FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shutter for blocking the path of a light beam in a spectroscopy instrument.
It is known that chemical analysis of samples can be accomplished by a variety of spectroscopy-based techniques. For example, the amount of various chemical elements in a sample can be ascertained by optical emission spectrometry or by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentration of various chemical species in a sample can be ascertained by ultraviolet—visible absorption spectrometry or infrared absorption spectrophotometry, or by ultraviolet-visible fluorescence spectrophotometry. These are only a few examples of spectroscopy-based chemical analysis techniques.
Equipment for spectroscopy-based chemical analysis typically operates by measuring the intensity of light either as a function of wavelength or at one or more specific wavelengths. This may be done with a monochromator and a single detector collecting intensity data for each wavelength of interest in a serial fashion, but it is also possible to collect light intensity data for more than one wavelength simultaneously. Because of the greater time efficiency offered by simultaneous measurement, this approach is increasingly favoured for practical applications.
Modern simultaneous spectroscopic measurement apparatus typically includes an optical polychromator together with a solid state electronic detector device incorporating an array of optical sensor elements. The detector can be, for example, a charge-transfer device such as a charge-injection device (CID) or a charge-coupled device (CCD). A polychromator that is able to disperse the light in two dimensions (for example an echelle polychromator) can be employed, in which case a 2-dimensional array of optical sensor elements can be used with advantage as a detector. Alternatively a polychromator that provides dispersion in one dimension only (such as a single-grating-based polychromator) can be utilised, and a linear array detector used. The 2-dimensional approach offers better wavelength resolution for a given wavelength range and so is favoured for chemical analysis applications, particularly for elemental analysis by optical emission spectrometry.
Elemental analysis typically involves operation at optical wavelengths extending from the visible to the far ultraviolet, which places limitations on the types of detectors that can be used. Solid state detectors of various types are known to be suitable for this application, for example charge transfer devices, both CIDs and CCDs, are known to be useful. An example of such a detector is the CCD detector disclosed by Zander et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,407. This has a number of optically sensitive sites, generally referred to as pixels, that are distributed in a precise geometric arrangement over the surface of the detector to map accurately the optical image from the polychromator. Each optically sensitive site or pixel is capable of converting the energy of incoming light to free electrons, which are stored at the optically active site. The number of electrons, and thus the total charge, accumulated within each pixel will depend on the light intensity incident on that pixel and the time for which the pixel is exposed to said light, said time being usually referred to as the integration time.
Measuring the optical intensity therefore involves determining the amount of charge built up over a known integration period. In order to do this it is necessary first to collect the charge and then to transfer the charge accumulated at each pixel to appropriate readout electronics.
Two principal ways of carrying out this process are available. The first, used in the detector disclosed by Zander et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,407, duplicates each optically active pixel with an optically inactive pixel. The first step in the readout process is a parallel transfer operation that transfers the charge from each row of active pixels to the corresponding row of inactive pixels. The charge is then stepped through these inactive pixels as the shift register nodes. The second approach uses the optically active pixels themselves as shift register nodes, so that with each move operation the charge on every pixel moves to the next pixel along, with the charge of the last pixel moving to the readout circuit.
Both approaches have their attendant advantages and disadvantages. The second approach has the advantage that most of the surface area of the CCD can be covered by active pixels, thus maximising the light sensitivity of the whole device. It also avoids the need for any secondary structure. That is, this approach provides more efficient utilisation of available light in spectroscopic applications. It also permits the use of relatively inexpensive, off-the-shelf detectors.
The disadvantage of the second approach is that the pixels continue to accumulate electrons generated by any incoming light during the readout process. As a consequence, as the charge from one pixel moves through other pixels on its way to the readout circuitry, it accumulates additional charge, the amount of which depends on the light intensity incident at each of those other pixels and the speed of charge transfer. This has the effect of smearing the resultant image data, which is totally unacceptable in a spectroscopy application. To overcome this disadvantage it is proposed to provide an optical shutter that can block all light to the detector during the readout process.
Known optical interrupters for use in spectroscopic or photographic applications generally comprise one or more metal vanes driven by electromagnetic actuators. For example such devices are disclosed by Vincent in U.S. Pat. No. 3,427,576, U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,553 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,251, by Fletcher et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,804,506, by Saito et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,682 and by Krueger in U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,860. These mechanisms are relatively large, and consequently rather slow. This is a serious limitation in spectroscopic applications. The devices also tend to consume significant amount of power. Because of the number of moving parts the reliability and lifetime of this type of mechanism is uncertain. Furthermore, devices offering sufficiently long life tend to be relatively expensive.
Hikita et al. disclose in U.S. Pat. No. 5,268,974 an optical switch based on a piezoelectric bimorph. The use of a piezoelectric device is advantageous because such devices are silent, and they can be operated reliably for many millions of cycles. They are relatively inexpensive. They dissipate very little power and thus do not cause any significant local rise in temperature within the optical system of an instrument. Any such local rise in temperature is undesirable because it may lead to thermal expansion and consequent optical drift. Hikita et al disclose an optical switch having an optical shielding element at the free end of a cantilevered piezoelectric bimorph such that a light beam travelling parallel to the length of the bimorph is either intercepted by said optical shielding element or allowed to pass, depending on the polarity of the voltage applied to the bimorph. Light that is allowed to pass falls on a mirror close to the fixed end of the cantilevered bimorph and is reflected from said mirror and detected by an optical detector. The invention of Hikita et al. is suitable for use with narrow, well-collimated beams of light, such as laser beams, but it would not be suitable for the light beams in spectroscopic instruments. Such beams, although very narrow at certain points, converge rapidly towards such points and diverge rapidly away from them. This is a consequence of the need to capture as much light as possible from the spectroscopic source and transfer it to the detector. A light switch according to the teachings of Hikita et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,268,974 would not be suitable for use with a widely convergent or divergent beam because the device itself would partially obstruct the beam irrespective of the position of the optical shielding element. This would cause an undesirable loss of light transmission efficiency.
The discussion of the background to the invention herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date established by this application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided spectroscopy apparatus for spectrochemical analysis of a sample comprising
a light source and a system for interacting the light source and a sample for providing spectral light of the sample, and
an optical system including a polychromator and a multi-element solid state detector for providing intensity measurements of the spectral light as a function of wavelength,
means for serially reading a plurality of the elements of the detector to provide said light intensity measurements,
and further including a shutter device having a piezoelectric structure, the shutter device being operable on application of an electrical signal to the piezoelectric structure for movement between two positions, wherein at one position the spectral light is permitted to reach the detector, and at the other position the spectral light is prevented from reaching the detector for the plurality of detector elements to be serially read while the detector is shielded from the spectral light.
In a preferred embodiment the piezoelectric structure is a bimorph which is preferably in the form of a cantilevered strip, but the invention is not limited to this construction.
The light source may be adapted to receive a representative portion of an analytical sample and to heat this portion to a temperature sufficient to decompose it and to excite spectrochemical emission of light from molecules, atoms or ions resulting from the decomposed portion, for example as in atomic emission spectrometry. Alternatively light from the source may be passed through a decomposed sample portion and its absorption at particular wavelengths measured, for example as in atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Other techniques encompassed by the invention include passage of light through a suitably presented sample and measurement of its absorption at particular wavelengths (for example as in ultra-violet-visible absorption spectrometry, or infrared absorption spectrophotometry), or measurement of emitted light at particular wavelengths (for example as in fluorescence spectrophotometry). The wording herein of interacting a light source and a sample for providing “spectral light of the sample” is intended to encompass all of these and other similar spectrochemical analysis techniques involving the measurement of the intensity of resultant light as a function of wavelength.
The detector will normally be a charge transfer device (CCD or CID) that may be made up of a plurality of detector elements (or pixels) arranged, for example, in a regular array of rows and columns.
A shutter device in spectroscopy apparatus according to the invention can meet the relatively demanding attributes required of it in spectroscopic elemental analysis applications. Specifically, it can have very low attenuation (possibly zero attenuation) when open and can be arranged to block the spectral light beam completely when closed. It can operate with light extending into the far ultraviolet region of the spectrum and not degrade in the presence of intense UV light such as that emitted by the plasma sources typically used for elemental analysis by emission spectrometry. Since the operation of the shutter determines the integration time, the switching time between open and closed positions (or vice versa) may be short, in order to achieve short integration times. It is also accurately repeatable. The optical shutter device, being based on the use of a piezoelectric actuator, also has a long life. For example, a preferred embodiment has been subjected to over 30 million cycles without failing. The complete shutter device can be made relatively small offering further advantages given that space inside an optical system of a spectroscopy instrument is often limited. A shutter device according to the invention may also be manufactured relatively inexpensively.
In a preferred embodiment a shutter element for blocking the spectral light beam is attached to a piezoelectric structure in the form of a bimorph at or adjacent to its free end. This shutter element may be any stable, sufficiently rigid and optically opaque material having a low mass. In a preferred embodiment, the shutter element is a piece of thin metal foil.
In operation, the movement of the bimorph places the shutter element between the source of a light beam and an entrance aperture through which said light beam must pass if the detector is to be exposed to light. The size of the shutter element is such that there can be no direct path for light to enter the entrance aperture when the shutter is in its closed operating position. For more complete exclusion of light from the entrance aperture, it is also necessary to prevent light entering the entrance aperture by indirect paths. In particular, it is preferable to exclude the possibility that light passing the shutter and striking the surface surrounding the entrance aperture might be reflected or scattered from said surface onto the surface of the shutter element and then be reflected or scattered therefrom into the entrance aperture. Accordingly, it is preferable that the surface surrounding the aperture, and the surfaces of the shutter element, be treated (for example to make it matt black) to reduce reflection and the scattering of incident light. Furthermore, to achieve an even greater reduction of the possibility of light entering the shutter by indirect means it is a possible further aspect of this invention to place a mask, having an opaque surface and an aperture, between the shutter element and the source of the light beam so that the only light approaching the shutter is that corresponding to the effective optical entrance beam of the polychromator. The function of such a mask is to prevent the direct passage of light past the shutter element to the surface surrounding the entrance aperture. To further reduce the possibility of light entering the entrance aperture by indirect routes, it is a further possible aspect of this invention that a second mask, having an opaque surface and an aperture, be placed between the shutter element and said first mask. Said second mask is arranged in such a manner that when the shutter element is so placed as to block the entrance aperture there can be no direct path between the aperture of said first mask to the surface surrounding the entrance aperture.
The amount of movement required of a bimorph actuator of a shutter device according to the invention to prevent light from reaching the detector depends on the place at which the blocking occurs. Typically the entrance aperture to the polychromator of a spectroscopic instrument of the invention is quite small and if the light beam is blocked close to the entrance aperture the amount of movement required will be correspondingly small. A peak-to-peak movement of about 0.5 mm would suffice. Embodiments of a shutter device having a cantilevered bimorph actuator as described hereinabove can provide peak to peak motions of about 0.6 mm.
The piezoelectric structure or actuator of the invention bends in response to an applied electric voltage and the motion thus does not involve bulk movement, as is required in known mechanical interrupters. Such bending is responsive to the electrical drive signal and follows the applied voltage rapidly, providing fast operation. Electrically, a piezoelectric bimorph, which is the preferred form for the actuator, resembles a capacitor and it has low static dissipation and low loss when switching. Since there are few parts and no rotating or sliding surfaces there is no wear and the lifetime is dependent only on the life of the piezoelectric bimorph actuator. Such actuators have long lifetimes if operated within their specified ratings and if driven with a suitable applied voltage versus time regime.
The characteristics of the voltage versus time profile applied to drive the shutter device are determined primarily by the requirement that the shutter be driven quickly from one extreme of its movement to the other, with minimal oscillation at each end of its travel. Oscillation is excessive if it results in multiple interruptions of the light, including partial interruptions. In order that the shutter may be driven from one extreme of its movement to the other as quickly as possible while keeping oscillations to acceptable levels, an additional preferred feature of the invention is the application of an appropriate voltage versus time profile to the bimorph.
Several voltage versus time regimes have been investigated by the inventors, each having its attendant advantages and disadvantages. In the first of two applied voltage versus time regimes included within the scope of this invention, the applied voltage versus time profile causes the shutter first to commence its movement towards its operated position and then to decelerate it so that it reaches its operated position with substantially zero velocity. This has the advantage of allowing rapid movement of the shutter element. It has the disadvantage that the required rapid changes of the applied voltage can cause stresses in the bimorph that can lead to the partial fracture of the piezoelectric material and consequent failure of the device. To avoid this, in the second of the applied voltage regimes included within the scope of this invention the voltage versus time profile applied to the bimorph is such that at no time is the cantilevered bimorph subject to forces that would tend to accelerate it to velocities in excess of those corresponding to its natural frequency of vibration. Application of such forces can cause distortion of the bimorph, or the excitation of higher-order vibrations, and these can lead to the fracture of the piezoelectric material. Depending on its extent such fracture may or may not prevent the movement of the shutter, but it can result in the movement being unacceptably different from that intended.
A disadvantage of the second voltage versus time regime is that the speed of movement of the shutter cannot be greater than that set by the natural frequency of vibration of the bimorph. Where the utmost speed is not required it is preferable to use the second voltage versus time regime and so avoid the risk of damage to the device. Accordingly, the invention preferably encompasses electrical circuit means for applying a voltage versus time regime such that the cantilevered bimorph is not subjected to forces that would tend to accelerate it to velocities in excess of those corresponding to its natural frequency of vibration. A particular example is the use of an electrical circuit to drive the bimorph quasistatically. Such an arrangement keeps the voltage applied to the bimorph close to the equilibrium voltage as the bimorph moves. Stresses and higher order vibrations in the bimorph are thereby kept to a minimum.
Mechanical resonance of the cantilevered bimorph would result in simple harmonic motion. A plot of the position of the free end of the bimorph as a function of time would be a sine wave. Preferably, the voltage applied by the drive circuit mimics this wave shape to drive the bimorph efficiently and with the minimum of stress. Preferably, a lockout is provided in the circuit so that once a movement is commenced it must be completed before a movement in the opposite direction is initiated.
In the practical application of the invention it may be that the power supplies to the drive circuit are unstable for a brief period when they are switched on or off. Such instability could result in fast-changing voltages being applied to the bimorph, resulting in fracture of the piezoelectric material as described previously. Accordingly, it is an additional preferred feature of this invention to provide protection circuitry to prevent such fast-changing voltages being applied to the bimorph. An example of such protection circuitry is the provision of a high resistance element that can be placed in series with the bimorph. Since the bimorph acts as a capacitor, such an arrangement will sufficiently limit the rate of rise of a voltage applied to the bimorph. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a microprocessor supervisory device monitors the levels of the supply rails to the driving circuit. When all levels are within specification it bypasses the series resistance element, thus providing fast drive to the bimorph as required for normal operation. The bypassing of the series resistance is preferably done relatively slowly, thus ensuring that the bimorph is not subjected to any abrupt changes in the drive voltage as the drive circuit impedance is reduced. In a preferred embodiment the bypassing of the series resistance is done by a photovoltaic relay. Any drop in the voltage on the supply rails below specified levels results in the photovoltaic relay being turned off quickly, thus interposing the resistance and filtering any fast transient drive signals that would otherwise be applied to the piezoelectric bimorph.
The time taken for the shutter to fully obstruct the spectral light beam when the appropriate voltage for that movement is applied has been found by the inventors to be highly reproducible for a particular shutter device. Likewise, the time taken for the shutter to be fully clear of the light beam when the appropriate voltage for that movement is applied is also highly reproducible for a particular shutter device. When different specimens of the shutter device were tested, however, it was found that these times, while highly consistent for each specimen, varied to a small but significant extent from one specimen to another.
Given the spectroscopic field of this invention, it may be desirable in some applications to vary the integration time by varying the time for which the shutter is open. It is often preferable to take multiple readings at short integration times to avoid the detector being saturated by long exposure to intense spectral lines from elements present in the sample at relatively high concentrations. It is also necessary that measurements made by summing the results of multiple readings at a short integration time should yield the same analytical results as would be obtained by the use of one long integration time, said long integration time being equal to the product of the number of readings and the length of said short integration time. Accordingly, it is necessary to take account of the variability, from one device to another, in the time taken for the shutter to fully obstruct the light beam when the appropriate voltage for that movement is applied, and of the time taken for the shutter to be fully clear of the light beam when the appropriate voltage for that movement is applied. It would be possible to provide adjustment means to set these times to the same values for each device, but this would be complex and expensive. It is preferable to conduct a calibration procedure such as, for example, that taught by Dr Tim Abbott of the Canada-France Hawaii Telescope (now at the Nordic Optical Telescope, Canary Islands, Spain) for calibrating mechanical shutters for CCD detectors on astronomical telescopes.
As explained by Dr Abott, the shutter delay pattern can be deduced by comparing a long exposure flat field with an exposure in which the shutter has been opened and closed many times. The counts in pixel i in an image where the shutter has been opened and closed once are given by:
I 1,i=(t 1 +s i)F i
where t1 is the reported exposure time of the image, Si is the total shutter delay at pixel i, and Fi is the number of counts detected per second at that pixel. If the shutter is opened and closed n times before the CCD is read out, then the counts at pixel i will be:
I 2,i=(t 2 +ns i)F i
where t2 is the reported exposure time for this second image and it has been assumed that the shutter delay is the same for every open-close cycle. Since Fi is the same for both images, the shutter delay at each pixel in the image can be deduced from the following:
s i=(t 1 I 2,i −t 2 I 1,i)/(nI 1,i −I 2,i)
Another aspect of the invention provides a shutter device for blocking the path of a light beam in a spectroscopy instrument for preventing the further accumulation of charge by an optically sensitive detector of the instrument during a read time period for the detector following a charge accumulation time period, the shutter device including a piezoelectric structure which is a bimorph actuator in the form of a strip that is mounted as a cantilever to provide a free end, wherein the free end moves upon application of a driving voltage to the bimorph to block or unblock a light beam which propagates in a direction substantially at right angles to the plane of movement of the free end of the bimorph.
To better understand the invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, embodiments thereof will now be described by way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.


text:
- Serves: 1-2
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Effort: easy
- 100 g canned, drained chickpeas
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 red pepper
- 2 white or yellow pepper
- 1 large mild green chilli, pricked a few times with a fork
- 1 lemon, halved
- 2 spring onions, trimmed, halved lengthways
- 1 banana shallot, thinly sliced
- 1 small bunch seedless red grapes, halved
- 1-2 tsp white wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp chopped mint
- 100 g feta cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped dill
1. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Dry the chickpeas with kitchen paper, toss with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and spread out on a baking tray. Toast in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until crisp, shaking the tray every 5 minutes to prevent them sticking. Set aside to cool.
2. Roast the peppers and chilli for 30 minutes or until softened and the skin is blistered and blackened in places. Alternatively do this under a hot grill or over a gas flame or barbecue. Transfer them to a bowl while still hot, cover with cling film and set aside for a few minutes to soften in their own steam.
3. Heat a griddle pan until hot. Place the lemon, cut-side-down, and spring onions onto the griddle and cook for 4-5 minutes until charred in places.
4. In a bowl, gently combine the shallot, grapes, white wine vinegar, remaining olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the chopped mint. Squeeze over juice from half of the charred lemon and add more vinegar or olive oil according to taste. Set aside while you finish the salad.
5. Using you fingers, peel the charred skins off the peppers and chilli (they should come away easily). Cut each in half, remove the seeds and chop the flesh into strips.
6. To serve, layer the peppers, chilli and griddled spring onions on a serving plate. Using a vegetable peeler, shave thin strips of feta on top of the vegetables then arrange the grape and shallot salad and dressing on top. Scatter over the remaining mint, dill and a squeeze of charred lemon, followed by the toasted chickpeas. Serve.
Rate This Recipe

domain: food


There was a lot of concern among the skiing and snowboarding community heading into the winter because of the potential effects of El Nino. So far, so good.
After a huge storm pounded Golden early last week, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has decided to add a pair of preview weekends in advance of its full opening on Dec. 11.
The resort will be open on Nov. 28, 29 and Dec. 5 and 6 thanks to better than expected conditions. It’s the first time that the resort has opened for an extra preview weekend in November,
“The last storm was the perfect storm. If you look at the stats…it was a little more than 60 centimetres in 24 hours on (Nov. 17)…it was great,” said Max Cretin, director of business development and guest experience at the resort.
“The decision was pretty easy. Once you get the snow…you have to open as soon as you can.”
In total, storms so far this year have dropped 268cm of snow at the resort, including 156cm from Nov. 15-22.
While El Nino might still be a lingering concern, it’s clear that this early dose of snow has alleviated a lot of anxiety within the industry.
“It’s a complicated phenomena. El Nino is not the only phenomena with regards to weather and weather forecasts…Last week was a good counter-example of what El Nino could be and could mean for Kicking Horse,” Cretin said.
“The perception in the market has shifted rapidly to everyone being excited now, everyone wants to ski and everyone is thinking winter and snow and riding at the Horse,” Cretin said.
Kicking Horse will have top to bottom skiing available when it debuts on Nov. 28, meaning that at minimum Crystal Bowl will be open, with the possibility for more.
“”The coverage in the bowls is phenomenal. It’s middle of the winter skiing,” Cretin said.
“We’ve got good coverage mid mountain to lower mountain as well…we wanted to make sure the product would be top notch (for launch).”
The first gondola ride of the season will be raffled off, with proceeds being donated to the Golden Food Bank. Those who are interested should sign up for the raffle beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday.


- Dell Inspiron 15 3515 Laptop comes with AMD Ryzen 3 3250U Processor (4MB CPU Cache, 2.60GHz up to 3.50GHz), 4GB 3200 MHz DDR4 RAM, 1TB 5400rpm SATA HDD, Integrated graphics with AMD APU and Windows 10 Home. This Laptop is featured with 15.6″, FHD 1920×1080, 60Hz, Non-Touch, AG, WVA, LED-Backlit, no Cam/Mic, Narrow Border, Battery 3 Cell 41 Whr, Battery Type Integrated, Power Adapter 65 W AC adapter, Adapter Type External. The Full HD anti-glare display delivers a clear, bright image that’s easy on the eyes. This portable laptop is easy to carry with you everywhere, while the sleek exterior makes it an eye-catching accessory. User can access what they need most with Modern Standby, the laptop wakes up quickly so that user can resume whatever they are working on. Here, 802.11ac 1×1 WiFi & Bluetooth Network Connectivity are also available. In this Laptop, It is also has Multimedia Card Slot x 1, SD Media Card Reader,2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 1 x USB 2.0 port, 1 x Headphone Port Combo, Microphone Port Combo Ports are also available. It is Designed to last through regular use, with tiny rubber feet and bumpers on the hinge that keep it from skidding and provide additional stability on hard surfaces. This new Dell Inspiron 15 3515 Laptop has 02 years of warranty (Battery & Adapter 2 years).


Hot and sunny again on Thursday | Weather
LOWCOUNTRY (WCSC) - It's another hot and sunny day in the Lowcountry, says Live 5 Meteorologist Chad Watson:
Sunny and hot on a Thursday afternoon is what forecast says for today! A few more clouds may return along the coast as morning fog burns off and temps climb up through the upper 70s into the lower 80s. By mid-day we are well on our way to near 90° across many of the backyards of the Lowcountry. At the beaches it will be slightly milder but still very warm. There is again no chance of rain today but shower chances to get a bit better into the weekend. Stay cool!!!
Live 5 Meteorologist


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel got his way on Wednesday when the city council approved his choice to lead a police department that faces a federal investigation and racism accusations.
The council unanimously approved Emanuel’s candidate, Eddie Johnson, two weeks after he was named interim chief in a bid to rebuild the city’s trust in police.
“Well, we can strike the word interim,” Emanuel, looking at Johnson, said immediately following the council vote.
The tarnished image of Chicago’s police has been a political liability for Emanuel, who defied calls to resign last year after days of protests over a white officer’s fatal shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald, after video of the 2014 shooting was released.
That case was one of numerous fatal police shootings of unarmed African-Americans across the United States that have stirred outrage and raised questions of racial bias in policing.
In picking Johnson, Emanuel rejected recommendations by a civilian board. The council moved to change the official selection process so Emanuel would not have to wait to select Johnson, a 55-year-old former head of the department’s patrol division.
Johnson, who is black, takes over as police superintendent immediately and will deal with ongoing public unrest over the police. After the Monday shooting by police of a 16-year-old black male, police arrested two people at a Tuesday protest rally.
Also on Wednesday, the council approved payments totaling $6.45 million to settle cases involving two black men who died while in police custody.
A task force set up by Emanuel has urged the Chicago police to acknowledge its racist past and change how they handle allegation of excessive force, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Emanuel said Johnson can help change things, however.
“You have the command, you have the character and also the capacity to lead the department of the city of Chicago at this time,” Emanuel said after he and the council gave Johnson a standing ovation.
The previous superintendent, Garry McCarthy, was fired amid public outrage that the city delayed for more than a year the release of the McDonald video, which led to first-degree murder charges against the officer. In the aftermath of protests, the U.S. Justice Department launched an investigation into Chicago police shootings.
Reporting by Justin Madden, Editing by Ben Klayman and Steve Orlofsky


text:
Muharram 2020: Check date, timings and Shia Law Board's guidelines for this day here
New Delhi | Jagran Lifestyle Desk: Muharram, which is considered a very holy day by the Muslims, marks the beginning of the new year in Islam. According to Muslim legends, Imam Husain, Prophet Muhammad's grandson, was martyred on this day along with his family in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.
Muharram is considered to be the period of recalling and mourning the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain by the community of Shia Muslims, which starts mourning from the first night of Muharram and will continue for the next 2 months and 8 days. A greater amount of importance is placed on the first ten days of the festival. On the tenth day, known as Ashura, Shia Muslims take out processions and walk barefoot on the roads and sing and suppurate loudly as an act of mourning for Hussain.
Muharram 2020 Date and Time:
This year, the month of Muharram will be starting on August 20 and will end on September 18, (dates may vary depending upon the sighting of the Moon). The 10th day, Ashura will be observed on August 29.
Muharram 2020 History and significance:
Both Shia and Sunni Muslims across the world fast on the 10th day, Ashura, or 10th and 11th day of Muharram month. Shia Muslims also attend special prayer congregation in mosques and also in their homes. It marks the day that Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. Ashura is a major holy day and occasion for pilgrimage in Shia Muslims, as well as a recommended but non-obligatory day of fasting for Sunni Muslims.
Meanwhile, for Sunni Muslims, Ashura also marks the day that Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh by God creating a path in the Sea or Noah leaving the Ark.
Guidelines by AISPLB for this year’s processions across the country:
- The All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) has issued its Muharram advisory, asking people to follow all norms of social distancing, wear masks and wherever possible, take part in Muharram rituals online or via TV channels broadcasting them.
- The 14-point advisory issued by board president Maulana Syed Saim Mehdi and general secretary Maulana Yasoob Abbas said that all mosques and Imambaras with carpets and floor covers should ensure disinfecting the space before and after every majlis (sermon session).
- Clerics said that the advisory was in accordance with the guidelines by Ayatullahs from Iraq and Iran, including Grand Ayatullah Ali Al Sistani.
- Children, pregnant women and the elderly have been advised to stay at home and use online and other mediums to be part of the sermons.
- Water and food distributed among the poor as 'tabarruk', should be packed and sealed, and guidelines issued by the administration should be followed.
Posted By: Talib Khan

domain: news


text:
Activision and Call of Duty are once again in the news for the wrong reasons. A new skin for Vanguard and Warzone, called Doomsayer, has been called out for having an uncanny resemblance to a character model created by a former employee.The creator of the character model, Robert Bowling, is the head of Dr DisRespect's Midnight Society gaming studio, which is currently developing a game called Deadrop.Bowling took to Twitter after Activision released the skin and sarcastically asked the publisher to do the basic courtesy of naming it after him:The accusation comes just weeks after Activision was accused of plagiarizing the Floof Fury skin for Call of Duty: Warzone.
The company has since apologized for the "misstep" and has removed the imagery from the game.However, Activision has not yet commented on the accusations surrounding the Doomsayer skin.Dr DisRespect and the Midnight Society company are now working on a "vertical extraction shooter" called Deadrop.
The community has been actively supporting the project from the beginning. Some even got Deadrop Founders Passes, which give them access to 10,000 variants (distinctive in-game NFT characters randomly given to the founders).In a tweet on July 1, Robert Bowling shared one of the variants on his feed, welcoming the chosen few who would get access to the tokenized characters.The character in the short video shares a lot of similarities with the recently announced Doomsayer skin in Call of Duty.
Both have a neon holographic skull with a hood. This has led many to believe the skin is a ripoff of the variant posted last month.In fact, Bowling is a former employee of Activision.Read more on sportskeeda.com


text:
What is ella®?
ella® is a form of emergency contraception. This means it is a type of birth control used after unprotected intercourse or suspected contraceptive failure (e.g. a broken condom) to prevent pregnancy. It cannot be purchased over-the-counter and is only available by prescription in the United States. ella® is not intended for routine use as a contraceptive.1 It is only to be used for a single episode of unprotected sex.2
Give us a call at 719.544.9312. We are here to listen to your questions and talk about your options.

domain: medical


text:
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden delivered his State of the City address last night.
Days after announcing his reelection campaign, the Democrat is optimistic for the Collar City’s future.
Mayor Patrick Madden looked back on his last three years in office and called Troy stronger, more resilient, and more optimistic.
After acknowledging the work of city officials, regardless of party, city employees, and the people of Troy, Madden opened his State of the City address by discussing the city’s fiscal health. He said Troy has maintained “rigid discipline around spending and budgeting.”
“As a result, Moody’s improved our credit outlook again in 2018 from stable to positive. That’s the second increase they have given the city in two years.”
The first budget passed under Madden included a 14.5 percent tax increase. Republicans on the city council have also criticized the implementation of a new trash fee. Madden said the city has added to its reserves and expects a modest surplus when the books close on 2018.
“Though we are not out of the woods yet, we are on the right path and we are headed in the right direction. The process of kicking the can down the road has stopped.”
On infrastructure, Madden highlighted major projects completed or begun in the last year, including the replacement of two sewer pump stations, new water lines, including the engineering for replacement transmission lines from the city’s Tomhannock reservoir, and the beginning of work on the city’s Hudson River seawall.
But he warned of issues that continue to loom over the city.
“This neglect has passed the buck from generation to generation with no quick or easy solution. Although we cannot correct these omissions overnight, we have set ourselves on a path of deliberate improvements.”
In the year ahead, Madden says he expects construction to begin on a new marina, the long-awaited South Troy Industrial Roadway, renovation of the South Troy pool, and demolition of the vacant Leonard Hospital in the city’s Lansingburgh neighborhood, among other projects.
Planning will begin for projects including a replacement of the Knickerbacker Park Pool and Knick Ice Rink, Mount Ida Dam, and Campbell Avenue Bridge.
Development in the city continues. With the recent addition of 101 apartments downtown in the former Troy Record building, another 358 apartments across several building projects are expected to open or begin construction in 2019.
Homeownership is also on the rise.
“The average price of a single family rose again in 2018, up 9.3 percent over 2017. That’s the sharpest increase in the Capital Region.”
As property values rise and more people move to Troy, Madden said public safety is also improving.
In 2018, Troy named Brian Owens its new police chief. Madden highlighted neighborhood meetings and the creation of a Community Relations Board to build trust between police and city residents.
Violent crime decreased 21 percent last year from 2017, while property crime decreased 17 percent.
“This is a strong indicator of the efficacy of our police department and their focus on keeping communities safe.”
However, the number of shots fired last year stayed the same as 2017. Madden said his administration is working new Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly and faith groups to begin an open-ended gun buy-back program this summer.
Also on public safety, Madden made news by announcing his appointment of a new city fire chief after Thomas Garrett announced his retirement in January after 20 years as chief.
“Tonight it gives me great pleasure to announce that I am appointing Eric McMahon as the next chief of the Troy Fire Department.”
Other goals: purchasing electric vehicles and charging stations, replacing city vehicles, some more than 20 years old. The city has also issued an RFP to upgrade streetlights to LED technology.
Looking back on his three years, and the city’s industrial past, Madden credited the people of Troy with creating community. Looking ahead, he said he was “boldly optimistic.”
“I see and I hear that optimism on a daily basis from residents and non-residents alike. It gives me great confidence in our future. I am proud and humbled to be your mayor. It is my goal to make you proudly proclaim that Troy is your home. We are Troy, New York and we are in this together.”
Reacting to the mayor’s message, City Council President Carmella Mantello, a Republican, said the projects highlighted by Madden, particularly infrastructure, have had unanimous bipartisan support.
“When it comes to infrastructure, you can’t play politics. So on that front, I was really pleased to hear about those projects that we’ve been a part of. And at the same, I wanted to hear a little more about the neighborhoods in terms of a lot of the development that you’re hearing is happening downtown.”
Mantello said she wanted to hear more about the redevelopment of One Monument Square, which has been the subject of several public meetings and failed starts over the years. She also wanted to know how Troy would find new ways to raise revenues.
“I didn’t hear any efforts to try to lessen the burdens on the back of the taxpayers. Another area, creative revenue. Our water in the Tomhannock: we’ve talked about it a number of times, selling that water to more customers.”
Mantello will deliver her own legislative address in March.


Definitely one of the most remarkble cars at the Top Marques Monaco show this year is the Dartz Kombat T98, or in short the Kombat. This Russian build SUV ‘tank’ can withstand bullets from AK-47’s and even rocket propelled grenades easily. With heavy steel plated doors and 7cm thick windows it’s not the fastest car shown in Monaco but it does stand out from the crowd.
The Kombat is powered by a 8,1 liter Vortec V8, good for a top speed of 180 km/h. The price for this indestructible monster truck? 200.000 dollar! Needless to say you need a truck license to drive it, although we still have to find the first cop that dares to pull you over…
SUV features exclusive materials such as whale-penis leather for the seats, gold-plating for the window surrounds, gauges encrusted with diamonds and rubies and an exhaust system made from tungsten.
The car also comes with three bottles of the world’s most expensive Vodka, RussoBaltique, although the website does warn prospective buyers not to drink and drive.
The vehicle is being specially prepared for the ultra-exclusive Top Marques luxury motor show in Monaco next year.
Dartz’s armoured vehicles weigh roughly 4 tonnes, are powered by V8s putting out between 300kW and 400kW and are “rocket grenade-proof” according to the website.
Bam commentary Why the hell would i want whale dick seats? i'll pass on that one. And another thing with all these drunk driving cases you gone equip the car wit 3 bottles of liqour #fail....But hey if u wanna spend almost 2 million on a car be my guest an go cop one of these.


text:
Neukölln is not exactly famous for its broad choices in nice parks. With Tempelhof dominating the “park scene” in terms of reputation it always seems like such an effort to discover something new. Tempelhof is big enough for everyone after all. But the Körnerpark is something special indeed, perfectly laid in an up and coming scene quarter of the still dubious district.
The Körnerpark is not just a beautiful place to hang out in the summer, it’s also a gardening project and hides many interesting details. The Orangerie, the Café and the water fountains render the space peaceful and quiet. We tend to spend our time in places such as Görlitzer Park for it’s immediate proximity to where we live, but truth be told: there are prettier greens in town. Point in case, check out the pics!

domain: geography


"What Eric Garner case says about federal prosecution of police officers on duty" PBS NewsHour 7/16/2019
SUMMARY: Eric Garner’s dying words, “I can’t breathe,” served as a rallying cry for protests against police brutality. But the Justice Department announced Tuesday it would not file charges against the officer involved in the incident. The decision closes the door on federal prosecution, as the statute of limitations expires Wednesday. Yamiche Alcindor talks to Katie Benner of The New York Times.


text:
How to Manage Separation Anxiety With Your Pet
Do you have to travel for work or to see family?
There are so many things to consider before leaving home for a vacation, a convention, a night out, or…
…and, if you’re leaving a four-legged companion behind, you have a few additional considerations.
Imagine if you simply left your young children alone without knowing where you were going to disappear, when you would return, or who would take care of them while you were gone.
There are no instructions on what to do, or not to do, or how to contact you for help if they need it.
He just left, not sure that his needs, questions and concerns were met.
If you do that to your furry family member, they could experience separation anxiety, leading to bad behavior and health problems.
But separation anxiety in pets is manageable and preventable if you take the right approach.
It doesn’t even have to be a trip. It can be a change in your daily routine, such as going to the office, then working from home for several weeks, then back to the office.
Consider that changing your routines without talking to your pet about it is like changing your shift rotation and not telling your husband and kids!
Pets, like the human loved ones in your life, deserve to be ‘kept in the know’.
They are trusting you, and when you change your patterns and habits without warning or adequate provision for them, they should try to change with you.
Unfortunately, your coping mechanisms may be more destructive than what your family might employ…
Preventing separation anxiety in pets requires thought and care
You are the whole world to your dog…anxiety can affect him much more than other, more independent-minded pets.
And while cats try to sell themselves as aloof and uninterested unless you’ve filled the food dish or cleaned out the litter box, they also care about your schedule.
You may think that boarding your horse on a farm across town is a better option than your own little paddock because of the space to roam and the company of other horses…but they’ve grown accustomed to a certain daily pattern.
You are part of his flock. Their time apart from you can be stressful if they don’t know what is happening or why, or if they have questions or concerns.
I’m not suggesting that you can never change things up in your routines, or leave your pet with a sitter or kennel…but they need to be told what’s going on and why.
Treat your pet like someone who deserves to know what you know
Separation anxiety in pets arises when your pet feels like they have been left in the dark. So before you make any changes to your schedule, permanent or temporary, be sure to give them the details.
That means you have to tell them:
what to expect
when things will happen
who is involved
what you need from them
How do you want them to behave?
How long will you be gone or how long will this change last
Whether they are in a kennel or cared for in your home
when you come back
Giving your pet the courtesy of an explanation about how its environment or patterns will change will prevent separation anxiety…and the side effects.
Is your pet suffering from the stress of separation anxiety?
If you have a good relationship with your pet, you will be calm and content as you prepare for the change in your routines.
But, if you haven’t taken the time to communicate with them about your shared experiences, they will show some very clear signs that they are anticipating something bad to happen.
1. Gasps, zoomies, pee in all the wrong places.
Dogs will refresh themselves after a good workout by panting. And zoomies can be a sign that your pet is feeling happy-go-lucky.
But do they constantly pant, even though your home is a comfortable temperature?
Are they bouncing off the walls and furniture…every time you walk into the room?
Have they dumped food by the door or chosen a new bathroom that isn’t the litter box or patio? Maybe your closet, your pillow or behind the sofa?
Many of these behaviors can be signs of an underlying medical condition, such as possible heart failure or an infection.
By all means, take them to a vet if things like bladder control or vomiting are a problem.
But then take a big step back and assess what your pet might be trying to tell you if you’re in the midst of a major life change.
2. Going completely dumb.
Resist the urge to think, “Wow, I can’t believe the dog has been lying still for so long. It’s great that he’s so disciplined.”
If you’re trying to identify separation anxiety in pets, total stillness isn’t necessarily a sign of calm…
It may be that your pet has ‘shut down’ and is frozen due to his anxiety.
They are trying to reset themselves. Their apparent good posture and attentiveness may be a sign that they are feeling extremely scared. They are not sure how to deal with their fear.
Like a deer in headlights, they are trying to process the situation and don’t want to move until they have a plan of action.
3. Full of Tasmanian devil.
Your anxious pet feels left out and instead of retreating, he goes on the offensive in an effort to get your attention.
They suddenly start grinding up furniture, stealing food from the kitchen counter, randomly barking at people passing by the house.
You are worried about changes in your life, and this type of bad behavior may lead you to conclude that you suddenly have a bad pet.
The anger that you start to feel simply creates a negative feedback loop.
Your pet was already anxious, and now her human is angry…it’s a negative downward spiral down a nasty rabbit hole that can be hard to get out of.
Learning to communicate effectively with animals can relieve their stress…and yours
There is no need for either of you to feel anxious about the time you spend apart.
Dogs, especially, are highly social pack animals. If you’ve found a good boarding or daycare place for them to spend their time while you work or are on vacation, they’ll jump out of your car to run to the kennel.
And when you come back to pick them up, they’ll be just as happy to greet you and climb back into your car with the same enthusiasm and confidence to head home.
It doesn’t matter if it’s your dog, cat, horse or bird, the key is communication.
It doesn’t take long for a pet to tune in to your sense of well-being. And… while it may seem wrong, they really want to relieve your stress and pain.
They hope you pick up on the signals they send when they are also feeling anxious or in pain.
Advice to the wise: don’t let them down when they need you the most.
Whether you consult a pet communicator, invest time in learning to talk to animals yourself, or simply make an effort to read your pet’s cues more intently, you’ll have a richer relationship.

domain: psychology


text:
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 (Reuters) — Former President Bill Clinton, angrily defending his efforts to capture Osama bin Laden, accused the Bush administration in an interview to be broadcast Sunday of doing far less to stop Mr. bin Laden before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
In the interview for “Fox News Sunday,” Mr. Clinton defended the steps he took after the bombing of the destroyer Cole in 2000 and faulted “right-wingers” for their criticism of his efforts to capture Mr. bin Laden, the Qaeda leader.
“But at least I tried. That’s the difference in me and some, including all of the right-wingers who are attacking me now,” Mr. Clinton said when asked whether he had failed to anticipate the full threat from Mr. bin Laden. “They had eight months to try; they did not try. I tried. So I tried and failed.”
The Sept. 11 attacks occurred almost eight months after President Bush succeeded Mr. Clinton in January 2001.
“I authorized the C.I.A. to get groups together to try to kill him,” Mr. Clinton said.
“Now if you want to criticize me for one thing,” he continued, “you can criticize me for this: after the Cole, I had battle plans drawn to go into Afghanistan, overthrow the Taliban and launch a full-scale attack search for bin Laden.” But he said he was not able to follow through with his plans, adding, “We needed basing rights in Uzbekistan, which we got after 9/11.”
Mr. Clinton complained at the time that the C.I.A. and F.B.I. had refused to certify that Mr. bin Laden was responsible for the Cole attack.Continue reading the main story
Earlier this month, Mr. Clinton dismissed as “indisputably wrong” a television movie that suggested he was too distracted by the Monica Lewinsky scandal to confront the Islamic militant threat that culminated in the Sept. 11 attacks.Continue reading the main story


text:
Value Score Average Value
Good For Families
More about Tryp Palma
Hotel in palma
I will be visiting Palma for three nights on the last weekend of November. Can anyone recommend a hotel that is 3-4 star and central if possible. ( it must have a bar! ) We want to visit the tapas bars and do the sights of Palma. So far every hotel we have found has many mixed reviews.
ps is it worth taking the train to soller in November?
Re: Hotel in palma
Hello there - so you want a hotel in Palma for 3 nights - lots of new hotels opened recently try the AC Cuidad - its in the centre of Palma with a free bar from 4-6.30 the rooms are very nicely furnished with views over the port - minimalist - very stylish rooms about 70E - if you want rooms in the old part of Palma there is a great hotel called Purro - its 5* opened 6 months ago prices are around 175Euros - beautiful - kind of morocan - theres a hotel called Palacio de Galacia again with a drinks room in the old town don't know the prices but 4-5* - best tapas restaurant is La Cueva on Apuntadores or Casa Jacinto in Genova & yes the train is worth the trip in November - let me know if you want anymore info!!
Re: Re: Hotel in palma
Thganks for your reply, we were getting a bit desparate and frusrated not finding one (all seemed full for some reason) we have booked the Tryp Palma, I will look at yout recommendations for future trips , thanks also for info on the train trip, we will be on it!!
Re: Re: Hotel in palma
The Tryp - there are 2 - one in the town and one on the sea front - make sure you're booked on the seafront one - overlooking the port
Popular Hotels in Palma de Mallorca
Urb. El Toro - Port Adriano, Calvia, Majorca, 07182, Spain
Passeig Calvia S/N, Costa d'en Blanes, Costa d'en Blanes, 07181, Spain
Avenida Joan Miro 21, Palma, Majorca, 07014, Spain
Montenegro 12, Palma, Majorca, 07012, Spain
Explore the World
- Kervansaray Lara Hotel
- Cancun Palace
- South America Grand Hotel
- Hotel Garbe
- World Of Wonders Kremlin Palace
- Baymont Inn & Suites International Drive Orlando
- Regency Dolphin Hotel
- Losari Coffee Plantation
- Diamond Beach Resort Gold Coast
- Fairmont Singapore
- Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
- City Square Motel
- Planet Hollywood Towers

domain: travel


text:
- Margin Rates
- Guide Benchmark Rates
- Securities Financing
Whenever determining prices, remember that IBKR runs on the rate that is blended from the tiers below. For instance, for the stability over USD 1,000,000, the very first 100,000 is charged during the Tier I rate, the following 900,000 in the Tier II price, etc. whenever determining the quoted spread, IBKR will make use of the set benchmark price or perhaps a benchmark price of 0 for several standard prices not as much as 0.
IBKR accrues interest on a regular basis and articles real interest month-to-month on the 3rd working day associated with the month that is following.
The tiers on which interest is situated may differ from time for you time without previous notification to consumers. Such alterations are done occasionally to modify for alterations in money prices.
Estimate Interest Charged on Margin Loans
IBKR Professional IBKR Lite
Your rate that is blended for
* IBKR will evaluate a surcharge of just one% on big loan balances unless otherwise prearranged with IBKR. The 1% surcharge would affect all balances when you look at the tier that is highest.
The attention calculator is founded on information it should not be relied upon as such that we believe to be accurate and correct, but neither Interactive Brokers LLC nor its affiliates warrant its accuracy or adequacy and. Neither IBKR nor its affiliates have the effect of any mistakes or omissions or even for outcomes acquired through the utilization of this calculator.
- A floor that is minimum ofper cent may be charged on all USD margin loans. Rates subject to improve.
- Could be at the mercy of a 1% surcharge put on the spread if funding just isn’t pre-arranged.
- Credit balances higher than USD 10,000 (or comparable) in reports by having a NAV of lower than USD 100,000 (or equivalent) are compensated interest at a proportional price. The negative rate are put on records with balances of at least USD 100,000 (or comparable), but smaller credit balances won’t be charged the negative price for reports keeping credit balances in currencies holding a poor interest price.
Which Arrange is better for you personally?
US stocks that are exchange-Listed ETFs
Other Stocks / ETFs
Interest Paid on Idle Money Balances 3
Interest Charged for Margin Loan
US investors that are retail
Institutional Accounts 6
Presenting Agents 9,10,11
Inventory Give Enhancement System
FDIC Promontory System
Marketplace Data – US Detailed Stock/ETFs
Marketplace Data – Other Items
Outside Regular Trading Hours 12
Investor Workstation (TWS)
IBKR Online Trader
Condition Orders & Advanced Purchase Types
Shared Fund / ETF Replicator
Danger Navigator SM
- IBKR Lite is supposed for retail investors, including monetary advisors dealing with respect to their retail customers. IBKR reserves just the right to reject any IBKR Lite purchase or group of instructions if IBKR determines the order(s) may actually show non-retail trading behavior. An order is rejected, the client will be automatically presented the option to resubmit the rejected order on a Fixed commission basis at the time.
- Where for sale in United States.
- Records with a NAV of not as much as USD 100,000 (or equivalent) will undoubtedly be compensated at a level proportional to reports having a NAV of USD 100,000 (or equivalent) or higher. The percentage is dependent upon the ratio associated with account’s NAV to USD 100,000 (or comparable). This will not connect with currencies with negative rates of interest, in which the rate that is negative could be the exact exact same aside from account size. See for details.
- To find out more
- US Retail Investors includes individuals, joint, UGMA/UTMA, your retirement and trust records.
- Standalone trust records with appropriate entity trustees aren’t qualified to receive IBKR Lite
- Institutional records are defined as any hedge funds, proprietary trading team or organizational kind reports
- Advisors consist of all subscribed economic advisors, non-registered monetary advisors, and relatives and buddies advisors.
- To qualify for IBKR Lite , advisors must certanly be US domiciled and should have:
- Not as much as 15% of customer records outside of the United States
- Lower than 15% of customer equity away from United States
- Lower than 15% of customer records as company reports
- No customer reports from Israel
- No partitioned customer records
- No Individual Trading Limitations (Proprietary Trading) reports
- Presenting agents includes all completely Disclosed and Non Disclosed accounts.
- Introducing Brokers require unique approval from IBKR before starting an IBKR Lite account. Presenting agents cannot have both IBKR Lite and IBKR professional consumers underneath the exact same account framework. Split reports structures have to facilitate.
- Presenting agents from the IBKR Lite plan cannot offer the ing that is follow of customer sub records:
- Israel may be the national nation of appropriate residence for the account owner
- Partitioned client reports
- Three-tier hierarchies (no consultant or STL proprietary trading records)
- OMS consumers
- Regular trading hours for IBKR Lite and IBKR professional are 09:30 вЂ“ 16:00. Market requests put ahead of regular trading hours will likely to be treated as MarketOnOpen orders and count towards customer limit.
- OnClose or OnOpen United States listed stock sales are free for IBKR Lite customers as long as your order will not meet or exceed 10% of a free account’s month-to-month United States trading amount, otherwise your account will be charged USD 0.005 per share.
- * Excludes sheet that is pink.
- **Trader Workstation (TWS) is certainly not open to Introducing agents’ consumers signed up for IBKR Lite .
- вЂ Fees may apply.
We comprehend your investment requires modification as time passes. You are able to switch between your IBKR Lite and IBKR professional plan whenever you want. Very first three reclassifications are prepared every day while subsequent reclassifications happen for a quarterly foundation.
Interactive Brokers В®, IB SM , InteractiveBrokers В®, Interactive Analytics В®, IB Alternatives Analytics SM , IB SmartRouting SM , PortfolioAnalyst В®, IB Trader Workstation SM and another World, One Account SM are solution markings and/or trademarks of Interactive Brokers LLC. Supporting documents for almost any claims and analytical information will be supplied upon request. Any trading symbols shown are for illustrative purposes just and therefore are maybe perhaps perhaps perhaps perhaps not intended to recommendations that are portray.
The possibility of loss in online trading of shares, choices, futures, currencies, international equities, and income that is fixed be significant.

domain: finance


Schools' role in tackling bad childhood experiences
As a teenager he was sleeping in a park and trying to wash his clothes in a river so he would be clean for school.
Matthew Cox was one of too many children who did not get adequate help soon enough, Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe has said.
She wants the education system and agencies working closer on adverse childhood experiences (ACE).
Mr Cox, now 22, works in a call centre and dreams of starting his own landscape gardening company.
It is an amazing turnaround for a man who said bullying throughout his childhood affected his behaviour and ended with him sleeping rough while still in school.
"While living on the streets in Pontypridd park I was trying to get a bit of cash myself, trying to find a job," he said.
"With me having dirty clothes, going back and fore to work and school, I tried to go to the launderettes and tried to get my clothes washed or even washing them in the river just to try and look clean."
It was a teacher who realised what was happening and found him a place in a bed and breakfast until homelessness charity Llamau stepped in.
According to Public Health Wales (PHW) almost half of adults in Wales have suffered at least one ACE - anything from parental separation to abuse.
And 14% of adults is have suffered four or more ACEs, increasing risks to their health.
The study showed the more ACEs people experience, the greater their risk of a wide range of health-harming behaviours and diseases as an adult.
A child could have witnessed a domestic abuse incident taking place in their home last night, mum or dad being beaten up
In January, the Welsh Government announced £400,000 to set up a hub to tackle the negative impact of ACEs and £50,000 to support more research by PHW.
Ms Howe wants more early intervention and said much good practice in schools could be key in tackling the issue if there was a more joined-up approach.
"A child could have witnessed a domestic abuse incident taking place in their home last night, mum or dad being beaten up, the police being called, a hugely traumatic time and yet the school teacher when they go into school this morning would not necessarily be aware that that's what happened last night.
"We know that there is much more we could do in having this integrated approach between all of our public services, which is after all what the Well Being of Future Generations Act requires."
Glan Usk Primary School in Newport has designed its whole approach to learning around well-being.
Inclusion leader Annette James said tackling difficult issues in children's lives had to come first if they were to achieve.
"We target self-esteem, building self confidence so that they have those positive experiences, so that those children who might be reluctant to come to school who might not have those positive experiences in the class have the opportunity to achieve and reach their full potential."
Rhian Tilley, a family and pupil support worker, believes this generation has it tougher than their parents and identifying ACEs is vital for a child's life chances.
"They may not have had breakfast, there may have been an argument at home, they may have very difficult home lives or family circumstances and then they are coming into school and are expected to learn and do the best they can, but while they are sat there they are thinking 'I'm hungry'."
Head teacher Jeff Beecher said schools were ready to share information but this was not always forthcoming from other agencies.
"At the end of the day it's about funding, unfortunately, and resources.
"In Newport we have had what is called 'team around the cluster' where we've tried to marry all those agencies together in discussing pupils needs.
"But at times it's sporadic, sometimes there hasn't been enough funding to support that strategy and for those people to get together so its been difficult, but it is the way forward and I think we need a full commitment financially to support these needs."


A British judge rejected the United States’ request Monday morning to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face charges of conspiring to hack government computers and violating the Espionage Act.
The judge, Vanessa Baraitser, ruled against the U.S. extradition request, citing Assange’s fragile mental health, according to the Associated Press. If convicted on all charges, Assange would have faced a maximum of 175 years in prison, according to The New York Times.
The U.S. government plans to appeal the decision within the next two weeks.
Assange’s lawyer argued that the Australian citizen acted as a journalist when he published classified documents exposing the U.S. military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and thus was protected under the First Amendment.
Baraitser rejected the defense’s argument, claiming his “conduct, if proved, would therefore amount to offenses in this jurisdiction that would not be protected by his right to freedom of speech,” the AP reported.
The judge also cited Assange’s clinical depression, adding he would likely attempt suicide if extradited. Baraitser noted the isolation he would face in a U.S. maximum-security prison would be “oppressive” due to his current mental state. (RELATED: Doctors Claim Julian Assange ‘Could Die In Prison’ Without Urgent Medical Care)
In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has received growing calls to pardon Assange after pardoning several political allies, including Roger Stone and Paul Manafort.


Lewisham Grainger Holdings LLP, a 50/50 joint venture between Grainger and the council, will develop up to 300 new purpose-built homes at Besson Street in New Cross Gate.
The rental housing scheme includes 35% affordable homes to be let at ‘London Living Rent’ and long-term tenancies for Lewisham residents. The development will also have a new GP surgery and pharmacy, new office space for the New Cross Gate Trust, and an outdoor gym.
It will be owned by Lewisham Grainger Holdings and managed by Grainger. They expect to submit a planning application in 2019.
Grainger was selected by the council as its preferred developer for the site earlier this year.
Grainger chief executive Helen Gordon said: "We are pleased to launch this long-term partnership with Lewisham Council for our proposed development at Besson Street. This is an excellent project that will deliver high quality homes and several additional facilities for the local community. Upon completion, residents will benefit from new homes and also Grainger's commitment to customer service and expertise as the market leader in modern homes for rent."


text:
Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
The keyword is a significant part of scholarly publications, which can play a vital role in information retrieval and research. Author Keywords are those provided by the original authors, and Keywords Plus are those extracted from the titles of the cited references by Thomson Reuters. Keywords Plus are those created by an automatic computer algorithm; these are words or phrases that frequently appear in the titles of an article’s references and not necessarily in the article's title or as Author.
The Web of Science (WoS) database is used to conduct this study. While conducting this study, a total of 654 documents were found from 1992 to 2020 in Ecocriticism. Extracted data is visualized through VOSviewer. Keywords are separated into three categories- All Keywords, Author Keywords, and Keywords Plus. Calculate the value of Overlap and Redundancy
This study attempts to discern and trace out the keywords in Ecocriticism research publications.

domain: library


text:
Entrepreneurs We Hear You!
You’ve come to the place where people understand you. Whether you need financing for your working capital, business expansion, and basic needs such as education and emergencies, we are here to help you find solutions.
Overseas workers and migrants, we hear you too! We can help make your transition smooth while enabling you to stay financially connected to your home country.
Private School Owners and Students
Schools, we know that your revenues come seasonally but your expenses are constant. We also know that you need to continuously expand your facilities. Students, we know that pursuing an education is financially challenging. We are here to provide you with solutions:
Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs, we are aware of your constant struggle to shorten your cash conversion cycles to achieve higher sales. As your businesses grow, you need to expand your productive capacities. We can help you.
Overseas Workers, Migrants, and Students
We’ve seen you wrestle with the huge cash requirements in getting your visas approved. We’ve also heard you complain that you feel cut off from the banking system in your home country after you’ve settled down in your host country. Here’s how we try to make your life a little easier:


text:
"The artist vocation is to send light into the human heart." --George SandFeaturing new works by LAWRENCE FODOR MARIETTA PATRICIA LEIS OCTOBER 24 - DECEMBER 5, 2020CLICK HERE TO VIEW CATALOG
A collection of intimate works emanated from these unusual moments of required solitude and inner reflections Featuring works by CARIN GERARD CAROL SAINDON ELIZABETH TURK and selected artworks by MARIETTA PATRICIA LEIS and MIYA ANDO ON VIEW NOW
ESPRIT July Exhibition, featuring new paintings by Scott McMillin, Pierce Meehan, Jeff Peters. Exhibition through August 8, 2020.
New Paintings by BRAD DURHAM
March 14 — Extended through May 30, 2020
November 12 — December 21, 2019
ERIC BELTZ — ANNA BOGATIN OTT — JOSEPH COHEN — GREGORY HAYES
Additional works by: MIYA ANDO — MARIETTA PATRICIA LEIS

domain: artistic


Small fixes result in big savings!
Simple changes to your sprinkler system can save a lot of water and improve your landscape's health and appearance! Moving just one sprinkler head or changing a single nozzle could significantly reduce the amount of water you use and keep your landscape beautiful.
You can make many minor repairs and adjustments yourself, without help from a professional. Follow our tips below for repairing and adjusting your irrigation system.
Turn off unneeded sprinklers
As plantings become established or changed, some sprinklers may no longer be needed. Shutting them off is the quickest and easiest way to save water and money.
Spray head shutoff tips
- Shut off nozzles or install “blanks.” Blank nozzles are available for many brands (e.g., Rain Bird pop-up sprays, Rain Bird 5000+, Hunter PGPs, and PGJs rotary sprinklers). You can plug other sprinklers by filling standard nozzles with a bit of silicone caulk.
- Use spray nozzle adjustment screws to shut off flow. Many newer spray nozzles (e.g., Hunter and Toro) can be shut down by tightening the small screw on top. Older Toro nozzles can be replaced with newer ones with this feature. Variable arc nozzles on sprays can be shut off using the adjustment ring.
- Remove and cap sprinklers. Any sprinkler can be removed by excavating the soil around it, unscrewing the sprinkler body, and replacing it with a screw-on plug or cap. Removal prevents lingering drips or damage to shutoff heads that still pop up when the system is running.
Replace sprinkler nozzles to match the area watered
Installing sprinkler nozzles with a spray radius and pattern (half circle, quarter circle, etc.) that match the area watered can eliminate dry or over watered spots caused by improper nozzles, or stop spraying areas where water is not needed.
Sprinkler nozzle tips
- Always use Matched Precipitation Rate (MPR) nozzles that are designed for your sprinkler brand. MPR nozzles provide even watering rates between sprinklers with different spray patterns.
- Variable Adjustment Nozzles (VANs) for spray heads can be set to water 0 to 320 degrees of a circle, automatically adjusting water flow to match the area covered. VANs with a radius under 10 feet apply water faster than standard nozzles, so should only be used in zones that are all VANs.
- New “MP Rotators” from Hunter (also sold as Rain Bird “Rotary Nozzles”) can replace standard spray nozzles to improve watering uniformity in areas 13 to 24 feet wide; they help fix low pressure problems and heads spaced too far apart. Replace all nozzles in a zone for even coverage.
- Nozzles on rotary sprinklers should be changed so that heads that only rotate a half circle only spray half as many gallons per minute as those that cover a full circle (and quarter circle heads should apply only one-fourth what a full circle head applies, etc).
Move or raise blocked spray heads
Sprinklers that become blocked by plant foliage or thatch buildup create dry spots that can kill plants and runoff that erodes soil. Moving heads to a place where the spray can spread freely is often a simple solution.
Spray head placement tips
- Put sprinklers or spray nozzles on risers. Threaded ½-inch PVC risers or Orbit™ adjustable height risers can be screwed into the sockets of existing sprinklers to spray over plants. Spray nozzles or sprinklers can be screwed directly onto the risers. Plastic threaded risers can be purchased in appropriate lengths to raise sprinklers above thatch layers.
- Move sprinklers from behind shrubs. Most sprinklers are attached to pipe using flexible tubing and adjustable fittings, allowing them to be moved or raised small distances fairly easily. Moving heads screwed directly to solid pipe requires cutting pipe and installing new fittings.
Find and fix leaks
Most systems run at night or very early in the morning, so you don’t see them in operation. Run your sprinkler system at least once a month and check for broken heads, leaks, plants blocking heads, and other water wasting problems.
Leak detection tips
- Broken sprinkler heads: If you notice unusual wet spots or dry areas in your lawn, turn your sprinkler system on and watch it operate. Repair or replace any broken or clogged sprinkler heads.
- Weak output: Watch your irrigation system in operation. Weak output at one or more sprinkler heads means there may be a leak, clog, or break somewhere. Weak output can also be caused by too many sprinklers on your system.
- Wet spots: Muddy spots, eroding soil, and bulging sod can all be signs of a broken pipe or riser. If your lawn is where the birds find worms, even when the weather is dry, this can also be a sign of trouble. You may need to do some digging to find the problem. Underground leaks can be difficult to identify and may need to be located by a specialist. Around your valves, the difficulty is typically loose connections or aging washers.
- The lowest sprinkler head leaks constantly: The problem isn’t the sprinkler, but the valve—it’s probably not shutting off completely. Other signs of trouble are taller or greener grass or moss growing around the sprinkler. Inspect the valve and replace any worn or damaged parts.
- The valve box fills with water: If the valve box fills during watering, it should quickly drain afterwards. If it doesn’t, you may have a leak. To find out, drain the box and look for leaks. Tighten packing nuts and replace washers if necessary.
If you think you have a leak but can’t find its source, turn off all fixtures (indoors and out) and check to see if your meter is running. If it is, you have a leak somewhere. Indoors, toilets are a likely cause of leaks. The City has free toilet leak detection tablets available for our water and sewer customers. Contact us and we’ll send them out. If you can’t find the leak indoors, and you suspect it might be your irrigation system, you may need to call a contractor to assist you.
Use a smart controller
Smart irrigation controllers automatically adjust watering times based on weather conditions to provide optimal moisture for healthy plants and conserve water. You could see water savings of up to 30% by upgrading to an approved smart controller!
Smart controller rebate information
City of Olympia Water customers can receive a 50% rebate, up to $200, of the installed cost of a qualifying irrigation smart controller.
Convert sprinklers to drip irrigation
Most planting beds can be irrigated more efficiently using drip irrigation. Drip applies water directly to the soil, eliminating waste from evaporation, spray on unplanted areas, and blockage by foliage.
More about drip irrigation
Benefits of drip irrigation include:
- Water only where needed, not on unplanted areas.
- Fewer sprouting weeds.
- Reduced plant diseases spread by splashing soil and wet foliage.
- No dead plants from sprinklers blocked by other plants.
- Less work moving hoses and sprinklers!
There are many types of drip; the most durable and easy to install is one-half inch flexible tubing with emitters factory-installed at 12-inch intervals or popped in only at plants where needed. The parts fit together using common tools, and can be hooked up to a hose spigot or existing sprinkler system. Drip can be placed above ground, and a few zones can water a larger area. All of the parts needed to convert sprays to drip are available at local hardware and home improvement centers, or through drip irrigation parts catalogs.
Contact Erin Conine at 360.570.3793 or firstname.lastname@example.org


text:
Preparing the Soil for the Future: The European Projects PREPSOIL, EXCALIBUR and the Representative Region of the Po Plain
The PREPSOIL Region Soil Needs workshop "Organic Agriculture – Kecskemét (Hungary)", aiming soil needs assessment on the topic combating desertification and drought in Kelő-ér-Dong-ér watershed (A9 region in Hungary), took place on Kujáni Tanya near Kecskemét on the 24th May 2023.
It was organised by the Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (ÖMKi), a project partner in PREPSOIL. Our host and local partner was the Kujáni family who work as farmers and advisors in the region. Relevant stakeholders in the region including farmers, advisors, authorities, farmers associations, education institutions and researchers were invited and altogether 33 participants attended, most stakeholder categories were represented at the workshop.
The plenary session was about setting a scene with presentations. In the first presentation Judit BERÉNYI Üveges (ÖMKi) talked about the PREPSOIL project, the Soil Mission, concept of living labs and lighthouses. Zsuzsanna PRIVÁCZKINÉ HAJDU (department lead, Water Directorate Lower Tisza Region) presented priorities and operational challenges of the water management and climate change effects in the region. Our host, László KUJÁNI (farmer, advisor Kujáni Farm) described what kinds of challenges local farmers face due to climate and land use change. In the last presentation Erzsébet SZTAHURA (expert, National Chamber of Agriculture) talked about the CAP Strategic Plan of Hungary focusing the measures improving soil health.
Water management and soil management are both important aspects in combat desertification and improving soil health and sustainable agriculture in the region participants were divided into 2 groups to discuss challenges, future vision and steps needed to reach it. Sessions were moderated by Judit BERÉNYI ÜVEGES and Katalin KUJÁNI. The first group focused on water management how to retain water in the region and some future plans and possible ways of cooperation between stakeholders. The second group focused on sustainable soil use in the region, techinques that help improving sandy soils. There were discussions about the creation of Living Lab and some topics that could be the object of research were identified. Barriers and possible solution were discussed in both groups.

domain: agronomy


text:
MYSTERY still surrounds the death of a Teesside man whose body was pulled from the River Tees.
Michael Farrow, 57, of Chestnut Road, Eaglescliffe, was reported missing by his family on Wednesday, June 11, last year, and was discovered the following day in the river near to Preston Park. A river rescue team from Cleveland Fire Brigade found Mr Farrow in the water near to Preston Park Quay.
An inquest into his death heard how the unemployed plater had a long history of depression and anxiety and would often not leave his parents’ home for days at a time. His mum Maureen Farrow told Teesside Coroner’s Court that prior to his death he had been worrying about a forthcoming appointment with the Department of Social Security. She said: “He was a very private person. He never complained. He just got on with his life, so it was a complete bolt out of the blue.”
Mr Farrow was identified due to the tattoo of an eagle on his left arm and his watch. A post mortem found that he was not suffering from any natural disease other than high blood pressure, and toxicology tests showed no sign of drugs or alcohol.
Consultant Pathologist Jan Lowe gave the cause of death as drowning.
Assistant Deputy Coroner Sam Foulks said: “We do not know what the immediate circumstances were before he entered the river.”
There were no suspicious circumstances and an open verdict was recorded.


text:
While this week at MPR was dominated by our pledge drive (thank you thank you thank you!), we still managed to get a number of arts stories and interviews out to the public. The week began with the shocking news of Minnesota rapper Eyedea’s sudden death. Take a listen to Chris Roberts’ tribute, and then keep on listening to hear some great book and film interviews as well as a profile of the band STNNNG. Enjoy!
Rapper Eyedea remembered for his lyrical virtuosity
Members of Minnesota’s hip hop community are mourning the loss of one of its brightest stars.
The reader’s guide to travel
Nancy Pearl doesn’t like to travel, but she loves to read about far-off lands. Her new book recommends literature for prospective travelers.
Up and coming novelist Dinaw Mengestu gets rave reviews for new book
Novelist Dinaw Mengestu’s star is rising. He was recently named by the New Yorker as one of the top 20 writers under the age of 40 worth watching. Critics have been raving about this latest book, “How to Read the Air,” which tells the troubled story of Jonas. He’s a young man who lies his way out of difficult situations, whether it be his marriage, or his relationship with his immigrant parents. Mengestu talked with MPR’s Euan Kerr.
Scott Simon’s new book tells story of adoption
National Public Radio’s Scott Simon talks about his new book, “Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other.” In the book, Simon tells the story of how he and his wife adopted their daughters from China — and the story of other adoptive families.
Bill Bryson: The home, up close
Bill Bryson is known for his humorous books on travel, but for his latest he stays closer to home, specifically his own. “At Home” is an intimate look at Bryson’s victorian era home in England, and the history behind some of the everyday items we take for granted.
Garrison Keillor and best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith talk books
Best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith joined Garrison Keillor on stage at the Fitzgerald Theater to talk about literature — and the life of a writer. McCall Smith’s new book is called, “The Charming Quirks of Others.”
Film tells of true-life wrongful conviction drama
Betty Anne Waters once believed everyone in prison was guilty. Then a Massachusetts court sentenced her brother Kenny to life imprisonment for a brutal murder he claimed he hadn’t committed. This set Waters on a remarkable path, which is the subject of a new movie, “Conviction,” which opens this weekend.
The musical chaos of STNNNG
“The Smoke of My Will” is the title of the new album from the blistering Minneapolis indie rock band STNNNG, which the group unveils Saturday night at St. Paul’s Turf Club.

domain: literature


The Filipino youth is known to express their love for music by consistently supporting and attending many of the local and international music festivals that now happen regularly in the country.
Of the genres that became famous from such music events, EDM—or electronic dance music—has caught the fancy of Pinoy youths what with the likes of top foreign DJs Martin Garrix and Alesso and Aussie indie pop duo Julia and Angus Stone introducing them to the beat, thanks to the annual “Closeup Forever Summer” extravaganza.
This coming May, the music festival is holding its third and last outing, which is why local organizers have pulled out all stops in mounting the grandest EDM party this side of the world. No less than sought-after producers, remixers to the A-listers, and award-winning hitmakers Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike will headline the show. The famous Belgian brothers are collectively known as DVLM.
Touring the globe one dance part after another, DVLM’s performances are the hottest ticket in EDM today.
All these were revealed on February 17 at the press launch of Closeup Forever Summer in Bella & Dragon, Makati City, where brand manager Raiza Revilla pictured a desert oasis-themed concert ground for the high powered event.
In a separate interview with members of print media, Revilla also proudly shared the greatest achievement of Closeup’s annual music festival.
“Back when we started this, we were the first to hold a music festival in the country. That was in 2012 and it was then called ‘Summer Solstice.’ We didn’t know how people would respond to a music festival,” she recalled. “But what we did know is that the Filipino youth is very much into music, in the same way that Closeup also built its brand through music. The concept was a perfect marriage.
Resulting in a huge success, Closeup’s first ever music festival effectively paved the way for other music festivals to follow until it became the growing trend that it is today.
Incidentally, it is for this very reason that “Forever Summer” is bidding goodbye this year. Revilla and her team have decided that with this last grand hurrah, it will be time to introduce a new music festival concept to the scene.
“We really want to make something different next year for our audiences because there are already so many music festivals mounted by different organizers in the country nowadays,” she noted.
While still very much in the planning stage, what with all efforts concentrated on May’s Forever Summer, initial ideas include what may possibly expand into a two- or three-night music fest. However, the brand manager admitted that young Filipinos still look at music festivals as one-night concerts rather than the campouts that happen in other countries.
Nevertheless, they have begun to establish the culture successfully over the last three years as proven by festival attendance. “We’ve always had around 10,000 festival goers—at max, we’ve hit 15,000 and that was just for one night only. For our last festival, we aim to even surpass that number,” Revilla noted.
“EDM is now really the music of the Filipino youth,” she declared.
Asked by The Manila Times why she thinks Filipinos came to embrace the genre, she replied, “Because what we also see growing is the party scene here in the Philippines more than before. So we also try to evolve as a brand as the taste in music of the Filipino youth also evolves.”
In the past, Closeup collaborated with some of the country’s leading alternative artists, the likes of Barbie Almalbis and Rico Blanco, among others, for original music videos.
Despite their shift to music festivals, the brand still manages to provide a venue for local musicians to shine alongside international ones.
Revilla explained, “[In every festival] there must always be Filipino acts. What we are doing this year is that we are engaging with the local artists and DJs on what they think about the whole look and feel of the festival. It’s bringing them early on and not just inviting them to DJ for a night.”
Among the local DJs who will perform at Forever Summer are Mars Miranda and Ace Ramos. On the other hand, three invited acts will also be revealed as the festival nears its date on May 21.
Finally, Revilla is encouraging everyone—especially those who have yet to experience Closeup’s Forever Summer—to come and see it one last time at the SM MOA concert grounds.
Early bird VIP tickets are already on sale at SMtickets.com for half its original price until March 15. Visit @CloseupPHL on Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter for updates on the festival’s complete line up.


text:
Singapore has formally refuted claims that it was trying to undermine Indonesia’s recently-launched tax amnesty scheme.
In a joint statement issued Saturday, the city-state’s Finance Ministry and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said: “Recent claims that Singapore is implementing policies to ‘thwart’ Indonesia’s tax amnesty programme are untrue.”
It added: “Singapore has not cut tax rates or changed any of our policies in response to Indonesia’s Tax Amnesty Programme.
“We subscribe to internationally agreed standards for combating money laundering and for exchange of information. If there is any case of suspected cross-border tax evasion, concerned authorities can approach Singapore – we have assisted and will continue to assist in line with the international standards.”
On Monday, MAS managing director Ravi Menon told an annual news conference that no major outflow of assets was expected as a result of the amnesty, and that Singapore wouldn’t be taking any action to prevent money transfers to Indonesia.
As reported, Indonesia become the latest country to introduce a tax amnesty programme last week, in an effort boost its tax coffers by inviting its HNW citizens to repatriate their undeclared overseas wealth.
Just 27 million of the country’s 250 million citizens are said to be registered taxpayers, of whom only around a million actually file tax returns.
According to press reports, the Indonesian government is projecting that as much as US$76bn could be repatriated in response to the tax amnesty scheme, which, like a number of other recently-announced tax amnesties, comes ahead of the pending introduction of the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard, a new, global system of automatic exchange of information.
Indonesia’s central bank has said it expects a rather more modest repatriation of around US$42bn, while private sector estimates put the likely figure at something closer to US$30bn.
A favourite destination
Singapore, Indonesia’s nearest major financial centre, has long been a favoured destination for Indonesian investors, although it has sought to be less hospitable in recent years to those seeking to keep their wealth secret.
According to the Straits Times, which cites as its source private bankers, as much as US$200bn in Indonesian wealth is currently estimated to be managed by financial institutions in Singapore.


text:
The Latest Metal-Look Tile Collection from Atlas Concorde
Italian tile manufacturer Atlas Concorde says constant research and graphic experimentation have led them to reinvent the beauty of oxidized metal in an innovative collection that represents a powerful, modern interior design tool.
The Blaze collection offers multiple oxidized colors for a chic industrial effect. Halos, drips and shimmering reflections of oxidized metal return to life on the surfaces of the porcelain tiles and white body wall tiles.
Blaze boasts the shine and polish typical of metals. Textures reinterpreted with porcelain tiles do not change, remain stable over time and represent the perfect synthesis of refined aesthetics, performance and function.
Further, with Blaze, Atlas Concorde has developed a solid, compact, and complete collection: three metal effects in matte and polished porcelain tiles ranging from the timeless, industrial appeal of Corten to calamine-colored Iron and the silvery luminosity of Aluminium. Finally, there’s Verdigris, a bluish green bloom on a copper-colored base, available only in the wall tiles.
Wall tiles are offered in four shades in a 50x110cm format, while the Porcelain tiles are offered five sizes.
The Outdoor tiles, available in three shades with the Grip finish, measure 60x60cm and 120x120cm, respectively.


text:
Uma Thurman Signs With UTA
The "Pulp Fiction" actress was at WME.
Uma Thurman has signed with UTA, which will represent her in film and on television.
The Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill actress was previously with WME.
She most recently appeared as a guest star in multiple episodes of NBC's musical drama Smash, for which she was nominated for an Emmy.
She also appeared in the Gerard Butler-fronted dramedy Playing for Keeps and the Robert Pattinson drama Bel Ami.
Thurman was represented by WME for less than a year after a long stint with CAA. She has several projects either already shot (Lars Von Trier's Nymphomaniac) or in development, including a possible Kill Bill 3.
She continues to be repped by Untitled and the Schreck Rose law firm.


text:
The chapter "Crop Production And Management" explores the world of agricultural Science, which might expand our sensory perception towards day-to-day life processes. In much of the chapter, though, the author seems more interested in growing varieties of crops using numerous methods like traditional and modern farming. The chapter's unique approach to explaining the steps in the form of continuous cycle involved in crop production starts from the:
The topic also provides essential information about the implemented tools or machines used in various agricultural practices. It further describes the animal husbandry branch, which deals with nourishment, breeding, and basic knowledge about livestock. Thus, the proficient students thoroughly understand the concept of daily intake of vitamins and nutrients obtained from the different animals as cod liver oil obtained from fish rich in the source of vitamin K, etc.
The chapter further provides a broader idea about the requirements and the systems used in the irrigation method considering the leading step involved in the management practices. It explains the advantages and factors that affect the drip and sprinkler irrigation system. This text also highlights the dominant factor that controls crop production and focuses more on crop protection by removing unwanted plants.
Students also learn about the importance and benefits of an involved microorganism, which seems more deeply rooted in science fiction. Additionally, this chapter relates the season with the growing crops as Kharif crops require monsoon region crops to be grown in the winter season and, in-depth, explains these crops' storage condition.
The chapter concludes by stating that all these practices are vital for food production and interconnects the importance of crop production with living beings.