzarté, vocalist Lisa Barnard Kelley and Margolis on keyboards, favors more staccato sounds and is in some ways the most overtly microtonal track in the collection.
http://www.pogus.com
Horace Silver is Alive
December 18, 2013 ~ Mike ~ 3 Comments
Yesterday we erroneously reported that Horace Silver had passed away. However, according to NPR who spoke with his son, Mr. Silver is alive and well.
When we hear of breaking news, such as the passing of a legendary musician, we try to vet the news with at least 2-3 independent sources before repeating it on these pages. And that’s what we did yesterday – at least that’s what we thought we did. In retrospect, it appears as if some of the sites that we thought were independent had actually sourced their news from one another in some fashion. Not to mention that the social media was buzzing with the false news of Mr. Silver’s passing.
Regardless, I take full responsibility for Avant Music News’ role in perpetuating this mistake, apologize to Mr. Silver, his family, and his fans, and vow to more carefully investigate stories like this in the future before posting them.
December 18, 2013 ~ Mike
The Bowed Piano Ensemble – Ice & Fire
Jean-marc Foltz / Matt Turner / Bill Carrothers – to the Moon
Kaja Draksler – the Lives of Many Others
Forebrace – Bad Folds (Copepod Records, 2013) ****½
The Deciders – We Travel The Airwaves (Jazzland, 2013) ****
Catherine Sikora, Han-earl Park, Francois Grillot – Tracks in the Dirt(Clockwork Mercury Press, 2013) ****
Open Graves – Somewhere Beyond Or Behind (Prefecture, 2013) ****
Common Objects – Live In Morden Tower (Mikroton, 2013) ****½
RED Trio – Rebento (NoBusiness, 2013) ****
Alvin Curran – Shofar Rags (Tzadik, 2013) ****½
This Week at the ISSUE Project Room
December 18, 2013 December 17, 2013 ~ Mike
THU, DECEMBER 19 – 8:00PM
Yarn/Wire/Currents
Yarn/Wire/Currents, a new and ongoing collaboration of ISSUE and the acclaimed piano and percussion quartet Yarn/Wire, opens with the premiere of newly commissioned works for the ensemble by Berlin-based composers Marianthi Papalexandri Alexandri and Thomas Meadowcroft. Combining the ensemble’s unique instrumentation with an assemblage of acoustic, modified, electronic, and handmade instruments, the series explores intersections of live performance, installation, technology, and music theater.
FRI, DECEMBER 20, 2013 – 8:00PM
MATA Interval 7.1
MATA’s Interval series returns to ISSUE, tonight co-curated by composer Ray Evanoff and pianist Mabel Kwan, presents a concert of adventurous solo works exploring the keyboardist’s tactile engagement with a wide range of instruments and compositions, negotiating the quirks, challenges, and limitations of each. With works by emerging composers Eliza Brown, Aaron Cassidy, Ray Evanoff, Evan Johnson, Stefan Prins, and Ramteen Sazegari. The performance marks Chicago-based pianist Mabel Kwan’s NYC recital debut.
SAT, JANUARY 4 – 8:00PM
Cary Loren and Thomas Carey: The Legend of Mothman & Spookhaus Apokalypse!
SAT, JANUARY 11 – 7:00PM
Benefit for BOMB Magazine:
Grubbs / Yeh / Keszler trio, Jules Gimbrone, Ben Lerner & Amy Sillman
Dave Douglas interviews John Zorn, Part 2
From Greenleaf Music:
Part 2 of Dave Douglas’ sit down with John Zorn recorded on September 12th, 2013 at WNYU Studios. John talks about finding the language of the alto saxophone in the 70′s through an obsessive practice method, his approach to writing for recent pieces that pair through-composed elements with improvisers, and the leadership strategies of Gen. George S. Patton.
Ingrid Laubrock Quintet at Cornelia Street Cafe 13 Dec 2013 Reviewed
Ingrid Laubrock (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
From Jazz Right Now:
Fearless is the first word that comes to mind when I think about Ingrid Laubrock‘s music. Also, intrepid. Bold. Daring. Decisive. The bandleader remarked after the performance, “there’s nothing like performing new music with people who are up for taking risks … and these guys are not timid.” The band, which consists of Tim Berne (alto), Ben Gerstein (trombone), Dan Peck (tuba), and Tom Rainey (drums), explored plenty of new territory. The group grew out of Laubrock’s desire to form a band “with only horns and drums,” to give her recent compositions a voice and to experiment with texture
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Home > Politics > Anti-Capitalism > A Call to Reason
A Call to Reason
This from the excellent Steven Maclean on Dreaming Genius:
London is bracing itself for a fourth night of riots. Towns and cities all over the country are also now on alert as the unrest continues to spread. As it does, and with each day that passes, the narrative that this was just the actions of ‘thugs’ evaporates away. How wide spread must riots be before we admit they are symptomatic of a deeper injustice? How many ‘thugs’ must there be before we ask why our nation is overflowing with people inclined to this behaviour? And how much worse might things get?
Where I am in Walworth, south London, the Turkish supermarket across the road is at the centre of the shaken community. The owners have boarded up the front, but continue to allow people inside on a one-in-one-out basis. Outside, a queue of people eager to stock up ahead of returning home for the night discuss what has happened here. Nobody supports the rioters, but – unlike in the mainstream press – much of the talk is about what has led to this, and who, other than the rioters themselves, are to blame.
I ask one of the men who works in the shop if they are expecting more trouble tonight, “They’re coming,” he tells me. I wonder if he and his family who are working as well as guarding the store will stay when ‘they’ arrive? “I have no problem with them, they have no problem with us, It’s the sport shops and chain stores they’re after.”
This takes me by surprise. Shops all up and down Walworth Road have had the front windows smashed in and been looted. I infer from his comments that as an independent shop owner, he has some grievances with the chain stores that dominate the area; a Tesco Express a few doors away hasn’t risked opening today. I go inside with my girlfriend and buy some supplies for the evening ahead. People make eye contact more than usual, and there is a strange atmosphere of camaraderie. This, we really are all in together, even if our Prime-minister missed the first few days.
Earlier in the day I talked to a man called Nigel outside Kennington Park Job Centre who was on the way to see his probation officer. He told me he is “close to the streets,” but that he had “changed his ways.”
“One night, two, three, OK. People are frustrated, but my mum is out there working.” Nigel tells me.
When I asked him what he thought would happen tonight he looks worried, “I’ve heard things, man. If the police start with water cannons and shit they are gonna start bringing out shooters.”
“It has to stop now.” he says, before warning me things are kicking off again down the road in Brixton.
Later, on the way back home after leaving the Turkish supermarket, I see the kebab shop across the road from where I am staying is still open. I go in to ask if they plan to continue business into the night, “it depends what happens,”
“if they come, we just close it up,” he says pointing to the metal shutters. “The police have told us they are expecting more trouble. They told us yesterday it would start at five thirty, and it did, like clockwork,”
“but the police didn’t come until eight. They told us they [the rioters] would be here at five thirty, but they [the police] didn’t come here until eight. I don’t understand.”
Indeed, understanding the police has become difficult of late. These riots started – it’s worth remembering – after a Tottenham man was shot and killed by police. Protestors, then rioters and anyone seen as apologists for them have been criticised for responding to unfounded rumours. But as more is revealed, it seems it is the critics themselves who have been quick to swallow untruths fitting their agenda. First came news the bullet recovered from a police radio was police issue, and now we know the man shot dead, Mark Duggan, never fired a shot.
No thinking person would condone the theft, destruction or violence, but to condemn it without considering the factors which have caused it would be lazy, negligent and irresponsible. Of course, that is precisely what the government has, and will continue to do. My concern is that as with 9/11, these riots could be used to make ‘shock-doctrine’ style legislative changes to strip away further civil liberties. We’ll be told this is for our own good, and neo-liberals will cheer them along from their quasi-moral perches.
Read the full post here.
By Steven Maclean
Published on 9th August 2011
Tocasaid says:
Interesting to read the viewpoints of someone in the midst of it all. Good non-hysterical points made too.
Siôn Jones says:
Suggestions bouncing round the twitter-sphere that the London Police are actually choreographing their response to further their campaign against cuts in their numbers. It appears to be working, as well, with Theresa May apparently beginning to backtrack.
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Home > Awesomeness > Check Out All the Returning TV Show Trailers Pouring In for the Spring
Check Out All the Returning TV Show Trailers Pouring In for the Spring
By Trevor Ruben on January 21, 2015
Now that Santa Claus is returned home, the Hanukkah candles are stowed away and any other relevant (politically correct to mention) holiday is come to pass, we media consumers can finally celebrate the true light of our lives: zombies, ruthless politicians and modern gunslingers. If you aren’t immediately nodding your head at that last reference, you’ve missed out one one of the best shows of the past decade by about a mile. Don’t worry, it’s woefully underwatched by the rest of the world too:
Justified – January 20
Don’t get too caught up in the somewhat hokey tone of the trailer. What you need to pay attention to is the not-so-subtle subtext. Okay, it’s just text. Raylan, the cowboy-looking U.S. Marshal, and Boyd, the career criminal, have been dodging and weaving each other for a solid five season now. Like many great shows do these days, Justified transitioned out of a “case of the week” format to a more serialized way of things after its first season, propping up larger-than-life bad guys over the course of a season for a final confrontation of sorts. It rarely plays out as you expect and, most importantly, the dialogue is written with a unique blend of quippy southern and modern mentalities. Raylan and Boyd are equal kings of the one-liner.
The Walking Dead – February 8
Rick and the gang might’ve been a jolly romp of a TV show following a happy-go-lucky group of westerners just trying to get their BBQ Joint off the ground (as a spin-off of Freddy’s in House of Cards, of course), but then the zombies came and had to ruin everything. Instead we get trailers like this, where life sucks and people are all kinds of dirty. At least there’s consequence-free violence and less children to worry about as our herd of heroes is thinned, arbitrarily added to and then thinned some more.
Better Call Saul – February 8
It might not be Breaking Bad, but it’s about the closest we’re going to get since the end of the blue meth. This is the pre-adventure of Walter White’s slimy lawyer Saul Goodman as he transitions from disenfranchised public defender to money hungry, shameless personal defense hound. Thankfully, from some of the same people who did Breaking Bad, expect to enjoy the flaws of the character more than anything redeeming. What better way to watch a lawyer screw people over every week?
House of Cards – February 27
Indomitable politician Francis Underwood and his equally terrifying wife Claire return in what some might consider a better position than they started last year. Nothing about the trailer speaks to a season any more subdued or relaxed than the first two. Fans would be disappointed if it did. Nope, the Underwoods will surely ruin more lives and threaten on a global scale in the name of personal power, because that’s what Americans do, according to television. If you’re planning to binge watch it, head over to our binge watching guide to get ready.
better call saulhouse of cardsjustifiedThe Walking DeadTV shows
About Trevor Ruben
Though I contribute to many online publications on a regular basis, including The Checkout, the crux of my writing lies in video games. When not writing, I'm often streaming a variety of games on Twitch.
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3300 Club Badly Damaged, But Owners Vow “We’ll Be Back”
July 5, 2016 July 5, 2016 / Todd_Lappin
Shukry Lama is a co-owner of the much-loved 3300 Club on the corner of Mission and 29th. The bar was heavily damaged during the June 18 Cole Hardware Fire, even though it managed to avoid the flames. Inside, the water damage was extensive, but the good news is that the building — which also contains the Graywood Hotel SRO — has been deemed structurally sound, so it won’t require a teardown.
Shukry shared some thoughts with Bernalwood after visiting the 33 to assess the damage:
Going into the bar and seeing how much stuff was damaged, was very depressing
There was a lot of water bubbling all over the ceiling and walls. Cracks in anything plaster, and the drywall is still soaked. ABC says all of our booze is gone; we can’t resell it or return it. We have a lot of pictures from the 30s and 40s that were damaged, mostly of my grandfather who grew up in the neighborhood. We were able to save some of the old paintings we have from an old bartender who passed away a few years ago, but some were damaged. All the original art that we had on the walls from him is damaged and will have to be replaced
My jukebox guy came in, he thinks his jukebox is shot. Hopefully our insurance covers his stuff. Anything electronic is dead.
The building owner has been awesome, he and our building supervisor have been there every day and keep checking up on us. First thing he said, when the fire was still going. was, “tell your grandma not to worry, we can fix it.” He’s been sharing resources, giving advice, and generally helping talk us through the process.
It’s going to take a lot of work to come back, but we’re willing to do it and everyone has been offering their help. It will take a while, but we’ll be back.
PHOTO: Top, 3300 Club interior, photographed by Evan Sernoffsky on June 19. Below, Shukry Lama (right) with his Aunt Chris outside the 3300 Club, shortly after the fire.
Calamity, Food and Drink
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Tag Archives: Titanic the Musical
Review: Titanic the Musical at Scottfield Theatre Company
Posted on April 10, 2018 by Jason
Running Time: Approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission
Throughout our human history, many tragedies have struck us unawares but some stand out more than others and become legendary. This is just the case with the RMS Titanic in April of 1912. In 1997, the tragedy was brought back to the forefront of the world psyche with James Cameron’s film, Titanic, that mixed history, historical speculation, and fiction to produce one of the bestselling US films to date earning fourteen Academy Awards and garnering eleven of them. Some may know that same year, about 8 months prior, Broadway opened its own version of the story that swept the Tony Awards, earning five Tony nominations and winning all of them! Titanic the Musical with Music & Lyrics by Maury Yeston and Story and Book by Peter Stone is Scottfield Theatre Company’s latest offering. This production is Directed by Al Herlinger with Music Direction by Niki Tart and Rick Hauf and Choreography by Becky Titelman.
Credit: Scottfield Theatre Company
This version of the story of the ill-fated Titanic is also a mix of historical fact and fiction with many subplots of created characters mixed in with portrayals of actual people who were sailing on the ship. Cameos of the most famous and influential people pop up throughout the production including J.J. Astor, Benjamin Guggenheim, Captain Smith and Crew, and White Star Lines associates Thomas Andrews and J. Bruce Ismay. Curiously, my favorite passenger is omitted from this piece and the notably brash and unsinkable Margaret “Molly’ Brown is nowhere to be found, but I suppose that’s another show in itself. But I digress… sometimes a story can look good on the screen but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll work on the stage and Titanic the Musical might fall in that category. It certainly has its flaws such as the music and lyrics tending to get hokey at times and there are too many subplots going on in a couple of hours, but, if carefully presented, the pros outweigh the cons and this is a show that can turn into a commendable production. The story progresses through the maiden voyage of the ship and the goings on throughout each deck, concentrating on class which, for some, was all the difference between life and death in this tale set toward the end of the Gilded Age and entering the Progressive Age.
Scenic Design by Bob Denton is minimal, but this is a wise choice as there’s only so much one can do with a ship setting, but he does use moving flats cleverly and the opening scene, a sunken Titanic that transforms into a brand new ship on her maiden voyage is impressive.
Picking up Costume Design duties is Elizabeth Marion and her design is impeccable. Her attention to detail is impressive as there is a certain distinction between the classes on board and each character is individual which is no small feat when it comes to a period piece of theatre. Marion is to be commended on her Costume Design efforts.
The Cast of Titanic the Musical. Credit: Scottfield Theatre Company
Choreography by Becky Titelman, a co-founder of the company, is minimal as well, but that’s only because this is a ballad driven show with only a few chances for any complex choreography, but in those few moments, Titelman’s choreography is admirable and energized. She seems to know her cast and instead of hindering their talents, her choreography allows them to shine.
This is a music heavy show where the score takes the lead and Music Direction by Niki Tart and Rick Haugh is praiseworthy. I will say some of the songs are trite with hokey lyrics, having the cast sing through scenes that probably work better as a dramatic scene rather than a musical number, but Tart and Hauf have the cast harmonizing and have handled this heavy score quite well. The orchestra, Directed by Hauf, consists of members Enid McClure, Margaret McClure, Andrew McClure, Keiko Myers, Maddie Clifton, and Dan Vaughan and bring the notes on the page to life in a full, lush sound that accompanies this ensemble beautifully.
Pamela Provins and Wayne Ivusich as Isador and Ida Strauss, and Gabe Ward as Bellboy. Credit: Scottfield Theatre Company
Allan Herlinger, a co-founder of Scottfield Theatre Company, stands at the helm of this production and his comprehension of the material is clear and the first act is a series of vignettes concerning the different characters on board and Herlinger emphasizes this to a slight fault, presenting each vignette almost separately breaking up the flow and pacing of the piece. Instead of melding one scene into the next, there are slight breaks and slow the production down a bit. That’s not to say the pacing is off, because it certainly is not. The production still moves along nicely, but could move along better without the slight breaks between the scenes. SPOILER ALERT (if you don’t know the story of the Titanic already) One flaw that stood out for me is the portrayal of the moment the Titanic encounters the ice berg that would seal its fate. Jess Hutchinson, as Frederick Fleet does an admirable job throughout playing various characters, but in this fateful moment, the iconic words, “Ice berg, right ahead!” falls completely flat and the urgency and energy is lost as the second act moves on. Herlinger’s vision seems to get lost along the way, as well, throughout the second act. However, this being said, his efforts are to be applauded as it is always a challenge to take on a piece about a famous, historical event and give it a fresh presentation for a current audience, but Herlinger has done a fine job in doing so.
Moving on to the performance aspect of this piece, it’s worth stating that this ensemble gives 100% effort and they all work well together. As an ensemble, they bring this poignant, tragic story together superbly and all should be commended for their work.
Some of the characters are important crew members including Sam Ranocchia as Henry Etches, a 1st class valet. Ranocchia is confident in his role but there were times when he seems to take it over the top and the performance becomes stiff. He’s doesn’t give the strongest vocal performance, but he does portray the character quite well. He seems to embody this 1st class valet and makes the most of this time on stage. Two characters that actually keep the ship running are 1st Officer William Murdoch, played by Scott Kukuck and Frederick Barrett, a stoker in the bowels of the ship, played by Charlie Johnson. These two gentlemen have a good comprehension of their character but, unfortunately, their performances fall a little flat. They do an admirable job, but they are both missing a subtle energy that is required of these characters. Johnson takes a “plant and sing” style of portrayal and there are times when Kukuch’s performance seems forced and unnatural, especially the moment his character is at the wheel of Titanci during the collision. Vocally, Charlie Johnson is a powerhouse with a strong tenor that rings throughout the theater and that does make up for the lack of enthusiasm in his portrayal. Along those lines, Scott Kukuch has a confident presence on the stage and is comfortable in his role.
Jesse Hutchinson as Frederick Fleet. Credit: Scottfield Theatre Company
Wireless operator Harold Bride is portrayed by Matthew Tulli and he does an impressive job working with what looks like an actual wireless machine and his featured number “The Proposal/The Night Was Alive,” is performed well, with lots of emotion.
Lisa Rigsby and Donovan Murray tackle the roles of Caroline Neville and Charles Clarke, two secret lovers running away to a fresh start and their characters are important because, historically, many people started new lives in this way – traveling across the ocean and simply starting over. Rigsby and Murray give tender and authentic performances and embody the many folks who were on Titanic, heading for a better life for themselves. They’re poignant moment during “We’ll Meet Tomorrow” is memorable and tugs at the heart, which is exactly what it should do.
Taking on roles of the powers that be on Titanic, Phil Hansel portrays Captain Smith and Matthew Tart takes on the role of J. Bruce Ismay, President of the White Star Line. Both of these gentlemen give superb performances as these two characters. Hansel not only resembles the real Captain Smith, but carries himself like a leader and gives a natural portrayal. Playing J. Bruce Ismay is a challenge for any actor as this character is seen as the antagonist or villain, whether it’s warranted or not, but Tart plays this character as walking a very fine line between progress and the safety of the passengers. He’s absolutely believable as this character and gives a strong performance.
Elizabeth Marion and Brian Ruff as Alice and Edgar Beane. Credit: Scottfield Theatre Company
A couple of highlights in this particular production are Wayne Ivusich and Pamela Provins as Isador and Ida Strauss. Their story is famous as witnesses state that Ida Strauss wouldn’t leave her husband’s side even though she was repeatedly offered a seat on a lifeboat. Their story is one of a lifetime love and Ivusich and Provins have a great chemistry that make their impressive portrayals authentic and natural and their duet “Still,” can easily bring a tear to your eye or cause your eyes to get watery, at least.
Two more highlights of this production are Brian Ruff and Elizabeth Marion as Edgar and Alice Beane, a second class married couple who are traveling mainly to ease the wanderlust of Mrs. Beane, who wants to see the world and hob-nob with the rich and famous. These two characters, who seem to be complete opposites, work well together and provide some comedy relief to a deep, heavy show. Ruff, who plays the straight man as Edgar Beane, portrays the overwhelmed but patient husband humorously but with realistic flair as he tries to reign in his wife and Marion gives an impeccable performance as the excited, yearning wife who wants more from life than any small town can give her. Marion has great comedic timing and plays the character silly enough to be funny, but serious enough to be moving. Vocally, she does a fantastic job with her featured numbers “The First Class Roster” and the poignant “I Have Danced” and both of these actors add great value to this production as a whole.
Sophia Williams, Isabela Bordner, and Jonathan Cicone. Credit: Scottfield Theatre Company
Two standouts in this production are Isabella Bordner as Kate McGowan and Rob Tucker as Thomas Andrews. Bordner, a senior at C. Miltion Wright High School, is quite impressive as the Irish immigrant, Kate McGowan, who is trying to make it to America to start anew and this young actress has her character and accent down pat. She has a strong, confident presence and is a joy to watch and I’m looking forward to seeing more stage work from this budding actress.
Rob Tucker as Thomas Andrews. Credit: Scottfield Theatre Company
Rob Tucker, who is no stranger to the area stages, takes on the important role of Thomas Andrews, architect of Titanic and the one man who knew every nook, cranny, and bolt on this massive ship. Tucker completely embodies this character and portrays his perpetual worry beautifully. Vocally, Tucker is a dynamo as he belts out his featured numbers, “The Largest Floating Object in the World” and the moving and intense “Mr. Andrews Vision” flawlessly. Both Bordner and Tucker are a joy to watch and are to be commended for their efforts.
Final thought… Titanic the Musical is a poignant telling of the well-known fate of the ship they called the “Ship of Dreams” and though the music is lovely and the performances are admirable, there’s something about this show that doesn’t work. Firstly, the writers are trying to make a horrible event beautiful and, secondly, they seem to try to pack as many stories as they can into a couple of hours, jumping around from sub-plot to sub-plot, affecting the flow of the piece as a whole. As stated, the music is lovely, but there are moments when it is a bit trite and elementary and those moments take away from the soaring harmonies and more complex melodies (that the cast accomplishes quite well) that make a great show. The performance and execution of the show is quite well-done and this ensemble gives 100% effort and I want to make it clear my dislike is with the writing and composition of the show, but… they made it to Broadway, so, what do I know? It is an audience favorite so it’s definitely worth checking out whether you’re a Titanic expert or someone just discovering this legendary ship and its ill-fated journey through the ages.
This is what I thought of Scottfield Theatre Company’s production of Titanic the Musial… What did you think? Please feel free to leave a comment!
Titanic the Musial will run through April 15 at Scottfield Theatre Company, The Cultural Center at the Opera House, 121 N. Union Avenue, Havre de Grace, MD. For tickets, the box office is open one hour prior to performance but it is strongly encouraged to purchase tickets online.
Posted in Reviews | Tagged Allan Herlinger, Becky Titelman, Bob Denton, Brian Ruff, Charlie Johnson, Donovan Murray, Elizabeth Marion, Isabela Bordner, Jess Hutchinson, Lisa Rigsby, Matthew Tart, Matthew Trulli, Niki Tart, Pamela Provins, Phil Hansel, Rick Hauf, Rob Tucker, Sam Ranocchia, Scott Kukuck, Scottfield Theatre Company, Titanic the Musical, Wayne Ivusich | Leave a reply
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AHN Podcast
Sarah Queblatin: 2012 AHN Awardee
“The essence in my practice is about knowing and being a true co-creator. It is recognizing Art within the Earth and Heart. Art then goes beyond its usual definition as an output (painting, craft, composition, poem, etc.) and expands as a co-creation to recognize the many elements at work when we embody our gifts and manifest the power of our visions.” –Sarah Queblatin
Arts & Healing Network is truly delighted to present one of the 2012 AHN Awards: Honoring the Next Generation to Sarah Queblatin, an artist rooted in community, earth-based ritual and sacred art. At the young age of 30, Sarah has facilitated a myriad number of healing art rituals and activities in her homeland, the Philippines. From peace building to helping children explore their dreams, Sarah consistently uses creativity as a catalyst to for positive change in the world.
We at the Arts & Healing Network are deeply inspired by all of her work, especially how she uses the mandala and ritual to bring communities together for healing with such attention to beauty and meaning. Her innovative vision impresses us, as does her capacity to collaborate. We applaud her immense talent and creative spirit.
To learn more about Sarah Queblatin, please visit www.mandalaearth.org, and be sure to check out her blog as well.
Below is an interview by Arts & Healing Network Director Mary Daniel Hobson with Sarah Queblatin from October 2012:
Mary Daniel Hobson: Please share a little bit about the essence of the work you do.
Sarah Queblatin: In my life I have been blessed to learn from so many sages, wisdom and culture bearers and artists who do not really teach but live through embodied knowing, being, and doing. Through their life work, I was inspired to share how art is really a way of life. The essence in my practice is about knowing and being a true co-creator. It is recognizing Art within the Earth and Heart. Art then goes beyond its usual definition as an output (painting, craft, composition, poem, etc.) and expands as a c0-creation to recognize the many elements at work when we embody our gifts and manifest the power of our visions.
Mary Daniel: You have achieved so much at such a young age...How did you find your way to this work with such focus so early on in your life?
Sarah: I am just learning how this process has unfolded because of important questions I kept asking. I wanted to know if art was just a painting or a sculpture, or if art was just in a museum. I wanted to learn what inspired artists to create. I wanted to understand why we feel so connected with everything when we undergo a creative experience. I also found myself listening more and more to what my soul intention longs to become and do. Then I would come across people and experiences that helped me live this practice. I learned a lot about trusting my own inner gifts and capacities and to honor what others have as well. It's about regularly connecting to knowing who I am and why I want to do what I do to guide me in my intentions and actions. When I am connected to that clearly, I always find my way through.
Mary Daniel: Do you believe art can be a healing catalyst and if so, how? Could you share a story or example of that?
Sarah: Yes. After I sing, draw, write, or dance, I immediately feel better. Just dancing in a garden at night alone for hours helps me liberate pent up feelings and allows me to have a good and healthy crying release afterwards. That’s the most immediate example.
My own healing journey has been catalyzed through art. I have done 19 years of visual journaling and a lot of expressive arts. I started using mandalas as an art therapy “patient” myself after choosing to heal from an abusive relationship with someone who himself was abused as a child. Looking back, I am so grateful for this experience. This led me to a two-year intensive life-review process that consciously addressed some childhood traumas and patterns that have kept me stuck unhealthy relationships and experiences. I learned to translate artistic gifts of seeing things as they are and using expression and imagination in transforming my reality one spirit song, or one mandala at a time.
On a social level, I have experienced how communities connect deeper through a ritual, a song or a dance. Through the many gatherings I have participated in -- whether it be for a celebration or a cause -- I have witnessed how art is a universal language that transcends culture and religion. Immediately one experiences an immediate shift in mood or in relationships after a creative process takes place. Art helps in communion -- a way for us to recognize our selves in each other.
Mary Daniel: You use the mandala so consistently and beautifully in your work - what does the mandala mean for you personally? And why do you believe it is such a powerful symbol for community-based work?
Sarah: A mandala is a sacred circle for many indigenous and religious traditions around the world. It is an experience, an artwork and a message of unity and oneness. It is a medium that integrates and reminds us of ou r wholeness, because it is a universal blueprint in all of creation. From our cells to a mother’s pregnant belly, or from our planet to the spiraling of galaxies -- our universal imprint is a circle.
Personally in my own therapeutic experience, the mandala helps me translate an existing difficulty through symbols or words and see it as a mirroring process to help bring out what I cannot fully express at the moment and what my conscious self seems to have buried or have hidden. It helps me affirm a situation as it is, and also helps me transform it in a new way. It helps me with my vision work and even in mind mapping multi-dimensional ideas. Having something at the center connects me to the source and the destination of whatever intention the mandala was created for.
The mandala is a powerful symbol in community-based work because it involves a co-creative process of working together. Mandalas created by communities I work with often become a ritual or sacred space, one that gathers people in a circle to celebrate a cause, share stories or to dance around. If it’s a permanent installation, it becomes a reminder and a symbol of their shared vision and intention, something people can look back at as a compass.
Mary Daniel: Could you share the story of one of your recent projects and its impact?
Sarah: I write this on the day of the landmark signing of the framework agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that paves the way for a final peace agreement after 40 years of struggle, bloodshed and displacement. Last year in 2011, I felt deeply moved -- even to a point “disturbed” -- if I didn’t do something while in a meeting that was preparing for the Presidential Ceremony for the resumption of the peace talks. I was there as a peace worker, yet the calling of the sacred artist was so strong that I had to speak out the need for a ritual. It had been three years since the peace talks had been halted in 2008 because of several factors. This halt created another eruption of conflict that crippled many communities all over again. I felt that if the talks were to be resumed, it had to find accord for good. It had to finally transform the cycle of violence so it could no longer pass onto the generations to come.
In two days, I worked with 400 children from an interfaith community in co-creating a mandala of candle and flower holders made from terra cotta clay with seeds. These symbols of shared earth, shared heritage, and shared future created the ritual space for the ceremony. In this sacred space, children invited leaders inside as they made the call for leaders to transform the cycle of violence by ending armed conflict in their generation. I’d like to believe that this empowered children to have a voice in the peace talks. The art based activity contributed as a form of relational peace building that complemented rational peace building approaches that leaders and the civil society organizations had been doing. Today we are reminded that all the efforts that generated awareness and commitment to peace building are now bearing fruits, such as this important agreement that will be signed today that paves the road to peace in Mindanao.
I continue to learn that in ritual work, we believe that transformation also brings healing beyond the physical and present time as we engage the stories of ancestors (past) and descendants (future) in a sacred circle, which unites us in the power of the present to change histories and fates.
Mary Daniel: You collaborate with many different organizations and people - can you share a little about how you locate the people with whom you are working, and advice for other artists who might want to expand into similar kinds of collaboration?
Sarah: I learned the process of Appreciative Inquiry along the way. This means that I work with existing initiatives to support, complement or enhance their actions. As a co-creative artist, I practice inclusivity in designing an activity and honor that there are many gifts that can be shared in the process. I learn first about the story of the people and consider cultural sensitivities involved. It is important to work together on a shared vision and intention. This then guides the design of the components of the activity as well as a reference as to how activities have been delivered. A lot of this involves trust in one’s own artistic gift as any collaborative process involves diverse energies. As an artist, I see myself making sure that the weaving of the message, process and medium takes place before an activity ends.
Trust also means that an intended design may or may not manifest because of the many elements involved. One has to be prepared to quickly adjust and to be creative in adapting. One too has to learn to connect to the original intention of the work so as to keep the process grounded. The capacity to listen deeply and to harvest stories and learnings is something I am still mastering. It is through the realizations that come after any art making process that we are able to determine how the design of the activity has impacted a participant.
Mary Daniel: What excites you most about your work right now?
Sarah: Since 2008, I started mapping a journey around Asia to learn about the sacred art of the mandala from different traditions and to work with culture and wisdom bearers in designing community based art activities to address conflict and ecological healing. I was supposed to start on this journey last year, but a big shift moved me to look at the mandala within. The journey begins with myself. Ten years of advocacy work and a lot of “Doing” and less of “Knowing and Being” prompted me to start this journey with myself. This also brought with it a whole systems way of seeing my life work. This year, I chose not to go to my 2nd year of my Masters' Summer School (on Expressive Arts for Conflict Transformation and Peace Building), because after helping out with arts relief for children survivors of a deadly flashflood caused by Hurricane Washi in the southern part of my country early this year, I was stumped.
While there were also other factors to my decision, I felt that it was not enough to just focus on conflict. More and more as my life work grows, an integral scope was asking to be looked into. Many conflicts are rooted in looking at nature separately as a resource and looking at it as the basis of our ethnic identities rooted to fatherland and motherland stories. The sustainability of all our efforts is also connected to the earth. One of my mentors who sat in the peace panels told me his concern about what happens after -- when land is brought back to the peasants or when the right to self determination of one’s homeland is finally resolved. In drought or in flooding due to climate change or ecological damage, rebellions and peace talks will lose the value of their work to another form of displacement - this time through natural disasters and calamities.
I continue to listen to where this is guiding me. I have just recently moved from the city to an intentional community called Maia Earth Village in Palawan where the mandala is a personal transformation guide and as a basis for permaculture and eco-village design. While gardening, harvesting, and eating raw food and living off the grid, I learn to embody the earth -- this earth as my body and my body as the earth.
Medium wise, I am looking at working with the elements of the earth as a healing tool for art making or ritual work. More and more the inner process needs to be looked at as a core component of social transformation. With my teachers and with the eco-village community, I am evolving my mandala making design as a soul mapping process. My intention is also to share this in application to healing and well-being, post disaster rehabilitation, eco-peace education for children, social innovation and entrepreneurship, and a new way of addressing integral sustainable development.
Mary Daniel: What inspires you to keep making this work? How do you sustain yourself in the midst of doing so much community healing work?
Sarah: I am always inspired by the mandala as it continues to evolve and bring in new questions and new revelations to my own life. Today with a rise in consciousness around the world, I am more and more confident in sharing my ideas which I often times feared people would think of as too idealistic or unrealistic some years back. Movements that are now practicing and documenting the importance of the integration of our inner and outer selves always give me confidence to bring out art as one of the tools that bridge that.
I continue to be inspired by the sacred teachers I encounter in the communities I experience life’s essential questions with. They help me trust in our human and divine capacities to co-create new realities. Choosing to live in an intentional community that observes the valuation process of true worth has helped me look into sustaining sustainability.
I must admit that I did a lot of my art projects for free and out of my pocket and this was not sustainable energy wise. Sometimes I found myself investing lots of time and money in a project, and it often felt bad to ask for an energy exchange, because I felt the non-profits I worked with had limited funds. Thus I ended up losing all my savings, and I either put my artistic process in the backseat or designed it just as a side activity.
All this is shifting now. I realize that my fear of speaking up and not knowing my true worth also communicated that interior processes addressing consciousness and creativity don’t have impact. I finally reached a point where I had to ask myself, “How can I talk about sustainability without being sustainable myself?” I am learning to honor that what I know and do have important value, and I am learning to commit to partnerships or projects that honor a healthy energy exchange. Most of all I am learning to connect to the energy from within, to know what my being has chosen to live out and what I have to give to the world. Interestingly, once I do this, so many alignments to opportunities that generate a healthy flow of giving and receiving take place.
Right now at the eco-village, the true lesson on sustainability that I am still learning is that everything we have is right here. To recognize things that nourish and sustain us naturally from within and outside us without effort or expectation is true sustainability. Once embodied, I am able to attain a whole new meaning of freedom in creating and giving.
Mary Daniel: What advice do you have for other artists who wish to use their creativity for healing and transformation?
Sarah: I can only share my own experience and what I have learned. First, I learned how to honor my own journey toward healing and derive insights from it. The key is to listen and translate these insights into application in the work.
I also learned how to see perfection in the imperfection of things. For a long time I used to think that the artist archetype was to always change and transform because we immediately see what is missing to bring things into wholeness. I now first acknowledge and see things as they are and appreciate the gifts that open up whether through brokenness or illumination.
I learned to appreciate other people’s own gifts, and as facilitator, I continue to help guide them in recognizing and using these gifts. For as an artist or as a transformation agent, I know I can never change anyone. I can only change myself. I can only inspire and help in people’s healing and awakening. They have to do the shift themselves. What I can do is support them by creating safe spaces for that to take place.
I learned also to have confidence that I have something to share, yet also have the wisdom stay grounded. The work of bridging the invisible to visible requires the use of language that people can understand and experience. I cannot tell you how many times I held back because I felt overwhelmed with feelings about an important cause, yet also lost chances to share my own being’s life work. I learned how to balance by speaking with both heart and mind and to come from a place of authenticity and transcendence.
Lastly, I still am learning how to trust and to see beyond what is present or what is seen in existing reality. This is what artists do after all -- bring in visions or realities that are not yet there. It is constantly recognizing that my work is not just my own but a co-creative process with everything. It is knowing how to embody what I teach and guide, to do things consciously and sustainably, and to always remember that what I do is the sacred work of reminding me and others of our true and whole selves.
Mary Daniel Hobson: Is there anything else you would like to share?
Sarah: Deep gratitude to the Arts and Healing Network for this recognition as it honors the work and cause of many children, communities, and leaders I have co-created with. May our EartHeart inspired co-creations serve as another reminder and representation of the power of art in healing and transformation all over the world.
< Return to AHN Award intro page
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Languages: FrenchSpanishArabicEnglish
Energy Subsidy Reform : Lessons and Implications
Benedict Clements, David Coady, Stefania Fabrizio, Sanjeev Gupta, Trevor Alleyne, and Carlo Sdralevich
Energy subsidies are aimed at protecting consumers, however, subsidies aggravate fiscal imbalances, crowd out priority public spending, and depress private investment, including in the energy sector. This book provides the most comprehensive estimates of energy subsidies currently available for 176 countries and an analysis of 'how to do' energy subsidy reform, drawing on insights from 22 country case studies undertaken by the IMF staff and analyses carried out by other institutions.
Energy Subsidy Reform: Lessons and Implications
Chapter 1. Introduction and Background
Chapter 2. Defining and Measuring Energy Subsidies
Chapter 3. Macroeconomic, Environmental, and Social Implications
Chapter 4. Reforming Energy Subsidies: Lessons from Experience
Chapter 5. Case Studies from the Sub-Saharan Africa Region
Chapter 6. Case Studies from Emerging and Developing Asia
Chapter 7. Case Studies from the Middle East and North Africa Region
Chapter 8. Case Studies from the Latin America and Caribbean Region
Chapter 9. Case Studies from Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States
Appendix A. Estimating Pretax and Posttax Global Energy Subsidies
Appendix B. Assessing the Environmental and Health Impacts of Energy Subsidy Reform
Pretax Subsidies
Coal and Natural Gas
Posttax Subsidies
Corrective Taxes
Revenue Component
Calculating Subsidies with Corrective Tax and Revenue Components
This appendix describes the data sources and methodologies used for the estimation of subsidies for petroleum products, coal, natural gas, and electricity.
Pretax consumer subsidies for gasoline, diesel, and kerosene are estimated as the difference between international prices, adjusted upward for transportation and distribution margins, and domestic consumer prices, for 176 countries between 2000 and 2011.1 It should be noted that all these subsidy estimates are based on comparisons for prices of final products (e.g., gasoline) rather than unrefined products (such as crude oil).
For countries for which the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has detailed data on pretax prices and petroleum product taxes, pretax prices are used to measure supply costs. For other countries, supply costs are based on spot prices from the International Energy Agency (IEA). For net oil-importers among these countries, margins are assumed to be US$0.10 per liter to cover international transport costs and another US$0.10 per liter to cover domestic distribution and retailing costs. For net oil exporters, no adjustment is made, because the international transport cost is saved when the product is consumed domestically rather than exported. This is assumed to offset domestic distribution and retailing costs.
Domestic consumer prices for petroleum products (for both firms and households) are taken from publicly available sources for OECD countries. For other countries, domestic prices were provided by country authorities to IMF staff and supplemented by survey data from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (Ebert and others, 2009). For gasoline, the price is for regular unleaded or other grades, based on availability. Where consumer prices were unavailable, they were imputed based on observed pass-through behavior for that country. This was done for approximately 54 countries in 2009 and one country (Venezuela) in 2011. End-of-year prices are used to estimate subsidies except for 30 countries, mostly in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region, where quarterly price data are available. Producer subsidies for petroleum products are based on OECD producer support estimates (OECD, 2012a). These estimates capture both direct budgetary transfers and preferential treatment through the tax code to petroleum producers.
The fuel-product consumption levels used to calculate total subsidies are based on OECD and IEA data and include consumption by both households and enterprises.
Consumer subsidy estimates are based on IEA data for coal in 39 countries and for natural gas in 37 countries between 2007 and 2011. IMF staff estimates on natural gas subsidies are available for an additional four countries in the MENA region. This calculation measures subsidies as the difference between the reference price and the domestic price paid by households and firms. The IEA reference prices for natural gas and coal, both traded goods, are defined differently for net importers and net exporters.2 In addition, producer coal subsidies for 16 countries between 2007 and 2011 are based on OECD data.
For net importers, the reference price was defined as the price at the nearest international market, adjusted for quality differences, the cost of freight and insurance, distribution and marketing costs, and any value added tax (VAT). The price does not include excise duties. For net exporters, the reference price was calculated as the price at the nearest international market, adjusted for quality differences, less the costs of freight and insurance, plus distribution, marketing, and VAT. It should be noted that the quantities of coal and natural gas used in this calculation do not include the amount used for electricity and heat generation. To estimate pretax subsidies, the VAT is subtracted from the IEA estimates, using the standard VAT rate in the country. Producer subsidies for coal are based on OECD producer support estimates that capture the amount of tax subsidies (such as special income tax treatment) or budgetary expenditures designed to support producer incomes (OECD, 2012a).
Given the varying availability of data, a number of different approaches are taken to measure subsidies. For 40 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and a few selected emerging economies in Europe, estimates of combined producer and consumer subsidies are compiled from various World Bank reports and IMF staff estimates; thus, they are not necessarily comparable. For these countries, subsidy estimates are based on average domestic prices and cost-recovery prices that cover production costs, investment cost, distributional loss, and the nonpayment of electricity bills. An upward adjustment is also made for the input subsidies that electricity producers may receive through their use of subsidized fossil fuel products. For 31 of these 40 countries, the latest year for which data are available is 2009.
For 37 countries, estimates of consumer price subsidies between 2007 and 2011 are taken from the IEA, based on the difference between costs (adjusted for any subsidy on fossil fuel inputs) and average domestic prices (IEA, 2011b). As these prices do not include investment cost, nonpayment of electricity, or distributional losses, the estimates may understate the subsidies. In total, the sample covers 77 countries.
Posttax subsidies are estimated as pretax subsidies plus
a corrective (or “Pigouvian”) tax, reflecting an (excise) tax on energy products to charge for externalities associated with CO2 emissions, local pollution, and (in the case of gasoline and motor diesel) other externalities such as traffic congestion and accidents; and
a revenue component, reflecting an (ad valorem) tax on energy products consumed by households that would be consistent with taxation of any other consumer good at the standard VAT or general sales tax (GST) rate.
This section discusses the estimation of taxes needed to correct for externalities from petroleum products, coal, and natural gas. To avoid double counting we do not measure externalities from electricity generation, and because of the lack of available evidence, we do not measure externalities for other generation fuels.3 Owing to the lack of systematic cross-country data, the subsidy estimates do not take into account certain charges and taxes for energy that are often rationalized on environmental grounds.4 Environmental and transportation-related externalities have been quantified for the United States and just a few other countries.5
Combustion of petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, and kerosene) generates both carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which contribute to future global warming, and local air pollution, which elevates mortality risks for people inhaling the pollution. Other externalities associated with motor vehicle use—which we apportion to gasoline and diesel fuels—include traffic congestion and accidents and (primarily in the case of trucks) road damage. Table A.1 summarizes some estimates of motor fuel taxes to correct for these externalities that have been conducted for the United States, the United Kingdom, and Chile. The corrective tax estimate is highest for Chile, where there is a high incidence of traffic fatalities (especially for pedestrians), a large portion of nationwide driving occurs under highly congested conditions, and vehicles have relatively high emission rates.
Table A.1Corrective Motor Fuel Taxes, Selected Countries(Cents per liter, 2011 dollars)
Gasoline (cars)
Diesel (trucks)
Total 38 44 73 40 65
Contribution of:
local pollution 3 4 18 10 16
carbon 8 7 8 9 9
congestion 15 26 19 10 16
accidents 12 8 28 3 12
noise 0 0 0 2 1
road damage 0 0 0 6 12
Sources: Institute for Fiscal Studies (2012); Parry (2011); Parry and Small (2005); Parry and Strand (2011).Note: The above studies estimate corrective diesel fuel taxes for the United States and Chile but not for the United Kingdom.
For CO2 emissions, we assume an illustrative value for global warming damages of US$34 per ton (in 2007 dollars), following the United States Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Carbon (2013). The estimates in the literature have varied considerably, however—for example, Nordhaus (2011) estimates damages of US$12 per ton, and Stern (2006) estimates US$85 per ton. The US$34 per ton of CO2 emissions is applied to all fuels and, for example, translates into US$0.07–US$0.09 per liter of gasoline or diesel (Table A.1).
A careful assessment of the noncarbon corrective fuel taxes for other countries would take into account a variety of local factors affecting the willingness to pay for reductions in these negative externalities, including, most important, income, local emission rates, population density, travel delays, and the frequency of traffic accidents. Internationally comprehensive data on these factors are not readily available, except for income per capita. We make adjustments to the estimates of willingness to pay by comparing a given country’s income (e.g., Colombia) in purchasing parity terms with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Chile.6 An income elasticity of 0.8 is assumed between the willingness to pay for reductions in externalities and per capita income, following the OECD (OECD, 2012b). We then apply this correction to the estimates of externalities per liter described in Appendix Table A.1 for the United States, the United Kingdom, and Chile. We then take the average across the three countries to arrive at our estimate for Colombia.
To estimate the corrective tax per ton of coal for global warming damages, we first derive CO2 emissions per ton of coal, based on IEA data on coal consumption and CO2 emissions from coal by country. The corrective tax per ton of coal is then calculated by multiplying CO2 emissions per ton of coal consumption with the global warming damages of US$34 per ton of CO2 emissions.
Beyond its CO2 emissions, the other major externality associated with coal combustion is local air pollution, where the most important problem is the fine particulates (that permeate the lungs) formed from chemical reactions involving sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions. A state-of-the-art modeling exercise for the United States by a committee of experts (National Research Council, 2009) put the local pollution damages from the average coal plant in 2005 at about US$65 (in 2010 dollars) per (short) ton. This estimate is extrapolated to other countries based on per capita income, in the same way as for petroleum products. This approach does not adjust for cross-country differences in the pollution content of coal or the use of technologies to “scrub” emissions from the smokestack.
Natural gas is far less emissions-intensive than coal—it produces about half the carbon emissions per unit of energy and only very minimal SO2 emissions. For natural gas, then, only a carbon damage is applied. As with coal, the corrective tax is calculated (based on IEA data) by emissions per thousand cubic feet times US$34 per ton of CO2 emissions.
Here a scenario where energy products would be taxed just like other consumer goods is considered.7 The estimates are based on VAT rates for 150 countries in 2011. For countries where VAT rates are not available or do not apply, the average VAT rate of countries with a similar level of income in the region is assumed.
To quantify the magnitude of subsidies, the subsidy-free posttax prices are derived by applying the VAT or GST rates to both pretax prices and excise tax for externalities. The subsidy-free posttax prices are then compared with domestic prices and combined with consumption levels to compute subsidies. In the case of electricity, VAT or GST is estimated only for countries with pretax subsidies. This approach is followed because both domestic prices and cost-recovery prices are unknown for other countries. In the case of coal and natural gas, it is assumed that domestic prices in countries without pretax subsidies are the same as international reference prices.
One complication is that revenue from VAT would be effectively assessed only on energy products as final consumption goods, not on those as intermediate inputs for other consumption goods. To separate intermediate inputs from final consumption goods, we use IEA energy consumption data by industry type. It is assumed that energy products for residential use, commercial and public services, and gasoline for road use are final consumption goods. This approximation indicates that, on average, 99 percent of gasoline consumption, 7 percent of diesel consumption, 39 percent of kerosene consumption, 12 percent of coal consumption, 46 percent of natural gas consumption, and 51 percent of electricity consumption can be categorized as final consumption.
Table A.2Pretax Subsidies in Percent of GDP for Petroleum Products, Electricity, Natural Gas, and Coal, 20111(Countries sorted by income category and region)
Australia 0.04 n.a. 0.01 0.00
Austria 0.03 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Belgium 0.58 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Canada 0.05 n.a. 0.03 0.00
Cyprus 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Czech Republic 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Denmark 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Estonia 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Finland 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
France 0.01 n.a. 0.00 n.a.
Germany 0.01 n.a. 0.00 0.07
Greece 0.09 n.a. n.a. 0.00
Hong Kong SAR 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Iceland 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Ireland 0.00 n.a. n.a. 0.05
Israel 0.00 n.a. 0.00 n.a.
Italy 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Japan 0.00 n.a. 0.00 n.a.
Korea 0.00 n.a. 0.00 0.02
Luxembourg 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Malta 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Netherlands 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
New Zealand 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Norway 0.01 n.a. 0.01 0.00
Portugal 0.00 n.a. n.a. 0.00
Singapore 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Slovak Republic 0.00 n.a. n.a. 0.01
Slovenia 0.00 n.a. n.a. 0.02
Spain 0.00 n.a. n.a. 0.03
Sweden 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Switzerland 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Taiwan Province of China n.a. 0.22 0.00 0.03
United Kingdom 0.01 n.a. 0.01 n.a.
United States 0.07 n.a. 0.02 0.00
CEE-CIS
Albania 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Armenia 0.45 0.05 n.a. n.a.
Azerbaijan 0.84 0.73 1.16 0.00
Belarus 0.00 0.26 n.a. n.a.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Bulgaria 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Croatia 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Georgia 0.55 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Hungary 0.00 n.a. n.a. 0.00
Kazakhstan 0.65 0.94 0.15 0.28
Kosovo 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Kyrgyz Republic 3.47 5.43 n.a. n.a.
Latvia 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Lithuania 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Macedonia, FYR 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Moldova 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Mongolia 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Montenegro, Rep. of 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Poland 0.00 n.a. n.a. 0.14
Romania 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Russia 0.00 0.99 1.09 0.00
Serbia 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Tajikistan 0.00 1.95 n.a. n.a.
Turkey 0.00 n.a. n.a. 0.02
Turkmenistan 6.00 2.32 14.80 n.a.
Ukraine 0.00 1.61 3.59 n.a.
Uzbekistan 0.02 5.71 18.88 n.a.
Emerging and Developing Asia
Afghanistan 0.00 0.11 n.a. n.a.
Bangladesh 0.90 2.63 1.60 0.00
Bhutan 0.51 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Brunei Darussalam 2.34 0.98 0.00 0.00
Cambodia 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
China 0.00 0.15 n.a. n.a.
Fiji 0.01 n.a. n.a. n.a.
India 1.25 0.32 0.17 0.00
Indonesia 2.58 0.66 0.00 0.00
Kiribati n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Lao P.D.R. 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Malaysia 1.24 0.33 0.31 0.00
Maldives 0.19 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Myanmar 0.54 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Nepal 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Pakistan 0.13 1.31 2.54 0.00
Papua New Guinea n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Philippines 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Samoa n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Solomon Islands 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Sri Lanka 1.16 0.47 0.00 0.00
Thailand 0.15 1.64 0.14 0.25
Timor-Leste 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Tonga 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Tuvalu 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Vanuatu 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Vietnam 0.00 2.38 0.13 n.a.
Antigua and Barbuda 0.49 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Argentina 0.00 1.03 0.77 0.00
Bahamas, The 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Barbados 0.04 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Belize 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Bolivia 2.40 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Brazil 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Chile 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Colombia 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Costa Rica 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Dominica 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Dominican Republic 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Ecuador 6.31 0.18 0.00 0.00
El Salvador 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Grenada 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Guatemala 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Guyana 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Haiti n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Honduras 0.02 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Jamaica 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Mexico 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Nicaragua 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Panama 0.02 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Paraguay 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Peru 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
St. Kitts and Nevis 0.20 n.a. n.a. n.a.
St. Lucia 0.19 n.a. n.a. n.a.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Suriname 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Trinidad and Tobago 2.75 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Uruguay 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Venezuela 5.58 1.02 0.59 n.a.
Algeria 4.30 1.08 5.36 0.00
Bahrain 5.37 2.57 n.a. n.a.
Djibouti 0.00 0.45 n.a. n.a.
Egypt 6.74 2.30 1.60 0.00
Iran 4.20 3.61 4.83 0.00
Iraq 9.92 1.39 0.25 0.00
Jordan 2.15 3.81 n.a. n.a.
Kuwait 3.09 2.91 1.29 0.00
Lebanon 0.07 4.46 n.a. n.a.
Libya 6.40 1.85 0.59 0.00
Mauritania 0.00 0.85 0.80 n.a.
Morocco 0.66 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Oman 3.01 0.76 2.20 n.a.
Qatar 1.22 1.20 1.07 0.00
Saudi Arabia 7.46 2.48 n.a. 0.00
Sudan 1.37 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Syria n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Tunisia 0.77 2.23 n.a. n.a.
United Arab Emirates 0.48 1.86 3.37 n.a.
Yemen 4.67 1.33 n.a. n.a.
Angola 1.30 0.27 0.00 0.00
Benin 0.00 1.78 n.a. n.a.
Botswana 0.02 0.36 n.a. n.a.
Burkina Faso 0.00 0.78 n.a. n.a.
Burundi 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Cameroon 1.69 2.16 n.a. n.a.
Cape Verde 0.00 2.17 n.a. n.a.
Central African Republic 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Chad 0.00 0.00 n.a. n.a.
Comoros n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0.00 1.57 n.a. n.a.
Congo, Republic of 1.20 2.62 n.a. n.a.
Côte d’Ivoire 0.00 2.72 n.a. n.a.
Equatorial Guinea 0.28 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Eritrea n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Ethiopia 0.19 1.24 n.a. n.a.
Gabon 0.16 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Gambia, The 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Ghana 0.00 2.86 n.a. n.a.
Guinea 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Guinea-Bissau 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Kenya 0.00 0.00 n.a. n.a.
Lesotho 0.00 0.85 n.a. n.a.
Liberia 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Madagascar 0.11 0.89 n.a. n.a.
Malawi 0.00 1.60 n.a. n.a.
Mali 0.00 0.93 n.a. n.a.
Mauritius 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Mozambique 0.00 4.93 n.a. n.a.
Namibia 0.00 0.52 n.a. n.a.
Niger 0.00 0.00 n.a. n.a.
Nigeria 1.42 1.31 0.00 0.00
Rwanda 0.00 0.29 n.a. n.a.
Senegal 0.00 2.26 n.a. n.a.
Seychelles 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Sierra Leone 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
South Africa 0.01 0.55 0.00 0.00
Swaziland 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
São Tomé and Príncipe 0.33 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Tanzania 0.00 2.10 n.a. n.a.
Togo 0.00 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Uganda 0.00 1.32 n.a. n.a.
Zambia 0.00 4.85 n.a. n.a.
Zimbabwe n.a. 14.52 n.a. n.a.
World 0.32 0.22 0.17 0.01
Sources: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); International Energy Agency (IEA), World Energy Outlook 2012; IMF staff estimates; IMF, World Economic Outlook; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); World Bank.Note: Values are rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent; electricity subsidies are taken from 2009 for 31 countries, and natural gas data are taken from 2010 for four countries. World estimates are calculated as identified subsidies divided by global GDP. n.a. = not applicable; CEE-CIS = Central and Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States; LAC = Latin America and the Caribbean; MENA = Middle East and North Africa.
1 These subsidy estimates may differ from those in the country budget documents because of the methodologies described in this appendix.
Table A.3Pretax Subsidies in Percent of Government Revenues for Petroleum Products, Electricity, Natural Gas, and Coal, 20111(Countries sorted by income category and region)
Kyrgyz Republic 10.41 16.30 n.a. n.a.
Turkmenistan 31.84 12.29 78.48 n.a.
Uzbekistan 0.06 14.20 46.94 n.a.
Bangladesh 7.56 22.12 13.45 0.00
Indonesia 14.51 3.69 0.00 0.00
Pakistan 1.02 10.23 19.89 0.00
Ecuador 15.44 0.44 0.00 0.00
Venezuela 15.83 2.89 1.66 n.a.
Algeria 10.84 2.72 13.52 0.00
Bahrain 18.96 9.08 n.a. n.a.
Egypt 30.61 10.44 7.25 0.00
Iran 16.95 14.54 19.45 0.00
Iraq 12.69 1.78 0.32 0.00
Jordan 8.13 14.41 n.a. n.a.
Lebanon 0.32 18.96 n.a. n.a.
Libya 16.64 4.80 1.53 0.00
Saudi Arabia 14.00 4.66 0.00 0.00
Yemen 19.03 5.42 n.a. n.a.
Cameroon 8.92 11.42 n.a. n.a.
Côte d’Ivoire 0.00 13.43 n.a. n.a.
Ghana 0.00 14.70 n.a. n.a.
Mozambique 0.00 16.40 n.a. n.a.
Senegal 0.00 10.08 n.a. n.a.
Zambia 0.00 21.59 n.a. n.a.
Sources: GIZ; IEA, World Energy Outlook 2012; IMF staff estimates; IMF, World Economic Outlook; OECD; World Bank.Note: Values are rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent; electricity subsidies are taken from 2009 for 31 countries, and natural gas data are taken from 2010 for four countries. World estimates are calculated as identified subsidies divided by global government revenues. n.a. = not applicable; CEE-CIS = Central and Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States; LAC = Latin America and the Caribbean; MENA = Middle East and North Africa.
Table A.4Posttax Subsidies as Percent of GDP for Petroleum Products, Electricity, Natural Gas, and Coal, 20111(Countries sorted by income category and region)
Austria 0.04 n.a. 0.17 0.20
Belgium 0.58 n.a. 0.29 0.11
Cyprus 0.09 n.a. n.a. 0.01
Czech Republic 0.00 n.a. 0.37 1.75
Denmark 0.00 n.a. 0.11 0.22
Estonia 0.00 n.a. 0.21 3.34
Finland 0.00 n.a. 0.11 0.42
France 0.01 n.a. 0.14 0.08
Greece 0.09 n.a. 0.11 0.58
Hong Kong SAR 0.42 n.a. 0.12 0.85
Iceland 0.00 n.a. n.a. 0.14
Ireland 0.00 n.a. 0.19 0.27
Israel 0.00 n.a. 0.15 0.69
Italy 0.00 n.a. 0.31 0.14
Japan 0.10 n.a. 0.17 0.41
Luxembourg2 2.62 n.a. 0.17 0.03
Netherlands 0.00 n.a. 0.42 0.20
New Zealand 0.77 n.a. 0.18 0.20
Portugal 0.00 n.a. 0.17 0.19
Singapore 0.49 n.a. 0.27 0.01
Slovak Republic 0.00 n.a. 0.50 0.79
Slovenia 0.00 n.a. 0.13 0.64
Spain 0.00 n.a. 0.18 0.21
Sweden 0.00 n.a. 0.02 0.09
Switzerland 0.00 n.a. 0.04 0.01
United Kingdom 0.01 n.a. 0.32 0.28
Albania 0.00 n.a. 0.01 0.02
Armenia 0.93 0.40 1.19 n.a.
Belarus 0.00 1.08 3.54 n.a.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.00 n.a. 0.11 4.66
Bulgaria 0.00 n.a. 0.38 2.91
Croatia 0.00 n.a. 0.45 0.29
Georgia 0.86 n.a. 0.61 0.08
Hungary 0.00 n.a. 0.78 0.39
Kosovo 0.00 n.a. n.a. 0.02
Kyrgyz Republic 7.28 5.71 0.40 1.94
Latvia 0.00 n.a. 0.58 0.14
Lithuania 0.00 n.a. 0.55 0.14
Macedonia, FYR 0.00 n.a. 0.13 1.77
Moldova 0.00 n.a. 2.16 0.17
Mongolia 0.00 n.a. n.a. 6.36
Montenegro, Rep. of 0.00 n.a. n.a. 0.00
Poland 0.00 n.a. 0.26 2.33
Romania 0.00 n.a. 0.58 0.74
Serbia 0.00 n.a. 0.52 3.33
Tajikistan 0.16 2.50 0.32 0.20
Turkey 0.00 n.a. 0.45 0.86
Ukraine 0.31 1.85 8.24 3.71
Uzbekistan 1.10 5.95 28.03 0.38
Cambodia 0.00 n.a. n.a. 0.00
China 0.00 0.30 0.13 4.41
Nepal 0.28 n.a. n.a. 0.16
Vietnam 0.83 2.64 0.78 1.60
Bolivia 5.18 n.a. 1.02 n.a.
Brazil 0.11 n.a. 0.11 0.10
Costa Rica 0.47 n.a. n.a. 0.03
Dominican Republic 0.06 n.a. 0.17 0.18
Guatemala 0.87 n.a. n.a. 0.48
Honduras 0.67 n.a. n.a. 0.01
Jamaica 0.60 n.a. n.a. 0.06
Panama 2.40 n.a. n.a. 0.02
Trinidad and Tobago 5.95 n.a. 6.51 n.a.
Uruguay 0.00 n.a. 0.02 0.00
Venezuela 8.31 1.27 1.25 0.00
Bahrain 10.26 2.96 2.74 n.a.
Jordan 5.65 4.10 0.50 n.a.
Lebanon 3.93 4.61 0.24 0.15
Morocco 3.04 n.a. 0.05 0.46
Tunisia 2.75 2.43 1.01 n.a.
United Arab Emirates 3.58 2.04 4.67 0.04
Yemen 7.25 1.47 1.53 n.a.
Botswana 1.05 0.48 n.a. 0.45
Cameroon 2.57 2.41 0.07 n.a.
Congo, Democratic Republic of the 0.00 1.80 0.00 0.13
Congo, Republic of 2.21 2.66 0.01 n.a.
Côte d’Ivoire 0.00 2.96 0.56 n.a.
Gabon 0.88 n.a. 0.09 n.a.
Kenya 0.61 0.16 n.a. 0.01
Mozambique 0.27 5.07 0.13 0.02
Namibia 0.13 0.52 n.a. 0.10
Senegal 0.00 2.51 0.01 0.23
Tanzania 0.00 2.26 0.27 0.04
Zambia 0.00 4.96 n.a. 0.00
Zimbabwe n.a. 14.89 n.a. 3.08
Sources: GIZ; IEA, World Energy Outlook 2012; IMF staff estimates; IMF, World Economic Outlook; OECD; World Bank.Note: Values are rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent; electricity subsidies are taken from 2009 for 31 countries, and natural gas data are taken from 2010 for four countries. World estimates are calculated as identified subsidies divided by global GDP. n.a. = not applicable; CEE-CIS = Central and Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States; LAC = Latin America and the Caribbean; MENA = Middle East and North Africa.
1 Owing to the lack of systematic cross-country data, the subsidy estimates do not take into account certain charges and taxes for energy that are often rationalized on environmental grounds. Principally, these include regional or country-level carbon pricing programs, road user charges (e.g., mileage-based tolls for trucks in Germany), and excise taxes on electricity consumption and vehicle sales. For example, the European Union Emissions Trading System imposes a carbon tax on certain greenhouse gases that are emitted by factories, power plants, and other installations in the system. The current prevailing prices, however, are only a small fraction of estimated damages, and only about half of emissions are covered under the scheme. To take another example, incorporating the road user charges for diesel vehicles in New Zealand would lower our posttax energy subsidy estimates for that country by US$0.8 billion.
2 The estimate for Luxembourg reflects, to a large extent, cross-border sales of petroleum products to neighboring countries, with buyers attracted by lower tax rates.
Table A.5Posttax Subsidies in Percent of Government Revenues for Petroleum Products, Electricity, Natural Gas, and Coal, 20111(Countries sorted by income category and region)
Taiwan Province of China n.a. 1.48 1.34 10.94
Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.00 n.a. 0.23 10.03
Kazakhstan 8.51 3.49 4.74 13.09
Kyrgyz Republic 21.84 17.13 1.19 5.83
Mongolia 0.00 n.a. n.a. 16.02
Tajikistan 0.65 10.04 1.28 0.81
Turkmenistan 45.59 12.67 116.38 n.a.
Ukraine 0.73 4.36 19.45 8.76
Uzbekistan 2.72 14.80 69.68 0.94
Bangladesh 12.27 25.25 24.72 1.02
China 0.00 1.34 0.58 19.45
India 10.91 1.97 2.21 14.17
Malaysia 24.61 2.54 4.66 4.46
Myanmar 18.11 n.a. n.a. n.a.
Sri Lanka 14.96 5.17 0.00 0.27
Bolivia 14.31 n.a. 2.83 n.a.
Trinidad and Tobago 16.19 n.a. 17.71 n.a.
Venezuela 23.58 3.59 3.56 0.01
Bahrain 36.25 10.44 9.67 n.a.
Egypt 40.16 11.35 13.87 0.32
Jordan 21.36 15.49 1.90 n.a.
Kuwait 10.38 4.62 3.03 0.00
Lebanon 16.69 19.59 1.04 0.62
Morocco 11.03 n.a. 0.19 1.68
Oman 16.26 2.27 9.33 n.a.
Qatar 14.30 3.26 5.38 0.00
Sudan 12.83 n.a. n.a. n.a.
United Arab Emirates 10.21 5.82 13.33 0.11
Yemen 29.54 5.99 6.23 n.a.
Cameroon 13.62 12.76 0.37 n.a.
Cape Verde 0.00 10.23 n.a. n.a.
Côte d’Ivoire 0.00 14.59 2.79 n.a.
Mozambique 0.90 16.89 0.44 0.07
Senegal 0.00 11.22 0.04 1.02
South Africa 1.46 2.65 0.00 11.79
Tanzania 0.00 10.23 1.24 0.17
Zambia 0.00 22.07 n.a. 0.00
Subsidies for oil- based heating fuels and fuels for non- road transportation vehicles, which are substantial in some countries, are not included because of data limitations.
Although coal and natural gas are traded in international markets, transportation costs for these products are high, and a large share of both is consumed domestically or in the regions where they are produced.
For example, for nuclear power it is extremely difficult to quantify the risks from radioactive waste and meltdowns.
Principally, these include regional or country- level carbon pricing programs, road user charges (e.g., mileage- based tolls for trucks in Germany) and excise taxes on electricity consumption and vehicle sales. For example, the Eu ro pe an Union Emissions Trading System imposes a carbon tax on certain green house gases that are emitted by factories, power plants, and other installations in the system. The current prevailing prices, however, are only a small fraction of estimated damages, and only about half of emissions are covered under the scheme. To take another example, incorporating the road user charges for diesel vehicles in New Zealand would lower our post tax energy subsidy estimates for that country by US$0.8 billion.
More detailed work for other countries is under way in the Fiscal Affiairs Department to provide more precise estimates (IMF, forthcoming).
Posttax subsidies as a share of GDP for low- income countries would increase from 3.3 percent of GDP to 5.3 percent without this adjustment for noncarbon externalities of petroleum products and coal.
In principle, individual products should be taxed more heavily, or less heavily, than the average consumer good (on revenue- raising grounds), depending on whether taxing them causes a significant shift toward untaxed goods (e.g., leisure and products that are exempt from VAT). However, there is little empirical support on which to make these types of adjustments, so they are not pursued here.
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Malaysia : From Crisis to Recovery
Yougesh Khatri, Il Lee, O. Liu, Kanitta Meesook, and Natalia Tamirisa
II Comparative Review of Policies and Performance, 1997–2000
III Potential Output and Inflation
IV Challenges to Fiscal Management
V Capital Controls in Response to the Asian Crisis
VI Financial Sector Issues
VII Corporate Performance and Reform
Initial Conditions and Economic Structure
Capital Account Regime and Reserve Management
Openness and Structure of Exports
Investment-Based Growth Strategy
Capital Market Development
Legal and Regulatory Framework
Social and Political Cohesion
Policy Responses and Performance
Capital Controls and Exchange Rate Regime
Financial Sector Reforms
Corporate Reforms
Time Frame of Malaysia’s Response to the Crisis
Initial Policy Response
Economic Performance Following Initial Policies
Exchange and Capital Controls
Recovery Stage and Recent Performance
Bank Lending
Domestic Investment in Selected Asian Countries
Investment and Real GDP Growth
Market Capitalization in Selected Asian Countries
Private Sector Credit in Selected Asian Countries
Cumulative and Net Portfolio Flows
Selected Asian Countries: Precrisis Macroeconomic Indicators
Selected Asian Countries: Precrisis Financial Indicators
Selected Asian Countries: Economic indicators During the Crisis Period
Selected Asian Countries: Economic Developments
Selected Asian Countries: Financial Market Indicators During the Crisis Period
Selected Asian Countries: Economic Performance During the Recovery Stage
Selected Asian Countries: Financial Indicators During the Recovery Stage
Selected Asian Countries: Fiscal Indicators
Selected Asian Countries: Monetary Indicators
Kanitta Meesook
Malaysia has received much attention since September 1998 when, in response to a deteriorating economic situation emanating from the Asian crisis, it introduced capital and exchange controls. Also, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad rebuked policy advice from the IMF that Malaysia had followed up to then.1 Initially there was concern that these controls might be used to avoid needed policy adjustment, and investors and market analysts reacted negatively. Market assessment turned more positive, however, as it became clear that Malaysia’s macroeconomic policies were not out of line, that the undervalued pegged exchange rate was contributing to the rapid recovery of exports and output, and that financial sector reforms were being vigorously pursued.
This section reviews the developments from the emergence of the Asian crisis to end-2000, comparing Malaysia’s initial conditions, policy responses, and recent performance with those of the other crisis countries.
Malaysia’s economic structure and performance were relatively strong prior to the crisis (see Appendix Figure A.2.1). Real GDP grew rapidly, while inflation was low. At the same time, fiscal policy was prudent, domestic savings were high, international reserves were robust, and external debt was well managed. The legal and regulatory frameworks were also comparatively well developed.
Underlying these positive features, however, were signs of overheating and structural vulnerability, broadly similar to the other crisis countries (Appendix Figure A.2.2). A predictably stable exchange rate encouraged foreign borrowing and discouraged the use of hedging instruments. From the early 1990s, this allowed large current account deficits–brought about in part by the appreciation of the real effective exchange rate (Figure 2.1)—to be sustained by short-term capital inflows, including through the stock market. Rapid credit growth led to excessive investment and resource misallocation, fueling asset price bubbles in property and stock markets. As the financial system and capital markets were liberalized, the important aspects of supervision and regulation remained weak, allowing extensive connected lending and obscuring the true scale of financial and corporate problems. Furthermore, an active—but largely unregulated—offshore market for the ringgit exposed the currency market to information asymmetries and excessive risk taking by private investors. All these elements contributed to Malaysia’s susceptibility to contagion by the crisis.
Figure 2.1.Exchange Rate Developments
Sources: IMF Information Notice System and Asia and Pacific Department database.
After Thailand was forced to float the baht in July 1997, Malaysia’s exchange and stock markets came under severe pressure. Large capital outflows that had started in April that year continued, inducing a rapid adjustment in the current account and a significant depreciation of the ringgit along with other regional currencies (Appendix Figure A.2.3). Arbitrage between domestic and offshore ringgit markets became more active; in anticipation of further weakening of the currency, the premium on offshore ringgit interest rates increased sharply, exacerbating outflows of ringgit funds and the domestic liquidity shortage.
Moreover, domestic demand collapsed because of negative wealth effects from falling equity and property prices and uncertain economic prospects (Appendix Figure A.2.4). External demand also declined, consistent with financial difficulties and falling demand in other crisis countries. As a result of the ringgit’s depreciation, higher borrowing costs, declines in equity price, and the drop in demand, corporate balance sheets deteriorated further. Thus, the financial system came under increasing stress (Figure 2.2), reflecting in part high corporate leverage, and signs of bank runs emerged in late 1997. As the market recognized that the asset quality of both the banks and corporations was worse than it appeared, confidence eroded further.
Figure 2.2.Bank Lending
Source: CEIC Data Company Limited.
Malaysia’s relative strengths going into the crisis nonetheless helped contain the severity of its impact. Although Malaysia suffered serious currency and financial crises, it was spared from an external debt crisis. Thus, unlike the other countries, Malaysia did not require a large official financing package or debt rescheduling.2 In addition to overall financial prudence, the credibility of the financial system benefited from a widespread bank restructuring undertaken in the 1980s. These strong features protected the country’s external position and may have lessened the extent of the overall output decline. The magnitude of domestic unemployment and potential social disruption was moderated further by a significant migrant workforce that acted as a buffer.
Malaysia’s initial low level of short-term external debt enabled it to maintain foreign reserves at a reasonably high level, and this contributed to relatively robust external and domestic confidence early on in the crisis. As a consequence of financial vigilance exercised through prudential regulation of capital movements.3 the exposure of the financial and corporate systems was contained. Management of foreign exchange reserves has been cautious, entailing no forward sales or other off-balance-sheet liabilities, so that all reserves have been usable.
The capital account was nevertheless liberal in ways that left Malaysia vulnerable to contagion. Like the other countries, portfolio flows were free of restrictions; in Malaysia, these were the main channel for capital outflows in mid-and late 1997. Furthermore, cross-border activities in ringgit were treated liberally, permitting the use of the currency in trade and financial transactions with nonresidents, and in offshore trading of securities listed on local exchanges. As a consequence, an offshore ringgit market developed and became more active than those in other affected countries.
Malaysia is the most open among the crisis countries (Table 2.1), and this feature was beneficial in leading output recovery in early 1999 even as domestic demand remained relatively weak. However, the country’s export base has become more dependent on electronic and electrical products, whose share in total exports reached more than 60 percent that year. Thus, like the other countries, Malaysia could become more vulnerable to adverse world developments in the period ahead, especially in regard to the technology sector.
Table 2.1.Asian Crisis Countries: Selected Structural Indicators, 1996–2000(In percent, unless otherwise indicated)
Precrisis
Openness, sum of exports and imports as percent of GDP 1996 148 54 69 63 42
Share of exports to Japan and other crisis countries, 1996 23 21 25 27 38
Export growth in U.S. dollars, second half of 1995-second half of 1996 1 -3 -5 16 6
Postcrisis
Openness, sum of exports and imports as percent of GDP. 2000 186 70 93 98 64
Share of exports to Japan and other crisis countries, second half of 1999-first half of 2000 22 19 23 24 34
Export growth in U.S. dollars. 1999–2000 13 12 11 15 19
Nonperforming loans as share of total loans, end-19971 6 6 23 5 7
Credit to private sector annual growth, average of 1993–96 21 20 31 40 27
Credit to private sector, in percent of GDP 1996 141 150 135 52 59
Loan-to-deposit ratio (M2-based). end-1997 1.0 1.6 1.4 1.0 1.2
External Nonperforming loans as share of total loans, end-20001, 2 15 7 15 15 26
Impaired assets as shares of interest-earning assets, end-20003 22 23 38 23 61
Credit to private sector annual growth, 20004 6 -2 1 8 17
Credit to private sector, in percent of GDP, 20004 139 133 125 46 23
Loan-to-deposit ratio (M2-based), end-20005 0.9 1.2 0.9 0.7 0.4
Corporate debt/equity ratios, 19976 38 425 440 174 334
Market capitalization in percent of GDP 1996 317 58 56 98 41
Stock price changes, 1990–96 145 -6 36 385 53
Corporate debt/equity ratios, 20006 114 235 280 186 277
Stock price changes, mid-1997–end-2000 -37 -32 -49 -47 -43
Sources: IMF, International Financial Statistics; World Economic Outlook; IMF staff estimates and CEIC database.
1 Definitions of nonperforming loans vary among different countries, and caution should be applied in making any comparison.
2 Data cover only loans that remain in the banking system, that is, not including nonperforming loans transferred to asset management agencies. Korea refers to end-September.
3 Data include nonperforming loans transferred to asset management agencies.
4 Unadjusted for transfers of nonperforming loans to asset management agencies. Thailand data refer to end-October.
5 Korea and Philippines refer to end-November, and Indonesia refers to end-August.
6 Nonfinancial companies. Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia are listed companies only.
For two decades prior to the crisis, Malaysia pursued a policy strategy aimed at raising economic growth and eradicating poverty by promoting investment in priority sectors and equipping the bumiputras with capital and opportunities to engage in various economic activities. For a number of years, the investment ratio for Malaysia was the highest among the crisis countries (Figure 2.3). This strategy was successful in generating one of the highest precrisis growth rates and elevating the income and wealth of the bumiputras.
Figure 2.3.Domestic Investment in Selected Asian Countries
Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook.
Although much of the investment went into electronics and other export-oriented industries, a large portion went into capital-intensive infrastructure and the real estate sector. Investment quality, measured by the incremental capital output ratio and estimated total factor productivity growth, eroded significantly between 1990–97.4 As the Malaysian economy underwent an adjustment in response to the crisis, private investment declined sharply in 1998 and has remained subdued (Figure 2.4). This adjustment dampened short-term domestic demand during the recovery process, but reallocation from overinvested sectors would be desirable to improve the investment efficiency and achieve higher total factor productivity growth over the long term. In this connection, the planned move to a knowledge-based economy (K-economy) is intended both to raise the productivity of investment and to diversity exports, although its effects will not be immediate.
Figure 2.4.Investment and Real GDP Growth
Beginning in the early 1980s, a rapidly growing capital market emerged as a major funding source for higher investment (Figure 2.5). Its development was supported by a number of measures to strengthen, broaden, and deepen the market, which improved the regulatory framework, as well as the trading and settlement infrastructure.
Figure 2.5.Market Capitalization in Selected Asian Countries
Stock market capitalization in Malaysia grew to an extremely high level prior to the crisis, reflecting both the fast expansion of the capital market and liberal capital account regime. At the same time, the level of corporate bank (short-term) indebtedness was among the highest of the crisis countries (Figure 2.6). As the crisis emerged, sharp declines in the stock market led to relatively greater losses of wealth in Malaysia than in other countries. This had negative implications for corporate ability to roll over or service debt, because the value of stockholdings used as bank collateral fell abruptly and income streams from them diminished. Multiple leveraging—made possible by cross-holding structures—exacerbated the negative impact on corporate wealth and cash flows, and consequently on the extent of financial distress. This may explain, in part, the relative worsening of Malaysia’s corporate performance in 1997–98. Low rates of return on capital, stemming from overinvestment in the past, have likely contributed as well.
Figure 2.6.Private Sector Credit in Selected Asian Countries
Figure for 2000 refers to October.
Malaysia’s well-developed legal and regulatory frameworks, which provided reasonable protection to creditors and noncontrolling shareholders, permitted relatively speedy but orderly settlement of problem loans early on. Furthermore, priority had been given to strengthening and modernizing prudential safeguards even before the crisis. This, compared with the weaker systems (including the absence of enforceable bankruptcy laws) and lack of supervisory personnel in some other countries, helped maintain confidence in and facilitate the recovery process of Malaysia’s economy.
Still, as in the other countries, close connections between large corporations and the Malaysian government masked the extent of deterioration in the asset quality of financial and corporate systems before the crisis, and this situation appears to have continued even after the crisis. Implicit government guarantees associated with privatized infrastructure projects undertaken prior to 1998 may have deferred debt and operational restructuring by the concerned corporations even as they became financially illiquid. The government also influenced bank lending to certain projects that it deemed of social importance. These practices could have potentially adverse implications for future claims on the government.5
The bumiputra policy, the presence of temporary migrant workers, and smooth relations between labor unions and employers help explain the low unemployment in Malaysia even at the depth of the crisis. Cost reductions in sectors facing output contraction were brought about through nonrenewal of contracts for migrant workers. However, as far as domestic labor was concerned, retrenchment was limited, as employers implemented other practices (also used in other crisis countries), such as part-time, flexi-time, and pay cuts, before resorting to layoffs. These “labor hoarding” practices were reversed as the economy recovered. Importantly, progress in poverty reduction over the past two decades has helped preserve overall social and political stability.
The capital controls and the ringgit peg introduced in September 1998 were key policy measures that distinguished Malaysia from the rest of the crisis countries.6 At that time, it was difficult to tell whether financial instability in the region was likely to intensify or abate. Some measure of stability had by then begun to return to the regional financial markets (Appendix Figure A.2.5). From late August 1998, local currencies and stock markets had broadly calmed down, and forward exchange rate forecasts showed expectations that the ringgit—as well as the won and the baht—would stabilize. Short-term interest rates had declined to levels below 10 percent. Sovereign bond spreads had peaked for Thailand, Korea, and the Philippines. In both Thailand and Malaysia, the offshore swap differential was trending down; nevertheless, the differential was in a high range and financial market pressures also remained high.
Given the relative stability experienced by the region, Malaysia’s approach seems to have made little difference to the monetary policy outcomes or structural reforms. Crisis countries that did not introduce these measures have been just as able to carry out accommodating monetary policy and maintain stable exchange rates. Boosted by rising export demand for electronic goods, especially from the United States, economic recovery has been broadly similar across the Asian crisis countries (Appendix Figure A.2.6). Malaysia entered the crisis later, however, and the resumption of domestic demand also came later. All countries embarked on structural reforms, but Malaysia’s progress in financial restructuring with active involvement of the government has been more rapid. Malaysia’s prudential regulation and supervision, already reasonably well developed prior to the crisis, also seems to he superior, contributing to a relatively robust financial system that could help cushion Malaysia’s vulnerability against future crises.
The imposition of capital controls led to higher costs of external borrowing for Malaysia, but only temporarily. Bolstered by the pegged exchange rate at an undervalued level, the controls provided a safeguard to policymakers and domestic market participants at a time of financial volatility. Overall, the adverse impact of capital control measures was contained (Appendix Figure A.2.7).7
Macroeconomic policy responses were broadly similar in all the crisis countries. Sharp hikes in interest rates and fiscal tightening aimed at restoring confidence were implemented initially. As the severity of output declines became evident, the strategy shifted to fiscal expansion supported by accommodating monetary policies. The magnitude, timing, and degree of flexibility of policy responses in Malaysia, however, were different from the other countries to some extent. Later implementation of macroeconomic stimuli, consistent with the delayed output weakening and combined with rigidities in both the budget system and interest rate structure, may have led to relatively slow responses in domestic demand. In 2000–01. Malaysia continued to pursue fiscal expansion, whereas the other countries had moved to a more neutral stance (Appendix Figure A.2.8).
There were also delays in implementing fiscal stimulus measures in Malaysia. Fiscal restraint was pursued at the early stage of the crisis, consistent with the policy recommendations of the IMF. Once fiscal expansion was adopted, the delays arose from reliance on increased capital expenditures, which produced slower effects than higher current spending or the tax cuts applied in some other countries. This approach in turn reflects the policy of maintaining an operating surplus each year. The impact on private domestic demand of the 1998–99 fiscal impulse—estimated to be the largest among the crisis countries—was not fully felt until late 1999, reflecting the lags in carrying out capital spending. This may explain the lag in the recovery. Fiscal analysis is complicated, however, by the use of off-budget privatized infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy, the magnitude of which is not transparent.
In the early stage of the crisis, Malaysia did not defend domestic currency as aggressively as the other countries. Nominal and real interest rates were raised, but reached lower peaks in Malaysia, and very high interest rates (reaching 35 percent) persisted for only a few days. The situation contrasted with those in Korea and Thailand, where high interest rates were maintained for some months without interruption. The difference reflects two factors inherent in the initial conditions of the three countries. First, Malaysia’s financing gap, if any, was modest, and the maintenance of high interest rates to attract capital inflows was less critical. Second, the Malaysian corporate sector relied more on domestic borrowing than external borrowing; therefore, Malaysia’s strategy helped mitigate the impact of the crisis on the sector’s financial distress, whereas the strategy used in the other countries helped in the stabilization of the exchange rates that was needed to contain external debt-service burden.
As monetary policy eased, real interest rates in Malaysia were brought down to a level slightly lower than in the other crisis countries (Appendix Figure A.2.9), but the interest rate structure in Malaysia remained rigid (as in Thailand). Slow credit growth was observed in all countries and does not appear to have constrained the recovery because demand for large investments was small. Interest rate rigidities, in particular, ceilings on banks’ lending rates, could have nevertheless hindered productive—but higher risk—activities and prevented faster output growth.
To counter the slow credit extension, Malaysia set nonbinding, minimum targets for loan growth, gave tax incentives, and made use of directed lending to target specific sectors. In the environment of subdued domestic demand and excess liquidity that prevailed through 2000, these measures appeared ineffective. Government involvement in negotiations to restructure bank debt of some privatized infrastructure projects, for example through the Corporate Debt Restructuring Committee, may have boosted credit extension, although it could also have implications for future claims on the government.
The effect of the September 1998 controls in curtailing speculative capital outflows appeared benign because much of this capital had already left Malaysia (Figure 2.7). Crisis countries that did not adopt capital controls were able to pursue a low interest rate policy and to keep exchange rates relatively stable as the surplus from the current account began to build up and capital outflows subsided. These countries also made some progress with financial and corporate sector restructuring. Nevertheless, the policies provided safety measures at a time of foreign exchange market instability. Domestic market participants reacted positively to the fixed exchange rate regime, although it had exposed them to exchange risks by discouraging hedging activities. The effects of control measures on raising funding costs for Malaysia and limiting capital inflows were reversed soon after the controls were eased.
Figure 2.7.Cumulative and Net Portfolio Flows
Source: Malaysian authorities.
The magnitude of the ringgit undervaluation appears to have been roughly similar to those of the other currencies. The undervalued ringgit benefited the Malaysian export sector, but it may have also discouraged imports and associated investment in other sectors and contributed to the slow pickup in private investment overall. Additionally, market expectations of an appreciation, which prevailed from early 1999 to mid-2000, are likely to have induced short-term speculative inflows that were subsequently followed by outflows and reserve losses.
Policy responses to strengthen the financial system have also been broadly similar among the crisis countries. To prevent its collapse, all countries gave a blanket deposit guarantee and provided liquidity support early into the crisis. Subsequently, each country established some form of asset-management strategy to address nonperforming loan problems, gave high priority to the upgrading of supervisory and regulatory standards to international best practices, and sought to recapitalize their financial institutions based on those norms. In the process, bank closures or merger programs were undertaken to establish stronger financial systems.
Overall, the progress achieved by Malaysia and Korea compares favorably in some aspects to the other countries, contributing to the improved performance of the financial systems.8 This may be explained to some extent by the more centralized approach they adopted that permitted actions to be taken early and in a comprehensive manner, and, in the ease of Malaysia, by its better starting conditions as well. A more active involvement by the government, however, implies that it could be taking higher risks on contingent liabilities involved in the restructuring process and on implicit guarantees of the future health of the financial system and of corporations affected by these actions. Risks would diminish, to the extent that ongoing reforms of the regulatory and supervisory frameworks promote greater market discipline and better-managed financial institutions. The various aspects of Malaysia’s financial and corporate sector reforms can be summarized as follows:
The government announced a guarantee of bank deposits early in the crisis (January 1998) that was credible in view of the country’s legal and regulatory framework, and the country did not suffer the bank runs experienced in Indonesia, Korea, and Thailand.
Danamodal, the recapitalization agency, succeeded early in restoring the capital levels of domestic banks in Malaysia, whereas the capital standards had not fully been met in some of the other crisis countries that employed a more decentralized process. The agency’s mandate inspired confidence that all domestic financial institutions in Malaysia would be recapitalized to the required standards and that necessary operational restructuring would be imposed through the exercise of control over their managements.
The special legal power vested in Danaharta, the centralized asset management company, helped ensure that banks were left with a manageable level of problem loans and that acquired assets were rehabilitated; this contrasts with the more decentralized nonperforming loan workout in Thailand. The use of independent auditors to determine the value of assets acquired by Danaharta avoided the subsidies required in Indonesia and in Korea. The emphasis placed on the management of assets implies their disposal at a more measured pace, unlike the quick disposal of acquired assets by Danaharta’s counterparts in other crisis countries. The agency succeeded in the early closure of its window for acquiring nonperforming loans and achieved a relatively high recovery rate of disposed loans, but the risk of its becoming a nonperforming loan warehouse is greater under the current strategy unless assets are upgraded and sold before long.
The bank consolidation program, tightly coordinated by Bank Negara Malaysia, aimed at creating larger and more efficient financial institutions ready to compete globally as new foreign competition is allowed. This contrasts with the strategy elsewhere, which entails bank closures and takeovers of existing banks—including by foreign investors—there by imposing market discipline and requiring financial institutions to become internationally competitive rapidly.9 Malaysia’s approach has been less disruptive, but the government’s reluctance to close banks could create moral hazard. Limited foreign equity participation in local banks could also slow the diffusion of technology transfers and the adoption of international best practices.
Malaysia moved ahead of the other crisis countries to strengthen prudential supervision and regulation. Bank Negara Malaysia’s move toward internal risk management by banks, including for cross-border transactions, and toward risk-based and consolidated supervision is a major step to enhance the soundness of the financial system, especially if financial innovations are to be increasingly embraced by the country’s banking system.
Progress in corporate sector reforms in Malaysia has been mixed.10 Institutional frameworks have been upgraded, especially standards for corporate governance. The promotion of active bond markets is expected to help gradually rebalance the maturity profile of corporate debt and diversity system risks. However, like in the other crisis countries, improved corporate balance sheets have largely been a result of economic recovery and debt restructuring, whereas progress in operational restructuring has been slow. Furthermore, a few incidents of poor governance despite the upgraded standards have raised doubts about the government’s commitment to adhere to best practices and protect minority shareholders. Such incidents have in turn undermined confidence and stock market performance, and weakened the ability of corporations to raise equity to support the restructuring process.
From the time the Thai baht was floated in July 1997 until February 1998, Malaysia’s policies (Table 2.2) broadly aimed at addressing external imbalances, alleviating pressures on the ringgit, and restoring market confidence. For a few days in July 1997, the authorities intervened in the exchange market and raised interbank interest rates sharply, but they quickly let the ringgit depreciate and lowered the interest rate to near precrisis levels. In August 1997, administrative measures were introduced to regulate foreign exchange swap transactions11 and restrict trading of blue chip stocks in the Kuala Lumpur stock exchange.
Table 2.2.Major Economic Policy Measures During Emergence of Crisis and Early Stage of Contagion
Date/Background
Specific Measures
March 1997: Kuala Lumpur stock exchange price began to fall Monetary: To slow credit growth • Limits on lending to the real estate sector and for the purchase of stocks and shares
July 1997: That baht devalued Monetary: To defend the ringgit • Interbank rate raised, reaching 35 percent for a couple of weeks, then lowered to around 10 percent
August 1997: Ringgit depreciation continued; Thailand’s program with IMF Monetary: To limit interest rate hikes and break links between domestic and offshore rates • Bank Negara Malaysia abandoned ringgit defense
• Limits imposed on ringgit swap transactions with nonresidents that were non trade related
Stock market: To stabilize and support Kuala Lumpur stock exchange price • Ban introduced on trading of blue-chip stocks comprising Kuala Lumpur stock exchange composite index
• Announcement of a large, publicly funded stock support scheme
September 1997: Prime minister’s statement that currency trading should be illegal Fiscal To strengthen fiscal and external accounts • Government spending cut for 1997, and implementation of large privatized projects deferred
October 1997: Indonesia’s program with IMF Fiscal: To continue cautious plan • 1998 budget announced, targeting a surplus of 2 percent of GDP (corresponding to a real growth rate of 7 percent)
Monetary: To limit credit growth • Credit plan introduced to limit loan growth gradually to 15 percent by end-1998, but with loans to specified sectors encouraged
• Base lending rates allowed to rise in response to higher interbank rates
November 1997: Further fall in stock prices Corporate: To rescue Renong which was in financial trouble • Proposed takeover of Renong by United Engineers Malaysia announced
December 1997: Evidence of slowing activity: Korea’s program with IMF Fiscal: To maintain broad fiscal target for 1998 • Major cuts (18 percent) in government spending planfor 1998. offsetting lower revenue projections and corresponding to revised output growth of 4–5 percent
Monetary: To support the ringgit • Bank Negara Malaysia intervened in foreign exchange interbank market
January 1998: Signs of bank runsand flight to quality Financial To provide stability • National Economic Action Council set up as consultative body to deal with the Asian crisis
•Government announced a guarantee of deposits at all financial institutions
• Tighter restrictions imposed on stock broking companies including those on gearing ratios, margin financing, and total exposure
February 1998 Corporate: To strength encorporate governance • High Level Finance Committee on Corporate Governance established
Monetary: To rebalance macro policy • Bank Negara Malaysia intervention rate raised to 11 percent from 10 percent: statutory reserve requirement cut to 10 percent from 13½ percent
• Bank Negara Malaysia set guidelines to ensure credit to priority bumiputra, housing, and small business sectors.
• Announcement that five financial institutions were in need of recapitalization, but no specific plans provided
As output expansion continued to be brisk through end-1997, macroeconomic policies during this period showed considerable restraint. Fiscal policy was tightened through sharp spending cuts. Steps were introduced to reduce loan growth through lending targets and directives to banks to cut credit for financing purchases of real estate and securities. To forestall bank runs and “flight to quality” the government announced a full deposit guarantee in January 1998.
Additional policy measures were put into place between March and August 1998 (Table 2.3). In response to signs of output slowdown, macroeconomic policy was rebalanced in March when fiscal policy was relaxed, whereas the credit policy remained tight relative to the previous trend. Also in March, the authorities adopted a strategy to safeguard the soundness of the financial system. Key measures included the upgrading of capital adequacy, prudential guidelines, and disclosure standards for banking institutions, as well as a merger program for finance companies. These were followed by a comprehensive approach to financial and corporate restructuring through the establishment of the asset management company. Danaharta, in June, and of the recapitalization agency, Danamodal, and the Corporate Debt Restructuring Committee in July. A new liquidity framework for banking institutions was also introduced in July, requiring banks to manage assets and liabilities prudently and efficiently.
Table 2.3.Major Economic Policy Measures, Initial Policy Responses, and Continued Turmoil
March 1998: Adoption of macro stabilization and financial sector package Fiscal and monetary: To rebalance macro economic policy • Revised fiscal plan implemented for 1998 aimed at a smaller surplus of ½ percent of GDP, allowing there instatement of previously cut social expenditures (of ½ percent of GDP) to protect most vulnerable groups
• Credit growth of 12–15 percent for 1998 reiterated
Financial: To safeguard banking system soundness • Strategy adopted for strengthening regulatory and prudential framework, disclosure standards, and monetary management
• Announcement of mergers of finance companies
• Announcement of planned improvement of monetary management, with timetable
May 1998: Political and economic turmoil in Indonesia Monetary: To provide banks with flexibility in liquidity management • Bank Negara Malaysia began to provide daily reports on its money market operations, including its forecasts offinancial system cash flows, its liquidity operations, and money market tender results
June 1998: Increasing signs of policy divergence between prime-minister and deputy prime-minister Financial: To lessen the burden in dealing with nonperforming loans • Danaharta established to purchase the nonperforming loans of financial institutions
July 1998: Evidence of output collapse: equity markets in advanced countries began to decline Fiscal and monetary: To provide strong stimulus • National Economic Recovery Plan issued
• Additional budgetary and off-budgetary expenditures introduced, aimed at achieving federal government deficit of 2½ percent of GDP
• Statutory reserve requirement reduced to 8 percent from 10 percent
Financial and corporate: To strengthen capital base of financial institutions and resolve bad debt problems • Danamodal established as a vehicle to recapitalize banks
• Corporate Debt Restructuring Committee established to encourage informal arrangement for debt restructuring
August 1998: Russia unilaterally announced debt-service emoratorium followed by emergency measures: yen vs dollar rate plunged; long-term capital management trouble publicized Monetary: To stimulate economy further and to move gradually to prudential-based system • Bank Negara Malaysia intervention rate reduced in three steps to 9½ percent from 11 percent
• Prudential-based liquidity framework introduced, intended to replace liquid asset requirements by January 2000
Although the financial reform measures would become important to the subsequent improvement of market sentiment, the overall policy package failed to restore confidence right away. Capital outflows continued from early 1997 to mid-1998, estimated at over $10 billion and representing over one-third of end-1996 reserves. The spread between onshore and offshore interest rates widened, suggesting heavy speculation in the currency market. By mid-1998, the ringgit had depreciated by 40 percent, and the stock market had declined by 75 percent from precrisis levels. In addition, output contraction was more severe than earlier anticipated, weakening further the financial and corporate sectors. Plagued by increasing nonperforming loans and liquidity constraints, bank lending was reduced beyond the credit plan, which aggravated financial problems in the corporate sector and further brought down investor confidence.
The crisis intensified, in part because of market qualms about the region, but Malaysia’s own political uncertainty and insufficient or unclear policies also contributed to the malaise. Investor confidence—already fragile—was shaken by the announcement in late 1997 of a United Engineers Malaysia-Renong deal, which lacked transparency and may have bent stock exchange rules.
From early 1998, the political conflict between the prime minister and the deputy prime minister became more visible and intense, creating doubts about Malaysia’s resolve to maintain its policy commitment. In February 1998m, it was announced that five financial institutions were in need of recapitalization, but no specific plans for their restructuring was given, sparking renewed concern about financial system vulnerability. The exchange rate and stock markets stabilized briefly around the time that the macroeconomic stabilization and financial sector package was put in place, but instability returned during April–August 1998 following the political turmoil in Indonesia, the fall of the Japanese yen, fears of a devaluation of the Chinese renminbi, and the Financial trouble in Russia. Moreover, given the difficulty in recognizing the sharp output slowdown, implementation of counter cyclical macroeconomic policies came with considerable delay.12 Fiscal policy remained relatively tight even after its relaxation in March, and reliance on quantitative monetary targets created problems, as credit was cut from firms that were potentially viable.
As output collapse became evident, macroeconomic policy became more supportive of economic revival. A fiscal stimulus package was launched in August 1998, entailing a significant increase in capital spending and tax reduction, and monetary policy became successively more accommodating.
In September 1998, Malaysia adopted an unorthodox approach that involved exchange and capital controls (Table 2.4) The ringgit was pegged at RM 3.8 per U.S. dollar, restrictions were imposed on the repatriation of portfolio capital, and offshore ringgit activities were prohibited. The strategy was designed to insulate monetary policy from external volatility and facilitate a low interest rate policy, to contain speculative capital movements, to provide certainty to market participants, and to give Malaysia some breathing space needed to carry out structural adjustment.
Table 2.4.Major Economic Policy Measures, Exchange and Capital Controls, and Aftermath
September 1998: Deputy prime minister Anwar removed and arrested; Bank Negara Malaysia governor and deputy governor resigned; Malaysia removed from major investment indices causing its sovereign bond spreads to rise as those for other crisis countries fell Exchange and capital controls: To deter speculation on the ringgit and gain monetary independence • Ringgit pegged at RM 3.8 per U.S. dollar
• Controls on transfers of funds from ringgit-denominated accounts for nonresidents not physically present in Malaysia, in effect imposing a one-year holding period for repatriation of portfolio capital, with retroactive effect
• Prohibition of off shore ringgit transactions
Monetary: To further ease and encourage credit growth • Reduction of Bank Negara Malaysia interventions rate to 8 percent from 9½ percent; modification of formula to link base lending rate to policy rate; reduction In statutory reserve requirement in two steps to 4percent from 8 percent reduction in liquid asset ratio requirement to 15 percent from 17 percent
• Individual banks’ minimum loan growth target set at 8 percent; relaxation of restrictions introduced inearly 1997 on bank lending to purchase property and shares
• Prudential regulations regarding nonperforming loans and disclosure requirements relaxed
October 1998-August 1999 Fiscal and monetary: To stimulate economic activity • Announcement of 1999 federal government budget aimed at achieving deficit of 5½ percent of GDP
• Successive reductions of Bank Negara Malaysia intervention rate to 7 percent 10/98), to 7½ percent(11/98), to 6½ percent (4/99), to 6 percent (5/99), and to 5.5 percent (8/99)
January 1999 Monetary: To contain investment in selected activities • New lending for residential development above a certain threshold was restricted by Bank Negara Malaysia
January-March 1999 Corporate: To adopt best practices • Various measures to enhance disclosure for listed companies and to restrict the number of director ships held by an individual
• Report of High Level Finance Committee on Corporate Governance released to the public
February 1999: After the easing of capital controls, spread narrowed and plans to include Malaysia once again in investment indices announced Capital controls: To preempt exodus of capital and reengage foreign investors • Easing of some controls, including replacement of 12-moth holding period for repatriation of portfolio capital by system of a graduated exit levy
April 1999 Financial: To strengthen supervision and regulation • Measures included intensified supervision, performance reviews for bank CEOs, elimination of two-tier bank classification, and disallowing of bank lending to controlling shareholders
September 1999 Capital controls: To provide further relaxation • Graduated exit levy on portfolio Investment simplified and replaced by a flat 10 percent levy on repatriation of profits
• Some relaxation in swap and forward transactions for the purpose of share purchases
November 1999: Malaysia reincluded in Dow Jones/IFC investment indices Financial: To strengthen management and supervision • Risk-based supervision initiated, with consultation between Bank Negara Malaysia and banks regarding minimum guidelines on credit risk-management practices
February 2000 Capital controls: To resolve pending issue • Resolution on Central Limit Order Book that froze investors’ Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange shares traded in Singapore as from 9/98
April 2000: Malaysia reincluded in Morgan Stanley Capital International investment index (May) Capital markets: To develop • Announcement of consolidation of stock broking companies, to 15 by end-2000 from 63 (deadline later extended)
• National Bond Market Committee established to provide policy direction and rationalize regulatory framework for bond market development
October 2000 Fiscal To put in place another stimulus budget
Capital controls: To provide further easing • Announcement of 2001 budget aimed at achieving federal government deficit of 4½ percent
• Proposal to remove 10 percent exit levy on portfolio capital profits repatriated after one year (effective 2/01)
The market welcomed the financial reform measures and expansionary macroeconomic policies, but the capital controls had an immediate negative impact. Rating agencies downgraded Malaysia, sovereign bond spreads increased relative to those of Korea and Thailand, and Malaysia was removed from major investment indices. This was in part due to investors’ uncertainty about the coverage of the controls and the potential impact on foreign direct investment, even though the latter was not to be affected by the controls. Controls on portfolio capital outflows were replaced by a price-based exit levy in February 1999, which was eased and simplified in September 1999 and February 2001 and finally eliminated in May 2001.
The negative impact of capital control measures was nevertheless contained. Regional prospects, which had strengthened just prior to the introduction of capital controls, helped bolster confidence and aided in the recovery process of the crisis countries, including Malaysia. The ringgit turned out, expost, to have been undervalued, providing a boost to exports and an incentive for retaining funds in the country. Malaysian equities once again became fully liquid following the replacement of quantitative restrictions on their outflows by price-based controls. These equities were reincluded in major investment indices, and portfolio capital returned.
Thus, along with the rest of Asia, Malaysia staged a recovery beginning in 1999; financial sector performance strengthened, investor confidence improved, real output rebounded rapidly, and the inflation rate fell. A large external current account surplus and reduced capital outflows allowed a buildup of international reserves that continued until mid-2000. Although the real effective rate of the ringgit has appreciated in recent months, it remained broadly stable throughout 1999–2000, as exchange rates of trading partners that had also been affected by the crisis began to stabilize at about the same time as the pegging of the ringgit. Indications are that the ringgit has moved close to its fair value by March–April 2001.
Reflecting better market sentiment, the Kuala Lumpur stock exchange price index surged, alter having bottomed out, also around September 1998. As in the other crisis countries, the index has continued to fluctuate along with stock prices in major markets, especially in the United Stales, which have softened significantly since early 2000, Spreads for Malaysian sovereign bonds declined from their peak in September 1998, even if they have edged up in recent months.
Bank balance sheets have improved, reflecting both the economic turnaround and the achievements of Danaharta, Danamodal, and the Corporate Debt Restructuring Committee, which have allowed banks to be rid of nonperforming loans and to strengthen their capital base, and have allowed corporate debt to be removed. There are indications that Malaysia has moved ahead of other crisis countries in respect to formulation of prudential regulation, resolution of nonperforming loans, restoration of capital adequacy, and implementation of a bank consolidation program, all of which have helped reinforce investor confidence that the economy was undergoing fundamental adjustment.
There are indications, however, that the performance of Malaysian corporations, which had been more profitable and under less financial stress prior to the crisis than that of their counterparts in Korea and Thailand, deteriorated to a greater extent during the crisis and has recently fared no better than the others. Similar to the other countries, operational restructuring of the corporate sector has been slow and, reportedly, has not adhered fully to best corporate governance practices.
Appendix. Graphical Overview of Indicators During Precrisis, Crisis, and Recovery
Figure A.2.1.Selected Asian Countries: Precrisis Macroeconomic Indicators
Sources: IMF, World Economic Outlook; International Financial Statistics; and Asia and Pacific Department databases.
Figure A.2.2.Selected Asian Countries: Precrisis Financial Indicators
Sources: IMF, World Economic Outlook; International Financial Statistics, and Asia and Pacific Department databases; CEIC Data Company Limited; Bloomberg; and Robert Deckle and Kenneth Kletzer 2001, Domestic Bank Regulation and Financial Crises: Theory and Empirical Evidence from East Asia, IMF Working Paper 01/63 (Washington: International Monetary Fund).
House price index for Malaysia, real estate price for Thailand, and construction value index for Indonesia. Data are not available for Philippines.
Figure A.2.3.Selected Asian Countries: Economic indicators During the Crisis Period
Sources: IMF, Information Notice System and Asia and Pacific Department databases.
Figure A.2.4.Selected Asian Countries: Economic Developments
Sources: IMF, Asia and Pacific Department databases; and CEIC Data Company Limited.
1Data are not available for Indonesia.
Figure A.2.5.Selected Asian Countries: Financial Market Indicators During the Crisis Period
Sources: Data provided by country authorities; Consensus Economics Inc., Asia Pacific Consensus Forecasts; and IMF staff estimates.
1Export-Import Bank of Korea global bond spread is used as a proxy from September 1997 through March 1998.
Figure A.2.6.Selected Asian Countries: Economic Performance During the Recovery Stage
Sources: IMF, International Financial Statistics; and Asia and Pacific Department databases.
Figure A.2.7.Selected Asian Countries: Financial Indicators During the Recovery Stage
Sources: IMF, Information Notice System; Bloomberg; and Asia and Pacific Department databases.
2Sovereign bond issued September 19, 1990 that matured on September 27, 2000.
3Sovereign bond issued May 26, 1999 and maturing on June 1, 2009.
Figure A.2.8.Selected Asian Countries: Fiscal Indicators
1For Indonesia, 1995 through 1999 are on a fiscal year basis (fiscal year ending March). Year 2000 contains data for three quarters. Figure for 2001 is on a calendar year basis.
2Thailand is on a fiscal year basis (fiscal year ending September).
Figure A.2.9.Selected Asian Countries: Monetary Indicators
Sources: International Financial Statistics; and Asia and Pacific Department databases.
1Temporary capital controls introduced in September 1998.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Anwar Ibrahim, was Malaysia’s key contact with the IMF at that time. He was removed from office the day alter the capital and exchange controls were introduced.
Malaysias in was the only one of the five Asian countries severely affected to the crisis that did not resort to use of IMF resources.
Such regulation included limits on banks’ net foreign currency open position and monitoring of liahilities of domestic corporations to ensure their foreign exchange earning potential.
For total factor productivity growth estimates, see Michael Meow-Chun yap, 2000, Potential Output of the Malaysian Economy: Evaluating the Production Function Approach.” paper presented at the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research. November (Kuala LumpuR). The incremental capital output ratio reversed in 1998–99, which was attributed largely to Tailing investment.
See Section III for further discussions of fiscal issues.
See, below, the time frame of Malaysia’s policies in response to the crisis and economic performance that ensued.
See Section V for further discussions of the capital controls, and their impact.
See Section VI for more details on financial sector developments and reform measures.
The share pi foreign-owned banks in Malaysia was relatively high before the crisis, although their activities are more restricted than local banks. The approach to not allow foreign takeovers of banks may partly explain the low level of foreign direct investment flows into the country in 1998-2000, relative 10 recent history, in comparison with such flows into the other crisis countries.
See Section VII. for further analysis of the corporate sector and recent reform efforts.
In May 1997, Thailand imposed partial restrictions on offshore activities in order to stabilize the foreign exchange market and stem speculative attacks on the baht.
Macroeconomic restraint at this stage of the crisis was consistent with the policy recommendations of the IMF.
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Regional Economic Outlook, May 2009, Middle East and Central Asia
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
The global crisis is now affecting the countries in the Middle East and Central Asia region, and economic and financial vulnerabilities are rising. In the Middle East and North Africa, good economic fundamentals, appropriate policy responses, and sizable currency reserves are helping mitigate the impact of the shock. In the Caucasus and Central Asia, lower commodity prices and adverse economic developments in Russia have hit hard. The report notes that countries should prepare for the contingency of a prolonged global slowdown by supporting domestic demand for a longer period and strengthening financial systems further. In some countries with rising unemployment, it will be important to target government resources and policies on protecting the poor; in others, increased donor support will be necessary to maintain needed economic development.
Regional Economic Outlook, May 2009
I. Middle Eastern Oil Exporters: Continued Spending Supports the Global Economy
II. Middle Eastern Oil Importers: Delayed Slowdown Under Way
III. The Caucasus and Central Asia: A Bumpy Road Ahead?
Statistical Appendix
Growth set to slow sharply as the global crisis bites
Russia: Still important for the CCA region
Weaker commodity markets: Good for some, not for others
Global financial turmoil: Limited direct impact, bigger indirect effect
Risks to the outlook are on the downside
How should the authorities respond to the ongoing regional slowdown?
CCA: Real GDP Growth
Trade Patterns in the CCA, 2008
Remittance Inflows
Remittance Outflows from Russia
Remittance Receipts
CCA: Government Fiscal Balance
Share of Russia in CCA Countries’ Exports
CCA: Current Account Balance
Average Inflation, GDP-Weighted
Private External Debt, 2008
Credit Growth
Nonperforming Loans
Capital Adequacy Ratios
Existing House Prices
Foreign Exchange Share of Loans and Deposits, End-2008
Gross International Reserves
Sovereign Wealth Fund Assets and Public Debt, 2008
The global downturn is taking a toll on the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) region. Growth is expected to almost come to a halt this year, and current account and fiscal balances are moving toward deficit. While linkages to international financial markets are weak in most countries, the global economic crisis is being transmitted to the region via falling commodity prices, declining export demand, and lower remittance inflows, particularly from Russia. Policies should focus on providing support to growth and safeguarding financial systems, while managing external adjustment.
Caucasus and Central Asia Countries
The CCA region consists of eight former Soviet Union republics. In the north, the region borders on Russia and in the east, on China. Both neighbors are key economic partners for the landlocked CCA region. There are four oil and gas exporters (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) and four oil and gas importers (Armenia, Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan). CCA countries differ substantially in terms of per capita GDP, which ranges from $800 in Tajikistan to $8,500 in Kazakhstan.
Note: The country names and borders on this map do not necessarily reflect the IMF’s official position.
Economic developments in the CCA region have been very favorable in recent years. Real GDP growth averaged 12 percent during 2005–07, before slowing to a still-solid 6.3 percent in 2008. The regional average in 2008 reflects significant slowdowns in Armenia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan, but still-strong growth in other countries. For most hydrocarbon importers, remittance-driven demand was the main engine of growth. Inflation pressures had been building since 2004, peaking in mid-2008, but dissipating in the second half of the year with the decline in international commodity prices. CCA headline inflation had receded to about 12 percent year on year at end-2008. Driven by high energy prices and the coming onstream of new oil fields, fiscal and current account balances in hydrocarbon exporters improved until 2008. Fiscal developments in hydrocarbon importers were more mixed, while current account balances deteriorated.
The global downturn is affecting most CCA countries, with real GDP growth in the region expected to almost come to a halt in 2009 (Figure 14). High-frequency indicators, such as industrial production, point to a sharp slowing in activity starting in the fourth quarter of 2008 in a number of countries. In Kazakhstan and Georgia, spreads on externally issued bonds have also risen sharply and, in Kazakhstan, the stock market has plunged. In Armenia and Kazakhstan, the economy is expected to contract in 2009, while growth will be just barely positive in Georgia and the Kyrgyz Republic. Only Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are expected to delink somewhat from the global recession and achieve real GDP growth of 7 percent on account of favorable developments in their hydrocarbon sectors and fiscal stimulus (Table 7). Assuming some recovery in the global economy, real GDP growth is expected to strengthen generally in 2010. The headline growth number of 5 percent for the region for 2010, however, is driven by exceptionally strong growth in Azerbaijan (from increased hydrocarbon production). Other countries are expected to see much more modest recoveries.
Figure 14.CCA: Real GDP Growth
Sources: Data provided by country authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.
Table 7.CCA: Real GDP Growth(In percent)
Proj.
CCA 13.1 12.0 6.3 0.9 5.0
Armenia 13.2 13.8 6.8 -5.0 0.0
Azerbaijan 30.5 23.4 11.6 2.5 12.3
Georgia 9.4 12.4 2.0 1.0 3.0
Kazakhstan 10.7 8.9 3.2 -2.0 1.5
Kyrgyz Republic 3.1 8.5 7.6 0.9 2.9
Tajikistan 7.0 7.8 7.9 2.0 3.0
Turkmenistan 11.4 11.6 9.8 6.9 7.0
Uzbekistan 7.3 9.5 9.0 7.0 7.0
While the factors driving the slowdown in individual countries vary, three common themes emerge.
The contraction in Russia is affecting CCA countries via trade, remittances, and financial linkages.
Several commodity exporters are being hit by declining demand and prices.
Capital inflows are drying up, putting pressure on credit, growth, and the external accounts.
Russia remains a key economic partner for the CCA region. Trade flows have declined in importance over the past decade, but remain significant for some countries (Figure 15). At the same time, financial linkages have increased. For example, the banking sector in Kazakhstan now has a large exposure to Russia. A number of CCA countries are also dependent on remittances from Russia, particularly the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, but also Armenia and Georgia (Figure 16). In Tajikistan, for example, remittances accounted for about 50 percent of GDP in 2008, with most Tajik migrants reportedly working in Russia.
Figure 15.Trade Patterns in the CCA, 2008
Source: IMF Direction of Trade Statistics.
Figure 16.Remittance Inflows
Sources: Data provided by country authorities; and IMF staff estimates.
The Russian economy is expected to contract sharply in 2009. Real GDP grew strongly until mid-2008, driven by large terms-of-trade gains and surging capital inflows, accompanied by accommodative monetary and fiscal policies. This strong growth provided ample employment opportunities for migrants, and remittance flows from Russia to the CCA region surged (Figure 17). However, the sharp fall in oil prices and the sudden reversal of capital flows, brought on by the global financial crisis, have hit the economy hard and have resulted in an abrupt economic slowdown. Real GDP is expected to contract by 6 percent in 2009 despite the large fiscal expansion under way. With falling oil exports, the current account surplus is expected to disappear.
Figure 17.Remittance Outflows from Russia
Source: IMF Balance of Payments Statistics.
Another factor affecting the region is the weakness of the Russian ruble, which has depreciated by about 30 percent against the U.S. dollar since July 2008. Most countries were initially reluctant to let their exchange rate move against the U.S. dollar, resulting in a sharp appreciation against the ruble both in nominal and real effective terms (the Kyrgyz Republic was an exception as it allowed greater exchange rate flexibility). This led to losses in competitiveness, particularly in import-competing industries, and has contributed to pressures on the external accounts. It has also reduced the dollar or local currency value of ruble remittances. In recent months, however, a number of countries have moved to adjust their exchange rates (Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, while the Kyrgyz Republic has continued the gradual depreciation that started last year) as pressures mounted.
As such, developments in Russia are an important factor contributing to the economic slowdown in the CCA countries (Box 5). For countries such as the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, the main channel of transmission will be a slowdown in remittance inflows, which is already under way (Figure 18). As well as having an impact on growth and the external accounts, weaker remittance inflows will also lead to higher poverty rates in these countries. For Kazakhstan, financial and trade linkages are key. Further declines in real estate prices in Russia will erode the value of Kazakhstani bank assets in the country, putting pressure on balance sheets. Future movements of the ruble will also be important in influencing the competitiveness of domestic producers.
Figure 18.Remittance Receipts
Despite its own difficulties, Russia continues to provide official assistance to CCA countries. For example, the Kyrgyz Republic could draw on $450 million in concessional financing from Russia in 2009 to mitigate the negative impact of declining remittances. In Armenia, a $500 million loan agreement for infrastructure projects and onlending to small and medium-sized enterprises is under negotiation. Support for other CCA countries has been offered, or is under negotiation, and Russian companies continue to explore investment opportunities in CCA countries.
China’s role in the region is also expanding. Trade with China has increased in recent years. For example, imports from China to Turkmenistan increased by 55 percent a year during 2004–07, and similar growth rates are being observed in Uzbekistan. Trade with China is expected to increase further in the coming years, in part helped by infrastructure projects that better link CCA countries and China. For example, a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to China with a capacity of 30 billion cubic meters is expected to be completed by 2012, while China is investing in Uzbekistan’s hydrocarbon sector, with FDI worth $270 million being planned for 2009. Kazakhstan has also recently announced a $10 billion loan deal with China.
Hydrocarbon exporters are, so far, mostly weathering declining prices reasonably well. Current account and fiscal surpluses are disappearing quickly as oil and gas revenues fall. Outside of Kazakhstan, however, current account balances are expected to remain in surplus in 2009 and 2010. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are seeing less of an effect on the external side as contracted gas prices have been increasing. Uzbekistan has also benefited from increasing gold prices. On the fiscal side, revenues are dropping as commodity prices decline, but all the hydrocarbon exporters have accumulated buffers during the boom years—partly in SWFs—on which they can now draw to provide fiscal stimulus and thus support nonhydrocarbon GDP growth (Figure 19). Nevertheless, the large deterioration in the terms of trade is negatively affecting domestic demand, and the fiscal stimulus envisaged will only partly cushion the extent of the downturn, most notably in Kazakhstan, where the impact of the global financial crisis is particularly severe.
Figure 19.CCA: Government Fiscal Balance
Hydrocarbon importers are benefiting from lower import prices, but this is not necessarily translating into better economic outcomes. The positive oil price effect on the current account is offset by falling remittances and exports, partly on account of declining commodity export prices (Armenia: copper; Georgia: ferroalloys and copper; Tajikistan: cotton and aluminum). Only in the Kyrgyz Republic, where gold is the main commodity exported, have export prices held up. As a result, current account deficits remain large and even increased in 2008 for the hydrocarbon importers (Figure 20). Food prices have come down from their 2008 peak, but remain above the levels seen earlier in this decade. As such, there is little relief to low-income households. Moreover, the decline in international prices is being offset by regional currencies depreciating against the U.S. dollar. As a result, headline inflation is expected to stabilize around current, still-elevated levels, or even increase in some cases (Figure 21).
Box 5.How Russia Affects the Neighborhood: Trade, Financial, and Remittance Channels
Although direct trade links with Russia have weakened in recent years, the current slump in the Russian economy will negatively affect growth in the CCA countries largely through financial and remittance channels.
The 1998 Russian crisis is said to have “de-linked” the CCA countries’ dependence on Russia. Indeed, trade data show that the declining trend in share of exports to Russia in CCA country exports, which had begun prior to 1998, accelerated further in the subsequent period (Figure B5.1). However, the recent boom in these countries at a time of high remittances and financial flows from Russia suggests otherwise.
A recent study by IMF staff tests the relationship between growth in the CCA countries and Russia, and explores trade, financial, and remittance channels.1 Estimation results show that after controlling for the impact of Europe, CCA countries continue to depend on Russia. But the links may have altered since the 1998 crisis, with financial and remittance channels playing a more important role.
CCA countries’ growth is positively associated with Russian GDP growth, but this is not explained by trade links (Figure B5.2). The growth spillover from Russia appears particularly large for Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Georgia. Trade does not appear to be a channel, as Russian growth (weighted by the share of exports to Russia in total country exports) has little association with CCA growth.
The link with Russian prosperity appears to be explained by a strong and statistically significant association between proxies for financial flows from Russia and growth in CCA countries. As Russia accumulated vast oil-driven external savings earlier this decade, countries in this region appear to have benefited from the spillovers of these savings.
CCA countries’ growth is also strongly associated with remittances from Russia. The economic boom in Russia in the middle of the current decade appears to have strengthened its labor market links with the CCA. The resulting remittances were particularly large for Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, but also important for Georgia and Armenia. A slowdown in Russia will likely result in the return migration of CCA workers and add to unemployment pressures.
Figure B5.1.Share of Russia in CCA Countries’ Exports
Figure B5.2.GDP growth
Note: This box was prepared by Fahad Alturki and Nadeem Ilahi.1“How Russia Affects the Neighborhood: Trade Financial and Remittance Channels,” by Nadeem Ilahi, Fahad Alturki, and Jaime Espinosa, forthcoming IMF Working Paper. Owing to data limitations, Turkmenistan is excluded from the analysis.
Figure 20.CCA: Current Account Balance
Figure 21.Average Inflation, GDP-Weighted
Sources: Data provided by country authorities.
Banking systems in the CCA region are comparatively underdeveloped and have only limited direct linkages to global financial markets. As such, banks in most CCA countries have so far been relatively insulated from the global financial crisis. Kazakhstan is the exception. There, pressures in the non-oil private sector have increased, with banks in particular facing difficulties in meeting their external debt rollover needs. In 2009, about $10 billion out of a total of $40 billion in bank external debt is falling due. Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Tajikistan (for cotton financing) face more moderate external rollover needs (Figure 22). Countries in the region have also been affected by the drying up of trade credit and other credit lines. Most CCA countries are likely to see FDI decline substantially in 2009, in line with the global trend discussed in the April 2009 Global Financial Stability Report. Moreover, countries could also face private sector outflows as households and firms try to avoid the impact of depreciating local currencies by converting local currency into dollars.
Figure 22.Private External Debt, 2008
Weaker capital inflows are affecting credit availability and growth. Across the CCA region, private sector credit growth is slowing dramatically, from the 2006 peak of 63 percent (Figure 23). In the past, episodes of slowing credit growth have been associated with a sharp drop in GDP growth and rising nonperforming loans (NPLs).3 This pattern is now showing in the region, with NPLs increasing since the second half of 2008 (although differences in methodologies mean that NPL levels should not be compared across countries, Figure 24). For now, capital adequacy ratios generally remain high, but capitalization may come under stress in some countries as the credit cycle evolves further (Figure 25). In Kazakhstan, significant problems in the banking sector are already evident. The government, through the Samruk-Kazyna Fund, took a majority stake in BTA, the largest bank, in early February following difficulties at the institution. Two banks—BTA and Alliance—have announced that they will stop making debt repayments while they negotiate with their creditors.
Figure 23.Credit Growth
Figure 24.Nonperforming Loans
Figure 25.Capital Adequacy Ratios
Source: Data provided by country authorities.
Regional financial spillovers will also take hold. Stress in the banking system in Kazakhstan will have repercussions for the Kyrgyz banking system, which is one-third owned by Kazakhstan banks. In addition, besides Russia, Kazakhstan is another destination for migrant workers from the region and the growth slowdown in Kazakhstan will contribute to the decline in remittance inflows in other CCA countries.
Risks to the outlook are largely on the downside and closely linked to the global economy. A continued deterioration in world growth—particularly in Russia, but also in China—or another drop in commodity prices would further reduce growth in the region. Likewise, renewed stresses in global financial markets would affect countries such as Kazakhstan. A more modest than expected global recovery in 2010 would also delay the expected rebound in the region. Even in countries not directly exposed to global financial markets, financial sector vulnerabilities are a key downside risk. In this regard, a sharp drop in real estate prices would undermine bank balance sheets in countries where real estate is widely used as collateral, and where past valuations were close to market prices (Figure 26).
Figure 26.Existing House Prices
CCA countries have responded to the impact of the global crisis in a proactive way, but stepped-up policy efforts will be needed as the slowdown deepens. Most countries have already implemented fiscal stimulus, eased monetary policy, and allowed their exchange rate to depreciate (Table 8). On the financial sector side, the policy response has been more mixed, and so far largely determined by the timing and size of emerging vulnerabilities. Four countries (Armenia, Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan) have IMF programs that are providing financing to help them cope with the current difficult economic situation.
Table 8.The Caucasus and Central Asia: Summary of Crisis Response Measures
Fiscal stimulus
Exchange rate depreciation
Monetary easing
Liquidity support
Increased provisioning
Capital injections
Deposit guarantees
Armenia ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Azerbaijan ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Georgia ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Kazakhstan ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Enhanced
Kyrgyz Republic ✓ ✓ ✓
Tajikistan ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Uzbekistan ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Action is needed to identify financial sector risks at an early stage and put in place appropriate measures to manage vulnerabilities. While generally high capital adequacy ratios provide some comfort, these can be eroded quickly. In particular, countries need to step up supervision, ensure that banks are provisioning adequately for a deterioration of asset quality on their balance sheets, assess the impact of downside scenarios on banks, and (where needed) tighten prudential requirements. Countries should also ensure that their deposit insurance systems are well designed, that the central bank can provide liquidity to illiquid but solvent banks, that mechanisms exist for the government to effectively and quickly intervene in troubled institutions, and that they have contingency plans in place on how to deal with financial sector stress. A number of countries have made significant strides in these areas, but others have not. Kazakhstan is currently implementing a wide-ranging “anti-crisis” plan that is providing capital and liquidity support to the banks, has substantially increased the coverage of deposit insurance, and has established an asset management company to buy distressed assets from the banks. Azerbaijan and Georgia have also taken significant steps to strengthen their banking systems in recent months, while Uzbekistan has injected capital into banks and extended the coverage of deposit insurance. For countries that have yet to develop contingency plans on how they would handle problems in the financial sector, this is a priority.
Central banks in the region face a difficult dilemma on exchange rate policy. On the one hand, balance sheets in CCA countries are highly dollarized, and exchange rate depreciation would weaken balance sheets and adversely affect growth (Figure 27). On the other hand, CCA countries are losing competitiveness on account of the Russian ruble depreciation. Thus, exchange rate adjustment is likely to be needed and countries are generally moving in this direction (Box 6). Nonetheless, policies can differ across countries depending on the extent of international reserve buffers and on how governments weigh competitiveness concerns and financial sector stability issues.
Figure 27.Foreign Exchange Share of Loans and Deposits, End-2008
Source: IMF, Global Financial Stability Report, April 2009.
Monetary policy needs to strike the right balance between providing liquidity to the domestic financial system and ensuring that domestic currency assets remain attractive. The drying up of external financing and rising NPLs are contributing to liquidity shortages in many countries, and central banks have appropriately responded by providing liquidity to banks through a combination of reductions in reserve requirements (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan) and short-term liquidity operations (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan). These operations of course need to be carefully managed as there is a risk that such injections could lead to increased demand for foreign exchange, thus further contributing to pressures on the exchange rate.
Fiscal stimulus is desirable in the current environment, although for some countries increased donor financing is needed to achieve this. Almost all countries are seeing a drop in revenues as growth slows and export prices decline, and are appropriately accommodating this by allowing the fiscal balance to deteriorate (Figure 28). Debt levels are comparatively low, and the projected fiscal position in 2009 looks manageable (Figure 29). There should therefore be some room in most countries for a discretionary fiscal stimulus to bolster demand, with spending focused on protecting the poor, supporting returning migrants, and developing infrastructure where needed. In commodity exporters, governments are appropriately using their large fiscal reserves to finance such increases in spending. For other countries, there is a more limited ability to fund such policies. Where additional donor financing is not forthcoming, fiscal adjustment may be necessary to support external stability. In some cases, this may also imply reductions in social- and poverty-related spending at a time when needs are rising.
Box 6.Exchange Rate Policies: Coping with New Challenges in Caucasus and Central Asia Countries
Following a trend of real appreciation, CCA currencies have recently come under pressure. Policymakers initially resisted exchange rate adjustment, but by March 2009 most CCA countries had implemented one-step devaluations. Some are moving to greater exchange rate flexibility.
After years of strong inflows, all major sources of foreign exchange supply have dried up. Hydrocarbon exports have suffered from price reductions (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan), remittances from the slowdown in the remitter country economies (Armenia, Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan), and capital inflows from the global recession (Georgia, Kazakhstan). Declining imports have reduced foreign exchange demand, but this has been more than offset by the conversion of deposits and cash to foreign currency, reflecting mounting expectations of a depreciation of the local currency.
Decreased foreign exchange inflows and the adverse impact on competitiveness of real appreciations suggest the need for nominal exchange rate adjustments. Regional currencies have appreciated particularly sharply against that of Russia, a key trading partner for the region (Figure B6.1). Policymakers are, however, understandably concerned about the adverse effect of depreciation on heavily dollarized bank, corporate, and household balance sheets. Exchange rate decisions therefore depend on the relative benefits of exchange rate depreciation in terms of increased competitiveness, weighed against the potential costs of adverse balance sheet effects. The response to exchange rate pressures also hinges critically on the expected duration of the current slumps in global growth and export prices, and on countries’ initial reserve levels.
The policy response to exchange rate pressures has in most cases involved depreciation, either through a step devaluation or a gradual adjustment (Figure B6.2). Kazakhstan, after maintaining a stable exchange rate for an extended period, devalued in February 2009 as reserve losses mounted (even though the country still has sizable reserves). Armenia, Georgia, and the Kyrgyz Republic, which experienced strong depreciation pressures and had more limited reserve buffers, also adjusted their exchange rates (the Kyrgyz Republic via a gradual depreciation). Uzbekistan continued with the crawling peg devaluations at a broadly unchanged pace. Supporting monetary and fiscal policies and measures to contain the impact of depreciation on dollarized balance sheets are needed to manage these depreciations. On the other hand, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have ample reserves; have been subject to only limited exchange rate pressures; and have chosen to maintain broad exchange rate stability. Going forward, countries in the region should address remaining structural weaknesses to reduce external vulnerabilities, including by improving monetary frameworks, developing credible alternative monetary anchors, strengthening financial infrastructures, and fostering financial deepening.
Figure B6.1.Exchange Rate Developments
Sources: Data provided by country authorities; DataStream; and IMF staff estimates.
Figure B6.2.Gross International Reserves
1March 2009 gross international reserves include SBA purchases of $249 million (Armenia) and $250 million (Georgia).
Note: This box was prepared by Aidyn Bibolov and Holger Floerkemeier.
Figure 29.Sovereign Wealth Fund Assets and Public Debt, 2008
Note: This chapter was prepared by Tim Callen and Axel Schimmelpfennig, with research support from Jaime Espinosa.
See E. Mendoza and M. Terrones, 2008, “An Anatomy of Credit Booms: Evidence from Macro Aggregates and Micro Data” IMF Working Paper 08/226.
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Turkey to launch military operations in Syria
By Sameer On January 14, 2018, 6:39 AM IST Islamic World Syria Top Stories
Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Turkey would conduct military operations in Syria’s Afrin if Kurdish Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) militants do not withdraw in a week.
Speaking in the eastern province of Elazig, Erdogan threatened the U.S.-backed YPG, saying Turkey would interfere “if the terrorists in Afrin do not surrender,” Xinhua reported.
The President added that Turkey will act alone to protect its security against YPG militants even if the US continues its partnership with the group.
Ankara considers the YPG as a terror group and an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in its own border.
During his speech, Erdogan stressed that Turkish forces “are destroying the western wing of this corridor with the Idlib operation,” referring to the artillery operation launched on the same day.
According to information gathered by Anadolu Agency, Turkish artillery units on Saturday fired at least 36 times on PKK/PYD forces from Turkey’s southern province Hatay and a Turkish Armed Forces observation point in Idlib.
Topics:Syria Turkey
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A visit to Iran yields a stunning variety of culinary delights. Between the familiar kebab and the decidedly outré grilled lamb’s testicles, there’s a vast spectrum of foods: caviar, pickle, and smoked fish in the north; samosas, falafel and hot and sour shrimp in the south; noodles, flatbread and rosewater-scented ice cream across the country.
Take a look at Iran’s place on the map and it’s easy to understand why the scope of native foods is so wide. Once the center of the Persian Empire, Iran neighbors the former Soviet Union countries, as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Arab states and Turkey. Although Iran is part of the Middle East, it has close ties to Europe, the Far East and Africa, owing to its central place on the Silk Road trade route.
What’s more, the ancient warrior-king of Greece, Alexander the Great, conquered the Persian Empire back in the 4th century, and later it was invaded by Arabs, Turks, Mongols and Uzbeks. While Iranians already had a well-developed food identity before these invasions, they assimilated what the outsiders brought in. Think Russian-style borscht with cumin and cilantro and Chinese noodles in a soup of beans, herbs and sour fermented whey.
Many coveted ingredients are native to Iran, including pistachios, almonds, walnuts, saffron, mint, oranges, pomegranates and grapes. Iran has a variable climate with four distinct seasons, and unlike other parts of the Middle East, where the dry terrain limited what food could be grown, the ancient Persians transformed vast stretches of arid land into fertile oases via underground aquifers that drew melted snow water into the desert.
A core curriculum of classic Persian favorites can be found on most Persian-American restaurant menus. Here are 10 to try. Noosh-e jan! (Yes, that’s Farsi for “bon appétit.”)
1. Fesenjan (Pomegranate Walnut Stew)
This iconic stew, an essential part of every Persian wedding menu, pairs tart pomegranate with chicken, duck or small meat balls. Ground walnuts, pomegranate paste and onions are slowly simmered to make a thick sauce. Sometimes saffron and cinnamon are added, and a pinch of sugar to balance the acid. Fesenjan has a long pedigree. At the ruins of Persepolis, the ancient ritual capital of the Persian Empire, archaeologists found inscribed stone tablets from as far back as 515 B.C., which listed pantry staples of the early Iranians. They included walnuts, poultry and pomegranate preserves, the key ingredients in fesenjan.
2. Bademjan (Eggplant and Tomato Stew)
This stew has the shimmering red-gold color of tomatoes cooked with turmeric, with a sheen of oil on top, a prized characteristic in Persian cooking that shows a stew has been cooked long enough for the oils to rise up. Slightly tart, with the tang of tomatoes, lemon juice, and sometimes the juice of unripe grapes, its tanginess is kept in check by the eggplant, which is first fried on its own until golden-brown, then cooked with onions, lamb and the tomatoes and seasoning. Like all Persian stews, bademjan is thick and meant to be eaten over rice.
3. Baghali Polo (Rice with Dill and Fava Beans)
In Iranian cooking, rice can be prepared simply with butter and saffron, known as chelo. But just as often, it’s cooked with other ingredients and called polo. Polo can be made with herbs, vegetables, beans, nuts, dried fruit, meat and even noodles, and acts as the centerpiece of the meal. This polo is particularly good in the spring, when fava beans are young and tender and dill is in season. The dish is flecked with green dill and favas, and is often cooked with very tender chunks of lamb. Alternately, it may be served alongside lamb on the bone. The rice should have a mild saffron flavor, with the saffron mixed into the rice just before serving.
4. Zereshk Polo (Barberry Rice)
Iranians love sour flavors. Like cranberries, barberries have a vibrant red color, but they’re even more sour. This classic rice dish is studded with the red berries, which are dried and then rehydrated before cooking. The rice is cooked with plenty of butter, which helps to soften the intensity of the berries and is usually accompanied by chicken.
5. Gormeh Sabzi (Green Herb Stew)
Made from herbs, kidney beans and lamb, deep green gormeh sabzi satisfies two Persian flavor obsessions: it’s sour and full of herbs. The stew is seasoned with dried limes. These limes are extra intense and sour, with a bittersweet taste that gives the stew a unique flavor. The other constant in gormeh sabzi is fenugreek leaves, a taste unfamiliar to most westerners. Other herbs include parsley, coriander and chives.
6. Ash e Reshteh (Noodle and Bean Soup)
A richly textured soup full of noodles, beans, herbs and leafy greens like spinach and beet leaves. It’s topped with mint oil, crunchy fried onions and garlic and sour kashk, a fermented whey product eaten in the Middle East that tastes akin to sour yogurt. The noodles, which made their way to Iran from China, are thought to represent the many paths of life, and this soup is traditionally served when someone sets off on a long journey.
7. Tahdig (Crunchy Fried Rice)
Tahdig is the soul food of Persian cooking. It’s the crisp, golden layer of fried rice at the bottom of the rice pot. It is sometimes made of flat bread (Lavash) or potato. Tahdig is usually not printed on the menu, so you may have to ask for it. At Iranian family gatherings, there are always plenty of leftovers, but the one dish that disappears completely is Tahdig. It’s eaten as a side dish, and it’s forgivable to pick it up and eat it with your fingers.
8. Kebab (Lamb, Chicken, Lamb Liver, Ground Meat)
Kebabs have more variety than you might think. First, there’s “koobideh”, ground meat seasoned with minced onion, salt and pepper. It sounds simple, but the taste is sublime. There is “kebab-e barg”, thinly sliced lamb or beef, flavored with lemon juice and onion and basted with saffron and butter. Chicken kebab, known as “joojeh”, is traditionally made from a whole chicken, bones and all, for more flavor (although in American restaurants it’s often made from skinless chicken breast), marinated in lemon and onion, and basted with saffron and butter. There is also “jigar”, lamb liver kebab, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a wedge of lemon.
9. Dizi (Lamb and Peas Broth)
Also known as ‘Abgoosht’, this meat and bean broth dish dates back hundreds of years. It is essentially a stew made up of lamb, chickpeas, white peas and potato with a tomato base. It is usually served in a stone dish called a dizi – hence the name.
10. Sabzi Khordan (Herb and Cheese Plate)
No Persian meal is complete without a dish of sabzi khordan, or edible herbs. The plate can include mint, tarragon, basil and cilantro, alongside scallions, radishes, walnuts, feta cheese and Iranian nan (flatbread). Simply tear off a piece of flatbread, tuck a bit of the herbs and cheese and other garnishes inside, and fold it up like a rustic sandwich. The plate stays on the table throughout the meal, and the herbs are a crunchy palate cleanser between bites of stew and rice. Fresh and dried green herbs are eaten daily in Iran.
What To Eat In Iran - 4.0 out of 5 based on 3 votes
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Ladd’s 500 kicks off season of free bike fun
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on April 16th, 2018 at 6:45 am
Pedal in the front, party in the back.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
The Ladd’s 500 is a continuation of a proud Portland legacy: Free fun on in the streets that’s open to all — and with bicycles as the thread stitching everyone together.
The “third first annual” relay drew a huge crowd to Ladd Circle Park on Saturday, which was the perfect base camp for the day’s activities. What is usually just a sleepy roundabout in a quiet residential neighborhood was enlivened with picnics, BBQ’s (by bike, of course), music, and Portlanders eager to shed winter, embrace a dry day, and enjoy each others’ company.
David Barstow Robinson founded the event on a simple premise: “It’s spring, let’s do something stupid.”
This event is completely DIY. It was started on a whim by David Barstow Robinson — who still seems a bit shocked at how many people show up each year. David is an endurance rider (he just returned home from riding about 4,000 km in three weeks at the India Pacific Wheel Race) and veteran of many local bike fun events who might have taken some inspiration from fellow Portlander Merritt Raitt, whose “Circle Century” film went viral in 2013.
While it’s all about having fun, there was serious business to attend to: 500 laps around the 0.15 mile circle. That’s about 75 miles of incessant left turns. 25 teams with names like Welcome to the Dork Side, Aching Knees, Thunder Thighs, Bigg Boyz, Puddlecycle, Silly Cones, Badgehogs, and Rat Patrol, were up to the task. They kept a running tally of their laps on a big leaderboard in the middle of the circle.
Erinne Goodell marks down her laps.
Out on the street there was a dizzying diversity of riders and wheeled vehicles: Like a real-life version of a Richard Scarry book. Some went very fast, others went very slow. One woman donned a turtle shell on her back and happily rode just 3-4 mph. There were people riding skateboards, longboards, fast road bikes, tall bikes, swing bikes, scooters, fixed gears, bike camping bikes, freak bikes, cargo bikes, electric bikes, bikes with trailers, a bike with a piñata and stick to hit it with, a two-person pedal-car, unicycles, and even a ball. Yes, a ball.
And the riders were just as varied as their machines. A lot of factors come together to make events like this so inclusive. Part of it is the equalizing nature of the circle itself: If someone goes faster than you, a few seconds later they’re behind you. The constant mixing and proximity to friends and other riders — while never feeling “dropped” or too far behind — is empowering and welcoming.
BikePortland reader Simon sent us this short and very sweet video that captures the spirit…
As you might have glimpsed in the video, fourth-grader Penny Poole (daughter of skateboard advocate Cory Poole) stole the show by completing laps on a mix of devices that included a longboard, a unicycle, and — most amazingly — a circus balance ball. Even amidst the chaotic scene, everyone stopped to cheer Penny on as she walked ever-so-carefully backwards atop a ball nearly half her height.
Penny Poole is a marvel. (That’s her dad Cory behind her.)
At the end of the day, Penny won “Best in Show” — an award that the organizer said was for “Whoever looks like they’re having the most fun.”
That award could have been given to almost anyone. Even the neighbors who came out in droves to observe the spectacle looked to be having a good time…
Despite all the added traffic the event brought to the neighborhood, there wasn’t any official permit or closure. And why would there be? The park and the street is public space. “We are allowed to be in the park, and we are allowed to ride on the road,” reads the official rules. “If anyone feels otherwise, please be judicious in your diplomacy or find someone who is able to do so.”
What about drivers and their cars? I saw many of them come through. They just slowed down, merged into (the unusually colorful and happy) traffic, and then kept right on going just like any other day.
People in cars were very well-behaved — likely because they were well out-numbered.
I know it’s hard to imagine given the dreary and wet week we’re having, but as peak bike fun season approaches, the crazy fun of the Ladd’s 500 will indeed become just like any other day.
And to that, we say…
Don’t miss our columnist Madi Carlson’s recap!
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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Front Page, Rides/Events
ladd circle, The Ladds 500
The inaugural Ladd’s 500 - Portland’s version of NASCAR - gets rave reviews April 11, 2016
'Gravel Epic' on Oregon Coast kicks off Triple Crown series this weekend April 30, 2019
Sunday Parkways kicks off this weekend in outer southeast Portland May 12, 2016
PPB Traffic Division Sgt. on Ladd Circle: 'We don't want to do more enforcement' January 31, 2019
Jim Lee April 16, 2018 at 7:27 am
Portland’s other velodrome!
John Lascurettes April 16, 2018 at 9:23 am
Love it. Almost showed up to it this year but had other things going on. Next year for sure.
mh April 16, 2018 at 10:26 am
Gary April 16, 2018 at 12:23 pm
Awesome! Sad I missed it.
Can someone clue me in on that stand-up scooter thing? The motorized white machine that looks like a cross between a bike and a scooter. That thing ooks fun, I’d like to learn more.
Eric Ivy April 16, 2018 at 3:28 pm
That’s Ben’s. And yes, it’s a custom e-scooter. I happen to have a custom e-scooter as well with a BBQ on it. Come to Grilled By Bike on Cinco de Mayo to see more! (Check out GrilledByBike on Instagram as well)
Thanks for the coverage Jonathon! You put into words what everyone feels about the event! PARTY ON! EXCELLENT! WAYNE’S WORLD SCHWINGGGG
Cory P April 16, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Soooo Much fun! Thanks to DBR and the entire bike-fun crowd that makes this happen!
Todd Boulanger April 16, 2018 at 4:15 pm
Has anyone [yet] calculated the difference in the distance of taking the inside vs outside lines for this “race event”?
I think someone did some napkin calculations in the comments the first time Jonathan reported on a someone doing a Ladd’s Century.
There we go: https://bikeportland.org/2016/02/23/forget-daytona-portland-has-the-ladds-500-175798#comment-6632204
The other thing this event so cheerfully indirectly points out…
…that this rotary intersection is way over designed when it comes to pavement (and impervious surface) perhaps someday PBoT BDS:
– will depave portions of it OR
– covert it into a magic roundabout for bikes (with 8 mini circles for bi-directional flow) OR
– add an outside bi-directional separated dutch style bikeway …to banish the bad old days of no stop bike stings.
joan April 16, 2018 at 4:58 pm
The Ladds 500 was a delight! It was so fun to have so many different kinds of people and bikes there. I know many of us rode a tall bike for the first time. There was a real joyfulness and silliness to it all.
Duh April 17, 2018 at 9:51 am
Ladd’s circle is not a modern day roundabout, it is a traffic circle, hence the large inner and outer radius and stop controlled intersections.
« My first Ladd’s 500
The Monday Roundup: The scofflaw truth, disengaged drivers, traffic law sanctuary, and more »
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Fear Of A Black Exoplanet
How dark is this planet? There is none more black.
By Devin Faraci Aug. 12, 2011
Astronomers have discovered the darkest planet in the known universe, one which reflects only 1% of light.
“It’s just ridiculous how dark this planet is, how alien it is compared to anything we have in our solar system,” David Kipping, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, told SPACE.com. “It’s darker than the blackest lump of coal, than dark acrylic paint you might paint with. It’s bizarre how this huge planet became so absorbent of all the light that hits it.”
The planet has the terrible name TrES-2b, and it orbits the star GSC 03549-02811 (we have really got to get a new nomenclature system for exoplanets and distant stars. Yeesh), which is about 750 light years from Earth. What makes TrES-2b (or not to be) so dark? “It’s a mystery as to what’s causing it to be so dark,” Kipping said. “There’s a good chance it’s a chemical we haven’t even thought of yet.”
The planet is a big Jupiter sized world, and it’s so hot that it actually emits a reddish glow. It was discovered by the Kepler spacecraft, which discovers new exoplanets by seeing them pass in front of their suns.
via Space.com
A Note on Vampire Electronics
How Long Could You Survive Unprotected In Outer Space?
Save A Badass Natural Science Museum
Devin Faraci
While some may say he is the greatest critical mind of his time, Devin Faraci humbly insists he is only the voice of a generation. He has been writing about movies online since there was a 21st century.
By Ray Wagner, Mar 04, 2015
The Badass Scientist returns to reflect on ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE, long-range wireless power transfer and Tesla.
By Devin Faraci, Aug 03, 2014
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY has activated a legion of nitpickers. Let's answer them with science.
By Meredith Borders, Jan 21, 2014
The Texas Memorial Museum is being gutted, but maybe we can stop it? (Probably not, but let's try anyway!)
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Refinery news roundup New projects announced in
Daily round-up of oil and gas news -
1. BP receives OGA approval to develop Alligin field in North Sea. BP today confirmed it has received approval from the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) to proceed with the Alligin development west of Shetland, which will target 20 million barrels of oil equivalent, and is expected to produce 12,000 barrels gross of oil equivalent a day at peak.
Latest edition: emerging powers news roundup -
2019-4-29 · China on Monday announced food aid worth 353.2 million yuan ($55.28 million), one of its largest single gifts to a foreign country, to help Ethiopia and other African drought-stricken regions solve the current famine crisis.
Global Oil & Gas Projects Round-Up - fitchsolutions.com
2019-5-15 · Global Oil & Gas Projects Round-Up This represents an extension from the previous April 2019 deadline, first announced when the round was launched in Cape Town in November. as well as the construction of a pipeline to a new refinery in Nigeria, designed to process Niger's crude.
Africa news roundup | ITE Oil & Gas
Africa news roundup. Published on 11/12/2015. Mozambique's Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy has announced it is planning to construct two new gas pipelines. Both of these will be located in the town of Palma in the province of Cabo Delgado, which is known to have large natural gas deposits. as the refinery and accompanying
Refinery news roundup: Upgrades and launches
2019-4-4 · Refinery news roundup: Upgrades and launches dominate news in Middle East The new refinery will be designed to allow for integration with existing petrochemicals infrastructure in Ruwais
Refinery news roundup: New projects announced in
Refinery news roundup: New projects announced in Africa, Middle East,In Africa and the Middle East, refinery maintenance was slowing down but news continued to emerge of planned upgrades and new launches, according to SP Glo
oil refinery project design lithuania | oil pressing
Refinery news roundup: New projects announced in Africa. It is the only refinery in the Republic of Congo, and it is a key exporter of fuel oil, particularly low sulfur straight run fuel oil, and naphtha in the West African region. -- Gabon's Societe Gabonaise de Raffinage (Sogara) is seeking a waiver from the government to continue producing
Refinery news roundup: Incidents remain in market
Refinery news roundup: Incidents remain in market focus in Europe Galp said this and a previous halt would be used to help adapt the refinery's units to new marine fuel regulations that are due to come into force in 2020. alkylation units at San Roque and to build a methylene unit (Sorbex II). So far, none of the projects has been
gold launches biggest processing plant middle east -
Refinery news roundup: New projects announced in Africa In Africa and the Middle East, refinery maintenance was slowing down but news continued to emerge of planned upgrades and new launches, according to S&P Global Platts estimates. Not registered? Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience.
New Refineries Are Coming To Texas For The First
2017-8-1 · It's been decades since an oil refinery was built in Texas, but that's about to change. For the first time in 40 years, construction on a new Texas refinery is now closer to beginning. Austin-based MMEX Resources Corp. announced on Monday it has closed on the purchase of a piece of land in West Texas where the company plans to build a 15-acre, crude distillation plant that could produce
oil refinery lebanon | oil pressing machine supplier
Refinery news roundup: New projects announced in. The Oil Ministry is accepting proposals for a 100,000 b/d refinery in Kut, Wasit province, located east of Baghdad on the border with Iran. The second refinery will be built Diwaniya, in Qadisiya province, south of Baghdad, with a capacity of 70,000 b/d. Get Price
2019-5-12 · Refinery news roundup: New projects announced in Africa, Middle East Valero Energy Corp., which operates this refinery in .Corpus Christi, has stopped importing light, sweet crude because of the growing domestic supply. (Valero Energy photo)
major constractors for oil refinery projects south
Refinery news roundup: New projects announced in Africa--South Korea's GS Engineering & Construction Co. has won a contract to repair units at the Ruwais refinery in the UAE damaged in a fire in January 2017. GS said it will restore fire-damaged parts of
Oil & Gas Stock Roundup: New Discoveries for Shell
2014-9-2 · It was a week where Royal Dutch Shell plc struck a new gas discovery offshore Malaysia and Quicksilver Resources Inc. – together with its JV partner Eni SpA – encountered oil at the Stallings 1H well in West Texas.. Overall, it was a positive week for the sector. West Texas Intermediate crude futures arrested the losing streak, gaining 2.5% to close at $95.96 per barrel.
News Roundup: Enel, Verdiem, Timberland,
2006-12-20 · The fuel is produced using existing equipment at the refinery and is blended and transported with petroleum-based diesel, unlike biodiesel fuel. The process can also be used to convert animal fats and oils to renewable diesel fuel. Axis Technologies and AJARCO Team Up to Promote Axis Ballasts in the New York City Area
best price crude oil refining in kenya | Oil Making
Refinery news roundup: New projects announced in Africa, Middle East | S&P Global Platts. Benchmark price assessments for refined oil products in key markets Daily reporting of trading activity for major refined products in Europe. Get Price
Refinery news roundup: New projects announced in Africa .-- Durban's Engen refinery in South Africa is now . for a major upgrade of its Ruwais refinery, which will allow it to process .
Dangote Sugar posts N35 billion profit, plans N1.10
2019-4-9 · Dangote Sugar Refinery has announced a profit before tax of N34.6 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2018. A breakdown of the result released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock
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Teokset Teokset 1 - 10 / 50 haulle Before I had learned from the note the name and business of my visitor, I was struck....
Before I had learned from the note the name and business of my visitor, I was struck with the manliness of his person, the breadth of his chest, the openness of his countenance, and the inquietude of his eye.
The Life of John Ledyard, the American Traveller: Comprising Selections from ... - Sivu 277
tekijä(t) Jared Sparks - 1829 - 310 sivua
Koko teos - Tietoja tästä teoksesta
The New Universal Biographical Dictionary, and American Remembrancer ..., Nide 3
James Hardie, A. Citizen - 1802
...the direction of the intended journey. " Before I had learned from the note," says Mr.- Beaufoy, " the name and business of my visitor, I was struck...openness of his countenance, and the inquietude of hi?- eyes. I o'pened the map of Africa before him, and tracing a line from Cairo to Sennar, and from...
The Monthly Visitor, and Entertaining Pocket Companion, Nide 13
...To-morrow morning," replied Ledyard, without hesitation. At this ..interview, Sir Joseph declares that he was struck with the manliness of his person, the breadth...of his countenance, and the inquietude of his eye. Though scarcely exceeding the middle size, his figure expressed great strength and activity. Despising...
The Quarterly Review, Nide 38
William Gifford, Sir John Taylor Coleridge, John Gibson Lockhart, Whitwell Elwin, William Macpherson, William Smith, Sir John Murray IV, Rowland Edmund Prothero Baron Ernle, George Walter Prothero - 1828
...Africa. ' Before,' says Mr. Beaufoy, ' I had learnt from the note the name and business of my visiter, I was struck with the manliness of his person, the...Africa before him, and tracing a line from Cairo to Sennaar, and from thence westward in the latitude and supposed direction of the Niger, I told him,...
...inquisitive and adventurous, unsubdued by difficulties and unappalled by dangers. He was particularly struck with the manliness of his person, the breadth...openness of his countenance and the inquietude of his eye ; his figure, scarcely above the middle size, expressed great strength and activity. Such was the person...
William Gifford, Sir John Taylor Coleridge, John Gibson Lockhart, Whitwell Elwin, William Macpherson, Sir William Smith, Sir John Murray IV, Rowland Edmund Prothero Baron Ernle, George Walter Prothero - 1817
The Eclectic Review, Nide 9;Nide 27
William Hendry Stowell - 1818
...formed for a traveller. Sir Joseph Banks was struck at the first interview, ' with the manli' ness of his person, the breadth of his chest, the openness...his ' countenance, and the inquietude of his eye.' He was intrepid, but prudent, and his manners were extremely prepossessing. Mr. Lucas was the next...
The New monthly magazine and universal register. [Continued as] The New ...
...constitution of iron. No stranger could help being struck, as Sir Joseph Banks was with Ledyard, ' with the breadth of his chest, the openness of his countenance, and the inquietude of his eye.' He was gifted in an eminent degree with that passive courage which is so requisite a qualification...
Biographia americana: or, A historical and critical account of the lives ...
Benjamin Franklin French - 1820 - 356 sivua
...interview, strongly marks the character of this hardy traveller. " Before I had learned," says he, "from the note the name and business of my visitor,...Africa before him, and tracing a line from Cairo to Senaar, and from thence westward in the latitude and supposed direction of the Niger, I told him that...
...hardy traveller. " Before I had learned," says he, "from the note the name and business of my visiter, I was struck with the manliness of his person, the...Africa before him, and tracing a line from Cairo to Senaar, and from thence westward in the latitude and supposed direction of the Niger, I told him that...
The Christian Spectator, Nide 2
...was very cordially received by his old friends. After learning that he had now no specific object, Sir Joseph Banks, who knew his temper, told him, that...the openness of his countenance, and the inquietude ofhia eye. I spread the map of Africa before him, and tracing a line from Cairo to Sennar, and from...
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CURRENT CONTENT
New Editor of California History
Subscriptions and Single Issues
News of the Society
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California Historical Society Quarterly, Vol. 30 No. 2, Jun., 1951; (pp. 177-185) DOI: 10.2307/25156297
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Vol. 30 No. 2, Jun., 1951
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Erwin Gustav Gudde, 1889-1969
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Restoring Highbury (also known as Highbury Hall), home of Joseph Chamberlain
The Highbury Restoration Project
The Trustees
The Chamberlains
Social Life & Entertaining
Auxiliary Hospital
Architect of Highbury
The immediate goal of the Chamberlain Highbury Trust is to raise the funds to restore the House and Grounds, and to create a wide ranging programme of activities which draws upon major themes in the history of Highbury.
Although superficially in reasonable condition, the house requires treatment of dry rot, roof repairs, new leadwork and rainwater goods, masonry and brickwork repairs and re-pointing, joinery repairs and local structural repairs. Some of the fine decorative interiors in the principal rooms have also suffered damage and so require restoration.
The Grounds also require significant works to reinstate the original setting to the house. These include demolishing the eyesore 1960s caretaker’s house, reopening the original driveway, removing inappropriate planting and conserving historic features like the crucible wall, gateways and the terracotta balustrade to the Rock Garden.
Alongside the repairs we will deliver a range of essential improvements and new facilities. These include the complete renewal of the building’s heating, mechanical and electrical services, a lift to improve circulation and access, and a tea room and toilets for visitors to the house and grounds. We shall create a dedicated new learning space for schools and other educational groups.
The physical works will be accompanied by a wide-ranging engagement and activity programme with new interpretation of the history of Highbury and the Chamberlains, including talks and tours, study days and courses, exhibitions and performances, and a comprehensive formal education programme.
We will also develop a vibrant volunteering programme, deliver a wide-ranging programme of public and community events and provide training for staff, volunteers, local people and partner organisations.
A Celebration of John Ruskin at Highbury - a Heritage Open Day event
September 15, 2019 ⋅ Heritage Open Day at Highbury: free
4 Yew Tree Road, Birmingham B13 8QG
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Mine Ban
Activities to Ban the use of antipersonnel mines in Myanmar/Burma
Mine Free Myanmar website updated
Our new website uses a ‘responsive’ format, which allows for better viewing on cellphones and tablets. Thank you to our visitors, over half a million since this site was launched in January 2011.
By bmban, 4 months 2 months ago
Myanmar statement at 17th meeting of states party to the Mine Ban Treaty, 30 November 2018
Myanmar attended, as an observer, at the Seventeenth Meeting of States Parties to the Antipersonnel Landmine Ban Convention in Geneva in November 2018. Myanmar made one statement at the meeting, during the session on Universalization, which is usually when governments which have yet to accede to the convention provide information Read more…
By bmban, 7 months ago
EU calls on Myanmar to join the Mine Ban Treaty
The UN International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, held in Naypyitaw on 4 April. This year’s event is the 4th year at which representatives of the government attended and spoke at an event in Myanmar. In a formal statement at the event, the ambassadors of European Read more…
By bmban, 1 year ago
ICBL
2017 Myanmar/Burma Country Report released at Yangon Press Conference
On 10 January, the Myanmar/Burma country report in the 2017 Landmine Monitor Report Global Report was presented to the Myanmar Press at a Press Conference in Yangon. Hard copies of the report, in Burmese language were available to journalists. The Myanmar/Burma country report is one country report within the Landmine Read more…
By bmban, 2 years 1 year ago
UN Security Council resolution on Mine Action
In mid-June the United Nations Security Council passed its first ever resolution on Mine Action. During Security Council debate it was emphasized that Mine Action extends beyond simply removing landmines, but must be seen as an effective tool for helping communities and countries pursue sustainable peace. The example of Colombia’s Read more…
Deputy Defence Minister claims conflict an obstacle to joining the Mine Ban Treaty
In the Amyotha Hluttaw on Monday 26 August, the Deputy Defence Minister Maj-Gen Myint Nwe responded to a parliamentary question posed by MP U Pe Chit, who inquired about the possibility of the government signing the Mine Ban Treaty and launching mine clearance. According to the Myanmar News Agency the Read more…
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Italy PM says told Merkel decision over German captain lies with judges
MILAN — Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he had no decision power over the fate of the German sea captain who has been arrested for violating a docking ban, adding the matter lied with the country’s magistrates.
German Chancellor Angela “Merkel asked me about the captain and I explained that in Italy executive power is separate from the judicial one … the prime minister cannot step in. It’s in the magistrates’ hands,” he told a press briefing in Brussels.
Captain Carola Rackete, 31, who spent two weeks in international waters with dozens of rescued African migrants, was arrested on Saturday when her NGO ship docked at the island port of Lampedusa without permission.
Magistrates in the Sicilian town of Agrigento are due to decide whether to release her after a hearing later on Monday. (Reporting by Francesca Piscioneri, writing by Maria Pia Quaglia, editing by Valentina Za)
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Quantum Advisory Raises Over £4k for Tŷ Hafan with Epic Bike Ride
Home Page Original Content Wales General
Quantum Advisory , 11th July 2019
On Saturday July 6, thirty workers from financial services consultancy, Quantum Advisory, completed an impressive 52 mile charity cycle ride to raise funds for Welsh children’s hospice, Tŷ Hafan.
The novice cyclists from across Quantum’s UK offices joined together to cycle the arduous trek from Brecon in Mid Wales to Cardiff. The route followed the Taff Trail through the heart of the Brecon Beacons along winding roads and mountainous terrain, peaking out at the summit of Torpantau, before ploughing on to Merthyr Tydfil. The intrepid fundraisers then continued through a string of small towns before meandering their way through Pontypridd. The last stretch took the cyclists past the idyllic Castell Coch, perched on the mountainside, before following the River Taff down towards the heart of the Welsh capital.
Tŷ Hafan has been Quantum Advisory’s charity of choice since 2016 during which time it has raised over £20,000. The latest challenge has so far raised an incredible £4,425, including gift aid, smashing the company’s £3k target.
Stuart Price, Partner and Actuary at Quantum Advisory, who was among the cyclists on Saturday, said:
“I was a little nervous about the cycle ride before we set off – I’m definitely no Geraint Thomas! But the team were all fantastic and we trained hard in the run up to prepare ourselves. The day itself went really well; we had the ideal weather and all riders completed it in a great time. Everyone should be very proud of themselves and the amount of money we have raised for such a worthy cause.”
Tŷ Hafan provides comfort care and support to families with children expected to die in childhood. The majority of their work is about quality of life rather than end of life, and it costs around £11,000 to keep the hospice open for just one day.
Natalie Whyatt, Corporate Partnership Manager for Tŷ Hafan, said:
“Quantum Advisory’s support for Tŷ Hafan over the last three years has been outstanding. The exciting events and challenges that the team hold raise significant amounts of money for the charity and we’re so grateful to the number of staff who show their support each time.
“Thanks to this valuable partnership Tŷ Hafan has received over £20,000 from the team, and this helps us continue to offer children and their families the opportunity for new experiences and to create new memories as they face the toughest challenge of their lives.”
You can still donate towards Quantum Advisory’s 2019 Challenge, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/QuantumAdvisorys2019Challenge.
For more information about Tŷ Hafan, please visit: http://www.tyhafan.org/. For more information about Quantum Advisory, please visit: https://quantumadvisory.co.uk/about-us/
Leading Financial Planning Firm Relocates Following Year-on-Year Growth
Cardiff CEO Gets Major National Appointment
Quantum Advisory
Quantum are an independent financial services consultancy that provides solution based pension and employee benefit services to employers, scheme trustees and members.
Their team of experienced professionals will design, maintain and review your employee benefit arrangements so that they work efficiently and deliver real value.
They can also help you to communicate pensions and benefits in clear, simple language – so that your employees understand their true value.
Aberystwyth University: Welsh Language Hall Call From Staff
Food and Drink Action Announced for Wales
Start up Grants to Support New Generation of Young Entrepreneurs in Wales
Strategic South Wales Business Park to Launch in September
Fintech Awards Wales – Roundtable Special
Recruit121, 17th July 2019
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CANADA FX DEBT-C$ loses momentum after U.S. GDP data
* Canadian dollar at C$1.0853 or 92.14 U.S. cents
* 10-year bond yield at lowest since May 2013
By Leah Schnurr
TORONTO, Aug 28 (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar was little
changed on Thursday, giving up much of its earlier gains after
second-quarter growth south of the border was revised higher,
and as investors looked ahead to key domestic economic data at
the end of the week.
Still, the loonie is up about 0.8 percent for the week so
far, fueled by a sharp rise in Wednesday's session and putting
it on track for its best week since late June.
Analysts said there are a number of factors behind the
currency's recent strength, including technical momentum, fund
flow speculation stemming from Burger King's plans to
buy Tim Hortons, and investor repositioning heading
into the end of the month.
Attention was also increasingly turning to Friday's gross
domestic product report, with Canadian economic growth
forecasted to pick up to 2.7 percent in the second quarter,
bouncing back from a slowdown in the first three months of the
Analysts say there is the potential for the figures to come
in higher than expected, which would support the loonie.
Even so, the loonie's recent strength is not expected to
"This is the dip that most U.S. dollar bulls have been
waiting for and, as such, we don't see this as the start of a
new trend of strength in the loonie," said Bipan Rai, director
of foreign exchange strategy at CIBC World Markets in Toronto.
"It's the other way around, really, we expect this move to
reverse as we head into September and markets begin looking
toward the Federal Reserve tightening again."
The Canadian dollar was at C$1.0853 to the
greenback, or 92.14 U.S. cents, a touch stronger than
Wednesday's close of C$1.0855, or 92.12 U.S. cents.
The loonie came off its high for the session at C$1.0837
shortly after the U.S. data was released.
Data earlier on Thursday that showed Canada's current
account deficit narrowed slightly in the second quarter elicited
a muted reaction from the currency.
Investors were also keeping an eye on the risk aversion
present in broader markets after Ukraine accused Russia of
bringing troops into the southeast of the country.
Canadian government bond yields were lower across the board,
with the yield on the benchmark 10-year at its
lowest level since May of last year at 1.994 percent. The
two-year up half a Canadian cent in price to yield
1.101 percent.
(Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)
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COBRA Subsidy Extended to February 28, 2010
California Health Advocates > News > Medicare & Other Health Insurance > COBRA Subsidy Extended to February 28, 2010
Posted by Karen Fletcher on February 17, 2010 in Medicare & Other Health Insurance, News
In late December, President Obama signed H.R. 3326, a defense appropriations bill with a provision that extends the COBRA premium subsidy to involuntarily terminated workers until February 28, 2010.
The subsidy, originally from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) passed in February 2009, was for people who involuntarily lost their jobs between September 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009. The defense appropriations bill extends the timeframe for people to qualify for the COBRA premium subsidy another 2 months. Thus, people who were involuntarily terminated between January 1 through February 28, 2010, may apply for the subsidy. It also extends the amount of time people can receive the subsidy, from 9 to 15 months.
As mentioned in our earlier article, COBRA, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act passed in 1985, allows involuntarily laid-off workers to continue their health coverage for 18-36 months by assuming the premium payments formerly paid by their employers. As these health premiums are extremely expensive, ARRA provided a federal subsidy to pay for 65% of a qualifying person’s COBRA premium, making this insurance much more affordable.
In addition to extending the eligibility period and the duration of subsidy benefits, the H.R. 3326 provision to extend the COBRA premium subsidy makes a number of subtler changes in the subsidy program rules. Notably, the provision:
Requires a special notice describing the new subsidy provisions to go out to all “assistance eligible individuals” (AEIs) who have been on COBRA on or after November 1, 2009, or whose qualifying event is an “involuntary termination” of employment occurring on or after November 1, 2009.
Allows for a 60-day period for the retroactive payment of premiums for “assistance eligible individuals” whose subsidy period expired November 30 and who failed to pay their premium for December coverage.
Lets employees who are involuntarily terminated qualify for the subsidy if they were terminated before February 28, 2010, but opted for COBRA coverage that starts after February 28, 2010.
Employers and their benefits advisors have to move quickly to comply with this legislation. The new statute requires employers to send extension letters within 90 days of enactment.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s website has helpful information and updates on the subsidy and extension, including:
Updated Fact Sheet (useful for employers; available in Spanish; updated as of January 27, 2010)
FAQs for employees and employers
A new flyer for employers (PDF)
A new flyer for employees (PDF)
A new flyer for employees on the application for review (PDF)
Update on California’s Cal-COBRA
While the federal COBRA applies only to businesses with at least 20 employees, the state’s Cal-COBRA program applies to employers with 2 to 19 workers. Last year, California lawmakers passed AB 23 so that the COBRA premium subsidy could also be available to people eligible for Cal-COBRA. Under AB 23, the subsidy’s expiration date was the same as the federal subsidy’s initial expiration date of Dec. 31, 2009. As of now no action has been taken by the state to lengthen the Cal-COBRA premium subsidy program to be aligned with the recent federal extension.
While Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration commented that additional legislation would not be necessary to extend AB 23, the Assembly Health Committee, who was given the task to examine this issue late December 2009, has not taken action. Until some action is taken, the subsidy benefit will not be extended for Cal-COBRA recipients from 9 to 15 months, nor will their eligibility period extend beyond December 31, 2009.
For more details on H.R. 3326, see the summary and full text.
See our COBRA and Cal-COBRA sections for general information.
Offer for Free Shoes Masks Common Medicare Fraud Scam
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Understanding Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit: Frequently Asked Questions
Medigap Cost-Sharing Changes Meet Diverse Opposition
Korean Officials Meet with CA SMP to Learn How We Fight Fraud
What’s New in Part D for 2013? Lowered Costs, New Covered Drugs, Appeal Changes…
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New Jersey judge finalizes September 24 auction of Revel
BY Kirby Garlitos ON September 17, 2014
TAGs: Atlantic City, auction, Kirby Garlitos, revel, revel casino
A New Jersey Bankruptcy Court judge has ruled that the Revel Casino and Hotel will go to auction on September 24. Judge Gloria Burns in Camden, New Jersey made the ruling on Monday, despite expressing her desire to postpone it another week.
“I’m not sure that extending the timing will make all that much difference,” Burns said, referring to creditors attracting additional bidders for Revel.
Multiple reports indicated that the hearing, which lasted for over four hours, was marked with plenty of litigation threats by Florida developer Glenn Straub if the auction was postponed for the third time. Straub offered to buy Revel for $90 million but was prepared to not only walk away from his bid if the auction was postponed but also pursue a legal case to recoup the $10 million deposit he paid as part of his bid. That’s money Revel couldn’t stand to lose at this point, forcing creditors to agree to Straub’s demands.
“If that’s the schedule this buyer insists upon, we’re just going to have to hope that someone comes in and outbids him,” Warren Usatine of Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard P.A. of Hackensack, N.J, told The Inquirer. Usatine is an attorney who represents the unsecured creditors committee in the Revel bankruptcy.
In addition, Straub and his attorneys also got Judge Burns to require Revel to pay Straub a $3 million break-up fee if his bid doesn’t win the auction. The $90 million offer will be set as a baseline for the auction. Straub remains the favorite to buy Revel but there appears to be a growing number of interested parties looking to make their own bids during the action.
“We do see a lot of activity coming out of the woodwork now,” Revel’s Chief Restructuring Officer Shaun Martin said.
Judge Burns was told that another unidentified party has expressed its intent to bid on the property after reaching out to the US Bankruptcy Court before the Monday hearing began. “This is the first time in this case there seems to be a buzz going on,” the judge said.
His attorney told the judge that should Straub’s bid win the auction, parts of the building could reopen a couple of weeks after the sale. He told reporters that a casino likely would operate in the building at some point, although his bid does not include a requirement that his company be licensed to run a casino.
“We don’t want a vacant building when winter comes,” Stuart Moscovitz, an attorney for Straub, told the court.
views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of CalvinAyre.com
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Eldorado granted permanent license for Tropicana in Atlantic City
Atlantic City’s Borgata goes all in on sports gambling
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Billy Bragg, Junction, Cambridge, 8 November 2017
When support act Seán McGowan took to the stage, the great majority of the sold-out Junction audience had already arrived and he seemed pleasantly overwhelmed but confidently rose to the occasion. His fast and furious protest songs feature the everyday but essential; minimum wage and insecure employment, petty crime and poor decisions. There is a slower, considered emotional undercurrent in the longer ‘Millbrook Road’ (a thoroughfare in his home town of Southampton). ‘No Show’ and ‘Costa Del Solution’ from his new mini-LP (with wage-packet sleeve) went down well. It was a blistering performance and by the end the audience in J1 were totally won over. As he and Billy might say, ‘..the boy done good..’.
I have seen Billy Bragg many times over the years as solo, duo and with a band; tonight he was accompanied on some songs by multi-talented CJ Hillman, ‘UK Americana instrumental musician of the year’ and making sterling contributions on pedal steel and second guitar, including stepping-up with some Johnny Marr jangle on ‘Sexuality’, the opening song of the evening. Billy can pace a set as well as anybody and he has so much material to draw on, in nearly two hours there was time for early classics ‘Milkman Of Human Kindness’, ‘Man In the Iron Mask’, ‘Levi Stubbs’ Tears’ and many more, played on his distinctive green Burns guitar.
Interspersed with the familiar was the new EP reflecting the current affairs of the day. The optimistic ‘Saffiyah Smiles’, environmental ‘King Tide And The Sunny Day Flood’ and the poignant ‘Full English Brexit’ were put into context by Billy’s introductions and he also reflected how many of his early song themes had come around again. ‘There Is Power In A Union’ and ‘Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards’ are always going to ignite his loyal audience and we never tire of ‘A New England’, the perfect ending to this brilliant show.
http://www.billybragg.co.uk/
http://www.musicglue.com/seanmcgowan
http://www.cjhillman.com/
This entry was posted in Music and tagged Billy Bragg, Cambridge, CJ Hillman, J1, Junction, live, review, Sean McGowan on November 11, 2017 by iknoweno.
← ‘A New Routes Special’, Junction J3, Cambridge, 5 November 2017 Dos Floris, Lexington, London, 13 November 2017 →
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Tag Archives: CB2
Annie Dressner, CB2, Cambridge, 26 October 2018
Opening the sold-out show in the atmospheric basement space of the CB2 café bar was Milton Keynes based singer/songwriter/guitarist Anna Hester. Playing her own compositions she moved effortlessly between genres, but always with an emotional core. Starting with the minimal ‘In The Meantime’ she soon won over the supportive audience. Especially poignant was the musical interpretation of WW1 poem ‘Everyone Sang’ (which we did…) and I particularly enjoyed the gorgeous drifting jazz tones of ‘Watch The Clock’; as light as air in the spirit of an early John Martyn track as it resonated around the intimate venue.
Luke James Williams uses the percussive and rhythmic possibilities of his guitar to showcase his intense, personal songs which he describes as ‘…reflecting the opposing forces and wonderful chaos of the world around us…‘. There is some darkness in the lyrics of ‘Snares & Traps’ and lead single ‘Rabbit Hole’ from his forthcoming EP. He played ukulele too, and a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’ fitted in well. The final thoughtful song ‘Still In Bed’ rounded off an impressive set.
This was the launch event for ‘Broken Into Pieces’, the new alt folk/country LP from Annie Dressner, with her set featuring a complete play through of the album.
Annie led with acoustic guitar, supported by occasional keyboard/electric guitar/cajón/percussion from her two fellow musicians. On the album there is denser instrumentation on many tracks but this line-up worked too, because of the strength of the songs and Annie’s pure, clear voice.
Opener ‘Fades Away’ builds around a simple guitar figure, with a dream-like hookline. ‘Heartbreaker’ is an uptempo jaunt featuring eternal themes of country music; reminiscence, then the inevitable ‘moving on’. Lead single ‘Don’t Go’ is a cleverly structured pop song, with big chorus and classic middle eight. ‘Bruise Beneath My Bone(s)’ is a compact, deceptively simple song of regret.
And so it continued; this is an excellent album, with many, many highlights. Originally from New York, Annie is now a Cambridge resident but recalls anecdotes and memories of her former life to draw on for lyrical inspiration, especially on two of my favourites ‘Kentucky’ and ‘Paper Moon’. The haunting, spiritual ‘Morning’ was the closing track from the album showcase, but there were more delights to come, especially ‘Fly’ and ‘September’ from her previous LP.
‘The Book Of Love’ by the Magnetic Fields suited Annie’s voice perfectly, then for a final encore the three acts played a gentle version of ‘You Are My Sunshine’ bringing a fine evening to a close.
http://anniedressner.com/
http://www.lukejameswilliams.co.uk/
http://annahester.com/
This entry was posted in Music and tagged Anna Hester, Annie Dresner, Broken Into Pieces, Cambridge, CB2, live, Luke James Williams, review on October 29, 2018 by iknoweno.
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#5 out of 12 in 2017 Affordable Subcompact SUVs
2017 Honda HR-V Interior Review
Note: This interior review was created when the 2017 Honda HR-V was new.
The 2017 Honda HR-V has a stylish interior with an upscale layout. There are quality, soft-touch materials and a handsome design throughout the cabin. It is also very quiet, with little outside noise coming in. The center console has a logical layout and the base infotainment system is easy to use. However, the upgraded infotainment system only has touch controls, which can be difficult to master.
The HR-V's front seats are somewhat firm and taller passengers may feel cramped, but the rear seat is spacious, with enough room for tall adults and child safety seats. Especially impressive is Honda's rear Magic Seat. With four different seat configurations, the Magic Seat allows the HR-V to carry bags, bikes, and even an 8-foot kayak.
"No matter which trim you choose, the 2017 Honda HR-V's interior has a pleasant design with decent materials." -- Edmunds
"Honda's 2017 HR-V features quality materials and an upscale layout. Tan leather seating is available in top-line versions, and all models have an LCD interface in the center dash for infotainment." -- Kelley Blue Book
"The HR-V has the best Honda cabin in a while, with soft-touch materials on the dash, armrests, and door panels; sculpted, comfortable seats; and an attractive, seamless relationship between the center stack and the center console. Overall fit and finish are superb. Every Honda should impart this sense of quality." -- Road and Track (2016)
The 2017 Honda HR-V seats five on standard cloth upholstery and comes with a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are optional. The front seats are comfortable and firm, and they're a bit narrow, which means legroom might be an issue for taller adults. However, the rear seat is spacious and has plenty of legroom, though headroom is slightly compromised by the slanted rear roofline. The rear seat also has a reclining back rest.
Honda's rear Magic Seat gives the HR-V even more space, and the front-passenger seat fully reclines to accommodate items almost 8 feet long. The smallest of passengers are easily accommodated as well, with a LATCH system for securing child seats. There are two lower anchors on the rear outboard seats and tether anchors on all rear seats. There is more than enough room for two child seats, though buckles crowd the lower anchors and can complicate installation. The upper tether anchors are easy to connect, but the middle anchor blocks visibility when in use.
Getting into the front seats is effortless, but rear seat access is hindered slightly by the sloping rear roofline, the smaller door opening and raised seats. Comfort up front is somewhat compromised by the firm and narrow seats, and taller drivers will likely suffer with the lack of adjustability and legroom. Rear quarters are spacious for the class, easily accommodating average-sized adults." -- Edmunds
"Sitting in the backseat further reveals the HR-V's packaging prowess. While other subcompact SUVs, like the Juke and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, have tight backseats, and the Renegade's and Trax's rear-seat comfort is merely decent, the HR-V's second row is extremely comfortable. There's generous legroom, a comfortable seating position with a reclining backrest, decent headroom and good views out the side window. It's roomy enough to rival the rear seats of some compact SUVs." -- Cars.com (2016)
"Where the HR-V truly excels is its packaging - perhaps its single greatest strength, according to one Honda executive. There's a ton of space for rear occupants. With 39.3 inches of rear legroom, the back seats offer more knee space than the CR-V. Plus the HR-V has the Fit's Magic Seats, which means the rear bench folds, lifts, tumbles, and splits." -- Autoblog (2016)
The 2017 Honda HR-V comes standard with Bluetooth, a USB port, a four-speaker sound system, a multi-angle rearview camera, and an infotainment system with a 5-inch display. Available features include push-button start, two USB ports, an upgraded infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen, a six-speaker sound system, proximity key, satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, and HondaLink, which integrates your smartphone with the HR-V's infotainment system.
The HR-V's standard infotainment system with an LCD screen has traditional knobs and buttons and easy-to-use audio and climate controls. The optional infotainment system may get a larger screen, but it loses the physical controls. The touch screen is fussy, making it difficult to change the radio station or adjust the volume. However, the standard steering-wheel mounted controls help reduce frustration.
See 2017 Honda HR-V specs »
Base LX models have easy-to-use audio and climate systems with traditional buttons and knobs, while EX and EX-L models have touch-based systems. The latter systems look sophisticated, but their touch controls can be frustrating, especially when you have to take your eyes off the road." -- Kelley Blue Book
Honda has gone all-in on touch-sensitive controls on EX and EX-L trim levels. The approach gives the dashboard a clean, uncluttered appearance, but also sacrifices some usability. EX and EX-L trims get a 7-inch touch-screen multimedia system, and the EX-L adds navigation. I like how the screen recognizes smartphone-style pinch and stretch gestures for map zooming, but the touch-sensitive volume control isn't ideal. It's just not as easy to use as a traditional knob. The standard steering wheel audio controls, however, are intuitive." -- Cars.com (2016)
Honda has been moving toward an all-virtual interface for audio and climate controls (no physical buttons or knobs), and that has been almost completely realized in the HR-V; only audio on/off, CD eject, and day/night screen functions still make use of tiny, traditional buttons. While it gives a modern, uncluttered, 'cell-phone' look to the dash, it doesn't do anything for functionality. Volume is adjusted with a virtual slide bar that lags behind finger movement (and is tough to adjust on a rough road), infotainment sources and selections take multiple screens to choose, and all climate functions (temperature, mode, and fan speed) are adjusted through virtual, repetitive-step 'buttons.' (Note that the base model—which we didn't test—comes with a manual climate system that may differ in its controls.) As a result, some might not like the arrangement at first, but some functions can be adjusted through steering-wheel controls, and it all may become less tedious with continued use." -- Consumer Guide (2016)
The HR-V offers great cargo-carrying flexibility with Honda's rear Magic Seat, which can be folded into four different configurations, giving this subcompact SUV the adaptability to carry cargo of various shapes and sizes. Fold the rear seat up and you can carry tall items, or fold the rear and front-passenger seats down and you can carry long items. There is 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 58.8 with it folded, which is more space than almost all of the HR-V's rivals.
"As part of the burgeoning subcompact SUV class, the HR-V slots in under Honda's CR-V and larger Pilot. It also utilizes one of the company's clever innovations, the so-called Magic Seat from the related Fit hatchback, which features a flip-up rear seat cushion to accommodate tall and narrow cargo like a bicycle or a flat-screen TV." -- Edmunds
"Like the Fit, the HR-V compensates for its small exterior size with an impressive amount of very versatile cargo space. Aside from the usual split-folding rear seat backs (which can be folded without having to remove the headrests, as they overlap the seat back when lowered), the HR-V's rear-seat cushion can be flipped up to provide a tall load space, while the front-passenger seat back can be folded back to create a long channel, though it's not level with the cargo floor. The cargo area is wide at the rear and includes a good amount of underfloor storage." -- Consumer Guide (2016)
"The HR-V follows the Fit's lead in cleverly placing the fuel tank under the front seats, which allows the rear seat cushion to flip up, creating a practical space for ferrying taller objects. Alternately, the split rear seatbacks can flop forward, as can the front passenger seatback. Even when it's not showing off its gymnastic flexibility, the HR-V boasts the largest cargo hold among its peers, whether that's behind the rear seats or with that row folded. And the extremely low cargo floor facilitates easy loading, a boon for those who frequently haul heavy items." -- Car and Driver (2016)
Calculate 2017 Honda HR-V Monthly Payment Which Cars You Can Afford?
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Alihan Demir Marcus Carr Payton Willis Sports Men's basketball Men's sports Basketball College basketball College sports Men's college basketball
Drexel Colonial Minnesota Big Ten
Minnesota adds ex-Drexel forward Demir as grad transfer
- May. 07, 2019 05:46 PM EDT
FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, file photo, Drexel forward Alihan Demir (30) shoots against James Madison guard Darius Banks (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Harrisonburg, Va. On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, Minnesota announced that they've added former Drexel forward Demir as a graduate transfer for the 2019-20 season. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota has added former Drexel forward Alihan Demir as a graduate transfer for the 2019-20 season.
The Gophers announced Tuesday that Demir, a 6-foot-9 native of Turkey, will join their roster in the fall. He played two years for Drexel, finishing second on the team in points (14.8 per game) and rebounds (6.4 per game) last season. Demir started 55 of 60 games in his career for the Dragons. Prior to coming to Drexel, he played one year at Central Wyoming College.
Demir will be the fourth newcomer for Minnesota next season, joining freshmen Sam Freeman, Isaiah Ihnen and Tre' Williams. Junior Payton Willis and sophomore Marcus Carr, transfers from Vanderbilt and Pittsburgh who sat out in 2018-19, will also make their Gophers debuts.
More AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
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Born out of a desire to service national clients better, and formed from companies with aligned values, the Connected Vision Group services corporate, education, health, defence and government clients nationwide. With total group turnover exceeding $150m and a combined head count of over 360 people we are Australia’s leading technology partner for both physical and virtual collaboration environments.
Connected Vision is a proud Partner of AVI-SPL, the worlds leading video communications provider who design, build and support systems and environments that enable video collaboration. With office locations across the United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom the Connected Vision group can service customers in most parts of the western world.
Achieve Your Potential
While we are independent businesses, we recognize the importance of delivering consistent outcomes. We share a common set of values, work to a common set of standards, and deliver solutions and support services using common delivery methodologies.
We also recognise in what we do comes not from the technology, but from how the technology is used. It’s importance as an enabler for the workforce, and in the workflow. With the introduction of cloud based technologies and evergreen design, the technology you implement today will get better tomorrow, and the management of this is key. Connected Vision strives to take advantage of environmental improvements and internal products leaps to ensure the greatest potential is being achieved.
Every member of the Connected Vision group is a standalone company with localised resources and capability. Unlike many companies with a strong head office in one city and satellite offices around the country. Connected Vision doesn’t carry a dependency on any one location. Each city works independently of and interdependently with one another, drawing strengths from best practice, shared resources, shared information and ultimately a Connected Vision that technology should never detract, distract or disturb, but always enhance the user and their experience.
Videopro QLD
Connected Vision NSW ACT
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Vizcom Technologies WA
Leedall Presentation Systems SA, NT
Provision NZ
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All stories by David Roberts on BroadwayStars
OLDER >>
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Advances in Colloid and Interface Science (v.140, #1)
Editorial Board (iii).
Emulsions stability, from dilute to dense emulsions — Role of drops deformation by Albert Sanfeld; Annie Steinchen (1-65).
The present paper starts with a review of fundamental descriptions based on physico-chemical laws derived for emulsions with a special interest for eventual evidences of drops deformation. A critical analysis of theories and experiments is given that leads the authors to propose new static and dynamic models for the approach to flocculation and coalescence of two deformable drops in dense and dilute environments of other neighboring drops. The model developed is based on an old paper by Albers and Overbeek for W/O dense emulsions with non-deformable particles, that has been improved recently first by Sengupta and Papadopoulos and then by Mishchuk et al. to account for all the interaction forces (electrostatic, van der Waals and steric). The basic idea here rests in the assumption that the flat surface area of the two coalescing drops, interacting in the field of other particles, increases when the distance between the particles decreases according to an exponential law with a characteristic length related to the disjoining force in the inter-particle film and to the capillary pressure that opposes flattening. The difficulty lies, indeed, in manifold interpretations on experimental observations so that no clear conclusion can be derived on mechanisms responsible for the deformation of droplets. This is why, from a pure theoretical and physical point of view, according to rather complicated models, we propose a much more simple approach that permits to define a capillary length as part of virtual operations. In a static approach, this length is based on analogy with electricity, namely repulsion leads to flatness while attraction to hump. Therefore this brings us to a definition of a length depending on the maximum value of the disjoining pressure in competition with the capillary pressure. Gravity also promotes flocculation, therefore we compare the maximum values of the surface forces acting between the surfaces of two floculating particles to gravity.Finally, considering that in most publications on emulsions foams and colloidal systems, much attention is paid on the role of the drainage in the stability process, we devote the last section to the drainage between flattened drops. We first describe briefly Taylor's approach and extend Reynolds revisited formulae taking into account the viscous friction, the disjoining pressure, the film elasticity and the wetting angle weighting the capillary pressure through the characteristic length. Our calculated values are compared to some experimental data. In conclusion to make this long paper as useful as possible for research purposes, we have the hope that our understanding of emulsion stability is not only based on knowledge of numerous theoretical and experimental works sometimes controversial given in a critical way but that it gives a new approach based on an interpretation of the drop deformation in terms of a characteristic length linked to a deformation number analogous to a Bond number.
Keywords: Dense-dilute emulsions; Deformation characteristic length; Energy barrier; Gravity force; Drainage;
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Fly high with ‘How to Train Your Dragon 3’ in IMAX at SM Cinema
Cinema Bravo on February 18, 2019
IMAX at SM Cinema takes you to greater heights as it brings the immersive movie experience to the audience to witness the epic conclusion of one of the most beloved animated franchises, “How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”.
Now the new chief of Berk, Hiccup has created a safe haven for humans and dragons alike. Meanwhile, his adorable dragon, Toothless, discovers that he is not the only one of his kind left in the world when he meets a lady Night Fury, and both are quickly enchanted with each other. But all this is put to a stop when an infamous dragon hunter threatens to destroy their home. Now Hiccup and Toothless must go on a journey to find the Hidden World in order to save their tribe and everything they treasure.
Produced by Dreamworks Animation and directed by Dean DeBlois, the film features the voices of Jay Baruchel as Hiccup, America Ferrera as Astrid, F. Murray Abraham as Grimmel, Cate Blanchett as Valka, and Gerard Butler as Stoick the Vast.
The adventure of Hiccup and Toothless becomes even bigger and better in SM Cinema’s IMAX theatres as How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is digitally remastered for The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. With topnotch equipment and high-quality audio visuals, movie goers can feel like they are part of the dragon riding and fighting scenes.
Catch How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World starting February 20 at IMAX theatres, Director’s Club and SM Cinema branches nationwide. Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app. You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates!
Tag: Animation, How to Train Your Dragon, How to Train Your Dragon 3, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, IMAX
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China Treasure (Greater China) Investments Ltd (0810.HK) Climbing the Ladder Up 1.06% For Month
China Treasure (Greater China) Investments Ltd (0810.HK) shares are currently showing up on the list of gainers over the past month. During that time period, shares have seen a rise of 1.06%. Heading back 6 months, shares have seen moved -40.63%. Going a bit further, shares have moved 26.67% over the last full-year. Taking a much closer look, shares have moved -1.04% over the last week.
Traders may also be paying close attention to RSI levels on shares of China Treasure (Greater China) Investments Ltd (0810.HK). The current 14-day RSI is presently sitting at 45.47, the 7-day is 44.24, and the 3-day is 49.04. The RSI, or Relative Strength Index is a popular oscillating indicator among traders and investors. The RSI operates in a range-bound area with values between 0 and 100. When the RSI line moves up, the stock may be experiencing strength. The opposite is the case when the RSI line is heading lower. Different time periods may be used when using the RSI indicator. The RSI may be more volatile using a shorter period of time. Many traders keep an eye on the 30 and 70 marks on the RSI scale. A move above 70 is widely considered to show the stock as overbought, and a move below 30 would indicate that the stock may be oversold. Traders may use these levels to help identify stock price reversals.
The Williams Percent Range or Williams %R is another technical indicator worth taking a look at. China Treasure (Greater China) Investments Ltd (0810.HK) currently has a 14 day Williams %R of -57.14. The Williams %R fluctuates between 0 and -100 measuring whether a security is overbought or oversold. The Williams %R is similar to the Stochastic Oscillator except it is plotted upside-down. Levels above -20 may indicate the stock may be considered is overbought. If the indicator travels under -80, this may signal that the stock is oversold. Chart analysts may also use the indicator to project possible price reversals and to define trends.
Investors may use various technical indicators to help spot trends and buy/sell signals. Presently, China Treasure (Greater China) Investments Ltd (0810.HK) has a 14-day Commodity Channel Index (CCI) of -57.07. The CCI was developed by Donald Lambert. The assumption behind the indicator is that investment instruments move in cycles with highs and lows coming at certain periodic intervals. The original guidelines focused on creating buy/sell signals when the reading moved above +100 or below -100. Traders may also use the reading to identify overbought/oversold conditions.
Keeping an eye on Moving Averages, the 50-day is 0.20, the 200-day is at 0.23, and the 7-day is 0.19 for China Treasure (Greater China) Investments Ltd (0810.HK). Moving averages have the ability to be used as a powerful indicator for technical stock analysis. Following multiple time frames using moving averages can help investors figure out where the stock has been and help determine where it may be possibly going. The simple moving average is a mathematical calculation that takes the average price (mean) for a given amount of time.
Another technical indicator that may be a powerful resource for determining trend strength is the Average Directional Index or ADX. The ADX was introduced by J. Welles Wilder in the late 1970’s and it has stood the test of time. The ADX is typically used in conjunction with the Plus Directional Indicator (+DI) and Minus Directional Indicator (-DI) to help spot trend direction as well as trend strength. At the time of writing, the 14-day ADX for China Treasure (Greater China) Investments Ltd (0810.HK) is noted at 35.07. Many technical analysts believe that an ADX value over 25 would suggest a strong trend. A reading under 20 would indicate no trend, and a reading from 20-25 would suggest that there is no clear trend signal.
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Triumph Bonneville T140D Special 1979 1 OWNER, never started, and NEVER used! £SOLD
Fresh into stock, this mind boggling March 1979 manufactured Triumph Bonneville T140D Special. Sold to the late Richard Noble, who bought it on a whim! Richard was the MD of RCA, and wasn’t short of a bob or two, and was known for this sort of impulsive behaviour. The bike was registered to Richard on the 13th July 1979 and delivered by trailer from the supplying local Triumph dealer Eric Jenkins (Motor Cycles) in Abergavenny. The original dealer invoice is in the file shows a purchase price of £1,749.00. So the bike was delivered, but Richard’s teenage son, Philip, persuaded him not to ride it as he didn’t think he was capable of riding a large bike like this. So, they put it in the lounge on display where it spent all of it’s life! We can’t understand how Richard was ever going to ride it, as the battery hadn’t been filled with acid or connected to the bike. The breather tube and bolts are still in the bag under the seat, together with it’s un-opended tool kit. He was told by the dealer that it has 7 miles on the clock as that’s twice around the Meriden test track. Well we don’t think Meriden had a test track, and this bike has never had a battery connected to it, ever! So we don’t think it’s ever been started never mind be ridden. The history file contains: The original V5, the original tax disc (only taxed once it its life and the first time was for 4 months, never put on the bike), supplying dealer invoice, handbook, insurance certificate, Triumph warranty card, Triumph set up sheet mentioning filling battery! So this is a once in a life time opportunity to acquire a ‘new’ Bonneville. Be quick, it won’t be here long at this price. Rock solid investment this one!
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Naik Vinay
its all about 1's & 0's whether you do coding or live your life…
Programs & Algorithms
My Dairy
Microsoft to embrace and extend HTML 5? ‘WPF and Silverlight at risk in faction war’
January 20, 2011 § Leave a comment
Microsoft watchers are poring over a series of Twitter posts from former Silverlight Product Manager Scott Barnes, a web design and user experience specialist.
According to Barnes, just back from a week of briefings at Microsoft, there is intense internal debate about the future of HTML 5, newly implemented in the forthcoming Internet Explorer 9, and the Silverlight plug-in. He tweeted:
“Right now there’s a faction war inside Microsoft over HTML5 vs Silverlight. oh and WPF is dead.. i mean..it kind of was..but now.. funeral.”
WPF is Windows Presentation Foundation, the rich user interface framework that was originally intended to become the primary GUI API for Windows Vista, but was sidelined when Vista development was “reset” in 2004, and does not feature strongly in Windows 7. “There’s no-one working on it beyond minor touch-ups,” says Barnes.
That said, Visual Studio 2010, released earlier this year, makes heavy use of WPF, lending credence to the idea that Microsoft’s Windows team and its Developer division have divergent strategies.
The big debate now is over Silverlight versus HTML5. Barnes claims that the Windows and IE teams see the revved-up Internet Explorer as the replacement for WPF. Since it has hardware-accelerated video, a fast JavaScript engine and support for the Canvas element for custom graphics, that is plausible. But what about access to the Windows API? No problem, says Barnes:
“HTML5 is the replacement for WPF.. IE team want to fork the HTML5 spec by bolting on custom windows APi’s via JS/HTML5”
This would be a classic “embrace and extend” strategy, encouraging developers to create Windows-specific HTML 5 applications, though Microsoft risks losing the goodwill IE9 is generating for its support of web standards among people like Opera’s Molly Holzschlag, who said in March that Microsoft’s new browser “will kick butt”.
If Microsoft does move in this direction it will be a significant shift from the current strategy, which places WPF as the framework for Windows desktop applications, and Silverlight as a subset of WPF suitable for browser-hosted or out-of-browser applications that run cross-platform. That’s on Macs as well as Windows at least, though Apple’s exclusion of runtimes like Flash and Silverlight from its device platform is damaging its value. WPF and Silverlight use the same XML-based layout language, called XAML, and support programming in .NET languages.
Silverlight is also the applications platform for Windows Phone 7, Microsoft’s attempt to get back in the mobile race, which launches later this year.
Earlier this month, Brad Becker, of Microsoft’s Developer Platforms team, defended the role of Silverlight in a blog post, saying that it remains better for “premium media experiences and apps”. ®
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You are currently reading Microsoft to embrace and extend HTML 5? ‘WPF and Silverlight at risk in faction war’ at Naik Vinay.
Author: naikvinay
Categories: Latest News
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All the World's a Stage: A Seattle Theater Blog
“The Lady With All the Answers” at ACT
By Maia on October 14, 2010 at 1:20 PM
I admittedly saw this show a while ago but had yet to write a post. Here is my recommendation: if your Grandma is in town, she might like to see this show. Or your mother, if she’s say, over 65, or old enough to remember who the heck Ann Landers was. On the night I went, ‘fraid neither was the case for me.
If Wikipedia is to believed, there are more interesting tidbits about Ann Landers on there than you will find in this one woman show (starring Julie Briskman as Ann Landers).
It says her desk was purchased by Dan Savage, local author of Savage Love and editorial director of The Stranger. Her real name was Eppie Lederer. Ann Landers was a pen name created by Chicago Sun-Times advice columnist Ruth Crowley, but taken over by Lederer after Crowley’s death. Her sister was Dear Abby, although you do learn this in the play.
Now don’t get me wrong, the story is touching, but it was about as interesting as a bowl of pea soup. Julie Briskman does a fine job as the spirited Landers, and a few scenes touched upon some of the more controversial topics she discussed in her career as advice columnist, such as homosexuality and divorce.
However, this feel-good stroll down memory lane (about a woman most 20 somethings likely aren’t too familiar with) is probably not going to make the best date night. Save your hard earned coin for next up at ACT, The Lt. of Inishmore, “a gleefully gruesome comedy from the Oscar-nominated author of In Bruges.”
If you feel like seeing some warm apple pie onstage, The Lady With All the Answers runs through Oct 31st at ACT. More info here.
Photo: Julie Briskman as Ann Landers
Credit: Chris Bennion
Maia Jannele
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It’s Painting, Stupid! Why Painting Will Never Die
Critic and painters stouch, but people will keep on painting.
W H Chong
‘Painting is dead,’ said Paul Delaroche in 1839, a French painter ironically best known for his fateful quote. That was the year the world was introduced to the daguerreotype, the photograph as we know it.
Recently the art critic for Melbourne’s and Sydney’s non-Murdoch dailies wrote: ‘Painters and curators know that painting is dead but have powerful incentives to believe that it might be revived.’
WHY PAINTING LIVES
But I say, No! Painting lives! And it will outlive all its critics. Nobody asks why singers sing and tells them to stop, or criticises dancers for dancing. Or tells children to stop drawing and sloshing paint around — ‘Darlings, painting is dead, we must use new media now.’ Has anyone advised the elders in Arnhem land to tell their people to stop all that daubing? That they need to get some tech to plug and play?
Paintings happen because painting, like modelling forms in clay, like sounding notes by voice or object, is a prehistoric cultural meme. It flourished before the glories of text. How pompously can I put it? To paint is one way to be human.
Kate Benyon’s winning entry at the Geelong Contemporary Art Prize
At the ACCA painting show, Gareth Sansom’s picture is the blue and pink.
PAINTING IS EVERYWHERE
Painting: Dead? Not dead? (See cute google trend chart). Beyond one smallish corner of the art world, No, Bo, Dy, cares. At the moment we have a painting show at ACCA, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art — an A-Z rollcall of painting worthies, young and old. A big Degas show just finished at the NGV which now hosts a big retrospective of John Olsen, the grand seigneur of Australian painting.
Beyond the city, there’s the Geelong Contemporary Art Prize — exclusively painting. Hamilton has shows of Streeton, John Wolseley, and young Will Mackinnon, three painters across overlapping timespans, and Horsham just concluded a show of five contemporary painters. Both Bendigo and Ballarat galleries are having their drawing prize shows, which not only have strong affinities to painting, but includes quite a bit of painting-drawing. And, of course, commercial galleries are awash with painting.
As a hip gallerist was overheard to say at the Tarrawarra Biennial — ‘I like things that can be bought and sold and hung on a wall’. And marketwise, public-wise, it seems most people not on the cutting edge of art conversations agree. That need not worry artists, curators, critics and edgy gallerists. There is room for everyone, and if we were all in the avant-garde (now, there’s a dead term) then where would the cool crowd go?
THE CRITIC WRITES
There’s a fun if acidic conversation going on at the moment between the Fairfax critic, Robert Nelson, and the painters Gareth Sansom and John Kelly. Nelson has slagged off (an accurate localism) both the ACCA painting and John Olsen shows. Nelson may have offered some faint praise to Olsen and gold stars to a few artists at ACCA, but he did not like the shows. He was professionally critical, or plainly insulting, in any case he had strong opinions.
On the ACCA show: ‘Nowadays, most painters lack most skills in painting…Painters and curators know that painting is dead but have powerful incentives to believe that it might be revived.’
On Olsen: ‘The more John Olsens that you put into a room, the uglier it becomes…The best paintings with their tangle of tentacles are only mildly entertaining. They have little profundity.’
(Above: Robert Nelson in a video introduction to his 2011 book, “The Visual Language of Painting”. He begins: ‘Painting rewards in ways that are hard to fathom. The people who know it best, namely painters, are often the least likely to explain its seduction.’ He goes on to talk about “visuality” in painting and ends, ‘it is my attempt to demystify the peculiar magic of representational pictures made by hand.’)
THE PAINTERS REPLY
Gareth Sansom is one of the artists currently at ACCA — about 10 years ago in the Australian, Sebastian Smee, now the Pulitzer-prize winning art critic for the Boston Globe, called him ‘for my money, the most exciting painter in Australia today.’ On Saturday 17 September, addressing a sizeable audience in front of his ACCA painting, Sansom took a swipe: ‘Periodically there is some idiot saying, Painting is dead. In fact, some idiot in the Age is saying it every five years.’
John Kelly, in the Daily Review, offers a passionate defence of painting, and points out that video art (which Nelson had mentioned favourably over painting) was at this moment more like old hat than new tech. And he suggests that Nelson may be playing a theatrical provocateur parading a Look-At-Me routine. Anyway, Kelly also asks some pertinent questions:
‘Should any medium be separated by a kind of artistic apartheid? Will ACCA present similar exhibitions based on sculpture, printmaking or installation/video art? Is painting part of a broader contemporary culture or does it have a special status, given its longevity as the Methuselah of Art? Does this separation elevate or undermine its artistic currency that continues to turn in its grave despite the regular last rites proffered?’
MY GALLERY HAS MANY ROOMS
Pardon the Biblical allusion (John 14:2) prompted by Methuselah, but here’s the thing — outside the white cube, Nobody Cares if Painting is Dead. Because people like painting.
That is why, for instance, the perennially panned Archibald Prize is such a big deal. And why the Portrait Gallery in Canberra draws visitors. They show images of recognisable subjects in a time-honoured medium, visibly wrought with artisanal labour. (Indicatively, both ACCA and Geelong shows are pretty evenly divided between abstraction and figuration.) One hundred years on from the dawn of Modernism and the peak of Cubism, people are still adjusting. As William Gibson wrote, ‘The future is already here — it’s just not evenly distributed.’
The celebrated David Hockney — a painting holdout despite his fondness for adopting tech — with a show slated later this year at the NGV, was talking about good and bad painting to an interviewer when he was interrupted for his opinion about contemporary art. Hockney said something to this effect: ‘We were talking about painting, but Art, now, that’s a MUCH bigger subject.’ Which is to say, painting is a practice which is art, but also one that goes on regardless of “Art”. People will keep looking at paintings, and people will keep making paintings whether or not people look at it. To paint is to be human.
There is room for art in the wretched craziness of the human world, and room in the art world for all kinds of painting.
See Paintings
ACCA: Painting. More Painting. Symposium 24 Saturday at 3pm, with a keynote address by Justin Paton, fantastic art writer and AGNSW curator. Ends Sunday 25 September 2017.
John Olsen @ Fed Square, all summer till next February 2017.
Geelong Contemporary Art Prize until 13 November 2016.
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The Modern Finance Leader
Finance Topics & Trends
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About the ERP Cloud blog
Advice and Information for Finance Professionals
How to Build a Winning Analytics Team in Finance
By Denis Desroches, Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Specialist
In the movie, Moneyball, Peter Brand (played by Jonah Hill) says to Billy Bean (played by Brad Pitt), “It's about getting things down to one number. Using the stats the way we read them, we'll find value in players that no one else can see. People are overlooked for a variety of biased reasons and perceived flaws. age, appearance, personality… Billy, of the 20,000 notable players for us to consider, I believe that there is a championship team of twenty-five people that we can afford, because everyone else in baseball undervalues them.”
I don’t know if this is a real-life, verbatim quote, but it illustrates one kind of different thinking—the kind that could promise survival in a competitive sports landscape, but one that flies in the face of decades of “success” that came with “traditional baseball thinking.”
These types of conversation aren’t limited to sports arenas; in board room meetings, traditional thinking is being reexamined as industries come under attack from non-conventional thinkers. Want examples? After a baseball game at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, I didn’t see a taxi stand sign, but there was a prominent Uber stand. How has Blockbuster been doing since Netflix appeared? What impact did Amazon have on Sears, on Kmart? The list goes on.
So what ingredients were necessary for Billy Bean and the Oakland A’s to become a leading-edge analytics organization? First, they needed data—lots of it, with much of it gathered from sources outside of the team’s legacy database. Then, they needed technology—to gather and mine the data, and to turn it into useable information. They needed capable people—to synthesize the mountains of data and isolate those key indicators that uncover successful decision strategies. Finally, they needed Billy Beane—an executive champion with the vision for what drives success, the fortitude to stick to his guns, and a management style to trust the insight of knowledgeable workers—a new kind of executive.
This example illustrates the four elements for successful implementation of leading-edge analytics: data, technology, people, and intent. Much literature is available to discuss the first three (the tangible elements) but the research team of myself, Dr. Raef Lawson of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), and Oracle’s Toby Hatch couldn’t find much discussion on the fourth element—the intangible element. Call it “intent” or call it “corporate culture”—there just wasn’t much dialog around this topic.
With this dearth of meaningful debate in the top of their minds, our research team conducted a survey to elicit a better understanding of organizational intent for the use of leading-edge analytics to support the creation of a data-driven organization. From information gleaned from survey responses, the team produced two reports.
The Data Analytics Implementation Journey in Business and Finance looks at the current state of the implementation of data analytics. It addresses organizational perception of the importance of analytics to business success, how far along organizations are in the implementation process, and which processes are benefiting from the use of analytics. It also discusses the impact of leading-edge analytics on the role of finance, and the impact that the finance organization has in a data-driven environment.
Building on the results of the survey, our second report, How to Embrace Data Analytics to Be Successful, identifies six critical questions that organizations should consider in their endeavors to establish a data-driven culture. The right answers to those questions increase the likelihood of a successful implementation of leading-edge analytics and the ultimate achievement of a data-driven culture.
Join us for a complimentary webinar
Many organizations have started on the path to implementing a data-driven culture, believing that implementing leading-edge analytics is key to their success. Please join Dr. Lawson and Toby Hatch as they discuss the results of the recent IMA study, reviewing key findings and learnings from both research reports. "Data Analytics: Exposing the Organization to Finance's Value" will cover six key factors for successfully establishing a data-driven organizational culture, along with how analytics has the potential to deliver substantial benefits in strategy formulation and implementation.
Register now for this complimentary webinar from IMA.
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Office 365 Weekly Office 365 Weekly
Office 365 news, notes, tips and tricks
Tag: Ignite
Office 365 Weekly Digest | March 17 – 23, 2019
Welcome to the March 17 – 23, 2019 edition of the Office 365 Weekly Digest. Four features were added to the Office 365 Roadmap last week, all related to SharePoint and/or Teams, including files restore capabilities for both targeted for release in March 2019. Lots of upcoming events are available, with a few new ones…
Office 365 Weekly Digest | January 27 – February 2, 2019
Welcome to the January 27 – February 2, 2019 edition of the Office 365 Weekly Digest. Last week there were nine additions to the Office 365 Roadmap, with several for SharePoint Online and a couple for Outlook on the Web. There was also a cancellation for Polls in the Yammer app on Android. Teams and…
Office 365 Weekly Digest | October 28 – November 3, 2018
Welcome to the October 28 – November 3, 2018 edition of the Office 365 Weekly Digest. Three features were added to the Office 365 Roadmap last week, with two for Teams and one for Stream which adds its intelligence capabilities to other Office 365 plans. There are five events this week including the regular Teams…
Office 365 Weekly Digest | October 21 – 27, 2018
Welcome to the October 21 – 27, 2018 edition of the Office 365 Weekly Digest. For the first week in quite some time, there were no new features added to the Office 365 Roadmap last week. There are lots of Teams-focused events on the calendar over the next few weeks. New this week are a…
Welcome to the October 14 – 20, 2018 edition of the Office 365 Weekly Digest. Last week there were six additions to the Office 365 Roadmap, including a couple for Microsoft Teams, a couple for Exchange / Outlook, as well as new features for Office 365 navigation and SharePoint Online. Be sure to check out…
Office 365 Weekly Digest | October 7 – 13, 2018
Welcome to the October 7 – 13, 2018 edition of the Office 365 Weekly Digest. There were six additions to the Office 365 Roadmap last week, including updates for Teams and Office 365 Message Encryption. There are several new Azure Active Directory webinars for this week, as well as new instructor-led events for Microsoft Teams…
Office 365 Weekly Digest | September 30 – October 6, 2018
Welcome to the September 30 – October 6, 2018 edition of the Office 365 Weekly Digest. Eleven features were added to the Office 365 Roadmap last week, so not quite the influx I expected following Ignite 2018. Nearly half of those are SharePoint-related, with the remaining across other services such as Teams, Forms, and Project….
Office 365 Weekly Digest | September 23 – 29, 2018
Welcome to the September 23 – 29, 2018 (aka Ignite Week) edition of the Office 365 Weekly Digest. Last week, all eyes (and ears) were focused on Microsoft Ignite 2018 in Orlando, Florida. There’s a ton of content in this week’s digest, so the intro will be short. While there were twenty additions to the…
Welcome to the September 16 – 22, 2018 edition of the Office 365 Weekly Digest. Four features were added to the Office 365 Roadmap last week, all related to SharePoint Online – including modern document sets and the ability to automatically apply retention labels based on content types and metadata. Microsoft Ignite starts on Monday,…
Office 365 Weekly Digest | September 9 – 15, 2018
Welcome to the September 9 – 15, 2018 edition of the Office 365 Weekly Digest. There were three additions to the Office 365 Roadmap last week, including the general availability of the Microsoft Graph Security API and automated transcription services for video and audio files stored in OneDrive for Business and SharePoint Online. The major…
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Research article | Open | Published: 28 November 2012
Putative SF2 helicases of the early-branching eukaryote Giardia lamblia are involved in antigenic variation and parasite differentiation into cysts
Pablo R Gargantini1,
Marianela C Serradell1,
Alessandro Torri1 &
Hugo D Lujan1
BMC Microbiologyvolume 12, Article number: 284 (2012) | Download Citation
Regulation of surface antigenic variation in Giardia lamblia is controlled post-transcriptionally by an RNA-interference (RNAi) pathway that includes a Dicer-like bidentate RNase III (gDicer). This enzyme, however, lacks the RNA helicase domain present in Dicer enzymes from higher eukaryotes. The participation of several RNA helicases in practically all organisms in which RNAi was studied suggests that RNA helicases are potentially involved in antigenic variation, as well as during Giardia differentiation into cysts.
An extensive in silico analysis of the Giardia genome identified 32 putative Super Family 2 RNA helicases that contain almost all the conserved RNA helicase motifs. Phylogenetic studies and sequence analysis separated them into 22 DEAD-box, 6 DEAH-box and 4 Ski2p-box RNA helicases, some of which are homologs of well-characterized helicases from higher organisms. No Giardia putative helicase was found to have significant homology to the RNA helicase domain of Dicer enzymes. Additionally a series of up- and down-regulated putative RNA helicases were found during encystation and antigenic variation by qPCR experiments. Finally, we were able to recognize 14 additional putative helicases from three different families (RecQ family, Swi2/Snf2 and Rad3 family) that could be considered DNA helicases.
This is the first comprehensive analysis of the Super Family 2 helicases from the human intestinal parasite G. lamblia. The relative and variable expression of particular RNA helicases during both antigenic variation and encystation agrees with the proposed participation of these enzymes during both adaptive processes. The putatives RNA and DNA helicases identified in this early-branching eukaryote provide initial information regarding the biological role of these enzymes in cell adaptation and differentiation.
Helicases are encoded by a large fraction of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes and are found in all organisms –from bacteria to humans– and in many viruses. These nucleic acid-dependent NTPases (preferentially ATPases) have the ability to unwind DNA or RNA duplex substrates; to unwind/separate the helical structure of double-stranded nucleic acids and, in some cases, to disrupt protein-nucleic acid interactions [1, 2].
DNA and RNA helicases are grouped into six superfamilies (SF). SF1 and SF2 do not form rings, whereas SF3 to SF6 comprise the ring-forming helicases [3]. All eukaryotic RNA helicases belong to SF1 and SF2, whereas the ring-shaped RNA helicases are found in viruses [4] and bacteria [5, 6]. Functional groups for ATP binding and hydrolysis are highly conserved among SF1 and SF2 DNA and RNA helicases. In addition, these two superfamilies show high sequence similarity in their conserved regions, sharing eight conserved motifs; and variations within these conserved motifs are used to distinguish between these very closely related families.
The helicases from SF1 and SF2 are further divided into families, based on their sequence, structural, and mechanistic features [3, 7]. According to an excellent classification proposed by Jankowsky’s group, these helicases can be grouped into three families in the SF1 and nine families and one group in the SF2 [8]. Although several helicase families contain both RNA and DNA helicases, six of these twelve families only contain RNA helicases (DEAD-box, DEAH-box, Ski2-like, RIG-I-like, NS3/NPH-II and Upf1-like families). As they are mainly composed by RNA helicases, these 6 families are termed “RNA helicase families”, and are often referred to as DExD/H proteins.
In the SF1 and SF2 helicases, the conserved motifs are clustered in a “central” core region that spans about 350 to 400 amino acids (named “Helicase Core Domain” - HCD). By contrast, the N- and C-terminal extensions of helicases are highly variable in size and composition. These regions are supposed to confer substrate specificity, comprising protein- and/or RNA-binding motifs that provide helicases with their capacity to be involved in multiple processes, and/or direct the helicases to their subcellular localization [9, 10]. Within these extensions helicases also contain accessory domains that can confer specific functions, as in the case of the bidentate RNase III enzyme Dicer [11]. The conservation of these domains within a family is null; therefore, they are not used to define a typical group.
RNA is involved in virtually all aspects of gene expression, playing important regulatory roles in biological reactions and making RNAs biologically important molecules required by all living organisms. RNA helicases may act as a temporary clamp to prevent RNAs from re-associating, thereby allowing other RNA-RNA or RNA-protein interactions to occur. A recent report suggests that these proteins can also function as RNPases [12], which are enzymes that disrupt RNA-protein interactions.
Giardia lamblia is a single-celled eukaryotic microorganism that inhabits in the upper small intestine of humans and several other vertebrates. Phylogenetic studies have placed Giardia as one of the most early-branching eukaryotic cells [13–17]. In addition to its biological relevance, G. lamblia is one of the leading causes of human intestinal disease worldwide, the most frequent cause of defined waterborne outbreaks of diarrhea in developed countries and a common cause of diarrhea in daycare centers, institutionalized individuals, backpackers, and travelers [18]. The parasite has a simple life cycle, comprising the disease-causing trophozoites and the environmentally-resistant cysts, which are responsible for the transmission of the disease among susceptible hosts [18]. Giardia undergoes important adaptive mechanisms to survive both inside and outside the host’s intestine, such as “antigenic variation” and “encystation”, respectively [19]. Antigenic variation is characterized by the continuous switching of surface antigenic molecules, which allows the parasite to evade the immune response generated by the host [20]. In Giardia, antigenic variation involves variant-specific surface proteins (VSPs), cysteine-rich type 1a membrane proteins that cover the entire surface of the trophozoites [21]. Only one VSP, of approximately 200 VSP genes present in the parasite’s genome, is expressed on the surface of individual trophozoites at a given time, but switching to a different VSP occurs once every 6-18 generations. Antigenic variation in Giardia is regulated post-transcriptionally by a mechanism similar to RNA interference (RNAi) [22]. Notably, disruption of the RNAi pathway by knocking-down the expression of the dsRNA endonuclease Dicer promotes a change from single to multiple VSP expression on the surface of individual Giardia cells, indicating the direct involvement of this enzyme in controlling antigenic variation in this parasite [23]. Nonetheless, gDicer lacks the C-terminal RNA helicase domain, raising question about the function of this domain in Dicer enzymes of higher eukaryotes.
G. lamblia possesses functional RNAi machinery [22]. However, this early-branching eukaryote lacks Drosha and Exportin 5 molecules needed to process and export miRNA from the cell nucleus into the cytoplasm as well as other essential components of the RNAi machinery found in higher eukaryotes [24]. It was recently proposed, however, that lack of Drosha and Exportin 5 in Giardia could be bypassed by the use of snoRNAs as miRNAs precursors [25]. Interestingly, Giardia Dicer is still capable of robust dicing and of complementing the lack of a functional Dicer in Schizosaccharomyces pombe (which possesses the RNA helicase domain [26]) as well as ORF-derived miRNAs with gDicer apparently assuming the functions of both Drosha and Dicer [25]. Hence, two questions arise: (i) Are RNA helicases truly involved in the Giardia RNAi pathway? (ii) What is the minimal protein repertoire for post-transcriptional gene silencing in eukaryotic cells?
In the present study, we identified the complete set of SF2 helicases in this anaerobic flagellated protozoan by searching the G. lamblia genome database of the WB isolate, which allowed the identification of 22 DEAD-box, 6 DEAH-box and 4 Ski2p putative RNA helicases, along with seven helicases of family Swi2/Snf2, 3 helicases from family RecQ and 4 helicases from family Rad3. These sequences were used to analyze the relationship between the composition of the SF2 helicases in Giardia and their corresponding homologs in yeast and humans. In addition, the level of expression during antigenic variation and encystation was analyzed, demonstrating both differential and variable expression of individual RNA helicases in these processes. We also discuss the potential role of the RNA helicase domain in Dicer enzymes of higher eukaryotes.
Identification of SF2 helicases in Giardia lamblia
By using the human eIF4A (Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4A) amino acid sequence as the DEAD-box helicase prototype [27] and the human ATP-dependent RNA-helicase DHX8 amino acid sequence as the DEAH-box helicase prototype [27], we performed an extensive analysis of the Giardia assemblage A, isolate WB, genome database [28] and detected 22 and 6 orthologs, respectively. We were also able to obtain the sequences of 4 putative RNA helicases belonging to the Ski2 family, which is generally classified inside the DExH-box family; and a previously described UPF1 homolog from SF1 [29]. These helicases belong to three of the nine families described from SF2. Therefore, in an attempt to identify any other helicase from this superfamily we performed a PSI-BLASTP search within the Giardia genome using the sequences described from humans, yeast and Escherichia coli, following Fairman-Williams [8]. Using this approach, we were able to recognize 14 additional putative helicases from three different families, 3 helicases from the RecQ family, 7 helicases from the Swi2/Snf2 family, and 4 helicases from the Rad3 family. The sequences from the remaining three families of SF2 helicases present in humans, yeast and E. coli (RecG-like, RIG-I-like and NS3/NPH-II) do not have significant homology with any gene of G. lamblia.
The Giardia Database gene number, the Contig number and position, and the gene length and codified protein molecular weight for each one of the SF2 helicases studied in this work are summarized in Additional file 1: Table S1. The HCD is virtually conserved in length between the three RNA helicases families, ranging from 361 to 425 amino acids, whereas the greatest differences found, as expected, were in the N- and C-terminal regions of each helicase family (see Additional file 2: Table S2).
The presence of 8 to 10 motifs considered as “signature sequences” were useful for the classification of each putative RNA helicase within a specific family. This approach has already been used to identify DExD/H helicases in human, yeast, rice, Entamoeba histolytica, Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania major, Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei (Table 1). The relationship between the number of DEAD-box and DExH-box helicases supports our finding of 22 DEAD-box and 10 DExH-box (6 DEAH-box and 4 Ski2-like) in Giardia. Multiple sequence analysis generated a phylogenetic tree, showing the evolutionary separation of these six families (DEAD-box, DEAH-box, Ski2, RecQ, Rad3, and Swi2/Snf2) (see Additional file 3: Figure S1).
Table 1 Number of putative DExD/H-box RNA helicases in other organisms
BLASTP analyses of the 46 G. lamblia SF2 helicases within the NCBI Human database presented the following ranges of identity and similarity, respectively: DEAD-box family (23–47% and 39–69%); DEAH-box family (26–39% and 42–54%); Ski2 family (28–43% and 47–63%); Swi2/Snf2 family (25–39% and 41–58%); RecQ family (25–32% and 41–50%); Rad3 family (27–35% and 47–51%). The unique UPF1 sequence presents 39% identity and 52% similarity to human UPF1. The yeast RNA helicase homologs, their predicted protein function and other features are also included in Additional file 4: Table S3 for each helicase identified in G. lamblia. The high sequence similarity between putatives RNA helicases from Giardia and the characterized homologous proteins suggest that they may have a similar function in RNA metabolism.
The DEAD-box family
The 22 sequences identified from this family were aligned for further analysis and the nine consensus motifs described in DEAD-box RNA helicases from other organisms were found. The Open Reading Frame (ORF) GL50803_34684 lacks the N-terminal region including the Q Motif; when we performed a new database search, we found that the homologous gene GL50581_3622 from Assemblage B, isolate GS, possesses the complete N-terminal region. Thus, we used this region to search the isolate WB genome database and found the missing region at the CH991776, location 21991–22645. The final gene location was at the CH991776, 21991 – 23994 (+), and the gene coded for a 667-amino acid protein with all the nine consensus motifs of the DEAD-box subfamily, including the Q motif. This motif contains nine amino acids, which is a distinctive and characteristic feature of the DEAD-box family of helicases, and can interact with Motif I and a bound ATP [36].
Another characteristic amino acid, the Phe (F) residue that is close to the Q Motif was also found in 13 of the 22 enzymes, whereas in other 7 helicases, Phe (F) was replaced by Trp (W), another aromatic amino acid, being absent only in GL50803_17239 and GL50803_34684 (see Additional file 5: Figure S2). To provide a schematic graphical overview of DEAD-box sequence motif conservation, we performed a multiple sequence alignment for each motif and then used the WebLogo software to obtain a precise description of sequence similarity [37, 38] (Figure 1 - inset). Analysis of regions separating each pair of consecutive motifs was consistent with the reported low sequence but high length conservation (Figure 1) [33, 34]. The DEAD-box family has an N-terminal length ranging from 2 to 233 amino acids and a C-terminal length from 29 to 507 amino acids, but lack any additional domain described in other DEAD-box proteins (Figure 1) [39]. In agreement with the analyses of Banroques [40], we found that almost 55% of Giardia putative DEAD-box helicases have an N-terminal length of 2-45 residues and a C-terminal length of 29-95 residues, whereas the size of the HCD containing the conserved motifs ranges between 331 and 403 residues in almost 70% of this family sequences.
Schematic diagram of the DEAD-box RNA helicase family in G. lamblia . Each motif is represented by a different color. The distances between the motifs, and the size of the N- and C- terminal extensions for each ORF, are indicated (number of aa). The red bars within the N- or C-terminal extensions represent the regions amplified with specific primers for the qPCR. The representation is to scale. Inset: sequence LOGO view of the consensus amino acids. The height of each amino acid represents the degree of conservation. Colors mark properties of the amino acids as follows: green (polar), blue (basic), red (acidic) and black (hydrophobic).
The DEAH-box family
The 6 putative RNA helicases belonging to the DEAH-box family were analyzed by multiple sequence alignment and subsequent manual scanning, in search of conserved motifs characteristic of this family. As shown in Additional file 6: Figure S3, the 5 helicases present the eight characteristic motifs, with the exception of GL50803_13200, which was incomplete in its N-terminal region, missing Motif I. As with the missing motif of DEAD-box helicase GL50803_34684, a new database search showed a homologous gene, GL50581_4549 from the isolate GS, with the complete N-terminal region that was used to search the isolate WB for the entire ORF. Surprisingly, this new putative 5´ DNA genomic region does not have a traditional ATG start codon; instead, there are two putative alternative initiation codons already described in rare cases for the fungus Candida albicans[41] or in mammalian NAT1 [42]. Studies in progress are analyzing this finding.
The consensus sequence was obtained and was in agreement with the DEAH-box motifs published by Linder and Owttrim [43] (Figure 2 - inset). Within the C-terminal regions from five of these six putative DEAH-box RNA helicases, we found another domain called Helicase Associated Domain (HA2), of about 90-120 amino acid in length (Figure 2), whose function is unknown. The HA2 domain was found in more than 1,280 eukaryotic and 590 bacterial protein sequences according to the SMART (Simple Modular Architecture Research Tool) database [44], and was present only in this DEAH-box family, being absent in all other Giardia putative RNA helicases. For two of these DEAH-box proteins, there was an additional domain called DUF1605 (Domain of Unknown Function).
Schematic diagram of the DEAH-box RNA helicase family in G. lamblia.Each HA2 domain is represented in gray and the DUF1605 domain is represented in brown, both inside the C-terminal region. Red lines within the C-terminal extensions represent the region amplified in the qPCR for each putative helicase. The representation is to scale. Inset: sequence LOGO view of the consensus amino acids. The height of each amino acid represents the degree of conservation. Colors indicate properties of the amino acids, as follows: green (polar), blue (basic), red (acidic) and black (hydrophobic).
The Ski2 family
Within this family, we found only four ORFs in the Giardia genome that were grouped according to the analysis of each sequence. The multiple sequence alignment (see Additional file 7: Figure S4) and the WebLogo graphic representation display the eight conserved motifs characteristic of this family [43] (Figure 3 - inset).
Schematic diagram of the Ski2 RNA helicase family in G. lamblia. Each Sec63 domain is represented in pink, the DsHCT domain in brown, and the HhH1 domain in violet, all inside the C-terminal region of each ORF. Red lines within the N- or C-terminal extensions represent the region amplified in the qPCR for each putative helicase. The two overlap repeats of ~ 650 amino acids are indicated in blue under the ORF 87022. The representation is to scale. Inset: sequence LOGO view of the consensus amino acids. The height of each amino acid represents the degree of conservation. Colors mark properties of the amino acids, as follows: green (polar), blue (basic), red (acidic) and black (hydrophobic).
All of these Ski2 family members present C-terminal additional domains that can provide insights into their function (Figure 3). Two of them present a domain called Sec63, named after the yeast Sec63 protein (or NPL1) (also known as the Brl domain) where it was found, and that is required for assembly of functional endoplasmic reticulum translocons [45, 46]. Another Giardia Ski2 protein exhibits a domain named HhH1, which is frequently found in prokaryotic and eukaryotic non-sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins [47]. The fourth Ski2 helicase presents a DSHCT domain, which is found in DOB1/SK12/helY-like helicases [48].
Interestingly, GL50803_87022 shows an internal repeat (red lines below 87022 design in Figure 3), as described for other RNA helicases [33]. This 2421-amino acid ORF consists of two RNA helicases joined together, presenting the eight Ski2 conserved motifs and an additional Sec63 motif of unknown function at the C-terminal region of each repeat. Marchat [33] detected the same patterns in several eukaryotic orthologs proteins and suggested horizontal gene transfer between bacteria and eukaryotes.
DNA helicases from other families
As mentioned above, only six of the twelve helicase families are supposed to comprise RNA helicases (DEAD-box, DEAH-box, Ski2-like, RIG-I-like, NS3/NPH-II and Upf1-like family) and the remaining families consist of DNA helicases. In Giardia we found 14 additional ORFs that could be considered DNA helicases and grouped them into the three following families:
Swi2/Snf2 family
Seven ORFs were linked to this family based on the sequence features and compared with members of this family belonging to other species. They present the eight characteristic motifs, with the sequence conservation being represented in the logos under the alignment (see Additional file 8: Figure S5). This family is one of the largest helicase families in G. lamblia SF2, with an average length of 1,560 amino acids (Table S2). The N- and C-terminal regions present characteristic domains; almost all of them show one or two SNF2N domains that were described as the ATPase component of the SNF2/SWI multi-subunit complex, disrupting histone-DNA interactions. Other domains found within these ORFs were the SANT domain, the BROMO domain and a CHROMO domain.
RecQ family
This is the smallest family, with only three members found in the Giardia genome. These helicases also have one of the smallest average lengths, with only the central HCD. The eight characteristic motifs that defined this family are highly conserved, as shown in Additional file 9: Figure S6. The three ORFs share the greatest homology with the BLM (Bloom syndrome) gene from humans, which is believed to act by suppressing inappropriate recombination [49]. They are also homolog for the yeast SGS1 gene, a nucleolar DNA helicase of the RecQ family involved in genome integrity [50].
Rad3 family
This family is composed of four members in G. lamblia. It presents the largest HCD of all the SF2 helicases due to the presence of a differently large linker region between the DEXDc and the HELICc domains. They present homology in all the eight conserved motifs, except for ORF GL50803_5910, which lacks Motifs Ia and Ib (see Additional file 10: Figure S7). This ORF presents no significant similarity to human proteins; however, it was included in this family based on results of sequence and multiple alignment analyses (see Tree in Additional file 3: Figure S1).
The helicase core domain within the dicer sequence
The HCD is an important component of higher eukaryotes’ Dicer enzymes, and is involved in some functions regarding the fundamental participation of this protein in RNAi [51–55]. As a deep-branching eukaryote, a database search using the entire Giardia Dicer amino acid sequence returned a list of Ribonuclease III (RIBOc) containing regions that belong to different species of bacteria with the highest alignment scores. Interestingly, these prokaryotic sequences of about 220-260 amino acids only possess one Ribonuclease III domain and one Double-stranded RNA binding motif (DSRM) (Figure 4–A).
A) Graphical representation of Giardia lamblia Dicer homologs. Below the Giardia Dicer protein scheme are the two most homologous bacterial proteins found, and above it are the six protozoa most homologous proteins together with the human Dicer1 scheme. The representations are designed proportionally to their aa length, which is indicated below each organism’s name. The arrows alongside the figure indicate the degree of similarity to Giardia Dicer, divided into bacteria and protozoa. [Accession numbers: H. sapiens (Q9UPY3); N. gruberi (D2UZR2); T. thermophila (A4VD87); P. tetraurelia (Q3SE28); T. vaginalis (A2F201); D. discoideum (Q55FS1); P. pallidum (D3BF89); G. lamblia (A8BQJ3); R. marinus (D0MGH0); M. galactiae (D3VQS7)] B) Graphical representation of Arabidopsis thaliana DCL1 protozoa homologs: there are two N. gruberi represented in the diagram here indicated as (1) and (2). The representations are designed proportionally to their aa length, which are indicated below each name. The arrow alongside the figure indicates the degree of similarity to Arabidopsis Dicer. [Accession numbers: A. thaliana (Q9SP32); N. gruberi-1 (D2UZR2); E. siliculosus (GenBank: CBJ48587.1); T. thermophila (A4VD87); tetraurelia (Q3SD86); N. gruberi-2 (D2VEU9); P. marinus (C5LMV9)].
In the search of protozoa homologs containing the HCD within the Dicer sequence, we performed a BLASTP against the protozoa genomic database available at the NCBI with the entire Giardia Dicer sequence. We obtained the highest score with Polysphondylium pallidum, which contains only an amino-terminal DSRM domain and two C-terminal RIBOc domains. The other five protozoa with the highest scores against Giardia Dicer protein present different domains, as shown in Figure 4–A. The homologies were located only at the C-terminal region, spanning the two conserved RIBOc domains together with the PAZ domain. Interestingly, one of these homologs from Naegleria gruberi presents all the conserved domains, being also the protozoa protein with the highest sequence similarity to human Dicer1 (Figure 4–A). Remarkably, the HCD of this protozoan enzyme have low homology with any putative RNA helicases found in Giardia, as is also the case for the well-conserved helicase domain within other higher eukaryotes Dicer proteins used to search the Giardia genome database.
Using the Dicer-like 1 (DCL1) protein sequence from Arabidopsis thaliana, we searched the protozoan database for other Dicer-like proteins that could have the HCD together with the Ribonuclease III domains. Noticeably, besides the N. gruberi putative protein containing all the Dicer conserved domains, other protozoan homologs that have at least these two domains are Ectocarpus siliculosus, Tetrahymena thermophila, Paramecium tetraurelia, and Perkinsus marinus (Figure 4–B). These molecules do not present all Dicer domains and, in some cases, they only show one Ribonuclease III domain instead of two. Additionally, by taking only the HCD of these protozoa proteins and performing a BLASTP against the Giardia assemblage A isolate WB database, we did not find any significant homology with the described putative RNA helicases. Even when we generate a profile sequence from these five protozoan (the complete sequence or just the HCD sequence) and performed a more sensitive PSI-BLAST (iteration 5), the Giardia sequences presented low homology and corresponded to helicases already described in this work.
We also used eight Dicer sequences from higher eukaryotes (S. pombe; M. truncatula; H. sapiens; M. musculus; X. laevis; A. thaliana; D. melanogaster and C. elegans), all of them presenting a helicase domain and almost all the others Dicer specific domains (a PAZ domain, two Ribonuclease III domains and dsRNA binding motif). Considering only their HCD, we created a consensus sequence of 613 amino acids. A PSI-BLAST analysis (iteration 5) of the G. lamblia database using this consensus sequence give us 39 putative helicases already described and classified in this work. The best E-value was for the DEAD-box putative helicase GL50803_95898, with query coverage of only the 30%. To analyze the presence of patterns conserved in sets within this eight helicase domains, we performed a pattern matching using the Pratt software [56]. We obtained a series of best sets and subsets patterns that could be divided into four groups, two in the DEXDc domain, one in the HELICc domain and one in the region within this two. These four patterns were used again to search the Giardia database. First, we created a consensus sequence for each one of these patterns and used it to perform a PSI-BLAST analysis (iteration 5). Only with the best pattern, corresponding to the HELICc domain, our analysis gave a series of similar sequences, all of them already described as putative helicases. Again the putative DEAD-box helicase GL50803_95898 was at the top-five sequences with a 100% query coverage. The other patterns obtained provided no sequences producing significant alignments with E-value better than threshold.
RNA helicases relative expression during encystation
Based on in vitro experiments, the contribution of several DExD/H-box proteins in the accomplishment of crucial cellular functions has been revealed [30]. The fact that the entire life cycle of G. lamblia can be reproduced in vitro makes this species an attractive model to study cellular differentiation [57]. We analyzed the expression of all the DExD/H-box helicases genes by quantitative PCR (qPCR) (except for the ORF GL50803_11384 which presented very low efficiency in two pairs of primers tested), to explore the participation of these genes during the encystation process. The relative expression of these genes was determined in trophozoites under normal proliferating conditions, and in those induced to encyst after incubation for 16 hours in encystation medium, as described in Materials and Methods. Of a set of thirty one genes studied, we found eight whose expression did not change during encystation, five from the DEAD-box family, two from the DEAH-box family and one from the Ski2-like family. We also found down-regulation of one gene from the DEAH-box family after induction of trophozoites differentiation into cysts. In addition, we found twenty two genes that were up-regulated during encystation, seventeen from DEAD-box family, three from the DEAH-box family and two from the Ski2-like family (Figure 5). The encystation process was confirmed in these samples by analyzing the expression of a developmentally-regulated molecule [58] by Western blotting using a specific anti-CWP2 (Cyst Wall Protein 2) monoclonal antibody (see Additional file 11: Figure S8).
Real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) of RNA helicases from G. lamblia during encystation. The graph is a representative qPCR determination of three independent biological replicates. The ORFs are indicated at the bottom of the graph and separated in families. The up-regulated ORFs are represented in green bars, and the down-regulated ones, in red bars, each one with the corresponding relative expression ratio.
Comparing the up-regulated genes reported in the SAGE (Serial Analysis of Gene Expression) data [59] (sense tags) we found some correlation (11/21) with the DEAD-box family; (2/4) with the DEAH-box family and (1/3) with the Ski2-like family (see Additional file 12: Figure S9). The ORF GL50803_10255 was not included in the graph because the percentage of the sense tags was almost 10 times the percentage of the others ORFs in this study, but up-regulation of this gene correlated with the qPCR determination. This comparison between the qPCR results and the SAGE data should be taken with caution, as the induction protocols and the time points considered are not directly comparable. One explanation for the low agreement between the two methods is that encystation is poorly synchronic [59]. Another possible reason, as previously described for the validation process between two different methods of gene expression determination [60], is that these analyses have inherent pitfalls that may significantly influence the data obtained for each method and, in general, those genes showing small degrees of change also present lower correlations [61]. We were not able to determine the correlation of the down-regulated ORF GL50803_6616 or of the up-regulated ORF GL50803_17539 because there is no determination in the SAGE data, probably they are among the 7,256 unassigned SAGE tags [59]. We could not find also sense tag determination in the SAGE data for the ORF GL50803_113655. Taking in account the postulate that encystation genes can be divided into specific and up-regulated after induction [62], we assume that the twenty two putative RNA helicases genes with high relative expression described here would fall into the latter group.
RNA helicase relative expression during antigenic variation
Antigenic variation was induced on a unique VSP-expressing Giardia clone. The primers used for these determinations were the same as those used for the study of the encystation process. We also designed two additional pairs of primers to determine the relative expression of Giardia Dicer and Argonaute (Ago) transcripts. The relative expression from the thirty one Giardia putative RNA helicases was divided into earlier (30 min – 1 h) and later (3 – 4 h) up-regulated or down-regulated transcripts. Eight putative RNA helicases were up-regulated after antigenic variation induction, three of them earlier and five later. On the other hand, eight putative RNA helicases were down-regulated, five after early induction and three later (Figure 6).
Real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) of RNA helicases from G. lamblia during antigenic variation. The relative expressions were calculated after induction of antigenic variation for 30 min – 1 hour (empty fill pattern) and for 3 to 4 hours (line fill pattern). The relative expression from different helicases was divided into up-regulated (upper panel) and down-regulated (lower panel). Green bars represent significant up-regulation and red bars represent significant down-regulation, gray bars represent no change in the relative expression. A. Helicases up-regulated during the first 30 min to 1 h. B. Helicases up-regulated at 3 to 4 h. C. Helicases down-regulated during the first 30 min to 1 h. D. Helicases down-regulated at 3 to 4 h. Center inset: relative expression for Giardia Dicer and Argonaute at earlier or later time points. The ORFs are indicated at the bottom of the graph. The graphs represent the mean of three different measures and the respective standard deviation.
A more detailed analysis of the relative expression of the eight putative RNA helicases that were up-regulated after antigenic variation induction showed a slight induction ranging from 1,189 to 1,729 times. In addition, two transcripts from the early up-regulation maintain induction after 3-4 hours. The eight down-regulated putative RNA helicases presented strong down-regulation earlier and significant down-regulation later during antigenic variation. Two of the five early down-regulated RNA helicases maintained low levels of expression after 3-4 h, while one of them was up regulated later. The three transcripts that were down-regulated later presented no significant variations at 30 min-1 h (Figure 6). The relative expression of gDicer presented an early up-regulation that is maintained at later times, while Giardia Ago presented a later up-regulation after 3-4 post induction of antigenic variation (Figure 6, inset).
Based on our results from the qPCR experiments, we searched the Giardia database for highly homologs to well known RNA helicases already described participating in the RNAi process in higher eukaryotes. We found that the human DEAH-box helicase RHA (DHX9), described in remodeling RISC to allow dsRNA loading onto this complex [52], has a high homology with the G. lamblia DEAH-box helicase GL50803_13200, which presents a later up-regulation during antigenic variation, in agreement with the Giardia Ago expression (3–4 h post induction). Another G. lamblia DEAH-box helicase found to have high homology with the HsRHA is GL50803_17387, which also presents a delayed up-regulation after induction of antigenic variation. Interestingly, a Giardia putative RNA helicase that presented an early up-regulation that was maintained for 3–4 h after antigenic variation induction is GL50803_2098, which has a great homology with the human DDX6 helicase (p54), a protein that interacts with Ago2 in affinity-purified RISC assemblies to facilitate formation of cytoplasmic P-bodies and that acts as a general translational repressor in human cells [63].
Other bona fide RNAi component in D. melanogaster S2 cells is the Belle (Bel) DEAD-box RNA helicase that seems to be important to both pathways (miRNA and siRNA). Our search found that the G. lamblia putative DEAD-box helicase GL50803_15048 present the highest homology with this Drosophila helicase described acting downstream of the dsRNA loading onto the RISC. Our qPCR data shows that even when the Giardia putative helicase GL50803_15048 presented an early down-regulation, their mRNA levels increased at 3–4 hs after the antigenic variation induction. The G. lamblia DEAD-box helicase GL50803_15048 was also found to have a high homology with two other RNA helicases described participating in the RNAi pathway. This two related DEAD-box RNA helicases (p68 and p72) were found to associate with a complex containing Drosha and required for processing of miRNA in mice [64].
Western blotting from total protein of the different samples and times analyzed by qPCR in the antigenic variation experiment showed that the level of the specific VSP protein do not change (see Additional file 13: Figure S10). Under these experiments conditions, a change in VSP protein expression was detected by immunofluorescence assays after 48 h. Since our intention was to determine the early participation of some putative helicases during this specific Giardia adaptation process, we performed qPCR reactions only at very short times (from 30 min to 4 h post- induction), where the changes at the protein level for VSPs cannot be detected. Although there was no VSP change at these times, we were able to detect specific up regulated expression of Dicer and Ago transcripts, two essential enzymes already related with this process [22]. Importantly, Dicer expression was up regulated at very short times and was maintained for hours, while gAgo expression raised at later times, in accordance with their roles in the RNAi process [65]. Although there is an incomplete understanding of how RNA helicases are regulated, it is possible that they operate at different steps of the RNAi pathway or performing different roles [66].
As shown in several studies, RNA helicases are involved in a wide variety of processes, some of them being essential for survival, as demonstrated for the yeast putative RNA helicases, where their knockouts were lethal [32]. These results are essential for the correct annotation of the Giardia genome, since many of the helicases identified in this study were automatically annotated either as helicases without indicating any further information and others just as hypothetical proteins (http://www.giardiadb.org).
The genome of a number of organisms contains a large number of putative helicases [34] and, as we found in this work, the relationship between the number of DEAD-box and DExH-box RNA helicases is conserved in Giardia as it is has been reported for other organisms (Table 1). Although Giardia is considered as an early-branching eukaryote and has a smaller and more compact genome [67], our findings regarding the type and number of RNA helicases in Giardia highlight the importance of these molecules in the biology of eukaryotic cells.
Since only a few DExD/H-box RNA helicases have been characterized biochemically, most of the reports assigning a putative function are based on the presence of the conserved and characteristic motifs that can define a putative RNA helicase and its family. Here we used the presence of those motifs for classification performing an in silico approach and then by manual identification of each motif. Then we confirmed and refined each motif at each position. Our results were in agreement with the phylogenetic tree obtained, because SF2 helicases were grouped specifically according to their sequence conservation as well as with the conservation of their motifs.
The particular finding within the Giardia Ski2 family regarding the internal duplication of the ORF GL50803_87022, having two helicases and Sec63 domains, probably indicates that the origin of this protein was by a fusion event of two ancestral prokaryotic genes, as proposed for the RNA helicases from Entamoeba histolytica EhDExH1 and EhDExH10 [33] and other homologous proteins from phylogenetically distant species. Unfortunately, the significance of this duplication found only in two early-branching parasitic intestinal protozoa is still unknown.
The DEAD-box protein family is present in many organisms, being the major RNA family of helicases, which seem to be involved in many, if not all, steps of RNA metabolism [68]. Although some DEAD-box helicases are closely related and have been described as paralogs [33], the comparison among amino acid sequences of all full-length sequences showed no paralogous DEAD-box helicases in Giardia because these proteins only share 14–29% identity and 24–43% similarity.
Regarding Giardia differentiation into cysts, it is known that encystation comprises the formation of a resistant cyst wall that allows the parasite to survive under hostile external environmental conditions and guarantees the transmission of the infection to susceptible hosts [69]. Several encystation-specific genes have been identified and characterized during the last decade, and have shown to be up-regulated with similar kinetics during encystation, suggesting that their regulation is at the transcriptional level [70]. Several reports also described putative transcription factors that regulate the expression of encystation-specific genes [71–74]. It was assumed that the encystation process is controlled at multiple levels (basic transcription, enhancement or de-repression) [62]. Moreover, it was hypothesized that epigenetic chromatin modifications via histone acetylation/deacetylation may participate in modulation of stage differentiation in this parasite [75]. In higher organisms, different RNA helicases have been described to interact with histone deacetylases (HDACs), such as the known transcriptional regulator DP103 (Ddx20, Gemin3), which was found to immunoprecipitate with histone deacetylases HDAC2 and HDAC5, suggesting a role in transcription repression through HDACs recruitment [76]. In addition, the role of the RNA helicases p68 (Ddx5) and p72 (Ddx17) as transcription repressors when interacting with HDAC1 [77], HDAC2 and HDAC3 has been reported [78]. Our findings regarding the levels of induction of the RNA helicase genes by qPCR were diverse, ranging from a smooth 2-4-fold induction in some DEAD-box genes to a high (20-31 times) relative expression in other genes. Two genes, DEAD-box GL50803_13791 and DEAH-box GL50803_13200, presented a marked induction of 554 and 228 times, respectively, under the encystation conditions. Notably, the up-regulation of the encystation-specific gene coding for CWP2 increased up to 2,187 times compared to its expression in trophozoites.
In Giardia, the RNAi machinery controlling antigenic variation has been found to involve a Dicer enzyme with unique characteristics when compared to Dicer enzymes from higher eukaryotes. Giardia Dicer lacks the DExD/H helicase domain as well as double-stranded RNA binding motifs present in other Dicer homologs. Because we are only starting to understand the different roles of RNA helicases in RNAi, there are still many unresolved questions. Since different RNA helicases might operate at different steps in the RNAi pathway or might play different roles, the presence of thirty two putative DExD/H-box helicases in the Giardia genome and their differential patterns of expression during antigenic variation support their importance for RNAi. It would be relevant to determine the role of particular Giardia RNA helicases for different subsets of miRNA or siRNAs. However, it is already clear that the presence of a RNA helicase activity (unwinding or as adaptor proteins) is necessary for the correct functioning at different steps of the RNAi pathway. As it was proposed in several reports, there are a number of potential roles for RNA helicases in RNAi [66]. Our findings in the qPCR experiments during antigenic variation suggest that RNA helicases may participate in RNAi. This could be the case of the G. lamblia putative DEAD-box helicase GL50803_15048, which was found to present high homology with the DmBel helicase and also with the DEAD-box RNA helicases p68 and p72. Taking into account that some studies pointed out extensive overlapping and interplay among small RNA directed silencing machineries [64] and different RNA helicases operate either at different steps or playing different roles in the RNAi pathway, the involvement of this G. lamblia RNA helicase (GL50803_15048) in post-transcriptional gene silencing deserve further analysis.
Although we did not find a putative helicase in Giardia with high similarity to the HCD of higher eukaryotes Dicer enzyme, it has been proposed that Dicer helicase domain is required for siRNA, but not miRNA, processing [79]. Point mutations within the helicase domain or Dicer lacking a functional HCD showed that pre-miRNA processing does not require helicase participation, but that it is necessary for long dsRNA (siRNA processing) [79].
In Giardia, we have demonstrated that purified RdRP generates high-molecular-weight VSP RNAs in vitro only when more than one VSP transcript is present in the reaction mixture [22] and proposed a mechanism where variations in either the general or local concentrations of different VSP transcripts may determine which transcript will circumvent the silencing system, as was suggested to occur in higher eukaryotes [53]. In addition, it has been proposed by others groups the presence in Giardia of a miRNA biogenesis pathway reminiscent of the canonical miRNA biogenesis pathway found in higher organisms [25, 80], and they have identified conserved putative microRNA target site of several variant surface protein (VSP) mRNAs. Here Giardia Dicer apparently would assume the functions of both a Drosha and a Dicer, although no RNA-binding protein DAWDLE (DDL) homolog has yet been identified in this parasite. Furthermore Giardia Dicer must shuttle between the cytoplasm and the nucleus to process pri- and pre-miRNAs, although we determined its cellular localization by expressing a hemagglutinin-tagged version of the protein. Similar to that observed in other cells, Giardia Dicer localizes to the cytoplasm [22].
On one hand, the lack of the RNA helicase domain in Giardia Dicer is in agreement with the occurrence of a miRNA pathway. But, on the other hand, it was also proposed that a deletion or mutation of the helicase domain of human Dicer leads to a more active enzyme in vitro for cleavage of a perfectly matched 37-nt linear duplex RNA [51], allowing the enzyme to rapidly reinitiate cleavage on the long substrates. This last being the case for the generation of perfectly matched VSP dsRNAs by RdRP and subsequent degradation [22]. It is also important to highlight that the lack of the helicase domain was proposed to increase the effectiveness of long hairpins for intracellular applications in which multiple siRNAs are desired, as could be the case for VSP mRNA degradation. Interestingly, gDicer without the RNA helicase domain can complement the absence of the entire Dicer in S. pombe[26]. The lack of the RNA helicase domain in Giardia Dicer or, in other words, the inclusion of the RNA helicase domain in Dicer enzymes of higher eukaryotes, raises new questions about the function of this domain in Dicer activity and regulation.
The first in silico classification of SF2 G. lamblia helicases was achieved, describing some of their features, organization, structure, and homology to helicases from humans and yeast. A series of up- and down-regulated putative RNA helicases were found during encystation and antigenic variation, suggesting their participation in both adaptative processes. Most of them are assumed to be up-regulated after induction to encystation, while in the antigenic variation process we infer that the regulated RNA helicases studied may operate at different steps of the RNAi pathway, even when no putative helicase in Giardia presented high similarity to the HCD of higher eukaryotes Dicer enzymes.
Screening of databases
The G. lamblia complete genome sequence was screened at the Giardia Genome Resource [28] (strain ATCC 50803, Assemblage A, isolate WB) using the PSI-BLASTP program. The query used was the complete amino acid sequence of the human Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4A-I (eIF4A) and the human ATP-dependent RNA helicase DHX8 as DEAD and DEAH-box prototypes, respectively. For the determination of identity/homology sequences within the human genome, we performed a BLASTP search at the NCBI Human database using the default parameters and the Build protein database. The yeast homologous proteins were obtained with the HomoloGene option from the NCBI database according to the human RNA helicase previously found, and the gene functions or characteristics are based on the literature. For the Helicase Core Domain analysis, we performed a BLASTP search using the entire Giardia Dicer amino acid sequence (ORF GL50803_103887). One search was conducted within the entire NCBI proteins database and the other only within the protozoa database available at the NCBI BLAST Assembled RefSeq Genomes. The search of protozoa proteins homologous to the Arabidopsis thaliana Dicer-like 1 was performed within the protozoa database at the NCBI website. The similarity between the Helicase Core Domain of the protozoa proteins found and the Giardia database was performed at the Giardia Genome Resource (strain ATCC 50803, Assemblage A, isolate WB) using the BLASTP program.
Multiple sequence alignment was performed with the ClustalW2 program at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). For the alignments of each RNA helicase family shown in the figures we used the Multiple Align Show at The Sequence Manipulation Suite, specifying the fraction of residues that need to be identical or similar in a column of the alignment at 70% for highlighting. For the “Ident and Sim” analysis within the DEAD-box sequences, we first performed a MUSCLE alignment at the EBI website and then ran the program at “The Sequence Manipulation Suite”. The structural domains and sequence patterns were first predicted at the Eukaryotic Linear Motif resource (ELM) [81], getting the DEXDc and HELICc RNA helicase domains and the HA2 and Sec63 domains. After that, each specific family motif was checked manually and indicated using the putative consensus motifs described in the literature [43]. For the graphical representation of the amino acid conserved motifs within each family we used the web-based application WebLogo [38], where each logo consists of stacks of symbols, one stack for each position in the sequence. The overall height of the stack indicates the sequence conservation at that position, whereas the height of symbols within the stack indicates the relative frequency of each amino or nucleic acid at that position. The putative Dicer amino acid sequence analysis was performed using the Eukaryotic Linear Motif resource (ELM) and the ExPASy - PROSITE database [82].
We used only the helicase domain from the RNA helicases selected to run a multiple alignment (MUSCLE) into the SeaView Version 4.2.12 [83–86]. Then we computed the tree using PhyML v3.0.1 as an external program [86].The design was edited using the Tree Figure Drawing Tool Version 1.3.1.
G. lamblia trophozoites were cultured in TYI-S-33 medium at pH7.0 with 10% adult bovine serum and bovine bile (0.5 mg/ml) [87] in anaerobiosis at 37°C. For induction of encystation, the trophozoites were cultured until confluence and then the medium was replaced with encystation medium (porcine bile 0.45%, lactic acid 0.01% and pH 7.8) [88] and grown in anaerobiosis at 37°C during 16 h. For antigenic variation experiments, a Giardia clone expressing VSP-1267 was obtained by serial dilution and selection by immunofluorescence assays using specific monoclonal antibody that recognizes only this VSP, and then cultured until 90% confluence. Induction of antigenic variation was performed according to Torri et al. (manuscript in preparation).
RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis
Total RNA was extracted from each sample (trophozoites and encystation induction) using Trizol reagent (Invitrogen) according with manufacturer’s instructions. Total RNA was spectrophotometrically quantified and treated with DNase I (Roche) at 37°C for 1 h. After DNase inactivation total RNA was quantified again and several PCRs were performed to check for the presence of genomic DNA. If no DNA was detected after PCR, we performed the cDNA synthesis using SuperScript III Reverse Transcriptase (Invitrogen), following manufacturer’s instructions. All newly synthesized cDNA were collected together for the subsequently qPCR reactions.
Quantitative real time PCR (q-PCR) of RNA helicase mRNA
Quantitative PCR was performed using the QuantiTect SYBR Green PCR kit (Qiagen). We used 1 μl of cDNA in a final volume of 25 μl; a triplicate for each gene was performed. The primers used for this determination (0.6 μM each) were designed based on the N- or C-terminal extensions because they are highly variable in size and composition, and have no significant homology between them, making every pair of primers specific for each helicase as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 (red bars). Thermal conditions were as follow: initial incubation for 15 min at 95°C, 15 sec at 95°C, 30 sec at 50°C and 30 sec at 72°C for 35 cycles, with the plate read after each cycle, and a final incubation for 10 min at 72°C. The Melting Curve was performed from 50°C to 90°C, with a plate read at every 1°C. We used the Chromo4 system for Real-time PCR detection (BioRad) and the data collected was analyzed using the REST 2009 (Relative Expression Software Tool V2.0.13 – Qiagen) [89]. RNA was standardized by quantification of glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) as a reference gene.
Protein isolation and Western blot analysis
Total protein extraction was performed from the same Trizol extraction procedure, as indicated by the manufacturer. Total protein content was determined with the BCA™ Protein Assay kit (Pierce). Fifty micrograms of total protein was loaded onto a 10% polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE) and after running, it was transferred to a PVDF membrane (Immobilon–P, Millipore). The membrane was blocked with 5% milk in TBS-Tween20 for 1 hour and then incubated with a monoclonal antibody (mAbs 7D6) specific against G. lamblia CWP2 [1:2000]. After three washes with TBS-Tween20, the membrane was incubated with goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin serum conjugated with alkaline phosphatase [1:2000] (Southern Biotechnology) and revealed with alkaline phosphatase substrate (BCIP/NBT, Color Development Solution, BioRad).
See Additional file 14: Table S4 for a complete list of proteins cited in the manuscript, organism it is derived and NCBI reference sequence number.
SF:
Helicase Core Domain
VSP:
Variant-specific Surface Protein
RNAi:
RNA interference
RHA:
RNA helicase A
Bel:
Armi:
eIF4A:
Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4A
ORF:
Open Reading Frame
HA2:
Helicase-Associated Domain
SMART:
Simple Modular Architecture Research Tool
DUF1605:
Domain of Unknown Function
CHROMO:
CHRromatin Organization Modifier
BLM:
Bloom syndrome
RIBOc:
Ribonuclease III
DSRM:
Double-stranded RNA binding motif
DCL1:
Dicer-like 1
CWP2:
Cyst Wall Protein 2
qPCR:
Quantitative PCR
SAGE:
Serial Analysis of Gene Expression
ELM:
Eukaryotic Linear Motif
gdh:
Glutamate dehydrogenase.
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This work was supported by the Agencia Nacional para la Promoción de la Ciencia y la Tecnología (ANPCYT), the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and the Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC). The funding bodies had no role in data analysis, writing or decision for submission.
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Córdoba, Córdoba, X5004ASK, Argentina
Pablo R Gargantini
, Marianela C Serradell
, Alessandro Torri
& Hugo D Lujan
Search for Pablo R Gargantini in:
Search for Marianela C Serradell in:
Search for Alessandro Torri in:
Search for Hugo D Lujan in:
Correspondence to Pablo R Gargantini.
PRG performed bioinformatics and sequence searching and comparison analysis, including motif and phylogenetic analyses, and assisted with manuscript writing. MCS performed the qPCR experiments, including the production of G. lamblia cultures. AT performed the induction of encystation and antigenic variation. HDL coordinated the project, writing process and analyses. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript. HDL is Guggenheim Fellow; PRG and HDL are Members of the Scientific Investigator’s Career of the National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET). All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Additional file 1: Table S1: Putative SF2 Helicases from Giardia lamblia. The table indicates the Family, the gene number from the Assemblage A isolate WB (the number that is given should be preceded by the prefix GL50803_), the current Supercontig or positions where it is located, the number of nucleotides in base pairs (bp) and molecular mass of the putative protein in kDa, for each putative helicase. (DOCX 18 kb) (DOCX 19 KB)
Additional file 2: Table S2: Average lengths (amino acid) of SF2 helicase families from Giardia lamblia. The table indicates the average length (in number of amino acids) of each SF2 helicase family. The incompletes sequences were not considered in the computation. (DOCX 12 KB)
Additional file 3: Figure S1: Phylogenetic tree of the 46 putative SF2 helicase genes in Giardia lamblia. Phylogenetic tree derived from the alignment of the “Helicase Core Domain” amino acid sequences. Each helicase is named after its gene number, as in the GiardiaDB. The family groups are indicated as follows: DEAD-box (orange), DEAH-box (green), Ski2 (violet), RecQ (pink), Swi2/Snf2 (light orange) and Rad3 (light blue). (PNG 169 KB)
Additional file 4: Table S3: Giardia lamblia SF2 helicases homologues in human and yeast. The table indicates each putative Giardia helicase with its Accession Number and ORF, the protein length in aminoacid, its putative helicase homologue form human with the identity and similarity percentage, and its putative helicase homologue from yeast with their known functions. (DOCX 27 KB)
Additional file 5: Figure S2: Alignment of conserved DEAD-box helicase motifs. The sequences were aligned using the “Multiple Align Show” software at “The Sequence Manipulation Suite” (http://www.bioinformatics.org/sms/index.html). The residues conserved at 70% or more are highlighted in dark; other similar residues within each column are highlighted in grey. (PDF 153 KB)
Additional file 6: Figure S3: Alignment of conserved DEAH-box helicase motifs. The sequences were aligned using the “Multiple Align Show” as before. The residues conserved at 70% or more are highlighted in dark; other similar residues within each column are highlighted in grey. (PDF 46 KB)
Additional file 7: Figure S4: Alignment of conserved Ski2 helicase motifs. The sequences were aligned using the “Multiple Align Show” as before. The residues conserved at 70% or more are highlighted in dark; other similar residues within each column are highlighted in grey. (PDF 42 KB)
Additional file 8: Figure S5: Schematic diagram of the Swi2-Snf2 helicase family in G. lamblia. The SANT domain is represented in blue, the BROMO domain in brown, and the CHROMO domain in green. The SNF2N domains are represented in light grey, inside each one of them are the helicase motifs, when appropriate. The representation is to scale. Inset: sequence LOGO view of the consensus amino acids. The height of each amino acid represents the degree of conservation. Colors indicate properties of the amino acids, as follows: green (polar), blue (basic), red (acidic) and black (hydrophobic). (PDF 163 KB)
Additional file 9: Figure S6: Schematic diagram of the RecQ helicase family in G. lamblia. The representation is to scale. Inset: sequence LOGO view of the consensus amino acids. The height of each amino acid represents the degree of conservation. Colors mark properties of the amino acids as: green (polar); blue (basic); red (acidic) and black (hydrophobic). (PDF 146 KB)
Additional file 10: Figure S7: Schematic diagram of the Rad3 helicase family in G. lamblia. The representation is to scale. Inset: sequence LOGO view of the consensus amino acids. The height of each amino acid represents the degree of conservation. Colors indicate properties of the amino acids, as follows: green (polar), blue (basic), red (acidic) and black (hydrophobic). (PDF 148 KB)
Additional file 11: Figure S8: Western blot of trophozoites grown under proliferating conditions and after induction to encyst. Total protein extracts from trophozoites grown under normal proliferating conditions (Normal) or after 16hs induction in encystation medium (Encyst) were separated using a 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gel and transferred to a PVDF membrane. The membrane was incubated with a monoclonal antibody against CWP2. The iqual loading of the samples is shown in the figure at the right with a Ponceau S staining. The numbers indicate the molecular weight of protein standards in kDa. (PDF 97 KB)
Additional file 12: Figure S9: SAGE (Serial Analysis of Gene Expression) data. The graph represents the sense tag percentage from Giardia trophozoites (white bar) and four different encystation times (4, 12, 21 and 42 hours; grayscale bars). Under each ORF it is indicated if these ORFs were up-regulated (green up arrow), down-regulated (red down arrow) or remained unmodified (equal sign). A line graph is also provided for a better identification of the expression pattern. The colored boxes represent our RT-qPCR results (with the same color code), divided into families. The asterisk under each box stands for a correlation between the SAGE and the RT-qPCR data. (PDF 236 KB)
Additional file 13: Figure S10: Western blot during antigenic variation induction. Trophozoites were incubated for the indicated times with a 1:10.000 dilution of mAb 5C1directed against VSP-1267, mAb 7D2 against Cyst Wall Protein 2 or without antibody (Control). Total protein was electrophoresed, transferred to a PVDF membrane and incubated with a mAb against the VSP-1267. The molecular weights of standards are indicated in kDa. (PDF 71 KB)
Additional file 14: Table S4: Accession numbers. The table indicates a complete list of proteins cited in the manuscript, the organism it is derived and the NCBI Reference Sequence Number. (XLSX 10 KB)
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2180-12-284
RNA/DNA helicases
Giardia lamblia
Encystation
Microbial genetics, genomics and proteomics
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Research article | Open | Published: 09 August 2015
Risk factors and practices contributing to newborn sepsis in a rural district of Eastern Uganda, August 2013: a cross sectional study
Bua John1,
Mukanga David2,
Lwanga Mathias3 &
Nabiwemba Elizabeth4
In Uganda, newborn deaths constituted over 38 % of all infant deaths in 2010. Despite different mitigation interventions over years, the newborn mortality rate is high at 27/1,000 and newborn sepsis contributes to 31 % of that mortality. Therefore, improved strategies that contribute to reduction of newborn sepsis need to be developed and implemented. Understanding the context relevant risk factors that determine and practices contributing to newborn sepsis will inform this process.
A cross sectional study was conducted at Kidera Health Centre in Kidera Sub County, Buyende district between January and August 2013. A total of 174 mothers of sick newborns and 8 health workers were interviewed. Main outcome was newborn sepsis confirmed by blood culture. Independent variables included; mothers’ demographics characteristics, maternal care history and newborn care practices. The odds ratios were used to measure associations and Chi square or Fisher’s exact tests to test the associations. 95 % confidence intervals and P values for the odds ratios were determined. Logistic regression was conducted to identify predictor factors for newborn sepsis.
21.8 % (38/174) of newborns had laboratory confirmed sepsis. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest aetiological agent. Mothers not screened and treated for infections during antenatal (OR = 3.37; 95 % CI 1.23–9.22) plus inability of sick newborns to breast feed (OR = 3.9; 95 % CI 1.54–9.75) were factors associated with increased likelihood of having laboratory confirmed sepsis. Women not receiving health education during antenatal about care seeking (OR 2.22; 95 % CI 1.07–4.61) and newborn danger signs (OR 2.26; 95 % CI 1.08–4.71) was associated with laboratory confirmed newborn sepsis. The supply of antibiotics and sundries was inadequate to sufficiently control sepsis within health facility.
Lack of antenatal care or access to it at health facilities was likely to later result in more sick newborns with sepsis. Poor breastfeeding by sick newborns was a marker for serious bacterial infection. Therefore district sensitization programs should encourage women to attend health facility antenatal care where they will receive health education about alternative feeding practices, screening and treatment for infections to prevent spread of infections to newborns. Supply of antibiotics and sundries should be improved to sufficiently control sepsis within the health facility.
Newborn sepsis contributes to more than 1.6 million deaths annually in developing countries [1] and is therefore an important cause of newborn mortality [2, 3]. The newborn period accounts for 38 % of mortality in children below 5 years and the average daily mortality rate is 30-fold higher than in the post newborn period [4]. Newborn sepsis contributes to 26 % of that newborn mortality [4].
Newborn sepsis occurs when pathogenic bacteria gain access into the blood stream causing overwhelming general infection [5]. The most common isolated organisms causing newborn sepsis in Africa include: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Group B Streptococci [6, 7]. Infections, prematurity, birth asphyxia, low birth weight and other factors like type of delivery, delivery settings, antenatal care received, newborn mixed feeding and some cultural practices for cord care contribute to incidence of newborn sepsis [4, 8–16]. The lack of laboratory facilities, medical supplies, inequities in service provision, inadequate health care funding are some of the health service factors that contribute to severity of newborn sepsis [17]. Maternal factors that include; febrile illness in a mother with evidence of bacterial infection within 2 weeks prior to delivery, foul smelling liquor, rupture of membranes for more than 24 h and prolonged labour have also been associated with newborn sepsis [10, 18, 19]. Newborns from low socio-economic status and staying in poor environmental conditions have an increased risk of acquiring or developing sepsis [11, 20]. This is because they are exposed to unhygienic postnatal care environment that promotes spread of infection to them [11]. There are also pregnant women who don’t attend antenatal at the health facility therefore missing an opportunity for screening and treatment of infections that could be passed onto their newborns [6, 20]. The use of traditional birth attendants and delivering at home has also been associated with higher risk of newborns developing sepsis especially in developing countries [11, 19, 21].
Newborn sepsis accounts for 31 % of the high newborn mortality rate at 26 per 1,000 live births in Uganda [22]. In Buyende district, newborn sepsis contributes 25 % of newborn deaths, while the newborn mortality rate based on health facility data is 75 per 1,000 live births according to the district health report for 2011. However this could be much higher as more cases occur at home where they die and go unregistered.
The government of Uganda has employed different mitigating interventions including safe delivery campaigns and health education about newborn care over a decade, but progress has been slow in reducing newborn sepsis and other factors contributing to the high newborn mortality rate [22]. Therefore improved prevention, early case detection and management of sepsis strategies are needed. However our knowledge on the specific risks factors that determine and practices contributing to the high newborn sepsis from a population who all present with neonatal illness in rural districts like Buyende District and understanding of the context driving them is limited as there is no documented evidence to explain this.
In order to design appropriate interventions there is need for sound evidence. Therefore this study sought to identify possible context relevant risk factors and how prevalent they were in Kidera County, Buyende district. It also assessed care practices present in the health facilities and households that contributed to newborn sepsis in order to make recommendations that would influence behaviour change at community level.
This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Kidera Health centre between January and August 2013. Kidera Health Centre is a level four facility located in Kidera County, Buyende District Eastern Uganda. It is the main referral unit for Buyende District. The Health Centre serves the five counties in the district with an estimated population of 248,000 people. The study population was mother and sick newborn pairs admitted at the health facility during the study period. The sick newborns were those admitted with signs and symptoms of sepsis. The definition of neonatal sepsis was adopted from the International Paediatric Sepsis Consensus criteria (PSC) and the Intensive care chapter of Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) [23, 24]. We excluded cases where mothers or newborns were too ill to participate because they had to be referred to Kamuli district hospital for emergency medical care.
The estimated sample size using the formula by Kish Leslie (1965), assuming a prevalence of sick newborns with sepsis to be 37 % [25] and a maximum error of 5 % within a 95 % confidence interval was 183 mother and sick newborn pairs. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.
Sampling procedure
All sick newborns who presented to the health facility were screened for signs and symptoms of sepsis by the health workers. The newborns that fitted the selection criteria for having signs or symptoms of sepsis were moved to the admission ward where the health workers first provided routine investigations and provided treatment according to the national guidelines. After the health workers had provided the treatment, the study team sought informed written consent from the mothers to take part in the study. One of the routine investigations was blood culture to confirm sepsis and determine the aetiological agent.
Qualitative data were gathered using a key informant interview question guide for the eight health service providers. They were purposefully selected from the health facility department providing newborn care services and district health team. These included the midwives, nurses and clinical officers at the health facility plus the district focal person for maternal and child health activities.
Collection and processing of samples procedure
The standard diagnostic test for newborn sepsis in this study was a positive blood culture according to World Health Organization standard guidelines [26]. Blood cultures have a sensitivity that ranges between 80 and 90 % [27, 28]. However in Uganda, most diagnoses for newborn sepsis at lower level facilities (Health Centres) depend on clinical signs and symptoms alone, which results in misclassification of cases [17]. This study used clinical examination to identify the cases and blood culture investigations to confirm the sepsis cases at a Health Centre. The blood cultures identified the aetiological agents while the drug sensitivity tests were done to help determine the appropriate antibiotic treatment regimens to use. The blood samples were collected and processed by a trained district laboratory technician at the health facility. The study provided commercially prepared blood cultures, drug sensitivity discs and an incubator so that the investigations could be done at the health facility. The study used a BBL Septi-Chek manual blood culture system from Dicfo Laboratories.
Approximately 2 ml venous blood was obtained after thorough cleansing of the patients’ skin for 2 min with povidine iodine and allowing the skin to dry before taking blood. One millilitre of blood was collected in each of two bottles containing brain heart infusion (BHI) in a ratio of blood: BHI of 1:10 and then taken to the laboratory within 30 min. Each bottle was incubated at 35 °C for 24 h following which it was examined for visible growth and Gram stain was done. Subcultures were done on blood, Chocolate and MacConkey agar from those blood culture bottles which showed presence of bacteria on physical examination and Gram stain. The agar plates were incubated under aerobic conditions [29]. The identification of the microbial isolates was by a combination of physical and biochemical methods that included gram stain, catalase reaction, coagulase reaction, colony morphology and haemolytic activity on blood agar [30]. Oxidase and citrate tests were done for identified gram negative isolates [29].
For a blood cultures which showed no visible growth and was negative on Gram stain, three subcultures were done on blood, Chocolate and MacConkey agar and observed for a maximum of 7 days before being discarded as negative if there was no growth. All culture bottles with mixed growths (defined as more than 2 types of bacteria) were discarded.
The disk diffusion method adopted from the Clinical laboratory Institute was used to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of all the isolates [31]. We used the commonly used antimicrobial agents in the Uganda National treatment guidelines for newborn sepsis to assess the susceptibility of the isolates.
Pre-coded, pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect information from the mothers of newborns. The key informant interview (KI) guide was used to interview health providers. The questionnaires and interview guide were pre-tested by the Principal Investigator at Kamuli district hospital.
The semi-structured questionnaires were administered by four trained research assistants who were supervised by the Principal Investigator. The questionnaires used to interview mothers of newborn were translated into the local language (Lusoga). The interviews were conducted in the local language and immediately transcribed to English. The Principal investigator and research assistants edited the data collected to ensure completeness and consistency. The data were cleaned and stored by the Principal investigator. The Principal Investigator conducted face to face interviews of health providers using the Key Informant interview guide.
The health workers were interviewed to obtain information about challenges in prevention and management of newborn sepsis practices within the facility. The Principal Investigator observed for the availability of equipment and drugs in the facility used in providing appropriate care of newborns.
The quantitative data collected using the questionnaire were coded, entered, cleaned using Epi data and exported to SPSS version 16 software where additional variables were created for analysis [32]. The primary outcome was a newborn with laboratory confirmed sepsis. The univariate analysis of demographic factors was carried out using frequencies and means to describe the study participants. Bivariate analysis was done to assess the associations between the primary outcome and the independent exposure variables. The independent variables included;
Social demographics such as Age, Education level and Source of income of mother.
Antenatal care (ANC) history of mother such as number of ANC visits attended in last pregnancy, history of being screened for infections, history of receiving health education, Tetanus Toxoid immunisation and history of bacterial infection during pregnancy as well as, treatment received.
History of birth circumstances including place of delivery, type of delivery and type of health provider who assisted in delivery.
History of birth outcomes such as Birth weight and gestational age.
Postnatal care (PNC) history such as history of illness or complications related to delivery and treatment.
Newborn care practices such as Cord care, feeding practice, and cleaning practice.
The continuous independent variables were categorized and their association with the primary outcome was established using Chi square tests or Fisher’s exact test (for tables where the expected cell values were less than 5). The measure of association for categorical variables was Odds Ratios. The P values as well as 95 % confidence intervals for the Odds Ratios were determined.
Variables found to be significantly associated with laboratory confirmed newborn sepsis at 95 % level in bivariate analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis using 0.05 for entry and 0.1 for exit P values. Confounding and interaction between the various independent variables was assessed using logistic regression. A stepwise logistic regression model was constructed using a backward elimination approach. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to produce odds ratios of associations between the independent variables and primary outcome of laboratory confirmed sepsis, and adjusted to address the influence of other significant variables. The associations in the multivariate logistic regression analysis that were statistically significant (p > 0.05) were included in the final results.
Qualitative data from key informant interviews were transcribed, coded, analysed and separated into themes. It was triangulated with the findings from the questionnaires to gain a deeper understanding of the information observed.
The ethical approval was obtained from Makerere University School of Public Health Institutional Review Board, the Higher Degrees and Ethics Committee and the National Council of Science and Technology. Buyende District health authorities and in-charge of Kidera health centre were asked for permission to use their facilities. Informed written consent was obtained from all the participants after explaining the risks and benefits of the study before they were interviewed. We used anonymous identifiers on the questionnaires to ensure privacy of the participants. All the members of the study team complied with good clinical practices.
A total of 174 mother and newborn pairs participated in the study. This was 95 % of the estimated sample size. The 8 key informant interviews were of health workers, health unit in charge and members of the District health team. The mothers interviewed were aged between 16 and 44 years (mean 26, SD 6). The majority (66.1 %; 115/174) of the mothers had attained only primary education (Table 1). The main occupation for majority of mothers was subsistence farming (73 %; 127/174). The newborns were aged between 1 and 27 days (mean 12 days; SD 7). There were more female newborns (59.2 %) than males. There were 38 (21.8 %) newborns confirmed by blood culture to have sepsis.
Table 1 Demographic factors of the 174 mothers who participated in the newborn sepsis study in Kidera County, Buyende District 2013
The commonest organism isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (31.6 %), followed by Neisseria meningitidis (28.9 %), Escherichia coli (13.2 %) and Streptococcus pyogenes (10.5 %). The other organisms isolated included Haemophilus influenzae, Salmonella species, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Table 2). No Group B streptococci was isolated. There was high microbial resistance to penicillin, but high susceptibility to Gentamicin as shown in Table 3.
Table 2 Organisms isolated from newborns with laboratory confirmed sepsis in Kidera County, Buyende District 2013
Table 3 Resistance pattern of isolated organisms to antibiotics (numbers and percentages)
Demographic factors of the mothers and Newborn sepsis
There was a high proportion of laboratory confirmed newborn sepsis cases among mothers in 20–29 years age group, with only 7 years education and farming occupation (Table 4). Differences among these groups were however not statistically significant (Table 4).
Table 4 Demographic factors of the 174 mothers versus newborns with laboratory confirmed sepsis in Kidera County, Buyende District 2013 (bivariate analysis)
Newborn factors and sepsis
A higher proportion of confirmed sepsis cases were among sick newborns in first week of life, born before term (OR = 1.91; 95 % CI 0.78–4.66), and delivered at the traditional birth attendant (OR = 1.65; 95 % CI 0.63–4.32) (Table 5). These findings were not statistically significant in this study. However interviews of health providers revealed that many pregnant women in the area still use the traditional birth attendants for delivery services where poor hygiene settings predispose the newborns to infections.
Table 5 Newborn and maternal factors versus laboratory confirmed sepsis in Kidera County, Buyende District 2013 (bivariate analysis)
Maternal antenatal factors and Newborn sepsis
The odds of sick newborns whose mothers never attended antenatal at the health facility were three times higher than those whose mothers did attend, to have blood culture confirmed sepsis (OR = 3.21; 95 % CI 1.24–8.33) (Table 5).
The odds of sick newborns whose mothers received no treatment for bacterial infection during the antenatal period were three times higher than those whose mothers were treated, to have blood culture confirmed sepsis (OR = 3.37; 95 % CI 1.23–9.22) (Table 5). The mothers who received no health education during their antenatal period about care seeking behaviours (OR = 2.22; 95 % CI 1.07–4.61), danger signs in pregnancy (OR = 2.37; 95 % CI 1.14–4.92), danger signs after delivery (OR = 2.3; 95 % CI 1.08–4.86) and for the newborn (OR = 2.26; 95 % CI 1.08–4.71) had higher odds of their sick newborns having blood culture confirmed sepsis than those who did receive health education (Table 5).
Newborn care practices and sepsis
A high proportion of confirmed sepsis cases was seen among sick newborns whose mothers practised inappropriate cord care, no strict hand washing before handling the baby and shared bathing utensils with rest of the household (Table 5). However the differences among these groups weren’t statistically significant.
Clean cord care involved using clean water to clean the cord and leaving it to dry naturally. But a midwife at the health facility noted that most mothers were influenced by local traditional practices to apply different remedies to the cord of the newborn thus predisposing them to infection.
Relationship between clinical symptoms and newborn sepsis
The odds of sick newborns who presented with inability to breastfeed on admission were four times higher than those who didn’t, to have blood culture confirmed sepsis (OR = 3.59; 95 % CI 1.58–8.14) (Table 6). The odds of sick newborns presenting with no diarrhoea symptom were four times higher than those who did, to have confirmed sepsis (OR = 3.73; 95 % CI 1.46–9.52) (Table 6).
Table 6 Comparison between clinical symptoms and laboratory confirmed newborn sepsis in Kidera County, Buyende District 2013 (bivariate analysis)
Factors associated with blood culture confirmed newborn sepsis at logistic regression analysis
The odds of sick newborns who presented at the clinic with inability to breast feed were four times higher than those who didn’t, to have confirmed sepsis (95 % CI 1.543–9.753) (Table 7). While the odds of sick newborns whose mothers had a history of bacterial infection during antenatal and received treatment (OR = 0.15; CI 0.05–0.45) plus sick newborns who had symptoms of diarrhoea (OR = 0.22; CI 0.08–0.59) were less than those who didn’t, to have confirmed sepsis (Table 7). The age group and level of education of mothers were found to be confounders therefore they were dropped from the model.
Table 7 Factors associated with laboratory confirmed newborn sepsis after multivariate logistic regression analysis
Health facility factors
The interviews of the health providers revealed that the health facility didn’t have adequate funding to ensure availability of medical sundries like disinfectants and gloves to use in keeping the maternity ward clean to prevent spread of infection.
The existing infrastructure at the health centre wasn’t adequate enough to cater for pregnant women in labour, women in immediate postnatal and their newborns. This provided an environment for spread of infection.
The handling of mothers during delivery may not be very clean. So infection may be passed on to the newborn. This may happen in cases where a mother ends up delivering on the floor because the two delivery beds we have are already being used by other people. (Key informant, Nurse in Kidera Health Centre).
We have no special room or beds for caring for newborns after delivery. So after delivery they share the same bed with their mothers. (Key informant, Maternity in charge in Kidera Health Centre).
The treatment of sick newborns at the health facility was hindered by inadequate supply of intravenous and syrup antibiotics. This resulted in the health facility experiencing drug stock outs which also discouraged mothers of sick newborns from seeking treatment there.
We don’t receive enough intravenous and syrup antibiotics to treat sick newborns at the health facility. So we usually ask mothers to buy from the local drug shops. This discourages some mothers with sick newborns from coming to the health facility for treatment. (Key informant, Midwife at Kidera Health Centre).
The health facility had no capacity to offer routine screening for bacterial infection of pregnant women during antenatal because it lacked equipment and adequate supply of reagents to do so. However the health facility could offer routine HIV and malaria screening services which were well funded by different district health programmes.
This study revealed that sepsis was laboratory confirmed in 21.8 % of the 174 sick newborns admitted based on clinical signs and symptoms. This was less than the 37 % reported by Mugalu et al. [25] at Mulago National Referral Hospital. The number of laboratory confirmed cases could have been higher because 49.4 % (86/174) of the mothers who participated reported having first sought treatment at a local drug shop or clinic before they came to the health facility for better management.
The commonest aetiological agent was Staphylococcus aureus (31.6 %). This was similar to findings of Mugalu et al. and Seale et al. in Sub Saharan Africa [7, 25]. Most of the identified aetiological agents were resistant to penicillin except for Haemophilus influenzae. The resistance to penicillin could have been due to inappropriate use of antibiotics for treating sick newborns at home for various ailments before mothers sought care with a qualified health provider. The mothers in this area have easy access to antibiotics from local drug shops. Only Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae were resistant to Cloxacillin. There was resistance to Chloramphenicol by Staphylococcus aureus (41.7 %), Neisseria meningitides (72.7 %) and Haemophilus influenzae (100 %). All the identified agents were susceptible to Gentamicin which is used to treat newborn sepsis in lower level health facilities within Uganda. However Gentamicin should be administered in combination with other antibiotics like ampicillin, and cloxacillin to prevented development of new resistant microbial agents.
Maternal factors
This study revealed no statistically significant difference among the age groups, levels of education and occupation of the mothers. Although evidence from Adejuyigbe et al. [20] in Nigeria showed that mothers from lower socio-economic status that included both low education and earning level had higher odds of experiencing their newborns acquiring sepsis.
The pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at a health facility was found to be beneficial to newborns because they were more likely to be screened and given treatment for infections. This reduced the chances of transmitting infections to their newborns as compared mothers who never attended any antenatal clinic for screening and treatment. This was similar to findings of an assessment made about risk-based antibiotic prophylaxis interventions by Schrag et al. [33] following screening during antenatal.
The health education messages pregnant mothers received during antenatal about care seeking and dangers signs of a newborn were important in increasing early detection of sepsis. That information acquired also influenced mothers to use appropriate care practices during pregnancy and after delivery to minimize the chances of their newborns having sepsis.
Newborn factors
Chan et al. [34] demonstrated that preterm and the first 7 days of a newborn are associated with a higher chance of acquiring sepsis. But this study demonstrated no statistically significant difference among those groups. Children born before term have a higher likelihood of getting sepsis as compared to those born at term and beyond [35].
The odds of sick newborns who presented with difficult to breastfeed on admission were four times higher than for those who could, to have confirmed sepsis. Poor feeding by sick newborns was an indicator for severe bacterial infection. When a newborn fails to breast feed either due to severity of disease or other cause mothers tend to use other feeding mechanisms which may increase the likelihood of passing on infections. The newborns also miss getting maternal antibodies in the breast milk that can offer them protection against common infections. There was a higher proportion of laboratory confirmed sepsis cases in newborns with no diarrhoea symptom than those who experienced it. This observation could have been due to a common practice of mothers in rural areas first seeking antibiotic treatment for diarrhoea from local drug shops before they visited the health centre.
Newborn care practices
Mullany et al. [14], Bahl et al. [12], Edmond and Zaidi [11] and Kayange et al. [15] demonstrated that practices like unhygienic cord care and not washing hands before handling newborns could predispose them to sepsis. However this study demonstrated no statistically significant difference among the groups even though a higher proportion of newborn sepsis cases were observed in mothers who practiced hand washing and inappropriate cord care.
The evidence by Bhutta et al. [21], Edmond and Zaidi [11] and Ojukwu et al. [19] demonstrated that the newborns delivered at homes or by traditional birth attendants in unsterile settings had a higher likelihood of acquiring sepsis as compared to babies delivered in health facilities were sterility was ensured. This study revealed a higher proportion of confirmed sepsis cases in sick newborns delivered by traditional birth attendants as compared to those delivered in the health facility. Even though that observation wasn’t statistically significant, traditional birth attendant settings usually don’t guarantee sterility and clean delivery practices thus expose newborns to infection.
The insufficient supply of disinfectants, gloves and intravenous antibiotics meant that the health workers can’t sufficiently control the spread of sepsis to newborns within the health facility. The inadequate infrastructure in terms of few delivery beds forced some mothers to give birth on the floor, lack of beds caused mothers to share with their newborns and lack of a treatment room for sick newborns were also problems experienced by health workers in controlling the spread of infection to newborns within the facility. The health facility also lacked laboratory equipment and adequate supply of reagents to provide routine comprehensive infection screening of pregnant women receiving antenatal care at the health facility.
Study limitations
Since the study was based at the facility, newborns with symptoms of sepsis and weren’t brought to the health facility for medical care could have been missed resulting in low external validity. However we worked with the community health workers who sensitized mothers in the villages within the catchment about symptoms of newborn sepsis and encouraged them to seek care at the health facility. This helped to increase our coverage. The exclusion of mothers or newborns too ill to participate because they had to be moved to a District hospital for emergency medical care created some selection bias. The method used was also unable to establish causal inference for identified local factors and this needs further study.
The study due to limited resources couldn’t perform more advanced tests on bacterial isolates. These included hippurate hydrolysis, CAMP tests, triple sugar iron agar reaction, indole, urease and Voges Proskauer Test. The use of non-automated blood culture methods also reduced culture sensitivity.
The prevalence of laboratory confirmed newborn sepsis was 21.8 % and Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest aetiological agent. The lack of antenatal care or access to it at the health facility was likely to result in more sick newborns with sepsis.
Therefore district sensitization programs should encourage pregnant women to seek antenatal care at the health facilities where they can be health educated, comprehensively screened and treated for infections to prevent spread of infections to newborns. Mothers should also be encouraged to continue exclusive breastfeeding of sick newborns. However alternative clean feeding practices for newborns too sick to breastfeed should also be taught to mothers. Supply of antibiotics and medical sundries should also be strengthened so that health workers can sufficiently control sepsis within the health facility.
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BJ participated in design, collecting clinical data, data analysis, interpretation of data and writing of manuscript, ML participated in collecting specimens, collecting clinical data and processing samples, MD participated in planning, data analysis and manuscript writing, NE participated in planning, data analysis and manuscript writing. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
The authors would like to acknowledge the technical support provided by all the staff of Kidera Health centre and Buyende District Health office. We thank Dr. Mei Lin Castor and Christian Winter for their excellent technical assistance during this study. This work was carried out in the framework of the African Programme for Advanced Research Epidemiology Training (APARET) funded by the FP7-programme of the European Commission and coordinated by the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Kampala, Uganda.
Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
Bua John
African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), P.O BOX 12874, Kampala, Uganda
Mukanga David
Kidera Health Centre, Buyende, Uganda
Lwanga Mathias
Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
Nabiwemba Elizabeth
Search for Bua John in:
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Correspondence to Bua John.
Newborn Sepsis
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Short-term change of carotid intima-media thickness after treatment of hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes: a cross-sectional study
Ayumi Tenjin1,
Yoshio Nagai1Email author,
Sayaka Yuji1,
Satoshi Ishii1,
Hiroyuki Kato1,
Akio Ohta1 and
Yasushi Tanaka1
The carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) has been used as a predictor of cardiovascular events, but it remains unclear whether CIMT can change over the short term. We evaluated changes of CIMT in patients with diabetes during admission to hospital for 2 weeks.
A total of 279 inpatients with diabetes aged 61 ± 14 years were recruited. They were on treatment with insulin and/or oral agents, excluding drugs that influence the fluid balance and hemodynamics. CIMT was measured on the day after admission and on the day before discharge, and the association of ΔCIMT (calculated by subtracting the baseline value from that on the day before discharge) with clinical factors was evaluated.
Based on the reported annual increase of CIMT (0.04 mm/year), the patients were divided into three groups, in which CIMT increased [I: ΔCIMT ≥ 0.04 mm, n = 64, ΔCIMT = 0.077 ± 0.048 (mean ± SD)], CIMT decreased (D: ΔCIMT ≤ −0.04 mm, n = 51, ΔCIMT = −0.090 ± 0.086), or CIMT was unchanged (N: −0.04 mm < ΔCIMT < 0.04 mm, n = 164, ΔCIMT = 0.002 ± 0.022). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that baseline CIMT and hemoglobin (Hb) were positively correlated, while Hb on the day before discharge was negatively correlated, with a decrease of CIMT. In contrast, baseline HbA1c and Hb were negatively correlated, while Hb on the day before discharge was positively correlated, with an increase of CIMT.
CIMT may show plasticity in patients with diabetes and can change even after short-term treatment of hyperglycemia for 2 weeks.
Carotid artery intima-media thickness
The carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) is an ultrasound biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosis that predicts events related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Kuppio ischemic heart disease study first reported an association of CIMT with future coronary artery events [1]. Subsequently, various large-scale prospective studies have confirmed the usefulness of CIMT for assessing the risk of CVD events [2–4]. CIMT has been reported to be larger in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic subjects [5]. Previous studies have also shown that the annual rate of CIMT increase in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes is about 0.04 mm [6–8]. Previous intervention studies have demonstrated a decrease of CIMT or attenuation of its progression in patients with diabetes after treatment of hyperglycemia [7, 8]. These changes of CIMT were observed after at least 6 months, but lipid-lowering intervention studies using statins for 6–8 weeks have found a decrease of CIMT [9, 10], suggesting that more rapid change may be possible.
CIMT measures both the intimal and medial layers of the carotid artery, with the former comprising the endothelial cell layer plus the subendothelial space and the latter consisting of smooth muscle cells with interstitial fibrous tissue. Recent studies have shown that the mechanism of medial thickening may involve remodeling of smooth muscle cells by hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy due to hemodynamic changes caused by increased stroke volume or glucose-related arterial stiffness [11]. Severe hyperglycemia is generally accompanied by dehydration due to persistent osmotic diuresis. Thus, hemodynamics may change rapidly during treatment of either severe or mild hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. Accordingly, we hypothesized that CIMT may show short-term alterations in response to such hemodynamic changes. To investigate this hypothesis, we evaluated short-term changes of CIMT in patients with diabetes from the day after admission for treatment of hyperglycemia to the day before discharge (about 14 days later).
This was a cross-sectional study carried out at St. Marianna University Hospital (Kawasaki, Japan). A total of 312 consecutive patients admitted for treatment of type 1 or type 2 diabetes between April 2007 and January 2015 were recruited. All of the patients were admitted for initial diabetes education and improvement of glycemic control under a program provided by the Japanese health system, and none of them were hospitalized for acute metabolic complications (e.g. diabetic ketoacidosis). Patients with malignancy, severe heart failure (NYHA classes II–IV), severe acute or chronic kidney disease (CKD stages 4 and 5), liver cirrhosis or active hepatitis, a history of steroid therapy, endocrine disease, and pregnancy or breast-feeding were excluded, as were any other patients judged to be unsuitable for this study. Patients were treated with insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic agents, but the following medications were not used to avoid an influence on the fluid balance and hemodynamics: thiazolidinediones, sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers, and diuretics.
The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of St. Marianna University, and all patients provided written informed consent to participate.
In all patients, the height, body weight (BW), blood pressure (BP), and CIMT were determined at baseline. Blood samples were collected in the morning on the day after admission following an overnight fast (at least 12 h). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was measured by the hexokinase UV method, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was determined by the latex aggregation method, and serum glycated albumin (GA) was assayed by an enzymatic method using an albumin-specific protease (ketoamine oxidase) and an albumin assay reagent (Lucica GA-L, Asahi Kasei Pharma, Tokyo, Japan). Plasma lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol) were determined by enzymatic methods. The daily glucose profile was evaluated by 10-point self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) using a onetouch ultra blood glucose monitor (Life Scan, Milpitas, CA, USA). On the morning of the day before discharge (about 10–14 days after admission), the BW, BP, and CIMT were measured, blood samples were obtained, and 10-point SMBG was repeated under the same conditions.
Measurement of CIMT
Assessment of CIMT was performed by a single trained sonographer (SY, a Registered Medical Sonographer certified by the Japan Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine) using the same ultrasonography device (LOGIQe, GE Yokokawa Medical, Tokyo, Japan) and a 10 MHz linear transducer with high axial resolution in the order of 0.01 mm. Patients were examined in the supine position. B-mode scanning of the common carotid artery (CCA) was performed bilaterally in two different longitudinal projections (anterior-oblique and lateral), and 20 mm long images of the far wall of the CCA were obtained from the origin of the carotid bulb to a point 20 mm proximal. Then CIMT was automatically determined from these images by using analytical software (Intimascope 5.01R, Soft Medical Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) [12–14], which was designed to divide a 2 cm length of the CCA into 330 points for CIMT measurement and calculate the average of the 330 values thus obtained. We averaged the four CIMT values thus obtained (from the two projections on the right and left sides) to calculate the mean CIMT for use in subsequent analyses. The change of the mean CIMT (ΔCIMT) was calculated by subtracting the baseline mean CIMT from that determined on the day before discharge. Thus, a positive value means CIMT gets larger (worsens) and a negative value means CIMT gets smaller (improves). It was previously reported that the annual rate of CIMT increase in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes is about 0.04 mm [6–8]. Based on this finding, we classified the patients into three groups, in which CIMT increased (group I, ΔCIMT ≥ 0.04 mm), CIMT decreased (group D, ΔCIMT ≤ −0.04 mm), or CIMT was unchanged (group N, −0.04 mm < ΔCIMT < 0.04 mm).
Results are expressed as the mean ± SD. Comparison of mean values among the three groups was done by univariate ANOVA followed by a post hoc Tukey multiple comparison test. To assess the relationship of clinical factors with an increase or decrease of CIMT, binary logistic regression analysis was performed. All analyses were done with SPSS ver. 21.0 software (IBM, Tokyo, Japan), and statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.
A total of 279 patients completed the study, while 33 patients dropped out because they were discharged from hospital earlier than 10 days. Baseline clinical characteristics of the subjects are displayed in Table 1. The three groups showed no differences of gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). In group D, CIMT and FPG were both higher than in group N or group I. HbA1c and GA were also higher in group D than in group I, while GA was lower in group I than in group N. The other baseline clinical factors did not differ among the three groups.
Baseline clinical characteristics of the patients
Women (%)
BMI (kg/m2)
CIMT (mm)
0.822 ± 0.154*,**
Hb (g/dl)
Ht (%)
Fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl)
171.8 ± 53.4
193.6 ± 56.8*,***
Mean daily blood glucose (mg/dl)
AUC daily blood glucose
2785 ± 821
Hemoglobin A1c (%) (mmol/mol)
9.3 (78.6) ± 2.3 (25.6)
10.0 (85.4) ± 2.3 (25.2)**
Glycoalbumin (%)
22.9 ± 5.9*
27.8 ± 8.3**
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
Total cholesterol (mg/dl)
LDL cholesterol (mg/dl)
HDL cholesterol (mg/dl)
Triglycerides (mg/dl)
156.0 ± 116.5
Values are presented as the mean ± SD or number (%)
I increased IMT group, N unchanged IMT group, D decreased IMT group, Ht hematocrit
* p < 0.01 vs N, ** p < 0.01 vs I, *** p < 0.05 vs I
Changes of the daily glucose profile from baseline to the day before discharge are displayed in Fig. 1. Mean SMBG values were lower at all points on the day before discharge in each group, and no differences were observed at the same time points among the three groups. Comparison of clinical factors between baseline and the day before discharge is shown in Table 2. In group I, CIMT was larger than in group N on the day before discharge. ΔCIMT was larger in group I than in group N, while it showed a negative value (decrease of CIMT) in group D (0.077 ± 0.049, 0.002 ± 0.022, and −0.090 ± 0.086 mm, respectively, p < 0.001). The Hb, hematocrit (Ht), and area under the daily glucose profile curve (AUCglu) were not different among the three groups either at baseline or on the day before discharge. BP also did not differ among the three groups at both times. However, ΔHb and ΔHt (difference from baseline to the day before discharge) were larger in group D than in group I, and ΔHb was also larger in group N than in group I (Fig. 2). Since baseline glycemic control markers (such as HbA1c or GA) and ΔHb or ΔHt may be associated with short-term changes of CIMT, binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship of baseline CIMT, baseline HbA1c, and Hb at baseline or on the day before discharge with the decrease of CIMT (ΔCIMT ≤ −0.04 mm or not) or increase of CIMT (ΔCIMT ≥ 0.04 mm or not), and the results are shown in Table 3. Baseline CIMT and Hb were positively correlated with a decrease of CIMT, while Hb on the day before discharge was negatively correlated with a decrease of CIMT. Conversely, baseline HbA1c and Hb were negatively correlated with an increase of CIMT, while Hb on the day before discharge was positively correlated with an increase of CIMT.
Daily glucose profiles at baseline and on the day before discharge among the three groups. Values are presented as the mean ± SD. *p < 0.01 vs. baseline. I at admission, D at admission, N on the day before discharge, N at admission, I on the day before discharge, D on the day before discharge
Clinical characteristics at baseline and discharge
CIMT at baseline (mm)
CIMT on the day before discharge (mm)
0.800 ± 0.166*
Hb at baseline (g/dl)
Hb on the day before discharge (g/dl)
Ht at baseline (%)
Ht on the day before discharge (%)
AUC daily blood glucose at baseline
AUC daily blood glucose on the day before discharge
* p < 0.01 vs N, ** p < 0.01 vs I
Comparison of the changes of Hb and hematocrit (Ht) among the three groups: a ΔHb, b ΔHt. Values are presented as the mean ± SD. ΔHb and ΔHt were obtained by subtracting the baseline value from that on the day before discharge
Logistic regression analysis of factors affecting ΔCIMT
CIMT decrease (Δ CIMT ≤ −0.04 mm)
CIMT increase (Δ CIMT ≥ 0.04 mm)
−0.217
HbA1c at baseline (%)
B partial regression coefficient, β standarized partial regression coefficient
In a post hoc power analysis, we had 57 % (between group I and group N) and 51 % (between group D and group N) statistical power to detect a CIMT difference.
Three main findings were obtained in the present study. First, CIMT increased or decreased in diabetic patients undergoing stabilization of glycemic control even in a short period of 2 weeks, and the extent of change could be much larger than the estimated annual increase. Second, baseline FPG and HbA1c levels were highest in group D among the three groups, but the daily glucose profile at baseline and on the day before discharge was not related to the change of CIMT. Third, a decrease of CIMT was associated with a larger baseline CIMT and a decrease of Hb during admission, while an increase of CIMT was associated with a lower baseline HbA1c and minimal change of Hb during admission.
The daily glucose profile, BP, and plasma lipids did not differ among the three groups during admission, suggesting that there was no contribution of these factors to the change of CIMT in the present study. However, baseline FPG and HbA1c were highest in group D, and baseline HbA1c was positively correlated with a decrease of CIMT. Although Hb was not different among the three groups both at baseline and on the day before discharge, baseline Hb was positively correlated with a decrease of CIMT and discharge Hb was negatively correlated with a decrease of CIMT (Table 3). Thus, a higher baseline HbA1c and a greater decrease of Hb during admission were associated with a decrease of CIMT. The decrease of Hb was positively correlated with the baseline HbA1c level according to univariate analysis (r = 0.31, p < 0.001), suggesting that chronic hyperglycemia-induced osmotic diuresis may lead to dehydration and elevation of Hb, which may decrease following alleviation of dehydration due to improvement of hyperglycemia. Thus, in patients with a higher HbA1c accompanied by dehydration, CIMT may decrease after attainment of good glycemic control. On the contrary, baseline Hb was positively correlated with an increase of CIMT, while Hb on the day before discharge and baseline HbA1c were negatively correlated with it (Table 3). Although baseline FPG, HbA1c, and AUCglu were not different between group I and group N, baseline GA (reflecting the glycemic state over 1–2 weeks) was lowest in group I among the three groups. ΔHb was also smallest in group I among the three groups (Fig. 2). These results suggest that mild hyperglycemia baseline and a smaller change of Hb were associated with an increase of CIMT. Although the mechanism of such an increase of CIMT is unclear, it is possible that mild hyperglycemia may induce slight overhydration and a decrease of Hb by hemodilution, which may be associated with a decrease of baseline CIMT, while normalization of hemodynamics by improvement of glycemic control during admission may return CIMT to the level before the onset of recent mild hyperglycemia. It is well known that the Hb level shows fluctuation. In addition to hemodilution, various other factors can influence Hb, such as anemia of chronic disease, alterations of iron stores, chronic blood loss, transfusion, vitamin and mineral status, and seasonal effects [15–19]. However, these factors would affect the Hb over a long period considering that the lifespan of erythrocytes is about 120 days. Thus, the changes of Hb during our study period of <2 weeks may have been due to hemodilution rather than other factors.
Current ultrasound transducers have insufficient axial resolution to separate the intimal and medial layers of the carotid artery wall, which is why the combined intima and media thickness is measured clinically as the CIMT. Pignoli et al. previously compared pathological and in vivo or in vitro B-mode ultrasound measurements using carotid artery autopsy samples from healthy subjects [20]. They revealed that about 20 % of the CIMT is composed of the intimal layer and 80 % is made up of the medial layer, with the intima-media thickness (IMT) values from both in vivo and in vitro B-mode ultrasound measurement being consistent with the results of pathological examination. Some later reports have suggested that the far wall, but not the near wall, of the carotid artery should be assessed in ultrasound studies [21, 22]. While intimal thickening is generally caused by foam cells derived from macrophages or smooth muscle cells infiltrating the subendothelial space and capturing oxidized lipids, medial thickening is induced by smooth muscle hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia [21]. Although the exact mechanism leading to an increase of IMT in diabetic patients remains unclear, Kozakova et al. recently proposed that it may involve chronic hyperglycemia-related enhancement of arterial stiffness and consequent remodeling of the carotid media [11]. They suggested that chronic hyperglycemia induced a decline of arterial wall elasticity and enhanced stiffness, which may then promote adaptive medial thickening by smooth muscle changes, but this mechanism seems unlikely to explain the short-term CIMT changes observed in the present study.
Dehydration due to chronic severe hyperglycemia may lead to an increase of CIMT, while amelioration of dehydration by improvement of hyperglycemia may restore the reversible portion of this increase. On the other hand, mild overhydration due to relatively mild hyperglycemia may decrease CIMT, while amelioration of this state may restore the reversible decrease of CIMT.
Although CIMT is a biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosis, it can fluctuate over a short period due to changes of the blood glucose level or hemodynamics. Therefore, we should consider whether blood glucose and hemodynamics are stable when assessing changes of CIMT.
The present study had several limitations. First, the sample size was small, because the post hoc power analysis showed that this study does not have adequate power which would provide β error. Second, we have no data on healthy subjects. It would probably be difficult to detect short-term changes of CIMT in healthy subjects during daily life because their basal CIMT is smaller than that of patients with diabetes. On the other hand, dehydration induced by exercise would be likely to alter the CIMT, so it may be interesting to investigate whether there are any changes of CIMT after sustained exercise. Third, we did not differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes with respect to the onset, severity of complication, or prognosis. Fourth, we have no data about intra-observer agreement because we only measured CIMT twice over 2 weeks. However, there was no inter-observer variation, because all carotid studies were performed by a single trained examiner and CIMT was automatically determined by using analytical software. Fifth, we did not evaluate biochemical markers of hemodynamic changes, such as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone, or fractional excretion of Na, and we did not assess physiological hemodynamic markers like local carotid artery blood flow, wave speed, or stroke volume. Thus, further large-scale studies that investigate such factors will be needed to confirm the above hypothesis.
CIMT may show plasticity in diabetic patients and can change after even 2 weeks when hyperglycemia is improved. This point should be considered when performing assessment of baseline CIMT and CIMT progression in prospective studies of diabetic patients.
CIMT:
carotid intima-media thickness
Hb:
CVD:
ARIC:
atherosclerosis risk in communities
hazard ratio
SD:
BW:
FPG:
fasting plasma glucose
GA:
glycated albumin
SMBG:
self-monitoring of blood glucose
CCA:
common carotid artery
hematocrit
AUCglu:
area under the curve of daily glucose profile
IMT:
intima-media thickness
BNP:
AT, YN, SY, SI, HK, AO and YT conceived and designed the experiments. AT and SY performed the experiments. AT, YN, HK and YT analyzed the data. AT, YN and YT wrote the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
The authors thank Yasushi Tanaka and the patients for their participation and the staff at the St. Marianna University, for their assistance throughout the study.
Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki Kanagawa, 216-8511, Japan
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Facilitators and barriers to NCD prevention in Pakistanis–invincibility or inevitability: a qualitative research study
Ambreen Gowani1,
Hafiz Imtiaz Ahmed2,
Wardah Khalid3,
Abdul Muqeet4,
Saad Abdullah5,
Shariq Khoja6 and
Ayeesha Kamran Kamal7Email author
Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are the leading causes of death globally. In Pakistan, they are among the top ten causes of mortality, especially in the productive age group (30–69 years). Evidence suggests that health perceptions and beliefs strongly influence the health behavior of an individual. We performed focus group interviews to delineate the same so as to design the user interface of a non-invasive stroke risk monitoring device.
It was a qualitative study, designed to explore how health perceptions and beliefs influence behavior for NCD prevention. Four focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with 30 stable participants who had diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, blood pressure, and stroke. The data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide designed to explore participants’ perceptions of their illnesses, self-management behaviors and factors affecting them. The interviews were transcribed and content analysis was done using steps of content analysis by Morse and Niehaus [10].
Medication adherence, self-monitoring of blood sugars and blood pressures, and medical help seeking were the commonly performed self-management behaviors by the participants. Personal experience of illness, familial inheritance of disease, education and fear of premature death when life responsibilities were unfulfilled, emerged as strong facilitators of self-management behaviors. A sense of personal invincibility, Fatalism or inevitability, lack of personal threat realization, limited knowledge, inadequate health education, health care and financial constraints appeared as key barriers to the self-management of chronic disease in participants.
Behavioural interventional messaging will have to engender a sense of personal vulnerability and yet empower self-efficacy solutions at the individual level to deal with both invincibility and inevitability barriers to adoption of healthy behavior.
Qualitative study
Lower and middle income countries
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like strokes and heart attacks are a major health issue worldwide and the mortality due to NCDs now exceeds that from communicable diseases [1–3]. Two thirds of NCD mortalities occur in low income developing countries which lack health literacy and resources [4]. Pakistan is no different where almost 25 % of all deaths are due to NCDs [5].
Prevention of NCDs requires sustained lifestyle changes. There is strong evidence indicating that individual perceptions and experiences of illness play an important role in their approach to disease preventive behavior. For instance, denial and lack of threat appreciation may result in non-adherence while perceived susceptibility may induce health- enhancing changes in an individual’s life [6–8]. Understanding the barriers and facilitators to adopting healthy habits versus deleterious ones are critical to designing successful interventions that would resonate with populations that are the targets of these behavior change programs.
For this paper, our definition of NCDs is illnesses which are linked by common modifiable risk factors such as; cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. In order to increase early recognition of modifiable risk factors that contribute to NCDs, our team is developing an all in one detection device which will be capable of detecting the participants’ 3- lead EKG, blood pressure, blood sugar and lipids non-invasively and provide health education messages that will enable early institution of NCD preventive behaviors based on these readings.
This study explores qualitatively the local perceptions on NCD and describes their self-management behaviors, facilitators and barriers to design and inform informational outputs that resonate with future interventions.
This is a descriptive exploratory study, using qualitative approach.
The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. The hospital is an internationally recognized tertiary care teaching hospital certified by Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA) that caters to the needs of large multi-ethnic urban population of 18 million. The annual outpatient volumes are about 600,000 a year, and inpatient volumes are 50,000 annually, with 577 + beds. There are in addition outreach programs within the community and outreach clinics and hospital. The services rendered encompass metabolic disorders, medicine, diabetes, cardiac care, and specialized stroke services and thus it was relatively easy to recruit and identify study participants.
Sample and recruitment
A sample of approximately 16–20 participants was determined to explore the phenomenon of NCD prevention and self-care behaviors in our population. This sample was based on the concept of data saturation in qualitative design [9]. We increased the size of our focus groups until data saturation was achieved at 30 participants.
Participants were recruited from the out-patient clinics of the hospital which were cardiac, endocrine, stroke, general medicine, to best identify participants with NCD risk factors. Participants were invited for FGD based on eligibility criteria as follows: Age greater than 18 years, suffering from one of the NCD`S (diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease or stroke), attending AKUH clinics for their disease management and should be able to understand and communicate in Urdu. In order to ensure maximum variability among the sample, participants were purposively selected on the basis of their diagnosis, chronicity of the disease, age, gender, educational status, and type of the health facility being utilized (public or private).
Data collection tool
A semi- structured interview guide was used to conduct the focus group discussion (FGD) (Table 1) The guide consisted of seven open ended questions that were designed to explore participants’ perceptions of their illnesses, self-management behaviors and factors affecting them.
Qualitative interview guide
Interview guide for focus group interview
Did you ever know that you could suffer from this disease?
Probe: why did u think you could never get have this problem
Can you anticipate today that who in your family will acquire this disease in the future?
When do you check the status of your disease?
Probe: please elaborate
What problems do you encounter while going for testing?
How do you take care of your everyday issues related to your health problems?
Why do you think you take care of your health?
What prevents you from taking care of yourself?
This study was approved by the Ethical Review Committee Aga Khan University (ERC) Number 2891-Med-ERC-14.
Study procedures
The participants were recruited by purposive sampling technique from all out-patient clinics. The participants were purposively selected from different clinics, based on their duration of disease, age, gender, socioeconomic and diverse ethnic background to ensure variability among study participants. A total of 30 participants participated in the FGD. The data collection continued till the saturation level was reached. In total four FGD’s were conducted from March till June 2014. For every above mentioned NCD’s a separate FDG’s was conducted, with at least five participants participating in each session. Each session lasted from 60 to 90 min and was moderated by the researcher (AG). The FGD’s were conducted at Clinical Trial Unit to ensure privacy of the participants. Each participant was counseled in detail regarding the study objectives and written informed consent was obtained. Interviews were only voice recorded and permission for recording was obtained from all participants. Strict privacy and confidentiality was maintained for all recordings and data. All interviews were performed in local language and transcribed within 7–10 days. The recordings were compared with the transcripts for verification to increase the accuracy of the data by the first author. The interviews were then translated to English (Fig. 1).
Qualitative study flow diagram. This figure illustrates the study processes
A thematic FGD’s guide was created by the experts in research team. The guide consisted of seven open ended questions that were designed to explore participants’ perceptions of illnesses, self-management behaviors and factors affecting them (Table 2). The included questions among others were: Did you ever know that you could suffer from this disease? When do you check the status of your disease? What features would you like to see in a device that can detect your blood physiology, non-invasively? How will you make the most of such device in managing your illness?
Participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics
Participant’s characteristics
>70 years
NCD present
Duration of illness (years)
3 (1.5–10)a
aMedian (IQR)
Qualitative manual content-analysis was performed to interpret the manifest content (what the text says) and the latent content (the interpreted meaning of the text) [10]. Following the steps of content analysis by Morse and Niehaus (5) [10] the transcriptions were read several times by the researchers to gain familiarity and understanding of the content. The interviews were transcribed and verified with the recording, by the researcher, to enhance the accuracy of the data. Content-analysis was used to interpret the data. Important words and phrases within the content were selected and the data was divided into meaningful units. After that the units were condensed and labeled with meaningful codes (either facilitators or barriers) affecting the self- management of NCD’s specifically hypertension, diabetes, stroke and coronary artery disease. First the coding was performed individually by two researchers and then consensus was reached on the final codes after discussion. The codes were further grouped together as sub-categories and then into categories. Then in the final step major themes were identified. The themes were collectively discussed and the final version of analysis was produced and agreed.
The results of the study are divided in two sections. The first part describes NCD preventive behaviors performed by the participants and the second part reports the factors that affect them. The key characteristics of the study participants are summarized in Table 2.
Ncd preventive and self-management behaviors
The most common self-management behaviors performed by the participants were adherence to medication regimen, regular exercise, medical help seeking and self-monitoring of blood pressure and blood sugar. They are discussed below in detail and expressed graphically in Fig. 2).
Conceptual framework of factors affecting NCD preventive behaviors. This figure illustrates the factors that motivate or block NCD preventive behavior
Most of the participants reported higher adherence to medication regimen. They considered medications important for their wellbeing. The importance and adherence to medication was even greater among the participants who had experienced an adverse event because of non-compliance.
A 54 year old male said, After my second angioplasty, I have become regular in taking medications because doctors told me that I got a heart attack because of stopping anti platelet agents by myself.
In addition to that, participants preferred detailed instructions written in local language as it made their medication taking process simpler and easier. A 43 year old female shared,
“My doctor writes everything clearly on my prescription, I just have to follow them”.
Regular exercise
Regular exercise was not part of most of the participants’ lifestyle. Some did not consider it important for their health, whereas, others despite of being aware of its usefulness; were unable to incorporate them in their daily lives because of several reasons such as laziness, ignorance, lack of time, facility or presence of any other chronic diseases, such as Arthritis or vertigo.
A 65 year old woman shared her views on exercise as, I have so much household work to do at home, that I don’t think I need to do exercise separately.
Self-monitoring of blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels
Participants considered blood glucose, and blood pressure monitoring important to maintain their health status but did not worry much about their cholesterol levels. Even those who were on prescription medications, cholesterol levels remained unchecked. Most monitored their blood pressure and glucose because any change in their levels was believed by them to be “felt symptomatically” thus this monitoring was sporadic.
Adherence to diet
Another important behavior highlighted by the participants of the study was adherence to a dietary regimen. Females complied more strictly to diet regimen as compared to males. They restricted not only themselves but also their family members from excessively oily, salty and sweet food. A 32 year old diabetic female expressed, I do not cook oily food and I do not let my family eat junk food, as I know what does getting diabetes means.
Medical help seeking
All the participants verbalized the importance of regular follow ups and wanted to remain in touch with their physicians. However due to the expensive and time consuming hospital visits, they could not afford frequent follow ups. Hence, most of them did not visit their physician unless they were very unwell.
Factors affecting NCD preventive behaviours
Barriers to NCD preventive and self care behaviors
Lack of threat appreciation
The analysis of participants’ narrative revealed that most of the participants in the study were unaware of the risk they carried for a particular disease, unless they or any of their family members encountered the disease itself. Therefore, most of the participants’ diagnosis of a certain disease was often a result of either an acute medical event (such as MI, or Stroke) or they discovered their risk when they sought help for some other medical condition. For example, a 43 year old hypertensive lady said,
“I had headaches for weeks, I went to the doctor near my house, he checked my blood pressure and told me that I had high blood pressure…. Since then I am taking medications to keep my blood pressure under controlled.”
Similarly, A 54 year old male shared, “I was the healthiest member of my family, I had never been to any doctor before. When I had heart attack, my angiography showed that my three arteries were extensively blocked. It was unexpected.”
Participants perceived themselves to be invincible. Prior regular screening, self-monitoring and risk identification was absent in almost everybody’s case except those whose family members either suffered from heart attacks or strokes or they were health care professionals.
Similarly, most of the participants sought medical help only when symptoms appeared. Hence, their illness remained undiagnosed for years unless it affected their functional status. Despite acknowledging their familial risk of an illness, its effects and complications, participants did not follow them seriously because of an inherent sense of invulnerability. However, after diagnosis, most of them tried making efforts towards healthy living. A 44 year old male shared,
“I had never thought of getting MI, I had always remained healthy. “That day, I suddenly felt chest pain and I came to ER, I was rushed for angiography and angioplasty. It all happened just at that time… now I walk, check my sugar and take medications regularly.”
Fatalism
Most of the participants strongly believed that getting a disease was their fate. It was meant to happen. It was unpreventable, and also unpredictable. They believed that even after prior identification of the risk factors nothing could not have stopped the occurrence of a stroke or heart attack. Those participants although, they followed their physician’s recommendations, still believed that disease progression would occur even after taking precautions. A 44 year old, male expressed his feelings as,
“…. Whatever you do (to prevent the disease), what is written in your fate, it will happen eventually”.
Participants who had strong perceptions of fatalism performed self-management casually as compared to those who believed that the effects of the disease could be minimized or delayed by following recommended lifestyle modifications.
Health care resource constraints
In addition to personal beliefs, participants highlighted limitations of the health care system such as unavailability and lack of communication, longer duration of follow-ups, and time consuming hospital visits. Consequently, these participants could not seek proactive medical help as they felt the system was inaccessible. A 48 year old diabetic woman shared,
“It takes at least five hours to see the doctor here. One entire day gets ruined; I also have to take off from the job. Therefore, I only come to hospital when I feel unwell”.
Knowledge deficit
Knowledge deficit regarding the illness, its parameters, and its management appeared common among almost all the participants which greatly influenced their self-management regimen. Participants could monitor their blood pressures and sugars but could not interpret them. Consequently they could not manage it themselves without any medical help. A 48 year old female with hypertension, shared,
“I can operate the device and check my blood pressure, but I cannot tell whether it is high or low, unless somebody tells me”.
Inadequate health education
Another important factor which emerged from the interview was insufficient health education. Lack of clarity, specificity and comprehensiveness in the health education affected participants’ self- management regimen. Physicians had told their participants about their diagnosis, prescribed them medications, but did not teach them self-monitoring and management of their illness. A 60 year old male with hypertension shared,
“15 years back, my physician told me that I had blood pressure. He did not tell me whether it was high or low. He gave me medications that I have been taking since then. I have just now come to know what is high blood pressure and what is low blood pressure”.
Financial constraints were highlighted as the biggest barrier to self-management behaviors. High costs of physicians’ fee, diagnostic tests and cost of transportation compelled many to postpone their required health care needs. On the contrary, participants who could afford the cost, or had free access to medical services, had frequent follow ups and diagnostic checks.
A 61 year old female expressed her concern as: It costs thousands of rupees only for the tests, and then you have to pay for doctor as well. I only get the tests when I feel something is wrong.
Facilitators to NCD preventive and self care behaviors
Experience of illness
Chronic disease participants were more aware and concerned about their illness as compared to the participants who were newly diagnosed. The past experience of serious events, hospitalization, financial burden and painful memories obliged them to engage in health-enhancing activities. The longer the participants had lived with their disease, the better was their knowledge and disease management. They were able to recognize their symptoms at an early stage perform self-monitoring and manage it through self-adjustment of medications. A 58 year old male shared,
“I have high blood pressure since 15 years, now I can measure my BP and manage it properly.”
Education level of the patient
Educated participants had better understanding of their disease process as compared to their uneducated or less educated counterparts. Being able to read and write helped them add to their existing knowledge. They could communicate confidently with their physicians about their disease process. However, those who were uneducated could also perform self-management, but for them, it was a learning process while going through the experience of illness. Hence, being educated helped participants enhance their knowledge from sources other than their physicians, but apparently the self-management appeared similar in both educated and uneducated ones. A 36 year old educated lady with diabetes said,
“I read somewhere symptoms of diabetes, so when I felt frequent micturition, I got a blood sugar test. And I was diagnosed having diabetes”.
Familial inheritance of the disease
Participants, who have had any other family member suffering from any NCD, had greater awareness of the disease and its management. They also had an insight that they were more likely to encounter that disease. Hence, it shortened their denial phase and helped them accept the reality which eventually enhanced its self-management. A 55 year old male shared,
“My father was diabetic, when I used to go with him for checkups; doctor told me that sooner or later you will also get diabetes. So I stopped taking sugar in tea and watched my diet. Now I am diagnosed with diabetes.”
Fear of premature death
Another important factor that emerged from the narratives was fear of premature death due to which participants took care of themselves. They had an understanding that by keeping the levels under controlled, the early death could be prevented. A 50 year old lady expressed here fear as,
“I take care of my diet, exercise, medications and check my sugar levels before every meal…. I don’t want to die early. I want to live for my children.”
We assessed the barriers and facilitators to NCD prevention in Pakistanis using an open ended qualitative study design of focus group interviews. Our qualitative study revealed that most participants felt either no personal vulnerability to NCD, felt that they couldn’t do anything to change their outcomes and once they became victims they accepted their “fate”, without being active in changing their behavior (6) [7, 11, 12]. Those who had first-hand experience of illness in self or a relative had greater motivation to practice healthy behaviors to prevent the development of a potentially harmful NCD. In addition, those who were relatively better educated used social media to do something to adopt healthier lifestyles, another facilitator was the sense of responsibility and family (Table 3).
Qualitative themes and sub-categories
Major themes
Excerpts from the patients’ narratives
Positive factors/facilitators
Fear of premature health
Familial inheritance of diseases
Contributing actions
Medication compliance
Follow-ups/checkups
Diet Regimen
Self-monitoring
“I never miss my medications, they are most important to me”
“My father had diabetes; I knew I will get it, so I had already controlled my intake of sugar”
Negative factors/barriers
Health care system constraints
Lack of insight about seriousness of disease
No symptoms = no risk
Invincibility/lack of threat appreciation
Unpredictability of disease
Cost of fresh food, vegetables and unsaturated oil
No regular screening
Cost of the diagnostic tests
Inability to interpret numeric values
Self-medication
Cholesterol screening not considered risk
NCD diagnosed while seeking help for other medical conditions
Sudden onset of acute events
NCD are unpreventable
Proactive help-seeking not a priority
“10 years ago, at the time of diagnosis, I did not know how much blood pressure was high, and how much was low. I learnt it over time, when I went through its fluctuating levels “
“I stopped my medications after angioplasty for 2 years…had another heart attack and had a By- pass then”
“I check BP and sugar regularly because alterations in it make me nonfunctional”
Although, we did not ask patients direct questions regarding their “stage of change” to actually change behavioral practices [13], these stages emerged from the discussion. Most patients were in the precontemplation or contemplation phase, and very few were actually practicing preventive lifestyle changes. Those who were motivated but due to knowledge deficit their motivation cannot be transferred into actions due to lack of support of working through obstacles.
In some ways our findings are similar to those reported in previous studies where medication compliance appeared to be the highest reported adhered behavior. [14, 15] Medication adherence was taken relatively seriously by the participants as compared to any other self-management behavior. Participants give importance to a written prescription. They find it authentic, important and inevitable because they are answerable to their physicians on the subsequent visit. Likewise, in our study, although participants preferred low salt, low cholesterol diet and tried to follow them, lack of knowledge about food choices hindered their dietary management. Cost of fresh vegetables and unsaturated fat also compelled them to compromise their regimen. This finding differs from other observations, where temptation for fast food and tastelessness were the major obstacles to diet regimen. [16–18].
Moreover, most of the participants in our study did not seek proactive medical help, missed their routine checkups and delayed their screening processes, thus, they ultimately presented to hospitals with acute catastrophic events like strokes and heart attacks. In the Pakistani context, 78 % pay out of pocket for health care and health insurance is a rare feature, spending on proactive medical help may not be a priority. [19] Furthermore, our participants felt that the health care system also hindered any participants’ initiative towards self-management such as, lack of communication between physician and patient, absence of support programs and telephonic help lines. Therefore, there is need to develop patient friendly self-enabling support systems which may perhaps utilize IT in the way that we intend to do.
We feel that we have used the open framework of a qualitative design and uncovered regionally important factors that we would not have done otherwise. Obtaining data on perceived sensitive factors faced by our participants demanded thorough understanding and planning of the content. The thematic guide was formulated after detailed discussions and consensus of local and global health experts. The researchers had thorough knowledge, were expert in local language and traditional meaning of content. Credibility was achieved by selection of context and well-structured questions. Transferability was achieved by purposeful selection of participants with diverse characteristics like gender, age, educational level, diverse cultural and ethnic background,different socioeconomic groups and participants suffering from four major NCD`s. Dependability was achieved by conducting interviews within 3 months to make sure that the phenomena under study did not change with time trends. Conformability was achieved through discussion on codes, sub-categories, categories and themes by the experts in research team. The conceptual frameworks of the Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and Stages of Change informed the qualitative design (6, 7).
This study is limited in that we have limited our sphere of discussion to the community only. Similar open ended designs that elaborate the system key stakeholder perspectives may be useful future directions of research. However, it does clarify that any behavioral intervention to work in our context will have to engender a sense of vulnerability and yet empower self-efficacy at the individual level to deal with both invincibility and inevitability. It also elaborates broader challenges out of the scope of this project like health care systems reform, food policy changes and accessibility and equity within LMIC settings to prevent and mitigate the challenge of NCD [20–26].
Our qualitative methodology clarified that besides the usual barriers to the practice and adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors such as education and finance, the personal belief that one is either invincible; or that once an event happens, it was inevitable, will have to be targeted in counseling and public outreach messages to engender vulnerability in the first instance and self-confidence and efficacy in the second.
EKG:
NCD:
FGD:
focus group discussion
AKUH:
Aga Khan University Hospital
ERC:
Ethical Review Committee
low and middle income countries
AG prepared the protocol of the study, conducted the FGD, validated the transcripts, performed the thematic analysis and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. HIA helped in analysis and contributed intellectually, WK assisted in qualitative methodology writing, AM, SA, SK reviewed the manuscript and contributed intellectually to the process, AKK conceived the study, obtained funding, oversight and reviewed all aspects of the protocol, performed thematic analysis and reviewed all aspects of writing and design, analysis and contributed to all aspects of writing this manuscript. All authors read and contributed to this manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
This project is a joint effort between the following partners: Aga Khan University, AKDN eHealth Resource Center, and Tech4Life Enterprises. We would like to acknowledge the time and cooperation of the families who contributed to this study. They are a source of inspiration and courage. This study has been made possible by the following Grand Challenges Canada, Bold Ideas with Big Impact, Grant award entitled, “One Stop for Strokes—realize the possibility, in your hands. Fighting the stroke epidemic in developing countries by enabling risk detection and empowering knowledge for action to decrease stroke death and disability” Grand Challenges Canada Grant Number 0432-01, Rising Stars in Global Health Round 5, Phase I Program.
Dr. Wardah Khalid is a Neurovascular Research Fellow funded by Award Number 5D43TW008660-04 from the Fogarty International Center and the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health, USA. The funders had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke or the National Institute of Health.
Stroke Service Research Nurse, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Technology Development, Aga Khan Development Network, eHealth Resource Center, Karachi, Pakistan
Fogarty Cerebrovascular Research Fellow, The International Cerebrovascular Translational Clinical Research Training Program (Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health), Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
eHealth Innovation, Global, Aga Khan Development Network, eHealth Resource Center, Karachi, Pakistan
Tech4Life Enterprises, Karachi, Pakistan
Tech4Life Enterprises, Canada, and Technical Advisor-Evidence, Capacity and Policy mHealth Alliance, United Nations Foundation, Washington, USA
Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Stroke Fellowship Program, International Cerebrovascular Translational Clinical Research Training Program, Fogarty International Center and the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
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Athena, Luna, and Uni could be the codenames for the next set of BlackBerry smartphones released
Bla1ze
For months now there have been some unreleased BlackBerry smartphones popping up all over the internet be it on Geekbench, through configuration files and even in European device registration databases. For their part, BlackBerry Mobile has officially stated two new keyboard smartphones will arrive in 2018, but outside of calling them BBE100-1 and BBF100-1, we have not heard much about the codenames assigned to these devices ahead of release.
Over the past two days, though, new information has started to point to the possibility of three new codenames - Athena, Luna, and Uni. Let's break them down and take a look at some of the claims behind them because even though the information is out there, that doesn't mean it's all correct or incorrect, there's always generally a bit of truth to the rumors that pop up.
Let's start with Uni because well, this seems the most off base to me as it has thus far been presented. The folks over at LetsGoDigital have unearthed a few trademarks and patents owned by TCL and BlackBerry and have pieced together that there might be a BlackBerry smartphone in the works called 'Uni' and that it will feature a styling pretty much identical to the BlackBerry Priv. There is, however, a few problems here with the pieces of information.
First off, TCL already has a product called the Uni360. It's an Alcatel branded VR headset that was announced alongside the Alcatel Idol 5. The new trademark is for Uni, and its listing shares all the same registration codes as the Uni360, leading me to believe it's just an extension of the Uni360 VR headset branding or possibly just another Alcatel phone. Could it potentially be a BlackBerry device name? Sure, it could, but it seems unlikely they would mix the branding.
But what about the BlackBerry patent? Well, the BlackBerry patent is interesting and yes, it certainly does show off a device that looks identical to the Priv and yes, it was registered and granted AFTER the release of the Priv but when you really start looking into it, the patent is less about the device depicted in the patent documentation and more about the camera module.
As is almost always the case, the 'device' used in the patent is just a reference point, and the only reason why the Priv design was likely used is that it was the only device put out by BlackBerry that depicted the camera module referenced in the patent. They had the artwork already available and used it.
All that is to say, if you think BlackBerry Mobile will be resurrecting the Priv design, I don't think there's much chance that will happen. If anything, we'll see the camera design as outlined in that BlackBerry patent used somewhere else (Athena, Luna) and maybe see the Uni name used elsewhere, but don't have your heart set on seeing another Priv-like design.
Athena is a more recent name that has popped in the CrackBerry Forums, and everything mentioned about it seems to fall in line with the previously rumored device information that goes along with the BBE100-1 and BBF100-1 model numbers. As posted in the forums, Athena is rumored to be a keyboard-based designed and will feature 6-8GB of RAM, larger keys than the BlackBerry KEYone and have 64GB of onboard storage. So far, everything follows the rumors and confirmed info here.
The other highlight of Athena? Dual backside cameras to be 'able to take a clear picture and blur out the rest of the area around it.' Hmm, kind of like noted in the BlackBerry patent as mentioned in the Uni section. Suddenly, that BlackBerry patent being granted for the camera rather than a Priv based design starts to make more sense.
That's all cool, but what about the processor? Well, where everything else seems to be falling in line with the rumors, it would appear as though the Athena, will arrive with a Snapdragon 660. As for a timeframe, I'm hesitant even to bother mentioning that since that's always the most fluid thing when it comes to device releases but the poster of the Athena information says April, but again, out of all the info here, that's probably the biggest thing subject to change.
When it comes to Luna, this is where the finer details start to fade. Other than aligning it with the BBE100-1 model previously rumored, the information suggests it's a mid-tier device. BlackBerry Mobile confirming two new keyboard devices applies here as well, so it's expected Luna will be one of those two released. Other than that, not many other details to go off of here. Again being hesitant to mention the timeframe, since they can be all over the place, the original poster of the information mentions August.
There's also one more device mentioned, an all-touch device, but at this point that one is hardly even worth a mention since there are no details available outside of saying it's not even going to be on the radar until January.
In any case, there is a lot going on here with these rumors and, they've come out of left field. As you might be able to tell, I'm more willing to go with the idea of Athena and Luna existing more so than I am some redesigned Priv being released. The specifics just don't add up for Uni outside the camera information and a very minimal chance of the Uni name being used.
At the very least, Athena and Luna follow the pattern of BlackBerry Mobile's internal device naming process, with the exception of Krypton (Motion). Mercury, Athena, Luna, are all Greco-Roman Gods and Goddesses, that alone makes the rumors a touch more likely in my opinion. I've been hearing these names off and on since the codename 'Juno' stopped appearing late last year.
With Mobile World Congress right around the corner, that might explain the sudden jump in rumors and codenames, but we'll just have to wait and see. For now, let me know what you think of it all in the comments. You buying the Priv redesign hype or should BlackBerry Mobile stick more to the KEYone style? Two new keyboard designs I can roll with but a Priv redesign? Nah.
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Cummunity Information
Visitez nos expositions virtuelles
Dons d’objets pour notre collection
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» Visit
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Wachiya! Welcome to an extraordinary new museum, cultural institution, and showcase of the history of the James Bay Crees. We’re glad you’re here, and we welcome the opportunity to share our culture with you. Explore our site and come visit us in person.
In this section of the site, you will find everything you need to know in order to visit Aanischaaukamikw, including hours, travel information, and information on accommodations.
June: Monday to Thursday 8:30 – 12:00 & 1:00 – 4:30 Friday 8:30 – 1:00,
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tours@creeculture.ca
Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute
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Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute is Looking for Volunteers
Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute Receives National Award for Excellence
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Date: July 17, 2019 Visitors today: 70 Pages views today : 180 People on line now: 1
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Up the Yangtze
Cultural and Economic Changes in China
Zeitgeist Films
In China, it is simply known as "The River." But the Yangtze--and all of the life that surrounds it--is undergoing a truly astonishing transformation wrought by the largest hydroelectric project in history, the Three Gorges Dam.
Canadian documentary filmmaker Yung Chang returns to the gorgeous, now-disappearing landscape of his grandfather's youth to trace the surreal life of a "farewell cruise" that traverses the gargantuan waterway. Singularly moving and cinematically breathtaking, UP THE YANGTZE gives a human dimension to the wrenching changes facing not only an increasingly globalized China, but the world at large.
Official Selection at the Sundance Film Festival.
"An astonishing documentary of culture clash and the erasure of history amid China's economic miracle." - Stephen Holden, The New York Times
Yung Chang
Global Studies & Languages > Asian Studies
Last Train Home - Migration in China 91 mins Every spring, China's cities are plunged into chaos as 130 million migrant workers journey to their home villages for the New Year's holiday. This mass…
Last Train Home - Migration in China
Readymade - The Lives of Chairman Mao Impersonators 79 mins Mao Zedong died in 1976, but his impersonators are alive and well. This film documents the lives of two people who resemble Mao and assume…
Readymade - The Lives of Chairman Mao Impersonators
24 City - Er shi si cheng ji 108 mins The conversion of a state-owned munitions factory into luxury high-rise apartments allows for an acute appreciation of Socialism's impact on the Chinese people and the…
24 City - Er shi si cheng ji
Jiabiangou Elegy: Life and Death of the Rightists - The Persecution of Inmates at the Jiabiangou Labor Camp 6 videos This documentary series recounts the persecution of inmates at the Jiabiangou labor camp in Jiuquan, Gansu province, and examines the way the victims' final affairs…
Jiabiangou Elegy: Life and Death of the Rightists - The Persecution of Inmates at the Jiabiangou Labor Camp
World Crisis: Tiananmen Square 24 mins This engrossing and highly recommended program examines the cause and subsequent effect of the crisis - from looking at the social and political climate at…
World Crisis: Tiananmen Square
Beijing Taxi - Transformation in China's Ancient Capital 79 mins This timely, uncensored and richly cinematic portrait of China's ancient capital captures the true nature of a city as it undergoes a profound transformation. The…
Beijing Taxi - Transformation in China's Ancient Capital
In Search of Lin Zhao’s Soul - The Life and Death of an Activist 116 mins The Anti-Rightist Campaign of 1957-59 was one of Communist China's harshest operations against liberal intellectuals. In this era of Red Terror, Lin Zhao, a student…
In Search of Lin Zhao’s Soul - The Life and Death of an Activist
Irving Public Library•6 months ago
The story of progress & development is the same- it always has cost- here in poor(money deprived) people pays more in terms of their percentage of wealth in giving up emotions and natural resources they use to use.
Northeastern Illinois University•8 months ago
as beautiful and devastating as the river itself.
China's Challenges: Where is China’s Economy Going and What is the Impact of Pollution?
Part of the Series: China's Challenges Series
Plastic China - The Lives of Recycling Plant Workers in China
Journeyman Pictures
World in the Balance "China Revs Up"
South Korea: Success at all Costs - The Successes and Pitfalls of a Major Economic Power
Java Films
To Get Rich Is Glorious
Nick Torrens Films
Lotta Films
West of the Tracks Collection
West of the Tracks Collection - Remnants
Episode 2 of West of the Tracks Collection
West of the Tracks Collection - Rails
West of the Tracks Collection - Rust
Made in China - Migrants in Rural China
The Men Who Would Conquer China
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Agents of Shield Season 3, Episode 22 Review
Matt Mallinson June 6, 2016 FeaturedTVTV Reviews
‘Ascension’
Picking up from the end of last week’s episode, ‘Ascension’ sees the agents struggle to prevent Hive from releasing his toxin into the atmosphere.
This is definitely the lesser of the two-part finale, proving less exciting and struggling to hold onto the momentum throughout. Last week I was intrigued by the notion of Hive vs SHIELD in the enclosed SHIELD base but this is dispelled incredibly quickly. However, the opening fight between Hive and Daisy is a real highlight and perhaps the best fight the show has ever produced. Hand-to-hand combat is mixed well with Daisy’s powers to create an energetic battle. Hive leaves as soon as the conflict is over splitting the team between those on the Hub and those still trapped at the base.
The scenes featuring Coulson and co trapped in the base aren’t particularly interesting, mostly due to the lack of terror induced by the primitives. Other than enhanced strength, they lack any real powers and Simmons easily comes up with a way to render them blind and useless. From here it’s a simple matter of sneaking the agents onto the Hub for the big finale. The fight between the various agents and Hive’s primitives is also quite well done, being intense and exciting. Hive again feels quite weak here – his powers should make him able to annihilate the team easily but instead he just leaves. He has struggled to feel like a big threat all season and is easily defeated, hopefully this time for good.
The reveal of the agent to die is again played around with this week, with Daisy claiming the cross in an attempt to sacrifice herself. The fact that it is Lincoln to die isn’t a massive shock; last week he spoke about his desire to leave SHIELD and he basically breaks up with Daisy before leaving. The goodbye between Daisy and Lincoln feels like a copy of the goodbye between Steve and Peggy at the end of Captain America. However, it’s still quite an impactful scene, particularly as Daisy begs Coulson to find a way to help Lincoln. The scenes between Lincoln and Hive as they bro out in space is less well done. Hive doesn’t feel a well realised enough character for these scenes to really mean anything. It feels like it would have been more meaningful to end things with Lincoln’s confession of love for Daisy.
The surprise six-month time jump is an interesting scene, the idea of Daisy now acting as Quake in a vigilante form is quite cool. Things seem to have changed a lot in the six-month gap; Coulson is no longer director of SHIELD and its unclear if the other agents are still part of the organisation. The final scene of Dr Radcliffe constructing a robot form for his AI seems an odd way to end the season, particularly as it’s something that hasn’t been addressed before. I’m intrigued to see how these elements are picked up next season.
Agents of SHIELD Season 2, Episode 1 Review
Nick Savvides October 25, 2014
Matt Mallinson February 21, 2016
Nick Savvides November 22, 2014
TV News Roundup: Trailers Released for True Detective and Orange Is The New Black
Rosy Deacon April 10, 2015
Matt Mallinson January 25, 2016
Agents Of SHIELD Season 1, Episode 7 Recap
Natalie Xenos November 17, 2013
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Waterford Greenway wins tourism prize at council awards
10th February 2018 John Leave a comment
Cyclist.ie congratulate Waterford Council on this well deserved award and for their prescience in working to get this great stretch of Greenway, along Ireland’s EuroVelo1 cycle route, up and running. Cyclist.ie are working with Waterford Council in encouraging the growth of cycling throughout the county. A number of other initiatives in Waterford City and elsewhere are being explored, and Waterford is most definitely setting itself on the cycling map of Ireland’
‘The Waterford Greenway has transformed this county. There is no doubt about that’
The Waterford Greenway has taken first prize in a national competition aimed at encouraging community initiatives.
The Waterford Greenway scooped gold for the Best Tourism Initiative in the All Ireland Community and Council Awards organised by Local Authorities Members Association and iPB Insurance while it also took a Grand Prix Award for 2018.
GeneralNewsGreenways
UK Posts
Cycling funds fall by half despite growing popularity
9th February 2018 John Leave a comment
The government halved its spending on cycling infrastructure for Dublin last year despite a rise in the number of cyclists.
There was just over €9 million allocated for cycling projects in the Greater Dublin area last year, which includes parts of Co Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. This compares with €17.5 million in 2016, €17.7 million in 2015 and €15.69 million in 2015.
Submission to ‘Commission on the Future of Policing’ in Ireland on Reform of Roads Policing in Ireland
2nd February 2018 Mike McKillen Leave a comment
Dublin Cycling Campaign took the lead role in making a submission to The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland in response to its call in seeking consultations with the public.
Our primary concern is the reform of Roads Policing in line with the Cyclist.ie submission made to the Policing Authority last September in relation to the Garda ‘Policing Plan 2018’
This submission is entitled: The Role of the Irish Police & the Health & Safety of people who want to cycle
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Ex-Architect Builds Winning Combination Of Coffee, Churros In Stamford
by Diane Pauley
06/30/2014 4:00 a.m.
Leyla Dam owns Lorca, an artisan coffee shop, in Stamford. Shes a fan of Ethiopian coffee and good sushi. In her spare time she enjoys geeking out on architecture. Photo Credit: Contributed by Diane Pauley
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STAMFORD, Conn. -- “I realized you have to make it work,'' said Leyla Dam, the effervescent founder of Lorca in Stamford.
After realizing a career in architecture wasn’t her cup of tea, Dam went back to her roots. Those roots were symbolized by a few good words: Spain. Churros. Coffee.
She opened her Stamford shop at 125 Bedford St. in the winter of 2012, and patrons love her product.
Dam wanted to open up a simple churro shop with a really good cup of coffee. But what makes Lorca unlike any other coffee shop in Stamford is the care to detail.
Dam credits this with having worked in coffee shops in both Brooklyn and Darien.
Her motto of “making it work” took hold when she realized she had to jump all in to her business; and connecting with local businesses helped Dam find her footing.
She fell in love with Stamford because it was a perfect launch spot. “Having grown up in Darien, this was like a second home,” Dam said.
Plus Dam invests in the youth. She looks for team members when hiring staff and seeks out those who can contribute to the overall product. Let’s just say that Gen Y is definitely attracted to niche spots like Lorca.
So what does the future look like for the coffee shop Stamford locals call home?
“There’s definitely possibility for growth,” noted Dam. She always thought Stamford was the perfect spot to have a flagship store.
Lorca is the epitome of what it’s like to “meet cool people and invest in a great product.”
For more information, visit the Lorca website or Facebook page.
Diane Pauley, the PostGrad Coach, resides in Stamford. Always a lover of people, she finally learned how to harness her art and do it for a living. She is now on a mission to help other millennials do the same -- build up their art and be their own boss full time -- at PostGradolescence.com.
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Faculty of Law - Common Law Section / About / News /
Media mentions are posted in their original language of publication or broadcast.
So why all the secrecy on TPP?
Publication: iPolitics
Observations made by Michael Geist, Common Law Section, are cited in this article about the relation between the Privy Council Office's guidelines on how government should operate during a campaign and the Trans-Pacific partnership negotiations.
Trudeau’s passion shines in foreign policy debate: analysts
Errol Mendes, Common Law Section, comments on the latest federal leadership debate on the topic of foreign policy. “The demeanours were fascinating. Trudeau wanted to show his passion for his position, Mulcair his fierce determination to not lose the progressive throne and Harper for his dogged determination for sticking to his security, anti-terrorism agenda.”
Meet the Canadian 'poster boy' behind skyrocketing drug prices
Publication: Global News
Amir Attaran, Common Law Section, comments on the rapid acceleration in costs for several prescription drugs in North America. “It’s happening in Canada by Canadians. Valeant is probably the biggest [player] in the industry doing this.”
Has Canada really taken in 15 per cent of Syrian refugees? Not exactly.
John Packer, Human Rights Research and Education Centre, comments on a claim about Canada's role in the Syrian Refugee crisis made at the Monk federal leadership debate.
Dalhousie dentistry dean updates progress after Facebook misogyny task force
Publication: CBC Nova Scotia
Constance Backhouse, Research Chair on the Sexual Assault Legislation in Canada, led a task force which released a report on misogyny, sexism and homophobia at Dalhousie University's school of dentistry.
Why is mum the word on Canada's maternal health record?
Publication: Macleans
Steven Hoffman, Common Law Section, comments on Canada’s relation to the United Nations, in wake of the 70th annual General Assembly meeting taking place this week.
Roach and Forcese: Banishment is a poor tool in fight against terrorism
Publication: The Globe and Mail
In this Op-Ed, co-author Craig Forcese, Common Law Section, discusses banishment as a security policy.
Ontario will offer IVF treatment to any age
Publication: National Post
Amir Attaran, Common Law Section, comments on the Health ministry’s plan for IVF treatments.
Ottawa lawyers offer to guide refugee sponsors
Publication: Ottawa Citizen
Jennifer Bond, Faculty of Law, comments on the local efforts to help bring refugees to Canada and on the assistance that The Refugee Hub, a University of Ottawa project that offers programs in refugee law and policy, is providing.
Canada- US legal battle over world's most expensive drug.
Publication: Radio Canada International
Amir Attaran, Common Law Section, comments on the implications of U.S. drug company Alexion Pharmaceuticals taking the Canadian government to Federal Court for its attempt to lower the price of Soliris, which has been called the world's most expensive drug.
Hillary Clinton proposes legalizing prescription-pill imports from Canada
Publication: Toronto Star
Amir Attaran, Common Law Section, comments on the implications of the possibility of the United States legalizing prescription-pill imports from Canada.
Make universal, affordable broadband an election issue: Geist
In this Op-Ed, Michael Geist, Common Law Section, discusses the topic of making universal, affordable broadband an election issue.
Niqab debate recalls RCMP turban furor of the '90s
Publication: CBC
Natasha Bakht, Common Law Section, dicusses the rhetoric over the niqab in the federal election campaign and its similarity to the 1990's issue about the turban
U.S. drug company sues Canada for trying to lower cost of $700K-a-year drug
Amir Attaran, Common Law Section, comments on the implications of U.S. drug company Alexion Pharmaceuticals taking the Canadian government to Federal Court for its attempt to lower the price of Soliris, which has been called the world's most expensive drug. "This is the single greatest threat to pricing of drugs in Canada ever."
Baloney Meter: How meaningful is promise to ban face veils?
Publication: CTV News Montreal
Errol Mendes and Carissima Mathen, Common Law Section, comment on the legality of Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe's promise to ban women from wearing veils while taking the citizenship oath, voting, or providing public services.
Couples paying most Canadian donors for their eggs, breaking controversial fertility law, study finds
Publication: The National Post
Vanessa Gruben, Common Law Section, comments on the legality of human egg donation for fertility treatments in Canada. She advocates rules limiting the number of eggs that clinics can retrieve from a donor, and requiring that different doctors treat the donor and the recipient – to avoid conflicts of interest.
Tom Mulcair rated most competent, trustworthy of leaders: Vote Compass
Penny Collenette, Faculty of Law, comments on the leadership of the federal political parties in relation to the upcoming federal election. "Leadership appears to be a more prominent theme in this campaign than in the last federal vote in 2011."
Awarded Canada's top honour in 2009, Gretzky has yet to pick it up
Publication: Macleans Online
A Tweet by Adam Dodek, Common Law Section, was quoted in this article noting that Wayne Gretzky has not yet been invested with the Order of Canada award he was appointed to in 2009.
Which refugees are affected by the battle over federal health care benefits?
Peter Showler, Human Rights Research and Education Centre, comments on refugee health care cuts in Canada. "It's one of the many ways in which the government has discouraged private sponsorship, while at the same time shifting the burden from government sponsorship for refugees over to private sponsorships."
Turing CEO to roll back 5,000% price hike for Daraprim pills
Amir Attaran, Common Law Section, comments on the decision of Turing Pharmaceuticals to back down from a 5,000-per-cent price hike for the drug Daraprim, which is used to treat AIDS patients.
Canada has a long history of botching its response to terrorism
This article contains an excerpt from the first chapter of Craig Forcese, Common Law Section and Kent Roach’s new book, False Security: The Radicalization of Canadian Anti-Terrorism.
Tuberculosis drug price jumps 2,000%, shocks doctors
Publication: CBC News
Amir Attaran, Common Law Section, comments on the price increase in an essential medication for Tuberculosis. "Ottawa needs to regulate the price of those unpatented medicines … to prevent this happening again."
C-51’s post-election fate may not be so simple: Forcese and Roach
Craig Forcese, Common Law Section, comments on Bill C-51. "C-51 turns a blind eye to the most serious problems and in doing so manages to create counterproductive blow backs that will make it even more difficult to achieve real solutions."
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Tim Egkan left an indelible mark on downtown Stockton — both in life and in death
Tim Egkan was a man more fixated on the potential of things than their immediate utility. He had a bright vision for Stockton’s beleaguered central core. Now, the community he left behind has a mission to see it brought to life.
Aug 9, 2016 Allison Joy
Effective Philanthropy Means Getting Ahead of the Crowd
Across the country, generous donors contribute about $335 billion a year to support more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations, both large and small, according to recent surveys from Giving USA and the National Center for Charitable Statistics.
Jul 27, 2016 Winnie Comstock-Carlson
Don’t Count Stockton Out
Now is the time to stop by
While bankruptcy was a rough patch for Stockton, it is important to recognize what opportunities can grow from a city that has seen more than its fair share of challenges.
Aug 4, 2016 Micah Runner
Buzzword: Placemaking
The improvement in the quality of a particular place, in the attempt to also improve the overall quality of the neighborhood, community or region in which the place is located.
At its best, placemaking can bring attention to forgotten, underserved or otherwise blighted corners of a city, and build a communal aesthetic that empowers residents and visitors to celebrate a neighborhood. However, it can also go awry.
Dilemma of the Month: New Overtime Laws
I’m a business owner in California and I’m worried about the impact of the new overtime wage rules in the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. How can I best prepare my business for the changes caused by the regulations?
Jul 18, 2016 Suzanne Lucas
Boundaries or Bust
Assertively draw these metaphorical lines
Boundaries are the metaphorical lines we draw to ensure we don’t slip into doing things that counter our value systems. Having clear boundaries prevents other people from taking advantage of you and helps you keep your distance from possible dubious activities. While there are no hard-and-fast rules for setting your boundaries, these tips may be helpful.
Aug 11, 2016 Tania Fowler
Meet California’s New ‘Pot Czar’
We talk to the chief of the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation
Two decades after California voters approved medical marijuana use, state lawmakers finally endorsed the idea of creating a statewide framework regulating the product last year.
Jul 29, 2016 Rich Ehisen
What’s With Sacramento’s Lack of Waterfront Dining?
Sacramento prides itself as a river city, yet there are few riverside dining options
It’s no secret that there aren’t many waterfront dining venues. Waterfront access is no easy task in this town. From the floodplain’s exalted levies to the river-hugging freeway, Sacramentans have their work cut out.
Aug 8, 2016 Dave Kempa
The Case For New Practices
Bridging the generation gap in the legal field could mean offering more handholding — and more freedom
Among private law firms, a dam is about to break. According to research by two Los Angeles legal marketing experts, 96 percent of leaders at the country’s biggest 100 private practices are baby boomers or older. But many of their clients are younger.
Jul 20, 2016 Steven Yoder
Gone Cray
Northern California has been overrun by an invasive predatory crustacean that is fundamentally changing our environment — the good news is, they’re delicious
How many generations does it take to belong somewhere? For the people born on U.S. soil, the law is pretty clear: only one. A pity then is the plight of the humble signal crayfish, pacifastacus leniusculus, who despite getting on more comfortably than even humans in the gentle climes of Northern California, is, and will seemingly always be, invasive.
Aug 16, 2016 Tyler Forvé
The War Back Home
Local service providers work to keep military families together — during and after deployment
A veteran’s inability to find and keep employment is a main cause of homelessness, according to Bettis. A stable income and stable housing go hand-in-hand. That’s where the VOA of Northern California and Northern Nevada comes into play.
Aug 2, 2016 Sena Christian
Infographic: Veterans Could Use a Hand-Up
With 22 million veterans living in the U.S., efforts to provide a hand-up to vets are much needed, as they are at risk for homelessness, PTSD, suicide and other struggles.
Aug 2, 2016 Sara Bogovich
High Vinyl
Raising vinyl on the roadside
Billboards have been a staple of American advertising since the late 1800s. Originally, crews pasted several strips of posters together to create one large billboard. Now, they use vinyl engineered to withstand harsh weather.
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Scotland’s Mikey Shields vs Ireland’s Cathal Dunne for WKN Celtic Lightweight title in Full Contact at ‘Rise of Champions’ in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire
12-year-old Filipina rapper Alex Bruce drops new single ‘Pull It Off’
Alex Bruce
Batangas-based rapper Alex Bruce, 12, is returning with a take-no-prisoners jam that’s built on the strength of her talent and personality with the release of her first official single under Sony Music Philippines titled “Pull It Off.” The hip-hop prodigy previously racked up more than a million views on YouTube for her live performance of “Mind as a Weapon.”
“Pull It Off” continues Bruce’s streak of empowering hip-hop anthems. Sure, it lives up to the charismatic appeal of “Dopest,” the trap-influenced demo released four months ahead of her debut.
But this time, Filipino music fans will hear a convincing introduction of a future star confidently rapping about not needing other people’s approval, delivering her verses with both fire and excitement. Given music history’s lack of coverage on the contributions of Filipina artists in hip-hop, it is quite interesting how someone so young like Bruce was able to champion an unrelenting brand of self-expression that puts authenticity at the forefront of her lyrics, reminding us of a younger Ruby Ibarra or Cardi B minus the vulgarities.
With Jim Poblete at the helm of the production, turning Bruce’s sharpened skills into a star-making showcase that’s beyond theatrical, expect nothing less of “Pull It Off.” It is a song that will surely end your summer on a high note.
“Pull It Off” is now out on various streaming and download platforms here and abroad. Listen to the song or download it in this link: http://lnk.to/AlexBrucePIO.
Meanwhile, here is Bruce performing “Mind as a Weapon” live:
“Pull If Off” is now available on streaming and download platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes store, and Deezer via Sony Music Philippines.
Tagged as: Alex Bruce, Filipino rappers, Mind as a Weapon, Pull It Off, Sony Music Philippines
FastJobs gives free Star City tickets to 200 families at Rizal Park in Malate, Manila
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Quibi Preps ‘Biggest Little Cook-Off’ Food Competition Series
‘Berlin Station’ Creator On Being Compared To ‘Homeland’: Show Depicts “Normal People With An Abnormal Job”
Amanda N'Duka
pmc-editorial-manager
More Stories By Amanda
‘When They See Us’ Stars On Its Emmy Noms: “The Title Came To Life”
Emmy Nominations Reactions: Rachel Brosnahan, Christina Applegate, Jared Harris, Ron Cephas Jones, More
EPIX’s original espionage intelligence drama Berlin Station follows Daniel Miller (Richard Armitage), who has just arrived at the CIA station in Berlin, Germany with a mission to determine the identity of a now-famous whistleblower masquerading as someone else. During the show’s presentation at the TCA conference – which also saw the unveiling of a new trailer which you can watch above – a question arose of whether there were any concerns to being compared to critically acclaimed drama Homeland, the fifth season of which also took place in Berlin.
Creator and EP Olen Steinhauer admitted to some initial concerns, as both shows center on intelligence, but maintained that the two shows were different. “A crucial difference ,” he pointed out, “is that in Homeland, you’re following Carrie. She is the focus. It is her drive that gets things done.” Steinhauer insisted that was “not how intelligence works.” “Intelligence is networking,” he contended. “Intelligence is multiple people working together. [Berlin Station] was always supposed to show how normal people with an abnormal job” function and “they have to work together… There are no superheroes. Intelligence is an ensemble.”
Starzplay Picks Up Epix's 'Pennyworth' In Slew Of International Territories
Another difference Steinhauer mentioned is in the portrayal of Berlin. “In Berlin Station, Berlin is a character,” he said. “This story can only happen in Berlin. We were insistent on keeping things real. We want Berliners to be able to watch this show and say ‘oh I know this place.’ Homeland’s Berlin could happen in any city. Berlin Station can only happen in one place.”
When asked about the concern over espionage content, particularly if there remain any more good stories since the fall of the Berlin Wall, EP/Showrunner Brad Winters was adamant that there still are stories left to tell about the city. “Berlin, being a city with such a layer of history just in the 20th Century alone, we found really lends itself to the espionage genre, which of course deals with such existential questions of human identity and the mask that we all wear, not just spies,” he said. In Berlin, he added, the creatives were able to find a vast number of “places to explore all those themes.” Winters continued, “When we told people about the show for the first time, everybody assumed it will be a period piece.” People “were surprised it was about contemporary Berlin. Part of that renewal is right in line with this show’s return to very classic form of the spy drama.”
Joining Steinhauer and Winters on the panel were EP Keith Redmon, and castmembers Richard Armitage (Daniel Miller), Rhys Ifans (Hector DeJean), Richard Jenkins (Steven Frost), Michelle Forbes (Valerie Edwards), Leland Orser (Robert Kirsch), Tamlyn Tomita (Sandra Abe), Mina Tander (Esther Krug).
The 10 hour-long episodes are set to air October 16.
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Darke and Taylor
Connected Excellence
Email: mail@darkeandtaylor.co.uk
People & Jobs
Thames Valley Young Apprentice Ambassador Launch
Posted on October 11th, 2018
Darke & Taylor MD Simon Newton, who is Chairman of the Thames Valley Apprentice Ambassador Network for Employers, hosted the launch of the Thames Valley Young Apprentice Ambassador Network at Pinewood Studios on 3rd October 2018. Read the press release below to find out more:
On Wednesday 3rd October the Thames Valley region launched its Young Apprentice Ambassador Network (YAAN), part of a national initiative to develop a community of inspiring, driven apprentices and former apprentices who have chosen to share their apprenticeship story with others.
The Thames Valley YAAN will work closely with four other regions in the South East to grow and expand the apprenticeship programme by engaging with and providing information to young people, schools, teachers and parents and to champion apprenticeships and inspire other young people by describing their direct experience.
Over 30 people attended the event which was held in the magnificent setting of the two wood panelled boardrooms within the 19th Century Heatherden Hall which is in the heart of the world-famous Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.
Attendees included a diverse range of employers from across the region, all of whom are members of the well-established Thames Valley Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN), representatives from all three Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in the region and most importantly a number of enthusiastic and driven young current and recent apprentices who are keen to share their story.
After some presentations and a buffet lunch, all the of the attendees took part in some workshop sessions to come up with inspirational phrases to help promote apprenticeships and to work on ideas as to how the YAAN can spread the word to those would can benefit from the amazing and diverse career opportunities that apprenticeships provide.
The day was a real success and a great opportunity for the network to gather some momentum. Luke Pearce, an apprentice at IBM, who has been appointed the Chair for the Thames Valley YAAN said “it was a fantastic launch and really helped me to understand not only what we are trying to achieve collectively, but also the other organisations that we can reach out to and combine our efforts with”
Simon Newton, MD of Darke & Taylor and Chair of the Thames Valley employers AAN, said “as a network of employers and Local Enterprise Partnerships we have been working closely for a number of years to help promote apprenticeships and we know that the YAAN will be a really important movement for championing apprenticeships. It was fantastic to have a number of really talented and current and recent apprentices at the launch, passionate about their careers and all with great ideas as to how we can increase engagement with young people, their families, schools and employers.”
To find out more about how you can get involved, click the logo below to take you to the YAAN section of the Amazing Apprenticeships website:
Accreditations and Memberships:
© 2018 Darke & Taylor | Legal & Privacy | Contact
Registered in England and Wales No: 999233 VAT No: 195082643
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DE117 Sherwinn “Dupes” Brice | Small Island Man’s Music Has Worldwide Appeal
Welcome back to dHarmic Evolution podcast with me, James Kevin O’Connor, singer/songwriter, audio/video artist, and master storyteller. Today we’re joined by Saint Lucian artist and producer, Sherwinn “Dupes” Brice!
Sherwinn brings us genre bending beats born from his island culture and given a modern pop flare. Yes, his multi-instrumentalism and soulful singing is impressive, but it doesn’t stop there – Sherwinn is a bonafide producer who takes his role in the music industry on his home island.
Sherwinn tells us all about life and music in Saint Lucia on this episode of dHarmic Evolution!
-A lesson in Saint Lucian culture!
-Partying in Saint Lucia!
-What it means to be a producer and artist In Saint Lucia.
-The importance of knowing local music lingo.
Sherwin Brice songs featured:
-Imagine
-Love Story
-Guilty
-Seasons
Follow Sherwinn “Dupes” Brice:
http://sherwinnbrice.com/
http://www.facebook.com/dupesdidit
http://www.twitter.com/dupesdiditmusic
Instragam:
http://www.instagram.com/dupesdiditmusic
http://www.youtube.com/dupesdidit
DE116 Jake Arch | Bringing Classic Country Music Into The Modern World
DE118 David Starr | Sweet Country Vibes From David Starr!
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Illinois during the Gilded Age (302) + -
Mark Twain's Mississippi (156) + -
Prairie Fire (1) + -
pictures (two-dimensional representations) (735) + -
maps (52) + -
manuscripts (document genre) (24) + -
announcements (18) + -
video recordings (12) + -
autobiographies (4) + -
sheet music (4) + -
advertisements (2) + -
obituaries (2) + -
advice literature (1) + -
Daily Illinois State Journal (150) + -
Harper's Weekly (139) + -
Daily Whig and Republican (112) + -
Rock Island Argus (95) + -
Cook, Frederick Francis (79) + -
Jonesboro Weekly Gazette (78) + -
Cairo War Eagle (56) + -
The Jonesboro Gazette (41) + -
Baker (18) + -
Western Engraving Company (18) + -
Jobe, W.F (14) + -
Ogden, H.; Fleming, T.; Weber, Waldo; McCullough, William A.; Meeker, E.J.; Goater, Walter; Redwood, A.C. (14) + -
Daily Illinois State Register (12) + -
Yates, Richard (11) + -
Illinois State Register' (8) + -
Buttre, John Chester, 1821-1893 (6) + -
Grant, Ulysses S (6) + -
De Kalb (Ill. : Township) (13) + -
Great Fire, Chicago, Ill., 1871 (1) + -
Transportation--United States--History--19th century (1) + -
'Great Union Mass Meeting At Jacksonville' in the 'Illinois Daily State Journal, 25 October 1864'
'Glorious News From Halleck's Army' in the 'Illinois State Journal, 05 June 1862'
'Forward to Richmond' in the 'Rock Island Argus, 24 July 1861'
'Col. White's Letter' in the 'Rock Island Argus, 11 December 1861'
'Mayor Monroe and his Correspondence' in the 'Illinois State Journal, 07 May 1862'
'Abraham Lincoln to Gen. E. O. C. Ord' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln'
'From the 119th Regiment' in the 'Quincy Daily Whig and Republican, 23 March 1864'
'The News' in the 'Illinois State Register, 21 June 1864'
'From the Sixty-Second Regiment' in 'The Jonesboro Gazette, 01 November 1862'
'The War on Secretary Stanton' in the 'Quincy Daily Whig and Republican, 14 July 1862'
'The Battle-Field of Antietam' in the 'Quincy Daily Whig and Republican, 29 September 1862'
'Pay, Rations, and Clothing of the Army' in the 'Rock Island Argus, 01 May 1861'
'The Naval Fight Near Vicksburg.' in the 'Illinois State Register, 22 July 1862'
'The New Call For Troops' in the 'Illinois Daily State Journal, 20 July 1864'
'Traitors Carrying it with a High Hand' in the 'Daily Illinois State Journal, 10 April 1863'
Reminiscences Of An Indianian from the Sassafras Log Behind the Barn in Posey County to Broader Fields
'By Telegraph' in the 'Rock Island Argus, 09 April 1862'
'Saturday, November 29' in 'The Jonesboro Gazette, 29 November 1862'
'Washington, May 13' in the 'Quincy Daily Whig and Republican, 14 May 1864'
'Belmont, from the Rebel Side' in the 'Illinois Daily State Journal, 16 November 1861'
'Later from Fred'sbr'g' in the 'Daily Whig and Republican, 04 May 1863'
'Affairs before Fredericksburg' in the 'Illinois State Journal, 17 December 1862'
'Affliction in the President's Family' in the 'Illinois State Journal, 24 February 1862'
'Untitled' in the 'Illinois State Register, 07 January 1864'
'Negro Immigration' in the 'Illinois State Journal, 03 November 1862'
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Kitty Cotter
Assistant Secretaries:
Chrissie Carroll & Rose Hurley
Mr. Martin Gildea MRCVS
Vice Presidents:
Jerh. O'Mahony, Paddy Kelly
Mr. Reggie Chambers
Vice Chairman:
Mr. Seamus Crowley
Treasurers:
Mrs. Vesta Kingston, Ms. Bernadette Carroll
General Committee:
T. O'Mahony, P. Kelly, D. Deasy, T. O'Leary, B. Crowley, J. Crowley, C. Cotter, M. O'Neill, B. Patterson, C. O'Mahony, D. McCarthy, B. Collins, R. Chambers, J. O'Mahony, D. O'Donovan, G. Deane, C. Deane, D.T. Donovan, S. Jennings, J.F. Crowley, Ml. Cotter, S. Crowley, J. Walsh, B. O'Sullivan, P. O'Sullivan, A. Chambers, J. Cullinane, J. Higgins, C. McCarthy, P. White, Ml. O'Sullivan, P. Corcoran, R. Patterson, V. Jennings, P. McCarthy, E. Chambers, K. Cotter, V. Kingston, I. Deane, C. Cotter, B. Crowley, B. Collins, N. Gildea, M. Higgins, M. White, O. Kingston, C. Corcoran, L. Patterson, N. Walsh, R. Hurley, B. Carroll, C. Carroll, F. Hurley. T. Farrell
Horse Committee:
C. O'Mahony, J. Walsh, C. McCarthy, P. Kelly, B. Walsh,
J. Crowley, N. Walsh
Cattle Committee:
B. Collins, R. Chambers, P. White, D. O'Donvan, J.F. Crowley, T. O'Leary, S. Jennings, S. Crowley
Sheep Committee:
A. Chambers, S. Jennings, A. O'Driscoll
Dog Committee:
Mairead Higgins, Carmel Foynes
Chief Safety Officers:
John Walsh, Sam Jennings
Safety Officers:
Seamus Crowley, Sam Jennings, John Walsh, Michael Cotter
Domestic Arts Committee:
V. Jennings, P. McCarthy, E. Chambers, K. Cotter, V. Kingston, I. Deane, B. Crowley, B. Collins, N. Gildea, M. Higgins, O. Kingston, L. Patterson, N. Walsh, R. Hurley, B. Carroll, C. Carroll, C. Foynes, M. McCarthy
Honorary Member:
Mavoureen Smith
P.R.O.:
Enid Chambers
Hon. Vet. Surgeons:
Carbery Veterinary Clinic, Dunmanway
Autitors:
Kerry Lehane & Co., Dun Mhuire House, Kilbarry Road, Dunmanway
Bankers:
A.I.B, East Green, Dunmanway
Bank of Ireland, Dunmanway
Gate Stewards:
P. O' Sullivan, S. Crowley, J.J. Cahalane, J. Crowley, D. O'Driscoll, J. Galvin, Ml. O' Sullivan
Parking Stewards:
J. Cullinane, T. O'Leary, C. McCarthy, J. Walsh, T. Fuller, D. O'Leary, P. Corcoran
Liaison Officers:
Seamus Crowley, John Finbarr Crowley
Web Administrator:
Catherine Cotter
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Los espíritus del aire==Skinwalkers [Spanish, paperback, 1990]
Spanish [Spain]
Barcelona: Versal, 1990.
This is the Spanish paperback edition of Skinwalkers, the seventh book in Hillerman's Navajo Mystery Series. This edition was published in 1990 by Ediciones Versal in Barcelona, Spain. The text was translated into Spanish by Marco Aurelio Galmarini with the title translated as "The Spirits of the Air." The cover was designed by Joan Batallé.
CRIMEN & CIA. | [rule] | SERIE MAYOR | Tony Hillerman | Los espíritus | del aire | [vertical] VERSAL
[1] blank, [2] blank, [3] half title Tony Hillerman Los espíritus del aire, [4] blank, [5] title page, [6] statement of fiction, copyright and publisher's imprint, [7] dedication, [8] blank, [9] Author's Note, [10] blank, [11] quote by Alex Etcitty, [12] blank, 13-198 text, [199-200] blank
Format: Paperback, 21 x 13 cm./li>
Binding: Paper covers printed in black and white with the series name printed in yellow and part of the cover art printed in red. The title, author and publisher are printed vertically in black on the spine. The front cover contains a fold out section that provides a short bio of Tony Hillerman and the back cover contains a fold out section that lists other titles available from Versal.
Collation: [1-12] 13-198 [199-200]
Price: No Price Indicated
Hieb, 1990: A9l
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Perspective: Tesla’s Model Y is exactly what we expected, and that’s okay
Jameson Dow
- Mar. 15th 2019 2:57 pm ET
Last night we saw our first glimpse of the upcoming Tesla Model Y at Tesla’s Design Studio in Hawthorne California.
The reveal was similar to other Tesla events in the past. Press, Tesla employees and faithful customers collected in the old Northrop hanger next to the Hawthorne airport to see a new vehicle. The lights were dim and red, the food was present but perhaps a little underwhelming, and the event didn’t quite start on time.
Then CEO Elon Musk took the stage and started his speech. Previously, when Tesla has faced challenges, Musk has seen it fit to remind the public in his presentations about the challenges Tesla has faced and overcome before, and last night was no different. We were treated to a long speech about the history of Tesla and how it got to where it is today. Then the Model Y rolled out, we went over a few specs, and the crowd broke to take test rides of the few prototypes Tesla had brought to the event.
Another *similarity* to other Tesla events is: Tesla stuck to what they planned to reveal. It may seem strange that I’m calling this a “similarity,” considering Tesla’s last big reveal did include a Jobsian “one more thing” at the end, unveiling the next-generation Tesla Roadster. But that event was the exception that proves the rule, because prior to that event, all of Tesla’s events have done exactly what it says on the tin.
At the Model S event, they unveiled the Model S. At the Model X event, they unveiled the Model X. At the D event, Tesla was being coy about what they were going to unveil, but expectations among Tesla fans were that it would unveil dual-motor cars and some sort of driver-assist capability, and that’s what they unveiled. And at the Model 3 event, they unveiled the Model 3.
So it should have been expected that Tesla would show what they said they would show. Nevertheless, the mood in the room was one of giddy excitement at being the first to see the “surprise.” In the shuttle on the way over, a Tesla fan was asking our driver if we’d get to see the pickup truck (later, rumors swirled in the crowd that a photo was secretly shown after the presentation, and Musk was happy to stoke the fire on twitter). At the event, people were wondering if the Roadster with SpaceX options package would somehow fly into the room. In text messages, friends of mine suggested that Tesla maybe had found a new CEO. HW3, Model S/X refresh, etc etc. Speculation was rampant.
When Musk’s speech was over, the whole crowd stood still, instead of breaking to partake in the food and beverages and test drives Tesla was providing, everyone lingered in disbelief that they were presented with only one new product to salivate over. The crowd stood still for long enough that Tesla design chief Franz Von Holzhausen had to come out, sans microphone, and remind everyone that it would be prudent to head outside for test rides before the line got too long.
And in the end – Tesla showed us what they said they would show us. The new Tesla Model Y, which is 10% bigger, 10% less quick, 10% more expensive and has 10% less range than the best car ever made.
Then, despite us seeing and experiencing (on a very short drive up and down Jack Northrop Avenue) this iteration on the best car ever made, we returned home to find that the internet was apparently disappointed by the reveal. Why no new news? Why no “one more thing?”
There’s a saying in stock trading: “Buy the rumor, sell the news.” When an announcement is upcoming, theories fly as to what it will be. Everyone has their pet idea. Ten different people will have ten different things they’re excited to hear about. They all get excited and buy the stock thinking that they know the secret and when the world is made aware of it, everyone will be as excited as they are.
And then the announcement happens, and it turns out that one of those people was right and nine of them were wrong. So those nine people sell, thinking it’s the end of the world that the company was stupid enough not to announce their pet idea, while the one person who guessed it right wonders why anyone else is disappointed. And the market tumbles and everyone takes it as a sign that the announcement wasn’t any good because those other nine people didn’t get their fantasies fulfilled.
This is what we’ve just seen with Tesla. Tesla took a great car, modified it for a different (very popular) market, and released exactly what they said they would. It’s a Model 3 for people who prefer crossovers to sedans. The Model Y is gonna cost a reasonable amount and have option packages that are a little more tempting to spend money on than you wish they were. It fits 7 people (probably as long as two of them are kinda small), it’s got a more traditional hatch so you can fit slightly taller things in it or put your dog in the back(!), but it still feels like a Tesla to drive.
So, a little perspective here. Tesla took an extraordinary, revolutionary product and iterated on it to make a product that’s just as good but appeals to a different buyer. And that’s okay.
Tesla is a transportation and energy company. It sells vehicles under its 'Tesla Motors' division and stationary battery pack for home, commercial and utility-scale projects under its 'Tesla Energy' division.
The Model Y is Tesla's upcoming all-electric compact SUV built on its third generation vehicle platform.
Jameson has been driving electric vehicles since 2009, and has been writing about them and about clean energy for electrek.co since 2016.
You can contact him at jamie@electrek.co
Jameson Dow's favorite gear
Use our Tesla Referral Code for 1,000 miles of free supercharging when purchasing a new Tesla.
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Half-Life 2 Hidden: Source mod
By The Hidden Team | June 22, 2005
In the early 1950's human genetics experimentation was taking its first, a team of British scientists working at a Infinitum Research experimental station stumbled across some remarkable phenomenon involving DNA manipulation. Time passed on, and by the mid 1990's the failure rate of the experiments had been reduced from 75% to a mere 15%, enough for Infinitum to move onto the next stage, Biological Light Refraction. Early into the new millennium, due to a gross miscalculation, a series of tests on Subject 617 led to a massive synaptic trauma leaving the patient with multiple genetic anomalies.The subject was left in constant pain and with unstable DNA. It escaped captivity, killing anyone that got in its way. The I.R.I.S (Infinitum Research Intercept Squad) team has been deployed to return the subject to a maximum security Infinitum Research facility for further study and dissection. As I.R.I. team closes its net, subject 617, known as "The Hidden," must turn the tables on the team, becoming the hunter instead of the hunted!This release of the mod Hidden: Source includes 5 maps and two playable classes. The players must hunt down subject 617, a hidden player with enchanced abilities. In turn, 617 must prey on the other players.
Windows XP Windows 98 Windows 2000 Windows Windows Me
Windows 98/Me/2000/XP, Half-Life 2 full version
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DPAC Briefing Notes: DLA Abolition
All Posts, Disability Rights, DLA, DPAC briefing notes, Welfare reforms No Responses »
DISABLED PEOPLE AGAINST CUTS (DPAC)
www.dpac.uk.net
Briefing Notes DLA Abolition.
Contact – Linda Burnip DPAC co-founder
linda_burnip@yahoo.co.uk
Debbie Jolly, DPAC co-founder
mail@dpac.uk.net
Background to the Abolition of Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance was introduced in 1992 to provide support with the extra costs of living that disabled people face.
In the Budget (June 2010) and Comprehensive Spending Review (October 2010) the new Condem government announced its intention to arbitrarily cut spending on Disability Living Allowance by 20 per cent or remove eligibility from half a million disabled people.
In December 2010, government then published its detailed plans to abolish Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and introduce Personal Independence Payment (PIP), for those of working age from 2013-14. This is in spite of the fact that the fraud rate is only 0.5%.
The government said that the changes to the assessment and eligibility would be the means through which a 20 per cent cut in spend and recipient numbers would be achieved. By 2016 this cut was intended to amount to savings of £2.6bn annually.
The government has said that it wants a more ‘objective’ assessment a statement driven by the political goal of lowering the spend on DLA, as there is little evidence of unnecessary payments: fraud rates for DLA are low at only 0.5%[1]. This indicates there is sufficient rigor and objectivity under the present DLA assessment system. In addition only about 50% of DLA claimants are successful and in 2008 49% of appeals were turned down, which also suggests that the assessment is rigorous.
“The new benefit will have two components, linked to a range of activities that will be considered in the new assessment. One will be awarded on the basis of the individual’s ability to get around (the mobility component), the other on their ability to carry out other key activities necessary to be able to participate in daily life (the daily living component).”
The government continue to echo the notion that support should go to those “who face the greatest need”. However they do not justify how they intend to equate ‘greatest need’ with enabling disabled people to fully participate within society and DPAC has concerns that any such false distinction will simply further the notions of the ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ disabled.
The policy goal which frames the PIP assessment criteria DPAC would argue is totally flawed. We believe that the proposal for PIP is driven by a cost cutting agenda and a predetermined goal of cutting spend by 20 per cent, rather than any kind of objective assessment of need of support to cover disabled people’s extra costs of living.
Maria Miller has once more stated that the cost of supporting disabled people is unsustainable but that “The Coalition Government is committed to helping disabled people to exercise choice and control over their lives and ” “We have been absolutely clear that our welfare reform plans are designed to protect people in the most vulnerable situations, including disabled people.”
However in reality both the work capability assessment for ESA and the proposed planned changes of replacing DLA with a Personal Independence Payment are simply designed to reduce the number of people whose disability is recognised by this government.
We further believe that government ministers have continually created confusion over DLA by linking it to a goal of encouraging people to be in work. DLA is not an out-of-work benefit and people can receive it whether in or out of paid work. For many disabled people DLA is what allows them to be able to work and without it they will no longer be able to continue in employment.
Assessment development group
The government formed an ‘Assessment Development Group’ to design the assessment, comprising The government’s ‘Assessment Development Group’ which drew up the draft assessment has ten health and social care professionals plus government officials, yet only one person representing disabled people. Since the numbers of health professionals and officials heavily outweighed the number of disabled people present, it is not surprising that the group was able to come to a ‘broad agreement’ on the proposed assessment.
If more disabled people had had been present it is doubtful that such a medicalised/ functional ability type of assessment would have been agreed on. Disabled people should have been fully involved in this decision making process at the early stage of discussion, i.e. as members of the Assessment Development Group in at least an equal number of disabled people representing disabled people’s organisations as government and other officials.
Article 4 of the UNCRPD states; the general obligation on government to consult with disabled people, before not after decisions or policies are changed.
This lack of early involvement is compounded by the government ignoring the concerns raised by disabled people and their organisations via consultation responses by refusing to amend the Welfare Reform Bill sufficiently to address these concerns.
PIP components and eligibility assessment
PIP Components
Personal Independence Payment will have two components:
Each component has two rates rather than the existing three rates:
daily living component standard rate
daily living component enhanced rate
mobility component standard rate
mobility component enhanced rate
PIP Eligibility Assessment
Activities for daily living and mobility
The new assessment will cover activities for daily living and mobility. To qualify for PIP disabled people will need to score enough points in the following daily living and/or mobility activities:
Daily Living Activities:
planning and buying food and drink
preparing and cooking
taking nutrition
managing medication and monitoring health conditions
managing prescribed therapies other than medication
washing, bathing and grooming
managing toilet needs or incontinence
dressing and undressing
communicating with others
The mobility activities:
planning and following a journey
The number of points scored will dictate whether a claimant is assessed as having a ‘limited ability’ or ‘severely limited ability’ to carry out daily living activities and/or mobility activities. The score will also dictate whether a claimant will receive the standard or enhanced rate of the Daily Living component.[2]
PROBLEMS WITH PIP
In order to receive PIP disabled people must be aged between 16 and 65 years and satisfy the daily living and/or mobility activities test for 3 months prior to claiming and be likely to continue to satisfy this test for a period of at least 6 months after claiming.
It remains very unclear what will happen to anyone who becomes 65 and is in receipt of the mobility component of PIP as they would have to claim Attendance Allowance which has no mobility component. (currently anyone in receipt of DLA mobility component who becomes 65 continues to receive this). DPAC is therefore concerned that any older disabled people will lose their independence simply because they have reached the age of 65.
There is also no clarity about what will happen when someone is admitted to hospital for any length of time but with the proposals for PIP as they now stand it would seem that even a very short stay in hospital could result in someone losing their mobility cars, plus any equipment such as wheelchairs or hoists and other essential equipment they may be using PIP to pay for.
Government guidance on DLA states that ‘Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is not based on your disability but the needs arising from it’. This is not reflected in PIP and the assessment involves a rigid and crude set of questions which examines what a disabled person cannot or can do from a prescribed list that only covers basic mobility activities and daily living activities. This method of assessment follows the medical model of disability.
The Work Capability Assessment was described by Professor Harrington as ‘impersonal and mechanistic’ [3] and has resulted in many flawed decisions, which have been over turned on appeal. It is deeply worrying that the government appears be adopting a similar rigid assessment for PIP.
The estimate for ESA tribunal appeals for 2012-2013 is £50 million and the backlog of cases is so long that tribunals are sitting even on Sundays so the logic behind also adopting a similarly flawed assessment process for PIP remains unclear to DPAC.
The cost of changing from DLA to PIP has also been estimated to be £65 million and on top of that there are plans to regularly re-assess even claimants whose condition will never improve. Not only does this seem a waste of money but it will add unfair additional stress to the lives of people who are already struggling to overcome the disabling barriers put in their way on a daily basis.
DLA acts as a passport to other welfare benefits and concessions such as the Blue Badge, loss of which will increase the impact of losing DLA. We feel the government have failed to consider how these passporting functions will be replaced if PIP is introduced.
Higher rate care component of DLA has passported disabled people to eligibility for funding for care and support from the Independent Living Fund although this is also now closed to new applicants and due to close completely by 2015.
Being in receipt of higher and middle rate care components of DLA has also passported disabled people to additional disability premiums in both Income Support and Housing Benefits. These premiums are now also planned to be abolished with no clear guidance on what these additional amounts of funding will be replaced by or how people will become eligible for any additional amounts of basic benefits.
Many disabled people will live in increased poverty because of the new assessment. The government has not sufficiently tested what the impact on those losing DLA will be. In particular the cumulative impact of benefit changes remains unknown.
By depriving disabled people of a much needed benefit we believe the government is failing in their duty under the Equality Act and its responsibilities under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The assessment of mobility impairment is ridiculously crude and neither allows for cumulative impact, fluctuation in factors such as stiffness and pain, nor for factors such as steps. A person may be able to walk 50 or 200 metres on one day but none on another. They may be able to walk short distances on a flat surface but be unable to walk up and down steps to access buses and tube trains safely. An assessment of these factors is needed.
Many claimants with Neuro-diverse and Mental Health conditions also say that while they can plan a journey the stress and anxiety involved in making such a planned journey has simply been ignored and that they can physically only carry out the planned journey if they have support from another person to do so. This is another group of disabled people whose real needs will be ignored by changes to PIP>
Claimants with conditions such as arthritis or osteoporosis may be able to complete a one off physical task, but completing several tasks over the course of a day can have a cumulative effect and increase pain and immobility to totally debilitating levels. Additional consideration of the impact of pain and fatigue is essential.
Again many claimants with Neuro-diverse and Mental Health conditions can physically cook a meal but find that to do so is stressful and exhausting for them so in reality they are not able to prepare and cook a meal.
Disabled people are already twice as likely to live in poverty as non-disabled people. Far from the intention to ‘improve the support for disabled people and better enable them to lead full, active and independent lives’, these proposals will lead to an increase in disabled people’s poverty and isolation. Therefore DPAC is strongly opposed to the introduction of PIP and the eligibility assessment.
The government’s work and pensions select committee recognised that many more disabled people need to be lifted out of poverty and recommended a DLA awareness campaign.
DLA supports disabled people to become more equal and independent. Instead of attacking DLA, which supports independence (including helping to overcome barriers that prevent some people taking up employment), government should be doing more to stimulate demand in the economy so that jobs are available and to tackle discrimination by employers by vigorously enforcing the Equality Act 2010.
Posted by admin at 20:37 Tagged with: DLA abolition, DPAC briefing notes, PIP
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Saying we are a "Leading Authority" actually means something!
When we say we are leading authorities, we are not just referring to the Treasure Valley or the state of Idaho, but throughout the country and we don't take it lightly. We walk the walk and talk the talk and have decades in the saddle. Our practical experience and theoretical knowledge is what makes us incredibly unique. It would be hard to find people with our background, knowledge, experience and accomplishments anywhere in the country!
Master Degrees, President of a National Professional Organization,
Multiple National Championships, Multiple World Records
The list goes on and on...
Matt, on set at Bodybuilding.com, shooting a video for a nation wide
course on Movement Education and Athletic Development
Matt Wattles, MS, Pn1
Head Strength Coach / Owner
Matt is the head Strength & Conditioning Coach and owner of Competitive Edge - Athletic Performance Center. He has a masters degree in Exercise Science and over 25 years experience in strength and conditioning and nutrition as both an athlete and coach/trainer. Matt is a Past President of the American Society of Exercise Physiologist (ASEP), has published numerous articles in professional and research journals and been an invited presenter at national conferences throughout the country. He has founded two companies and owns 2 exercise and rehabilitation patents.
As a Strength Coach, Matt has helped hundreds of athletes earn college scholarships as well as having worked with numerous professional and world class strength athletes.
Matt's practical experience, theoretical knowledge and immense background puts him on par with the very best in the athletic performance world.
Amy Wattles, Ed.S.
Amy has set her self apart and is considered one of the TOP female strength athletes in the world! She holds numerous world records and has won numerous national championships. Amy is a professional strongwoman, and also competes in Highland Games, Mas Wrestling and Grip. In addition to her background in strength athletics, Amy is a Special Education Teacher in the Treasure Valley. Amy does an outstanding job working with children of all ages.
Amy is a Sponsored Athlete and member of Team EliteFTS. EliteFTS is the gold standard for athletes in the strength world. She has written hundreds of articles, posts and blogs in the world of strength and athletics. You can read her articles and posts at Elitefts.com
Amy's Highlights
Professional Strongwoman (ASC Pro card)
Team EliteFTS Sponsored Athlete
Cellucor Sports Nutrition - Sponsored Athlete
Mas Wrestling Women’s National Champion
US Grip Women’s National Champion
North American Highlander Association (NAHA) Women’s National Champion
World Strongwoman Championship, 6th place (2008)
2017 - Invited to World's Strongest Women
World records in grip: Amy holds multiple records, including Ironminds: Apollon Axle Double Overhand Deadlift, Hub, COC Silver Bullet Hold & Little Big Horn
Second woman in the world to certify on the Ironmind Captains of Crush #2 gripper
Featured in Milo’s September 2013 issue, “Amy Wattles: America’s New Grip Queen”
Qualified for 2013 World Strongwoman Championship & 2014 Arnold Strongman Amateur World Championship
Masters of Arts – Special Education
Education Specialist Degree – Educational Leadership
Dave Tate
Founder and CEO of elitefts.com
" Selecting team members at elitefts™ isn't taken lightly. We use a very detailed process including competitive history, background checks, interviews, referrals, and spend a great deal of time looking for all the reasons they should not become a member of team. This is a 6-8 person process than can take between 4-6 months. It is our goal to bring in the best of the best. By this we do not necessarily mean the #1 ranked competitor or the most the one who has the most programming knowledge. Best of the Best means they are the total package and possess the ability to help educated and coach our readers to the next level. Amy encompasses our passion to Live, Learn and Pass On and has my highest endorsement."
- Dave Tate founder and CEO Elitefts.com Inc
Matt - Heavy Deadlifts
Matt - SSB Box Squats
Matt - Focusing for a heavy bench
Matt - In Competition
Entertainment at Weddings!
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Local World Sports Entertainment Business Lifestyle Travel
Local World Sports Entertainment Business Lifestyle Travel Maldive Islands
date_range Wednesday 17 Jul 2019
Dhivehi Edition +
Suicide bombing at mosque in Afghanistan kills at least 29
Soldiers secure the road to the mosque. (Photo/EPA)
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Two suicide bombers attacked a Shiite mosque in eastern Afghanistan during Friday prayers, killing at least 29 people and wounding another 81, officials said.
Abdullah Asrat, spokesman for the governor of Paktia province, said the heavily armed attackers, disguised in the all-encompassing burkas worn by conservative Afghan women, opened fire on private security guards outside the mosque in the city of Gardez. Then they slipped inside and set off their explosives among around 100 worshippers.
Five of the seriously wounded were small children, he said.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan has targeted Shiite worshippers in the past. The group has also warned Afghanistan's minority Shiites that their houses of worship would be targeted.
Syed Sufi Gardezi, the most senior Shiite cleric in Gardez, put the death toll at 30. He described a scene of panic and distress outside the Imam-e-Zaman mosque as news of the explosion spread and relatives gathered.
Gardezi said the wounded were screaming for help and body parts of the dead were scattered throughout the single story mosque. The dead were all men and boys, he said.
Dr. Mohammad Wali Roshan, a physician at a local hospital, said some of the relatives, armed with sticks and guns, were furious at the lack of security and began beating people, even medical personnel who arrived to help the wounded.
"They were shouting that there was no security and screaming for their loved ones," he told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.
Gardezi blamed the Islamic State affiliate. He said the Taliban have a strong presence in the area but have never attacked Shiites in the past and have never threatened them.
Both the Taliban and the Islamic State group are made up of radical Sunni Muslims who want to overthrow the Western-backed government and impose a harsh form of Islamic law. But they are fiercely divided over leadership, ideology and tactics, and have clashed on a number of occasions. IS views Shiites as apostates deserving of death.
In the last two years, IS has attacked 24 Shiite cultural centers, mosques and schools, said Mohammad Jawad Ghawary, a member of the Shiite cleric council.
"In Afghanistan they are the biggest threat for Shiites," he said. He called on the Afghan government and the international community to do more to protect Shiites.
Suicide Bombing
Nearly 30 people killed in brazen attack in Kabul
Suicide bomber targets clerics in Kabul, 50 killed
Female suicide bomber wounds 9 in Tunisia's capital
Mass protests over traffic deaths paralyze Dhaka
World News South East Asia Asia Suicide Bombing Terrorism Afghanistan Bombing
G. Viyavathi
Kashimaa Hingun
Malé Maldives
20047 Tel : 3312747
Fax : 3312747
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Ibm builds biggest data drive ever
The system could enable detailed simulations of real-world phenomena – or store 24 billion MP3s.
August 25, 2011, By Tom Simonite
A data repository almost 10 times bigger than any made before is being built by researchers at IBM’s Almaden, California, research lab. The 120 petabyte “drive” – that’s 120 million gigabytes – is made up of 200,000 conventional hard disk drives working together. The giant data container is expected to store around one trillion files and should provide the space needed to allow more powerful simulations of complex systems, like those used to model weather and climate.
A 120 petabyte drive could hold 24 billion typical five-megabyte MP3 files or comfortably swallow 60 copies of the biggest backup of the Web, the 150 billion pages that make up the Internet Archive’s WayBack Machine.
The data storage group at IBM Almaden is developing the record-breaking
storage system for an unnamed client that needs a new supercomputer for detailed simulations of real-world phenomena. However, the new technologies developed to build such a large repository could enable similar systems for more conventional commercial computing, says Bruce Hillsberg, director of storage research at IBM and leader of the project.
“This 120 petabyte system is on the lunatic fringe now, but in a few years it may be that all cloud computing systems are like it,” Hillsberg says. Just keeping track of the names, types, and other attributes of the files stored in the system will consume around two petabytes of its capacity.
Steve Conway, a vice president of research with the analyst firm IDC who specializes in high-performance computing (HPC), says IBM’s repository is significantly bigger than previous storage systems. “A 120-petabye storage array would easily be the largest I’ve encountered,” he says. The largest arrays available today are about 15 petabytes in size. Supercomputing problems that could benefit from more data storage include weather forecasts, seismic processing in the petroleum industry, and molecular studies of genomes or proteins, says Conway.
IBM’s engineers developed a series of new hardware and software techniques to enable such a large hike in data-storage capacity. Finding a way to efficiently combine the thousands of hard drives that the system is built from was one challenge. As in most data centers, the drives sit in horizontal drawers stacked inside tall racks. Yet IBM’s researchers had to make those significantly wider than usual to fit more disks into a smaller area. The disks must be cooled with circulating water rather than standard fans.
The inevitable failures that occur regularly in such a large collection of disks present another major challenge, says Hillsberg. IBM uses the standard tactic of storing multiple copies of data on different disks, but it employs new refinements that allow a supercomputer to keep working at almost full speed even when a drive breaks down.
When a lone disk dies, the system pulls data from other drives and writes it to the disk’s replacement slowly, so the supercomputer can continue working. If more failures occur among nearby drives, the rebuilding process speeds up to avoid the possibility that yet another failure occurs and wipes out some data permanently. Hillsberg says that the result is a system that should not lose any data for a million years without making any compromises on performance.
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Hot data Some simple, cheap measures could help protect personal data. The theft of data, often involving personal information about customers and employees, is increasing dangerously fast....
Data and processes in computing Introduction This unit provides an introduction to data and processes in software, and provides a basis that enables these fundamental ideas to be developed in...
Bio-inspired computer networks PERPLEXUS project works to develop networks that self-organize and learn Powerful computers made up of physically separate modules, self-organizing networks, and computing inspired by biological...
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Data-oriented design Data-Oriented Design (Or Why You Might Be Shooting Yourself in The Foot With OOP) Picture this: Toward the end of the development cycle, your game...
Japan to release secret radiation data despite fear of mass panic Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 at 6:20 am UTC Japanese officials say they will begin releasing data on the potential spread of radiation from the Fukushima...
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Kids encouraged to play video games in school
Media release |July 06 2018
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner is today launching a new video game, The Lost Summer, designed for students to play in the classroom to help encourage digital intelligence and online safety skills.
“The Lost Summer is a fun and engaging way to get young Australians thinking about the social and emotional skills they need to navigate the online world safely,” says eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant.
Aimed at 11 to 14-year-olds, The Lost Summer immerses players in a futuristic environment where they are required to exercise skills such as critical thinking, empathy, resilience, respect and responsibility to complete challenges and advance through the game.
Recent research from the eSafety Office shows an estimated 81 per cent of Australian young people aged between 8 and 17 have played games online in the past 12 months.
“We know that online gaming is hugely popular among young people,” says Inman Grant. “We’ve created a gamified experience that is engaging and will resonate with young people as they learn the importance of digital intelligence,”
“Unfortunately, the increasing popularity of online gaming has also given rise to some negative experiences for young people, particularly in-game bullying,” says Inman Grant.
Research from the eSafety Office also shows that 17 per cent of those aged 8 to 17 who play multiplayer games online were bullied or abused during gameplay.
“Young people are bound to encounter negative online experiences—it’s not ‘if’ but ‘when’,” says Inman Grant. “We need to provide young people with solution-focused strategies to ensure they can bounce back from tough situations,” says Inman Grant.
“The Lost Summer encourages young people to exercise essential skills like critical thinking, resilience and empathy, empowering them to be agents of positive change online.”
Hundreds of Australian school students from a range of backgrounds participated in user testing during the game’s development, contributing unique insights and helping build a resource that resonates with both students and educators.
The Lost Summer game will be officially launched today at an interactive event in Sydney’s west, with 60 students from local high schools participating. Prominent gaming influencer and former ABC Good Game presenter Stephanie ‘Hex’ Bendixsen will emcee the event.
The Lost Summer is now available to download for free from the App Store, Google Play or for desktop at esafety.gov.au/tls
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jordan Newnham
02 9334 7875 and 0466 495 845 or media@esafety.gov.au
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Exhibition Tour: what do I say to strangers
with Shauna Thompson
The works in Among All These Tundras embrace and address concepts of language, land, sovereignty, and home. Join Curator Shauna Thompson for a tour through the works in this exhibition as we consider how these four concepts can be tied to processes of revitalization, history and change, tradition and contemporaneity, and locating a sense of belonging.
July 28th, 2019 at 1-2pm
ᐊᕙᑖᓂᑦᑕᒪᐃᓐᓂᑦᓄᓇᑐᐃᓐᓇᓂᑦ Among All These Tundras
Among All These Tundras, a title taken from the poem ‘My Home is in My Heart’ by famed Sámi writer Nils-Aslak Valkeapää, features contemporary art by Indigenous artists from around the circumpolar world. Together, their works politically and poetically express current Arctic concerns towards land, language, sovereignty and resurgence. Artists from throughout the circumpolar north share kinship with each other and their ancestors, love for their homelands, and respect for the land and its inhabitants.
CHANNEL 51: IGLOOLIK – Celebrating 30 Years of Inuit Video Art
Esker Foundation is pleased to present selected films from the first large-scale tour of Igloolik Inuit video art from the Isuma and Arnait Women’s Video collective, a collection of over 40 works (short films, documentaries, and feature films) from 1987 to today. It is the product of a 30-year filmmaking practice rooted in Inuit values of consensus, working together, service to the community, and cultural authenticity. It is also a non-hierarchical collaborative artistic vision developed by eight celebrated video artists (six Inuit and two non-Inuit): Zacharias Kunuk, Paul Apak Angilirq, Pauloosie Qulitalik, Madeline Ivalu, Susan Avingaq, Mary Kunuk, Norman Cohn, and Marie- Hélène Cousineau. This collection highlights the unique power of Inuit filmmaking: an approach that challenges individualistic notions of the “artist,” and centers itself in an ethical obligation to serve Inuit first through thoughtful self-representation. Beyond the immediate social effects of cultural production and cooperation, the work of Isuma and Arnait is also a model for how non-Indigenous artists can contribute to decolonial artistic practice.
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Jupiter CEO says asset managers are on the cusp of a revolution
March 14, 2018 87 No comment
The chief executive of London-listed Jupiter Fund Management has said the asset management industry is on the "cusp of a significant change".
Speaking at an event this morning hosted by Byhiras, a fintech firm which provides accountability and transparency across the industry, Edward Bonham Carter said that financial technology and machine learning would play a big part in the "revolution" of asset management.
Former banker Lord Mervyn Davies said Andrew Bailey, the head of UK regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is "clearly looking at this industry and saying it needs to change".
Read more: Asset manager consolidation continues as Franklin Templeton swallows up Edinburgh Partners
But Bonham Carter said that change would happen whether regulators intervened or not, adding that there would be a "substantial reduction" in headcount in asset management.
"Is it a slow, inert industry that has arguably been buoyed up by high profits? Yes. Is it an industry that's going to look very different in 10 years' time? Yes, with or without regulators," said Bonham Carter.
Lord Adair Turner, former head of the FCA's predecessor the Financial Services Authority, echoed the sentiments. "I'm an optimist about the asset management industry, in that in 10 years' time it will be performing a very important function but doing much better than it does at the moment," he said.
"I think it has been an industry that is slow to change for two reasons: the lack of transparency or the difficulty to understand it – the difficulty of empowering customers – and the fact that the industry is organised in multiple steps in the chain. There are lots of principal-agent relationships and no one in charge of the total business."
Read more: Banks and asset managers on the prowl for fintech firms with buying spree ahead
Asset managers positive, but worried about regulation
Meanwhile a survey released by accountants PwC today showed that global asset and wealth managers are confident about revenue growth in 2018, although slightly less so than last year.
A total of 87 per cent of respondents were bullish on the year ahead, down from 92 per cent in 2017.
Chief executives at the firms named over-regulation, geopolitical uncertainty and tax changes as their biggest concerns, as the second Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (Mifid II) has been squeezing margins in the UK and continental Europe.
Though 70 per cent echoed Bonham Carter's thoughts that changes in core technologies will prove "disruptive or very disruptive" over the next five years, only 38 per cent believed that robotics and alternative intelligence (AI) can improve the consumer experience.
Read more: Financial watchdog's push for reform of the £7 trillion asset management industry could sideline active funds
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Meanwhile a survey released by accountants PwC today showed that global asset and wealth managers are confident about revenue growth in 2018, although slightly less so than last year. (more…)
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Craig's Blog
Is Cryptocurrency Ready for Wall Street?
Posted by Craig Iskowitz on Dec 29, 2018 in Conference Summaries, Industry Analysis, Technology
In the year 1637, in what is now the Netherlands, market speculators bid up the prices for tulip bulbs to astronomical amounts. In one alleged transaction, a single bulb of the Viceroy variety was traded for 1,000 pounds of cheese, 12 sheep and 8 pigs.
The Tulip Mania, as it was later called, ended with a crash in prices and many people were stuck with tremendous losses. But at least they could plant the bulbs they purchased and expect flowers in the Spring.
The same cannot be said for those who purchased Bitcoin during the run up in prices at the end of 2017. When the market collapsed in 2018, what were they left with besides a string of 1’s and 0’s?
Following the news that the number of users of all digital currencies doubled in 2018, a study by Cambridge University concluded that the death of Bitcoin amid an 85% drop in price has been ‘greatly exaggerated’ by the media.
Fortunately, there is still a growing ecosystem of companies around the globe that see the benefits of this new technology and understand how to leverage it. Bitcoin and its underlying blockchain technology could be the answer to providing billions of people with access to financial products due to its flexibility, speed and low transaction costs.
Whether there is value in these promises and whether Bitcoin could become a new asset class was discussed on a panel I moderated at the In|Vest West conference. (See Invest West Conference 7 Minute Summary)
What is a cryptocurrency?
A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency designed to work as a medium of exchange and/or store of value. The “crypto” part comes from the strong cryptography that is at its core and is used to secure and verify all transactions. Essentially, cryptocurrencies are entries in a distributed database, called a blockchain, that is managed by a network of computers all running the same open source software.
A blockchain is a just database that is duplicated across multiple computers connected by a network (usually the Internet). In the language of cryptocurrency, a block is a record of new transactions (which could be the location of some cryptocurrency, or medical data, or even voting records). Once each block is completed, it’s connected to the previous block, creating a chain of blocks: a blockchain.
Blockchain is also referred to as a distributed ledger technology.
What is Bitcoin mining?
Mining is how Bitcoin transactions are verified and stored in a block on the blockchain. The term mining is used because when a new block is created, the miner is rewarded with new Bitcoins, which is the only way that new coins can be created.
In order to store Bitcoin transactions, the miner’s computer must be the first on the network to solve a cryptographic puzzle. Use these links if you are interested in learning more about blockchain, how blocks are mined or who created Bitcoin.
What is a wallet and why do you need one to hold cryptocurrency?
According to Phil Woods, Founder of the Abele Group, a crypto wallet is software or hardware that allows you to store the encryption keys for one or more cryptocurrencies that you own. Every wallet is designed to hold one or more specific crypto(s), so with over 1,600 different cryptocurrencies in existence, there are a lot of different wallets available.
Four Biggest Hurdles
The four biggest hurdles that cryptocurrency must overcome before it can be accepted as a mainstream asset class are:
Liquidity is one of the biggest hurdles for institutional firms including crypto in client portfolios because it impacts market stability, best execution and transaction time. If their trading desk can’t quickly move in and out of an asset class, the firm is less likely to invest in it for clients.
Equities can be instantly traded on any of the dozen US-based stock exchanges with a very tight bid/ask spread noted Bradley Kellogg, COO of Flyer, a technology vendor providing trading connectivity between buy side and sell side firms as well as post-trade processing services. The same cannot be said for cryptocurrencies that have a very wide spread across the 185 mostly unregulated exchanges around the world, he said.
A lot the spread is due to lack of trading volume in all but the most popular cryptos as well as the lack of infrastructure and connectivity between the exchanges and traditional electronic trading networks. However, earlier this year, Kellogg’s firm launched the Flyer Crypto Gateway, a cloud-based ecosystem that connects trading applications directly to the leading cryptocurrency exchanges, providing a standard interface enabling market data streaming, order routing and post-trade processing.
The early adopters of Bitcoin and crypto technologies were mostly self-taught, explained Adam Richard, Head of Distribution at investment bank Entoro Capital. But now those same people need to be the ones to take an active role in educating the public in the advantages of adopting Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies and interacting with them.
Even after a thorough explanation, many people still walk away without quite getting it, Richards reported. While he agreed that crypto is not easy to understand, neither is the US dollar, but people still use it every day, he noted.
Educating people about the benefits of digital currencies is much more difficult when the media projects Bitcoin and cryptos in such a negative light, Richard lamented.
One aspect of cryptocurrency is that is difficult for people to understand is the control and storage of private keys. When someone buys, trades or is paid some Bitcoin (or any other crypto) they are assigned unique encryptions codes, called private keys. If these codes are misplaced or deleted, then the digital money they point to are gone as well.
Technically, they aren’t lost, since there is a permanent record of them on the blockchain. But without the keys, the currency is completely inaccessible. There is no way to ever get them back.
In fact, an estimated 20% of all Bitcoin ever mined are missing because the owners lost their private keys, Woods reported. At the height of the market in December 2017, that represented $50 billion in assets (only $12 billion now) that would be forever lost, he pointed out. It’s like searching for buried treasure, but you lost the map that shows where you put it!
People are much less likely to use something of value if they don’t feel comfortable holding it and there is no convenient third party to safeguard it, Woods suggested. This has slowed the adoption of crypto technology since investors are inherently uncomfortable holding things of value themselves, he stated.
Before the internet and online brokerages, holding a physical stock certificate was the only way you could prove your ownership. Today, all of the data is stored digitally at a custodian bank like BNY Mellon or State Street. But even though all of our investments are stored in digital form, no existing custodian supports actual digital currencies.
Woods firm, Abele Group, which is based in Singapore, is preparing to launch Abele Trust, a digital custodian, which will store cryptocurrency keys for both retail and institutional clients. This custodial service could encourage more investors to buy digital assets since there the risk of loss or theft would be greatly reduced.
At the end of the day, this isn’t a technology problem, Woods insisted. The technology exists to solve the digital custody problem. This is a user adoption and a financial services regulatory problem, he noted.
The accessibility hurdle can be boiled down to one aspect: converting fiat currencies (i.e. Dollars, Euros, Pesos, etc.) into cryptocurrencies. Coinbase is the most popular crypto wallet that offers a simple process where users can purchase one of eight cryptos (Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Litecoin, 0x, Zcash, USD Coin and BAT) from a US checking account or with a credit card.
But even though Coinbase operates in over 33 countries with has more than 20 million customers around the world, this is still a small fraction of the total number of consumers and investors who could potentially use cryptocurrency.
More mainstream firms are warming up to access to crypto. Robo-advisor Wealthfront recently announced an integration with Coinbase that will allow clients to view their crypto holdings alongside their other investments.
Is Crypto Just Another Bubble?
Bitcoin was trading at around $1,000 at the beginning of 2017 and was almost $20,000 by December. It proceeded to crash and was as low as $6,200 by early February 2018. It recovered to around $10,000 but has slowly bled value and has been under $4,000 for the past few weeks.
Is crypto just a bubble or does it have underlying value that will eventually be realized?
Kellogg suggested that we look back to the dot.com bubble, when Amazon.com went public at $90 a share. Everyone thought CEO Jeff Bezos was nuts for selling books online couldn’t touch feel or look at the jacket and during the following dotcom bust Amazon dropped to $6. If you had invested $10,000 in Amazon then, today it would be worth about $2.6 million, he noted.
The skepticism people exhibited regarding Amazon’s future success is similar to what we’re seeing around cryptocurrencies, Kellogg proposed. But this will change as new applications are released that offer new ways to use crypto that are cheaper, faster and/or more convenient than what consumers now have (which is pretty darn good when you think about it). Also, new infrastructure is coming online, like the Adele digital custodian and Flyer’s Crypto Gateway that will enable other firms to build services on top, he stated.
If you compare the development of crypto infrastructure to a baseball game, then the players would just be warming up, Woods stated. We’re not even in the first inning, he said.
Can cryptocurrencies be considered investments even though they don’t have attached cash flows?
Cryptocurrencies are not an investment, Woods agreed, they are an instrument of value. But the real value is in the underlying technologies of blockchain and distributed ledgers that will modernize financial services and reduce friction in transactions and also reduce the number of people and institutions required to process every kind of financial transactions he predicted.
Considering that less than 1% of people in the world even know about blockchain technology and only about 10% of them use it on a regular basis, the potential for growth is tremendous, Woods proposed.
Some of the use cases for Bitcoin and other cryptos help to drive the underlying value, Richard insisted. It is not limited by geographic borders and is resistant to censorship. These positive aspects can also be seen as negatives since these features also make them attractive to the dark side of the Internet.
Bitcoin is also the first non-sovereign currency that ever reached this level of popularity and market cap size, Richard explained.
How do you make a market in cryptocurrencies if they are so difficult to value?
You’ve got to have people who are going to take both sides of the trade, Kellogg explained, which could be market makers or specialists that would sit on an exchange. But in order for that happen, it requires institutional adoption and the infrastructure at prime brokers, for example, doesn’t exist yet. Goldman Sachs announced back in May that they were planning to start trading Bitcoin futures for their clients, although there have been no follow-up reports that this has begun.
In September, Goldman had to squash new reports that they had abandoned their Bitcoin trading plans and reported that they have been clearing Bitcoin-linked futures contracts offered by the CBOE and CME since May and is providing clients with liquidity for those trades. They are also reportedly working on a Bitcoin derivative known as a “non-deliverable forward,” because of demand from clients.
Crypto ETFs
Asset manager VanEck has been consistently trying to get a Bitcoin ETF approved, according to Richard, having submitted and withdrawn two SEC filings and recently submitted a third. But that’s not going to happen until the exchanges agree to uphold stricter standards across the board. The New York State Attorney General polled all U.S. exchanges about their operational security, information security and their trade surveillance and was not at all pleased with the results, he reported.
If the latest VanEck filing goes through, their Bitcoin ETF would launch sometime in 1Q 2019. The had previously raised concerns about Bitcoin such as the extreme price volatility and the ability for customers to withdraw funds.
Another obstacle for Bitcoin ETF approval is valuation, Woods asserted. That’s because most regulators are used to the 4:00pm daily market close and an agreed upon universal value for most securities. But right now, there is no agreed upon daily price mark for Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency. Without that, no major accounting firm will agree to audit the books and records for an investment fund or other vehicle. So, you’re stuck with the using their middle and lower tier auditors who don’t have the same clout in the industry or with with regulators, he noted.
What are the benefits of asset-backed tokens?
Blockchain technology has the potential to disrupt the Wall Street syndication process and asset-backed tokens will be the key, Woods believes. Asset-backed tokens are just instruments whose value is based on an underlying asset. In this case, the asset is an income stream or fractional ownership of a larger product that is represented by the token.
Asset-backed tokens could be used by real estate developers to replace bank construction loans, Woods suggested, which typically require 20% of the capital be put in up front for any project. The bank would then syndicate out the risk by selling off pieces of the loan to other investors through bonds or equity tranches.
But using asset-backed tokens blockchain instead would allow the developer to directly structure a deal with a lower the cost of funding and combine both syndication and distribution into a single instrument and a far simpler overall process, Woods stressed. This would be beneficial for large banks since they wouldn’t need the 15-20 people normally involved in a real estate or bond deal.
it also offers the ability to offer these deals directly to investors who traditionally don’t have access to alternative investments, which is democratizing finance, Woods proposed.
Another benefit of asset-backed tokens is to represent fractional shares in private equity or hedge funds, Kellogg explained. It not only reduces the paperwork required, but also increases liquidity since it enables owners of both asset classes to quickly move in and out of their investments, which isn’t normally possible, he noted.
A little over a year ago, venture capital firm Blockchain Capital created a token for a $10 billion evergreen fund, which was then used to invest into startups in the cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystems, Richard stated. That token has been actively trading on crypto exchanges around the world, just like an ETF would on a securities exchange.
We will need to see more larger companies issuing asset-backed tokens for them to start taking off, Woods commented. The first “legitimate” bond offering via blockchain was issued by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia three months ago. According to the bank, the bond will be the first in the world to be created, allocated, transferred and managed with blockchain technology.
A Swiss multinational did some analysis and realized that they could issue an Ethereum bond token with a 7% coupon and save themselves 300 basis points by going direct to consumers rather than going to Wall Street, Woods reported. Why do I need to go to a debt capital market desk on Wall Street just to issue. Ultimately, it will be large, multinational corporations who drive the usage of blockchain technology to lower their cost of funding.
The Crypto Tipping Point
Part of the reason that he based his companies in Asia is because the tipping point has already happened there, Woods explained, based on how quickly consumers have moved away from traditional forms of payment to mobile QR codes. It is almost impossible to buy anything with cash in Shanghai or Beijing, he reported, because everyone uses WeChat or AliPay.
Visa came up with a study in 2016 and not a lot of people read it. But even in the what we would define as the emerging market world 30 percent the population is comfortable without having cash or credit cards for three to five days. That’s remarkable in a place where cash is generally key and people have safety attached to that asset. So the tipping point is happening with cashless payments using QR codes for everything from your identity to your financial instrument the payment.
The US is quite behind in this space, Woods observed, since we are very much tied to the Visa/MasterCard way of the world. But the Visa network is only as good as its ability to process transactions more efficiently than anyone else. As soon as distributed ledger technology can process two to three million transactions per second, just like the Visa card network, then you won’t need a credit card anymore and it will be game over, the disruption happens instantly, he stated.
It’s unlikely that Visa or Mastercard would ever move their network onto blockchain because of the risk, Kellogg noted. They are risk averse because they don’t want to cannibalize their current network. But their biggest customers, such as retailers Walmart and Target, are experimenting with blockchain technology to speed up payment processing, he reported.
Widespread implementation of blockchain technology and asset-backed tokens will enable the industry to move from T+3 to T+0 settlement, Richard claimed. But there are two major hurdles that must be overcome by a private or consortium blockchain, which are achieving the number of scalable transactions per second and maintaining user privacy. He believes that in late 2019 or early 2020 we will see the first blockchain networks approach thousands of transactions per second.
Crypto Brings Efficiency
Distributed ledger technology combined with artificial intelligence and big data are going to eliminate up to 30% of the jobs in the front-, middle- and back-office because we won’t need as many people involved in trading anymore, Woods proposed. And that’s just when you’re the broker dealer, not including the DTCC or OTC counterparties or market makers. Everything related to trading can now be accomplished on closed networks that are privately permission, he stated.
These technologies will continue the trend of price compression and banks, asset managers and wealth managers will need to greatly increase their operational efficiency, Woods warned. The most profitable bank in the world is operating at a margin of only about 18 to 22%. Crypto wallet Coinbase, which has more accounts than some of the largest broker dealers, is operating with about 78% profit margin, he reported.
Richard’s firm, Entoro Capital, is a broker-dealer who helps issuers raise the capital and the companies that are doing the issuance and the tokenizing of those securities are creating the infrastructure today to make this process much simpler for the other participants. There are companies building technology to handle compliance and other heavy lifting for tokenized securities issuance, Richard noted.
There have been quantitative studies done to determine how much savings can be achieved, Richard reported. A scenario with a $50 million private placement shows up to 40% savings for all parties over a five year period.
Cryptocurrency Asset Class
Howard Marks, the co-chairman of distressed debt investor Oaktree Capital Management, said “Bitcoin is not an investment, it’s a trade.” The billionaire investor also made reference to the “Greater Fool Theory” — an argument that explains an asset’s price not by its intrinsic value, but via the expectations of market participants.
Now that most of the speculators have, hopefully, been chased out of the market, we will see if the remaining participants can stay focused on leveraging the underlying blockchain technology to change the world.
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Conference Summaries
by Craig Iskowitz
Industry Analysis The Top 10 Articles from 2018
Conference Summaries Invest West Conference 7 Minute Summary
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Best Portable Projectors
by fantasycongress2 weeks agono comment
Do you want to a small individual cinema or you frequently travel for work and need to keep a compact yet portable projector for your business needs? Or do you wish to organize a family film night, whatever the purpose is, you will need a versatile portable projector.
In case you’re searching for the best compact projectors that you can purchase in 2019, then you have come to the right place. We have researched and listed down and top three best portable projectors that are perfect for commercial as well as home use.
Every one of the gadgets on this rundown is the best compact projectors and are perfect for individuals who frequently travel for work. In case you’re regularly visiting clients and partners and need to convey presentations, the best compact yet portable projectors will enable you to rapidly and effectively set up your presentation within seconds.
Lately, projectors are advancing amazingly. Gone are the days where you expected to purchase something up to a log and as overwhelming as a vehicle battery for tolerable picture quality. Presently, you can get a light but then profoundly successful compact projector for any commercial or individual venture you may have.
The best part is that you never again need to drop a few thousand dollars for a quality picture either. Despite that, with all the diverse conveniently portable projectors now available in the market, which ones suit you the best according to your requirements.
Anker Nebula Capsule
Home film doesn’t get more convenient than the Anker Nebula Capsule. Certainly, you can purchase a cell phone estimated projector, yet this one gives you a generally brilliant 480p picture, regardless of its 100 ANSI Lumens throughput, and you get great implicit sound for sure. Anker makes its own little Bluetooth speakers, and we presume similar drivers and innovation are utilized here. Subsequently, you get genuinely persuading 360-degree sound with more space and a spot of blast and thunder, in spite of the fact that contortion sneaks in as you push up the volume.
You can associate a gushing stick through the HDMI port, yet the Nebula Capsule has its own worked in media player running on Android 7.1. This isn’t as quite a bit of an or more point as you may expect; there’s no Google Play store and no authority applications for Amazon Prime or Netflix, leaving you to explore the program based applications utilizing a virtual trackpad on Anker’s associated cell phone application. In addition, picture quality isn’t as great on the worked in Netflix for what it’s worth on Netflix running from a Roku Streaming Stick. So, the auto-key stoning and center apparatuses make it simple to get the best picture and you can introduce different applications from Anker’s own application store.
As far as picture quality, the Anker falls a little behind the ViewSonic. While extremely fresh, it’s not as splendid and the color shades aren’t exactly as rich. In confinement, however, it’s entirely watchable in dull conditions, and there’s no simpler projector to drag around and haul out at whatever point you can discover existence to set-up a screen. Is it the best portable projector? No, however it’s an awesome mechanism for amusements, TV and motion pictures.
LG Minibeam PH550G – The best HD portable projector
LG has a decent scope of compact projectors, covering everything from small, scratch and dent section 480p models to moderately top of the line 1080p projectors that do genuine home film. Apparently, the PH550G gives you 720p HD pictures as huge as 100in, at a reasonable value.
It’s exceptionally minimal – generally the size of a mid-length hardback book, and it accompanies a convenient slipcase to ensure it when you’re trucking it around. Also, it’s genuinely easy to use. It nonetheless have all the typical attachments as well as for having remote screen casting and backing for Bluetooth earphones. There’s even a change in accordance with keep the sound in a state of harmony.
The LG is somewhat noisier than the Anker and ViewSonic projectors, yet nothing you can’t muffle with the sound went up to ordinary listening levels, and it’s justified, despite all the trouble on the grounds that the more splendid picture and higher goals make for something more like a decent home film. Color grading aren’t exactly as profound or energetic as you’d anticipate from a greater, more splendid and less versatile projector, yet they’re entirely great, and it’s extraordinary for watching movies out on a Saturday night, setting up the wide screen and getting a charge out of a blockbuster film. There’s even help for 3D glasses, while its auto-cornerstone highlights are first class.
PIF6 Cube LED Projector
This is a great portable projector that can even fit in your palm, so, you can take it anywhere you go. It also comes with a tripod stand, and you can connect it to a camera tripod while on the go. The battery life it offers is about 90 minutes, however, for this size, its battery timing must not be complained. Furthermore, you can also plug it into a power outlet with the micro USB connection.
Brightness is not a strong point with the projector at just 50 lumens, so you will need to use this in an almost entirely darkened room.
The PIF6 cube LED does have a micro HDMI cable connection, as well as micro SD slot for inserting memory USBs in it. That is how it is great to take it with you anywhere you go, including on a vacation to look over pictures or videos you clicked, or even on any business trip you take.
Despite its size, it is specifically built for travel, you will feel how structurally sound it is and weighs 1.8 pounds, making it one of the best cheap portable projectors under 100 dollars.
The Tech Baby Book
Most millennials and even baby boomers might have their baby book. And why wouldn’t they? Baby books were the newest thing for their parents. Recording every ‘first’ of babies was the newest thing back then. In the modern world, everything is digitized.
Of course, parents take pictures of their parents these days (meaning?). However, there are so many different apps that make for a great virtual photo album. Let us look at a few of them.
Momentpin
Momentpin is not exactly a baby book kind of app, but the features make it usable in that sense. The app allows the posting of pictures and data so that it reaches only the selected people. The selected people may comment, like, and even share them in their circle. The timeline feature allows the memories to be stored chronologically. A unique feature that this app has is that all the data is saved into the child account. The created account and all its information will revert to the child in the future when it is age appropriate.
Momentpin is quite a user-friendly app. This app allows people to connect to people that they love and trust. The child account feature creates a full life timeline of the child and is forever.
Peekaboo Moments
Peekaboo moments is the perfect app for new parents. It is an amazing way to store your child’s memories in a digital and safe platform. The app allows users to store voice notes, videos, pictures, and all other kinds of media forever. Users have the option to make groups to share it with family and friends only. A unique feature that you will find in this app is that you can write a letter. Simply date it to the future and write a letter to your baby. The app also allows users to track weight, height, vaccination schedules, and doctors’ appointments.
Overall, this app is a digitized version of baby books. It has everything including safety features.
23 snaps
23 Snaps is a private photo sharing app. The app mimics the traditional baby photo books to make it more suitable to the modern world. This app allows families to keep tabs on the baby moments even when they are miles apart. The app is very user-friendly. This feature is so that even grandparents and fewer tech people can enjoy the pictures.
One of the best things about this app is that it is user-friendly. This feature is highly needed for apps of this sort so that even the least tech-savvy people can enjoy pictures. However, ‘23 snaps’ has a paid version that is better.
If there had to be a winner amongst all these apps, then it would be Momentpin. It is the best of both worlds. It is a social media which can be started at a young age by the parents. The app is perfect to gradually let the child in the virtual world. Eventually, the child will always be safe because only selected people will be able to view their presence on social media.
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Scotland is home to so many beautiful castles that it can be difficult to choose which ones to visit, but
25 Best National Parks in Europe
Europe is home to many beautiful national parks and picking which ones to visit can seem like an impossible task.
10 Best Things to Do in Rome, Italy
Rome is known as the Eternal City because the ancient Romans believed that no matter what happened to our world,
10 Best Tours in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Famous for its canals, colorful houses, and coffee shops, Amsterdam is a city that’s high on everyone’s bucket list. Whether
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BBC News: Harvey Weinstein: US and UK police launch investigations
BBC News: Iran nuclear deal: Trump poised to withdraw support
My Duck today
BBC News: Israel to join US in quitting Unesco
Today’s Holiday: Shemini Atzeret
Today’s Holiday:
Shemini Atzeret, or “eighth day of solemn assembly,” is actually the eighth day of the festival of Sukkot, but it is celebrated as a separate holiday dedicated to the love of God. The second day of Shemini Atzeret is known as Simhat Torah and is also celebrated separately by Orthodox and Conservative Jews. Most Reform Jews celebrate Shemini Atzeret concurrently with Simhat Torah. It is also one of four Jewish holidays on which the Yizkor, or memorial rite for the dead, is observed. The other three are Yom Kippur, the second day of Shavuot, and the last day of Passover. More…: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tfd.mobile.TfdSearch
Today’s Birthday: Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. (1710)
Today’s Birthday:
Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. (1710)
The only colonial governor to side with the colonists in the American Revolution, Trumbull made Connecticut a principal source of supplies for the Continental army. It is said that the name “Brother Jonathan,” a humorous designation for the American people collectively, arose from an affectionate nickname George Washington gave to Trumbull during the war. How did Trumbull reply to a request for assistance from British General Thomas Gage after the Battles of Lexington and Concord? More…: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tfd.mobile.TfdSearch
This Day in History: Margaret Thatcher Escapes Assassination Attempt (1984)
This Day in History:
Margaret Thatcher Escapes Assassination Attempt (1984)
In 1984, five people were killed and over 30 injured when a bomb tore through a hotel in Brighton, England, where Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet were staying for a conference. The bomb had been planted weeks earlier by a Provisional Irish Republican Army operative. Though Thatcher’s suite was damaged, she was uninjured. She attended the conference that morning as scheduled, and her popularity soared. How did attendees replace their destroyed clothes in time for the conference? More…: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tfd.mobile.TfdSearch
Quote of the Day: Willa Cather
Quote of the Day:
Willa Cather
To note an artist’s limitations is but to define his talent. A reporter can write equally well about everything that is presented to his view, but a creative writer can do his best only with what lies within the range and character of his deepest sympathies. More…: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tfd.mobile.TfdSearch
Article of the Day: Dunes
Article of the Day:
Dunes are mounds or ridges of wind-blown sand that form in arid regions and along coasts, areas where there is plenty of sand, strong winds, low rainfall, and some vegetation or obstructions to trap the sand. The shape of a dune—crescent, linear, star, dome, or parabolic, to name a few—is dictated by the prevailing wind pattern. Dunes that are not stabilized by vegetation often migrate, driven by the wind, and may cause damage as they move. What are some techniques for halting their migration? More…: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tfd.mobile.TfdSearch
Idiom of the Day: like rats abandoning a sinking ship
Idiom of the Day:
like rats abandoning a sinking ship
With great haste and having only personal well-being in mind. (Typically said of people who begin abandoning something or someone that is failing or about to fail.) Watch the video…: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tfd.mobile.TfdSearch
Word of the Day: meritorious
meritorious
Definition: (adjective) Deserving reward or praise.
Synonyms: meritable
Usage: He carried himself with pride, as though, forsooth, he had achieved a deed praiseworthy and meritorious.: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tfd.mobile.TfdSearch
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Cancer Faker Belle Gibson Dumped By Bespoke Approach, Her PR Firm
2015-06-30 by Richard D. Pace Leave a Comment
In Australia, Belle Gibson is a household name, dominating media coverage.
The 23 year old entrepreneur falsely claimed to have cured her cancer through a vigorous diet – in reality she never had cancer, so naturally has not healed it. Apparently, further explanation will come this weekend via an interview to take place this weekend on Australian 60 Minutes, for which media claims she was paid five figures to “take a grilling from Tara Brown on Sunday night.”
Australian media reports indicate that she made millions from endorsements with Apple – as well as sales of her diet app – and a book deal from Penguin Publishing.
After claiming to be healed, she provided diet and nutrition advice to tens of thousands urging them to treat illness without conventional medicine. The statements made along had the imminent signs of being a possible crisis in the works, but the following that came after her statements – made it a full blown crisis.
For some unknown and odd reason, a major Public Relations company, Bespoke Approach, provided her with pro-bono PR services, even arranging an interview in their offices with media outlets curious about this scam artist. Bespoke Approach founded by conservative political lobbyist Ian Smith, and Rupert Murdoch’s former spokesman, Andrew Butcher, is a partner.
Bespoke Approach no longer represents her. Although initially given in good faith, without the firms application of due diligence into the situation, make them look equally as bad in the situation.
Gibson has not provided any explanation, other than to say in passing, “I just think [speaking out] was the responsible thing to do. Above anything, I would like people to say, “Okay, she’s human.” Was the press of delivering free PR work to an unknown client was worth it? Time will tell for Bespoke Approach.
Her app is no longer carried by Apple, and her book, The Whole Pantry is no longer available in bookstores.
Filed Under: Crisis PR, PR News Tagged With: communications, PR, pr firms
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Marcia Cross wants to 'put a dent in the stigma around anal cancer'
By Christian Holub
March 27, 2019 at 03:29 PM EDT
After surviving a bout with anal cancer, Desperate Housewives and Melrose Place alum Marcia Cross is sharing her story in order to fight the “stigma” around the disease. Cross details her experience in an exclusive interview in the new issue of PEOPLE magazine.
“I want to help put a dent in the stigma around anal cancer,” Cross told PEOPLE. “I’ve read a lot of cancer-survivor stories, and many people, women especially, were too embarrassed to say what kind of cancer they had. There is a lot of shame about it. I want that to stop.”
David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Cross first revealed her cancer diagnosis in a September Instagram post. At that point she was already “post cancer,” but she wanted advice for what to do with her shortened hair from chemotherapy. Later that month, she showed off the beanie and hair topper she was starting to use.
Cross told PEOPLE she was diagnosed the year prior to going public with the news, during her annual check-up with her gynecologist. After that, she underwent six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy.
“Surgery wasn’t recommended, which was a relief. You want to preserve sphincter muscles if possible,” Cross said. “Having woken up to its importance, I am now a big fan of the anus!”
Cross is now in remission, with a low chance of recurrence according to her doctor. Now she wants other people to be aware of the symptoms — which can include anal bleeding, pain, itching, and lumps — so that they can ask their doctor, should any problems arise.
“If something doesn’t feel right, listen to your body and talk to your doctor,” says Cross. “Don’t let it go. It’s a very curable cancer if caught early, which mine was… If you or a loved one are diagnosed, the Anal Cancer Foundation is an amazing resource,” she adds. “And one I turned to often.”
Read more of Cross’ story about PEOPLE.
Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross joins Jane the Virgin spin-off
Quantico midseason finale sneak peek featuring Marcia Cross as Caleb’s politician mom
Ed Sheeran confirms he and Cherry Seaborn are married
Beyoncé and Meghan Markle embrace at The Lion King premiere in London
Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz got married — in February!
YouTube star Ray Diaz charged after allegedly sexually abusing and beating teen girl
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Hart, and more to premiere Snapchat shows this summer
Reese Witherspoon unearths 20-year-old photo of her and Selma Blair from Cruel Intentions set
Eddie Jones, Lois & Clark and A League of Their Own character actor, dies at 84
Disney star Cameron Boyce's family confirms he had epilepsy which led to his fatal seizure
Descendants 3 red carpet premiere canceled in wake of Cameron Boyce's death
Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss' pregnant wife says he attacked her, 'demanded' she get abortion
Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, and more celebs mourn Rip Torn: 'You wonderful madman'
Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner kills viral Bottle Cap Challenge with hilarious video
Taylor Swift beats out Kylie Jenner for top spot on Forbes' highest-paid celebrities list
Sofia Carson calls Descendants 3 costar Cameron Boyce 'our angel' in touching tribute
Denise Nickerson, Violet in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, dies at 62
Colin Hanks celebrates dad Tom Hanks’ birthday with another photo of Michael Keaton
Rip Torn, Larry Sanders Show and Men in Black actor, dies at 88
The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss files for divorce from wife of 5 years
Woody Harrelson had the time of his life at Wimbledon, and the internet is here for it
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Spanish Language Convening 2018
Character and Citizenship
HS Redesign 2017
Early Learning 2017
Higher Ed 2017
Spanish Language Convening
School Finance Webinar
Summer Stories Webinar
2014 National Seminar
From Ideas to Action: Making it Happen in Newsrooms and Schools
Costs and Benefits: Covering the Economics of Education
69th EWA National Seminar
Join us in Boston in May 2016 for the largest gathering of education journalists
Higher Ed Data
College Readiness: What Does It Mean for Higher Ed?
Covering U.S. Education in a Global Context
Seminar on International Comparisons and Lessons
Latino Ed 2015
EWA’s second annual Spanish-language media convening will be held on Sept. 17 in Orlando.
Latino Education
Equidad en la educación: Lo que eso significa para estudiantes latinos
Equity in Education: What That Means for Latino Students
Diving Into Data
Workshop for journalists wanting to improve their datasets skills.
Diving Into Data Workshop 2017
Charters & Choice: Making Sense of the Fast-Evolving Landscape in K-12 Education
Education & the 2016 White House Race
Before the U.S. Elections
After the U.S. Elections
Covering Poverty’s Influence on Education
Author Discussion: "The Teenage Brain"
Author Discusses Book, "The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist's Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults"
The Hidden Value of Motivation
Covering Standards and Testing in the Common Core Era
Teaching & Testing in the Common Core Era
Teacher Ed 2015
STEM and Beyond
Los Angeles Seminars
What’s Next Out West?: Education Stories to Watch in 2016
Special Afternoon Event for Communications Professionals in California
2014 Teachers
The Push to Upgrade the Teaching Profession: What Reporters Need To Know
For Journalists Only
October 20, 2014 - October 21, 2014 Detroit, Michigan
The event was held Oct. 20–21, 2014, in Detroit, Michigan.
This intensive, journalists-only seminar will focus on a range of hard-fought changes under way that together are rewriting the rules of the U.S. teaching profession. What are the roots of today’s controversies over teacher training, tenure, evaluation and pay? In a pivotal year in the push for new standards and tests, are teachers still on board? What does the nation’s new majority-minority student population mean for classroom teachers? How are teacher colleges responding to new accountability pressures?
Participants in this two-day reporting workshop — co-hosted by the Michigan State University College of Education — will explore these questions and more with leading educators and journalists, including the authors of recent high-profile books on teaching. And reporters will take home blueprints for compelling stories that will bring to life the complex teacher-related trends playing out in their own communities.
Questions regarding the event? Feel free to contact Rachel Wolin at rwolin@ewa.org.
What Do Rookie Teachers Need to Succeed?
December 2, 2014 - 12:01am Jennifer Shaw of The Hechinger Report for EWA
Welcome to Detroit, where the Tigers won 90 ballgames to top their division last season, the art museum’s collection is valued at up to $4.6 billion, and the Motown record label has produced more than 25 No. 1 hits.
Covering Diversity: Reporting on Skills, Not ‘Deficits’
November 26, 2014 Alexandria Neason of The Hechinger Report for EWA
According to U.S. Department of Education projections, for the first time, black, Hispanic, Asian and other non-white students made up just over 50 percent of public school students. And that share is expected to increase in the coming years.
Talking To Teachers: Story Ideas For Reporters
November 24, 2014 Nicholas Garcia of Chalkbeat Colorado for EWA
For education reporters looking for story ideas, talking to teachers is a smart place to start. That was the key takeaway from the “Performance and Perceptions: Taking the Pulse of the Profession” session at EWA’s recent seminar on the teaching profession, held last month in Detroit.
Using Teacher Data to Drive Education Reporting
November 21, 2014 Madeleine Cummings for EWA
In the Minneapolis Public Schools, nearly two-thirds of the district’s enrollment are students of color. Additionally, 65 percent of the district’s more than 35,000 students qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Beth Hawkins, a reporter for the MinnPost, had a hunch that the best-paid local teachers were working in the wealthiest schools, teaching white students. But this was just a guess, and her colleague at the nonprofit news site, data editor Tom Nehil, wanted to see the numbers.
What It Takes to Build Great Teachers
November 14, 2014 Kayleigh Skinner of The Hechinger Report for EWA
If 49 multiplied by 5 is 245, why would a student think the answer is 405? And who is more likely to know this – a mathematician or an elementary math teacher?
Elizabeth Green, the author of “Building a Better Teacher: How Teaching Works (And How to Teach It to Everyone), posed this question to a roomful of education reporters at EWA’s October seminar in Detroit.
‘The Teacher Wars’: Everything Old Is New Again
November 7, 2014 Caitlin Emma of Politico for EWA
Education might seem more incendiary and political than ever before, but author Dana Goldstein argues that today’s biggest policy fights aren’t exactly new battles.
“We’ve been fighting about teachers for 175 years,” said Goldstein at EWA’s October seminar on teaching, held in Detroit. At the event, Goldstein discussed her new book, The Teacher Wars, published in September.
Teaching Math: More Than Mastering the Numbers
November 3, 2014 Emily Richmond Joy Resmovits of The Huffington Post for EWA
Deborah Loewenberg Ball began her career as an elementary school teacher, working for 15 years with a diverse population of students. But math stumped her.
“That troubled me,” Ball said Oct. 21 during her keynote presentation at the EWA seminar on teaching held in Detroit. “I would work really hard on how could I make the math make sense to the students, … but on Fridays they would know how to do things and on Monday they would have forgotten.”
Raising the Bar For Teacher Colleges
October 29, 2014 Emmeline Zhao of Real Clear Education for EWA
As the nation centers its attention on the Common Core State Standards battle brewing across the states, a lesser known overhaul is underway for America’s teachers-to-be.
The Teaching Profession: What Reporters Need to Know
October 23, 2014 Emily Richmond
The stakes have arguably never been higher for public school teachers, who are facing not only an increasingly challenging student population but also new demands for accountability and performance. What lies ahead for the nation’s largest profession, with the rollout of new academic standards and new assessments to gauge how effectively students are being taught?
Teacher College Accountability: Changes on Horizon
EWA Seminar on Teaching
With an eye to toughening admission standards and curricula, a massive overhaul of the credentialing standards for the nation’s teacher preparation programs is underway. But given that participation is voluntary, are ongoing changes enough? What more needs to be done to improve such programs? And how should policymakers, taxpayers and potential students judge the quality of teacher preparation programs?
Tweeting on the Teaching Profession: EWA in Detroit
Eyes on Detroit: Perspectives from an Education Journalist
Stephen Henderson, a columnist with the Detroit Free Press, spoke with journalist members at the Education Writers Association’s 2014 Seminar on Teaching, held in Detroit.
Teaching Across Cultural Differences: Equity in Instruction and Classrooms
How are cultural and racial biases influencing classroom instruction and student learning? What does this mean for teachers and students, particularly in high-minority, urban school settings? What should education reporters know about cultural bias as it relates to their reporting on students, teachers, and schools?
Associate Professor Dorinda Carter Andrews, Michigan State University
Teacher Induction and Mentoring: Liam Goldrick, New Teacher Center
For new teachers, the first few years on the job can present a steep learning curve. And the students who need the most experienced teachers often don’t get them. How are schools, districts and states ramping up the support provided to new teachers? What are the hallmarks of a high-quality induction program? And what does the research show on the effects of coaching and mentoring?
Panelist:
Taking the Pulse of the Teaching Profession: Andy Baxter
Teacher effectiveness is a front-burner issue in districts nationwide. How are districts, state departments of education, and policymakers responding to the push to improve teacher performance and student outcomes? What does the latest research show on what’s working in public schools?
What does the new “Primary Sources” survey tell us about teachers’ perceptions of the Common Core State Standards? And what are teachers doing to reshape their classroom instruction in response to the new expectations for grade-level learning?
Teacher Induction and Mentoring: Magdalene Lampert, Boston Residency Project
Taking the Pulse of the Teaching Profession: Kyle Good
Preparing New Teachers
Corey Drake, Michigan State University College of Education, presented her insight and programs from MSU at EWA’s 2014 Seminar on Teaching.
The 2014 Seminar on Teaching Agenda
All events were hosted by Michigan State University at the Detroit Center.
Final agenda with slides linked to the presenter are below. A PDF version of the program is also available.
Noon: Welcome and Lunch
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Dollars and Sense: Understanding Teacher Pensions
No time to attend an in-person seminar? Get your training on-demand with EWA's free online series. All of our past events are archived here, with new live events scheduled throughout the year.
No time to attend an in-person seminar? Get your training on-demand with EWA’s free online series. All of our past events are archived here, with new live events scheduled throughout the year.
In states across the country, rising retirement costs are outpacing overall education spending—with consequences for classrooms and teachers’ pocketbooks. At the same time, efforts to reform pensions in places like Kentucky and Colorado have sparked fierce political backlash and even teacher walkouts.
What do reporters need to know about teacher pensions—how they work and how they’re connected to the wave of teacher unrest? Why hasn’t increased education spending boosted teacher pay? And how can reporters cover these complex topics accurately but also succinctly?
Chad Aldeman Presentation Slides
As calls grow for colleges to open food banks and assist homeless students, a debate is stirring over just how widespread student hunger and homelessness really are, and what colleges should do about it.
April 16, 2019 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
How much money do states spend on pre-K education? What policies are they implementing to support early learning? How large are the class sizes and how well-trained are the staff?
The National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University releases an annual report card on state-funded pre-K that provides answers to these and many more questions.
The State of Preschool 2018 Report (46 Mb)
Stories You’re Missing on Transfer Students
March 21, 2019 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
More than 3.7 million college students—accounting for more than a third of the nation’s undergraduate student body—are expected to transfer this year. As the end of the semester approaches, many students will be facing spring deadlines to make the jump from campus to campus.
This EWA webinar offers the opportunity to learn about one of the most under-covered—but important and timely—aspects of college admissions.
A Reporter’s Guide to Covering Teacher Strikes
February 21, 2019 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Given the string of teacher strikes over the past year, a question for education reporters to consider is: Could your district or state be next?
In this EWA webinar, journalists who have covered recent teacher walkouts share insights, lessons learned, and practical advice. What steps should reporters take to prepare if a walkout appears likely? How can they get ahead of the story? Also, what states are more or less likely to see a teacher strike, and why?
When it comes to education, the physical condition of classrooms and schools can influence the teaching and learning that happens inside.
Lauren Roth presentation slides
Toxic City presentation slides
Trauma in the Classroom: What Reporters Need to Know
December 18, 2018 - 1:30pm - 2:15pm
Attention is growing to the detrimental impact stress and trauma have on children’s learning and development. In response, some schools are rethinking everything from student discipline and support services to teacher training. The shift has also given birth to a whole new set of terms and practices for education reporters to understand and break down for their audiences.
Larry Walker Presentation Slides
Jackie Mader Presentation Slides
EWA 2018 Awards Mini-Webinar
Learn about the new awards application and categories in less than 30 minutes.
November 20, 2018 - 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Education Writers Association Assistant Director Kim Clark leads this 30-minute webinar to give journalists a first-hand look at changes to the National Awards for Education Reporting, including new categories, rules, and a new online application platform.
Entries to the EWA awards contest will be accepted from 9 a.m. ET Nov. 15 to Midnight PT Dec. 15.
Our new entry form will provide you with a quick and easy process for submitting your work.
Mining Federal Civil Rights Data for Local Stories
October 30, 2018 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Every year, the U.S. Department of Education investigates thousands of school districts and colleges around the country for civil rights violations. The issues include racial discrimination in school discipline, sexual violence on campus and inequitable access to advanced coursework, to name a few. What should journalists know before diving into this notoriously messy data? What are some tips for using the data as the backbone of local news stories?
ProPublica presentation slides
Survey of Teen Voters: What’s on Their Minds as Election Nears?
Get embargoed access to Education Week data, analysis at reporters-only webinar
Millions of young people — including many college students and some still in high school — will get their first chance to vote in a general election in November. What is on the minds of these youths, who have come of age in the time of President Trump and when the school shootings in Parkland, Fla., have helped to catalyze a surge of student activism?
Holly Yettick presentation slides
How Much Does College Really Cost? New ‘Tuition Tracker’ Tool Offers Answers.
Interactive Database Shows Sticker Price and ‘Net’ Price for Campuses, Plus Other Key Information
This webinar provides a demonstration of the updated “Tuition Tracker,” a collaborative data project of The Hechinger Report, EWA and The Dallas Morning News. Journalists can get embargoed access to a new tool documenting how prices at individual colleges have changed for different income groups over the last seven years. The embargo will lift on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
The new Tuition Tracker provides:
Come Together: How to Cover College Mergers
Small colleges struggling because of declining enrollment and tuition revenues face stark choices: If they can’t rebound, financial realities may force them to shut down.
Rick Seltzer Presentation Slides
Want an EWA Reporting Fellowship? Here’s What You Need to Know.
Fellows eligible for up to $8,000 plus other project support
August 23, 2018 - 2:00pm - 2:30pm
EWA is looking for its next class of Reporting Fellows — education journalists who receive up to $8,000 apiece to undertake in-depth projects on a wide range of topics.
This is your opportunity to get the inside track on crafting a winning application. Questions addressed include: What are the hallmarks of successful proposals? How can the money be used? What reporting topics are priorities this time? How have past fellows used their funds to produce innovative and compelling work?
Back to School 2018: Tips for Producing Education Coverage That Matters
August 9, 2018 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
As a new academic year looms, education journalists face an age-old challenge: What are the best ways to take a fresh approach to back-to-school coverage and lay a solid foundation for a year of hard-hitting reporting?
Back to School 2018: Webinar Slides
Summer Story Ideas for Education Reporters
June 21, 2018 - 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Summer break is upon us, and there’s a host of compelling stories to cover on the education beat while school is out.
In this EWA webinar, a summer learning expert explains the role summer break plays in widening achievement gaps, particularly for rural students, students with disabilities, and English-language learners. Also, the webinar highlights examples of innovative work afoot to provide students with powerful summer learning experiences.
Matthew Boulay Presentation Slides
Christopher Quinn Presentation Slides
EWA Summer Learning Presentation Slides
How High Do States Set the Academic Bar for Students?
When measuring what students know and can do on statewide tests, how high (or low) are the expectations for determining academic “proficiency”? A forthcoming report from the National Center for Education Statistics offers insights on this question, including state-by-state analysis.
How to Be the Best Moderator at EWA’s National Seminar
Congratulations! You’re an EWA National Seminar moderator. Some of you are old pros at this job, but many are moderating an EWA panel for the very first time.
We’ve put together a webinar to offer guidance and tips on how to be on the top of your game. It will be led by moderator extraordinaire Steve Drummond, the education editor at NPR.
New National Test Data Is Coming: Get Ready!
April 4, 2018 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
A fresh round of national test results for reading and math will be released in April, offering a snapshot of U.S. student achievement, plus state-by-state data, and outcomes for 27 large urban districts. The data will shine a light on achievement gaps, as well as trends over time in the performance of fourth and eighth graders. And, invariably, some education advocates and politicians will seize on the data to advance their policy preferences.
Dr. Peggy Carr slide presentation
Tom Loveless slide presentation
How Careful Data Analysis, Shoe-Leather Reporting Exposed Inflated Graduation Rates
It began with a feel-good story: A struggling high school in Washington, D.C., had turned itself around and was sending all its seniors to college. When a reporter dug deeper, however, she discovered that many students should not have qualified to graduate—one in five had even missed more than half the school year.
Replay an EWA Webinar
Watch Offline & On the Go with the Vimeo App
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JCPenney Joins shopkick(TM) Mobile App to Reward Customers
Thomson Reuters ONE• October 25, 2013
Retailer to Deploy Full, Nationwide Roll Out Ahead of Key
Holiday Shopping Season
Special Launch Offer Allows Customers to Earn Additional Incentives for Shopping at JCPenney Stores
PLANO, Texas (Oct. 25, 2013) - J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (JCP) today announced that it has teamed up with shopkick, the most widely used real-world shopping app that rewards shoppers for simply walking into stores. Just in time for the key holiday shopping season, JCPenney shoppers will be able to earn "kicks(TM)," shopkick`s proprietary reward currency, along with special offers from JCPenney, when visiting the retailer`s nearly 1,100 store locations across the country. To celebrate the launch, JCPenney will be offering shopkick users additional kicks for a limited time when they visit a JCPenney store.
"As more and more people adopt smartphones, mobile devices are quickly becoming a key shopping tool and the integration of mobile Internet has become key to delivering a modern, in-store shopping experience," said Debra Berman, senior vice president of marketing for JCPenney. "Through our partnership with shopkick, we are able to cater to today`s mobile savvy consumer and take our in-store shopping experience to the next level by rewarding and engaging customers who are already shopping inside a JCPenney store."
When a shopkick user walks into a participating store, the app detects the shopkick signal emitted from a patent-pending device, which is picked up by the shopper`s smartphone. The app then deposits kicks, which can be collected and redeemed for gift cards, song downloads, movie tickets, Facebook credits, donations to charities and more.
"JCPenney`s nationwide rollout of shopkick makes shopping more inspiring and rewarding," said CEO and Co-Founder of shopkick Cyriac Roeding. "For shoppers, we delight them by rewarding them for behaviors they are already doing while shopping. For retailers, like JCPenney, we are driving incremental traffic and sales and ensuring that marketing dollars are invested in driving actual foot traffic - it`s a win-win."
Along with earning kicks and having access to special offers, shoppers can utilize the app`s features to:
browse JCPenney themed look books that showcase the hottest trends in apparel or home and link directly to those items for purchase at jcp.com;
"like" favorite items and be automatically reminded of them upon walking into a JCPenney store;
save and organize items into customizable books, complete with a personalized cover photo and
connect with others with similar interests to discover and share products from their books.
Shoppers can also collect additional kicks by logging into the app daily, viewing look books, inviting friends to join and by linking their Visa or MasterCard to shopkick`s "Buy and Collect" program.
The shopkick app is available for free on the iPhone or iPad from the App Store and on Android from Google Play.
JCPenney media relations
Kate Coultas -- 972-431-3400 or jcpnews@jcp.com
AtomicPR for shopkick
Natalia Garcia - 415-593-1400 or Natalia@atomicpr.com
About JCPenney
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (JCP), one of the nation`s largest apparel and home furnishing retailers, is dedicated to becoming America`s preferred retail destination for unmatched style, quality and value. Across 1,100 stores and at jcp.com, customers will discover an inspiring shopping environment that features the most sought after collection of private, national and exclusive brands and attractions. For more information, please visit jcp.com.
About shopkick, Inc.
The shopkick app is the ultimate shopping companion that inspires, organizes and rewards. At home or on the go, browse through themed "books" to be inspired by the latest fashion trends or products often hidden in the aisles and racks of popular stores. "Like" items anywhere you want, to be reminded next time you visit a store where they`re sold. Connect with others of similar taste to discover and share coveted items. All this while earning rewards along the way for everyday shopping actions like store visits, picking up products at stores, and purchases.
In 2013, Nielsen rated shopkick the most widely and often used real-world shopping app, ahead of any physical retailers` apps. Shopkick`s growing Partner Alliance includes American Eagle Outfitters, Best Buy, Crate and Barrel, JCPenney, Macy`s, MasterCard, Old Navy, Simon Property Group, Sony, The Sports Authority, Target, Visa, Procter & Gamble, Kraft Foods, Revlon, Unilever, Pepsi, Levi`s, HP and more. The Redwood City-based startup is funded by Kleiner Perkins` iFund, Greylock Partners and Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn, and investor in Facebook. The World Economic Forum (WEF) named shopkick a Technology Pioneer 2013, an honor previously given to Google, Twitter, and Wikipedia.
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients.
The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the
information contained therein.
Source: J. C. Penney Company, Inc. via Thomson Reuters ONE
8 Penny Stocks That Have Fallen From Grace
Marvell Technology Is Breaking Out on the Upside: How to Play It
What to Expect from Skechers’s Q2 Results
Ford unveils its latest pickup truck built for a smartphone
Here's a Prescription for Eli Lilly Stock: Don't Swallow Yet
One Chipmaker May Tell ETF Traders Everything About Earnings
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Investing »
Investing for Beginners »
Fees Associated With Variable Annuity
By: Denise Sullivan
Variable annuities offer steady income and tax benefits.
1. How to Liquidate an Annuity
2. How to Collect on an Annuity
3. The Disadvantages of Variable Annuities
Variable annuities provide tax-deferred earnings and a guaranteed payment stream in retirement. You must first fund the annuity with a one-time deposit or a recurring series of deposits, also known as purchase payments. Your deposits will be invested in securities such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds, which may fluctuate in value over time. Variable annuities charge several types of fees, so you should carefully analyze the terms of the contract before committing to make a deposit.
Mortality and Expense Fees
If you die before the annuity finishes paying out, your beneficiaries may get a death benefit. The death benefit is usually limited to the amount you paid into the annuity before your death, but this depends on the annuity company and the parameters of your particular policy. If the death benefit is included in your policy, the annuity company will charge a mortality and expense fee to cover the associated risk and administrative costs. Mortality and expense fees may also fund the commission for the salesperson who set up the annuity for you.
Your annuity company may also charge a small fee for its time and expenses incurred while handling your account. The administrative fee may be a flat fee or a percentage of the annuity's value. Variable annuities may also pass on the management fees from the securities that were purchased as investments.
Rider Fees
Extra features on your policy typically require an additional rider fee. For variable annuities, these add-ons usually focus on guarantees to offset the risk of investment losses. For example, an additional rider may guarantee minimum payments or allow you to lock in your gains after a specified period. If the investments in your account lose value after this date, the annuity company must make up the difference. You may also be able to purchase riders for deposit bonuses or medical benefits.
Surrender Charges
Most annuities impose a waiting period before you may withdraw your funds. The period varies between companies, but it is usually between six and 10 years after opening the annuity. If you need to withdraw money before the waiting period expires, you must pay a surrender charge. The surrender charge typically decreases the longer you wait before taking a withdrawal. Some annuity companies also let you withdraw a small portion of the account without incurring a surrender charge.
Section 1035 Exchanges
A Section 1035 exchange allows you to cash out an existing variable annuity and purchase a new one without paying taxes on your gains. However, you must pay any applicable surrender charges on the existing annuity if the waiting period has not expired at the time of the exchange. You will also start another waiting period after opening your new annuity, exposing you to a second surrender charge if you need to withdraw your funds.
SEC.gov: What Is a Variable Annuity?
SEC.gov: Variable Annuity Charges
WealthManagement: Not So Easy Riders
Denise Sullivan has been writing professionally for more than five years after a long career in business. She has been published on Yahoo! Voices and other publications. Her areas of expertise are business, law, gaming, home renovations, gardening, sports and exercise.
Difference Between Annuity & Mutual Funds
How to Break an Annuity
How to Transfer a Lump Sum Annuity Payout
What Is a Single Premium Deferred Annuity With Index Option?
How to Avoid Paying Annuity Surrender Charges
Are Annuity Accounts Insured?
Tax Implications for When IRA Is Converted to an Annuity?
What to Do When a Fixed Annuity Matures
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Parliamentary Oversight
A lawmaker says in addition to the committee which is to be set up under the authority of the Supreme National Security Council to monitor enforcement of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Majlis is tasked with overseeing the international accord on Tehran's nuclear program, ICANA reported. In the Parliament the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission is in charge of overseeing implementation of the pact, Mansour Haqiqatpour said.
Nigeria Leader Vows to Revive Economy
Victory of Turkish Democracy Hailed
Scottish MPs to Visit
Proposal for National Tehran Day
Document on Traditional Medicine
National Education Document Unveiled
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US qualifies Uruguay as a safe country to invest but warns about union power
Tabaré looks forward to bilateral meeting with Bolsonaro at Mercosur summit
Poverty in Argentina on the rise, Catholic University research shows
Sterling drops on fears Tories could fail to win an outright majority
Wednesday, May 31st 2017 - 07:24 UTC
Sterling fell by more than half of one per cent, but recovered some losses. By early Wednesday morning, it was trading 0.44% lower against the dollar at $1.28020
The value of the pound dropped after a projection suggested the Conservatives could fail to win an outright majority in the election on 8 June. Previous opinion polls suggested Prime Minister Theresa May's party would increase its majority, which is currently 17 seats.
But the projection, published in The Times and based on YouGov research, suggests a possible hung parliament.
Sterling fell by more than half of one per cent, but recovered some losses. By early Wednesday morning, it was trading 0.44% lower against the dollar at $1.28020 and 0.29% lower against the euro at 1.14600 Euros.
The Times said the YouGov data suggested that the Tories could lose up to 20 of the 330 seats they held in the last parliament, with Labour gaining nearly 30 seats he Conservatives would still be the biggest party, but would not have an overall majority.
The model is based on 50,000 interviews over a week, with voters from a panel brought together by YouGov. It uses a new constituency-by-constituency model for polling, which the paper says allows for big variations.
According to The Times, the estimates were met with skepticism by Tory and Labour figures.
YouGov's chief executive, Stephan Shakespeare said the model had been tested during the EU referendum campaign, when it consistently put the winning Leave side ahead. But he added: It would take only a slight fall in Labor's share and a slight increase in the Conservatives' to result in Mrs. May returning to No 10 with a healthy majority.
Categories: Economy, Politics.
Tags: Sterling, Theresa May, United Kingdom.
Doveoverdover
What is any wife but a whore on a long term contract? Ow, I've just been given a clip round the ear (all part of the fully costed service agreement though).
May 31st, 2017 - 03:11 pm +1
Aye, aye Skipper.
We Brits, speaking generally you understand, have the attention span of gnats unless it's about threats to the Empire and if it offends our sensibilities. So just wait, once the word about Elsztain's bespoke missile defence system for Mount Sion Airport hits the hustings, they'll be back.
And as for exotic second and third wives, it's the British passport that draws them in. Like bees to nectar. Couldn't get rid of them when we were alongside at Valparaiso I tell you.
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Tag Archives: The Infographics Show
20th Century had B-1s and B-2s, but the B-21 is 21st Century
Virg Hemphill
The USAF has decided to set aside its hi-tech B-1 Lancer and B-2 Stealth bombers for the new high-altitude, long-range stealth strike bomber, named the B-21 “Raider,” in honor of the famed General Doolittle Tokyo Raiders of WWII fame. This story is once again the result of information supplied by our Aviation News Scout, Virg Hemphill, at left.
This new advanced bomber clearly embodies some of the unique aerodynamic characteristics and shape of the WWII Northrup Aviation experimental Flying Wing, an airplane whose first versions were actually propeller powered. But this new Northrup creation embodies features not even the material of dreams, when the first Flying Wings took to the air over California’s high desert.
While still a flying-wing airframe, having no vertical stabilizers or rudder, but rather a sharp squared wing, it does clearly remain true to the old Flying Wing theme, since there is no distinction between its fuselage and wing, they being one and the same overall structure. Here are some informative videos about this new USAF transition.
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James announces that the B-21 bomber will be called the B-21 Raider. The name represents the historically important role the new long-range stealth bomber will lead for the next 50 years.
Assisting Secretary James on stage (immediately below) to announce the name, was one of the original Doolittle Raiders, in fact, the last living Doolittle Raider, and Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot, 101-year-old Air Force Lt. Col. (ret.), Richard Cole.
It is suggested that you view all videos below in full-screen, to appreciate the hi-resolution used. All of the clips also have full complete audio tracks.
This first short (1:39 long) video shows the official USAF announcement of the B-21’s new name:
Second, this short (7:29 long) video by “The Infographics Show:”
Third, this “New Update Defence” video, 4:08 in length (There is some computerized voice used in this clip, so be prepared for some clumsy English):
This entry was posted in AVIATION NEWS, HOT NEWS!, NEW VIDEOS and tagged Aviation News Scout, B-1 Lancer, B-2 Stealth Bomber, B-21 Long Range Stealth Bomber, Colonel Richard Cole, Deborah Lee James, Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, Flying Wing, Fuselage part of wing, New Update Defence, Northrup, Northrup-Grumman, Secretary of the Air Force, Squared Wings, The Infographics Show, Virg Hemphill, WWII on November 23, 2018 by FASFRIC.
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Banner, Sun Health merger moves forward
[Source: YourWestValley.com] – Nine months after announcing their plans for a merger, Sun Health and Banner Health soon will be making it official.
The Federal Trade Commission said it has successfully concluded its review, and Banner Health and Sun Health expect to complete the transaction by the end of August. Officials from both organizations said this time-frame was selected to allow sufficient time to finalize all the related details.
Sun Health’s patient-care related operations and employees will join with Banner Health through this transaction. Included are Boswell and Del E. Webb Hospitals, the Research Institute, MediSun and other related health-care services and facilities.
These entities will then carry the Banner Health name in lieu of Sun Health. The mission of these facilities will continue to be supported by Sun Health Foundation, Sun Health Auxiliary and Sun Health Properties as these three nonprofit organizations will remain independent and continue to encourage charitable contributions and generate other needed funding.
The merger was announced in September, with the heads of both organizations citing the rapid growth of the community as a reason for the move. At the announcement, Sun Health President and CEO Leland Peterson said West Valley residents should view the merger as a good thing.
“This merger is being pursued for very positive reasons,” Peterson said. “It is critically important to meeting the challenges of the rapidly growing West Valley’s increased health care needs.”
In the coming weeks, staff from both organizations will continue to collaborate to finalize the details necessary to complete the transaction by the end of August.
Both organizations are committed to ensuring that employees, physicians, volunteers, payer groups, government agencies and the communities served by Sun Health facilities are kept informed of the progress of these activities.
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Tag Archives: danny clark
July 28, 2011 · 12:57 pm
Pre-camp signings
New Titan Matt Hasselbeck. Image via Wikipedia
The NFL free-agent market opened with a flurry, and in this post we’ll try to make sense of it all. We’ll discuss all the major signings between the resumption of play and the August 4 date on which veteran signees could begin practicing.
Panthers (keep DE Charles Johnson, RB DeAngelo Williams, and OLBs Thomas Davis and James Anderson; add NT Ron Edwards, PK Olindo Mare, QB Derek Anderson, TE Ben Hartsock, LB Omar Gaither and Safeties Kevin Payne and Sean Considine) – We discussed Johnson in this post and Williams in this post. Davis is a major impact player who has fought major knee injuries the last few years. While he wasn’t technically a free agent, the team had agreed to either re-sign him or cut him. So Davis got a five-year deal. So did Anderson, who stepped into the starting lineup when Davis was out last year and played quite well. He got a five-year, $22 million contract with an $8.5 million signing bonus. Anderson’s emergence will let the Panthers move Jon Beason back to middle linebacker, and it will give Carolina a powerful LB corps. Edwards fills a major need for the Panthers, who had terrible defensive tackle play last year. That’s why they gave him a solid three-year, $8.25 million deal. Even though the Panthers run a 4-3, they traditionally put one of their tackles right over the center, so Edwards fits in as he moves over from a 3-4. The Panthers gave Mare a four-year, $12 million deal with a $4 million signing bonus. Mare has been terrific the last three years inSeattleafter a mid-career lull, and he’s got a powerful leg on kickoffs. That gives him an edge over Panthers fan (and owner) favorite John Kasay, who’s remained good on field goals into his 40s but who can’t kick off reliably anymore. Anderson, who played for new Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski in Cleveland, comes on board as the veteran quarterback who can start Week One if Cam Newton isn’t ready. Hartsock, an ex-Cardinal, got a two-year deal to replace Jeff King as a reliable blocking tight end. Payne, who sat out last year, was a decent starting safety in Chicago and should be worthy of a roster spot. He may have to beat out Considine, a decent safety and strong special-teamer, to win that spot. The Panthers also extended the contract of Pro Bowl MLB Jon Beason. Gaither busted out as a starter in Philadelphia last year, but he’s pretty good insurance against another Thomas Davis injury at strong-side linebacker. Like Considine, Gaither played for new Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott in Philadelphia.
Eagles (add CB Nnamdi Asomugha, DT Cullen Jenkins, DE Jason Babin, QB Vince Young, OG Evan Mathis, RB Ronnie Brown, OT Ryan Harris, DTs Derek Landri and Anthony Hargrove, S Jarrad Page, TE Donald Lee, and WR Johnnie Lee Higgins) – We discussed the major Asomugha move in this post. Jenkins moves over from Green Bay for a five-year, $25 million deal to provide a pass-rush push inside. He was one of the best defensive linemen on the market, and the Eagles adding him is a big upgrade. Jenkins played in a 3-4 last year, but he’s played in a 4-3 as well, which speaks to his versatility. Babin, who was a first-round pick in Houston once upon a time, bounced around the league (including Philadelphia) before having a breakout season in Tennessee last year. His DL coach with the Titans, Jim Washburn, is now in Philadelphia, so it makes sense that Babin would follow him to the City of Brotherly Love. Babin got a five-year deal worth up to $28 million (but with just $6 million guaranteed) to help the Eagles ramp up their pass rush. Young, who was released by the Titans, gets a one-year deal to back up Michael Vick. Despite his off-field reputation, he’s a pretty good insurance policy for the Eagles, and they could revive his career. Mathis looks to be a backup in Philadelphia, but he’s been a pretty decent starter at guard in the past. That’s a nice addition for depth. Brown may be starting the downhill part of his career, but he provides nice insurance behind starting RB LeSean McCoy. Harris was a good starter at right tackle at times in Denver. He adds depth but could challenge holdover Winston Justice for a starting shot. Landri and Hargrove add depth at a thin position. Landri probably fits better as a spot player; Hargrove can provide some interior pass rush. Page adds depth at safety, which is a young position on the roster. Lee is a blocking tight end with experience in the West Coast offense. Higgins has good return skills but will have trouble cracking the Eagles’ deep WR rotation.
Jets (keep WR Santonio Holmes, CB Antonio Cromartie, OT Wayne Hunter, PK Nick Folk, CB Donald Strickland, Safeties Brodney Pool and Eric Smith, and QB Mark Brunell; add WR Plaxico Burress and S DaJuan Morgan) – We discussed Holmes’ signing and how it establishes him as a No. 1 receiver in this post. Cromartie was the consolation prize after the Jets missed out on Nnamdi Asomugha. Cromartie isn’t the shut down corner that Asomugha or Darrelle Revis is, but he’s good enough to make it hard on opposing quarterbacks. Plus, he’s dangerous if he ever gets the ball in his hands. He got a four-year, $32 million deal. Hunter, who filled in for an injured Damien Woody at right tackle last year, got a four-year, $13 million deal to take Woody’s place permanently now that Woody has retired. Folk performed well in his first year as a Jet and got a one-year deal to return. Strickland, Pool, and Smith are solid players who fit in well in the team’s DB rotation. Smith and Pool fit in as starters; Strickland a nickel back. Morgan adds depth at the position. Burress got a one-year, $3 million contract to replace Braylon Edwards as a starter across from Holmes. It’s a bit of a gamble for the Jets to rely on Burress, who has missed the last two seasons because of his legal problems, but if he’s the same player he was with the Giants he’ll be a nice addition. Brunell came back after being cut.
Chargers (add ILB Takeo Spikes, OLB Travis LaBoy and WR Laurent Robinson; keep S Eric Weddle, OT Jeromy Clary, TE Randy McMichael, S Bob Sanders, OLB Antwan Barnes, NT Jacques Cesaire, and QB Billy Volek) – Spikes, who played for new Chargers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky in San Francisco, is a solid veteran who is still a reliable run-down tackler. He’ll be a good fit in the Chargers’ 3-4 defense, even if his three-year, $9 million deal with a $3 million signing bonus is a little rich given his age. LaBoy is another vet who is a solid but unspectacular outside linebacker. He’s shown pass rush ability in the past, but not in recent years. Weddle was the Chargers’ biggest free agent, and they paid big money to keep him – a five-year, $40 million contract with a $13 million signing bonus and $19 million guaranteed that his agent claimed as the richest contract ever for a safety. Weddle may not be the best safety in the league, but he’s very good. His range at free safety is remarkable, and his presence allows the Chargers more flexibility in pass coverage. They simply couldn’t afford to lose him. Clary got a four-year deal to continue to play right tackle, even though his pass blocking has been suspect. McMichael provides insurance against Antonio Gates injury, while Sanders brings a veteran influence and hard hitting to the strong safety position if he can stay healthy. Barnes bounced around last year but finally found a home that matches his pass-rush skills in San Diego. Cesaire has started at nose tackle the last couple of years and played well. His return stabilizes the front line, because he does a nice job against the run. Volek is a solid veteran hand backing up Philip Rivers. The Chargers know he can be a solid short-term replacement if Rivers were to get injured. Robinson has been hurt a lot, but he’s big and fast. If healthy, he could help replace Malcom Floyd.
Redskins (keep WR Santana Moss, OT Jammal Brown, CB Philip Buchanon, DE Kedric Golston, and S Reed Doughty; add DT Barry Cofield, DE Stephen Bowen, CB Josh Wilson, WR Donte Stallworth, QB Kellen Clemens, and OL Chris Chester) – We discussed Moss in this post. Cofield was one of the big prizes of the free agent market, and might have been the best defensive tackle available. But it’s odd for Cofield, who thrived in a 4-3 last year, sign to play in a 3-4 in Washington. Maybe he will provide the Redskins a lot of scheme flexibility, but there’s a strong chance he’ll end up being a square peg trying to fit a round hole. That’s not what you want in a guy you’re giving a six-year megacontract. Bowen, who got a five-year, $27.5 million contract with a $12.5 million signing bonus, is a perfect fit for the system. He’ll step in as a solid five-techinique defensive end, and he’ll really improve the front. With Bowen and Cofield, the Redskins have taken a nice step forward up front. Wilson is a much better fit. He had a nice year in Baltimore last year, and he should provide an upgrade over the departing Carlos Rogers across from DeAngelo Hall. Wilson signed for a reasonable deal as well – three years, $13.5 million with $6 million in guarantees. We discussed all of these defensive additions in this post. Stallworth, who signed a one-year deal, adds depth to a receiving corps that is young aside from Moss. He’s likely a No. 4 receiver at best, but he still does have downfield speed. Clemens never made much of an impact as a second-round pick with the Jets, but like John Beck at one point he was a hot prospect. Clemens likely fits in as a No. 3 QB. Chester, who has been starting at guard for the Ravens, comes over to address a big need on the interior of the Redskins line. He got a five-year contract worth up to $20 million. Brown got a five-year deal to return and play right tackle. He didn’t have his best year last year, but he’s talented enough to play left tackle or right. Buchanon adds depth at corner, but he will miss the first four games of the season because of a league suspension. Golston is a decent backup lineman. Doughty adds depth at safety.
Seahawks (add WR Sidney Rice, TE Zach Miller, QB Tarvaris Jackson, OG Robert Gallery, DTs Alan Branch and Ryan Sims, DE Jimmy Wilkerson, and PK Jeff Reed, ; keep DT Brandon Mebane, CB Kelly Jennings, RB Michael Robinson, LB Leroy Hill and DT Junior Siavii) – Once Santonio Holmes re-signed with the Jets, Rice was the best receiver on the market, and Seattle stepped up to sign him to a five-year, $41 million deal with $18.5 million guaranteed. Rice fought injuries last year, but he showed in 2009 that he can be an elite downfield receiver because of his great size and ball skills. His presence will let Mike Williams settle in as a solid No. 2 receiver and shore up a trouble area. Miller, who was a fine receiving tight end in Oakland, wasn’t at a position of need, but his talent was strong enough that the Seahawks gave him a big deal (five years, $34 million, with $17 million guaranteed). He’s a big-time receiving threat. The question is who will get Rice and Miller the ball. The Seahawks couldn’t come to a deal with Matt Hasselbeck, and to replace him they brought in Jackson on a two-year, $8 million deal that basically puts him on equal footing with Charlie Whitehurst. Jackson fell far out of favor with the Vikings last year, but he played well down the stretch in 2008 before Brett Favre hit town. Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell was with the Vikings at that point, so he knows Jackson’s ability and potential. Still, Jackson will have to grow more consistent and protect the football if he is to knock off Whitehurst and seize the starting job. Gallery was a bust as a tackle, but he’s played well as a guard. Former Raiders head coach Tom Cable is now in Seattle, so he must trust that Gallery can add veteran experience to an offensive line that’s young at tackle with Russell Okung and James Carpenter. Branch was a disappointment in Arizona, but he is huge and moves well, so the Seahawks will try to unlock his potential. Branch got a two-year, $8 million deal with $4 million guaranteed. Mebane was a huge retention for the Seahawks. He was one of the top defensive tackles on the market and had several suitors. Now he returns to create havoc up front. Having a wide body like Branch alongside could allow Mebane to penetrate even more. Robinson is a backup running back who is a decent receiver as well. Hill had played well for the Seahawks in the past, but off-field issues have limited his impact in recent years. Still, he has talent. Siavii adds depth inside. Sims and Wilkerson provide depth. Reed replaces the departed Olindo Mare. Jennings is a good but not great corner who’s probably better suited to play in a nickel set than as a starter.
Titans (add QB Matt Hasselbeck, LB Barrett Ruud, DT Shaun Smith and TE Daniel Graham; keep OG Leroy Harris, FB Ahmard Hall, and DEs Jacob Ford and Dave Ball) – The Titans stole Hasselbeck away from the Seahawks with a multiyear deal. The move will allow the team to develop rookie Jake Locker slowly, and and it will also help the Titans compete in the short term. Hasselbeck should have the personality to mentor Locker, but he’ll have to play better than he has the past 2-3 years if he is to really make the Titans contenders. Still, the team needed a veteran QB, and Hasselbeck was the best available. Smith has a reputation of crossing the line, but he played well for the Chiefs last year. He’s capable of starting and holding his own. Ruud, who was a tackle machine in Philadelphia, isn’t the thumper that departing MLB Stephen Tulloch is, but Ruud brings more athleticism to the position. The Titans will be able to play a little differently with him in town. Harris got a two-year deal to return as a starting guard, but he needs to continue to develop into that role. Graham is a solid blocking tight end with some receiving skills who will help to replace Bo Scaife. Hall is a solid blocking back who had options elsewhere but returned. Ball and Ford are not world-beaters, but they’re at least rotation-quality defensive ends who can hold up on run downs. Neither is going to create a ton of pass rush, though.
Texans (add CB Johnathan Joseph, S Danieal Manning FB Lawrence Vickers, and P Brad Maynard; keep WR Jacoby Jones, OT Rashad Butler, QB Matt Leinart, and DT Damione Lewis) – The Texans have a lot of talent, but secondary play was their tragic flaw last year. They addressed it with two big signings. Joseph, regarded as the second-best corner on the market, got a monster five-year, $48.75 million deal with a $12.5 million signing bonus to be the lead corner. He played really well in Cincinnati, and he’ll be a huge upgrade. Manning, a versatile player who struggled to find just the right fit in Chicago, comes in to play free safety. He has immense talent if the Texans can figure out where to play him. Manning got a four-year, $20 million deal with $9 million in guarantees. Jones got a three-year, $10.5 million contract with $3.5 million in guarantees in the hopes that he’s ready to fulfill his vast potential and emerge as a starter opposite Andre Johnson. The skills are there; the question is whether Jones can unlock them. Butler started four games at tackle as a fill-in last year. Leinart got a two-year, $5.5 million deal with $3.75 million guaranteed, which means the Texans expect him to compete with Dan Orlovsky for the backup spot behind Matt Schaub. Lewis got a one-year deal to play in Houston’s new 3-4; he played in a similar scheme in New England. Vickers, an ex-Brown, replaces Vonta Leach as a blocking fullback. Vickers isn’t as good as Leach, but he’s pretty good. Maynard started to fall off last year, but the vet may find punting easier in warm Houston than it was in cold Chicago.
Ravens (keep OG-OT Marshal Yanda, CB Chris Carr and LB Prescott Burgess; add FB Vonta Leach and S Bernard Pollard) – Yanda, who for years was a solid guard for the Ravens, moved out to right tackle last year and continued to play well. His strong play led to a strong market for his services, but the Ravens stepped up to keep Yanda with a five-year, $32 million deal with a $10 million signing bonus. Yanda is dependable, and his versatility will help him continue to make an impact through the length of the deal. That should make this a good deal for the Ravens. Burgess fits in as a backup outside linebacker. Carr is a solid nickelback who got a four-year deal to return. That’s important, especially after the Ravens lost two secondary starters – Dawan Landry and Josh Wilson – via free agency. Leach got a three-year, $11 million deal to replace LeRon McClain and Willis McGahee in the fullback role. Leach isn’t a great runner, but he’s a terrific blocker and will help Ray Rice tremendously in that role. Pollard is a great in-the-box safety who isn’t great in coverage. His skills mirror Dawan Landry, so he’s a decent replacement despite being older.
Rams (add S Quintin Mikell, OG Harvey Dahl, WR Mike Sims-Walker, DTs Justin Bannan and Daniel Muir, CB Al Harris, LBs Zac Diles and Brady Poppinga, and RBs Jerious Norwood and Cadillac Williams) – The Rams had to cut FS O.J. Atogwe back before the lockout because of a huge escalator, and that was a huge loss. To replace him, they broke the bank for Mikell, an eight-year vet who has emerged as a top safety the last year or two. Mikell got a four-year deal worth $27 million with $14 million guaranteed, so he’ll need to continue to play at an elite level to be worth the price. But his presence will help the Rams defense continue to grow. Dahl is a good guard in large part because of his physical, borderline-dirty style of play. He’ll add an edge up front for a Rams line that features young OTs Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold and C Jason Brown. They could become one of the best front fives in the league now that Dahl’s in town on a four-year deal. Sims-Walker is a big receiver who’s more talented than any on the Rams’ roster. Since Mark Clayton isn’t yet healthy enough to play, MSW could be the Rams’ No. 1 option. Bannan, who got a three-year deal, is a versatile lineman who got cut after a scheme change in Denver. He can be a decent backup inside or outside. Muir, who got a one-year, $1.85 million deal, is in the same boat. Both add good depth. Harris got a one-year deal to see if he can resuscitate his career. He adds veteran wiles at least. Diles is an athletic weak-side linebacker. Poppinga can play outside as well. Norwood and Williams add depth at a position that was razor thin behind Steven Jackson last year. Both are great on third-down; the question is whether one or both can stay healthy.
Jaguars (add MLB Paul Posluzny, OLB Clint Session, S Dawan Landry, CB Drew Coleman, and OG Jason Spitz) – The Jaguars made their splash by signing two linebackers to fix a trouble spot. Posluszny, an ex-Bill, got a six-year, $45 million contract that includes $15 million in guarantees. Posluszny is an athletic player who fits best in a 4-3 like the Jaguars run, not in the Bills’ 3-4. He’s a reliable tackler who also has the athletic ability to get deep in coverage, and he fills an area that was a problem for Jacksonville last year. The price was high, but the fit seems right for the Jaguars. Session, an ex-Colt, got a five-year deal worth $30 million with $11.5 million in guarantees to play on the weak side. He’ll add even more ranginess to the group. After building the defensive line through the draft the last few years, the Jaguars hope Posluszny, Session, and holdover Daryl Smith are ready to make the front seven formidable. Landry got a five-year deal to address safety, which was another big trouble area. Landry’s better in run support than coverage, but he’s a lot better than what Jacksonville had at the position. Coleman, who got a three-year, $7.4 million deal, is better playing in the slot than outside, but he will help a trouble area. We discussed all of these Jaguars defensive moves in this post. Spitz will get a chance to start a left guard.
Colts (keep QB Peyton Manning, PK Adam Vinatieri, S Melvin Bullitt and RB Joseph Addai; add QBs Dan Orlovsky and Nate Davis, LB Ernie Sims, DE Jamaal Anderson, and DT Tommie Harris) – Manning, who was the franchise free agent for the Colts, had some tense moments of negotiation but eventually re-signed for a massive five-year, $90 million deal. He tried to take a little less money to make room for the Colts to re-sign some key players such as Addai, who is still the best back the Colts have despite his age and fragility. Vinatieri got a three-year deal to remain as the Colts’ dependable clutch kicker. Bullitt, who missed most of last season, also got a three-year deal. He’ll be in the mix to start at safety. After Orlovsky was cut by Houston, he quickly got a new gig in Indy. He’ll be an upgrade at backup quarterback. Davis, a bust as a 49ers draft pick, gets a two-year deal in Indy to compete with Curtis Painter for the No. 3 job. We discussed the Colts’ additions of three former first-rounders – Harris, Sims, and Anderson – in this post.
Falcons (add DE Ray Edwards; keep OT Tyson Clabo, OG Justin Blalock, and OLBs Stephen Nicholas and Mike Peterson) – Edwards, the second-best defensive end on the market behind Charles Johnson, got a solid but not earth-shattering deal to come to Atlanta – five years, $30 million with $11 million guaranteed. He’ll add pass rush and allow the Falcons to use John Abraham more strategically. That kind of pass rusher was one of the biggest needs for the Falcons, and Edwards was one of the best available. That’s a win for the Dirty Birds. Atlanta fought off a major challenge from the Bills to keep Clabo, who provides physical play at right tackle. The Falcons, who had three OL starters hitting free agency, gave Clabo a five-year, $25 million deal with $11.5 million guaranteed to stay. Blalock got a six-year, $38 million deal to return at left guard. Clabo and Blalock will stabilize a run game and give the Falcons more flexibility with their other guard spot. Nicholas has emerged as a quality outside ‘backer for a Falcons defense that is strong at that left. He got a five-year, $17.5 million contract that includes $7 million in guarantees to stay and help the Dirty Birds get over the hump. Peterson, who plays at the other outside linebacker spot, returns as well. He’s got a ton of experience and still drops into coverage pretty well.
Cowboys (keep OT Doug Free, DEs Marcus Spears and Jason Hatcher, OL Kyle Kosier, and S Gerald Sensabugh; add DE Kenyon Coleman and S Abram Elam) – The Cowboys had to cut a bunch of salary just to get under the salary cap, but they kept cutting to make sure they could keep Free, who emerged as a starting left tackle last year. Dallas fought off Tampa Bay by signing Free to a four-year, $32 million contract with $17 million in guarantees. If Free develops into an above-average left tackle, he’ll be worth that deal, and he’s young enough to do so. That makes this a wise investment for Jerry Jones. Kosier is a versatile player who can start inside. He got a three-year, $9 million deal. Spears got a five-year, $19.2 million deal to stay and play defensive end. He became a priority when Stephen Bowen went to the division rival Redskins. Hatcher got a $2.5 million signing bonus on a three-year, $6 million deal to help out in the defensive end rotation as well. To add depth after Bowen’s departure, the Cowboys brought in Coleman, a veteran who played for new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in Cleveland. Elam is another Cleveland import. He’ll team with Sensabaugh, who played well in Dallas last year, to improve Dallas’ safety situation. Both Sensabaugh and Elam got one-year, $2.5 million contracts.
Steelers (keep CBs Ike Taylor and William Gay, OT Willie Colon, OG Jonathan Scott, NT Chris Hoke, RB Melwede Moore, PK Shaun Suisham and P Daniel Sepulveda; add TE John Gilmore) – Taylor, regarded as one of the best corners on the market, stays in Pittsburgh on a four-year deal. His physical style fits the Steelers’ system well, and the system keeps him from being exposed in coverage. He wouldn’t fit any other scheme as well. Gay isn’t as good as Taylor, but he’s been a decent starter for the Steelers. Suisham stepped in for Jeff Reed last season and did a nice job for the Steelers. Colon has battled injuries the last two years, but he has played well when healthy at left tackle. Pittsburgh’s counting on him to man the position at a high level, because they cut Flozell Adams and Max Starks as they gave Colon a five-year, $29 million deal. Scott adds solid depth at several positions. Sepulveda returns to punt for Pittsburgh once again. He’s been effective when healthy. Hoke and Moore are key players at their positions. Gilmore helps to replace departed backup TE Matt Spaeth.
Chiefs (add WR Steve Breaston, NT Kelly Gregg, ILB Brandon Siler and RB LeRon McClain; keep DE Tamba Hali, C Casey Wiegmann, WR Terrance Copper, S Jon McGraw, and CB Travis Daniels) – Breaston showed promise in Arizona, especially when now Chiefs head coach Todd Haley was the offensive coordinator there. He comes in to provide a complement to Dwayne Bowe as first-rounder Jonathan Baldwin develops. Breaston got a five-year deal that includes $9 million in guaranteed money. Gregg, who played for the Ravens, has been a solid plugger up front who frees the players around him to make plays. He’s a nice replacement for the departed Ron Edwards and could be an upgrade if he can maintain his past performance. Siler is a solid inside linebacker who will help against the run. McClain can play tailback but probably fits in better as a versatile fullback. Hali, the Chiefs’ preeminent pass rusher and franchise player, got a long-term deal – 5 years, $60 million with $35 million guaranteed. It’s a high price, but Hali has earned it. Wiegmann, who has played more than 10,000 consecutive snaps since 2001, got a one-year, $2.25 million contract to remain K.C.’s starting center. Copper, McGraw (who got a one-year deal), and Daniels all add experienced depth, which is key after a no-minicamp offseason.
Bengals (add DE Manny Lawson, QB Bruce Gradkowski, LB Thomas Howard, CB Nate Clements, and OG Max-Jean Gilles; keep RBs Cedric Benson and Brian Leonard and S Gibril Wilson) – Lawson is a talented pass rusher who doesn’t have many sacks but still makes an impact. He could spring to life replacing Antwan Odom. He’s certainly worth a one-year, $3 million deal. Gradkowski, who had some success as a starter in Oakland, comes to Cincinnati to be the placeholder until rookie Andy Dalton is ready. Gradkowski played for Jon Gruden in Tampa, so he’ll be comfortable in offensive coordinator Jay Gruden’s system. He was the right fit to be the Bengals’ Week 1 starter. Howard got a two-year, $6.5 million deal to move over from Oakland and step into the starting lineup. Clements, who never lived up to his massive contract in San Francisco, returns to Ohio (where he played college football) to replace Johnathan Joseph in the starting lineup. Gilles is a massive player who can play either guard spot or even fill in at tackle. He got a one-year, $1.15 million deal. Benson has had off-field problems, but he’s been a decent back for the Bengals. The question is whether his career is on the decline given his age. Leonard, who got a two-year deal, is a versatile back who can run, catch, and block. He’s a key contributor to the Bengals’ offense. Wilson was a starting safety last year. He’s OK but not great.
49ers (keep QB Alex Smith, DE Ray McDonald, and C Tony Wragge; add C Jonathan Goodwin, CB Carlos Rogers, S Madieu Williams, PK David Akers and OLB Antwan Applewhite) – In one of the worst kept secrets of the lockout, Smith got a one-year, $5 million deal to be the 2011 starter and placeholder for Colin Kaepernick. McDonald got a much bigger deal to provide sturdy play up front – five years, $20 million with $7 million guaranteed. McDonald pushes the pocket more than most think. Wragge, who got a one-year deal, provides depth at center after the loss of David Baas to the Giants. But Goodwin, who came over from the Saints for a three-year, $10.9 million deal with $4 million in guarantees, should become the starter at the pivot. Rogers, an ex-Redskin, takes over for Nate Clements. Rogers has hands of stone, but he’s pretty good in coverage and may be an upgrade over Clements. Williams fills in at safety, which is a position full of question marks right now. Akers, a long-time Eagle, comes to town to replace injured kicker Joe Nedney, who was cut. Akers has a ton of experience if he can keep his skills intact. Applewhite moves over from San Diego to add depth at an outside linebacker spot that’s been hit hard by free agency.
Buccaneers (keep OLB Quincy Black, OG Davin Joseph, and OT Jeremy Trueblood; add P Michael Koenen) – Black, who is the best playmaker among the Bucs’ linebackers, got a big-time deal to stay – five years, $29 million, with $11.5 million guaranteed. He’s playing the weak-side spot that Derrick Brooks made so many plays in for so many years. Joseph is a talented guard who struggled a bit last year but had a Pro Bowl season in 2009. He got a big deal – 7 years, $52.5 million with $19 million guaranteed – to continue to anchor the Bucs’ line. Trueblood is a marginal starter at right tackle, but he still got a two-year deal to ensure continuity on the line. Koenen comes over from Atlanta on a major deal – six years, $19.5 million with $6.5 million guaranteed – to replace Adam Podlesh. Koenen’s also great on kickoffs.
Giants (add C-OG David Baas, P Steve Weatherford, QB David Carr, TE Ben Patrick, and DT Gabe Watson; keep RB Ahmad Bradshaw, OT Shawn Andrews, OG-OT Kevin Boothe, DE Mathias Kiwanuka, and WR Michael Clayton) – After purging three starting offensive linemen, the Giants started the rebuilding process with Baas, who proved with San Francisco that he can be an effective starter at center as well as guard. Boothe got a two-year deal to provide depth at tackle, and he may get a chance to start at left guard. Kiwanuka is a versatile player who has contributed both at defensive end and at strong-side linebacker. With Osi Umenyiora threatening a holdout, the Giants couldn’t afford to let Kiwanuka leave. Weatherford, an ex-Jet, is an upgrade over last year’s punter for the Giants. Plus, he has experience kicking in the Meadowlands. Bradshaw tested the market but stayed in Big Blue with a four-year, $18 million deal with $9 million in guarantees. He’s the best back the Giants have. Patrick is a solid blocker but not much of a receiver. Watson and Clayton were high picks who disappointed elsewhere but still have talent. Andrews, who had been cut, returns and could start again. Carr returns as Eli Manning’s backup after a year in San Francisco.
Saints (add RB Darren Sproles, NT Aubrayo Franklin, CB Fabian Washington, and OTs Alex Barron and George Foster; keep WR Lance Moore, OTs Jermon Bushrod and Zach Strief, LBs Scott Shanle and Danny Clark, Safeties Roman Harper and Chris Reis, and CB Leigh Torrence, add LB Will Herring) – After trading Reggie Bush, the Saints signed Sproles, who proved in San Diego that he can be a game changer as a returner, runner and receiver if used correctly. The Saints’ RB depth should let them feature the diminutive Sproles without wearing him out. If they can do that, the four-year, $14 million deal with $6 million guaranteed will look like a bargain. Franklin came to town on a one-year deal that significantly upgrades the Saints’ front line. (We’ll analyze that addition further soon.) Harper got a four-year, $28.5 million deal with $16 million guaranteed to return as the starting strong safety. He’s been a very solid player for New Orleans. Moore, an ideal slot receiver, got a five-year deal to stay in New Orleans. He can be a real X-factor for the offense, so it makes sense for the Saints to keep him. Bushrod has started at left tackle for the last two years for the Saints and has held up OK. He had other options in free -agency but wanted to return to New Orleans on a two-year deal. Torrence is a backup corner and special-teams ace, as is Reis, a backup safety. Herring, an ex-Seahawk, adds depth at linebacker, in addition to solid contributors Shanle (two years, $4 million) and Clark. Washington adds depth to help replace the departed Usama Young. Strief is a solid swing tackle, but he’ll have to beat out former first-round picks Barron and Foster to keep his job. Barron and Foster have been disappointments elsewhere.
Bills (keep CB Drayton Florence; add S Brad Smith, LB Nick Barnett, and QB Tyler Thigpen) – Florence played well for the Bills last year, his first in Buffalo. His reward is a three-year, $15 million deal. Thigpen started for the Chiefs in 2008, but his skills fit a Pistol offense that few teams use. Bills head coach Chan Gailey was the offensive coordinator during Thigpen’s best NFL season, so he will be able to make the most of the QB’s skills if Ryan Fitzpatrick gets hurt or falters. This is a good match of player and coach for a backup quarterback. Smith, an ex-Jet, got a four-year, $15 million contract. He can make an impact as a slot receiver, option quarterback, and kick returner, which creates a lot of options for the Bills. Let’s just hope having Smith run the Pistol isn’t one of them. Barnett, who was cut by the Packers, will help replace Paul Posluszny. Barnett, who’s more physical than Posluszny, should fit the 3-4 defense better than the former Bill did. Barnett got a three-year, $12 million deal with $6 million guaranteed.
Vikings (keep PK Ryan Longwell and OT Ryan Cook; add WRs Michael Jenkins and Devin Aromashodu, DL Remi Ayodele, and OT Charlie Johnson)– Longwell has been a reliable kicker for the Vikings, so they anted up to keep him with a four-year, $12 million deal with a $3.5 million signing bonus. Jenkins, who got a three-year deal, never lived up to his status as a first-round pick in Atlanta, but he has great size and speed and is a willing blocker. He won’t replace Sidney Rice, but he’s going to get a chance to. At the least, his presence will allow the Vikings to continue to play Percy Harvin in the slot. Aromashodu showed some promise with the Bears, but he fell out of favor last season and was not tendered a free-agent contract. Still, his ability and size makes him worth a shot for the Vikings, especially since their biggest target, Sidney Rice, left in free agency. Ayodele did a nice job as a rotation player for the Saints. He’ll provide depth behind the Williams wall and help to fill in during their suspensions. Johnson and Cook add depth at offensive tackle, and Johnson may start after Bryant McKinnie’s release.
Cardinals (add OGs Daryn Colledge and Floyd Womack, LB Stewart Bradley, WR Chansi Stuckey, CB Richard Marshall, and TE s Todd Heap and Jeff King) – Colledge, who was a starter for the Packers, moves over to provide help at a big trouble spot. He’ll also take over some of the veteran leadership role that the retired Alan Faneca had last year. Womack, an ex-Brown, is versatile enough to fill in at guard or tackle. He’s an ideal sixth lineman. Bradley is a big, physical inside linebacker who has seen his skill sapped by injuries the last two years. Still, he’s worth a look to see if he can return to form. Stuckey adds depth at receiver after the departure of Steve Breaston. Marshall’s 2010 season wasn’t good, but in previous years he was a good starter for the Panthers. He will get a chance to start in place of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and on a one-year deal he’s a nice addition. Heap, a longtime Raven, got a two-year deal to return to Arizona, where he played his college ball. Heap will add an element that hasn’t been in the Cardinals passing game in past years. King, a solid blocker who also has good receiving skills, becomes the tight end complement for Heap and rookie Robert Housler in Arizona. King got a one-year deal.
Browns (add S Usama Young, RB Brandon Jackson and CB Dmitri Patterson; keep PK Phil Dawson, TE Evan Moore and DE Jayme Mitchell) – Dawson, a reliable kicker who was the Browns’ franchise player, signed for the guaranteed one-year tender of about $3 million. Young, an ex-Saint, can play corner but likely fits in as a starting free safety with the Browns. He brings ability and locker-room leadership to the mix. Patterson, an ex-Eagle, was exposed as a starter last year, but he’s good enough to be a nickel back, and he fills a need position. Moore emerged as a good pass-catching tight end last year and could earn a bigger role. Jackson got a two-year, $4.5 million contract. He fits in as a good third-down back for the West Coast offense, although he showed last year he’s not a starting caliber back. Mitchell didn’t play much after coming over via trade last year, but the Browns see him as a starting tight end in their new 4-3 defense. He got a two-year deal.
Packers (keep PK Mason Crosby, WR James Jones and FB John Kuhn) – The Packers re-signed Crosby, who has been a solid kicker even in bad winter weather, to a five-year deal. Jones was looking to move up the depth chart by moving in free agency, but he didn’t find a deal to his liking. His return means the Pack remains incredibly deep at receiver. Kuhn is a blocking full back who can catch and can run in short yardage. He fits the Packers better than any other team, and so re-signing makes sense.
Raiders (keep OLB Kamerion Wimbley, S Michael Huff, OT Khalif Barnes, C Samson Satele, OG Justin Smiley, OLB Jarvis Moss and LS Jon Condo; add QB Trent Edwards and OT Stephon Heyer) – Wimbley, the Raiders’ franchise player, had his best season since his rookie year last year, but that doesn’t mean his massive five-year, $48 million contract with a whopping $29 million guaranteed is a good deal. That deal was necessary so that the Raiders didn’t take the full brunt of the franchise tag this year. Huff had a breakout year at safety last year, but he didn’t find big money on the open market. The Raiders happily took him back. Barnes got a one-year deal to return as a starter at tackle while youngsters at the position develop. Moss, whom the Raiders picked up off the scrap heap last year, was a first-round bust in Denver, but he has enough pass-rush ability to be a solid backup at a one-year, $1.25 million price. Condo is a dependable long-snapper for the Raiders’ elite specialists, so he’s worth keeping around. Edwards comes to town as Jason Campbell’s new backup. Satele, Smiley, and Heyer (who got a one-year, $1.7 million deal) add depth at offensive line, and a couple of the trio could end up starting.
Dolphins (keep DE Tony McDaniel; add ILB Kevin Burnett, OLBs Jason Trusnik and Jason Taylor, QB Matt Moore, DT Ronald Fields and OT Marc Colombo) – With trade negotiations for Kyle Orton falling apart, the Dolphins added Moore, who was a bust as a starter in Carolina last year but who might be good enough to keep Chad Henne on his toes. Moore’s no Orton, but he should be an average backup. McDaniel got a two-year deal to remain as a backup defensive lineman. Trusnik, most recently with Cleveland, is a solid outside linebacker and special-teams player who provides quality depth behind Koa Misi and Cameron Wake. Trusnik got a two-year deal as well. Taylor does as well, returning to the team he has spent most of his career with for the third time. Taylor can still make a play or two as a featured pass rusher. Burnett got a big deal – five years with $10 million in guarantees – to replace Channing Crowder at inside linebacker. Burnett’s more athletic (and less annoying) than Crowder. Fields is an inside plugger who can back up Paul Soliai. Colombo has ties to Tony Sparano from the Dallas days, and it appears the Dolphins are moving Vernon Carey inside so that Colombo can start at right tackle. But Colombo didn’t really hold up at the position last year, so that plan seems risky.
Bears (add P Adam Podlesh, TE Matt Spaeth, WRs Roy Williams and Sam Hurd, RB Marion Barber, DE Vernon Gholston, DT Amobi Okoye, and C Chris Spencer; keep DT Anthony Adams and LB Nick Roach) – After cutting stalwart Brad Maynard, the Bears brought Podlesh over from Jacksonville on a five-year deal worth more than $10 million. The Bears traditionally have among the best special teams in the league, so adding Podlesh’s stronger leg to the mix will make a difference. Spaeth, an ex-Steeler, replaces blocking TE Brandon Manumaleuna. He’s not as bulky but is a better receiver out of short-yardage sets. Williams was a bust in Dallas, but he had his best season with offensive coordinator Mike Martz in Detroit. He’s a worthwhile gamble, especially since the Bears don’t have a receiver with his kind of size. Hurd is a nice depth signing at wide receiver; he’d be a quality fourth option at the position. Adams got a two-year deal to return as a solid tackle who can play over the center. He’s solid and allows the guys around him to make plays. Barber got a two-year, $5 million deal to add some physicality to the running game. The question is whether injuries limited him in Dallas, or whether his career is winding down. Gholston and Okoye, both disappointments as first-round picks, are rebuilding projects for Rod Marinelli, considered one of the best defensive line coaches around. Both got one-year deals, and if Marinelli turns them into forces, it will be a huge win. Roach got a two-year, $4.5 million deal to return as a backup linebacker and special-teams player. After failing to come to a deal with long-time center Olin Kreutz, the Bears added Spencer on a two-year deal. The former first-round pick was never great in Seattle, and his style is more finesse than physical. But O-line coach Mike Tice is one of the best in the league, so he might be able to get a little more out of Spencer’s talent.
Lions (add CB Eric Wright, LBs Justin Durant and Stephen Tulloch, and WR Rashied Davis; keep QB Drew Stanton, CBs Chris Houston and Brandon McDonald, OL Dylan Gandy, LB Bobby Carpenter, and PK Dave Rayner) – Wright has played pretty well in Cleveland, and he got a one-year deal to address a huge need area for the Lions. Wright’s at least good to be a top three corner. Houston returns as a starter. He was Detroit’s best corner last year, and he’s good enough to be a solid starter. Detroit couldn’t afford to lose him. Durant, an ex-Jaguar, got a two-year deal to upgrade the linebacking corps that was such a problem last year. Tulloch will be an even bigger upgrade; he was hoping to hit it big in free agency but took a one-year, $3.25 million deal to reunite with Jim Schwartz. The Lions will be glad he did, because he’s a big-time thumper at middle linebacker. Davis, an ex-Bear, is a fine special-teams cover player who can contribute at wideout in a pinch. Stanton, a former second-round pick, played well in relief last year and provides a solid backup option. McDonald played in six games, starting two, as a backup corner last year. Rayner filled in for long-time kicker Jason Hanson after Hanson got hurt; now Rayner has a chance to steal away Hanson’s job. Gandy got a two-year deal. Carpenter returns to add LB depth.
Broncos (add RB Willis McGahee, WR David Anderson, TEs Daniel Fells and Dante Rosario, and DT Ty Warren) – McGahee, who had been released by the Ravens, got a four-year, $9.5 million deal to come in as Knowshon Moreno’s backup. It’s a ridiculous deal for an older running back who hasn’t shown much pop in recent years, and the fact that it takes away from Moreno’s carries makes it even worse. Anderson, who was released by the Texans, adds depth at wide receiver. Fells (an ex-Ram) and Rosario (an ex-Panther) have shown pass-catching potential, but neither has been consistent. Still, they should help the passing game. Warren, whom the Patriots cut after he failed a physical, got a two-year, $10 million deal with $2.5 million guaranteed to help the Broncos move to a 4-3. Warren and trade acquisition Brodrick Bunkley now form the center of that defense. Warren has been great at points in his career, but he must prove he is now healthy enough to still play well. Still, he’s a nice and necessary addition for Denver.
Patriots (keep OT Matt Light, RB Sammy Morris and RB Kevin Faulk) – Light returns to play left tackle, but now he’s a place holder until Nate Solder is ready. Still, he provides good insurance for the Pats on Tom Brady’s blind side. Morris, a versatile back who takes snaps at tailback and fullback, re-signed on a one-year deal. Faulk, who missed much of last season due to injury, returns as the Patriots’ do-everything back. But with the emergence of young backs, Faulk could face an uphill battle for a roster spot.
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FR: May signings
This post compares free-agent signings from the beginning of the NFL draft to the end of May. For past signings, check out the April signings post and work your way back.
10 – Saints (kept UFA FS Darren Sharper; added LB Clint Ingram and FB Jason McKie) – Sharper returns on another one-year deal after a spectacular first year with the Saints. Sharper not only provided veteran wiles and stability to a secondary that had long been a trouble spot for the Saints; he also was a playmaker who picked off nine passes and returned three of them for touchdowns. Sharper is 34, but he showed he can still perform at a high level in the league. After taking Patrick Robinson in the first round of April’s draft, the Saints could have moved ’09 first-rounder Malcolm Jenkins to free safety, but it’s a far safer bet to spend a couple of million dollars to keep Sharper in place and use Jenkins as a jack of all trades. Eventually, Jenkins will replace Sharper, but the Saints don’t need to be in any hurry to make that switch because Sharper’s play is still superb. Ingram started for the Jaguars last year, but Jacksonville pulled his tender off the table after the draft. After the departure of Scott Fujita, the Saints are thin at outside linebacker, so Ingram becomes a low-cost addition who could conceivably start and hold his own. McKie is a traditional fullback who played well in Chicago but was out when the Bears moved to a Mike Martz offense this offseason.
10 (con’t) – Cardinals (added OG Alan Faneca and CB Justin Miller; kept UFA NT Bryan Robinson) – Faneca, whom the Jets cut just after the draft, now plugs into a system he’s familiar with through head coach Ken Whisenhunt and line coach Russ Grimm, both of whom coached Faneca in Pittsburgh. Faneca, who got a one-year, $2.5 million deal, will actually bring home more cash this year than he would had the Jets held onto him, will be a great leader for the Cards’ line, which has been one of the team’s weaker units in recent years. He’ll give Herman Johnson help developing and will stabilize the interior of the line, and Faneca’s style also fits the run-first persona Whisenhunt is trying to implement in the desert. Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower should high-five team execs for bringing Faneca on board. Robinson is a long-time veteran who will move to a backup role with the arrival of first-rounder Dan Williams. Keeping him around for a year to spell and mentor Williams is a good idea for the Cards. Miller has bounced around in recent years, and he’s not a great defensive player, but he can add some punch to the return game.
7 – Bengals (added S Gibril Wilson, CB Pacman Jones, and PK Mike Nugent; kept UFA TE Reggie Kelly) – The secondary was a strong suit for the Bengals last year, but they brought in reinforcements. Wilson started for the Dolphins last year, and while he’s not a dynamic player, he’s at least OK. If he starts, he’ll be OK for the Bengals, and the team finally has a good price on a guy who has been overpaid the past two seasons in Oakland and Miami. Cincy also took a shot at Pacman Jones, who didn’t play last season. The former first-round pick has had plenty of off-field problems, but the bigger problem was his mediocre play in Dallas. Nugent, the long-time Jet kicker who filled in with the Cardinals at the end of last year, signed on with Cincy during the draft. He’ll compete against ex-Packer Dave Rayner to replace Shayne Graham. Kelly missed the entire 2009 season with an Achilles injury, but he’s a solid block-first tight end who fits well into Cincy’s run-first approach.
7 (con’t) – Redskins (added WRs Bobby Wade and Joey Galloway, DE Vonnie Holliday, LB Chris Draft, and DT Darrion Scott) – The Redskins are painfully thin at receiver, with Santana Moss aging and Devin Thomas and especially Malcolm Kelly as developmental prospects. So they brought in vets Wade and Galloway to add depth. Galloway no longer has special speed, and he was a bust in New England last year. Wade is not as well known, but he was productive as a Chief last year and could still fit in as a good third or fourth wideout for a contender. Draft is a capable starting linebacker who’s always replaceable but never horrible. He provides a good option for a team moving to a 3-4 in need of linebackers. Scott played for new Skins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett in the UFL last year, and so he could fit in as a backup as Washington moves to a 3-4 defense. Holliday, who played for Denver last year, can step in and start as a 3-4 end. He doesn’t make a ton of plays, but the long-time vet holds up really well against the run.
6 – Broncos (added LB Akin Ayodele and OT Maurice Williams, kept UFA LB Nick Greisen) – Ayodele was a veteran who brought stability but not tons of ability to the Dolphins the last two years. He knows the 3-4, though, and so can replace Andra Davis in the starting lineup. Greisen missed the ’09 season with a knee injury, but Denver’s going to take another look at him as a backup linebacker and special-teams cover guy. With Ryan Clady hurt, the Broncos brought in Williams, a disappointment as a second-round draft pick in Jacksonville who is athletic. Williams provides depth if he can recover his potential.
5 – Seahawks (kept UFA S Lawyer Milloy; added S Quinton Teal and QB J.P. Losman) – Milloy returns for a second season in Seattle, and in doing so he’ll be reunited with his first NFL coach, Pete Carroll, who returns to the pros after nearly a decade at USC. It’s been seven seasons since Milloy starred for the Patriots on their first Super Bowl winning team, but even though Milloy has been on lower-profile teams in Buffalo, Atlanta, and now Seattle, he remained a starter until last season. Milloy should be able to serve as a mentor to first-rounder Earl Thomas, and he provides veteran stability at a position where the only other player with NFL experience is Teal. Keeping Milloy at safety is a safe move that provides a sense of security for Seattle as they seek to develop Thomas into a defensive leader. Teal played some for the Panthers the last three years, but he wasn’t tendered a restricted free-agent contract this offseason. Teal will provide veteran depth behind rookies Thomas and Kam Chancellor. Losman, a first-round bust in Buffalo, played well in the UFL last year and deserves another shot in the NFL. But he looks like little more than a No. 3 in Seattle behind Matt Hasselbeck and Charlie Whitehurst.
4 – 49ers (added UFA CB William James) – James (formerly known as Will Peterson) started 14 games for the Lions last year and played pretty well, picking off two passes. The nine-year vet steps into a spot that Dre Bly struggled in last year.
4 (con’t) – Patriots (added DT Gerard Warren; kept UFA OLB Derrick Burgess) – Warren, a former No. 3 overall pick in the NFL, never became a huge impact player, but he’s been a regular starter in recent years in Oakland. Now he moves to New England, where he could spell or even play alongside Vince Wilfork. After nine years in the league, Warren isn’t an ideal starter at this point, but he can provide quality as a rotation player. Burgess struggled in his adjustment to New England last year, but he began to produce late in the year with three of his five sacks over the last three games.
3 – Texans (added UFA LB Danny Clark and TE Michael Gaines) – Clark, most recently with the Giants, returns to Houston to help fill the gap after Pro Bowler Brian Cushing was suspended for the first four games of the season. Clark isn’t dynamic, but he makes the plays in front of him, and so he’ll be a dependable option for the Texans until Cushing returns. Gaines is a veteran tight end who faces an uphill battle to make a roster stocked at tight end by Owen Daniels and draft picks Dorin Dickerson and Garrett Graham.
2 – Dolphins (added OG Cory Procter) – Procter isn’t a dynamic player, but he provides nice depth at guard and can start in a pinch. He played OK in Dallas but was let go earlier this month when Dallas rescinded his restricted free agent tender to try to save some money. Procter was a waiver-wire find by Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano in Dallas, so his new team will know what he can do and what he can’t. At the least, Procter will provide insurance in case third-round pick John Jerry needs an adjustment period to the NFL as the Dolphins try to replace the traded Justin Smiley.
2 (con’t) – Jaguars (added LB Freddie Keiaho and LB Teddy Lehman) – Keiaho is a small but speedy linebacker who started two years in Indianapolis but was always a guy the Colts were looking to replace. He wasn’t tendered as a restricted free agent, and now he moves to Jacksonville to compete for a job. Lehman, a former Lion, tries to return to the NFL after playing the UFL last season.
2 (con’t) – Lions (added S C.C. Brown) – Brown started for the Giants much of last year but didn’t play well in that role. But he can help provide depth for the Lions, who have one terrific safety in Louis Delmas but little else at the position. Brown will have to beat out several similarly talented players to win a job, but he at least has a shot of doing so.
1 – Ravens (added CB Travis Fisher) – Fisher has bounced around a ton lately, and he played only part of the year in Seattle last year. But given the Ravens’ problems at cornerback in 2009, it’s worth it for Baltimore to get a look at a guy who has started a bunch of games in the NFL to see if he can help.
1 (con’t) – Browns (added TE Alex Smith and PK Shaun Suisham) – Smith played for the Eagles last year, and he still has a bit of ability as a receiver. Smith will fight for a backup job behind free-agent addition Ben Watson in Cleveland. Suisham is a low-level NFL kicker, but he provides insurance in case the Browns can’t work out Phil Dawson’s contract situation.
1 (con’t) – Cowboys (kept UFA OG Montrae Holland) – Holland didn’t play at all for the Cowboys last year, but the team still brought him back as veteran depth on the offensive line. He’s a marginal backup who knows the system, but if he plays it’ll be a sign of trouble in Dallas.
1 (con’t) – Raiders (added FB Rock Cartwright, RB Michael Bennett, and OG Daniel Loper) – Cartwright, a long-time Redskin, got cut in Washington’s RB overhaul. Now he moves to Oakland, where he’ll provide depth behind Darren McFadden and Michael Bush at running back and behind Luke Lawton (who’ll miss the first two games of the season) at fullback. Cartwright can also return kicks, which helps his chances to stick. Bennett, a former first-round pick, will have to show he still has speed to stick around. Loper started five games for Detroit last year but is better as a backup at guard.
1 (con’t) – Bears (add LB Brian Iwuh) – Iwuh spent four years with the Jaguars, mostly as a backup outside linebacker. He comes in to provide depth on defense and special teams, perhaps filling the role that Jamar Williams had before he was traded to Carolina.
1 (con’t) – Bills (added RB Chad Simpson) – Simpson, an ex-Colt, can provide a little burst in the return game, but he’s not good enough to beat out C.J. Spiller or Fred Jackson or Marshawn Lynch for many carries on offense.
1 (con’t) – Packers (added CB Charlie Peprah) – Peprah, who played in Green Bay from 2006-08, returns to the Pack after a year in Atlanta. He’s got a chance to claim the team’s last CB roster spot.
1 (con’t) – Panthers (added TE Jamie Petrowski) – Petrowski missed the ’09 season with the Colts due to injury, but the block-first tight end gets a chance now to come back in Carolina.
Tagged as adam jones, akin ayodele, alan faneca, alex smith, andra davis, arizona cardinals, baltimore ravens, beanie wells, bobby wade, bryan robinson, buffalo bills, c.c. brown, carolina panthers, chad simpson, charlie peprah, chris draft, chris greisen, chris wells, cincinnati bengals, cleveland browns, clint ingram, dallas cowboys, dan williams, daniel loper, danny clark, darren mcfadden, darren sharper, darrion scott, dave rayner, denver broncos, derrick burgess, detroit lions, devin thomas, dorin dickerson, earl thomas, freddie keiaho, garrett graham, gerard warren, gibril wilson, green bay packers, herman johnson, houston texans, j.p. losman, jacksonville jaguars, jamie petrowski, jim haslett, joey galloway, justin miller, kam chancellor, ken whisenhunt, lawyer milloy, luke lawton, malcolm kelly, maurice williams, michael bush, michael gaines, mike nugent, montrae holland, new england patriots, new orleans saints, new York jets, oakland raiders, owen daniels, pacman jones, pittsburgh steelers, quinton teal, reggie kelly, rock cartwright, russ grimm, San Francisco 49ers, santana moss, seattle seahawks, shaun suisham, shayne graham, teddy lehman, tim hightower, travis fisher, vince wilfork, vonnie holliday, washington redskins, william james
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Board index Holocaust Revisionism (English) 'Holocaust' Debate / Controversies / Comments / News
co bottles / gas vans
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Postby Germania » 1 decade 6 years ago (Mon May 05, 2003 2:24 am)
Hannover wrote:
That is patently absurd. There has never been a CO tank found or demonstrated to have been used to gas people, it simply is preposterous.
i see not a reason why co bottles should be found if true.i consider the ss so intelligent to sent the bottles back to the manufacture after use, dont you think so???
also, i found this document: http://www.holocaust-history.org/194203 ... nderwagen/
there it reads: "I request that you use steel bottles with carbon monoxide or respectively other remedies to get things started.".
this confirms the use of co bottles as mentioned in tesimony of eutanasie chef brack:
"Q: Where was that carbon monoxide obtained, by what process?
A: It was in a compressed gas container, like a steel oxygen container, such as is used for welding - a hollow steel container."
the statement is the opposite of patentely absurd, its reliable!!!
1:0 for eutanasie gassing!!!
there will be a schoolary debate between belivers and revisionists elsewhere. go to:
The Scholars Debate!
or search google for
R O D O H (one word!)
be aware, Hannover is the moderator and he censors and bans.
Last edited by Germania on Sat Dec 27, 2003 8:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
Postby Hannover » 1 decade 6 years ago (Mon May 05, 2003 9:36 am)
Germania, in an attempt to find the mythical and patently silly CO (welding) bottles comes up with a 'gas vans' story that is ludicrous in its content and laughable in it's assertions. He finds comfort in material from the so called 'holocau$t' History Project, that was a mistake.
Typical of the 'holocau$t History Project' we find fake documents in abundance, this batch concerns the never found 'gas vans'.
The 1st one is allegedly from Walter Rauff to Friedrich Pradel, and purporting to establish the use of "special vans" in Mauthausen :
http://www.holocaust-history.org/194203 ... onderwagen
However, there seems to be problems :
According to Ingrid Weckert [The Gas vans, A Critical Assessment of the Evidence] :
http://vho.org/GB/Books/fsfth/10.html
[Rauff's] "personnel file (copies in the author’s possession) shows that his initial profession was “marine officer”. He left the navy in late 1937 for personal reasons and transferred to the RSHA. In May 1940, however, he returned to the navy and left it one year later as lieutenant commander. From autumn 1941 to May 1942 he was stationed in Prague, just as he claims. As of June 1942 he was on SD duty in north Africa, and later in Italy, at least until May 1944, when the Italian front collapsed.
Thus, it is not clear how he could have been involved in design and construction of these vans, the purpose of which is still hidden to us." In March 1942 he was thus in Prague and not in Berlin. There is also an oddity at the end of the letter : Pradel's rank is mentioned as "Major". However in the SS, ranks had other names and his should have been therefore Hauptsturmführer", equivalent to that of major.
more fake documents about silly 'gas vans' from:
www.holocaust-history.org
-- Forgeries galore ! [Part I : SS Just to SS Rauff]
by Widukind
Willy Just to Walter Rauff
The first lines of the document are already suspicious :
II D 3 a (9) NI. 214/42 G.RS.
Berlin, den 5. Juni 1942
Einzigste Ausfertigung.
Geheime Reichssache!
I. Vermerk:
Betrifft: Technische abänderungen an den im Betrieb eingesetzten und an den sich in Herstellung befindlichen Spezialwagen.
Seit Dezember 1941 wurden beispielsweise mit 3 eingesetzten Wagen 97 000 verarbeitet, ohne daß Mängel an den Fahrzeugen auftraten. etc.
In correct German, "einzig" [only] has no superlative, i.e "einzigste". Furthermore, this is not even true, for at least 3 "originals" can be found : one "original" at the Bundesarchiv Koblenz, another "original" published as facsimile in "Nazi Mass Murder", by Eugen Kogon, Hermann Langbein, and Adalbert Rückerl, and a 3rd "original" as facsimile in NS-Prozeße, by Adalbert Rückerl, 1972.
To begin a sentence in German with "beispielsweise" [for instance] is absurd, unless you're referring to something stated before, which is clearly not the case. Quite revealingly, the translation published by Jamie McCarthy omits it. A correct translation would be :
Since December 1941, by way of example, 97 000 were processed with 3 vans etc. which in itself sounds quite ridiculous.
Jamie McCarthy omits a large chunk of point 2 on page 2:
In einer Besprechung mit der Herstellerfirma wurde von dieser Seite darauf hingewiesen, daß eine Verkürzung des Kastenaufbaues eine ungünstige Gewichtsverlagerung nach sich zieht. Es wurde betont, daß eine Überlastung der Vorderachse eintritt. Tatsächlich findet aber ungewollt ein Ausgleich in der Gewichtsverteilung dadurch statt, daß das Ladegut beim Betrieb in dem Streben nach der hinteren Tür immer vorwiegend dort liegt. Hierdurch tritt eine zusätzliche Belastung der Vorderachse nicht ein.
The omission is not innocent. The document refers to a previous "discussion with the manufacturing firm" and that "this firm pointed out that a reduction of the box compartment would result in an unfavourable shifting of the weight". The number "II D 3 a (9) NI. 214/42 G.RS" purports the idea that it belongs to a series of documents dedicated to the correspondence between the RSHA and the company Gaubschat.
Another document in the series, "II D 3 a (9) NI. 668/42 G.RS", dated 23rd June 1942, presents a troubling similarity with the document above and contains nothing suggesting gassing, CO, liquids etc. Furthermore it refers explicitly to a meeting with Gaubschat on 16th June 1942.
Ingrid Weckert, The Gas Vans: A Critical Assessment of the Evidence :
A closer examination of the Note of June 5 and a comparison with the RSHA letter of June 23, 1942 shows that the Note is a sort of plagiarism of the letter of June 23. Both items are subdivided into 7 points pertaining to the RSHA's requested changes. The Note interprets these requests in a way that would point to exhaust-gas murders of human beings.
We submit that the "Note" of June 5 is a fabrication. Its authors wrote it after the letter of June 23 was written, and predated it. The various points were rewritten, and supplemented with additional remarks in such a way that murderous intentions are made apparent. One proof for this fabrication is the fact that the "Note" of June 5, in point 2, refers to a consultation between the RSHA and Gaubschat which the letter of June 23 shows not to have taken place until June 16, fully 11 days after (!) the alleged writing of the "Note" of June 5!
To further substantiate our claim, we shall now compare and contrast the corresponding points from the letter of June 23 and the Note of June 5. All those remarks in the Note which indicate "gassing", ie. the loading of the vehicles with humans, and which do not occur in the letter of June 23, are indicated by this author with bold [aka "red"] print.
LETTER OF JUNE 23, 1942
"NOTE" OF JUNE 5, 1942
"1. The cube body is to be reduced in length
by 800 mm [31.5"]. [...] We herewith
acknowledge the objections raised, that such
a shortening would cause a disadvantageous
distribution of weight. [The preceding text
shows that this objection was raised by
Gaubschat on the occasion of a verbal
discussion on June 16, 1942.] Any
disadvantages resulting herefrom will not be
complained of to the firm of Gaubschat."
"2. It would seem necessary to decrease the load area. This will be achieved by shortening the body by approximately 1 m [39"]. The above problem cannot be solved, as has been attempted, by reducing the number of objects per load. This is because a reduction in the number necessitates a longer operation time, since the empty space also must be filled with CO. [...]
In a discussion with the manufacturer it was pointed out by the latter that a shortening of the cube body would result in a disadvantageous weight displacement. In fact, however, an involuntary balancing in weight distribution occurs because during operation the load strives
towards the back door and always largely ends up there."
"5. The slide-covered openings in the rear doors are to be omitted, and replaced with open slits of 100 x 10 mm [4 x 0.4"] in the upper back wall (not door). They are to be covered on the outside with easily movable, hinged metal flaps."
"1. To allow for the rapid inflow of the CO while preventing excessive pressure, two open slits of 10 x 1 cm [4 x 0.4"] are to be located in the upper back wall. These are to be covered on the outside with easily movable, hinged metal flaps to allow for self-regulation of any potential excess pressure."
"6. The closeable drain opening in the right front part of the cube floor is to be omitted.
Instead, a drain opening of about 200 mm [9"] in diameter is to be cut into the cube floor. This opening is to have a strong, tight-fitting, hinged lid that can be closed and
safely opened from outside."
"4. To allow for easy cleaning of the vehicle [this expression builds on the implied allegation that the gassed people were covered with excrement and filth and had dirtied the vehicle accordingly], a tightly closeable drain opening is to be located in the center of the floor.
The drain cover, about 200 to 300 mm [8 to 12"] in diameter, is to be equipped with a U-trap so that thin fluid can also drain out during operation." [This too is a reference to excretions from the dying people.]
"7. The interior lights are to be protected with a domed wire guard that is stronger than that used to date."
"6. The lighting appliances are to be more strongly protected from destruction than they have been so far. The iron grid guard over the lamps is to be domed enough to render damage to the lamp glass no longer possible. From practical experience it was suggested that the lamps should be omitted altogether, since allegedly they are never needed. It was found, however, that when the back door is closed, ie. when the interior becomes dark, the load urgently strives towards the door. This is because, at the onset of darkness, the load strives towards
the light. [Utter nonsense. Once the door was closed, it would have been no lighter there than in the rest of the cube body.] Further, it was found that a commotion, probably due to the eerie nature of darkness, always breaks out at the point where the doors are closed.
For this reason it would be expedient to turn the lights on before and during the first minutes of operation."
The letter of June 23 contained seven points. The Note of June 5 is also organized into seven points, but not all of them correspond even partly to the content of one of the points of the letter. Evidently some of the RSHA's June 23 requests for modification did not lend themselves well to the gassing theory and so they were left out. Instead, two supplements were added.
For example, point 3 in the Note of June 5 reads:
"The connecting hoses between the exhaust and the vehicle frequently rust through because they are corroded on the inside by fluids. To prevent this, the filler pipe is henceforth to be mounted in such a way that input proceeds from above downward. This will prevent fluids from entering."
Connecting hoses for exhaust gas are added to the text here, whereas there was no mention of such a thing in the original letter.
Another supplementation is to be found in point 7 of the Note, where the need for a removable grate is mentioned. The text states that since "the firm commissioned with this work [...] considers this design [...] to be impracticable at this time", the design should be submitted "to a different firm". This is entirely new to anyone familiar with these matters, and contradicts the urgency of the commission which is repeatedly expressed in other letters. Besides, internal notes jotted by members of the RSHA onto the back of Gaubschat's letter of May 14, 1942 confirm that the RSHA decided to dispense with the removable grate and agreed to "production as to date". There is no mention of a different firm to be consulted.
and yet more fakery from the 'holocau$t' History Project -
www.holocaust-history.org -- Forgeries galore ! [Part II : Wetzel to Lohse]
October 25, 1941: "Gassing Devices"
Replies to the Simon Wiesenthal Center :
Moving on to Mr. Breitbart's next contention, namely the reference to an alleged communication sent by Hinrich Lohse to Higher SS and Police leader Friedrich Jackeln, informing him that it was the "Fuehrer's wish" that the Jews of Riga be liquidated: Here again we are confronted with a brief statement which is prima facie patently absurd. Does Mr. Breitbart himself believe, or expect intelligent people to believe that the Jews of Riga were liquidated simply because someone told someone else that it was the "Fuehrer's wish", and that this "wish" be carried out by Jackeln like the genie from Alladin's lamp? There is a storm of controversy among historians concerning these alleged communications sent to and from Hinrich
Lohse.
Lohse himself escaped prosecution by the Allies after the second world war, a fact which is suspicious in itself. He was prosecuted by the German government decades later for "participating in an undemocratic regime". Alfred Rosenberg, one of the major defendants at Nuremberg and Lohse's nominal superior, consistently rejected documents without verifiable signatures, or "documents" which were purported to be facsimiles. The Lohse "documents" have a curious history: In 1945, a Jewish-American Sergeant attached to the U.S. 82nd AirborneDivision claimed to have found these documents among Alfred Rosenberg's files. The Sergeant's name was Szajko Frydman. These "documents" are unique in that they were "processed" at the Yiddish Scientific Institute (In New York City!), before they were sent on to Nuremberg, Germany. Mr. Frydman also has the distinction of serving as a staff member at the Yivo Institute both BEFORE and AFTER his service in the U.S. Army. There are a number of facts I find to be extremely disturbing when broaching the question of authenticity regarding these documents. In the first place, they are facsimiles and do not bear the signature of the author. Only a large, printed "L" is scribbled at the bottom of the page. A second concern is what Alfred Rosenberg himself had to say about the Lohse "document" at Nuremberg. When asked by Prosecutor Dodd whether the "L" at the bottom of the page was Lohse's signature, Rosenberg replied, "That could hardly be Lohse. I do not know Lohse's initial...It could also be Leibrandt." One thing is certain - whether this document is authentic or not, it certainly does not prove that it was the policy of the German government to exterminate the Jewish race in Europe.
Perhaps Alfred Rosenberg correctly assessed the actual situation when he stated, "As time went by I received much information regarding instances of violence committed in the East. Upon investigating, it was found very often that these reports did not conform with the facts...I might perhaps give the following general answer about the many files and reports from my office: In the course of 12 years of my Party office and 3 years in the Eastern Ministry, many reports, memoranda, carbon copies from all sorts of divisions were delivered to my office...As far as these documents are concerned...without heading, without signature, and without any other details - which I never received personally, but which I assume was probably
delivered by police circles to my office. Thus, with the best of intentions, I cannot state my position as to the contents of this document." (All quotes taken from International Military Tribunal Proceedings, Volume XI)
Greg Raven :
What the anti-revisionists don't tell you about this document
This document is NOT a letter
The document cited above is in fact NOT a letter, but a draft of a letter, one that shows no evidence that it was sent.
This document is NOT signed
This draft bears Wetzel's initials only.
This document is rarely cited by knowledgeable anti-revisionists
The reason this document is not used more often in the fight against revisionists is that most anti-revisionists now avoid using it, even among themselves. This is obvious in the fact that there would be no split between the "Intentionalists" and the "Functionalists" if NO-365 were a valid document, for NO-365 would have been proof of the "Intentionalists" position.
Brack denied participation
Brack himself denied all the relevant portions of the letter that concern him, as seen in the transcript of his questioning at the NMT [Green Series, Volume 1, pages 888-889, as found in the NWCT CD-ROM, copyright Aristarchus Knowledge Industries 1995.]:
Q. I want to put to you NO-997, which is Prosecution Exhibit 506 for identification, your Honors. This is a draft of a letter from the Reich Minister for the Occupied Eastern Territories to the Reich Commissioner for the East:
"Solution of the Jewish Problem. Reference: Your report of 10/4/1941, concerning the solution of the Jewish problem.
"I have no objection against your suggestion for the solution of the Jewish problem. Attached please find a memorandum concerning the conversation between my expert consultant, Amtsterichtsrat Dr. Wetzel, Oberdienstleiter Brack of the Chancellery of the Fuehrer, and Sturmbannfuehrer Eichmann, expert consultant to the Reich Security Main Office. Please note the details of the matter from this memo. Will you please take the necessary steps at the Reich Security Main Office and with Oberdienstleiter Brack from the Chancellery of the Fuehrer via your Higher SS and Police Leader. Please keep me informed.
[Handwritten] "F. d. H. M., [For the Minister]
"2d Copy, (a) Reich Security Main office, (b) Chancellery of the Fuehrer Attention: Oberdienstleiter Brack, Copy of (1), including enclosure for information."
Did you receive a copy of this letter?
A [Brack]. May I first ask you what the date of this letter is?
Q. Only 1941 is mentioned here. But that is the date I told you. Did you receive a copy of this letter, Herr Brack?
A. I did not receive a copy of it nor did I even see a copy of that letter, nor do I know this Amtsgerichtsrat Wetzel.
Q. Did you have a conference with Eichmann on this problem, on the solution of the Jewish question?
A. I already said I cannot even remember the name Eichmann, nor can I remember the name Wetzel.
Q. Do you know anything about the matters discussed at this conference concerning the solution of the Jewish problem?
A. No. I know nothing.
Q. You have no idea. You never made any suggestions as to what kind of treatment or what kind of gas chambers should be used for the solution of the Jewish problem? You never did that?
A. I can remember nothing in this connection.
Q. You were questioned by the Tribunal last Friday as to whether plans were made for the construction of the gas chambers in the euthanasia stations or whether an engineer or specialist was ordered to assist the directors of the stations in setting up such gas chambers, were you not?
Q. You were not able to give any information to the Tribunal on that fact, were you?
A. No. I said I didn't concern myself with these matters.
Q. Is the name Kallmeyer, K-a-l-l-m-e-y-e-r, familiar to you?
A. Yes. But I can't remember in which connection.
Q. His wife executed an affidavit for you here. (Brack 39, Brack Ex. 23.) Do you remember him now?
A. Yes. Yes, I remember him now.
Q. Was Kallmeyer the engineer, or was he a chemist, who made these plans for gas chambers and assisted the directors in euthanasia stations in setting up these gas chambers?
A. No. Kallmeyer had to check that the gas chambers were operating properly, but I don't believe he made any plans for that purpose.
Q. Kallmeyer was the man who supervised these gas chambers, was he not?
A. I believe so, yes, but not for long, only for a short time.
Q. All right. And does the name Kallmeyer refresh your memory as to eventual plans you made together with Eichmann about the solution of the Jewish problem, Herr Brack?
Q. I want to put to you Document NO-365, which will be Prosecution Exhibit 507 for identification, your Honors. This is a draft from the Reich Ministry for the Occupied Territories dated Berlin, 10/2/1941.
"Referent AGR. Dr. Wetzel "Re: Solution of the Jewish Question
"1. To the Reich Commissioner for the East
"Re: Your Report of 10/4/1941 Concerning Solution of the Jewish question
"Referring to my letter of 10/18/1941, you are informed that Oberdienstleiter Brack of the Chancellery of the Fuehrer has declared himself ready to collaborate in the manufacture of the necessary shelters, as well as the gassing apparatus. At the present time the apparatus in question are not on hand in the Reich in sufficient number they will first have to be manufactured. Since in Brack's opinion the manufacture of the apparatus in the Reich will cause more difficulty than if manufactured on the spot, Brack deems it most expedient to send his people direct to Riga, especially his chemist Dr. Kallmeyer, who will have everything further done there. Oberdienstleiter Brack points out that the process in question is not without danger, so that special protective measures are necessary. Under these circumstances I beg you to turn to Oberdienstleiter Brack, in the Chancellery of the Fuehrer, through your Higher SS and Police Leader and to request the dispatch of the chemist Dr. Kallmeyer as well as of further aides. I draw attention to the fact that Sturmbannfuehrer Eichmann, the referent for Jewish questions in the RSHA, is in agreement with this process. On information from Sturmbannfuehrer Eichmann, camps for Jews to be set up in Riga and Minsk to which Jews from the old Reich territory may possibly be sent. At the present time, Jews being deported from the old Reich are to be sent to Litzmannstadt, [Lodz] but also to other camps, to be later used as labor in the East so far as they are able to work.
"As affairs now stand, there are no objections against doing away with those Jews who are unable to work with the Brack remedy. In this way occurrences would no longer be possible such as those il which, according to a report presently before me, took place at the shooting of Jews in Vilna and which, considering that the shootings were public, were hardly excusable.
Those able to work, on the other hand, will be transported to the East for labor service. It is self-understood that among the Jews capable of work, men and women are to be kept separate. "I beg you to advise me regarding your further steps."
Herr Brack, are you still going to maintain what you said here in direct examination, namely, that you tried to protect the Jews and to save the Jews from their terrible fate and that you were never a champion of the extermination program?
A. I should even like to maintain that misuse, terrible misuse, was made of my name. I see from this letter and from the date of this letter that all these negotiations were carried out at a time when I was familiar away from Berlin, when I was on sick leave. If I have the possibility I hope I shall be able to bring witnesses who will testify to that effect. I must frankly admit that at this period something was going on which entirely contradicted my opinion, but this could only have been done under misuse of my name and my agency. I was not willing to participate in these things.
Adolf Eichmann denied participation
Adolf Eichmann also denied discussing gas chambers with Wetzel. According
to Raul Hilberg (The Destruction of the European Jews, 1985, page 875, 24n):
"In Jerusalem, Eichmann declared that he had NOT discussed gas chambers with Wetzel. Eichmann trial transcript, June 23, 1961, sess. 78, p. R1; July 17, 1961, sess. 98, p. Bb1."
Wetzer was never punished
Wetzel was never punished for his alleged role in this matter. According to Ingrid Weckert, who wrote an eleven-page study of this document in June 1990, Wetzel had no trouble after the war with the Allies and worked for the UN in Cuba. In 1961, he was indicted by a German magistrate in Hannover. Wetzel was not asked any questions about the "Vergasungsapparate" mentioned in the letter, and to this day we have no idea what this means. The prosecutor was satisfied with Wetzel's answers, and decided there would be no trial.
No gassings in Riga
No one now claims there were gassings in Riga.
When given the choice of all the documents said to support claims of homicidal gassing by the Third Reich, Brian Harmon chose this one. Therefore, we must conclude that this document represents Harmon's best documentary evidence of the existence of homicidal Nazi gas chambers. The reader is invited to judge for himself: if this is the "best evidence," how weak must be the rest of the so-called evidence?
Please remember that we are constantly told that the Holocaust is the best-documented event in history, yet supporters of the Holocaust extermination stories are forced to rely on documents such as NO-365 that are essentially worthless. Rather than hunt up further worthless documents, it would be far better for the anti-revisionists to meet Robert Faurisson's challenge:
"Show me or draw me a Nazi gas chamber."
The reason they have not done so, of course, is because they cannot:
no such gas chamber exists.
Just let me add here that the infamous letter from Becker to Rauff is NOT an original letter at all nor has anyone ever pretended to have any such original letter when pressed. What is produced by their own admission, but only when you really press them at the National Archives (major culprits in the holocaust hoax conspiracy), is a copy of what is merely at best a carbon copy of Becker's letter to Rauff. That is obvious when one actually sees it--and it does not even have Becker's signature. Because it was obviously only a CARBON that would never have actually been sent to Rauff in Berlin but might only have been found in Becker's files in Kiev (the exact provenance is unknown admittedly by the archives), the prosecutors found it necessary to get Rauff after the war to make an affidavit saying that he actually received that letter, the original of course, in May of 1942 in Berlin.
Nonetheless, and here we see some of the typical hoakery involved with "documents," the carbon is marked with signatures and stamps that would only have been put on the original after it arrived in Berlin. In other words, someone--guess who--marked up a carbon to make it look somewhat like an original. Clearly this is flagrant "document tampering" and deception at the very least--intended no doubt to thoroughly fool the less than critical students of this subject.
FPBerg
- Hannover
If it can't happen as alleged, then it didn't.
In addition, I have this from FP Berg who debunks the 'sonderwagen', 'S-wagen' canard.
- H.
S-wagons were "Standard" 2-wheel-drive trucks
by Friedrich Paul Berg
One of the many really gross errors made by establishment "scholars" over the years is the claim that the use of the letter "S" in some of the NS documents was to disguise an exterminationist meaning. The "S" supposedly stood for "Sonder" which in turn supposedly was the code word that the Nazi insiders supposedly knew meant "mass-murder" of Jews. A number of telegrams with nothing more incriminating in them than the use of the word "S-wagen" appear, for example, in the PS-501 Nuremberg file.
That file also contained the well-known forged letter from Becker to Rauff with reference to an "S-wagen" also. Both Christopher Browning and Raul Hilberg as well as others assume that these references to S-wagons prove a connection to mass murder--but, nothing could be further from the truth. The use of a capital "S" in connection with German motor vehicles, particularly trucks, meant the exact opposite of "Sonder"--it meant "standard." All German wartime 4-wheel trucks were classified as either S-type or A-type. S-type meant two-wheel drive and A-type meant "all=wheel" drive. The German word for standard is also "standard;" the German word for all-wheel-drive is "Allradantrieb."
We have all seen pictures of the horrible roads that the Germans had to travel in Russia especially whenever the ground thawed. Most of Russia's road were unpaved. Mud up to the axles held up entire supply columns and required drivers to literally push their vehicles by hand and shoulder. Any German commander forced to travel in such conditions would only naturally have written Berlin to get his S-wagon retrofitted with all-wheel-drive (the vehicles were specifically designed for such retrofitting) or simply replace the vehicle completely. Rauff was one of the Berlin specialists responsible for precisely that kind of retrofitting.
The above facts about classifications are discussed in countless books on German wartime trucks. All Opel "Blitz" trucks, the most common truck model and made by the GM subsidiary in wartime Germany, are almost always identified with their "S" or "A" classification, even in photos. An excellent book for the curious is: German Military Vehicles of WW2 by John When Browing, Hilberg and others make their false claims about the S-wagons, they only show, once again, that they have never critically examined even the most basic features of their horrendous hoax.
Friedrich Paul Berg
Postby Germania » 1 decade 6 years ago (Mon May 05, 2003 10:40 am)
Hannover wrote: Germania, in an attempt to find the mythical and patently silly CO (welding) bottles
there is nothing silly or mythical with these bottles. you can buy them still today if you go to a gas producer.
no problems, sorry.
From autumn 1941 to May 1942 he was stationed in Prague, just as he claims.
and just as he claims ,he traveled a lot between prag and berlin. makes perfectly sense...
besides, please show where you know the letter was written from berlin. this is a challenge!!!
There is also an oddity at the end of the letter : Pradel's rank is mentioned as "Major". However in the SS, ranks had other names and his should have been therefore Hauptsturmführer", equivalent to that of major.
where do you know pradel was in the ss? not everybody in RSHA was member of the ss!!!
besides, who would forge ss document and using major??? makes no sense. the only reasonable possibility is that this was written by rauff in march 42.
so you have no evidence, i wont even mention proof, that the document is fake. infact, the documents looks absolutely authentic!!!
my point stands!!! co bottles are mentioned in ss document, therfore brack eutansie gassing tesimony is verified!!!
i deleted your other spam since its off topic and not relevant. if you want to discuss gas vans, open a new posting, pleeeease....
Postby Hannover » 1 decade 6 years ago (Mon May 05, 2003 12:30 pm)
I notice we still have no welding bottles of CO to show, and I notice that Germania has ignored the vast majority of information I presented. What's even more absurd is the designation of Mauthausen, where there are no longer any claims of gassing, even from the major 'gassing' Believers.
And furthermore, Germania is remiss in his knowlege of the RSHA as he fails to understand that the RSHA was part of the SS where the designation of 'major' is quite incorrect and howls of forgery.
Then we're back to 'sonderwagens' (another laughable "code word" I suppose), which, as Berg demonstrates, are nothing but innocent trucks.
Not only do we not have any of the metal welding bottles of CO, we have no 'gas vans' either to show. Undoubtedly the Nazis vaporized them.
The entire matter is preposterous, especially in light of the fact the original propaganda stated that the gas vans were diesel...oops.
Postby Germania » 1 decade 6 years ago (Mon May 05, 2003 2:10 pm)
Hannover wrote: I notice we still have no welding bottles of CO to show,
what do you mean "to show"????? ask yourselve, if it were true, do we expect bottles to show? in other words is it likely that the ss forgot the bottles in the eutanasie institutes??? no...and honestly, it is absurd! infact,if we had bottles i would strongly doubt in their authenticy since it is just absurd that the ss left the bottles in the eutanasie institutes for months or even years!!!
and I notice that Germania has ignored the vast majority of information I presented.
because has nothing to do with the topic.
What's even more absurd is the designation of Mauthausen, where there are no longer any claims of gassing, even from the major 'gassing' Believers.
this is not true. believers do claim there were gassings in mauthausen.
well,well...germania has very good knowledge on RSHA since its true that not everybody was in the ss.
but the solution for the alleged incorrect designation is more simplier. while pradel had an equivelent ss rank, he called himself nevertheless major as obersturmführer august becker explained. infact, he refered to him as "major pradel" in his depositions, eg:
"The service of the truck was the task of major predel, who i personally know and with whom i dealt very often."
(reference: aktenzeichen ZSL: 415 AR-Z 220/59, Bd. I, Bl. 43.).
also another insider, harry wentritt, head of the repairing park in rauffs department, adressed pradel as major:
"Still in 1941, I was summoned to the head of the group, Major Pradel." (reference: tesimony of 2-2-61, StA Hannover, Az. 2 Js 299/60)
so your "quite incorrect" rank claim is unfortunatly backfiring. any forger would adress pradel with his ss rank, dont you think??? however, only insiders who worked with him knew that he wanted to be adressed with his police rank. pradels preference for "major" is insider knowledge. rauff was the insider, of course!!!
this is confirmation of the authenticy of the letter....aside that it has signatures of rauff and pradel and other charakteristics...!!!
Then were back to 'sonderwagens' (another laughable "code word" I suppose), which, as Berg demonstrates, are nothing but innocent trucks.
but berg has not demonstrated that the s-wagen the believer claim were gas vans were "standard-wagen". if he has proof for his hypothesis, i would like to see else we can ignore it.
Postby Hannover » 1 decade 6 years ago (Mon May 05, 2003 5:01 pm)
- So according to Germania's logic, the fact that there is no evidence of these 'bottles' is in itself 'evidence' for these bottles. And ofcourse, he cannot show us a 'gas van' either, which according to him is also proof they existed. Alice in Wonderland to be sure.
- Germania now denies that his post had anything to with 'gas vans' even though the 'holocau$t History project', which he links to, absurdly labels it "special vans...or other remedies". I suggest he should actualy read the pages he links to.
I refer Germania to this on Mauthausen:
http://forum.codoh.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... 686f151103
Then Jewish 'holocaust' historian Olga Wormser-Migot ("Le Système concentrationnaire nazi", Le problème des chambres à gaz, p. 544) remarks that :
"...the declarations on the gaz chamber at Ravensbrück place the beginning of its existence in Febr. 1945, date of the arrival of those evacuated from Auschwitz, date when the Ravensbrück detainees discovered the existence of gaz chambers at Auschwitz.
And on the claims about Oranienburg and Mauthausen :
***"These assertions seem to be of a mythical order."*** (p. 541, footnote n. 2)
- Then we have Germania clinging to his use of 'major' for Pradel while not being able to show that Pradel was not in the SS, even though the RSHA was part of the SS, revealling Germania's obvious lack of knowlwdge about the RSHA.
Citing instances where Pradel was called major in an ***English*** text (which would ofcourse use 'major' as the translated rank) does nothing to show that in the SS he would not be designated as 'major' in SS German language 'documents'...which is how he was referred to in the German language 'document' Germania linked to....a forgery dead giveaway.
- Germania has apparently not even read Berg's debunking of S-wagens/sonderwagens since he makes no specifc comments, here it is again.
Postby Sailor » 1 decade 6 years ago (Mon May 05, 2003 10:33 pm)
Germania wrote: also, i found this document: http://www.holocaust-history.org/194203 ... nderwagen/
Sorry Germania, I don’t find the reference to carbon monoxide in that article.
But they are talking about “Vergasungs Apparate”, like this one
These were used for desinfestations of clothes.
The idea of the correspondence was to manufacture something like this locally.
The German word "Vergasung" was also used in the years after WWI up to WWII in connection with desinfestation with HCN.
Postby Germania » 1 decade 6 years ago (Tue May 06, 2003 12:31 am)
okay hannover...you want me to examine bergs text...big mistake, but i must do now!!!
The use of a capital "S" in connection with German motor vehicles, particularly trucks, meant the exact opposite of "Sonder"--it meant "standard."
proof????
i notice berg does show not one document where s-wagen stands for standard-wagen.
even worse: i notice berg shows not one document from rauff department that s-wagen meant standard-wagen.
even worse: i notice berg doesnt show s-wagen meant always standard-wagen in rauff department.
in other words,berg has shown nothing which would be important.
The above facts about classifications are discussed in countless books on German wartime trucks.
words, words, words. how about showing us some documents from rauff department???
and moreover and this is the most important thing, has berg ever thought about that the RSHA would have wanted to camouflage the gas vans, if they existed. what would be bether camouflage than to call them s-wagen??? infact his reasoning makes only sense for those who disbelieve in gasvans anyway!!! its no universal argument however!!
Last edited by Germania on Tue May 06, 2003 1:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hannover wrote: - So according to Germania's logic, the fact that there is no evidence of these 'bottles' is in itself 'evidence' for these bottles.
no you misread my logic and not answered my question.
assuming for the sake of argument it happend, is it likely that the ss forgot the bottles in the eutanasie institutes??? yes or no??? do you think the ss was stupid, yes or no???
- Germania now denies that his post had anything to with 'gas vans' even though the 'holocau$t History project', which he links to, absurdly labels it "special vans...or other remedies".
well,i dont care as much about their labels as you do!!!!
I suggest he should actualy read the pages he links to.
no i make my own mind.
you attack my knowlege...this i cannot accept...!!!! so once for all, examples of non-ss in the RSHA:
- krause, head of referat II B
- wachter, head of erkennungsdienst in criminal police (office V)
Citing instances where Pradel was called major in an ***English*** text
he is called major in the ***german*** text. major is no translation, it was used in the german text...!!!
so pradel called himself with his police rank and the document correctly calls him major, which is insider knowledge, therfore confirms autenticy of this document...
Postby Hannover » 1 decade 6 years ago (Tue May 06, 2003 1:43 am)
Again, Germania, please read what I post, you neglected this:
All Opel "Blitz" trucks, the most common truck model and made by the GM subsidiary in wartime Germany, are almost always identified with their "S" or "A" classification, even in photos. **An excellent book for the curious is: German Military Vehicles of WW2 by John**
Given that you cannot show us a 'gas van', why should we believe you at all. But wait, didn't you say this thread was not about the silly gas vans?...yet you're now talking about these mythical gas vans...which you cannot produce....along with the CO gas welding tanks which you cannot produce. This is getting boring.
And once again your lack of logic is clear, you said:
has berg ever thought about that the RSHA would have wanted to camouflage the gas vans, if they existed. what would be better camouflage than to call them s-wagen??? infact his reasoning makes only sense for those who disbelieve in gasvans anyway!!! its no universal argument however!!
So by your reasoning the SS called them 'S-wagens' as camouflage, which ignores your own posts which also call them 'sonderwagens'..which ignore the lack of any physical evidence, which ignores the allegations they were diesel, which conflicts with your CO welding tanks 'gassings' assertions. I'm afraid you're not making sense here.
you ask:
The SS were not stupid at all, which is the reason they would not have resorted to laughable diesel 'gas vans' and CO welding tanks for murder...such bizarre allegations are the epitomy of stupid.
Okay now Germania, please prove to me Pradel was not in the SS. Your examples are not Pradel, and would appear not to be correct anyway. We're talking about Pradel, and it would also appear that you do not know the SS so well.
on the RSHA:
http://www.feldgrau.com/ssorg.html
Reichssicherheitshauptamt
This main office was the Reich Central Security Main Office, or RSHA. The RSHA was formed on September 27th, 1939, and was by far the most feared and the most sinister of all the main offices in the ***RF-SS.***
And you are right, Pradel was called 'major' correctly in English text (which you posted), AND erroneously in German text, hence we have a forged German 'document' with the designation of 'major' as a dead giveaway.
Germania, you're going around in circles.
Postby Scott » 1 decade 6 years ago (Tue May 06, 2003 2:07 am)
Berg's source on the S-Wagen is John Milsom, who wrote a book on Wehrmacht Lastkraftwagen. Instead of an expert on German trucks he must have been a Holocaust denier...
John Milsom, German Military Transport in WWII. Hippocrene Books, NY: 1975.
However, a better explanation is that some have read more into documents than they really say.
Also, all German vehicles had special numbers. A Tiger I tank, for example, was a Sonderkraftfahrzeug 181. A Kfz 93 was a van used for delousing clothing, i.e., a gassing-van. A Kfz 92 was a decontaminating van capable of showering 150 men per hour. These vans were usually mounted on the uniform Einheits diesel chassis.
Here is a photo of a Zyklon wagen from 1922 used for delousing in the Allied occupation after WWI.
Bottled gas is no big deal either. Here is a "gassing" Strength Through Joy Volkswagen Beetle. It has a tank of bottled combustible gas used for propulsion due to the shortage of gasoline and diesel fuel during the war.
Strength Through Gas! Maybe they meant Death by Gas!
Other vehicles used carbon monoxide gas for precious motor fuel generated cheaply from burning wood.
Here is a Holzgas-powered Kübelwagen.
It makes no sense that the Germans would bottle carbon monoxide gas for murder-vans when gasoline engines generate plenty of it in the exhaust, as did hundreds of thousands of Holzgas generators used during the war.
One thing that doesn't generate carbon monoxide is diesel engines, however. One account from the Soviet Krasnador and Kharkov gas-van trials in 1943 is a guy who saved himself from being gassed by urinating on a rag while riding in the back of a Saurer diesel "murder-van." That might have worked in the trenches for Granddad in 1915 with chlorine gas but it wouldn't work with carbon monoxide. Undaunted, the Soviet autopsy reports say death by CO, which again, is one of the biggest killers, especially in wartime from fires and bombardments. No surprise there.
A Saurer diesel furniture van...
Unless someone can come up with better stuff, the homicidal gas-van story is just typical wartime Greuelpropaganda.
i see discussion with you,hannover,is not productive and makes no sense. you are putting words in my mouth, misinterpret, misunderstand and and and.... i save my time and energy for more challenging debate.
just one point:
And you are right, Pradel was called 'major' correctly in English text (which you posted), AND erroneously in German text,
no, pradel called himself major in german. he WAS major. in german!!!! he ALSO had an equivalent ss rank,but he prefered to be adressed with his police rank: major!!!! ....this is of course something the people who worked with him in the department knew, hence this confirms that letter is authentic...
Postby Hannover » 1 decade 6 years ago (Tue May 06, 2003 3:03 pm)
Since when did SS members "prefer" to call themselves anything other than what was officially designated by the SS?
His 'police rank'? That won't work either, the RSHA was part of the SS.
I also see you stopped trying to support your belief in 'gas vans' and CO gas welding tanks. That is a wise move.
Postby Germania » 1 decade 6 years ago (Tue May 06, 2003 4:26 pm)
Hannover wrote: Since when did SS members "prefer" to call themselves anything other than what was officially designated by the SS?
pradel was offically designated MAJOR and only had a so called equivelent ss rank.
the police too. the ordinary police - criminal police was part of the RSHA anyway - was one of several main offices (hauptamt) of himmlers ss. this is why pradel could use an equivelent ss ranks for policemen. now,pradel called himself with his original rank major and was adressed as such by his comrades in the RSHA....!!! no forger, its just his rank...
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Skadi Forum > Spirituality > Indo-Germanic Spirituality > Soma among the Armenians
View Full Version : Soma among the Armenians
morfrain_encilgar
Sunday, May 29th, 2005, 10:23 AM
Soma among the Armenians
(Robert Bedrosian)
Soma was a god, a plant, and an intoxicating beverage. It is referenced in some 120 of 1028 verses of the Indian Rig Veda (mid second millenium B.C.). Haoma was its Iranian counterpart. Although the Iranian Avesta mentions haoma less frequently, there is little doubt that the substances were similar or identical. In both India and Iran, at some point the true identity of soma/haoma was forgotten, and substitutes for it were adopted. It has been suggested that abandonment of the divine entheogen and its replacement by
surrogates occurred because the original substance was no longer available or was difficult to obtain once the proto Indo-Iranians left their "original homeland" and emigrated.
During the past two hundred years, scholars have tried with varying degrees of success to identify this mysterious plant which was at the base of early Indo-Iranian worship. As early as 1794, Sir William Jones suggested that haoma was "a species of mountain rue", or Peganum harmala L. (Arm. spand). Other soma candidates in the 19th and early 20th centuries have included cannabis (Arm. kanep') and henbane (Arm. aghueshbank). All of these plants are native to the Armenian highlands, and all of them were used by the Armenians and their predecessors for medicinal and magico-religious purposes.
If the divine elixir really was a single substance, rather than a mixture, then in our view none of the above-mentioned nominees alone qualifies. The pharmacological effects of Peganum harmala, cannabis, or henbane, taken alone, simply do not match the Vedic and Iranian descriptions of the effects of soma/haoma. In the 1960s, R. Gordon Wasson proposed a new candidate, whose effects are more consistent with those mentioned in the Vedas. The present study will examine Wasson's thesis and look for supporting evidence in ancient Armenian legends and customs.
In Soma Divine Mushroom of Immortality (1968), Wasson argued that the intoxicating plant called soma in the Rig Veda should be identified with the red-capped psychoactive mushroom, Amanita muscaria. This mushroom, which contains the powerful hallucinogen, muscimol, can cause euphoria, elevated mood, auditory and visual hallucinations, as well as feelings of increased strength and stamina. Amanita muscaria (called fly-agaric in English) is perhaps the most widely depicted mushroom in children's books, often stylized as a red-capped mushroom with white polka dots. Wasson's arguments revolved around certain poetic and elliptical statements in the Rig Veda which seem to indicate that this magical plant lacked roots, branches, flowers, seeds, or leaves, a fitting description of a mushroom. The god Soma was associated with the color red, the god of fire (Agni), and the bellowing bull. The plant soma is like a "red bull" (RV IX.97.13), but with a "dress of sheep" (RV IX. 70.7). It "creeps like a serpent out of its old skin". (RV IX.86.44).
In nature, this mushroom begins fruiting as a white "egg" enclosed in the membranous material of the universal veil; the stalk pushes up as it grows, and the distinctive orange-to-red cap appears from behind the veil. White flecks of the veil remain on the cap in patches like the "hide of a bull" in a "dress of sheep", or like a "serpent creeping out of its old skin". Soma is the bolt (vajra) of Indra (RV III.43.7;IV.18.13; IX. 77.1) and the mainstay or pillar of the sky (RV IX.2.5;IX.72.7).
In the Vedas, soma was also an intoxicating liquid, pounded or pressed out of the plant using special pressing stones (RV IX.11.5-6;IX.109.17-18), filtered through wool, and presumably mixed with other ingredients. In folklore thoughout Eurasia, it was found high in the mountains and was associated with a magical bird, serpents and eggs; its sudden appearance after a storm, led to an association with thunder and lightning, since many early peoples believed that mushrooms appeared where lightning hit the ground. Curiously, the presence of urine in the myths Wasson examined was taken as one of
the "markers" of the Amanita cult. Unlike many other hallucinogens, the active ingredients in Amanita muscaria pass unmetabolized through the kidneys of the ingester. As a result, that person's urine is as potent as the mushroom itself, a circumstance which led to the recyling of urine in those cultures which used Amanita for magico-religious purposes, and perhaps to the sanctity of urine in Indo-Iranian tradition.
In nature, this mushroom grows only in a mychorrizal relationship with certain trees: aspen, beech, birch, fir, larch, oak, pine and several others. It has thus far resisted attempts to grow it in a laboratory. Besides humans, two other animals, the deer and the raven, are known to relish this mushroom. The raven's love of Amanita muscaria was noted in antiquity: in ancient Egypt the Amanita muscaria mushroom was called "Raven's bread".
Wasson's identification of soma with the Amanita muscaria mushroom has not won universal acceptance. It was embraced by some, including the orientalist Harold Bailey, the linguist Roman Jakobson, and the mycologist Roger Heim, but others (including Wasson's co-author, the Sanskritist Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty) were not convinced. The latter remarked years later:
"My own work, however, was leading me toward another sort of hypothesis entirely: it did not really matter what Soma was, since it was lost so early in history; what actually played so important a part in Vedic civilization was the idea of Soma. Indeed, my more recent collaborations with Brian K. Smith on the subject of substitutions in the Vedic sacrifice have inclined me in the
direction of Smith's hypothesis that there may never have been an original Soma plant at all, and that all of Soma's "substitutes" (including, perhaps, the fly-agaric mushroom) were surrogates for a mythical plant that never existed save in the minds of the priests."
Wasson was challenged most recently by another collaborative work, Haoma and Harmaline, The Botanical Identity of the Indo-Iranian Sacred Hallucinogen "Soma" and its Legacy in Religion, Language, and Middle Eastern Folklore, by David S. Flattery and Martin Schwartz, Near Eastern Studies (volume 21) (Los Angeles, 1989). The authors described their study as a "vindication of Jones's original proposition" (of 1794) and argued that it was not a mushroom which was the Indian soma and the Iranian haoma but the plant Peganum harmala, especially the seeds, containing the hallucinogen harmaline. The work of Flattery and Schwartz is a fascinating, scholarly study
which, without a doubt, has raised the level of ethnobotanical research. Nonetheless, it is doubtful that either author actually experimented with Peganum harmala. Had they done so, they would have concluded that by itself Peganum harmala could not have merited the encomiums lavished on soma/haoma in the Vedas. It is, however, noteworthy that to this day, Peganum harmala is used as a "potentiator" for psychoactive mushrooms. It is quite likely that ancient Iranians had also discovered this quality of Peganum harmala, and that their haoma preparations exploited it.
Wasson's greatest contribution, in our view, was not his identification of soma with the Amanita muscaria mushroom. Rather, it was the attention he drew to the role of fungi in humankind's earliest history. In Wasson's view, religion had its birth in the awe-inspiring effects of first accidental then deliberate ingestion of these hallucinogens. Why was it that certain trees were revered by our early ancestors? Wasson suggested that in many cases the trees were sacred because of the hallucinogenic mushrooms that grew at
their bases, or the fungi which grew on their trunks. Such trunk fungi, known as polyphores, were used since remote antiquity for their medicinal qualities and as tinder ("spunk", "punk", Arm. abet').
Wasson is considered the father of a new discipline, ethnomycology, the study of humankind and mushrooms, in particular psychoactive mushrooms. A number of scholars, including the botanists William Emboden and Richard Schultes and the classicist Carl Ruck, independently and at Wasson's urging, began looking for mushroom lore in Greek and Eastern mythology. The chemist Albert Hoffman, (who synthesized LSD from psychoactive mushrooms found in Mexico) was another member of this group. During the 1970s and 1980s, several fascinating studies emerged as a result of their collaboration, including The Road to Eleusis (1978) and Persephone's Quest (1986). Emboden's Narcotic Plants (1980) and Schultes' and Hoffman's Plants of the Gods (Rochester,Vermont, 1992) are other important works on this subject.
While thus far there have been no studies of the ethnobotany of the
Armenian highlands, there are, nonetheless, some rich secondary materials for such a study. Among them are Ghevond Alishan's Haybusak [Armenian Botany] (1895), the same author's Hin hawatk' kam het'anosakan kronk' Hayots' [The Ancient Faith or Pagan Religion of the Armenians] (1910), Joseph Karst's Mythologie armeno-caucasienne et hetito-asianique (1948), Karapet Gabikian's Hay Busashxar (1912) and T. Awdalbegyan's Avandapatum (1969). Martiros Ananikian's article "Armenian Mythology" in vol 7 Mythology of All Races (1964; repr. of 1925 ed.), and James Russell's Zoroastrianism in Armenia (1987) also contain important material on sacred plants. While all
these works list the sacred plants revered among the Armenians, and provide valuable legends about them, none of them examines the possible reasons for these plants' original appeal. Similarly, recent works on early Armenian medicine do not focus on entheogens as such, but rather on the medicinal value of the plants. In any case, mushrooms and/or tree fungi do not appear in any of these lists.
Armenian primary sources also say little about mushrooms (Armenian sunk). The 5th century Eznik, who mentions cannabis, mandrake, hemlock, and spurge and was well aware of their effects uses the word mushroom only once, without commentary. The 13th century Kirk' Vastakats' [Book of Labors] has a short chapter (#272) on growing mushrooms, which indicates that the Armenians were familiar with mushroom cultivation. Alishan's entries in Haybusak for agaric are T'npi (#796, p. 191) , K'ujulay/K'uch'ula (#3216, p. 648) and Gharicon (#1813, p. 392). T'npi and K'ujulay he regards as Amanita.
Gharicon was perhaps Fomitopsis officinalis, the agaric tree fungus mentioned by Pliny and used in numerous medicinal preparations. Agaric and Amanita were familiar to the Armenian physicians Mxit'ar Herats'i (12th century) and Amirdovlet (15th century) who mentioned them in remedies for a variety of ailments. Agaric is also mentioned as a valuable commodity of trade in the 13th century Law Code of Mxit'ar Gosh.
Though the Armenian literary histories say little about mushrooms, there is, nonetheless, evidence about the importance of certain trees that are known hosts to Amanita muscaria, and other medicinal fungi. For example, the Urartian king Rusa (8th cent. B.C.) planted a grove of white poplars, and divination by the rustling of the poplars' leaves was a feature of later pre-Christian Armenia. The cypress, juniper, oak, pine, and fir were other venerated trees. The Orontid king Eruand in the fourth century B.C. planted a forest of firs near the city of Bagaran. The Arsacid king Xosrov II Kotak (A.D.
330-38) planted a grove of oaks called the "Palace Grove (Tachar mayri) and a grove of firs called Xosrovakert. A fourth century Syrian monk, Mar Aha, commented on tree-worship among the Armenians. The 12th century Catholicos, Nerses Shnorhali, railed against reverence paid to the aspen, poplar, and willow by the Arewordik' ("Children of the Sun"), an ancient group which also worshipped certain heliotropic plants. Indeed, as late as 1915 in central and eastern Asia Minor, the Armenian population held certain trees in
great esteem, especially those near a spring, and they decorated their branches with written prayers.
But what of much earlier times, the mid-second millenium before our era, when the Vedas were being composed? Archaeology, a major potential source, must await more propitious times. Currently, our only sources are fragments of early myths incorporated into much later Armenian writings. We shall now examine several such myths in the light of the ethnobotanical studies of Wasson and his colleagues.
The Armenian god Vahagn has a number of the markers of soma identified by Wasson and his associates. Vahagn became the preeminent weather god: a god of thunder, and lightning. He is associated with the Vedic god of fire, Agni, and the Greek gods Prometheus and Haephestus. Prometheus' gift of "fire" to humanity, delivered through a stalk of fennel has much in common with Vahagn's remarkable birth. Carl Ruck was to equate Prometheus' "fire" with the fly-agaric mushroom. In our opinion, the legend of the birth of Vahagn, which Ananikian calls "an independent tradition from the original
homeland of the Indo-Iranians" presents an even clearer image: Vahagn's red head with suns for eyes is a poetic reflection of the red Amanita mushroom's cap, dotted with white flecks of the universal veil:
"The sky was in labour, the earth was in labour,
The purple sea also was in labour.
In the sea was a red reed, also in labour.
Out of the stalk of the reed smoke emerged.
Out of the stalk of the reed flame emerged,
And running out of the flame was a xarteash ("fair, light, flaxen")
lad.
He had hair of fire.
He had a beard of flame
And his eyes were suns."
There is a curious epithet of this god, vishapakagh ("vishap" -reaper or "vishap"-gatherer/harvester). Although this epithet had come to mean "vishap" ("dragon") killer/slayer in medieval Armenian literature, even as late as the 5th century, "vishap" meant more than a "dragon". One derivation of "vishap" is from Persian "having poisonous saliva". Could the vishaps and
possibly the enigmatic vishap-stones found in various places on the Armenian highlands originally have been mushroom-related? The peculiar method of "harvesting" the vishaps is suggestive: Vahagn is said to wait until the small ones have grown and are ready--more like a farmer gathering a crop than someone killing "dragons". The peculiar explanation of "vishap hanel" ("to remove a vishap") also seems connected with a harvest: the "vishap" is "drawn up" or "pulled up" out of a wet place very much like a mushroom. Ananikian observes: "this process was always accompanied by thunder, lightning, and heavy showers". Certain Hurrian and Phyrgian myths have similar unusual features, perhaps reminiscent of a mushroom harvest.
The god Mithra and the heroes of David of Sasun
Mithra was another Indo-Iranian deity once popular among the Armenians. In the Rig Veda (IX.108.16), Mitra is "pleased by soma". In the Avesta, haoma is offered to Mithra (Yasht X.6). Mithra's weapon is the mace or thunderbolt (vazra), similar to Indra's bolt (vajra). The raven, an Amanita marker, was sacred to Mithra as it was to Verethragna, Vahagn's Iranian cousin. According to Greek legend, Mithra was born in Armenia by the banks of the Arax river where, presumably, his killing of the bull of plenty took place.
Ethnobotanists see several features of the soma cult in this god's attributes. Called the "Capped One", he is said to have been born from a rock or egg already wearing a cap, often painted red. His secret cult, which had strong astrological/alchemical/eschatological components, involved a sacred meal and meetings in caves and/or subterranean chambers. Apparently, Mithra originally was a weather god in Armenia, although this attribute was later acquired by his triumphant competitor, Vahagn. According to Strabo, in
Achaemenid times, the satrap of Armenia "used to send to the Persian king twenty thousand foals every year at the time of the Mithracina". This latter was a festival to Mithra when "it was the privilege of the Great King of Persia to become drunk" (with haoma?). According to Pliny the Elder, in 66 A.D., when the Armenian king Trdat I travelled to Rome to receive coronation from the emperor Nero, he may have initiated Nero into certain "Magian" (?Mithraic)
rites, involving a secret sacrament.
The medieval Armenian epic, David of Sasun, which is full of Mithraic imagery, contains several interesting allusions and references to soma-drinking, and mushrooms. In the First Cycle, Dzovinar ("Sea-born", "Bolt of lightning") drinks from a Milk Fountain of Immortality on Ascension Day, a day sacred to plants. She conceived from this and bore the twins Sanasar and Baghdasar, one large, one small, who are called "sea-born" and "fiery beings". When grown,
the twins resolve to build their fortress, Sasun, at the source of magic water, since:
"The man who drinks at its source
Will become invincible;
No one will be able to down him."
Later, Sanasar descends into an enchanted underwater kingdom, while his brother Baghdasar falls into a trance by the shore of the lake. Sanasar himself sleeps and has a prophetic dream telling him the location of the Lightning Sword and the magic, flying, marine horse, Kourkig. The dream also foretold:
"You will bathe in the palace pool;
And you will grow, gather strengh and courage.
Your strength will grow sevenfold,
And seven will grow sevenfold;
You will attain your heart's desire."
Sanasar found and donned the battle gear. Then he:
"Went to the palace pool and bathed,
Drank the water of the fountain and fell asleep.
He slept for a short while; attained the grace of God;
He grew, gathered strength, courage,
And became a fiery being."
Like a mushroom, Sanasar had grown so large so fast that his brother did not recognize him, when he emerged from the magic lake. In a number of Sanasar's subsequent travels, he is drinking, harvesting, or pressing soma: he had to pass a test of strength involving drinking huge amounts of "milk", he retrieved a fiery golden "apple", snatched a "gem" from the mouth of a dragon, and, using special stones, slew a dragon blocking a spring of water. Brother Baghdasar is described by his mother as "dzurh" ("bent", "crooked") a term also used to describe the hero of the Third Cycle, David, after he has eaten wild mushrooms (see below), and several other of the epic's heroes when they demonstrate "insane" behavior.
In the Second Cycle, Sanasar's son, Medz (Big) Mher also grew prodigiously:
"At seven years of age
Mher grew to be seven stories tall"
Before acquiring the magic horse and the other enchanted symbols of power and civilization, Mher was a wildman who chased and caught game on foot, often killing his prey by hand. He killed an ox with his Lightning Sword, as the god Mithra had killed the bull. Medz Mher is the only hero of Sasun to conclude a treaty (Iran. mithra "treaty") with his enemy, and dies because of a broken oath.
In the Third Cycle, Mher's son, David, actually eats wild mushrooms and becomes disoriented:
"What was David doing?
He was eating leaves that he gathered,
Roots that he dug up in the fields, and
Mushrooms that he picked from the hillside."
"On his way to Sassoun, to satisfy his hunger,
David had eaten grass and anything he had found.
Because of this he had become a bit foolhardy.
His mind was in a daze."
By the time he reached Sasun, "He did not know where he was; He was bewildered..Kept walking in a daze". After this, David is able to communicate with animals. He does not recognize the difference between livestock and wild animals, and continues to have lapses when he "does not understand" the ways of civilized folk. Like his forebears, David, too, drank the magic potion. At the insistence of his horse, Kourkig, he drank from Mher's Milk Fountain:
"He heard Kourkig's voice saying:
--This is your father's Gatnaghbiur [Milk Fountain].
Dismount, drink its water
And put a little of it on my ribs.
David dismounted, kissed Kourkig on the forehead,
Put a little water on his ribs,
And let him free to graze in the grass.
Then he drank the water of the spring,
Lay down, slept, and had a rest
While the horse stood against the sun and shaded him."
"David awoke. He found that he had gained strength.
His father's garments would hardly fit him."
As mushroom cultivators know, direct sunlight destroys the potency of mushrooms, inhibits fruiting, and accelerates decay. Keeping the sun off Pokr (Small) Mher (David's son), the last of the line, is a curious concern in the epic's Fourth Cycle. His uncles, to protect him, "had taken Mher behind seven doors, Keeping him under guard". His bride-to-be, Kohar, has a similar concern:
"The following morning
Kohar Khanom looked out of her window
And saw Mher asleep in a tent
With his legs stretched out uncovered.
Kohar pitied him and thought to herself:
--Mher will get sunstroke.
She put on a crimson suit, girded her weapons,
Mounted her chestnut stallion, rode out to Mher's tent,
And said:
--Mher, the sun is striking you.
--What can I do? said Mher, the tent is too small.
--The tent is not small, said Kohar, it is big,
But you are an Aznahour.
Mher said:--Let me sleep..."
After testing Mher's strength in combat, Kohar said:
"--Mher, you are worthy to become Kohar's husband,
But I say again, be careful,
Don't let the sun strike you.
She went, sent another tent with a servant;
--Pitch it to cover Mher's feet, she had said."
This epic ends on an eschatological note. Mher knew that his time on earth was ending when the ground, literally, cannot support his weight. He and his horse start to sink into the earth. He visits his parents' tombs and each of them in turn tells him:
"You have roamed the world enough.
You have roamed the world enough...
Akravou Kar [Raven's Rock] is your haven,
Go to Akravou Kar."
Mher went to Raven's Rock near lake Van, split the rock with his Lightning Sword, and he and his horse went into the cave. The rock came together and closed behind them. Twice a year, on the magic days of Transfiguration (Vardavarh) and Ascension Day (Hambartzoum) the cave door opens and Mher, holding the Wheel of the Zodiac and attended by the faithful Raven emerges to test the ground. Villagers claimed that the water dripping from the rock was the urine of Mher's magic horse, Kourkig.
Soma-like ceremonies continued to be enacted by the Armenian population of Asia Minor until the genocide of 1915-1923. On Ascension Day, the holiday of the Mother of Flowers, and sometimes on the Feast of the Transfiguration the people would eat a pudding containing milk, called kat'napur. On an evening preceding the festival itself, village maidens would spend the evening collecting various plants:
"...at an unknown and mystic hour of the night which precedes Ascension silence envelops all nature. Heaven comes nearer. All the springs and streams cease to flow. Then the flowers and shrubs, the hills and stones, begin to salute and address one another, and each one declares its specific virtue. The King Serpent who lives in his own tail learns that night the language of the flowers. If anyone is aware of that hour, he can change everything into gold by dipping it into water and expressing his wish in the name of God. Some report also that the springs and rivers flow with gold, which can be secured only at the right moment. On Ascension Day the people try to find out what kind of luck is awaiting them during the years, by means of books that tell fortune, or objects deposited on the previous day in a basin of water along with herbs and flowers. A veil covers these things which have been exposed to the gaze of the stars during the mystic night, and a young virgin draws them out one by one while verses divining the future are being recited. "
The image of the Serpent "who lives in his own tail" suggests the presence of the Amanita muscaria mushroom; however, there is no mention of the water with herbs and flowers being consumed. Ancient Armenian soma ceremonies may have been similar to the old Indian and Iranian ceremonies (whose characteristics are unknown), but the sacred entheogens probably differed, based on their availablity.
The material presented in this study suggests that in remote antiquity the populations of the Armenian highlands, like the proto-Iranians and proto-Indians, used the Amanita muscaria mushroom for religious intoxication. The Iranians and Indians, at some point in the distant past, discontinued the practise. Ethnobotanists have suggested that the replacement of the original soma by surrogatesamong the Iranians and Indians was due to the difficulty of obtaining the entheogen, or its complete unavailability in their new
settlements. Such was not the case in eastern Asia Minor and the Caucasus. The presence there of virtually all known arboreal hosts of Amanita muscaria has guaranteed its continued availability to the resident populations from earliest times to the present. While the proto-Armenian shaman-priests, like their Iranian and Indian cousins, may have discontinued soma use in their "official" religious practises, this may not have been the case among the common folk. The myths, tales, and customs reviewed above strongly suggest this.
The myth of the birth of the god Vahagn, Armenia's remembrance of the birth of the god Soma, seems to belong to the second-early first millenium B.C., perhaps an "independent tradition from the original homeland of the Indo-Aryans" as Ananikian put it. Neither Indian nor Iranian sources has preserved a birth legend for the god Soma, though the Armenian tradition has. The birth legends and gestes of the god Mithra are also replete with Amanita imagery. The presence of a popular Mithra cult on the Armenian highlands through the early centuries of our era, with secret rites and a mysterious "sacrament"
suggests that the imagery is not simply evocative archaising.
Yet by the 5th century A.D. the meaning of the story of Vahagn's birth and of the vishap-harvest was no longer understood by Armenia's clerical writers. One suspects that members of the numerous pagan and Christian cults and sects which thrived across the highlands may have understood things differently and may have made use of the abundant ethnobotanicals readily available to them, including the Amanita muscaria mushroom, for magico-religious and sexual purposes. A surviving Armenian magical text also suggests this.
The 9-10th century epic, David of Sasun, not only contains the classical markers of Amanita also found in the descriptions of Vahagn and Mithra, but has at least one figure, David, the central hero, ingesting wild mushrooms, and feeling their effects. Mushroom and soma imagery is striking and systematic in all cycles of the epic. The society which produced this masterpiece knew about the Amanita mushroom firsthand.
Unlike the Iranian and Indian societies which abandoned Amanita, Armenian societies, apparently, held it dear; though it is in folk culture rather than in the world of the priests and literary histories that this is reflected. Elements of the soma ceremony itself survived among the Armenian population of central and eastern Asia Minor until the second decade of the twentieth century. The continuing availability of the red-capped mushroom across the
Armenian highlands and in the Caucasus suggests that modern residents there also may have some tales to tell, if anthropologists will listen.
Wichmann
Soma was a god, a plant, and an intoxicating beverage. I guess it is no coincidence that Aldous Huxley has used this name for his ideal drug in Brave New World? ;)
Monday, May 30th, 2005, 05:57 PM
I guess it is no coincidence that Aldous Huxley has used this name for his ideal drug in Brave New World? ;)
No it wasnt. :P But I think he referred to India probably...
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Theatre review: Mambo Italiano – a gluttonous feast of Italian stereotypes
Published: April 15, 201111:05 pm
Antacids are definitely in order for those about to dine at the gluttonous feast of Italian stereotypes in the Firehall Arts Centre production of Mambo Italiano.
Angelo (Joseph Gallaccio) is tired of living in the closet. Problem is, coming out of the closet doesn’t mesh with his traditional Italian upbringing or worse, the boyfriend Nino (Francisco Trujillo) who is so deep in the closet he may very well have discovered Narnia. But despite the potential for a lot of yelling, and trust me there is, Angelo does come out, signaling the start of this feast of Italian proportions.
Like any proper Italian meal, the stereotypes are served up from the antipasti to the secondo until we’re so full we don’t think it possible that playwright Steve Galluccio could stuff us with more. But like any good Italian mother, Gallucio is obviously of the opinion that there is always rooma for onea morea meataballa.
Leading the clan are Mama and Papa Barberini (Susan Bertoia and David Adams), perfectly paired as the overbearing wife and mother and the husband who lets her think she is the head of the household. Bertoia has the Italian sarcasm down pat as she rips apart husband, son, daughter or best friend with a strange little smile on her lips. I couldn’t help but make a comparison to Andrea Martin in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which, perhaps not surprisingly, this show gets compared to quite often.
Gina Chiarelli is hilarious as Nino’s mother who at one point proudly announces it is her Sicilian roots that allows her to break into her son’s apartment even though the doors are locked and the alarm is on.
Gallaccio and Trujillo do good work here but I found it difficult to get past the two sides that playwright Gallucio puts them: Angelo as the self-loathing Italian and Nino as the self-loathing homosexual, as if they were somehow equal . The playwright also makes Nino so repulsed by his being gay right out of the gate that it is near impossible for us to feel any empathy for him. By the end of the show one does stop hating himself, but that journey gets lost amongst all the clichés.
Set designer Ross Nichol divides the stage into four areas that should have easily moved us from scene to scene but somehow felt labored. Coloring it all, both in Nicol’s set and Rebekah Johnson’s lighting, in the green, white and red of the Italian flag felt a little unnecessary. There also appeared to be some confusion around the time period and I couldn’t help but think a clearer understanding of time might have helped to put some of the more serious issues into some cultural context.
In a Twitter exchange this morning playwright Steve Gallucio told me that a film sequel to Mambo Italiano is in the works. While he provided no details when I asked him where he thought Angelo and Nino might be now, I’m hoping that wherever it is I won’t need my antacids.
By Steve Galluccio. Directed by Donna Spencer. A Firehall Arts Centre / Western Canada Theatre co-production. On stage at the Firehall Arts Centre through April 30, 2011.
Visit http://www.firehallartscentre.ca for tickets and information.
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Review: Opening Night – an agreeably fun piece of theatre
Published: April 5, 20103:16 pm
Playwright Norm Foster is cleaning up in Vancouver right now. Not only is he starring in his The Love List at the Playhouse, another of his works, Opening Night, is being produced by Metro Theatre. And despite some technical and staging issues, the amateur Metro production in South Vancouver was at times just as entertaining as the professionals in downtown Vancouver.
Ruth and Jack Tisdale (Helen Volkow and Pat McDermott pictured right) are not your typical theatregoers and find themselves in the VIP lounge of the Charles Killian Theatre Noir Repertory House on opening night of Whisper in the Wind. Ruth desperately wants to expand her cultural horizons but Jack is just as content to sit at home watching the World Series. As luck (wink wink) would have it they also happen to be celebrating their silver wedding anniversary.
While waiting for the show to begin the Tisdales meet out-of-work actor Michael Craig (Patrick Maloughney) who Jack happens to recognize from a local television commercial. Also among the VIP guests are the director of the play they are about to see, Richard Hyde-Finch (Tim Vant) and his girlfriend Cilla Fraser (Caitlin Clugston). Of course the evening would not be complete without the aspiring actor/waiter Tom (Martin Hallat) who you know will end up playing a larger role here than just simply serving champagne and cheese puffs. Rounding out the cast are the two actors in the fictional play-within-a-play, Clayton Fry (David Wallace) and Libby Husniak (Kari-Ann Wood).
Volkow and McDermott are absolutely adorable, and very funny, as the fish-out-of-water Tisdales, complete with just the right amount of naiveté. Vant, as the self-important director with serious commitment issues, milks some of the best lines of the evening for all they are worth, while Clugston did tend towards whiny at times.
One of the more difficult roles here is the cliché dumb blonde of Libby (despite what one might think playing dumb can be a real challenge). While Kari-Ann Wood plays it with gusto, she did struggle with being heard behind what sounded at times like a valley girl accent.
The staging of the play-within-the-play of Opening Night is perhaps the biggest challenge here and unfortunately was also one of the show’s biggest problems. This is primarily the reason I cannot give this production full marks.
With the actors in their seats on each side of the stage during the Whisper in the Wind scenes, a great deal of the action and dialogue was lost. Director Mark Carter might want to re-think the positioning of the theatre seats on stage so that they are more of an angle facing the audience so we don’t miss any of Foster’s amusing dialogue and some of the business he gives his actors. This might be less of a problem for those in the middle of the house but since everyone pays the same it shouldn’t matter where you are seated.
Once again lighting proved problematic for the Metro. This was a general issue but was most evident during the Whisper in the Wind scenes where the actors lost their light on a number of occasions. There is also the problem of the lights used to illuminate the audience where on both occasions I found myself almost blinded and actually shaded my eyes to make out what was happening.
Much like Foster’s other show on stage downtown, Opening Night is pretty lightweight and seems to be cut from the same sitcom-like cloth. But where substance gives way to a one-liners and an ending that wraps up all too nicely, Opening Night is an agreeably fun piece of theatre.
Can’t afford the high-prices of the Playhouse? Consider this Metro production instead. Or if you can afford both, go see these two funny comedies written by a Canadian.
And for the record Norm, I do consider myself a more honourable life form than what you might have rinsed away on your bathroom tiles.
Metro Theatre
3 April – 1 May 2010
Norm Foster’s Opening Night is set in the fictitious Charles Killian Theatre on the opening night of “Whisper on the Wind”, an earnest Canadian play about a farm family. Tickets $15-$18 available by calling the Metro box office at 604.266-7191.
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Browse the Hall of Fame
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Hall of Fame Honorees
Fayette County doctor Ferrol Sams Jr. embarked on a writing career at age sixty and captured a national audience of readers with his witty, affectionate portraits of life between the world wars in Georgia, of what he has called "being raised right" in the rural South.
The Fayetteville native began his writing career in 1982, when he published Run with the Horsemen, a boy's account of growing up on an ancestral farm in Georgia. Sams continued his comic memoir of the prank-playing farm boy and aspiring doctor in The Whisper of the River (1984), a coming-of-age tale set during the 1930s at a Baptist college in Macon. He completed the trilogy in 1991 with the publication of When All the World Was Young, in which Sams' picaresque hero experiences World War II overseas as an Army surgical assistant.
Sams' other works include The Widow's Mite and Other Stories (1987), a collection of eight first-person stories that highlight the social problems of a small southern town, and Epiphany (1994), a volume of three philosophical novellas. His nonfiction books are The Passing: Perspectives of Rural America (1988), which comprises sixteen vignettes about vanished ways of rural life, and Christmas Gift! (1989), an account of one family's celebration of Christmas in Fayette County. In 2007 Sams published Down Town: The Journal of James Aloysius Holcombe, Jr. for Ephraim Holcombe Mookinfoos, a fictionalized chronicle of Fayette County and the origin of Peachtree City, told as a multigenerational family story that spans a century and a half from Reconstruction through the present.
With humor and old-fashioned moralizing, Sams's stories are about unlikely encounters and what people learn from them. A natural storyteller whose works have made him a popular writer in the South and garnered favorable national attention, Sams was honored in 2001 for fifty years of commitment and service to the people of Fayette County. Whisper of the River won the Townsend Prize for Fiction that year and was performed in 1992 for American Public Radio's Radio Reader. In 2006 Run with the Horsemen was selected by Atlantans as the inaugural text in the Atlanta Reads: One Book, One Community program.
Sams received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Writers Association in 2012.
The following titles may be found in the Hall of Fame Library:
Christmas Gift! Atlanta: Longstreet Press, 1989.
Down Town: The Journal of James Aloysius Holcombe, Jr. for Ephraim Holcombe Mookinfoos. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 2007.
Epiphany: Stories. Atlanta: Longstreet Press, 1994.
The Passing: Perspectives of Rural America (paintings by Jim Harrison; words by Ferrol Sams) Marietta, Ga.: Longstreet Press, 1988.
The Passing: Stories. Atlanta: Longstreet Press, 1990.
Run with the Horsemen. Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers, 1982.
When All the World was Young. Atlanta: Longstreet Press, 1991.
The Whisper of the River. Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers, 1984.
The Widow's Mite & Other Stories. Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers, 1987.
The New Georgia Encyclopedia (new window)
INDUCTEE: 2007
Fayette County, Georgia
The Georgia Writers Hall of Fame recognizes Georgia writers, past and present, whose work reflects the character of the state — its land and people.
University of Georgia Libraries | Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library
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Specialist Topics
Ghosts: General
Anyone Seen A Ghost?
Thread starter Anonymous
Tags ghost
IbisNibs
Life is like a box of paints.
The USA, for the moment.
escargot said:
OK then. This isn't something I saw, sadly
Oh! You TEASE!!!!
Thank you for posting more!
However, the daughters said their mother didn't mind the fly and in fact she'd said it was her pet, and they continued to bat at it. The mother looked at me and grinned.
All a bit weird, especially as there was no fly.
Freaky! Do you think they were humoring her? But I guess if it had seemed that way to you, you would have said so . . .
Likes: Frideswide and escargot
What about that then, eh! Eh! Eh!
You lot!
OK then. This isn't something I saw, sadly, but I spoke with people who were there and have no reason to doubt them. I've posted it before.
An elderly lady died one day in a care home where I was working, after I left for home. The undertakers came and did the necessary.
This lady used to insist in having all the lights on in her room and her door open and the corridor light on outside at night.
The staff would comply and one of the night carers would nip down to the end of the corridor in the early hours to close the door and put the lights out.
After this lady's death her door was left open and the lights on as normal, possibly as a mark of respect. Late on a carer went down and turned off the lights and closed the door.
When she reached the other end of the corridor where the desk was, she turned around to look back and noticed that the door was open and the room lit up.
None of the residents was awake and they were certainly not nimble enough to do all that in the time available.
The night carer had hysterics and had to be more or less forcibly prevented from bolting out of the place, putting the management in breach of the minimum staffing regulations.
Next morning I heard the story at Handover. The frightened staff member had already scarpered. I don't believe she ever went back. Didn't scare me!
Something equally spooky happened to me there...
Anyway, Techy saw a ghost today, the lucky spud.
Chills.
Beloved of Ra
IbisNibs said:
About the fly? Yup, it looked to me like they could all see the fly. Mother seemed highly entertained. Strange to see in someone on their deathbed.
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Frideswide
Fortea Morgana :) PeteByrdie certificated Princess
An Eochair
Madam Snail with these stories you are really spoiling us......
Likes: onetwothree, GerdaWordyer, titch and 3 others
OK, sorted now.
Today Techy was walking along an underground corridor at work leading to the IT computer room to check some equipment, as he regularly does. As you go along the ceiling lights in front of you come on one at a time on a motion sensor.
At the far end of the corridor there's an electrical substation. In front of the door to it there was a figure standing still, apparently facing Techy.
It looked normal human height, like a dark shadow but with 'depth', he said, but no features, and was visible by the lights at the end where Techy was walking.
The motion sensors turn the lights on for a few seconds at a time, but only the ones nearest Techy were activated. So whoever the figure was, they were perfectly still, or at least they hadn't tripped the motion sensors.
As Techy drew closer and the third light along came on, illuminating the figure, it was more clearly visible for a couple of seconds and then disappeared.
There's a fire door nearby but apart from that, no way out except back past Techy. The figure didn't walk away and out of the door though, it just vanished.
I wonder if any of Techy's colleagues have seen or experienced owt?
Likes: Frideswide
Ghost In The Machine said:
Techy's sighting wasn't surprising as the place is rife with reputed hauntings. Security often go through the building turning off lights, to find some back on again on the second patrol.
Doors open spontaneously. The staff toilets are full of activity. Techy and others have often seen people walking into and around there when they know they're alone. I've mentioned Techy's haunted work toilets experiences on here before.
There's a big lower area which isn't used for production because it started flooding some years back. It was a storage area for a while until it became really damp when it was abandoned. Workers could use it as a short cut across the site. They'd often see someone else wandering around and assume it was Bill or Anne or whoever on the same break, but it never was. They'd been alone. Even Techy finds it creepy and hasn't been down there for five years or so! Not because he's scared but because it's so wet and gloomy and he doesn't want wet feet.
Recently a worker talked about following a man in a lab coat into a restricted area. The man couldn't be found. He'd looked like a production manager. The worker had gone after him because you need to wear special protective clothing down there.
Apparently people often say to a manager 'I've just seen you down the other end, how'd you get up here so fast?' to which the reply is 'I've been up'ere all morning!'
The managers wear the same lab coats as they have for the last 20-30 years and are in fact known as 'The Lab Coats', as in 'Back to work quick lads, there's a Lab Coat coming!'
A sharpening machine was recently heard running by a key holder of a locked storage room. He went in to investigate and found nothing moving; there's no safe electricity supply there and nobody's supposed to go in as the place is unsafe.
The company's former premises were also heavily haunted. When the FTMB was new they'd ask for weird stories to be submitted by email for consideration for inclusion. I sent an account of an astonishing incident that'd happened to Techy that very day but it was rejected. Rejected! I didn't bother again.
Likes: GerdaWordyer, catseye, Ghost In The Machine and 4 others
Also, at another site where Techy previously worked nights, in the early hours there'd be a strong smell of cigar smoke apparently coming from behind a particular door. If you stood there and listened you'd then hear loud footsteps - as of a person who walked flatfooted and slammed their feet down - walking away from the door and down the corridor toward the factory. This corridor would flood regularly but the footsteps sounded the same.
Techy and colleagues would often hear this in each other's company and sometimes open the door and burst through it hoping to catch a prankster; but there was never anyone there. In any case they could account for everyone in the building.
There was also a fall of frogs from the sky outside there one day, witnessed by Techy and a workmate whom he still sees. Thy were indoors when they heard things falling onto the roof. They went outside and were pelted with full-sized frogs dropping vertically. They'd hit the ground and start hopping and squirming around, obviously still alive and healthy. Techy and Colleague watched for a bit then went back indoors because they were being hit by them.
It went on for ten minutes or so.
Half an hour later when they went outside to look again, there were no frogs to be seen.
When Techy brings this up with the colleague the blokes always says 'There were loads of frogs and then none! They all disappeared!'
Likes: catseye, Ghost In The Machine, hunck and 5 others
Justified & Ancient
Hobbs End
If you haven't already posted it here can you do so?
Likes: escargot and Lizard King
hunck said:
Certainly. It's on'ere somewhere so I'll have a dig around. Might even be on this thread.
Edit - 'ere we go, from 2001 -
My BF had a strange encounter in the spring. I sent a full account, dates etc., to FT IHTM but it wasn't used.
He works at Mintons in Stoke on Trent and had to go into a basement, down a long narrow corridor with a locked door.
He went up and down this corridor several times fetching equipment and locked the doors each time. The corridor is too narrow to allow anyone to pass him, and he had the key anyway, but the last time that day he went down there was a large heavy lifting trolley placed squarely in his way. It would have taken two strong men to move it that quick and it wouldn't have moved at all quietly.
BF decided to climb over it but had to ask for help to move it on his way back as he was carrying too much and it was in the way.
It was eventually lugged back to where it came from, up the corridor and round a corner, and BF was told of the building's reputation.
Nobody likes the corridor and the room at the end just petrifies people, being the scene of a gruesome suicidal hanging.
Didn't scare the BF though, the Devil himself can't do that...
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Floyd1
Ephemeral Spectre
Escargo, have there ever been any reports on anything at Radway Green do you know? I worked there for a while
Hey escargo, have you ever heard of any ghostly goings on at Radway Green, the old ammunitions factory?
Likes: escargot
Vardoger
Like To Roam The Land
Good story, but perhaps it wasn't used because you identified where he worked at the time.
Vardoger said:
That could have been edited out. In fact I put in the location for authenticity and may have suggested it was omitted.
Likes: catseye
Floyd1 said:
Used to work there and ghostliness rings a bell!
I was was there when a woman was killed by a bullet she was routinely testing in a machine that dated back to the war.
It would jam and you'd stick a pencil or whatever in the back and prod it while it was facing you...
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Not pelted with them as such but it will be more than 10 years back, we started finding jet black toads in our garden. Not regular toads, not very dark brown toads but black toads. It was one of those years when there were toads everywhere (we live right by a river and a pond, and a stream and have a small garden pond full of the blighters as well). The following year, some sort of toad plague because we barely saw one. But for a year only, we had black toads.
Every year we squash them with the door (unintentionally) because they come and sit on our back doorstep in the summer, and always on one side of it, always the same place. Occasionally, just opening the door you squidge a toad as from the inside you have no idea they're there.
If I leave the back door open, there's often a toad sat right there on the left. It must be a race memory thing, a place they like to visit, for whatever reason, as it happens every year several times, without fail. And as several have been squished, it's not the same toad coming back and back. Some of them get to quite a size - I think they keep growing for a few years.
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Did you?! I didn't work at the ammunitions side, but on the side they converted into a 'Business Park'. I did however go into the part you worked at on occasion. I don't recall hearing anything about ghosts there, (or anyone being killed), but it always seemed the sort of place to me, where there could be a few -that's why I wondered if you'd ever heard any tales. - (Sorry, I messaged you twice for some reason.)
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I have no words!
Likes: escargot and Floyd1
LordRsmacker
Young toads are black.
I remember walking the pooch about 25 years ago in a field and coming across thousands of black toadlets, all marching back towards the pond at the top of the field. I've never seen so many before or since, they were like a black river, heading uphill. The pond was ruined when some council twat had the bright idea of building a crematorium on the site - fuck him, I hope his soul wanders round forever, looking for the pond he came from.
*Off topic thread de-rail - I had a seriously vivid dream about a rain of frogs/toads earlier this week, before I visited this thread. Any idea what that is supposed to signify? It was one of those dreams that is so sharp and focused that I feel there had to be a message to be listened to in there!
Likes: Lizard King and escargot
LordRsmacker said:
I dunno - we see them all the time here and they're brown..?
I forget what toad dreams and meant to mean but in the past, certain cunning men were known locally as 'toadmen' because it was thought, they were 'horse whisperers'. They'd learn to work magic with horses by using toad bones in their charms and spells. They'd take a dead toad, and fleanse it by letting ants eat away the soft tissue, then use the bones in magic... There were thought to be magic words when when whispered to the horses, would make them do your bidding. Not sure why toad bones were needed for horse magic, but that will go way back, I'm guessing, in folklore.
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David Plankton
Not sure why toad bones were needed for horse magic, but that will go way back, I'm guessing, in folklore.
I thought it had something to do with -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frog_(horse_anatomy)
as a kind of sympathetic medicine. Bearing in mind that frogs and toads would have been interchangeable in days of yore.
Likes: Ghost In The Machine and escargot
Didn't we have a thread on this?
I seem to remember reading in a book about a 'horse wise man' who'd place a toad bone on a gatepost which would magically stop a horse from passing it. He'd then charge the owners for a 'whispering' session to cure it, which he'd actually accomplish by discreetly pocketing the bone.
Likes: IbisNibs
Oh I will have to go look for that! Folklore is my thing.
I was reading about a cunning man who charged people for a spell to make their linens more white, the other day... Seems like a good gig if you could get it.
I took the book this was in out of the local library decades ago. There used to be a genre of 'ghost books' as I called them in the Psychology section. Y'know, collections of people's allegedly true weird stories. Wish I owned all those books, they were great.
Likes: IbisNibs and Ghost In The Machine
Mr_Hermolle
My ghost sighting was so obviously a dream when looked at objectively, it's hardly worth writing about. Having said that though, it wasn't experienced as a dream, and I don't remember it as a dream (if that makes sense) so here goes...
1977, I'm 5 years old staying at my grandparents house in the country. I'm having a nightmare. The nightmare - weirdly enough - centre around Sesame Street. The Count Dracula character is there, and he's asking me how many dragons I can see. I can see the dragons - silhouettes on them on the wall. He shouts out 'one dragon!' 'two dragons!' etc - and every time he counts up to another dragon, there's a huge flash of lightning and crack of thunder. This, to me, is absolutely terrifying - so terrifying I wake up. I'm so relieved it's only a dream.
I open my eyes, and there, at the end of my bed is something far worse. There's a figure looking out of the window - it looks like your classic grim reaper / ghost monk etc. Black robes - standing to me sideways on, completely still. There's nothing within the hood - just a deep blackness. The figure does not seem remotely interested in me.
I make a solemn promise to myself that I will never open my eyes again if I wake in the night, and bury myself under the covers, until I presumably fall asleep again.
It's obviously your classic 'thinking your awake but you're really still dreaming scenario' - or a hypnopompic hallucination at best. I have read similar tales of the 'waking up and seeing something at the end of the bed' hundreds of times over the years. Still, it changed my life in a way, and triggered off my interested in ghosts and all things haunted... Even if I know now that it 'was just a dream' at the time I experienced it (and remember it as) something very real.
There were no other tales about my grandparents house being haunted - my aunt said that she always found the upstairs quite creepy, and that her daughter (my cousin) was convinced it was haunted and had 'seen things' too - though my cousin died 25 years ago now so not going to get any more information from there.
As an aside - about ten years ago I had a similar experience. I woke up from sleep in the middle of the night (no nightmare about Sesame Street this time), opened my eyes, and saw a ball of black smoke - about the size of a football in the corner of my room. This ball of black smoke - undulating and pulsating - slowly rose. I watched it rise for what seemed to be a good half a minute or two - and this ball of black smoke vanished as it approached the ceiling - just faded away. As I knew that this was an hypnopompic hallucination rather than a 'ghost', and just thought 'ah, that's interesting', and went back to sleep - had I been five years old, i would have seen it very differently.
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Krepostnoi
really ought to be translating.
Mr_Hermolle said:
As I knew that this was an hypnopompic hallucination rather than a 'ghost'
How did you know?
Well, just going for the sceptical option there alas. it might have been a ghost...
Too right, Snail. I pretty well lived in that section of our village library in the 1970s. And when my dad subscribed to 'Man, Myth & Magic' - which I still have and read a lot - I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. He also used to buy me folklore books - Ruth L. Tongue is one I remember and probably should track down an old copy of...
I'm seriously thinking of getting on with it and doing a Yorkshire ghosts book as my next big project. Am convinced there's loads of uncollected and previously unpublished, or very obscure old, stories out there for the finding.
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It's possible either way, that it was hypnopompic (thanks for that word!) or something... else.
I also had the classic 'ghost by the side of the bed' thing but it was an unfamiliar bed with a metal bedstead and in turning presumably violently to not have to look at the thing, I banged my head hard on the metal bed posts and had the bruise next day to prove it. Which sort of suggested I was wide awake, as I thought. I hit myself so hard that I remember thinking if I'd been asleep, that would've woken me up... But I managed to calm myself down and for 15 years vacillated between thinking I'd seen a 'ghost' and convincing myself quite successfully that I had just had a dream.
Then someone who shared the room with me that night told me, all those years on, of a ghost she'd seen, that same week, in that same room - precisely what I saw. She saw it when she thought I was asleep and I saw it when I thought she was asleep. Neither of us told the other for fear of being thought nuts. (We were both about 11 or 12, and she was visiting us prior to her widowed mum marrying my widowed dad - and we shared a room for a week. Not my usual bedroom in the house - and I guess, because of the pressure of being forced together as a reluctabnt 'blended' family - both of us judged that now wasn't the time to talk about seeing a full apparition in the house where she was about to move in).
I think by this time, despite the physical evidence of bruising my head, I'd have convinced myself it was hypnopompic, not some form of reality, if she hadn't told me all those years later of the night she saw the ghost.
It was the only time we ever shared a room (because the only room with a double bed) and it was therefeore definitely the same week, but we don't know if it was the same night we saw it. I didn't know her well enough to wake her up when I saw it, and vice versa.
So keep an open mind, is the moral of the tale.
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A house in my home town has a 'bedroom' ghost that stands over people in bed.
They wake up and see it, react in whatever way comes naturally and then keep it to themselves.
I heard this from a college classmate. Her whole family had 'met' the ghost at some point but hadn't discussed it for fear of being laughed at.
They were sober hardworking Poles who weren't given to whimsicality.
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That's a good un.
Yes, the same here - that unique set of circumstances - bunch of strangers meeting another buch of strangers - a load of grieving, sad children still missing their 'real' parents, told to accept the reality of a new, 'blended' family - and us two girls were only days apart in age, so we were pushed together and assumed that we'd get on like a house on fire. We didn't. We are very different characters - nothing at all bad about my stepsister - she and I ended up having a miserable time of it in that house. But we are pretty well opposites. So we were never gonna talk to eachother.
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Forteana Forum
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Categories > U.S. Regional Data > States > Georgia > Counties > Schley County, GA
White to Non-White Racial Dissimilarity Index for Schley County, GA (RACEDISPARITY013249)
2017: 15.99682 | Percent | Annual | Updated: Dec 18, 2018
2017: 15.99682 (+ more)
2017: 15.99682
Release: Racial Dissimilarity Index
The Racial Dissimilarity Index measures the percentage of the non-hispanic white population in a county which would have to change Census tracts to equalize the racial distribution between white and non-white population groups across all tracts in the county.
Starting with the 2016 observations, the calculation has been changed so that counties with only one census tract have missing data. Zero values represent counties where the proportions of non-white population and non-hispanic white population are the same.Multiyear estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS) are "period" estimates derived from a data sample collected over a period of time, as opposed to "point-in-time" estimates such as those from past decennial censuses. ACS 5-year estimate includes data collected over a 60-month period. The date of the data is the end of the 5-year period. For example, a value dated 2014 represents data from 2010 to 2014. However, they do not describe any specific day, month, or year within that time period.
Multiyear estimates require some considerations that single-year estimates do not. For example, multiyear estimates released in consecutive years consist mostly of overlapping years and shared data. The 2010–2014 ACS 5-year estimates share sample data from 2011 through 2014 with the 2011–2015 ACS 5-year estimates. Because of this overlap, users should use extreme caution in making comparisons with consecutive years of multiyear estimates.
Please see "Section 3: Understanding and Using ACS Single-Year and Multiyear Estimates" on publication page 13 (file page 19) of the 2018 ACS General Handbook for a more thorough clarification. https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2018/acs/acs_general_handbook_2018.pdf
U.S. Census Bureau, White to Non-White Racial Dissimilarity Index for Schley County, GA [RACEDISPARITY013249], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/RACEDISPARITY013249, July 17, 2019.
High School Graduate or Higher (5-year estimate) in Schley County, GA
White to Non-White Racial Dissimilarity Index for Schley County, GA
Schley County, GA Counties Georgia States U.S. Regional Data
More Series from Racial Dissimilarity Index
Schley County, GA Non-white Racial Dissimilarity White Georgia (U.S. state) American Community Survey Prosperity Scorecard County or County Equivalent Census Annual United States of America Public Domain: Citation Requested Not Seasonally Adjusted
Racial Dissimilarity Index
Net Migration Flow, Annual: Georgia
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Tag Archives: Heartbeats with Chacha
hits, music, Philippines, radio, songs
Going National: Thoughts on the Potential of the Unified MOR Brand
June 4, 2018 ralphierceABS-CBN, ABS-CBN MOR, ABS-CBN PR, Dear MOR, DWRR, DWRR-FM, DZMM, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, Facebook, Heartbeats with Chacha, Heartbeats with Chacha MOR, Instagram, Kantar Media, Kantar national ratings, Kantar Ratings, Luzon, Mega Manila, Mindanao, MOR 101.9, MOR Philippines, MOR Philippines ABS-CBN, Twitter, Visayas 2 Comments
ABS-CBN’s MOR (My Only Radio) FM stations are set to become one national entity.
MOR Philippines is uniting 17 MOR stations in the country under one sound and one vibe to bring more entertainment and information to KaMORkadas nationwide. #MORPMA2018 #MOR1AndOnly
A post shared by ABS-CBN PR (@abscbnpr) on Jun 1, 2018 at 6:38am PDT
In a recent press conference led by the DJs of the flagship MOR 101.9 (DWRR-FM) Manila station, they announced that MOR 101.9 and its 16 regional affiliates will join forces together to form MOR Philippines. Via ABS-CBN PR:
“Under MOR Philippines, 17 MOR stations will unite to bring listeners from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao one vibe and one sound.”
The press release cited the MOR stations’ strong performance in the ratings as the main reason for the launch of MOR Philippines. For instance, the Manila flagship MOR 101.9 got 33% of the average audience share among all Mega Manila stations in the recent Kantar Media survey.
So what are the possibilities that lie ahead for MOR Philippines? Here are three potential plans for the network.
Simulcast of MOR 101.9 Shows in Other Stations
Simulcasting a Manila radio program in the provinces is nothing new in the Philippines. In fact, on a few occasions, MOR 101.9 sister station DZMM 630 simulcasts some of its newscasts to other ABS-CBN-owned AM stations in the country.
The unified MOR Philippines could also do the same thing on some of its programs. For instance, ‘Dear MOR’ and ‘Heartbeats with Chacha’ are very popular shows in 101.9, and putting them on a nationwide scale via simulcast will only grow their audience further.
Improving the Standard of MOR Provincial Stations
While MOR stations in the provinces performed well in their own right, there is still a need for improvement, especially since MOR Manila is the only one with social media handles throughout. ABS-CBN, being the darlings of social media and the master of constant innovation, could do just that.
Providing each MOR provincial station with its own Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts could help broaden their fanbase further. Not only that, upgrading its facilities and strengthening its reach may also enable MOR to penetrate beyond other far-flung areas.
Same Plugs, Same Playlist
In order to live up to the ‘one vibe and one sound’ motto of MOR Philippines, each of the 17 stations will need to have something in common. This means a more ‘national’ station ID for all stations and a more consistent playlist to boot.
Such a reboot will take some time to develop. But when done correctly, MOR 101.9 and its affiliates should flourish with a much-improved beat.
MOR Philippines will be one hell of a rebuilding project that ABS-CBN’s radio division will have to take. It will be interesting to see how this unification of all MOR stations will pay off, so good luck.
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Tag Archives: Saturday Night Take Over
hits, music, Philippines, radio, songs, talk show
FTT Year 2014 in Review: FM Radio
December 29, 2014 ralphierce103.5 K-Lite, 107.5 Win Radio, 107.5 Wish FM, 91.5 Big Radio, 91.5 Win Radio, 95.5 Pinas FM, 97.9 Home Radio, 97.9 Home Radio Natural!, 97.9 Natural!, 99.5 Play FM, ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN MOR, adult contemporary, Back to the 80s, Barangay LS 97.1, classic hits, contemporary hit radio, Daniel Razon, DWAV, DWDM, DWKX, DWKY, DWLA, DWLS, DWNU, DWQZ, DWRR, DWRT, DWRX, DWTM, Friday Madness, Friday Madness Magic 89.9, GMA, GMA Barangay FM, GMA Network, hip-hop, Hot Adult Contemporary, Magic 89.9, Manny Luzon, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Monster's Riot, MOR 101.9, OPM, Original Pilipino Music, R&B, Retro 105.9, Retro 105.9 DCG-FM, rhythmic contemporary, Riot Remix, RX 93.1, RX Riot Wednesday, Saturday Night Take Over, Saturday Slam, Saturday Slam Magic 89.9, Slamma Jamma, Throwback: The Year That Was, Tiger22, Tiger22 Media Corporation, Top 40, Top 40 Radio, Wave 891, Wish 1075 88 Comments
Another year is about to end. But before the calendar flips to 2015, here is a look back at the year that was in television and radio. This article will focus on the FM radio stations of Metro Manila, with a recap of the news that occurred within the industry.
105.9 Goes Retro
March saw the launch of Retro 105.9 DCG-FM. The station played nothing but classic hits from as far as the 60s to as close as the early 2000s, and featured radio industry veterans as the station’s voices.
Retro 105.9 became an immediate hit with listeners, so much so that other stations took notice of its emergence. As a result of Retro 105.9’s success, these stations either shortened their throwback programs (e.g. Magic 89.9’s ‘Friday Madness’ and Saturday Slam’), or restricted their playlists to cater towards younger listeners, (e.g. RX 93.1’s ‘Riot Wednesday’).
From Big to Win to Wish
June 26 saw the final broadcast of 107.5 Win Radio, as Daniel Razon purchased the station from Manny Luzon. As a result, Luzon was forced to move Win Radio to 91.5, replacing erstwhile sister station Big Radio.
Then on August 10, Razon’s new station was christened as Wish 1075, an adult contemporary station. Wish immediately filled the void vacated by another recently reformatted station.
Home Radio Becomes ‘Natural’ and Back
The original 97.9 Home Radio signed off for the last time on February 28. Then on March 17, Home Radio Natural!, now with a more ‘masa’ playlist and DJs named after fruits, was launched.
What happened next was a saga of rebrands and format changes within 97.9 that baffled the entire FM radio community. First, ‘Home Radio’ was dropped from its name in July, only to bring it back in November, and then in August, the format changed from Hot AC (‘masa’) to Top 40 Contemporary Hit Radio.
K-Lite’s Endless Rebrands, Plus Wave and Play FM’s Continued Problems
Speaking of a saga of rebrands and format changes, 103.5 K-Lite also endured the same routine as Home Radio Natural!, albeit at a more extreme pace. The station went from CHR to classic hits and back to AC, all within a span of eight months, while constantly shuffling its on-air staff.
The issues surrounding K-Lite were not the only problems that Tiger22 faced this year though. 99.5 Play FM again endured some more changes in its on-air staff, while Wave 891 returned to an R&B/rhythmic format after experimenting with a more hip-hop playlist the previous year.
95.5 Pinas FM officially became an all-OPM station in October, becoming the first and only FM radio station in the country to do so.
As mentioned earlier, Magic 89.9 cut short its broadcasts of ‘Friday Madness’ and ‘Saturday Slam’ in June. This paved the way for the three-hour remix programs that followed both blocks: ‘Slamma Jamma’ (Fridays) and ‘Saturday Night Take Over’ (Saturdays).
RX 93.1 also made a change to its throwback block ‘Riot Wednesday’. Gone is the remix program ‘Riot Remix’, while ‘Back to the 80s’ was replaced by ‘Throwback: The Year That Was’.
And finally, Barangay LS 97.1 was reformatted anew, both in programming and in overall presentation. At the same time, GMA decided to rename its regional radio stations to the Barangay brand, in a reverse response to ABS-CBN’s rebranding of 101.9 to the regional stations’ MOR name.
An eventful 2014 should be followed by an even more intense 2015, as the Metro’s FM radio stations try to improve from their previous year’s performances. That said, expect more of these shakeups, rebrands and changes once the new year rolls on.
hits, music, radio, songs
Retro 105.9’s Impact on Other Stations’ Programming
August 27, 2014 ralphierce99.5 Play FM, Back to the 80s, Chico Garcia, Classic Hits Radio, contemporary hit radio, DWLA, DWLL, DWRT, DWRT-FM, DWRX, DWTM, FM stations in the Philippines, Friday Madness, Jon Tupaz, Jon Tupaz's 12-inch Mix, Magic 89.9, Mellow 947, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Monster's Riot, Philippine FM stations, Philippine radio stations, radio stations in the Philippines, retro, Retro 105.9, Retro 105.9 DCG-FM, Riot Remix, Saturday Night Take Over, Saturday Slam, Slamma Jamma, Throwback: The Year That Was, Top 40 Radio 10 Comments
The success of Retro 105.9 DCG-FM forced radio stations like Magic 89.9 and Monster Radio RX 93.1 to tweak their throwback programs. (Logo courtesy of Retro 105.9 DCG-FM)
The rise of Retro 105.9 DCG-FM has other stations take notice.
Within six months of operation, older listeners were constantly hooked to Retro 105.9’s daily serving of classic songs and hidden gems, something that was never done before on Philippine FM radio. The addiction was so great that it forced other stations to tweak their classic programming.
Spearheading the change were the two top stations in the CHR/Top 40 format: Magic 89.9 and Monster Radio RX 93.1.
For years, Magic 89.9’s ‘Friday Madness’ and ‘Saturday Slam’ had essentially the same format, with the 80s mostly reserved for the former, and the 90s for the latter. They even had a non-stop dance remix show for the final three hours.
But last June, everything changed for the station. ‘Friday Madness’ was reduced to only 21 hours, with ‘Jon Tupaz’s 12-inch Mix’ moving from its familiar 9 p.m. slot to noontime. Then Tupaz’s vacated slot was taken over by ‘Slamma Jamma’, which is now the kickoff show for ‘Saturday Slam’.
‘Slamma Jamma”s slot on Saturday night was then used to create yet another remix show, this time centering on the 2000s and beyond and featuring the country’s top club DJs rather than Magic’s own talent. That show, dubbed ‘Saturday Night Take Over’, made its debut that same month.
Over at Monster Radio RX 93.1, their ‘Monster’s Riot’ format remained the same, save for two programs. ‘Back to the 80s’, the flagship program of the said block, finally said goodbye in June after over a decade.
‘Throwback: The Year That Was’ took over ‘Back to the 80s” slot. Hosted by Chico Garcia, ‘Throwback’ now encompasses every era, from the 80s all the way to the 2000s, with a particular year’s hits to focus on.
And just months earlier, ‘Riot Remix’ bade goodbye on air, leaving ‘Remix Fridays’ as the sole remix program on the station. These two changes were the direct result of ‘Monster’s Riot”s changing playlist, emphasizing more towards the 90s and 2000s hits for an increasingly younger audience.
Elsewhere, stations such as Mellow 947 and 99.5 Play FM are now taking a similar path as RX’ s in their throwback programs.
The Philippine radio industry is a constantly changing world. Audiences are getting younger, technologies are advancing, and the music is evolving. The efforts of the Top 40 radio stations are a part of the turnover.
This turnover was definitely the reason why Retro 105.9 DCG-FM was established. As the other stations aim for the youth, Retro 105.9 focused on the older folks who still believe in ‘oldies but goodies’. And indeed it is; no matter how old the playlist is, they are still wonderful to listen to.
Indeed, times are changing in the Philippine radio industry. And for these radio stations, constant transformation is essential to maintaining success.
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