Wednesday , August 10 2022

‘Slide towards religious state’

This post has been read 10131 times!

With time, Kuwait, secular with its constitution, is becoming a religious state. There are many indications that religiously ideological parties are taking advantage of this dangerous climate for their own interest and the interest of their religious political parties.

For this purpose they use various tools of terrorism, whether by warning of the wrath of God, as if the matter is in their own hands or by resorting to grill the concerned minister because they are all well aware that the government tries to avoid interrogations, and mostly prefers to cave in to pressures and fulfill simple religious requests which will be followed by other simple religious requests, and then others and we will eventually unknowingly slip into the theocratic state.

The spread of Islamic thought (or religious thought in general) increases in culturally modest societies where a majority do not care about education and do not have the desire to question and analyze, because they were not taught or trained to do so, and thus face their problems on their own, often negatively and this opens the doors for traders in religion to intervene and impose their opinions and push more for the theocratic state especially with the increase in the complexities of life and the feeling of some that what they are pushed toward is the right path.

Recently, some of those who had previously pledged to refrain from any political activity and tweeted and sent political messages against individuals and governments, have come to surface again, violating the terms of amnesty, but the general atmosphere seemed to make them and others confident that they are safe and that the government will prefer to turn a blind eye to their wrongdoings.

The government has also taken the same passive or indifferent attitude towards the participation of associations of charitable nature to take part in political activities although their regulations do not allow them to do so, and these are all manifestations of slipping towards a religious state.

The government had decided about a year ago to dissolve the “Quran Printing Authority” for its failure over ten years to print a single copy of the Quran, but the religious forces that benefit from this authority intervened and were not satisfied with freezing the decision to dissolve it, but rather increased the authority’s powers, which recently even floated tenders for the supply and printing of books on outdated partisan religious topics at imaginary amounts, knowing that they are available on the Internet for freely. This is also one of the manifestations of the slide towards the religious state.

The Ministry of Awqaf did the same and almost similar books were requested although they are available for free on the Internet, knowing that there is no real need to import them or print thousands of them.

A parliamentarian also drew the attention of the Minister of Commerce to the presence of statues in one of the shops, and that they are manifestations of polytheism in God.

The ministry sent its inspectors within hours, and the statues were removed immediately, paving the way for a miniature Taliban state to come. A person tweeted protesting that a university college is teaching gender (which linguistically means gender, male or female), Perhaps, the tweeter may have understood the meaning in a way that suits his thought, which means teaching sex.

A deputy picked up the tweet and referred the matter to the Minister of Higher Education, who promised him that the responsible party would be held accountable. This is also, and dozens of others, manifestations of the continuous slide towards the religious state.

e-mail: a.alsarraf@alqabas.com.kw

By Ahmad alsarraf


Fort Worth, TX,
11:22 AM

Keeping Kids Afloat: Infant Swimming Resource Self-Rescue

While most toddlers aren’t coordinated enough to learn traditional swim strokes, they can learn basic survival skills like surfacing, turning onto their backs to float with their head above water and reaching for the wall of the pool.

Infant Swimming Resource Self-Rescue Swim Safety

By Ashley Antle

It’s never too early to teach children to be safe around water. After all, if a baby can crawl, they can make their way to a pool or open body of water. Any number of things can lure them there — a floating toy or sheer curiosity as they naturally explore the world around them. Whatever the reason, the result could be deadly.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says children as young as 1 year old can benefit from water competency training, which is teaching kids to understand the danger water poses, how to avoid it and how to survive should they find themselves in water alone.

“I think the No. 1 thing that water competency gives a young child is confidence,” said Jillian Mitchell, a community health program specialist at Cook Children’s Medical Center. “If a child falls in unexpectedly they are in a situation that might induce panic, but being water-competent is having the confidence to know what to do to survive.”

Kelsey Strieby calls it aquatic problem-solving. She is a Certified Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) Self-Rescue® instructor and has taught hundreds of children water survival and self-rescue skills.

“There are two components to this,” Strieby said. “It's the roll-back-to-float program and the swim-float-swim program. But the first priority is being able to float to survive.”

Survival Becomes Second Nature

As an ISR instructor, Strieby teaches infants and children to roll onto their backs and float if they fall into the water. After the child has been walking for a few months, they’ll advance to learn to swim, then roll onto their back and float, and swim again until they can grab the side of the pool. If they are in a larger body of water and cannot get to the side, Strieby teaches kids to survive by floating on their backs until help arrives.

Her students don’t learn a specific swim stroke or even to tread water, but to use their natural movement, like when they are crawling or walking, to bring themselves to the surface.

“Self-rescue is taught using muscle memory and each child’s unique muscle movement,” Strieby said. “So the kids actually simulate like they're walking or crawling through the water. We don't teach a specific movement of the hand or leg. We will guide them through how to move effectively in the water and reinforce that moving their arms is great, but how that arm moves or how that leg moves is specific to that child.”

Just like riding a bike, consistency and repetition with these skills promote muscle memory and competence. If the unthinkable happens, those trained responses kick in, giving little ones a chance to survive.

“We want their survival response in water to become second nature,” Mitchell said.

Children with special health, developmental and learning needs benefit from this approach, too, especially if traditional swim lessons are not a good fit for them or learning specific swim strokes is outside of their developmental abilities. Every one of Strieby’s students undergoes a health assessment that is reviewed by a nursing team before beginning lessons, so she can tailor her teaching to their particular needs.

Choose Wisely

When it comes to finding the right water competency program for your child, Strieby encourages parents to do their research. A quick social media search of infant swim lessons will return all kinds of videos of very young children, even babies, seemingly learning to swim, but Strieby cautions that not all of these approaches are practical or safe.

“We don't throw babies into the water and let them sink or swim,” she said. “Programs that claim they teach survival and show videos of them chunking children into the water—that should never ever happen in an ISR self-rescue lesson. It should be a guided, safe and gentle approach. I always tell people, if you are going to commit to doing a survival swim program, please do your homework and make sure it's a program with a certified instructor who has had quality training and that the program has safety protocols in place.”

Strieby’s lessons do include simulations of situations in which a child may fall into the water. They even practice survival skills in diapers as well as summer, fall and winter clothing because many drownings occur when kids are fully clothed and not expected to be near water. In 2021, over 60% of patients brought to Cook Children’s following a drowning incident were from accidents that occurred during an unplanned swim time.

Respect the Danger

Water competency and rescue skills also teach kids to have a healthy fear of water as they are introduced to the natural consequences of going into the water alone, like not being able to breathe and the hard work it takes to stay afloat.

“Kids who learn to self-rescue learn that if they fall into that water and mom is not right there, they are going to be responsible for their own lives and getting their own air,” Strieby said. “As silly as it sounds, this creates a healthy boundary for many kids, because they don't want to have to do that hard work. They don’t want to have to use their skills unnecessarily.”

The majority of Strieby’s students are under the age of 4, but she does teach self-rescue to children up to six years of age. Once they master survival and self-rescue skills, some kids go on to traditional lessons with other programs to learn specific swim strokes. Either way, children who learn water competency and rescue skills from an early age are better equipped to survive a water-related accident.

Even so, Mitchell cautions that swim and self-rescue lessons are not a replacement for the layers of protection needed to prevent children from drowning. Maintaining barriers to and around the pool, keeping pools clear of toys attractive to little ones when not in use, having a designated water watcher and wearing a life jacket are all important components of water safety, whether a child does or does not know how to swim.

Lifeguard Your Child began in 2016 and continues its regional collaboration, led by Cook Children’s, to prevent drownings in North Texas. The campaign aligns consistent messages and educational goals across our region. Together with community partners across 11 counties, we work year-round to provide education, Water Watcher tags, swim lessons, life jackets and other prevention tools to families.

The Lifeguard Your Child campaign is spread through the Safe Kids North Texas Coalition, which is based in Fort Worth and led by Cook Children’s.

The campaign’s strategies include Cook Children’s Loaner Life Jacket Stations at many lake entry points across the region. Families can go to the stations to find U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets in a variety of sizes with easy tips for a proper fit.

Safety tips for home swimming pools:

  • Assign a water watcher, aka an adult who will commit to 100% supervision of children in and around water.
  • Restrict access by installing door locks high out of children’s reach. Door and window alarms can signal if someone leaves the house.
  • Install four-sided fencing around pools with a self-latching gate that only opens out. The fence should be at least 4 feet (preferably 5 feet) high.
  • Remove all toys and floats from the pool area so children are not tempted to get close to the water.
  • For above-ground pools, make sure the ladder is removed and not accessible when it’s not swimming time.
  • Consider a pool surface alarm to alert if anyone/anything falls into the water.

Safety tips for the bathtub:

  • An adult must stay at the side of the tub in reach of the child.
  • Pay attention. This is not the time for multitasking.
  • Ignore distractions like the doorbell or phone calls.
  • Drain the tub after each use.

For more information, visit:


in Marketing

Why did you choose Compass Group UK & Ireland?

It offers a broad and varied scheme where I knew I would be able to gain a wealth of experience.

I am the point of contact for our mobile app “Go + See”, which is an audit tool used by our regional managers. I create briefs for our Point Of Sale (POS) (which is used in units), send out weekly communication updates, create content for execution manuals and ‘how-to guides’, help co-ordinate our photoshoots, keep our internal intranet page up-to-date, plus lots more.

Which skills/experience are key for your role?

Great attention to detail, be a good team player, be able to work independently, organised, committed, be able to use your initiative, ambitious, good execution, communication, analytical skills, optimistic outlook.

What are the best things about your job?

The fact that the job role is mobile keeps my day-to-day job interesting as no two days are the same, and I’m always visiting new and interesting places.

How does the graduate programme/scheme work?

I spent my first week on the graduate scheme on a four-day course with the rest of the graduates to learn more about the business and then the following four weeks in one of our units. I had regular reviews with the graduate programme manager to ensure I was happy in my role.

What sets your company apart from their competitors as a top graduate employer?

It is a fantastic company to work for and there are loads of opportunities for development whatever area you choose to go into.

What’s next for you after the programme finishes?

I am now progressing into a marketing executive role.

What advice would you give someone applying for a role with your company?

Make sure you do your research into the sector you have applied for and be prepared to answer questions about your knowledge of the business.


During our first meeting, we will identify your needs and wishes and we will try to discover your personal style.

Based on the information we have gathered, we will create a moodboard. A moodboard is an atmospheric collage of pictures, colours and materials

expressing your personal style.  It is very important as it will form the basis of the interior plan.

floorplan and layout

Then we can continue with the flooorplan and the layout of the space (2D/ 3D).

The following step is the colour and material plan, where we suggest colours and materials to be used in the space (walls, floor, carpets, curtains )

At this point, we propose the appropriate furniture and accessories for your space. We can also make a shopping list with specific products and prices.

Last but not least, with the lighting plan we ensure that the space is sufficiently and appropriately lit, and we propose specific light sources. Lighting is not only functional, but also instrumental for a nice atmposphere.

“An empty room is a story waiting to happen and you are the author.”


Sample Analysis Paper on Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam

Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam

The famous Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek is also referred to, as Westergasfabriek, and it was a former gasworks factory situated in Amsterdam, Netherlands although it is presently a cultural venue. The architect is the renowned Kathryn Gustafson. Ideally, the huge obstacle in designing this reputable park was to transform a polluted site that contained a substantial number of various historic buildings into a new usable and significant place. Hence, this remarkable mission of transforming the park put this region on the map, as well as on peoples’ radar before finishing because it consisted of marvelous architectural planning and building. Notably, this also incorporated a huge diversity of interests and allowed for an extensive community oriented process. An incredible amount of patience was required although the project ultimately turned successful (Reeve and Marshall 1).

Master Plan

Francine Houben and Kathryn Gustafson both of Mecanoo Archicten Company did the master plan for the park. The plan was regarded as the “Changement” since it proposed a fantastic place that changed people as they moved through it at different times throughout the year. In essence, the park’s nature changes as a person moves from its west to east. It is worth noting that the more classical or ridged designs that a person encounters while moving in the park, the more freer and varied designs open up. The master plan combined different classical elements, which include meadows, orchards, and a strong central axis with a range of various native plantings and winding paths (Gustafson 1).

In addition, a strong structure is built using different detailing varieties. On the east of the park where the district offices are situated overlooks the formal city park’s design. The middle of this park consists of various references to 1960s and 1950s parks, and this is where the recreation space is located. The northwest end of the park consists of native plants, and the key focus here is primarily on the ecology and nature, which refers to the 1980s parks. Notably, the Westergasfabriek site is the most contemporary section, which ideally refers to nature and humanity confrontation as portrayed in the landscape of the park (Reeve and Marshall 2).

Most importantly, the park consists of four major clusters whereby each of these clusters is unique since they have different distinct feelings from one another. These four clusters include the Village, Kinderdorp, Spektakeldorp, and Cite des Arts. Thus, the Village refers to the group of various buildings that are between the Events Field and the Canal. The Village has a huge hall mainly for cafes, studios, shops, and events that are housed in the popular Purifier Building. The Regulator House hosts the Westergasfabriek BV offices while the Machine Building is where incidental leasing is done. The Metering Buildings are specifically for different public functions that include a kiosk (Reeve and Marshall 2).

On the other hand, the Spektakeldorp is also known as the “Spectacular Village” that is utilized for larger events. It consists of the Transformer and Gasholder Buildings. Notably, the Gasholder Building is the biggest indoor space on this particular site, and it is mostly utilized for theater, opera, as well as other performances. It is one of the attractive scenes for this site. Subsequently, the Kinderdorp is also referred to as the “Children’s Village” since it is specifically designated for children activities. In this particular area, there are two houses for supervisors. The fourth cluster is the Cite des Arts, which is the farthest area of the park to the West, and it contains new buildings. The majority of these new buildings are mostly offices allocated for cultural activities instead of display or performance spaces (Gustafson 1).

Historical Background

In 1883, the site and gasworks technical planner was Julius Pazzani that lived between 1841 and 1888. Subsequently, the designer of the buildings was Isaac Gosschalk, who was an Amsterdam’s architect. The majority of the buildings that Isaac designed were primarily Dutch Neo-Renaissance style. In particular, the paramount element in all of his designs was symmetry. The buildings were made of light stone, as well as yellow and red bricks. Arcatures, ornamental eaves, and step gables adorned the facades (Reeve and Marshall 5).

On the same note, an expansion that was conducted between 1901 and 1905 eventually restored the design that Gosschalk intended. Over duration of time, the buildings were evidently torn down, and this included an old water tower. In 1989, the original buildings’ thirteen units were protected, and the old gasholder building in 1963 started being utilized as a storage space (Reeve and Marshall 5).

In addition, a new development plan in 1996 suggested that the old buildings should be restored, and this approach placed a historical value since it was its major concern. Hence, this approach was largely a conservative perspective. Specifically, Francine Houben from the Mecanoo Architects was called in to design the master plan, as well as the plan for renovating the existing buildings and new buildings design. The objective for this motive was the creation of an easy flow between the outside and inside including integrating the park usage harmoniously. Most importantly, it was integral that the initial usage of the renovated buildings be ostensible although they were not supposed to be restored perfectly since they had to retain their original state. Ideally, Braaksma & Roos were hired to conduct the restorative job. The Machine Building, Regulator House, GasHolder, Transformer Building, and Purifier Building were all renovated (Reeve and Marshall 5).

Design Process

It is paramount to note that the Westergasfabriek was specifically designed to create an innovative cultural space that would be open to the public. Initially, the site was a gasworks factory that the BICGA (British Imperial Continental Gas Association) had constructed in 1883. In the 1960s, the site was abandoned after natural gas was discovered and the buildings were utilized as garage and storage spaces up to the early 1990s. Since the buildings were still standing in 1989, they were marked and regarded as industrial monuments, and they started being utilized as cultural activities spaces mainly on a temporary basis (Reeve and Marshall 6).

Evidently, this program became successful, and the park was transformed into a permanent cultural center. The creation of a development plan was done in 1996, and the official opening of the park was conducted in 2003. The park offered the space for various purposes such as shops, galleries, performances, festivals, and community dinners. Currently, there are numerous spaces, which are for both short and long-term rental that allow for flexibility in their usage (Gustafson 1).

Previous Developments

The establishment of the original park was done in 1891 where it served the quite working class people in the Amsterdam region. The factory that the BICGA had built in 1883 was situated behind the park, and it was decided that both the defunct factory and the park should be combined to build a magnificent park that conserved its heritage. This action was undertaken in the 1960s when natural as resources were discovered in the North Sea and the factory was eventually abandoned since it had become obsolete. The buildings were saved from demolition, and the aesthetical values started to change. Thus, the old city’s installations began to look original while their architecture started to be valued significantly. The entire region of the municipal water and gas installations were remodeled, as well as trees were planted. Notably, Westergasfabriek in 2003 was opened officially to the public (Amsterdam Guide 1).

In the same suit, the cleanup process involved the utilization of the Isolation-plus Vairant method, which consisted of cleaning up the entire polluted site. Hence, this meant that the polluted ground water was supposed to be isolated although not covered in asphalt. Rather, layers of cloth, as well as a “living layer” that contained clean soil were needed to cover the polluted ground within a meter deep. Generally, approximately 34,000 square meters of clean soil were utilized including over 64,500 square meters of geotextile was utilized to cover the entire polluted site (Reeve and Marshall 6).

Present Developments

This park has tremendously grown into a huge green area that comprises of an events stage, an exhibition space, a cinema, and a theater. It bears its proud name of “Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek” (Culture Park Western Gas Factory). Remarkably, what was initially a small neighborhood park in the 19th century has been gradually combined with the huge region of the non-operational municipal gas installations. The municipal’s huge building divides the park into two key parts, which are the new, and the old one. There is also a long rectangular swimming pool for children where they can enjoy themselves on a warm sunny day. The park also contains some few bronze sculptures, as well as lots of green grass, which create an experimental suburbia for recreation activities (Amsterdam Guide 1).

According to Gustafson (1), the work conducted in the park was engaging, distinctive, and original. Additionally, the landform of the park involved innovative designs that manipulated the ground plane so that it could create ramps and steps, as well as level changes, which meticulously change as a person experiences them. Thus, the sensual landforms evidently define space in a unique sculptural manner. The water in the park is purified, processed, and stored and the landscape designs have been designed to enrich the park’s sensory experience with this water. This expresses changes in the water levels and invites people to engage in water activities. This includes the utilization of splashing fountains and reflective rainwater pools in the park.

In summation, the popular Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek is also known as Westergasfabriek, which was a former gasworks factory situated in Amsterdam, Netherlands but it is currently a cultural venue that hosts many events. The architect of this magnificent park is the distinguished Kathryn Gustafson. According to Gustafson, the biggest obstacle when designing this famous park was to transform a polluted site that comprised of some varied historical buildings into a new usable and significant place. Thus, their exceptional mission of changing the polluted park put this region on the map including other peoples’ radar before its completion since it entailed stunning architectural planning and building. In essence, this venture also incorporated a wide diversity of different interests, and it involved a widespread community oriented process. The park currently attracts many visitors for recreation and learning purposes.

Works Citied

Amsterdam Guide. Westerpark in Amsterdam. Amsterdam Guide, 2016. Web. 2nd June 2016. < >

Gustafson Porter. Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek. Gustafson Porter, n.d. Web. 2nd June 2016. < >

Reeve, Julia and Marshall, Sarah. Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Washington Education PDF. Web. 2nd June 2016. < >


D&O insurance explained

04 August 2022 Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty

Directors and Officers insurance (D&O insurance) provides coverage for a company and its management, protecting them from claims arising from their decisions and actions.

What is D&O insurance?

Directors and Officers insurance (D&O insurance) policies offer liability coverage for company managers to protect them from claims which may arise from decisions and actions taken as part of their duties. Today’s increasingly complex legal environment means businesses face a heightened prospect of liabilities and litigations, often driven by “adverse news events”. Companies usually purchase D&O insurance because lawsuits are expensive, and the costs associated with them are rising. Moreover, if companies do not have a good D&O insurance program in place it is unlikely that they will be able to attract top managerial talent, given the potential risks involved.

D&O insurance reimburses the defense costs incurred by board members, managers, and employees in defending against claims made by shareholders or third parties for alleged wrongdoing. D&O insurance also covers monetary damages, settlements, and awards resulting from such claims. If the company cannot indemnify its directors, officers, or employees for amounts resulting from these claims, D&O insurance will step in to directly pay those costs – protecting the individual’s personal assets. If the company indemnifies the individual for such costs, D&O insurance will reimburse the company for such indemnity. The D&O policy will also provide some coverage for the company itself if it is sued.

Coverage is usually for current, future, and past directors and officers of a company and its subsidiaries. D&O insurance covers the individual for acts performed or omitted while in that position with the company. This means that even if the individual is no longer a board member, if a claim is made during the policy period against them for alleged wrongdoing as a board member, they will still be covered under the policy in force while the claim is made. D&O insurance policies do not cover deliberately fraudulent or criminal actions.

D&O insurance raises many important questions for companies to consider: How much coverage is enough? What and who is covered – and what is not? Should small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) buy D&O? What does a typical D&O insurance program look like? How can risk management protect officers from the many perils they face in today’s business environment?

Common D&O risk scenarios include:

Common D&O exclusions include:

  • Breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the company and shareholders
  • Shareholder actions
  • Reporting errors
  • Inaccurate or inadequate disclosure
  • Misrepresentation in a prospectus
  • Failure to comply with regulations or laws
  • Corporate manslaughter
  • Creditor claims
  • Competitor claims
  • Employment practices and HR issues

  • Fraud
  • Intentional criminal acts
  • Illegal remuneration or personal profit
  • Claims made under a previous policy
  • Uninsurable fines and penalties

D&O insurance structure

The structure of a D&O insurance policy depends on which of three insuring agreements are purchased. ABC policies are generally chosen, as these are standard-form policies for publicly listed companies. In some jurisdictions, private or non-profit companies may consider only purchasing AB coverage as a cost-saving measure [see table].

Who is the insured?

What is at risk?

Side A

Pays on behalf of the insured person loss that is not indemnified resulting from a claim against the insured person.

Individual officer

His/her personal assets

Side B

Pays on behalf of the company loss that is indemnified resulting from a claim against the insured person.

Its corporate assets

Side C

Pays on behalf of the company loss that is incurred resulting from a claim against the company. (Outside of the US and for US public companies, this is only securities claims; in the US, for private companies and investment advisers, this is claims against the company, not limited to securities)

Its corporate assets

D&O insurance coverage has become a regular cover for large multinational companies, but all sizes of organizations – public, private or non-profit – have potential exposures.

There is increasing demand for SME D&O cover, though penetration is still low due to lack of awareness and education. Smaller companies may not think they are ‘big enough’ for D&O insurance but this is not necessarily true. Lawsuits are increasingly costly, and for a smaller or mid-size company, a single litigation can be a huge financial burden. D&O cover can be tailored to meet the needs of SMEs, with lower retentions and lower limits.

How D&O works: excess layer structures

Larger programs with limits over $30mn are usually too large for one insurer and require a group of insurers to share the risks. In this case, the primary or lead insurer will handle the wordings, advise on setting up an international insurance program (see below) and settle claims.

The primary insurance carrier provides the “primary layer” of D&O coverage, for example, $30mn. Once the primary limit of liability is exhausted by payment of loss, the next layer kicks in, up to a certain amount, and so on. As the first policy to respond to a claim, the primary insurer carries the greatest risk exposure, therefore primary policy premiums are higher and typically reduce higher up the tower.

Another way to risk-share is through proportional coinsurance, also known as quota share. With this arrangement, insurers will essentially split an excess layer, and the premium is proportionally allocated depending on each insurer’s percentage of the risk. Claims would be settled likewise.

International programs

Larger clients with subsidiaries in other countries need an international insurance solution to protect management interests globally. Some countries require companies to take out insurance from a locally-admitted insurer. However, other jurisdictions will allow a master policy to be issued in another country that covers local exposures. On international insurance programs, D&O coverage is typically provided through a global master policy that harmonizes the global protection, along with locally admitted policies to address the specific country exposures where necessary.

Who is covered?

What is covered?

Who can claim?

Past, present and future directors and officers

Allegation of a wrongful act

Stockholders, investors, creditors, banks

Six steps to structuring an insurance program

1. Benefit from the degressive nature of insurance pricing. Large towers offer great value for premium money, as the price per unit of capacity becomes cheaper the higher the tower.
2. Consider special and dedicated protection for the natural insured persons that cannot be eroded by entity coverage elements and still works in case the entity can no longer indemnify (dedicated Side A tower sitting excess of ABC or separate Side A coverage).
3. Diversify your program. A tower consisting of many carriers with small limits is much more stable than the same tower consisting of few carriers with large limits.
4. Make sure you have an international insurance program in place to ensure cohesive global coverage.
5. Confirm that the claims department of the primary carrier has successfully settled large claims. What is their claims protocol in general? Meet with claims people as well as with underwriters.
6. Don't overload policies with too many (exotic) “extras”. Make sure you have a sufficient limit available for your main risks rather than limits for extras you may not use.

For more information read the AGCS Directors and Officers Insurance Insights 2022.

Quick Polls

A recent discussion on the ‘successful intermediary of tomorrow’ offered some tips to help financial and risk advice practices to thrive through 2022 and beyond. Which of the following do you think will give your practice an edge over the competition?

Achieving cost and scale through digitalisation
Offering customisable product solutions to meet customers’ unique needs
Specialising in one advice discipline only
All of the above
fanews magazine
FAnews June 2022 Get the latest issue of FAnews

This month's headlines

A free smoothie does not make a loyal customer
Consequential loss policy court cases
Are advisers doing all they can for clients’ portfolios?
Financial advisers need help - navigating the complex ESG fund environment
Subscribe now


If you are a tenant approaching the end of your lease, or considering terminating early, there are some key points you should consider to ensure that your exit is well planned and budgeted for.

1. Understand the extent of your repairing obligations

When it comes to understanding your repairing obligations, possible exposure can be as long as a piece of string. Here are some things to check which may help you quantify your potential dilapidations liabilities:

Check the extent of your demise: If your lease is for the whole building potential repair liability is likely to be more costly than if you have an internal only demise and may include liability for repairing conduits, such as pipes and wires, and responsibility for ensuring these are certified as statutory compliant. Factor in any areas you occupy under ancillary agreements, such as outside seating areas or storage units.

Check what standard you are expected to repair to: Leases which require you to “put” or “keep” in repair or condition can often mean having to put the property into a better condition than it was in at the date of lease grant. Occasionally a tenant may have responsibility to “renew” or “rebuild” where the property is damaged or destroyed – which clearly goes far beyond what would be expected.

Engage in early negotiations with the landlord: Find out the landlord’s plans for the property and take early legal and surveying advice. If the landlord is planning to demolish or substantially redevelop the property, or immediately re-let to a tenant who plans to carry out substantial fit out or redevelopment works, then this may effectively reduce the tenant’s repair liability.

Alternatively, if a big dilapidations bill is expected, and a tenant is flexible with their property plans, then it may be more cost effective to seek to renew the lease for a short period to roll repairing liabilities over to be progressed when cash flow is convenient. Establishing a dialogue with the landlord early on can help shape a plan of action to deal with dilapidations.

2. Know what else is required of you upon yield up

You should check your yielding up clause in your lease carefully to ensure compliance and check:

Is there an obligation to reinstate any alterations carried out during the term of the lease? It is relatively uncommon for a lease not to require reinstatement of alterations. The exception is usually where a tenant has taken on a lease of a building in a fairly dilapidated state and carrying out repair, improvement or modernisation works as part of its fit out. In this case the landlord is likely to want such works to remain in situ and the tenant may even may able to claim compensation for the work. Review the reinstatement clause carefully to see what trigger mechanisms are specified and any relevant timings which apply.

What is the scope of any reinstatement obligation? A tenant will usually know what alterations it has carried out at the property, unless it has taken an assignment of a lease – when it may not have copies of every licence for alterations to refer back to in the absence of any schedule of condition. Where a tenant holds the property under a renewed or reversionary lease it may be necessary to reinstate to the condition the property was in at the date of grant of the original lease. Bear in mind that reinstatement does not simply mean “stripping out” ay alterations which exist, but also making good any damage caused in the process.

What does an obligation to provide “vacant possession” actually mean? This is not as straightforward as it first appears. For vacant possession a tenant must usually do more than simply vacate the property and hand back keys. Strictly speaking it involves removing any possible barrier to the landlord re-letting the property. This can include reinstatement of alterations and making good, removal of rubbish and termination of all subsisting underleases/occupational arrangements. Early legal advice should be sought in particular if you have exercised a break right under the lease (which may not be valid if vacant possession is not provided on the break date), and/or if any underlease has been granted with security of tenure (as this will potentially be an obstacle to the requirement to provide vacant possession).

Are you required to make any payments in order to exit the property? If a break right requires payments of all rents up to date and/or a penalty payment to be paid for exercising the break right, then you will need to ensure such payment is made by the required time. Remember that funds must be paid by the method stipulated by the lease and have arrived in cleared funds in the landlord’s account by the specified date. Do not try to apportion any final payment of rents unless the lease is very clear that this is permissible. Courts take a hard line when it comes to complying with break conditions and, consequently, tenant’s can find the smallest of errors costing them their ability to exit their lease early.

3. Consider any continuing obligations post lease end

You should anticipate and plan for a number of “loose ends” to be tied up after lease expiry.

Check where you stand in relation to ongoing liabilities. Don’t assume that termination of a lease means a clean slate. Unless you have entered into a deed of surrender which clearly provides for a release of liabilities, both parties remain liable to the other for any pre-existing breaches for the standard contractual limitation period of 6 years from the date of the alleged lease breach. If you have been served with any notices of breach of covenant by the landlord, then your liability should be expected to overhang lease termination. Remember that a dilapidations schedule is likely to follow post lease expiry (within 56 days if the landlord is adopting pre-action protocol procedure) so you will need to budget for the likely cost of this (bearing in mind the extent of your repairing obligations under the lease as mentioned above).

Are there any outstanding rent reviews? Bear in mind that any rent reviews which are still outstanding may remain “live” post lease expiry, so the new rent may still be determined post termination, and any arrears of back rent recovered by the landlord. Where the tenant has an opportunity to do so, a memorandum recording a nil increase for any outstanding rent (or at least a cap on any uplift formally documented) is advisable prior to lease expiry. If you are terminating your lease in exercise of your break right, then you will need to consider carefully how rent reviews interact with the break dates, timings for serving notices and conditions.

Do any rent payments need to be reconciled or deposits returned? If your lease terminates part way through a rent payment period then check your lease carefully to see whether there is an apportionment of rents clause which will entitle you to a pro-rata refund. Where service charge schemes operate there may also be either a balancing credit or debit owed to one party. If you are not exiting your lease in arrears of any rent, then expect any rent deposit to be returned (potentially with interest). Any works security deposit should also be returned.

With so many potential issues and liabilities to navigate on lease termination our experienced team at Freeths can help you achieve an elegant and well managed lease exit


What is a Macro lens? When Should You Use One?

You’ve probably come across a few images that were taken with a macro lens. You’ll often recognize them by their highly magnified details and their extraordinary view of the surface of natural or everyday objects. But what exactly is a macro lens, how does it work and in which situations is it used? We want to clarify these questions together here.

What is a Macro lens? When Should You Use One?

What is a macro lens?

macro lens is a camera lens that is specifically designed to capture small objects at close range. Because you can focus from a much closer distance with a macro lens, you have the ability to completely fill your image with even a tiny object and capture a great amount of detail.

An entire field of photography, macro photography, is dedicated to the use of macro lenses. It specializes in photographing at close range and thus opens the eye to a much greater amount of detail than the naked eye can perceive.

When should I use a macro lens?

When should I use a macro lens

So how do you determine which subjects are suitable for such a close-up? The good news is that almost any subject, animate or inanimate, offers unique new perspectives when viewed through a macro lens. However, insects, plants, and small products are trendy subjects in macro photography.

Areas of application

Although they are specifically designed for extreme close-ups, many macro lenses are also suitable for general use. This is mainly due to their great focusing capabilities. For example, macro lenses in portrait photography are wonderful for revealing details.

Also, in situations where the photographer wants to quickly and spontaneously switch between detail shots and portraits or even group shots, a macro lens can be the ideal companion. A good example of this is wedding photography – this lens can be used to produce detailed close-ups of a ring and then snapshots of the guests again within seconds.

However, in any application situation, you should always keep in mind that the images produced with a macro lens are often very contrasty. This is because these lenses specialize in keeping even very similar hues and brightness levels distinct. So you may have to post-process your images accordingly.

Important features of the macro lens

Important features of the macro lens

Scale of reproduction

The decisive characteristic of a macro lens is the magnification, i.e. the ratio of the size of the object on the camera sensor to its real size. A reproduction scale of 1:1 means that the lens faithfully reproduces reality at the minimum focusing distance. A scale of 1:1 is therefore also referred to as “life-size” or “standard”.

To recognize the scale is important to know: The first number indicates the size of the image on the sensor, while the second number indicates the real size. So a scale of 1:2 reduces the image by half, while a scale of 5:1 enlarges it fivefold. Only from a scale of 1:1 upwards does one speak of a “real” macro lens.

Typical imaging scales

Most macro lenses with a medium focal length (100 mm to 200 mm) achieve a reproduction scale of at least 1:1 up to 5:1 for extreme close-ups. With a shorter focal length (35 mm to 50 mm), a scale of only 1:2 is often possible. However, it can be extended to 1:1 by using an extension tube. Many zoom lenses are called “macro”, but usually do not achieve a larger magnification than 1:3. Furthermore, they result in much weaker image quality than actual macro lenses.

Focal length

Most macro lenses are fixed focal lengths, i.e. their focal length cannot be adjusted. In fact, there are also a few zoom macro lenses, which, however, fall sharply in quality and also only offer a much smaller image scale. The usual focal lengths for macro lenses are about 50 mm, 100 mm, and 180 mm. However, the exact values depend on the manufacturer.

#1 Macro lens with a short focal length

The short focal length lenses (50 mm to 60 mm) are usually cheaper, smaller, and lighter. However, their disadvantage is that you need to get relatively close to the subject, which can be difficult with some typical macro subjects ( butterflies, for example). Also, your own shadow may get in the way.

#2 Macro lenses with a long focal length

Long focal lengths (150 mm to 200 mm) are more expensive, larger, and heavier. However, they allow a greater “working distance” between you and the subject. They also allow for a shallower depth of field. This ensures that your subject appears particularly clear against a blurred background.

#3 Macro lenses with a medium focal length

Macro lenses with a medium focal length (90 mm to 100 mm) are a good compromise between the two extremes. They are flexible and work in different circumstances, which makes them popular “all-rounders”.

Typical focal lengths of macro lenses

So the focal length of your macro lens is critical to your distance from the subject. The longer the focal length, the greater the distance. With a 100 mm fixed focal length, for example, you have to keep twice the distance as with a 50 mm lens. The decision about the right focal length depends on your personal way of working and your needs.

 Approx. 50 mmApprox. 100mmApprox.180 mm
PriceCheapestMediumMost expensive
Working distanceClosestMediumFurthest
MotifsProducts, small objects, stamps, coins, jewelrySmall insects, flowers, portraitsReptiles, dragonflies, spiders

Image quality and sharpness

Image quality and sharpness of micro lens
In macro photography, focus and sharpness of detail are important.

With most camera lenses, it is focusing works by moving several elements within the optical construction. This works well so far for medium to long-distance focusing but can result in significant degradation of image quality for close-up photography. To avoid this, macro lenses incorporate a “floating” element that constantly adjusts the ratios within the lens. This guarantees absolute sharpness, optimum contrast, and the highest image quality, regardless of the focusing distance.

Sharpness improvement

Some lenses also have a vibration reduction (VR) function. This is especially helpful when shooting at fast shutter speeds or without a tripod, as even the slightest blur can cause distracting blur.

Since macro lenses usually have a larger aperture than standard lenses, they are particularly well suited for shooting in low light. However, the disadvantage of this feature is a very shallow depth of field, especially with long focal length lenses. The use of a tripod is highly recommended to keep the camera steady. Additionally, a macro-focusing rail can help you with positioning.

Focusing mechanism

#1 Autofocus

Most of the newer macro lenses work with an autofocus system, which has a positive influence on sharpness, especially with longer fixed focal lengths. There are two different variants for autofocus:

  • Traditional with screw drive
  • Modern and noise reduced

The silent version is more expensive but may be worth it if you frequently work with jumpy objects.

#2 Manual focus

Older macro lenses use a manual focus, which is a bit more difficult to operate. Therefore, a tripod is essential here. Not only older models, but also some special lenses like the Canon 1-5X use manual focus.

#3 Internal focus

The third variation of focusing is the internal focus, where the exterior of the lens remains completely still while the internal elements adjust. This can be a great advantage for extreme close-ups, as insects or other small animals can easily be spooked by moving or even touching the lens.

Alternatives to the macro lens

Alternatives to the macro lens

By now you’ve seen the benefits of a macro lens in detail. However, there are also some alternatives that allow you to avoid such an investment. Unfortunately, the image quality does not come close to the real macro lens, but they are much cheaper.

Spacer rings

The so-called extension rings can be attached between the camera lens and the housing. They do not contain any optical elements and only serve to increase the distance between the lens and the sensor. This reduces the focusing distance and you get a larger magnification. Several extension rings can be combined with each other to intensify this effect.

Expansion vessels and focusing splints

Extension tubes and focus rails work similarly to extension rings, but their intensity can be adjusted. They also reduce the amount of light entering the camera, which is why they are especially popular in studios.

Close-up lenses

Close-up lenses are mounted in front of the camera lens using the filter thread. They work like magnifying glasses by enlarging the image before it reaches the sensor. Close-up lenses are often of inferior quality but can be a cheap and quick substitute for a macro lens.

Reverse Rings

A normal camera lens reduces the size of the image when it is transferred to the sensor. By turning the lens around, you can also reverse this effect, i.e. enlarge the image. To do this, you need a reversal ring. Reversing rings are cheap and easy to use, but they lead to difficulties in focusing.

Because when you turn the lens around, you lose its automatic mode of operation, the focus is no longer adjustable and the image can only be brought into focus by moving the camera.

Learn more about the different alternatives to the macro lens in this video:

Macro photography tips

Depth of field

As mentioned earlier, you should be aware that with a small distance to the subject comes a shallow depth of field. To counteract this, you need to work with the aperture setting. The more of your subject you want to focus on, the more you need to stop down. If you normally shoot with a very open aperture, this may take some getting used to.

You may have to go down in aperture to around f/18 and try to get your subject on a focal plane as much as possible. This will give you the best possible sharpness. In macro photography, a technique called “focus stacking” is often used for this problem. I’ll explain this trick in more detail later.

The front lens element of most lenses is slightly curved. The combination with the flat sensor of a digital camera ensures that the center of the image is in focus, while the outer areas are slightly blurred. Normally this is not a problem and is hardly noticeable at all. Macro photography, however, can be distracting because of the high magnification.

That is why most macro lenses have a so-called flatfield correction to compensate for this effect. Flatfield correction is especially useful for photographing small, flat objects such as coins or stamps. With 3D subjects such as insects or flowers, the curvature does not play such a big role.

Focus Stacking

what is Focus Stacking
Focus stacking can be used to sharpen large parts of the image

As mentioned earlier, the Focus Stacking technique helps to bring larger parts of the image into focus. This works by combining several images with different focus distances together to create a single, sharp image. In some cameras, such as the Olympus OM-DE-M1, this feature is already built in and just needs to be selected in the settings.

With most models, however, you have to adjust the focus manually and combine the individual shots later using Photoshop or other software. Focus stacking can be very time-consuming, but it’s well worth it. This technique often produces great end results.

Related Article: Best Nikon Telephoto Lens

Adequate camera image stabilization is a big issue in macro photography. This is because the camera shake is more noticeable the closer you get to the subject. While some cameras and even lenses already have a built-in stabilization function, you’ll still usually achieve the best results with a tripod.

Of course, tripods are often large and difficult to transport, but the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages. Not only does a tripod keep your camera steady, ensuring your images are reliably sharp, it also gives you the freedom to shoot with a smaller aperture and slower shutter speed.

This helps you especially in low light conditions (for example, in a dark forest). If necessary, the tripod can be supplemented with a rail system to bring a larger area into focus. This works especially well in combination with focus stacking.

Camera shake

Of course, you can also avoid camera shake by simply avoiding touching the camera. There are several ways to do this:

  • The most common are remote triggers, which are simply connected to the camera by a cable. They are inexpensive and easy to use.
  • Another option is to delay the shot so that the aperture does not open until you have removed your hand from the camera. With a Canon macro lens, this works with the “Drive” function of your camera, with a Nikon lens with the “Self-timer” mode.
  • A third option is, of course, to use the shutter release on your mobile phone via WLAN, provided your camera supports this function.

Macro Lens Buying Recommendations

Macro lenses belong to the slightly more extravagant part of the photographic equipment. This also means that the majority of the available models are of very high quality. The two top brands Canon and Nikon are considered the market leaders in the field of macro lenses.

So if you are using an appropriate camera and your budget allows it, I recommend such a macro lens. Somewhat cheaper, but also recommendable alternatives are Tokina, Sigma, and Tamron.

My recommendations:

#1 Canon 100 mm f/2.8L Macro

This macro lens is one of the most versatile and highest quality lenses on the market today. It has a long focal length and captures both the smallest details and portraits razor sharp.

#2 Nikon 60 mm f/2.8G Macro

This macro lens is great for extreme close-ups because of its short focal length. As a precaution, you should not use it for objects that could sting or bite (for example, insects), as you will need to get very close to the subject. However, it is a good choice for plants, flowers, or other non-dangerous details.

#3 Sony 90 mm f/2.8G OSS Macro for E Mount

If you use a Sony E or FE mount, this lens is perfect for you. It’s one of the best on the market, and with a minimum focusing distance of around 28cm, it’s suitable for a wide range of subjects from insects to portraits.

#4 Sigma 105 mm f/2.8 EX Macro DG OS HSM lens

The Sigma is one of the most popular macro lenses – and has been for several years. It’s solidly built and delivers excellent sharpness. For this price, an absolute pearl. The Sigma is available for cameras such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Sigma. DG, OS, and HSM mean nothing to you? Click here for our Sigma glossary.

Like most other lenses, you will find macro lenses in different price ranges. Although they belong to the more specialized part of the equipment, they don’t necessarily have to be more expensive than other lenses. You can get a decent macro lens for under €300, but you can also spend well over €1000. You should also keep in mind that in macro photography you might need a tripod and lighting accessories.

If your budget doesn’t allow it or you’re just not sure which model to buy, you can often rent macro lenses. This way you can experiment with macro photography at your leisure and decide which lens is right for you.

macro photography of a bee
All the cost and effort of macro photography are worth it for stunning images like this!

Once again, the most important facts about macro lenses at a glance:

  1. Macro lenses are primarily used to produce close-up images of minute detail, giving a new perspective on a wide variety of subjects.
  2. However, many photographers also use macro lenses in other areas such as portrait photography. They are also well suited for situations where you want to quickly switch between details and larger image details.
  3. The most important characteristics of a macro lens are magnification and focal length. The various models also differ in the type of focus.
  4. For amateur photographers and those who want to save money, there are some cheaper alternatives to the classic macro lens, but they cannot deliver the same image quality.
  5. Important issues when using a macro lens are focusing and stabilizing the camera. These areas also contain the greatest difficulties of macro photography.
  6. Learn more about the 5 other main types of lenses here

Macro photography is an exciting field that can open up new perspectives even for experienced photographers. A macro lens is definitely a worthwhile purchase and a great addition to your equipment.

With a little practice and patience, your macro shots are sure to be absolutely stunning! Could I bring you a little closer to macro photography with this article and whet your appetite for it? Feel free to share your feedback and your own experiences on the subject in the comments.


Kryx RPGThemes
1 minute

As an action, you can mentally lift and move an object that weighs 2 kilos or less at will from a distance, though the spell ends if the distance between you and the object exceeds 10 meters.

You can perform this task without being noticed by a creature if you succeed on a Stealth check contested by the creature’s Perception check.

At higher levels

The maximum weight of objects that you can target with this spell increases when you reach 9th level (5 kilos) and 17th level (7 kilos).


5 Key Elements For A High-Quality Custom Software Solution

There are several key elements for a high-quality custom software solution. Typically, off-the-shelf commercial software is created for general audiences. Therefore, it may not address the specific needs of every business. In the long run, this can cause companies to invest in more features and integrations for their app, driving up costs. As a custom software developer, you need to know the most important elements to include in your bespoke software solutions. This way, you can provide personalized solutions that exceed client expectations. Plus, you can plan to hire a remote developer or expand your team if needed. Read on to learn about some of the most important elements for a high-quality custom software solution.

Requirements Analysis

First, a requirements analysis is a critical element for building your custom software. Identify features and functionalities you want to integrate into your solution. For example, you might be developing an application for an enterprise real estate company. Here, you would need a customer relationship management (CRM) system to increase lead conversions. In addition, include accounting, finance, and task scheduling features to manage the company’s internal processes. Of course, add any necessary integrations and workflow automations to your analysis as well. This way, you can adjust the project scope as you prepare for development. Definitely, conduct a requirements analysis to build a successful custom software project.

Built-In Scalability

Next, built-in scalability is an essential element to build high-quality custom software solutions. To develop scalable apps, many software enterprises use an advanced JFrog Container registry. With this tool, you can support your Docker containers and Helm Chart repositories for your Kubernetes deployments. In addition, you can use it as your single access point to manage and organize Docker images. This containerization software also offers on-prem, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments to support your future business model. Plus, access proven reliability at massive scale for some of the world’s largest tech companies. In short, develop custom apps with built-in scalability to provide high-quality solutions.

Iterative Methodology

In addition, adopt an iterative methodology to develop successful custom applications for your clients. For example, you can break workflows into two-week sprint periods using the agile approach. With this structure, you can build a minimum viable product (MVP) or feature on an accelerated timeline. Then, get customer feedback at the end of each iteration to adapt your product. This is great if you’re looking to increase pipeline efficiency and deliver products to your end-users faster. Plus, you can prioritize software quality, individual work, and interactions for a more constructive process. Absolutely, adopt an iterative methodology to develop quality bespoke software solutions.

APIs For B2B Enterprises

Moreover, APIs are another key element for a successful custom software solution. With an API, enterprise clients can connect with their B2B partners to improve communication. In addition, you can integrate, manage, and organize new data sources from third parties with higher agility. This is great to prevent dirty data or information that’s lost its accuracy and completeness. Plus, clients won’t need to enter or extract records one by one. You can also use an API to build reusable services from B2B partners’ inputs. This way, you can optimize your apps’ performance, secure more business opportunities, and obtain large client contracts. Undoubtedly, APIs are essential for high-quality B2B custom software.

Expansive Documentation

Furthermore, expansive documentation is another essential component to develop high quality custom software. Ideally, you should document your code throughout each stage of the development process. This can streamline future code edits and debugging if your development team changes. In addition, keep a statement of scope to ensure you don’t go beyond the set parameters for your project. To stay on-track, you can write an implementation plan to define who will use the software and any key steps they need to get started. You can also include a training plan with detailed user documentation so clients aren’t frustrated when you first roll out the solution. Certainly, write expansive documentation to build high-quality custom apps.

There are several key elements for a high-quality custom software solution. First, you should include a requirements analysis to outline the project scope. Next, install tools like a JFrog Container registry for built-in scalability. In addition, adopt an iterative methodology for increased feedback and adaptability. Moreover, APIs are critical, especially for B2B enterprises who rely on large data sets. Furthermore, expansive documentation is essential for functional, long-term solution. Consider these points to learn about the key elements for a high-quality custom software solution.

Show More


Solutions for morning stiffness

There are many strategies and exercises you can use to prevent or lessen morning stiffness. 123RF

Mornings can be a challenge. Some of us are naturally morning people, while others are night owls. Regardless of our natural inclinations, one thing is fairly universal as we get older: morning stiffness.

The stiffness in our muscles and joints after sleeping is often due to inflammation causing them to tighten up while we are relatively still overnight. Even if you are a restless sleeper, you don’t move nearly as much overnight as you do throughout the day.

This underlying inflammation may be due to a number of issues, including weakness in the muscles and/or arthritis in the joints.

There are many strategies and exercises you can use to prevent or lessen morning stiffness. A physiotherapist can evaluate your situation and teach you methods that meet your individual needs best.

However, there are some simple solutions that can often provide relief if you wake up and feel like you need a can of WD-40 to get moving. Here are three of my favourite solutions for morning stiffness.

Difficulty with gripping and other activities requiring dexterity in your hands can make it difficult to get through your morning routine. These symptoms can be improved by doing range-of-motion exercises in a warm water bath.

I often suggest placing the hands in a bathroom sink filled with warm water for about five minutes. While in the water, gently open and close your fist and wiggle your fingers around. This can be very helpful for hands that are stiff due to osteoarthritis.

Knees and hips

Stiffness in the knees and hips can make walking and using stairs difficult in the morning. An easy trick is to do gentle range-of-motion exercises before you get out of bed.

Lie on your back with your knees bent. Slide one heel down and out toward the end of the bed and then bring it back up to you. Repeat this 10 to 20 times on each side to get the hip and knee joints moving and stimulate circulation in the soft tissues.

These movements should not be painful, but may feel tight and should improve as you continue to repeat the movement.

Lower back

A simple knee-to-chest stretch while on your back can be helpful if you find it difficult to bend forward to get your socks and shoes on. If you have low bone density (i.e. osteoporosis), you should consult with your physiotherapist before starting this stretch.

One of the best solutions for lower-back morning stiffness is to limit it by sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees. This position will keep your spine in a more neutral position and potentially reduce inflammation in the spinal joints overnight.

Remember, although morning stiffness is very common, it is not necessarily inevitable. If you’re struggling to get moving at the start of your day, talk to a physiotherapist about the solutions that will work best for you.

Share story:

Local, trusted news matters now more than ever.
And so does your support.

Start your Membership Now

Your home for the news shaping Canada's East Coast

For your first year


Fecha de registro: 14 may 2022

Does winstrol help fat loss, winstrol cycle

Does winstrol help fat loss, winstrol cycle - Buy anabolic steroids online

Does winstrol help fat loss

Just like certain steroids such as Winstrol can help eliminate body fat during cutting cycles, legal steroids can have the same impact on losing body fat. Legal steroids include testosterone/testosterone cypionate, nandrolone, or nandrolone decanoate. These steroids can be very difficult to obtain and may be restricted or banned from distribution in some instances. Due to the potential for abuse, legal steroids are not recommended for most athletes, clen weight loss pills. However, if you're looking to cut weight quickly, look no further than testosterone supplements, does fat loss help winstrol. While some people are more apt to experience the benefits and side effects of Legal T, some are more prone to adverse effects while others are equally as prone to abuse. However, it is important to remember that these drugs are still illegal according to all states, and they were not vetted for safety, how to lose weight fast while on prednisone. It appears these are all just drugs that have been used in the past, and are not safe for us to be taking on an ongoing basis, prednisone weight gain or loss. T, what's the best steroid for cutting.V, what's the best steroid for cutting.S As an aside to the topic of legal steroids, T.V.S. refers to testosterone undecanoate, or "undecanoate". It is a synthetic form of testosterone that is derived from the synthetic version of the amino acid tryptophan, steroid benefits for weight loss. According to T.V.S. "undecanoate's effectiveness does not depend on the concentration of tritiated steroids". However, we must remember that T, prednisone weight gain or loss.V, prednisone weight gain or loss.S, prednisone weight gain or loss.'s are not really approved for any use, prednisone weight gain or loss. In fact, T.V.S. is one of the two most prohibited drugs on the market under the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's schedule of controlled substances – which means it cannot be prescribed or sold by most doctors, what's the best steroid for cutting. Because of what T.V.S. does to your body, it's important to understand some of its side effects and potential dangers. Some of these include weight gain, kidney damage and mental impairment. T, does winstrol help fat loss.V, does winstrol help fat loss.S's can also lead to skin problems including acne and psoriasis, and can even be linked to breast cancer, does winstrol help fat loss. If you're wondering whether T.V.S's are effective to you, here is some more information on the drug that has been released in the media. Is T.V.S. Really So Bad? There have been studies that are done that compare the effects of T.V.S. and placebo. A 2015 study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism compared the effects of T.V.S. with various doses of testosterone.

Winstrol cycle

The concept of Winstrol use to cut body fat is also admired by athletes in a cutting cycle where Winstrol improves athletic performance, strength, and muscle massin all parts of the body. It has been compared to DNP (Diuretics, Nitrates, Neostigmine) for the purpose of enhancing a athlete's strength, conditioning, and recovery processes. Its beneficial nature is due to the ability of Winstrol to be absorbed by the body at a faster rate than DNP, thus enhancing the body's healing ability, winstrol cycle. DNP is a potent diuretic, therefore, it hinders the body's ability to get rid of wastes like uric acid, which makes it hard to retain body fat. This results in a lot of muscle loss, does winstrol cause fat loss. "There has been a large amount of research about Winstrol's ability to increase the body's ability to retain body fat. This study showed that oral administration of Winstrol to healthy female college athletes improved muscle mass, strength and body composition in a 10-week intervention. The athletes gained 3, winstrol transformation.2 pounds of fat, on average, during this intervention, winstrol transformation. The results of this study demonstrate that Winstrol is an effective weight loss agent for many individuals, at varying intensities, for various body parts, winstrol benefit. The study also shows that Winstrol, and other AHA substances, are beneficial for a number of different diseases. In particular, Winstrol is reported to decrease body fat and is beneficial in decreasing body weight and body fat percentage" – from the original article "It is also interesting to note that a group of female tennis players showed a significant reduction in muscle and fat during a three-month follow-up of a standard 10-week program with the aid of Winstrol treatment. The subjects were divided into two groups: half were treated with Winstrol and the other half were not, winstrol benefit. After three months of treatment (3-5 mg/day) both groups were still at a weight of around 80% of their initial weight, at the beginning of the study. As the subjects had stopped taking Winstrol for the past three months, muscle and fat were not significantly different between the two groups". – from the original article "There is much research showing that Winstrol is effective for a variety of ailments." – from the original article "In the study reported in this article, the amount of protein consumed as a part of Winstrol treatment did not influence the subjects' body fat, fat mass or fat reduction rate in an adult male weight-training athlete, winstrol cycle. Furthermore, both groups improved their muscular strength for 6 months (2.4±0.3%

undefined Related Article:

Does winstrol help fat loss, winstrol cycle

Más opciones


They want to vaccinate everybody? - They Lie - Minerva y Athena Swaruu

Cosmic Agency, Gosia
April 27, 2022

Originally in Spanish - March 5 2022

Swaruu Minerva (11): I came to share something I discovered about vaccines. Something that doesn't add up for me thinking mathematically. I started researching and thinking of numbers about vaccination.

According to what I saw on the internet, the official number of humans on Earth today is: 7 964 545 209. And they want to vaccinate them with at least three doses. Then they would need:
23 893 636 627 (3X 7 964 545 209) little bottles of vaccines, doses.

If they start making a bottle every second, according to my calculations, it would take:
757.6622 years to finish making them. That does not add up.

If there are 3600 seconds in an hour, 86 400 seconds in a day, 31 536 000 seconds in a year, then: 23 893 636 627 / 31 536 000 = 757.6622154680365.

I do not see it possible to manufacture so many bottles in all the factories in the world, not even if they started to manufacture them 10 years ago.

It is known that this number of inhabitants 7 964 545 209 is not true, but even if you calculate everything at 10%, it does not add up.

According to my calculations, vaccinating one person every minute all over the Earth nonstop, it would take 4 545 973 292 years and 9 months to apply all 3 doses to the entire world population. Something here with these numbers smells fishy to me.

But to that you have to add that they can't give a vaccine per minute, and in every place in the world it will be different, and in many places they only work 8 hours a day. And even if there are thousands of places, they will not be able to hold a dose every minute. The average of one dose every minute worldwide must be sustained.

Even if we lower the population numbers and raise the efficiency of the sites, it would still take thousands of years to vaccinate everyone, much less three times. Then there are the vaccine supply delays, all the logistics and transportation. Even with a vaccine replicator, it is not possible.

And then there is the lack of disposable syringes, cotton balls and all that. The numbers are enormous, it exceeds what can be done.

Gosia: They know they will not vaccinate everyone. They are not going after the whole population.

Swaruu Minerva (11): I think so. Only those who allow themselves to be vaccinated. Those who are in the big cities and are obedient.

Gosia: So... What is your suspicion here?

Swaruu Minerva (11): This is my suspicion, what you say. It's that the numbers don't add up. There would have to be brigades going door to door every day and in large numbers to supply that amount of vaccine, if they could be manufactured in those numbers.

It's just that even if I'm getting something ugly wrong with my numbers, you can still tell something is not right with the math of what's possible. They are lying. You can't achieve what they say with what they have.

It's just impossible numbers to imagine. Just for starters, that supports what was said years ago. That there can't be that many humans on Earth. Even if there were 10% of that, 790,000,000, to vaccinate everyone would be a gigantic job.

Swaruu X (Athena): You know what? I think the numbers do point to the fact that they would never make it, to vaccinate everyone. Especially not that fast. Mathematically speaking, you can't do it. And that's pretty firm, you don't need precise data from anywhere.

Another thing that the girls say, this time Sophia (Yazhi), is that she sees that about 30% of the world's population doesn't get vaccinated and doesn't follow the narrative, they're just quiet, they don't talk to anybody or only to their families, very passive resistance, and they don't even know that they're resistance. Just because they don't want to get vaccinated, for whatever reason, even just because they didn't do well the previous time they got "vaccinated against influenza".

Gosia: But if they knew that they would not be able to vaccinate everyone, what they achieved is still good for them, because the plan is depopulation but not total extermination.

Swaruu X (Athena): Yes, as we have said in another context, they do not use only one method of depopulation, but the sum of many methods:

- MMR vaccines that attack children,
- Influenza vaccines,
- Vaccines against covid,
- Chemtrails,
- Poisonous substances in food,
- Sodium fluoride everywhere, e.g., monosodium glutamate is another one,
- Pushing bad food,
- Stressing the population with the economy,
- Gay and transgender agenda.

They attack them from all sides and the sum of all those parts is what causes total depopulation.

And now comes war... yet another favorite method they use. Also radiation from WIFI, from mobiles, the list goes on and on.

So it is even possible that they would withdraw the Covid thing, since they have the following agendas already in place, change of narrative again.

As Mari (Minerva) says, they will vaccinate those who allow themselves to be vaccinated, those who are in the western world and under the influence of the mass media, those who live in cities and large communities.

But they will not be able to vaccinate everyone, simply because the logistics of getting into remote rural places around the world are very difficult. It would take literally 3,000 years to vaccinate that many people, and Mari's estimate has already lowered the world population to 10% of what it is officially. If the official estimate were true, it would be much more difficult.

Gosia: I simply believe that it was never their goal to vaccinate everyone. As you said above, they have other agendas in mind.

Swaruu X (Athena): That's right, so does Mari. That they push the narrative of wanting to vaccinate everyone knowing that they can't. So what they want is to get as much benefit as possible, vaccinate as many as possible. The others will be hit economically or with wars.

Good luck with vaccinating everyone. It will not be possible. And they have already calculated that and are moving to the next agenda. Pfizer said that a fourth dose is needed. People are already starting to "smell the rat".

Gosia: They seem to be desperate.

Swaruu X (Athena): That's true, yes, because if the population wakes up they will be lynched.

Esta transcripción está disponible para descargar
file_downloadDescargar como PDF file_downloadDescargar como TEXT
Community provided translations
Language Author Updated Action
Français Eloïse B.  YouTube» May 01, 2022 file_downloadPDF
Deutsch ROLF  YouTube»  Website» May 01, 2022 file_downloadPDF


multiple linear regression

  1. S

    Multiple Regression

    I have been given a college assignment and need to interpret these results (see attached). From what I can understand, the Annual Personal Outcome is the DV and there are several IVs (i.e gender, sexual orientation etc.). As such, has a multiple linear regression been conducted here? I'm...
  2. T

    Compare independent variables among different models with same dependent variable

  3. N

    Linear regression analysis

    Hi all, I am having problems with analysis. I want to perform a multiple linear regression. 1). The dependent variable and all but one of the independent variables is normally distributed. I was made aware that the independent variables don't have to be normally distributed to use it for a...
  4. R

    Multiple Linear Regression: to split or not the data

    Hi all, I'm currently modelling running performance using multiple linear regression. The data has GENDER and AGE as inputs amongst others, the target is RACE_TIME. I've partitioned the data into training and test for cross validation purposes. I've tried a couple of approaches 1) to generate...
  5. F

    Design principle Parameter vector multi linear regression

    Hi all, Can someone please describe to me the construction principle of testing the parameter vector B (beta) in the multiple linear regression model? Many thanks in advance! Regards Max
  6. L

    SPSS Regression - Independent Variable excluded

    Hello, I was running a linear multiple regression as well as a logistic multiple regression in SPSS. After that when looking at the results, I realised that in each regression, one independent variable was automatically excluded by SPSS. Did we do something wrong here or what do we have to do...
  7. L

    Multiple Linear Regression results

    Hi guys, I've run a hierarchal multiple linear regression with two predictors and one outcome variable, however I don't understand my results. I've found predictor A to be a significant predictor for my outcome variable alone. However, when both my predictors are in the model, predictor A is...
  8. S

    Constant not sig. in multiple regression - does it matter?


Natural Gas Exit Fees

Natural Gas Exit Fees

Natural Gas Exit Fees

A natural gas utility in Oklahoma wants to charge customers who terminate service specifically to go electric nearly $1,400.

Electrify Everything

This article first appeared in HuffPost.

OKLAHOMA’S BIGGEST NATURAL GAS UTILITY could soon charge customers who switch to electric stoves and heating systems an “exit fee” of nearly $1,400 to disconnect service, HuffPost has learned, setting a precedent that could help the industry lock millions of Americans into fossil fuel use for decades.

The proposal is part of a larger bid by Oklahoma Natural Gas to sell off debt it incurred when fuel prices skyrocketed during a historic cold snap last February. It is currently being negotiated before a judge at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The provision, which would apply only to customers who terminate service specifically to go electric, could be approved as early as December and come into force no later than June.

If approved, the measure will likely become a model for gas-friendly regulators nationwide, advocates say.

The fee could more than double the cost of swapping a gas stove for a new electric appliance, forcing homeowners offloading their last gas appliance to not only purchase the new one but also to bid the utility farewell by paying out the remainder of their share of the company’s debt. The fee is also a flat rate for virtually all customers, so the cost does not reflect the amount of gas the household used during last winter’s deep freeze.

If greenlighted, the measure would likely become a model for gas-friendly regulators across the country, advocates say, providing a new tool to prevent consumer transitions from fossil fuels to zero-carbon alternatives. Texas and Kansas are already considering their own proposals, according to one source who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the plans.

The Sooner State had already helped pioneer a similar policy when it approved one of the nation’s first “preemption laws” barring its cities and towns from banning new gas hookups in buildings. Oklahoma enacted the legislation last year, shortly after Berkeley, California, became the first U.S. city to require all new construction to go electric.

Since then, more than 20 states, most of them Republican-controlled, have passed similar laws banning bans on natural gas, while cities including San Francisco, Seattle, and Brookline, Massachusetts, have barred new or renovated buildings from installing gas appliances. The effort comes as cities and states rush to cut climate-changing pollution, roughly 13 percent of which in the US comes from buildings. Electrification poses an existential threat to gas utilities, which have responded with aggressive lobbying for preemption laws and with misleading advertising campaigns featuring Instagram influencers.

“Exit fees are just one more example of barriers being put in place to make it more difficult for customers to electrify their homes and cut greenhouse gases,” said Charlie Spatz, a researcher who tracks preemption laws at the watchdog group Energy and Policy Institute. “As gas prices rise and consumers are more concerned about their carbon footprints, this exit fee could become a serious financial hurdle locking customers into the gas system.”

Unlike the state’s preemption law, which Oklahoma Natural Gas lobbied for, the utility serving roughly 90% of the state did not initially request the exit fee. The issue stems from the brutal winter storm that sent temperatures in Oklahoma, Texas and neighboring states plummeting below freezing for two weeks last February. Across the region, gas pipelines froze just as ratepayers were cranking up their heat while power plants were also using more natural gas to meet soaring electricity demand. With demand high and supply low, the price of natural gas spiked. To cover the cost of buying fuel, Oklahoma Natural Gas brokered a hasty deal to borrow $1.5 billion from Bank of America.

The utility, owned by the publicly traded $4 billion giant ONE Gas, did not want that debt on its books, where it could incur extra fees and affect the company’s credit rating. Oklahoma Natural Gas’ allies in the state legislature stepped in to help. While residents were still freezing to death in the state, lawmakers introduced a bill to allow the company to convert its debt to public bonds, a process called securitizing. Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the legislation into law in April.

Powered by Draper


Table of contents

Volume 1, Issue 10, pp. 318 - 351, October 2014

Issue cover
Cover: Following oxidative stress, cyclin C is relocalized from the nucleus to the outer membrane of the mitochondria where it interacts with the fission machinery and is required for stress-induced mitochondrial fission. The fluorescent images represent this relocalization in S. cerevisiae cells harboring YFP-cyclin C (green) and mitochondria-DsRed constructs before (upper left) and after (lower right) addition of 1mM H2O2. 100X magnification, deconvolved images of 0.2 µM slices at 0.2 µM spacing. Image acquired by Randy Strich and Katrina F. Cooper (Rowan University, USA). The cover is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. Enlarge issue cover

The dual role of cyclin C connects stress regulated gene expression to mitochondrial dynamics

Randy Strich, Katrina F. Cooper

page 318-324 | 10.15698/mic2014.10.169 | Full text | PDF | Abstract

Following exposure to cytotoxic agents, cellular damage is first recognized by a variety of sensor mechanisms. Thenceforth, the damage signal is transduced to the nucleus to install the correct gene expression program including the induction of genes whose products either detoxify destructive compounds or repair the damage they cause. Next, the stress signal is disseminated throughout the cell to effect the appropriate changes at organelles including the mitochondria. The mitochondria represent an important signaling platform for the stress response. An initial stress response of the mitochondria is extensive fragmentation. If the damage is prodigious, the mitochondria fragment (fission) and lose their outer membrane integrity leading to the release of pro-apoptotic factors necessary for programmed cell death (PCD) execution. As this complex biological process contains many moving parts, it must be exquisitely coordinated as the ultimate decision is life or death. The conserved C-type cyclin plays an important role in executing this molecular Rubicon by coupling changes in gene expression to mitochondrial fission and PCD. Cyclin C, along with its cyclin dependent kinase partner Cdk8, associates with the RNA polymerase holoenzyme to regulate transcription. In particular, cyclin C-Cdk8 repress many stress responsive genes. To relieve this repression, cyclin C is destroyed in cells exposed to pro-oxidants and other stressors. However, prior to its destruction, cyclin C, but not Cdk8, is released from its nuclear anchor (Med13), translocates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm where it interacts with the fission machinery and is both necessary and sufficient to induce extensive mitochondria fragmentation. Furthermore, cytoplasmic cyclin C promotes PCD indicating that it mediates both mitochondrial fission and cell death pathways. This review will summarize the role cyclin C plays in regulating stress-responsive transcription. In addition, we will detail this new function mediating mitochondrial fission and PCD. Although both these roles of cyclin C are conserved, this review will concentrate on cyclin C’s dual role in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Research Articles

An extensive endoplasmic reticulum-localised glycoprotein family in trypanosomatids

Harriet Allison, Amanda J. O’Reilly, Jeremy Sternberg, Mark C. Field

page 325-345 | 10.15698/mic2014.10.170 | Full text | PDF | Abstract

On the link between cell cycle and infection of the Alphaproteobacterium Brucella abortus

Michaël Deghelt, Jean-Jacques Letesson, Xavier De Bolle

page 346-348 | 10.15698/mic2014.10.171 | Full text | PDF | Abstract

Bacteria of the Brucella genus are responsible for brucellosis, a worldwide zoonosis. These bacteria are known to have a peculiar intracellular trafficking, with a first long and non-proliferative endosomal stage and a second proliferation stage, often associated with its localization of the bacteria in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, the status of the bacterial cell cycle during the non-proliferative phase was still unknown. In a recent study [Nat. Communic. 5:4366], we followed the cell cycle of B. abortus in culture and inside the host cells. In culture, B. abortus initiates the replication of its large chromosome before the small chromosome. The origin and terminator regions of these two chromosomes display distinct localization and dynamics within B. abortus. In HeLa cells and RAW264.7 macrophages, the bacteria in G1 (i.e. before the initiation of chromosomes replication) are preferentially found during the endosomal stage of the infection. During this period, growth is also arrested. The cell cycle arrest and resume during the B. abortus trafficking in host cell suggest that like the model Alphaproteobacterium Caulobacter crescentus, these bacteria are able to block their cell cycle at the G1 phase when starvation is sensed.

Divide and conquer: processive transport enables multidrug transporters to tackle challenging drugs

Nir Fluman, Eitan Bibi

page 349-351 | 10.15698/mic2014.10.172 | Full text | PDF | Abstract

Multidrug transporters are membrane proteins that catalyze efflux of antibiotics and other toxic compounds from cells, thereby conferring drug resistance on various organisms. Unlike most solute transporters that transport a single type of compound or similar analogues, multidrug transporters are extremely promiscuous. They transport a broad spectrum of dissimilar drugs and represent a serious obstacle to antimicrobial or anticancer chemotherapy. Many challenging aspects of multidrug transporters, which are unique, have been studied in detail, including their ability to interact with chemically unrelated drugs, and how they utilize energy to drive efflux of compounds that are not only structurally but electrically different. A new and surprising dimension of the promiscuous nature of multidrug transporters has been described recently: they can move long molecules through the membrane in a processive manner.


Ancient Monuments

History on the Ground

Barrow and mortuary enclosure 1100m WNW of Octagon Farm: part of a Neolithic and Bronze Age mortuary complex

A Scheduled Monument in Kingsbrook, Bedford

Upload a photo


Updated: March 2022.

coachedsuccess.com strives to ensure that its services are accessible to people with disabilities. coachedsuccess.com has invested a significant amount of resources to help ensure that its website is made easier to use and more accessible for people with disabilities, with the strong belief that every person has the right to live with dignity, equality, comfort, and independence.

coachedsuccess.com makes available the UserWay Website Accessibility Widget that is powered by a dedicated accessibility server. The software allows school.coachedsuccess.com to improve its compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1).

Despite our efforts to make all pages and content on prestonsmiles.com fully accessible, some content may not have yet been fully adapted to the strictest accessibility standards. This may be a result of not having found or identified the most appropriate technological solution.

If you are experiencing difficulty with any content on coachedsuccess.com or require assistance with any part of our site, please contact us during normal business hours as detailed below and we will be happy to assist.

If you wish to report an accessibility issue, have any questions or need assistance, please contact coachedsuccess.com Customer Support as follows:

Email: info@coachedsuccess.com