The Sustainable Development Goals in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Malaysia:
01 November 2021
Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030
The Global Plan aligns with the Stockholm Declaration, by emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to road safety
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08 October 2021
No Denying It - The UN Climate Action Podcast
There’s no denying it - we have to tackle the climate emergency. Burning fossil fuels to get energy has to end. It's doable but it's going to take solutions in every industry, at every scale, in every nation in the world.
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30 October 2020
Decade of Action
Deliver #ForPeopleForPlanet. We have 10 years to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals. The year 2020 kicks off a reaffirmation of the 2030 Agenda. Demonstrate action through ambition, mobilization and game-changing outcomes for people and for the planet.
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30 November 2021
Gender and Health Hub Annual Forum
Read the original page here Join us for a special interactive, online event! The Gender and Health Hub Annual Forum, which runs across three days, from 7th – 9th December, aims to reflect on the last year and set priorities for the coming year. It aims to celebrate the growing multistakeholder global Hub community and spotlight key achievements, initiatives, and actors while also establishing next steps and new partnerships for 2022. About the Event The UNU Gender and Health Hub (GHH) was established with the aim to bridge the gap between people, evidence, policy, and action and contribute to more evidence-based and better-resourced integration of gender in health policies and programmes. Launched at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW) in March 2021, GHH has focused on convening technical expertise with political leadership and consolidating evidence-based solutions to encourage concrete commitments to turn the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity for gender equality in health. Over the next year, GHH will continue to develop and engage its growing global network of policymakers, researchers, practitioners and thought leaders with the aim to build on efforts to improve the evidence base on what has worked in the past and translate that evidence and practice-based learning into collective action and concrete commitments for the future. Register here.
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26 November 2021
Forum: Human Rights Day 2021
REGISTER FOR ZOOM LINK HERE: https://tinyurl.com/544xjzd8 WATCH ON YOUTUBE LIVE HERE: https://youtu.be/z0U5f-XRWEE Background Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) - a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The formal inception of Human Rights Day started since 1950, when the Assembly passed Resolution 423 (V) inviting all States and interested organizations to adopt 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day. Drafted by representatives of diverse legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration sets out universal values and a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations. It establishes the equal dignity and worth of every person. Together with States' commitments to its principles, the Declaration has uplifted the dignity of millions and laid the foundation for a more just world. Decades later in 2015, when United Nations Member States unanimously adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, human rights and development are placed at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs) agenda. Human Rights are driven by progress on all SDGs, and the SDGs are driven by advancements on human rights. Theme According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 24% of all global deaths, roughly 13.7 million deaths a year, are linked to the environment, due to risks such as air pollution and chemical exposure. Undoubtedly, environmental degradation, climate change and unsustainable development constitute some of the most pressing and serious threats to the ability of present and future generations to enjoy human rights, including the right to life, and the rights to health, development, housing, water and food. The human rights implications of environmental damage are most acutely felt by those segments of the population that are already in vulnerable situations, including indigenous peoples, older persons, persons with disabilities, as well as women and girls. To this end, the passing of resolution 48/13 by the United Nations Human Rights Council at its 48th Session in October 2021, was lauded by all stakeholders. For the first time, having a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is recognised as a human right. Resolution 48/13 called on States around the world to build capacities, share good practices and work together with other partners; to implement this newly recognised right. It also noted that the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is related to other rights that are in accordance with existing international law, such as the Paris Agreement 2015; Minamata Convention 2013; Stockholm Convention 2001; Rotterdam Convention 1998; Convention on Biological Diversity 1992 and Ramsar Convention 1971, among others. At the same time, through a second related Resolution (48/14), the Council established a Special Rapporteur dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights globally in the context of climate change. Malaysia co-sponsored both resolutions. Malaysia’s priority in addressing climate change is part of the country’s pledges for its membership of the Human Rights Council for the term 2022-2024. It is also in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025), as unveiled by YAB Prime Minister towards a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable growth for all. To celebrate this positive development, the 2021 Human Rights Day Forum will focus on the impact of environmental degradation and climate change on the enjoyment of human rights, as well as, to explore sustainable environmental solutions. The multi-stakeholder panel session aims to bring different perspectives on the topic. Objectives The main objectives of the 2021 Human Rights Day Forum are as follows: To commemorate Human Rights Day, celebrated on 10 December annually; To promote public awareness and support for human rights, and the works of various organisations, including government departments dedicated to promoting human rights; To promote the spirit of cooperation and interaction between various stakeholders, particularly the Government, NGOs and civil society; To increase awareness on the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change on human rights. Focus Areas Based on their respective expertise and relevant experiences, the speakers may wish to address the following issues: Rights that are affected by environmental degradation and climate change; Individuals and groups most vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation; Commitments by the Government and how they are being met; Other regional and international cooperation being undertaken by the Government; Efforts undertaken by the UN and its various bodies and mechanisms; Multilateral environmental agreements – and what does Malaysia have to comply with; Roles and responsibilities of the business sector, civil society, media, academia; Impact of environmental degradation and climate change on youth, as well as their participation in decision-making and policy-making on these matters; Capacity building, technical assistance, as well as, climate financing opportunities; Best practices on addressing and mitigating the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on human rights; Sustainable solutions that protect the environment, promote human well-being and the enjoyment of human rights. Programme
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25 November 2021
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: Message by Karima El Korri
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. But violence against women happens every day. Women and girls around the world face fear, intimidation, threats of violence, verbal and physical abuse every day. This is not Ok! This year’s global theme is “Orange the world: End violence against women now!”, because tomorrow may be too late. Before the pandemic, 1 in 3 women worldwide were reported to have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. The impact of the pandemic has been profound, accentuating domestic violence and threatening already weak structures of reporting, protection and support. Incidents of domestic violence increased by 30, 50 percent in some countries. School closures have contributed to a rise in child marriage. Pleas for help by women and girls drowned helplines, where they existed, as survivors found themselves confined with their abusers. In Malaysia, from March 2020 to August this year, women’s rights organizations have received up to four times more calls reporting domestic violence. And we know that these alarming figures hide many more unreported cases. This is not Ok! Today, we call for stronger and firmer action to eliminate violence against women. We need innovative means to address the root causes, discriminatory laws, and biased social norms and practices that sanction violence against women. We need a whole-of society approach to ensure that it is not OK: civil society organizations, religious leaders, schools, men and women in communities across the country, young people, workplaces, families, and the media to stand up together to end violence against women. We need renewed commitments by the government at national and subnational levels. During these 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, I urge you to do your part. Do engage with family, with friends, in social media. Write and talk about this pandemic. Build the momentum for policy makers and law enforcement agencies to ensure that women and girls are safe everywhere. The United Nations in Malaysia, with the United Nations Population Fund in the leadership role, is organizing two forums and a social media campaign around the core principle of Bodily Autonomy. The first forum, the Road to Justice, will be broadcast live on November 27th, and will focus on existing legislation to end and prevent violence against women. On December 11th, the UN will convene the 2nd Malaysia Women and Girls Forum around the theme: Bodily Autonomy – Ensuring Rights & Choices for Malaysia’s Women and Girls. On November 25th, we will light up the iconic KL tower in orange, but every day, let us act to end violence against women and girls, not by 2030, but right now. Thank you.
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25 November 2021
KL Tower & Alor Setar Tower to light up in orange to mark the International Day for the Elimination Of Violence Against Women
Kuala Lumpur, 25 November – The Kuala Lumpur and Alor Setar skyline will have an orange glow when the iconic KL Tower and Alor Setar Tower lights up tonight from 8.00pm to 11.00pm to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW). IDEVAW falls annually on 25 November and kicks off the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence which ends on 10 December. The global theme for 2021 is “Orange the world: End violence against women now!”. The lighting of the two tallest telecommunication towers in Malaysia is part of a global campaign to Orange the World and is a symbolic statement not only to rally Malaysia’s women and girls towards unifying their voices as part of the global struggle to end Violence against Women, but also a national call to action and recognition of this vital issue. Karima El Korri, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei Darussalam said, “Today, we call for stronger and firmer action to eliminate violence against women. We need innovative means to address the root causes, discriminatory laws, and biased social norms and practices that sanction violence against women. We need a whole-of society approach to ensure that violence against women is not OK: civil society organizations, religious leaders, schools, men and women in communities across the country, young people, workplaces, families, and the media to stand up together to end violence against women. We need renewed commitments by the government at national and subnational levels.” As part of the goal to end gender-based violence and all harmful practices by 2030, in line with achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is supporting the lighting of both towers, as part of its renewed commitment to end violence everywhere women and girls are, one of UNFPA’s three transformative results, it being a fundamental human right of women and girls to feel safe and live free of violence in all spaces. During the coming 16 Days, the United Nations in Malaysia, with the United Nations Population Fund in the leadership role, will organize a series of activities, including two forums and a social media campaign around the core principle of Bodily Autonomy. The first forum, the Road to Justice, will be broadcast live on November 27th, and will focus on existing legislation to end and prevent violence against women. On December 11th, the UN will convene the 2nd Malaysia Women and Girls Forum around the theme: Bodily Autonomy – Ensuring Rights & Choices for Malaysia’s Women and Girls. Ms El Korri concluded, “During these 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, I urge everyone to do their part. Do engage with family, with friends, in social media. Write and talk about this pandemic. Build the momentum for policy makers and law enforcement agencies to ensure that women and girls are safe everywhere. We will light up the iconic KL tower and Alor Setar tower in orange, but every day, let us act to end violence against women and girls, not by 2030, but right now.”
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19 November 2021
In focus: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence
Visit the original page at UN Women here The United Nations is marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence from 25 November to 10 December 2021, under the global theme set by the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign: “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!” Nearly 1 in 3 women have been abused in their lifetime. In times of crises, the numbers rise, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters. A new report from UN Women, based on data from 13 countries since the pandemic, shows that 2 in 3 women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity. Only 1 in 10 women said that victims would go to the police for help. While pervasive, gender-based violence is not inevitable. It can and must be prevented. Stopping this violence starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transform harmful social norms, and empower women and girls. With survivor-centred essential services across policing, justice, health, and social sectors, and sufficient financing for the women’s rights agenda, we can end gender-based violence. The Generation Equality Forum that concluded in Paris in July set the momentum for decisive actions and investment to advance gender equality. The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, the only global grant-making mechanism dedicated to ending and preventing all forms of violence against women, has announced a special fundraising challenge, #Give25forUNTF25, marking 25 years of grant-making to support women’s organizations around the world. Learn more and take action. Download the #Orangetheworld campaign logos.
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03 July 2021
New MIT study says United Nations Pause Campaign slows spread of life-threatening misinformation
A major part of that work is the UN’s Pause campaign, which encourages people to pause to check the validity of any information they share. Now, a new study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) says the Pause campaign can bring about the behavioural change needed to stop the spread of misinformation. The MIT study, conducted in the UK and the US, found that the simple act of pausing to question the origin, credibility, relevance and accuracy of any information before sharing it on phones, computers and social media platforms, significantly reduced people’s propensity to share misinformation. In the study, participants who saw Pause campaign content were notably less likely to share fake headlines. “The monumental task of tackling misinformation belongs to all of us. It is about how we can come together to drive social change, shifting behavioural norms and tapping into people’s sense of solidarity to keep each other safe,” said Melissa Fleming, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. “The MIT study shows that pausing before sharing is not only possible but also the responsible thing to do, especially in an age where it has become hard to separate the truth from the lies.” The Pause campaign, created in collaboration with Purpose, a social impact agency, is part of the wider Verified initiative launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in May 2020 to deliver trusted COVID-19-related medical and science information and advice, and stop the spread of misinformation. According to the World Health Organization, in the first three months of 2020 alone, nearly 6,000 people were hospitalized because of COVID-19 misinformation. The Pause campaign, which reached nearly 1 billion people in 2020, is redoubling its efforts to empower more people to share information responsibly. The new phase of the campaign asks the world to take the #PledgetoPause and flood the Internet with the pause symbol. Guided by research, the campaign is built on the premise that by interrupting, even for a few seconds, the impulse to share something we see -- an urge often fuelled by emotions such as excitement, anger, sadness, elation, and even altruism -- we allow ourselves time to think more critically. Better judgement prevails and fewer bogus claims are circulated. In the words of the UN Secretary-General: “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the wrong information can be deadly. Take the pledge to pause and help stop the spread of misinformation.” ABOUT VERIFIED Verified is a United Nations initiative, in collaboration with Purpose, that aims to empower people around the world with science-based information during the Covid-19 response. Working with UN agencies, influencers, civil society, businesses, and social media platforms, Verified creates and distributes trusted, accurate information and encourages consumers to change their media consumption practices to reduce and stop the spread of misinformation online. Website: https://shareverified.com/en/ ABOUT PAUSE CAMPAIGN Launched as a part of the UN Verified initiative, the Pause Campaign draws on research from psychologists, neuroscientists and behavioural scientists whose studies indicate that pausing to reflect before sharing can significantly help to reduce the spread of unverified and misleading information. The overall campaign, which was launched a year ago, challenges people to break the habit of sharing shocking or emotive content impulsively and without questioning its accuracy. Website: https://pledgetopause.org CONTACTS UN Department of Global Communications Devi Palanivelu | firstname.lastname@example.org | +1 917 495 5424 Purpose Jennifer Minard | email@example.com | +44 787 242 7706
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15 June 2021
Strengthening Resilience and Ending Vulnerability in Small Island Developing States
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face a shared set of geographical, environmental, economic, and social challenges, and suffer from unique development needs and extreme vulnerability. Frequent exposures to natural hazards and disasters intensified by climate change and external economic shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are detrimental to these island nations. The Joint SDG Fund announces a call for proposals focusing on strengthening resilience and ending the vulnerabilities of SIDS to accelerate the SDGs. The overall funding envelope for this Call is US$30 million. All SIDS countries are eligible to receive funding, including countries previously funded in the Joint SDG Fund’s existing portfolios. Intended to be catalytic, funding will support targeting programmatic solutions of 2 years or less, with a budget of US$1 million per country. Multi-Country Offices will be eligible for funding envelopes corresponding to the countries and populations they serve and be reviewed on case by case basis. This Call for Proposals will support a new generation of transformative, Government-led, integrated initiatives that leverage the best expertise and resources possible to address complex problems and accelerate progress towards the SDGs. “We must work together to ensure that the [Decade of Action] delivers for Small Island Developing States. In addressing climate change, enhanced ambition and action are both a priority and a driver of the Decade . . . we need small island developing States leadership more than ever.” - United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed Governments face challenges in accessing financing for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) implementation and funding modern and resilient social protection systems. Vulnerable groups have been proportionally hit harder by the recent economic crisis. Furthermore, the skills-gap and the impacts of COVID-19 has resulted in higher levels of youth unemployment. Sustainable growth will require economic diversification and higher participation from a skillful workforce. To prevent disasters, advance the economy and enable the public sector to deliver services to people and enterprises, access to modern innovative technologies, led by digitalization are critical. In line with the implementation of UN reform agenda, UN Joint Programmes supported by the Fund will demonstrate a new generation of collaboration for results, embedded in the UN Cooperation Frameworks and committed to enhanced national ownership, leadership, and capacities. The strength in partnerships builds resilience and reduces vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States to leave no one behind.
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07 June 2021
Media Statement by UN in Malaysia
Throughout the pandemic, the UN in Malaysia has been strongly advocating for the inclusion of migrants, refugees and undocumented persons in the COVID-19 response and the National COVID-19 Immunization Programme. These vulnerable groups should also have meaningful access to information so that they are aware of the vaccination plans and where to access the services. The public health logic in a pandemic is that nobody is safe unless everybody is safe. Furthermore, in press conferences in February and April 2021, the Government has repeated that those without documents will not be detained during vaccination. The UN commends this inclusive approach to keep the entire population safe. The UN in Malaysia has also discussed with the Government that in order to encourage undocumented people to come forward for vaccination, guarantees from repercussions such as temporary exemption or moratorium from detention and deportation are important. A crackdown on migrants during this critical public health crisis could seriously undermine the public health objective and lead to adverse results. The UN continues to offer to collaborate with the Government and other stakeholders to help ensure all individuals, regardless of legal status, are included in vaccination plans without repercussions.
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04 May 2021
Statement by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet
A free, uncensored and independent press is a cornerstone of democratic societies. It can bring life-saving information in moments of crises; provide a basis for public participation; and help ensure accountability and respect for human rights. World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to celebrate this fundamental work. Especially today, as we mark the 30th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, in which a group of African journalists set out key principles for press freedom. The COVID-19 crisis has made it clearer that critical reporting on government policies or public figures is all too often met with prosecution. Laws adopted or applied to restrict and criminalise disinformation during the pandemic have also been used by States to target journalists. Around the world, people have increasingly taken to the streets to demand their economic and social rights, as well as an end to discrimination and systemic racism, impunity, and corruption. Journalists fulfilling their fundamental role of reporting on these social protests have intolerably become targets. Many have been victims of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by law enforcement, arbitrary arrests, and criminal prosecution. Attacks, arrests and the criminal prosecution of a journalist has an additional chilling effect of dissuading other journalists from critically reporting on relevant issues. In this way, they impoverish public debate and hamper our ability to respond effectively to societal challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The work of journalists and media workers will be crucial for the world to recover better from the devastation of this crisis. Objective, trusted, fact-checked news will counter disinformation; help ensure resilient and sustainable solutions to current challenges; demand transparency and accountability; foster trust in institutions. Contributing to humanity’s well-being, accurate information is a public good. The silencing of a journalist is a loss to society as a whole. In order to fully celebrate the bravery of journalists in their determination to keep the public informed, we must demand that their rights are respected, protected and fulfilled.
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14 April 2021
World leaders to meet on strengthening financial measures to boost efforts to cope with COVID-19 fallout
New York, 29 March 2021—With many countries continuing to struggle to overcome the human and economic devastation from COVID-19, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is convening a meeting of world leaders on Monday, 29 March from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT to urge the international community to take additional and urgent action to ensure a robust recovery. The high-level virtual meeting organized by the Secretary-General together with the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness aims to underscore the urgency of the need for bolder and concrete action to provide liquidity and address debt vulnerability in developing countries. The meeting will follow-up on a series of meetings and roundtables held last year to mobilize action to assist the economic recovery from the pandemic that resulted in a series of measures by the international community, but still not sufficient to meet the continuing and deepening crisis that many countries face. “We are on the verge of a debt crisis. Six countries have already defaulted. One-third of emerging market economies are at high risk of fiscal crisis. And the situation is even worse for least-developed and low-income countries,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “We need now, to allocate new special drawing rights and encourage countries with strong reserve positions to reallocate unused SDRs to countries that need it; extend the G20’s Debt Service Suspension Initiative into 2022; and expand it to include all highly indebted, vulnerable middle-income countries affected by the crisis. We also need to expand the Common Framework for Debt Treatment to other vulnerable countries and provide additional, targeted debt relief and to tackle long-standing weaknesses in the international debt architecture. Otherwise, we risk spiralling deeper into the worst recession since the Great Depression.” Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, said, “It has now been over a year since the COVID-19 global health crisis began and it has wreaked tremendous havoc on lives, livelihoods, and the global economy.” “The COVID-19-induced contraction in economic activity,” he said, “is severely impacting debt sustainability, particularly in low and middle-income countries. In addition to providing critical debt relief and liquidity support, we must create a new international debt architecture that ensures sustainability and encourages the private sector to integrate sustainability into its investment decisions to ensure a faster, stronger and more resilient recovery.” Prime Minister Holness added, “With the availability of vaccines, we are now able to see a path towards global recovery even as we note that all countries must have sufficient amounts and capacity to vaccinate their populations if we are to achieve inclusive recovery. Let us continue through robust cooperation and coordination to take deliberate actions to reverse the devastating economic effects of the pandemic as we prepare for a future of sustainable growth and development.” “The world must come together to protect people, save lives, and defeat COVID-19,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “Our progress has been remarkable, but we know we can’t defeat this virus and build back better at home unless all countries have the resources to respond to and recover from this global challenge. Only through a coordinated global response, can we address the impacts of the pandemic and create jobs, economic growth, and new opportunity for our people and businesses. New United Nations policy brief on debt crisis In a new policy brief issued today, “Preventing Debt Crises in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond: The Time to Act is Now,” the Secretary-General says that while many steps taken to date have been significant, they have not been sufficient to help restore economic health. Risks remain high for more countries to tip into a debt crisis, especially if the COVID-19 shock is more protracted and deeper than forecast. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in more than 2.7 million deaths and more than 125 million confirmed cases worldwide, has gone beyond a health and humanitarian crisis to also become an unprecedented global development emergency. More than a year into the pandemic, the Secretary-General says the fiscal impacts of the crisis are triggering debt distress in a growing number of countries and is severely limiting the ability of many countries to invest in recovery and the Sustainable Development Goals, including urgently needed climate action. He said, “Unless we take decisive action on debt and liquidity, we risk another ‘lost decade’ for many developing countries, putting the SDGs definitively out of reach.” COVID-19 highlights increasingly unequal world The current economic situation has highlighted growing inequalities between and within countries that pose significant threats to global efforts to build back better. COVID-19-related economic shocks have already led credit rating agencies to downgrade the credit worthiness of 42 countries since the start of the pandemic, including six developed countries, 27 emerging market economies, and nine least developed and low-income countries. Unprecedented health, social and economic measures over the last year have helped control the spread of the deadly virus, save lives and mitigate the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic. These emergency policies succeeded in flattening the curve of contagion and saved lives, but they also resulted the first increase in extreme poverty since 1998, a 4.3% drop in global GDP and the loss of an equivalent of 144 million jobs in 2020 alone. Many countries responded with extraordinary fiscal support measures, taking advantage of low borrowing costs, with developed countries accounting for the overwhelming share, around US$18 trillion. The international community has mobilized a strong response including emergency financing from international financial institutions, support for humanitarian partners, and access to medical countermeasures such as vaccines. Many developing countries, and least developed countries, in particular, which suffered from high debt levels before the pandemic, seeing their fiscal and external financing position further deteriorate in the course of 2020, have not been able to provide much needed stimulus support in adequate measure. While some middle-income countries have returned to international bond markets since April 2020, only two countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have been able to access markets; and some countries, including least developed countries with very high refinancing needs in 2021, will not have access to financial markets at affordable rates. In addition, many of these countries have already seen access to foreign currency curtailed through non-resident capital flight, and contractions in trade, tourism, remittances and foreign direct investment. The rapid growth of financing needs and the collapse in revenues and GDP growth associated with the pandemic have exacerbated debt burden risks across the globe. More than half of the least developed and low-income countries that use the IMF World Bank Debt Sustainability Framework are now assessed at a high risk of debt distress or in debt distress and, according to some estimates, more than a third of emerging market economies are at high risk of fiscal crises. Need for debt relief Debt relief will be needed to create space for investments in recovery and for achieving the SDGs, including climate action. Even in cases of elevated debt, new borrowing can lead to improved creditworthiness if it finances productive investments. Debt relief can also free up resources, create conditions under which countries can return to voluntary market access, and may lower a country’s overall borrowing costs, with positive impacts across the whole economy. Call for action on liquidity, fresh financing and ODA The Secretary-General, in the new UN policy brief, calls on governments to provide fresh concessional financing for developing countries, especially LDCs and SIDS, recapitalize multilateral development banks and accelerate the timetable for replenishing the funds, meet ODA commitments and provide long-term financing to developing countries for investment in long-term growth and development. In support of recent endorsements from the G7, the brief also calls for a new general allocation of special drawing rights (SDRs) reiterating the need to combine a voluntary reallocation of SDRs from developed to developing countries. And the brief calls on G20 to extend the World Bank’s Debt Suspension Initiative (DSSI) until the end of June 2022 and include middle-income countries, notably small island developing states that have been gravely affected by the crisis. The policy brief also calls on the G20 to extend the eligibility to debt relief under the Common Framework for Debt Treatment Beyond the DSSI to other vulnerable countries on a case-by-case basis; and consider other mechanisms that would allow countries to access the Common Framework without creating a stigma or compromising the credit rating of the beneficiaries, including funds and other instruments within existing institutions. Finally, the brief calls on countries and the international financial institutions to seize the moment to address long-standing weaknesses in the international debt architecture. Participants at the High-level meeting Moderated by BBC news anchor Laura Trevelyan, the meeting of Heads of State and Government will feature opening remarks by the UN Secretary-General and Prime Ministers Trudeau and Holness. It will also feature Heads of State and Government and include participation by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank Group President David Malpass, OECD Secretary-General Ángel Gurría and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. [END] About the High-level meeting The high-level meeting will be webcast at: http://webtv.un.org/ The full list of speakers will be posted on the High-Level Event website, which can be found at: https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/financing-development. An embargoed copy of the Secretary-General’s Policy Brief can be found here. Media contacts United Nations: Dan Shepard, UN Department of Global Communications, email: firstname.lastname@example.org, tel: +1 646 675 3286 Canada: Office of the Prime Minister, PMO Media Relations, email: email@example.com Jamaica: Kimberley McLeod and Naomi Francis, Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, email: firstname.lastname@example.org and email@example.com
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One of the original adherents to farm-to-table cuisine, Vignola Cinque Terre presents a full menu of simple, delicious Italian fare, all made with local, seasonal ingredients. Much of the produce is grown on the owners’ farm in Greene. Cheese and charcuterie platters are full of items sourced locally and from Italy, as is the wine list. The space oozes rustic Italian charm.
Address10 Dana St.
- (207) 772-1330

domain: food


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Wild Garlic Grill
The food was delicious!
The tables were crammed in; they tried to stagger them to fit more 2-tops for V-Day. It was uncomfortable and very loud. The food was not as good as usual, service was fair. I would recommend this for lunch when it's not so crowded, but night time it is so busy and the tables are too close together.
This Valentines date and 1st visit was spectacular. Like chef Steven we also came from the Gilroy/Carmel Ca. Area and so appreciate his creative cuisine. We started with the foie gras appetizer which was simple incredible followed by an oven poached grouper and the rack of lamb which by the way was thee best I have ever eaten.....this is a beautiful restaurant with excellent customer service, unique specials (today 10 offerings). I cant wait to go back....
Very good service and food was outstanding. Noise level can get a little loud at times.
Excellent food & lovely presentation. The noise level was very high though we read on the board that measures had been taken to improve it. Perhaps our problem was the result of having been seated near the bar.
We had wonderful service, delicious food and could carry on a conversation at our table without yelling.
Fun restaurant and great food and good service. Met with two other couples and had a great time. We could hear each other unusual and wonderful for a restaurant. We will be back.
Wonderful food, delightful evening, portion size extraordinarily generous, a little noisy but would return often if I lived in the area. Thanks for a great night.
terrific in every way!
Disappointing .. the lamb shank was expertly cooked (kudos) but everything else was so-so and plating was a mess. Some of the side vegetables (beet, carrot) were undercooked, while others were over-cooked to mush (celery) and the greens were an undistinguishable mess. The pool of garlic mashed potatoes were uninspiring. The Swiss cheese, garlic fondue was over-powered by burnt garlic and from what we could tell had no other seasoning (sherry, salt, pepper, nothing). The bread that accompanied the fondue was flattened beyond recognition when it was cut. Disappointing is about the best thing we can say.
I've enjoyed dining out for more than 50 years, and this was one of the best meals I've ever had. The roasted beet salad was excellent; it came on a bed of greens with some cuke slices. The special was crab-stuffed salmon; it was meltingly tender and very tasty. The warm chocolate cake was rich, crispy on the edge, and gooey in the middle. This restaurant is a bit on the expensive side, but worth every dollar. My only complaint is that, like so many restaurants, is very noisy. It's difficult to hold conversations with my friends, which is a primary purpose of dining together.
Superb food, delightful servers! Still a bit noisy, but it was Saturday evening and very crowded.
The waitress, who was very overworked, forgot about us. Very noisy with our table being in front of the tv that had BOXING on it. Not pleasant to look at during dinner!
Let me start with the good. The food was excellent. We had a 7:00 PM reservation and we showed up on time for it. We were seated promptly. The first thing we noticed was the noise. VERY difficult to have a conversation. More importantly, we were served our dinner 90 MINUTES LATER AT 8:30. Had we not been with out of town guests, we would have left.
To make matters even worse, I asked very politely two times of two different people to speak to the manager on the floor. One of them actually went to talk to the hostess--both looked back in our direction, and my request was ignored both times.
You can get good food in a lot of places in Tucson. This one is now off our list for good.
Outstanding food. Very creative recipes. Great Ambiance. Fantastic wait staff. This is one of Tucson's best restaurants!
We love the food....always delicious and fresh. Consistent and great service. We can't wait to go back.
Birthday celebration. Beautifully prepared and presented plates with 2 spot on wine pairings.
Would not return for two reasons-restaurant was so noisy we could not hear tablemate. Even worse was the attitude of the manager/hostess. Very rude, cut me off mid sentence when I asked to change the table to a quieter area. I had requested a quiet table on our opentable reservation. She just turned on her heels and walked away. There are restaurants in Tucson that treat their diners with respect. Not this one.
We had a mix, the buffalo was tough and so was one of the other beef entrees. But my veal and another persons beef were a 10. So it was mixed with our group of six.
The food is always outstanding with large portions. The wait staff is also amazing and very attentive. This is a wonderful restaurant! Our guest from out of town said it was the best meal he has had in a long time!
Great food. Outstanding service.
Absolutely one of the best neals ever. I have been to this restaurant several times at the former location and this one. Perfection!
Was in town for the gem show. Ate at the Wild Garlic two nights. I had the duck both nights and it was wonderful! My friend had the buffalo the first night and it was wonderful also, but the next night she ordered the new york strip and it was almost to tough to eat, they replaced it with the fillet and it was better but still pretty tough. I would not recommend the steaks.
The food portions are too large but they were delicious. The server needs to tell the clients the prices of the specials. One shouldn’t have to ask. It is very loud and as a party of four we had to talk really loudly to hear each other. The fact that everyone else in the restaurant was doing the same made it even louder. I would return but go earlier or at 8:00 on so we can talk and relax.
Wait staff was very professional and attentive. Food was very good and was served fresh. This is my go to spot.
Michelle, our server, was outstanding. The food and presentation was wonderful. Great experience!
A birthday party for 9
The service was outstanding. The waiter recited 9 specials not on the menu and took our order without writing anything down. Everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The dishes looked beautiful with lots of fresh vegetables and tasted delicious. The servings are large so take home was offered and boxed for us.
Deserts were wonderful. Only complaint, can be noisy. I highly recommend this restaurant.
Interesting food, good quantities, great servers...just disappointed that even though we made the reservation indicating there was a birthday being celebrated that was disregarded. The same thing happened when we dined with you for my son’s birthday in November.
The food was good as always, but the service wasn't up to par in my opinion. They initially took me to a tiny table that wouldn't have seated three. Although I mentioned my wife's birthday on OpenTable and again with the Hostess, they didn't do anything special.
We came in for a date night with reservations. We were seated immediately on the patio. Our server was very nice and knowledgeable. The wine we ordered was excellent. However, the food was very disappointing. It was extremely overpriced and there was way too much happening on the plate. The portions were huge and we had no desire to take any of it home. There wasn't much flavor and certainly not worth the prices. The restaurant was packed and extremely loud, we could barely hear each other talk. We have now been there twice and have had less than stellar meals at each visit. We will not be returning.
The daily specials were so numerous and given in such detail, it was overwhelming. A separate Printed menu would have been so much better. Presentation was very good. We all enjoyed the soft crab appetizers and the coffee was outstanding. Since our forks and knives were removed with the first course, we had to ASK for replacements. This should not have been necessary. The coffee was not hot enough, but passable. Vegetables were perfect on the entree. This was my first visit and we traveled over an hour to your restaurant. Receptionist could not find our reservations. It was a good thing I had printed out the confirmation and was able to present it to her.
We've been to Wild Garlic a number of times and until this visit, had great experiences. This time the service wasn't up to par, my husbands entree was just warm, not steaming hot like mine was. For our prior visits the entrees were always served very hot.
While our sever was very knowledgable about the food and wines, he spent long periods of time at each table (due to the large number of daily "specials" needing to be explained), while ignoring his other tables. If he had support from other staff this would have been fine but that was not the case. So we had no one to complain to about my husbands entree, or ask for additional drinks, or to refill our water.
Like I said, our previous trips were always great, hopefully this one was an anomoly.
My wife and I with friends enjoyed a lovely meal out on the patio on Friday night. We were cozy and warm with the heaters and enjoyed the quieter atmosphere on the patio. All four of us were pleased with our dinner selections and the service was very good. Thank you for a very enjoyable evening.
I had perfect Foie Gras/soft shell crab. My friend had a fish dish he loved.
Waiter was attentive, explained specials very well & polite.
The food was excellent, but the service is always slow and very noisey.
Dining at Wild Garlic Grill was an absolute treat! The service was friendly and completely professional. Our server had the menu down perfectly! The food is not only creative and beautifully plated but positively delicious. One of the guests at our table is very difficult to please and he was delighted with the whole evening, especially the servers willingness to individualize his cocktail.
We had such a great time that we are going back this weekend.
Food was very good, but the noise level detracted from the overall experience. Although they have a sign saying they've installed some acoustic carpet and tile to lessen the noise, more work should be done. That said, the menu is creative, the presentation and preparation excellent. Huge portions (smaller would be fine with slightly lower prices.... just sayin'). Our waiter was good and the recitation of the lengthy list of daily specials without notes was impressive. As this is 3 minutes from my home, I'm sure I'll be back, but perhaps for lunch or outdoor seating when the noise level is less.
Have been going to Wild Garlic way before it's relocation. Belong to Ladies Luncheon group of 8 and Wild Garlic had been our go to place several times, it never disappoints.
Excellent choice of foods: something for everyone. The accompiaments are always outstanding. The restaurant is lovely; however, the noise level can sometimes be disconcerting. Wild Garlic is a gastronomic experience so despite the noise you are sure to have a memorable evening out!
Truly a gem!! Great menu, great food excellent staff. Very dependable


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domain: hobby


text:
Take One: A Documentary Film About Swedish House Mafia (2010)
AVI | Xvid | 640x352 | 1761 Kbps | AC3 5.1 @ 448 Kbps | 43m | 711 MB
: English, Swedish, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese.
Genre: Documentary, Music
A unique film
charting the extremes, excesses, highs and lows of international DJ trio Swedish House Mafia. 2 years, 15 countries, 285 gigs one unique film
. TAKE ONE is a hedonistic rollercoaster that offers a glimpse into the work, play and lifestyle of Swedish House Mafia, the electronic group that have fast become one of the hottest names on the dance music scene. This intimate warts-and-all account charts the whirlwind journey of three DJs Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso as they tour the world, play to crowds of thousands, and create the tracks that have brought them international fame and mainstream chart success. From the on-stage euphoria of playing to entranced clubbers, to the buzz of realising a track in intimate creative sessions, to the inevitable bickering between the guys, TAKE ONE goes beyond the music to show what binds together three friends, three artists, three pioneers, and three total individuals in an emotional ride to success as a group.

domain: library


Numerical calculations were performed to simulate charging characteristics of an electron beam printhead. Because the electric conduction in the gas discharge field is determined not only by electrostatic potential but also by ionic or electronic charge density, two coupled partial differential equations, the continuity equation of charge and Poisson's equation, were numerically solved by the finiteelement method under the boundary condition that the electric field at a discharge electrode is a constant determined by a corona starting electric field strength. It was demonstrated that the calculated portion of the high charge density corresponds to the observed luminous and highly degraded portion. The calculation also confirmed that predominant charging particles on the printhead are not ions but electrons. The present method can be utilized for practical design of the charging process.
Hiroyuki Kawamoto, Shin-ichiro Serizawa, "Numerical Calculation of the Charge Density Distribution in a Gas Discharge Field of an Electron Beam Printhead" in Journal of Imaging Science and Technology, 1997, pp 629 - 632, https://doi.org/10.2352/J.ImagingSci.Technol.1997.41.6.art00012


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This blog will contained captioned stories of forced feminization. I prefer "realistic" stories, therefore our antagonists (or are they protagonists?) will use hormones, surgery, and other realistic techniques to entrap and transform their unwilling victims.
Hi everybody! Sorry I've not been able to post very regularly. Life's been keeping me busy. But here's a two-parter for you!

domain: literature


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El Salvador: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual
There is no legal impediment to the use of biotechnology in El Salvador. Genetically engineered (GE) corn field trials were successfully completed. Also, the Ministry of Environment completed the regulatory framework for their safe use and commercialization. On April 30, 2008, El Salvador abolished Article 30 of the Planting Seed Law that required imported seeds to have a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that the seeds did not contain GE organisms. El Salvador ratified the Cartagena Protocol in 2003. A new government administration that took office in June 2019, has shown interest in biotechnology and how it can help advance agricultural competitiveness in El Salvador. However, there is a need to provide information about the technology to decision makers, specifically at the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment; so that it can be fully adopted. Updated: Section I. Executive Summary, Chapter I: Part B a) Regulatory Framework, b) Field Testing.

domain: agronomy


1. NEWS: TRP and GAC raise concerns about sustainability of Nigeria’s Global Fund–supported malaria program
The sustainability outlook “looks weak,” the Technical Review Panel said when it reviewed Nigeria’s malaria funding request. “Nigeria continues to request Global Fund funding support for large quantities of basic yet fundamental malaria prevention and control commodities, with little prospect of transitioning to national financing in the medium term,” the TRP stated. “This is a question of political will.” This article discusses the sustainability issue and provides information about the two malaria grants approved by the Board.
2. NEWS: Extensions to the Global Fund’s existing HIV and TB grants to Nigeria will be funded from the 2017–2019 allocations
Nigeria submitted a TB/HIV funding request in May 2017 which was returned for iteration. Because the revised request has taken (and will take) considerable time to develop, and because the existing TB and HIV grants were scheduled to end on 31 December 2017, the Board has approved 18-month costed extensions for four existing grants. The extensions are to be funded from Nigeria’s 2017-2019 allocation. Meanwhile, the Grant Approvals Committee has reported “widespread frustration” with the slow progress towards impact of Nigeria’s TB grants.
3. NEWS: Another $1.38 billion in grants from 2017–2019 allocations approved by Global Fund Board
The Global Fund Board has approved another batch of grants, the fourth from the 2017–2019 allocations. The value of the grants was $1.38 billion, bringing the cumulative amount awarded to date to $7.64 billion. The Board approved 26 grants emanating from 18 funding requests submitted by 12 countries. Interventions worth $447.9 million were added to the Unfunded Quality Demand Register.
4. NEWS: Until the Global Fund defines its risk appetite, it can’t know what level of assurance is required: OIG audit
“The work on defining risk appetite is in its early stage and until [it is] sufficiently advanced, there is limited guidance on the required level of assurance.” So says the Office of the Inspector General in a new audit of in-country assurance. In addition, the OIG said, assurance activities are insufficiently aligned to the highest risk areas in the grant portfolio, particularly supply chain management and programmatic risks. The OIG also noted that programmatic and health product risks have supplanted financial risk in the rankings.
5. NEWS: Mozambique’s TB/HIV funding request to the Global Fund builds on achievements of current grants, TRP says
Mozambique’s new TB/HIV grants will have a strong focus on retention and adherence for people who were recently initiated on antiretroviral treatment. According to the Technical Review Panel, civil society, including representatives of key populations, were fully engaged in the development of the funding request. Among the concerns raised by the TRP was that the interventions to improve treatment outcomes for multiple-drug-resistant TB were not clearly articulated. In addition, the TRP sent two matching funds requests back for iteration.
6. FEATURE: Global Fund grant to Belarus in 2015 was conditional on the government developing a social contracting mechanism
In the summer of 2017, certain amendments were adopted to the law regulating the response measures for HIV and other socially communicable diseases in the Republic of Belarus. The amendments allow for the establishment of a social contracting mechanism to make government funding accessible for NGOs working on HIV prevention among key affected populations. The amendments come into effect in January 2018. Currently, a package of documents which will regulate the functioning of the mechanism is being prepared by relevant ministries. However, there are still a lot of questions about how this mechanism is going to work in practice. This article describes how the social contracting mechanism in Belarus came into being.
7. NEWS: Global Fund LFA tenders will be for six years instead of the current four
The Board has adopted a set of “principles” governing the selection of local fund agents. The principles include some policy decisions. The main change from current practice is that local fund agent tenders will be for six years instead of four. The Board has delegated to the Audit and Finance Committee the authority to modify the principles; and has delegated to the Secretariat the authority to establish the procedures for procurement of LFA services.
8. NEWS: Zambia’s TB/HIV funding request to the Global Fund has ambitious targets and is well aligned with national programs and strategies
The Technical Review Panel says the proposed programs in Zambia’s TB/HIV funding request will reduce gender- and age-related disparities and close the gaps in service delivery for key populations. The TRP had some concerns, but they were well addressed during grant-making.
9. NEWS: Capacity issues and delays in implementation plague otherwise successful Global Fund grants to Zambia, OIG says
Despite facing substantial economic challenges, Zambia has successfully scaled up interventions across all three diseases, concluded an audit of Global Fund conducted by the Office of the Inspector General. However, issues concerning the capacity of health workers and the capacity of diagnostic systems have negatively impacted service delivery, the OIG found, and there have been delays in implementing program activities. Finally, Zambia’s health systems operating with obsolete infrastructures struggle to cope with the rapid increase of volumes caused by program scale-up.
10. NEWS: GAC and TRP comment on Global Fund grants to Burkina Faso
HIV, TB/HIV and malaria grants to Burkina Faso were among the third batch of grants approved by the Global Fund Board in December. This article provides a summary of the comments on the funding requests from Grant Approvals Committee and the Technical Review Panel.
11. ANNOUNCEMENT: The TERG seeks new evaluators to replace outgoing members
The Technical Evaluation Reference Group, an independent advisory body accountable to the Global Fund Board through its Strategy Committee, is looking for new members to replace those who are outgoing.
This is issue 328 of the GLOBAL FUND OBSERVER (GFO) Newsletter.
Please send all suggestions for news items, commentaries or any other feedback
to David Garmaise, GFO Editor (email@example.com ).
To subscribe to GFO, go to www.aidspan.org.
GFO Newsletter is a free and independent source of news, analysis and commentary
about the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (www.theglobalfund.org).
Aidspan (www.aidspan.org) is a Kenya-based international NGO that serves as an
independent watchdog of the Global Fund, aiming to benefit all countries wishing
to obtain and make effective use of Global Fund resources.
Aidspan finances its work through grants from foundations and bilateral donors.
Aidspan does not accept Global Fund money, perform paid consulting work, or
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GFO Newsletter is now available in English and French.
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Copyright (c) 2018 Aidspan. All rights reserved.


TDIS GNN Tracking
Graph Neural Networks (GNN) are a type of machine learning. GNN algorithms are being increasingly used for track finding and could be the best method of tracking for the mTPC.
Articles and resources
GNN Tracking (CERN Powerpoint)
Belle 2 GNN Tracking
Belle2 GNN Poster at CHEP 2023. (See link to poster at bottom of page.)


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My name is Luvo. I am 32 years old and I am from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I have a Bachelor's degree in psychology as well as an honours degree in the same field. I was able to obtain funding from NSFAS to complete my studies for my undergraduate degree. I got financial support from my mother and I was able to contribute my own funds in order to complete my honours degree. My goal is to study and complete the Bpsych Psychometry equivalence programme at either Nelson Mandela University or Stellenbosch University. This is a course where I will get an opportunity of doing an internship in the field of psychometry which would lead to professional registration. I desperately need funding for this course which will start in January 2021. I will need funding in order to complete the internship year so that I will be able to get a profession, have a purpose in life, find meaningful employment or open my own practice and support my mother and myself.
There are several reasons why I would like to ask for funding. The first is that my life and personal circumstances have been severely challenging due to a lack of finances. Despite my qualifications, skills and work experience, I have found it extremely difficult to find a permanent well paying job for well over 7 years. Since graduating with a bachelor's in 2013, I have only managed to find temporary jobs in which I was given one year contracts. I have a total of one year work experience as a call centre agent in which I completed a one year call centre learnership programme. I also have another one year work experience as an online English teacher. Other than these jobs, I have been unemployed for many years and am still unemployed. I try to make an income by tutoring and teaching English and isiXhosa online but the money I make is barely enough to make ends meet and support the household.
This brings me to the second reason why I am seeking funding. My mother recently retired and she is now no longer working due to health reasons and her old age as she is 70 years old. My mother raised me as a single parent and she has been able to support me in many ways, including financially, all my life. My mother broke her back trying to support me and provide me with everything that I need. Due to her being unemployed, there is no significant income coming through, and so life has become so much harder and we are now experiencing some financial difficulties, especially since covid-19 arrived. I have always wanted to repay my mother back for all the support she has given me by making sure her financial needs are taken care of and that she is well looked after but I have never had the opportunity to do that. At the moment I am completely powerless and unable to make much of a financial contribution and it is tearing me apart.
The third reason is that for the particular course that I want to do, there is no bursary or any funding available. I and my mother will also not be able to raise any funds as this course is too expensive.
I therefore appeal to anyone who is able to to please help me by contributing to my study fees so that I can take one more step towards getting a profession that I so desperately need. I have a very high work ethic, I care about people a lot and I love to help my fellow man, which is why I chose to study psychology. Psychometry is a subfield of psychology and it will allow me to make a difference in other people's lives. I want to make a positive contribution to society, I want my mother to have a well-deserved rest and enjoy her retirement and I would like to live a life of purpose by doing what I love.

domain: economics


Boulder City Councilmembers voted 7-2 on Thursday, Aug. 3, to give initial approval to a .15% sales tax reauthorization ballot measure that would dedicate half the revenue to the city’s general fund and the other half to arts and cultural programs.
The tax, last approved by voters in 2003, is expected to generate about $7.24 million in 2024, according to city officials.
The measure is intended to be a compromise with the arts community, which, earlier this year, petitioned for a ballot measure that would reauthorize the tax and dedicate 100% of the revenue to the arts.
With the approval of the compromise measure, councilmembers are now expecting members of the arts community to withdraw their petition.
“The idea we would be adversarial going for these dollars sets the wrong tone,” Nick Forster, the founder of eTown, an event venue and multimedia production organization, told councilmembers on Thursday. “I’m taking a leap of faith.” Forster is one of the petitioners seeking additional arts funding.
Councilmembers Nicole Speer and Mark Wallach voted against the compromise measure. Both want to put competing measures on the ballot.
“Let’s let the voters take the wheel,” Speer said. “I don’t want to take this vote and decision from our community.”
On Aug. 17, councilmembers will make their final decision on which ballot measure to place on the ballot. They will still have the option to pursue a measure that reauthorizes the sales tax and allocates all the revenue for general purposes.


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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- More than a million people failed background checks to buy guns during the past 14 years because of criminal records, drug use or mental health issues, according to FBI figures.
But only about 1 percent of federal background ch
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Veterans who have recently returned home are getting the attention of Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart Stores said Tuesday that, over the next five years, it will hire every veteran who honorably left the military in the last year.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Some construction firms expect to hire more workers in 2013, but don't call it a comeback just yet.
About 31% of construction companies plan to hire workers this year, while only 9% of firms plan to cut jobs.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- One member of the Federal Reserve wants the central bank to stimulate the economy even more.
Narayana Kocherlakota, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, said Tuesday that he believes the Fed is still not doi

domain: finance


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MMAjunkie Radio kicks off at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) with in-studio guests Miesha Tate and Burt Watson.
UFC 183 fighter weigh-ins take place Friday, and the preceding UFC Fight Club Q&A session promises to be a lively one.
Perhaps we’ve reached the point where MMA fighters are sharing a little too much on social media.
It appears UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones is getting in the rankings business.
Did you miss Sunday’s debut of “Countdown to UFC 183,” or just want to watch it again? Check out the full segment devoted to headliners Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz.
Did you miss Sunday’s debut of “Countdown to UFC 183,” or just want to watch it again? Check out the full segment devoted to co-headliners Tyron Woodley and Kelvin Gastelum.
Did you miss Sunday’s debut of “Countdown to UFC 183,” or just want to watch it again? Check out the full segment devoted to main-card opponents Al Iaquinta and Joe Lauzon.
From the extra punches Alexander Gustafsson took to the ones Dan Henderson didn’t, the question of when to stop a fight continues to be a thorny one in MMA. This week’s Trading Shots takes a closer look.
Following Saturday’s UFC on FOX 14 event in Sweden, several of the winning and losing fighters took to social media to react to the event or share a message with supporters. Check out some of those reactions.
Now that UFC on FOX 14 is in the books, it’s time to commence MMAjunkie’s “Three Stars” ceremony.
Chris Leben says his wild ride has seen him “with playmates in a penthouse,” as well as “smoking crack with bums under a bridge.” He plans to put it all in his forthcoming book, but dredging up his dark places takes a toll.
He may be a biased party, but as a former champion, Rashad Evans’ opinion carries some weight. And he’s got a bold prediction for the UFC light-heavyweight title.
With UFC on FOX 14 in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Joe Silva and Sean Shelby’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker.
The UFC’s video-promo team has been in peak form ahead of Saturday’s UFC 183 event. Check out the latest promo spot with headliner Nick Diaz.
With his co-main-event loss, Dan Henderson set a dubious knockdown record. It’s one of 50 post-fight facts to come out of Saturday’s UFC on FOX 14 event.

domain: news


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As a young woman, Lara Croft is in search of adventure — and herself. She embarks on an exploratory quest when her hunt for adventure comes looking for her. Now, stranded away from civilization, and equipped with only her instincts and the ability to push herself beyond the threshold of human endurance, Lara must look inside and find what she needs to fight for her survival.
Step into the role of Lara Croft in this gritty and intense narration of the origin of the famed Tomb Raider. Armed with only her raw instincts and physical abilities, you must rise from a scared young woman to a hardened survivor. Push yourself past the limits of human endurance and fight to stay alive in merciless environments. Endure physics-based gaming for an authentic gameplay experience. Face the heart-pounding storyline that looks deep into Lara to showcase her most defining adventure to date. Will you become a survivor?
Lara is recognized by the Guinness World Records 2013 Gamer’s Edition as the “Best-Selling Videogame Hero,” with over 28 million units sold since her debut in 1995.
- Best-Selling Videogame Heroine: The best-selling female videogame character is Lara Croft, star of the Tomb Raider games, who has sold a total of over 28 million units since her debut in 1995.
- Most Successful Videogame Heroine: The Tomb Raider computer game character Lara Croft has transcended the boundary of the video game and become a recognizable figure in mainstream society, making her more successful in terms of global recognition than the likes of Chun Li (Street Fighter), Princess Peach (Super Mario Bros.) Princess Zelda (The Legend Of Zelda), and Jill Valentine and Claire Redfield (Resident Evil series).
- Most successful live-action transfer: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider already ranks as the highest grossing video-game movie, but together with its sequel, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (USA, 2003), the franchise has grossed in excess of $431 million as of July 2008, making it the most successful live-action game-to-film transfer of all time.
- Highest Grossing Videogame Spin-Off Movie: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starred Angelina Jolie as Lara and grossed $252 million.
- irst Oscar-Winning Actor To Star In A Videogame Adaptation: Jon Voight (USA) became the first Oscar winner to star in a film adapted from a videogame when he starred as Lord Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Voight played Lara’s father in the film and just so happens to be Angelina Jolie’s real life dad!
- Uncover the gritty and visceral story behind the origin of Lara Croft
- Follow her rise from a terrified young woman to a tough survivor
- Push yourself past the limits of human endurance
- Use your raw instincts and physical abilities to stay alive in unforgiving environments
- Immerse yourself in the heart-pounding storyline of Lara's most introspective and defining adventure yet
- Amazing physics-based gameplay offers an authentic experience
More articles about Tomb Raider

domain: entertainment


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30 Best PSD Sport Logo Templates
In the sports industry, logos can make your brand world-famous. Just like famous sportswear logos, your brand can have a logo that is recognized throughout the world. So here are 30 wide range of sports logos and design in PSD, you can simply pick one that represents a sport you are involved in.
Golf Pro Logo Template
Promote your business with a unique and creative logo template package. Perfect for Golf Clubs, Golf Resorts, Golf Courses, Golf Shop, Golf Apparel or Golf Tournament. Simple to work with and highly customizable, it ca be easily adjusted to fit your needs.
Download Golf Pro Logo Template →
Fitness Gym Logo
Fitness Gym logo template for your business works. Layered files, 100% vector.
Download Fitness Gym Logo →
This logo perfectly used for any sport related businesses and sport event.
Download Fitness Ball →
Power Gym Logo Template
Simple, clean and modern Gym and Fitness Club logo template. Simple to work with and highly customizable, it ca be easely adjusted to fit your needs. High quality fully layered and fully editable vector EPS , easy to change colors and adjustable to any size. CMYK , multiple variations included.
Download Power Gym Logo Template →
Sport Logo can be used in shops and sportswear, in gyms, sports clubs, and sporting goods brand, among other similar uses. The design is very simple and can be configured easily.
Download Sport Logo →
Activity Fitness Logo
A moving and dynamic logo template perfect for physical activity, fitness or outdoors events.
– Files included: .AI – .EPS – .PDF
Download Activity Fitness Logo →
“Bike Team” Logo
Perfect for outdoor persuits companies, cycling teams, extreme sports or even cycle repair and sales shops – this logo is modern, contemporary and understated. It’s ready to print in CMYK format, with multiple colour options (see the preview).
Download “Bike Team” Logo →
Soccer Fans Logo
Download Soccer Fans Logo →
Download Red Running →
Download TechnoRunner →
Golf Logo Template
Download Golf Logo Template →
Download Swimmer Logo →
Download Sport Circle →
Richstar Fitness Club Logo Template
Download Activities →
Sumo Pro Logo Template
Download Sumo Pro Logo Template →
Kite Surfing Logo Template
Download Kite Surfing Logo Template →
Download Activities →
Sports Talk Logo Template
Download Sports Talk Logo Template →
Wild Surf Tour Logo
Download Wild Surf Tour Logo →
Moto Sport Logo
Download Moto Sport Logo →
Matadore – Logo Template
Download Matadore – Logo Template →
Fish Catch Logo
Download Fish Catch Logo →
River Rock Outdoor Pursuits Logo Template
Basketball Team 2013
Here is amazing design for your next basketball tournament, or even for you team or school trainning! Possible change year, name, team, all. All parts in vectors 100% editable, with editable text for your team, year, competition, etc.
Download Basketball Team 2013 →
Logo Arena Stadium
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Breakdance Club Logo Template
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domain: design


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Archer combo has only been around a few months, and you guys act like you can't live without it now. You can still farm and exp like the years before and you never complained?[/b]
I just wanted to point out in the past I avoided playing archer like the plague.. Because they fucking sucked exp or pk. In FF beta I tried the archer again and instantly fell in love... It became my favorite class I ever played over the previous ones I specialized in over the years.


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Understanding Bankruptcy As A Parent Paying For A Child's College Education
A high-quality college education is vital for a person's overall career success. As a result, many parents are finding themselves getting stuck in difficult financial situations paying for their child's education. In many scenarios, these parents may have no choice but to declare bankruptcy as a way of protecting themselves and their children. College Costs Can Be Heavy College costs are rapidly rising and show no signs of slowing down. For example, a typical year at a state-run college will cost nearly $26,000 for a student, including tuition fees, housing, and books.


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Julia is managing editor of The Grocer. She is responsible for the day-to-day running of The Grocer, and also commissions its comment, opinion and feedback pages. Before becoming managing editor in July 2014, Julia was The Grocer’s fresh foods and buying & supplying editor.
Julia frequently appears on radio and TV as a commentator on grocery retail and the politics of food and food sourcing, and has worked extensively on food authenticity and fraud issues. In 2013, she headed up The Grocer’s coverage of the horsemeat scandal.
Prior to joining The Grocer in 2010, Julia was editor of New Media Markets, a trade publication for the TV industry. She started her career as a staff writer for The Legal 500 at publisher Legalease. @juliaglotz
- 01293 610257
All three are due to appear in court in London on 27 September
Brands tell us alert buyers who ask smart questions about supply chains, standards and quality checks make a real difference
Coconut water: a fair target?Subscription
Rapid growth has created vulnerabilities. So what is the sector doing to safeguard standards and keep supply chains secure?
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The poultry industry has successfully lobbied the FSA into U-turning on plans to ‘name and shame’ companies in its campylobacter survey, but it shouldn’t rejoice.
Developing the right technological solutions to help tackle food waste is just the first step…
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- Europe's new faces
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Currently available copies
- 11 out of 12 copies are currently available at PINES.
0 current holds on 12 total copies.
- ISBN: 1421550776 (v. 2 : pbk.)
- ISBN: 9781421550770 (v. 2 : pbk.)
- ISBN: 142154945X (v. 1 : pbk.)
- ISBN: 9781421549453 (v. 1 : pbk.)
v. : chiefly ill. ; 19 cm.
- Edition: Shojo beat ed.
- Publisher: San Francisco, CA : VIZ Media, 2012-
Contents / Notes
|General Note:||Translated from the Japanese.
Book reads right to left.
Originally published in Japan in 2008 by Shueisha Inc., Tokyo.
|Summary, etc.:||"Miko is a shrine maiden who has never had much success at seeing or banishing spirits. Then she meets Kagura, a sexy demon who feeds off women's feelings of passion and love. Kagura's insatiable appetite has left many girls at school brokenhearted, so Miko casts a spell to seal his powers. Surprisingly the spell works--sort of--but now Kagura is after her!"--Cover of v. 1.|
Rated T+ for older teen.
Translated from the Japanese.
Find similar items by subject
|Subject:||Man-woman relationships Comic books, strips, etc
Demonology Comic books, strips, etc
Fantasy comic books, strips, etc.


Envirosun AS 315 5E Solar Hot Water System. Ideal for 2 bathroom homes, featuring a 315 litre tank.
The AS 315 is a split system solar hot water system- solar panels on roof and tank on ground.
Envirosun solar hot water systems are available as both roof mounted solar hot water systems (Envirosun TS Series) and as split solar hot water systems (Envirosun AS Series) where the tank and solar panels are independently located.
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Envirosun solar hot water tanks are vitreous enamel lined steel with a sacrificial anode for a long water tank life. Envirosun have over 12 years of solar experience and their solar hot water systems offer the highest German quality standards.
|Electric Boosted||Gas Boosted|
|cer code||As315/40/o/e24/ e20Bc-Dm||As315/40/o/Gr26/ e20Bc-Dm|
|mass full (on roof)||62kg||62kg|
|mass full (on ground)||439kg||439kg|
|footprint (on roof)||2,238 x 2,600mm||2,238 x 2,600mm|
|footprint (on ground)||617 x 617mm||617 x 617mm|
|footprint||617 x 617mm||617 x 617mm|
|mass empty (each)||29.5kg||29.5kg|
|mass full (each)||31.2kg||31.2kg|
|footprint (each)||1,000 x 2,000mm||1,000 x 2,000mm|
|SMALL-SCALE TECHNOLOGY CREDITS (STCs)|


text:
, Craft Spirits Weekly, News, American Craft Spirits, Black Band Distillery, Copperworks Distilling Company, Craft Spirits, Garrison Brothers, Gompers Distillery, Heartland Whiskey Competition, Jeptha Creed, Lockhouse Distillery, Wollersheim Distillery, Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse
Craft Spirits Weekly #123
, News, Press Releases
This year, the Congress is finally getting on with the business of reviewing tax reform. Today, the House Ways...


Charlene and Josh
Photographing Charlene and Josh’s wedding at Snug Harbor in New York was a testament to the transformative power of love, even on a rainy day. Despite the weather’s unpredictability, the celebration unfolded in a tapestry of beauty, resilience, and the cozy embrace of Snug Harbor’s indoor spaces. The challenge of capturing the essence of a wedding on a rainy day was met with excitement. The decision to move the ceremony indoors added an intimate and warm touch to the event. Snug Harbor’s interior, with its classic charm and rustic elegance, became a haven where Charlene and Josh exchanged vows surrounded by the comforting embrace of their loved ones.


Kodak i5650 / i5650S
The Kodaki5650 / i5650S is a productive, reliable and robust document scanner ideal for scanning large volumes of A4 / A3 paper documents.
The Kodak i5650 / i5650S achieves unlimited volume with a scanning speed of 180 pages / min, a 750-sheet A4 / A3 autofeeder, and ultrasonic double-feed sensor.
The Kodak i5650 / i5650S is the ultimate production tool.
The Kodak i5650 / i5650S has a touchscreen that makes it easy to interact with the scanner.
Programmable function keys minimize user intervention, saving time and precision on repetitive and complex scanning tasks.
The Kodak i5650 / i5650S can scan all types of heterogeneous documents up to A3 and even up to 4.8m in long document mode.
The Kodak i5650 / i5650S has all the automatic processing functions to improve the quality of the scan, optimize the rendering and ensure production continuity: Perfect Page, trail filtering, controlled stacking, color detection, cropping, straightening, blank page deletion, automatic orientation, ...
Kodak i5650S only: With a scanning speed of up to 180 ppm and three output trays, the Kodak i5650S reduces handling time and offers intelligent sorting functions by automatically separating mixed batches of documents into the 3 sorting bins.
- Great performance and high image quality
- Speed 180 pages / min / A4 / A3 750 sheet automatic feeder
- Programmable function keys / Integrated metal detector
- Rear paper output controllable from the touch screen
- Smart and barcode sorting (i5650S only)


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MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Thursday’s test of a ballistic missile carried out by the United States was evidence that Washington intended to ruin the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"We’ve said more than once that the United States has been making preparations for violating the INF Treaty. This [missile test] clearly confirms that the treaty was ruined at the initiative of the United States," Peskov told the media on Friday.
"I’m not in the position to make any comments [on the missile test] from the technical standpoint and the missile’s parameters and characteristics," he added.
On December 12, the US Department of Defense carried out a flight test of the ground-based ballistic missile (non-nuclear configuration) at the US Air Force base Vandenberg, California. Until just recently Russia and the United States had been prohibited from developing such weapons in accordance with the INF Treaty. This agreement lost force on August 2 following the United States’ unilateral pullout.

domain: law


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What is the Russian ruble (RUB)?
The Russian ruble is the national currency of the Russian Federation. The ruble is the second oldest currency still in circulation, behind the pound sterling. It is made up of 100 kopecks.
Key points to remember
- The ruble is the currency of the Russian Federation.
- The ruble has been in use since the 13th century, making it the second oldest national currency still in existence, behind the pound sterling.
- The ruble exchange rate tends to rise and fall with world oil prices, given Russia’s position as one of the world’s leading exporters of oil and natural gas.
- In December 2021, the Bank of Russia began testing the prototype of a digital ruble.
Understanding the Russian Ruble (RUB)
The ruble (RUB) has been in use since the 13th century and has seen several incarnations during this time, including multiple revaluations and devaluations. The most recent changes occurred before the fall of the Soviet Union in 1992 and during the redenomination in 1998. The redenomination of 1998 made a new ruble worth 1,000 old rubles.
In recent years, the currency’s exchange rate has generally followed global commodity prices, especially oil prices, as Russia’s economy is highly dependent on exports of oil, natural gas and other natural resources. The ruble crashed in the second half of 2014, losing about half of its value against the US dollar as global oil prices plunged. The economic and financial sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union on Russia in July 2014 following its invasion of Ukraine have also contributed to weakening it.
In late 2017, the National Bank of Ukraine banned all Ukrainian banks and other financial institutions from circulating Russian banknotes featuring images of Crimea, a region of Ukraine that Russia annexed in 2014.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US, EU and other countries imposed strict sanctions on Russia’s largest financial institutions and firms, including the Russian central bank and energy giant Gazprom. These sanctions caused the value of the ruble to fall.
The Russian economy
Russia is more than twice the size of the 48 contiguous US states and is endowed with enormous natural resources. Yet Russia’s annual gross domestic product (GDP), ranked only 11th in the world in 2021, is only 7.72% the size of the US economy. Indeed, Russia relies heavily on natural resource exports, rather than higher value-added industries. In fact, in terms of GDP, Russia lags behind much smaller countries, such as Italy and France.
Ongoing political tensions have hurt Russia’s economy, as the country has repeatedly faced sanctions from the international community. The value of the ruble and many Russian businesses fell after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The digital ruble
President Vladimir Putin announced in 2017 that the Bank of Russia would issue a Central Bank Digital Currency (CDBC). Although many countries are now exploring CBDCs, Russia was one of the first countries to do so. In December 2021, a prototype of the digital ruble was completed and the first transfers using the digital ruble platform were successful. The Bank of Russia has announced that 12 Russian banks are ready to start using the digital ruble.
The value of the digital ruble is identical to the value of an ordinary ruble.
In February 2022, many commentators suggested that Russia could evade international sanctions by using cryptocurrency. Although a CBDC is very different from a private cryptocurrency, a digital ruble could limit Russia’s reliance on the use of foreign currencies, such as the US dollar.


A bill to require school-by-school disclosure has passed the state legislature unanimously. But until it becomes law, officials are citing medical privacy.
The child was described as an "adolescent" and "teen" from the state's Southside Health District, but no other details were provided.
The program would be one week prior to the commencement of the class of 2021.
Stacker put together a collection of photos capturing parenting moments in the animal kingdom. Scroll through to see a humpback whale swim alongside its calf in the Pacific Ocean, a deer keep a watchful eye while she feeds her baby in Nepal, and a sloth hang around with her cub in the Costa Rican jungle.
Hampton Roads schools are announcing their plans for returning to school in the fall.