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Mark Hamill knows full well that he’s perceived as one of pop culture’s most heroic figures, so he welcomes any opportunity he can get to go against type. In the case of his latest film, The Machine, Hamill and stand-up comedian Bert Kreischer play father and son, and to put it mildly, they get caught up in quite a bit of mayhem and debauchery, allowing Hamill to show a rather new side to himself. Written by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes, the Peter Atencio-directed action comedy sequelizes a true story that Kreischer has been telling for over two decades, most notably in his 2016 stand-up special, The Machine.
To make a long story short, in the mid-‘90s, Kreischer went on a Florida St. class trip to Russia, and the hard partier was forced to rob a train full of passengers by the Russian mob. So, the film, set 20 years later, is about a newly emerged crime family that has long sought revenge against the fictional Bert for stealing a family heirloom on that train, resulting in the abduction of him and his father Albert (Hamill), and subsequent return to the scene of the crime in Russia.
Prior to The Machine, Kreischer had never really acted before, and Hamill, who’s long been attracted to unhinged comedies like this, admits that he was a bit worried at first about the idea of working with a first-time actor.
“Well, that does give you pause, but the reason why I was concerned was disproven right away. Bert is nothing if not authentic,” Hamill tells The Hollywood Reporter. “What you see with Bert is what you get. He’s got this exuberance, this larger-than-life quality, and he just has fun every moment. So that’s all real, and he was just being himself on camera. So I thought he did a great job.”
While filming Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), Hamill operated as if that go-round was his goodbye to Luke Skywalker and a galaxy far, far away. Yes, he likely knew he’d be appearing as a Force ghost in what would become J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, but given that Luke met a peaceful end in The Last Jedi, that experience served as Hamill’s farewell to the beloved hero as we all knew him.
“When I read (Episode) VIII, I knew it was over. So I was relishing every moment, but also saying goodbye to all those people that I had associated with over the years. So I still miss them,” Hamill says.
But unexpectedly, Hamill ended up saying hello to young Luke again in 2020 and 2022, courtesy of Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni’s Disney+ series, The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Hamill, along with a double and deep fake technology, helped create Luke, post-Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, in order to aid Grogu’s way forward.
However, despite recent news that his sequel trilogy co-star Daisy Ridley would be returning to the role of Rey in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s untitled Star Wars film that’s set 15 years after the events of Rise of Skywalker, Hamill, at this moment in time, does not expect to resume Force ghost duties.
“No, I don’t have any expectations of that happening,” Hamill bluntly states.
Below, during a recent conversation with THR, Hamill also discusses his excitement about re-teaming with his The Fall of the House of Usher creator Mike Flanagan on the Stephen King short story drama, The Life of Chuck, alongside Tom Hiddleston.
Well, it’s quite a time to play a Florida man.
(Laughs.) I’m sort of jealous that Florida’s stolen away our most crazy state status, but what are you gonna do?
Your Machine character, Albert, is very skeptical of Bert’s (Bert Kreischer) Russian mob story at first. Did you also assume that the real Bert’s story was a piece of fiction, initially?
Well, it’s pretty hard to believe. I went and watched that routine he did, “The Machine,” which has been seen by something like 80 million people, and it is riveting. Yeah, he’s a stand-up comedian, but it’s not really filled with jokes. He’s telling a real-life story in a really compelling way, and like his audience, I was riveted by the story itself. But to read the whole script, I have to admit that it’s unlike anything I’ve ever read before. I’ve always wanted to be in one of these high-octane, crazy comedies that are desperation-fueled. Some of my favorite comedies are like that: It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), Zero Mostel’s The Producers (1967). So it was just a real treat to be a part of this.
You’ve obviously never experienced anything close to an armed robbery on a train to Moscow, but do you have your own eventful story from traveling abroad that you’re willing to share?
Gee, I’d really have to give that some thought. One of the aspects that can be unnerving, especially since 1977, is how people feel like they know you wherever you go, but it can also be nice. They’re very welcoming and they always relay to me how the films I’ve been in affected their lives, whether they met their future spouse at a screening or it helped them get through a parent’s illness. So it’s always highly personal, and it’s nothing I’ve taken for granted. I mean, it’s an honor that they would feel comfortable opening up to me like that.
There are certainly some differences between your Albert Kreischer and the real Albert Kreischer, but how much detail did you ask Bert to give you about his father?
Well, Bert said that his father said, “When am I gonna meet Mark so I can inform him how to play the part?” But I didn’t know that until the movie was completely finished. So I would’ve loved to have met his father and I guess I will at the screening, but it’s obviously not a documentary. I read the script and figured out what was required of my character to make the movie the best it can be. But I was predisposed to be in character as Albert anyway, because I do wanna know things like why Bert takes his shirt off to do comedy. In my first Zoom meeting with Bert, I was saying things like, “Nipsey Russell was funny with his shirt on. Norm Crosby was funny with his shirt on.” (Laughs.) So I was already channeling his father, but the relationship is what really grabbed me. Within all the madness and this high-energy, almost-fever dream spy movie craziness, it was the relationship between these two that really drew me to the project. My character is trying to make Bert more responsible and more even-keeled and, well, less Bert. But he winds up making Albert become more like him than Albert makes him become like him, so there’s irony in that as well.
To borrow a term from The Machine, you’re obviously most known for being the “Eagle Scout” of a galaxy far, far away, so do you welcome these opportunities to go against type in live action?
Oh, sure! That’s what you look for really, because you don’t want to repeat yourself and do the same old same old every time. So that was part of the appeal of doing it. First of all, I asked myself, “Would I see this movie myself if I wasn’t in it?” and the answer was yes. The second I asked was, “Is there something I can bring to this that broadens my horizon?” and I felt that it did.
So Bert has never really acted before and he’s certainly never led a studio movie. So did you accept this job knowing that you might have to show him the ropes a little bit?
Well, that does give you pause, but the reason why I was concerned was disproven right away. Bert is nothing if not authentic. He’s not like Paul Reubens who created Pee-wee Herman as a character. What you see with Bert is what you get. He’s got this exuberance, this larger-than-life quality, and he just has fun every moment. So that’s all real, and he was just being himself on camera. So I thought he did a great job. I played another comedian’s father when I did Brigsby Bear with Kyle Mooney.
That’s one of those things where you go, “Well, I’ve seen Kyle on Saturday Night live in sketches, but can he pull off a real-life character that really carries the movie?” And so it was the same thing with Bert, but in both cases, I had nothing to worry about. They both did great, and Bert is just himself on camera. That’s him. It’s not a character.
You touched on this earlier in regard to perfect strangers, but when people ask you for a meeting in order to pitch you a role like this, do you prefer that they ignore the Luke Skywalker in the room? Or are you okay with their sentimentality?
Well, I don’t know that I look at it quite that way. Obviously, that’s a part of me and it’ll always be a part of me, but sometimes, other people think about it more than I do. And in this case, it didn’t come up at all, unless it was unspoken by them. But sometimes, that’s a good thing, because people might have preconceived notions that are fun to blow up if you can. (Laughs.)
So I really appreciated your speech at Carrie Fisher’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony recently, but just out of curiosity, why did it take this long for her to get a star? It obviously should’ve happened ages ago.
Yeah. Well, I don’t know their rules and how they judge that, but it sure would’ve been nice to have had it happen when she was still with us, obviously. But I’m glad they at least came around, even though, like you say, it was very long in coming.
To me, the two best live-action performances of your career are from the aforementioned Brigsby Bear (2017) and The Last Jedi (2017). Do those performances rank pretty high in your book as well?
Well, I have fondness for both those films, but sometimes, I like things that are just totally unexpected, like playing Crow in Sushi Girl (2012). That’s a low-budget gangster movie that very few people saw, but there’s always something you value in the things that you do. I try to start with a clean slate and not acknowledge anything I’ve done before. I approach each project like it’s the first job I’ve ever had.
I’m still struck by how emotional you were after they called cut on the scene where Luke and R2 watched his Jedi temple burn in The Last Jedi. Do you remember your thought process at that time?
Well, the whole thing was emotional, because when I read (Episode) VIII, I knew it was over. So I was relishing every moment, but also saying goodbye to all those people that I had associated with over the years. So I still miss them.
Based on recent news, do you expect to do some more Force-ghosting at some point?
No, I don’t have any expectations of that happening.
Lastly, you had your own exciting news recently involving Mike Flanagan, Tom Hiddleston and Stephen King’s short story The Life of Chuck. Was that one of the easiest yeses of your career?
Yes, absolutely. Mike sort of has a repertory group of actors that he uses over and over again. I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly (following the upcoming The Fall of the House of Usher) , but I adore the man and he’s so gifted. The minute he wanted me back, I was like, “Just tell me where and when and I’ll be there.”
The Machine is now playing in movie theaters. This interview was edited for length and clarity.

domain: entertainment


text: This compact magnetic book delivers concise information in a handy, portable 3.25" x 2.25" package no larger than a credit card. The innovative design allows the book to fold out to provide 26 pages of useful facts, figures, trivia, and other essential information. Waterproof, tear-proof, and with color illustrations, it is jammed packed with advice and tips in a guide that slips easily into a pocket, briefcase, or purse. The book features a convenient magnetic backing that guarantees to keep it handy, whether on a refrigerator or file cabinet. This book will help prepare your babysitter with important information such as contact numbers, responsibilities, medications, first aid and more. Feel good about leaving your children with a babysitter - you deserve a night out!

domain: library


text:
Merkel defends Afghan mission after deadly air strike
The speech came as the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said that there had been civilian victims in Friday's air strike in northern Kunduz province, but gave no numbers.Berlin -- Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday she deeply regrets any civilian deaths in an air strike in Afghanistan last week, as she defended the unpopular mission ahead of elections on September 27.
"Every innocent person killed in Afghanistan is one too many," Merkel said in a speech to parliament. "Any innocent person killed or hurt, including through German actions, I deeply regret.
"It is important to me as German chancellor to express this today, and to the Afghan people, and I think I say this in all your names," Merkel told deputies, promising a "open" enquiry. "I will ensure that we will not put a gloss on anything."
The speech came as the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said that there had been civilian victims in Friday's air strike in northern Kunduz province, but gave no numbers.
The incident has put Merkel under pressure at home and abroad, with opposition parties pressing her for a full explanation, less than three weeks before the country goes to the polls.
In her address, Merkel also delivered a stout defence of Germany's presence in Afghanistan which had proved deeply unpopular even before Friday's raid.
Merkel has refused to name a date for a withdrawal, but on Sunday she unveiled a joint German-British-French proposal for an international conference this year to pressure Karzai's government to take on more responsibilities so that coalition forces can come home.
"It was Afghanistan, controlled by the Taliban and al-Qaeda, that was the breeding ground for the terror of September 11," Merkel told lawmakers on Tuesday, referring to the 2001 attacks on the United States. "The September 11 attacks were followed by dreadful attacks in Europe -- in Madrid and in London. We know too that Germany is in their sights ... The engagement in Afghanistan is our reaction to terror. That's where it came from, not the other way around."
Merkel also rejected foreign criticism of the Kunduz raid -- French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner called it a "big mistake" -- saying that observers should wait for the full facts to be established.
"I will also ensure that we will not accept any premature judgements,” Merkel said. “And having experienced what I have in recent days, I say this very clearly: I will refuse to accept this from anyone, either here in Germany or from abroad."
Local Afghan officials have put the death toll at least 54, with the victims engulfed in an inferno as the bombs blew up two fuel trucks that had been kidnapped by militants.
But other sources put the death toll from the air strike, carried out by US aircraft and ordered by a German commander, far higher and there are contradictory reports about the number of civilians and Taliban fighters killed.
The German defence ministry said on Monday that it had feared that the Taliban would use the fuel trucks as mobile bombs to kill German and Afghan government troops, calling the strike "militarily necessary and correct".
Germany only began major military deployments abroad a decade ago, breaking a post-war taboo, and the air strike has moved what was already an unpopular mission up the agenda ahead of general elections in less than three weeks.
Although pollsters say Merkel's conservatives are virtually assured of victory, they hope to ditch their current partners, the Social Democrats (SPD), and link up with the smaller, liberal Free Democratic Party.
All three parties support the Afghan mission, as do the Greens. The only party in the Bundestag to call for Germany's 4,200 troops to come home now is the far-left Die Linke, which has called a demo in Berlin on Tuesday.

domain: news


text:
Work stress can be one of two things: an emotional, energy drainer or a motivator. It all depends on your perspective. It probably doesn’t feel like it when the work is piling up and deadlines seem to appear around every corner, but as it turns out, work stress can actually be beneficial to your personal and professional development.
“I’ve spent years focusing on turning stress into a motivational factor as well as an innovation catalyst,” shares Trace Reddick, MBA, owner of Dorado Finance LTD. “Asking yourself why you’re stressed and what can be done to eliminate or reduce that stress will give you the chance to flip the stress on its head and create an opportunity out of it.”
Whether you’re already thriving under pressure, or you’re looking for a way to flip your workplace mindset, here’s how stress in the office can actually be beneficial – if you look at it the right way.
Strengthens Your Ability to Deal With Life’s Curveballs
How did you handle your first stressful situation at work? You most likely deal with those situations better now, because you know what to expect and learned from the outcomes of previous incidents. “Most of us will have to deal with stress on the job at some point – in most cases, we will at many points in our lives,” says Nina LaRosa, Marketing Director of Moxie Media. “Learning how to handle stress now can make it easier to manage in the future.”
Boosts Your Cognitive Function and Memory
When you’re under moderate pressure at work, you may feel nervous and flustered. According to LaRosa, these feelings are a response to your brain strengthening its connection between neurons. This connection enhances your attention span and memory, leading to an increase in your productivity.
“The presence of stress helps produce neurotrophins which enhance the connection of one neuron to another inside our brains,” adds Norhanie Pangulima, Content Marketing Executive at Gigworker. “As a result, improved memory can be observed. This will come in handy at work, especially because our short-term memory can hold up to seven pieces of information at the same time but only for around 20 seconds.”
Resiliency is a key skill that employers would want their employees to have and nothing makes a person more flexible and resilient than being in a stressful situation. “When this happens, employees realize that not all days are going to be good but they will also recognize that they can always bounce back after a bad event. This kind of outlook can make a lot of difference in the workplace,” says Pangulima.
Strengthens Your Immune System
“Moderate stress stimulates the production of interleukins and provides the immune system with a boost of protection against illnesses,” says Pangulima. “This means that employees will have fewer sick days, which is a good thing since 5-6 percent of work days are lost per year due to sickness.”
Pulls You Out of Your Comfort Zone
According to Tracy Y Washington, Leadership Engagement Consultant, Speaker and Coach, the stress of achieving goals calls people out of their comfort zones to accomplish more, like meeting a deadline or closing a sale, for example. “Stress, which would normally cause fear, can shift to excitement and anticipation, such as taking on a new role or promotion,” she says.
Can Help Develop Your Social Skills
Whether you’ve been met with a co-worker who does nothing but cause stress, or you’re facing disagreements with your higher ups, stressing over work relationships can actually be a good thing in the long run. “When unavoidable co-workers stress you out, it can force you to find better ways to relate to them, instead of running the other way,” says Washington.
Gives You Purpose and Direction
Stress can be the wind in your sails, if you know how to manage it. “Think of a restaurant … you usually get better service when it’s busy and the waiter has ten or fifteen tables to deal with, rather than when the place is empty,” explains Julian Jost, CEO and Co-Founder of Spacebase. “Most people need pressure to perform their best – it’s what pushes you to prioritize and make decisions quickly, so you can get on with completing the task at hand.” With no stress, no drive, people go in circles and may never meet their goals!
Helps You Expand Your Limits
Stress lets you find out what your limits are – or what you perceive them to be, anyway. According to Jost, you need to be able to recognize signs of mental and physical stress for yourself, and know when stress is having a positive and motivating effect on your performance versus when it might be time to take a break.
Often an Inhibitor of Great Achievements
Stress is a natural response to a range of stimuli, including expectations to achieve high grades in school or certain targets at work. “High achievers almost always experience moderate to high amounts of stress,” explains Maciej Duszynski, Career Expert at Zety. “What this tells us is that stress is often an inhibitor of great achievements. Perfectionists, particularly, can only be so because they care enough about a project to the point where it stresses them out a little.”

domain: psychology


text:
“I feel like I don’t fit in. I always felt that I was a social outcast. When I was in grade school, the other children always told me I was weird…”
“I feel lonely because most of my friendships are one-sided, where I never get to discuss my own troubles. Most often I know what people are about to say, and people get irritated with me because I finish their sentences”.
These are some of the statements often heard from people whose reincarnated spirits have an origin, either in their last life’s or more often from other planes of existence, such as the angelic, elemental (nature’s angels) or interplanetary realms, etc.

domain: literature


text:
The Japanese will soon move to new frontiers in their passion for mobile telephones and
pop music as customers will be able to download full-length, CD-quality songs onto their cellphones.
Japan's number-two telecommunications firm KDDI said Thursday it will offer a service of 10,000 songs
with sound quality so good the music can be listened to on stereo speakers. Users can also use the tunes
as ring tones.
Working with record labels, KDDI plans to allow users to download each tune for several hundred yen
(several dollars) and eventually to expand the database of songs.
"We may be able to offer songs for downloads before CDs are officially released. That might serve as a
sampler for people to decide whether to buy CDs of certain artists," said a KDDI spokesman.
"With the new service, mobile phone users can listen to music without operating their PCs. That offers a
new choice, a new way of enjoying music for consumers," he said.
The service, which begins next month, is called "Chaku Uta Full," or "Full Ringer Songs."
Since December 2002, KDDI has offered a hugely popular "Chaku Uta" service that allows mobile phone
users to download parts of songs for ring tones.
The original Chaku Uta service has seen 120 million downloads or around 10 million per month.


text:
Spanish tourism 20202.
Tourists numbers to Spain in 2020 were 18,957,856. That is down 77% from the 83,509,153 that arrived in 2019.
Tourist revenue fell from € 91,912 million to € 19,740 million from 2019 to 2020.
The French were the number one visitor to Spain in 2020. 3,877,619 French visited Spain. 3,173,861 UK visitors arrived and 329,759 Irish.
The French market held up the best but was still down 65% v 2019. UK visits dropped by 82% and Irish by 85% in 2019.
Maybe surprisingly given the covid situation Cataluna was the region in Spain with the most international visitors in 2020. This may be because its location near the number one visitor France in 2020.
The Canary Islands was the second most visited Spanish region in 2020.
For more about the Canary Islands, click here.

domain: geography


Halo 3, the blockbuster Xbox 360 game, sold over 10,000 copies in New Zealand on its first day.
This equates to over $1million in sales in 24 hours.
The Warehouse said it was the biggest gaming launch in the chain's 25-year history.
Harvey Norman experienced record pre-sale results, and Dick Smith Electronics said pre-order sales were triple that of its successful predecessor Halo 2.
Microsoft New Zealand Entertainment and Devices business director Frazer Scott says, "New Zealand was the first country in the world to receive Halo 3 when it was launched worldwide at 12.01am on Tuesday 25 September.
"Retailers across the country opened their doors at midnight to meet demand from fans - gamers were not going to risk missing out on Halo 3 and wanted to get their hands on it as soon as it hit the shelves."
Debby Stewart, buyer for Dick Smith Electronics, says, "We've never seen anything like it. Our day-one stocks were nearly completely sold out, and Halo 3 has broken DSE day-one launch records for any gaming title."
Halo 3 sold $US170millon ($NZ228m) in the United States in its first 24 hours - outstripping records set by Spiderman 3 and the final instalment in the Harry Potter series.
- NZ HERALD STAFF


text:
Prince Xizor (pronounced Shee-zor) is the Falleen leader of the Black Sun Crime Syndicate, based on Coruscant. He is described as the third most influential being in the Star Wars galaxy after Emperor Palapatine and Darth Vader. Some of Xizor's schemes included the assassination of Luke Skywalker, the seduction of Princess Leia, and the usurping of Darth Vader. Xizor was an ambitious individual indeed.
The Star Wars Miniature version of Xizor is a fairly faithful representation of the crime lord. He is an expensive mini at 40 pts play cost but his true value lies in his Commander Effect, which grants Grenades 20 to allies with Grenades 10 AND Accurate Shot to allies with Stealth. Since Xizor is fringe, the benefits of his CE can be paired with any other faction. The key term in his CE is allies, meaning that Xizor's CE affects ALL allies including followers, commanders, non-uniques, and uniques.
Offensively, Xizor is weak with only 10 damage and his attack of +12 is appropriate for his play cost. Defensively, however, he is a tough customer. The combination of 100 hit points, a 22 defense (one of the highest in the game), and the Pheremones special ability make him a real pain to the enemy. Pheremones forces enemy characters within 6 squares of Xizor that are attacking him to save at 11+ to even be able to attack! However, keep in mind that attacks that do not target Xizor himself - force/sith lightning, grenades, missles, etc.- are not subject to this special ability.
Zixor is best kept in the rear guarding the gear. His CE is too valuable and his play cost is too high to risk him early in the game. If enough allies have been lost, Xizor - with careful manuevering - can act as a sort of bodybuard. By staying in cover and making himself the nearest target, his high defense and Pheremones can make a huge difference. Watch out for accurate shooters since they can bypass this technique.
Strategies and game play:
Let's assume that Xizor is paired with allies that use both parts of his CE. Keep Xizor in the back and have your shooters stay in cover and plug away. If the enemy gets close, use the grenades against groups of enemies or those with high defenses that you are unlikely to hit. Place your least valuable character out front so it will take the enemies fire first.
Combos with other miniatures:
Naturally, Xizor's best synergy will be with allies that have Grenades 10, Stealth, or both. There are currently only two miniatures - Republic Commando Scorch and Rebel Commando - that have both these abilities. The Rebel Commando is a relatively weak mini and even with Xizor's CE is not very competitive. Scorch, however, becomes a very competitive piece and under Xizor's leadership has Grenades 20, Stealth, Accurate Shot, and Satchel Charge. Pair that with Queen Amidala and you have a mobile attacking powerhouse!
In addition to his optimal pairings with the Rebels or Republic, Xizor now has a dedicated following in the Bounty Hunters Huge set. The Aqualish Assassin, Human Blaster-for-Hire, Klatooinian Hunter, and the Quarren Bounty Hunter all have the "Black Sun" special ability which gives them grenades 10 when paired with either Xizor or a Vigo. Of course, Xizor will up that ability to grenades 20 but the Vigo cannot.
However, The Republic and The Rebels are still the two factions that stand to gain the most from having Xizor in their squad.
Oh, I nearly forgot. Xizor has his own personal bodyguard, Guri. She is a droid and has a slew of special abilities: Cunning Attack, Mobile Attack, Double Attack, Stealth, and Xizor's Bodyguard. She also has a 20 defense and +13 attack but she only does 10 damage. Despite her great abilities, her Double Attack is conflicting with her Mobile Attack and since she is a droid, has little synergy with other characters. Since her play cost is relatively high at 25 points, I only recommend playing her in high point value games when you can afford a repairing unit or it is vital to your squad to keep Xizor in play. Guri is also a great scenario piece.
Ways to counteract it:
You either need to take out Xizor and eliminate his CE or concentrate on taking out the allies using his CE; don't split your effort on both. The best way to go about this will depend upon your army.
Xizor's weaknesses are exploitable by characers with the Bounty Hunter special ability (since he is unique), characters with Accurate Shot (since stealth is not effective against them), characters with "replaces attacks" special abilities (since they ignore Pheremones), and beatstick characters with a force rating (since they can reroll their Pheremone saves and generally have high enough attack and defense values to deal with Xizor and their Melee Attack negates some of the effectiveness of Stealth).
A unique 2-part CE (The ONLY mini in the game that can conditionally grant "Accurate Shot" to all allies (not just non-uniqe pieces like Veers). Great defensive statistics and abilities.
High play cost. Weak damage output.
Artwork and aesthetics:
The artwork and color on this miniature are exceptional - especially on the robes and clothing. This is very befitting of Xizor since he was known to have very lavish and expensive tastes. The crossed arms exude defiance, and are appropriate for the most powerful crime lord in the galaxy. I especially like the downward-pointing blaster that seems to say, "I don't want to have to use this, but you wouldn't want me to."
Based on the character representation, the quality of the miniature, and the playability of the piece within the SWM game, I give Prince Xizor a rating of 8.

domain: game


text:
Human beings feel all sorts of emotions — fear, love, loathing, hate, like, happiness, elation, anger, grief, and many more. It is part of the human condition.
The current mantras are “stop being afraid”, “always have a positive attitude” and “stay positive”. Social media is filled with clever sayings and memes about the “think positive” mind-hive .
Well, sorry folks, I’m here to tell you, unless you are a monk or some ethereal being, it is not human to be positive every minute of every day. Is God positive all the time? Well, if you believe the Bible, no! God was a very angry God sometimes. God was judgmental. God was vengeful. God grieved.
I’m a firm believer in having your time to feel your anger, feel your grief, feel your fear. You can’t wallow in it but not allowing yourself to feel these things I have learned from therapy is damaging.
The author, Maddy Paxman, wrote about the grief she felt after the death of her husband, Michael, in an article in The Telegraph, and how it is not acceptable to show grief, in which she states:
Anyway, try not being strong and see where it gets you. Once, at an ice-rink birthday party for my son’s friend, I sat down on the floor in the corner and sobbed. No one came near me. Diana, Princess of Wales’s funeral notwithstanding, public displays of emotion are still largely a cause for discomfort. We do not know how to witness another’s pain, simply to stand by them as they grieve. So grief and sadness become private, hidden, shameful even. I even found it hard to cry in front of myself.
I have found this to be true even for myself. You get labeled as a “negative” person when you show how you really feel at that moment. You are given anecdotes in which everyone knows someone with three children, whose husband died, and is now dealing with cancer… and the death of a parent… and the loss of a job. And of course, this person is always happy and cheerful. I don’t know how to break it to you but that person – she is just putting one foot in front of the other and often pastes a smile on her face to show to the world. She is not as happy as you think. She isn’t opening her heart and soul to you however.
How do I know? I spent years telling people I was “fine”. I was anything but fine. But I was known as an always upbeat and happy person. It was a lie. It was a lie I told others and I often told myself. And when I wasn’t lying to myself, I was berating myself for having negative emotions. “Why am I sad and anxious? I should be happy. I have so much going for me” was a reoccurring theme in my head.
I talked to my therapist about my grief, for the loss of my dad, for the loss of my cat, for the loss of friendship, for the surgery I had in December, for the loss of the woman I called “grandma”, and she told me that I must allow myself time and permission to feel what I feel. She said it is imperative to not allow anyone to tell me how I should feel and give me a timetable in which to “get over it”.
People want us to be positive all the time because as, Paxman said in her article, anything else makes you uncomfortable. We are human. We don’t like being uncomfortable (another emotion!).
Talking about business, Seth Godin wrote in Linchpin; Are You Indispensable
Discomfort brings engagement and change. Discomfort means you’re doing something that others were unlikely to do, because they’re hiding out in the comfortable zone. When your uncomfortable actions lead to success, the organization rewards you and brings you back for more.
Glennon Doyle Melton wrote about this on her Momastery Blog in 2014, specifically writing about anger and the discomfort people feel when you express anger. She wrote “Forbidding half of the human experience to half of the human race is quite insane and dangerous.”
I know that when friend or family member is uncomfortable with my negative emotions, I stop confiding in them. Then I stop talking to them about anything of any import. Because I don’t trust them with my feelings, honoring all of my feelings, or more to the point, honoring all of me.
We need to honor our friends and family. All of them, in all of their messy glory. I need to honor myself in all of my messy glory. Because we are human.

domain: sociology


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Joseph L. Goldstein
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
- April 18, 1940 (age 83) Sumter South Carolina
- Awards And Honors:
- National Medal of Science (1988) Nobel Prize (1985)
- Subjects Of Study:
- cholesterol low-density lipoprotein
Joseph L. Goldstein, in full Joseph Leonard Goldstein, (born April 18, 1940, Sumter, S.C., U.S.), American molecular geneticist who, along with Michael S. Brown, was awarded the 1985 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for their elucidation of the process of cholesterol metabolism in the human body.
Goldstein received his B.S. degree from Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va., in 1962 and obtained his medical degree from the Southwestern Medical School of the University of Texas at Dallas in 1966. Goldstein became friends with Brown when they were both working as interns at Massachusetts General Hospital from 1966 to 1968. Goldstein then conducted research under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health from 1968 to 1972, studying genetically predisposing factors that caused the accumulation of blood cholesterol in people prone to heart attacks. He returned to teach at the Southwestern Medical School in Dallas in 1972 and was there reunited with his colleague Brown.
The two men then began a concerted study of the processes affecting the accumulation of cholesterol in the bloodstream. In the course of their research they discovered that low-density lipoproteins (LDL), which are primary cholesterol-carrying particles, are withdrawn from the bloodstream into the body’s cells by receptors on the cells’ surface. The genetic absence of these LDL receptors was found to be the cause of familial hypercholesterolemia, a disorder in which the body’s tissues are incapable of removing cholesterol from the bloodstream. The new understanding of cells receptors’ role in the regulation of cholesterol levels in the bloodstream spurred the successful use of drugs and the manipulation of diet in lowering blood cholesterol levels.
From 1976 Goldstein was professor of medicine and from 1977 chairman of the department of molecular genetics at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Dallas; he was named regental professor of the University of Texas in 1985. In addition to the Nobel Prize, Goldstein and Brown have received numerous awards for their research on cholesterol and lipoproteins, including the Louisa Gross Horowitz Prize for Biology or Biochemistry (1984), the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award (1985), and the National Medal of Science (1988).
In the 1990s the two scientists made another groundbreaking advance in cholesterol research when they discovered a new family of transcription factors called sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs). Goldstein and Brown found that SREBPs controlled the synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids, and in subsequent studies they elucidated the mechanism of activation that enables SREBPs to regulate lipid metabolism. In 2003 Goldstein and Brown were honoured with an Albany Medical Center Prize for their work on SREBPs.

domain: medical


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Know more about this business than we do? Cool! Please submit any corrections or missing details you may have.Help us make it right
Zinburger never disappoints! It is always a solid experience with great food, fantastic wine, and good service. There is always a wait on the weekends but we have never waited more then 10 minutes. It never disappoints.
The burgers here are absolutely delicious; I've never been disappointed in a meal here. It's a little annoying that the fries are an extra charge, but it seems that this is the trend for burger places nowadays. The liquor license is a big plus as most burger places in NJ don't serve alcohol. Get the Bars of Zin for dessert...it's...

domain: food


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If you're reading this article you've more than liking heard of the thyroid gland before. This small, butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck is a powerful one that affects a large number of organs in the body and it's function can determine many physiological factors such as metabolism and energy, mood, temperature, and fertility.
The Thyroid Gland
Our thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck, is a part of the endocrine system and an important regulator of metabolism and the function of almost all cells in our body. It requires nourishment from a number of nutrients in order to function properly. This includes the production of thyroid hormones (T4) and (T3, active form) that act on our body cells to maintain normal metabolism. The thyroid gland plays a large role in regulating body temperature, energy production, fertility, bowel regulation, skin integrity, and mood.
Thyroid disorders include conditions of excess thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or low thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) which may be auto-immune or non-autoimmune driven.
Auto-immune thyroid conditions include Grave's disease (hyper-function) and Hashimoto thyroiditis aka Hashimoto's disease (hypo-function). Transient or temporary thyroid conditions can occur including gestational hypo- or hyperthyroidism.
Stress Increases Nutritional Demand
We know that stress can interfere with many normal functions of the body and can cause inflammation and oxidation. When we are stressed our body has a greater demand for certain nutrients in order to remain functioning at optimum capacity.
The thyroid is highly dependant on nutrients that support adequate thyroid function, synthesis of thyroid hormone, and conversion to active thyroid hormone.
How can stress impact thyroid function?
Tyrosine is an amino acid (the building blocks that make up plant and animal proteins) that is used for many functions in the body. Like most amino acids, tyrosine is used for more than one function. Amongst other things tyrosine is used to make the hormone adrenaline and to make thyroid hormone (T4).
During times of stress our body increases the production of adrenaline which is released by the adrenal glands in preparation for a 'fight or flight' response i.e. stress. Adrenaline may compete with the thyroid for tyrosine causing reduced thyroid function.
If you suspect you have thyroid dysfunction, see your healthcare practitioner to have a chat about your symptoms, diet, and lifestyle that may be affecting your health.


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Thursday, September 21, 2006
© Copyright 2015
Gwinnett Daily Post
DULUTH - Police are looking for three suspects in connection with the theft of multiple credit cards reported stolen from a purse on Aug. 14.
A Lilburn woman reported activity on the cards the same day her purse was reported stolen from her 2006 Honda Accord, which was parked at a fitness center on Pleasant Hill Road, said Cpl. Darren Moloney, spokesman for the Gwinnett County Police Department.
All of the transactions occurred at stores within Gwinnett Place Mall.
The suspects are also believed to be responsible for stealing the purse from the vehicle, Moloney said in a press release.
Images of the suspects were taken by store security cameras and given to police after the incidents, but police have not been able to identify any of the men.
"We don't know who they are," Moloney said.
All three men are believed to be in their early 20s. One has a dollar sign tattoo on his right hand above the word MOB, and another is described as having two gold teeth.
The department is asking for the public's help in identifying the suspects.
As for the auto break-in, no information was available as to whether the Accord was unlocked at the time of the theft or whether entry was forced.
If you have any information about any of the suspects, including their names and whereabouts, please contact the GCPD at 770-513-5210.

domain: law


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New research from LEAF Education shows the extent young people think about sustainable food
The agri-food industry is best placed to engage, motivate and inspire 12-19-year-olds about the sector and how to get involved in it.
That’s the message from agri-education organisation LEAF Education, which has unveiled its latest research, of 2,500 young people, in partnership with McDonald’s UK and Harper Adams’ School of Sustainable Food and Farming.
While the majority of young people have not had the opportunity to learn about the agri-food industry in school (66 per cent), 75 per cent believe that agriculture and food education should play a larger part in the school curriculum.
The research looks at how much of a ‘conscious consumer’ the next generation is, with results showing that teens are keen to know and understand more, with 80 per cent wanting to learn more about sustainable food choices.
They also highlighted a trust in supermarkets and big brands to make those sustainability decisions on their behalf, before products hit the shelves or restaurants (65 per cent). Young people are now calling for a better understanding of environmental labelling – far above carbon cost, food miles and how choices they make can have a bigger impact on the climate crisis.
84 per cent of young people stated that with the right and clear information, environmental sustainability would be their number-one factor, over and above cost or convenience when purchasing food.
As part of the culmination of the research, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh joined students for the first day of a two-day residential at Harper Adams University. The Duchess took part in high-tech agri-food sessions, designed to showcase the breadth and depth of the UK’s modern agri-food industry and listened to the students’ career aspirations and understanding of sustainable food choices.
Speaking last week to confirm the next steps for industry, Beth Hart, vice president supply chain and brand trust at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said of the findings: “Our business relies on over 23,000 British and Irish farmers to produce quality ingredients that go into our products, so ensuring a resilient and successful agri-industry is critical for both their futures and securing ours too.
”That is why we’re so passionate about engaging and inspiring the next generation who can bring fresh thinking to the sector, particularly when it comes to sustainability. We are committed to supporting LEAF Education to help us achieve this and look forward to working together to ensure these research findings inform how we make a difference.”
This latest research from LEAF Education shows that young people are hugely positive about the agri-food industry, with nine in 10 stating that we should all appreciate and have a better connection to where our food comes from. Some 91 per cent of young people believe our individual food choices are important in the fight against climate change.
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domain: agronomy


The European Union's (EU) forthcoming Artificial Intelligence Regulation, also known as the AIA, will determine what artificial intelligence (AI) can be deployed in the EU, and how much it costs an organization to do so. The current draft starts with a broad definition of AI: “software that...can...generate outputs such as content, predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing the environments they interact with.”
However, this definition may already be too narrow, given what the AIA is primarily about: ensuring that decisions made by or with machines are done so well, transparently, and with clear human accountability, at least if those decisions matter.
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The space has a great history, and Demand Media has worked hard to preserve it. Decades ago, the office was owned and operated by Willie Nelson as the Austin Opry House, where some of the music legends including Dolly Parton and Stevie Ray Vaughn have performed.
Demand Media has been busy, with its recent acquisition of Name.com, the launch of Designs.com, and the opening of a new office in Dublin, Ireland, which Taryn Naidu, EVP, domain services at Demand Media talks about in the video.
With the release of the new gTLDs just around the corner, there is ample opportunity for web hosts to reach small and medium-sized businesses, which Chris Sheridan, VP, business development, eNom, and Dave Panos, EVP emerging markets, Demand Media, discuss in an interview.
It wouldn’t be a visit to Austin without some BBQ, and we caught a glimpse of the BBQ food truck that rolls up to the Demand Media office at lunchtime.
BBQ, music and new gTLDs? I can’t think of a more perfect way to represent our trip to Austin.


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This is one of the reasons why I refused to believe any news that would come out every April 1. I usually wait a good day, or two, or even three, before believing any news that will come out on that particular day.
Just a few days ago, the Chinese entertainment industry had all gone a-buzzing with news when Huang Xiao Ming revealed his plans to marry Angelababy on October 1 in a lavish dream wedding in France reportedly worth half a million. He even promised to take all their relatives and friends to witness their union. Xiao Ming stated that he would do this because it’s always been Angelababy’s dream to have a grand wedding fit for a princess. This news received a lot of well wishers from their fans, but it also received a lot of flak for Angelababy’s over self-indulgence.
Shortly after, the 26-year old model-actress with the weird moniker appeared for a press conference of her latest movie Bride Wars and denied that they are planning such a lavish wedding in France. She said that she prefers to get married in the Mainland as it’s more convenient for all their friends and families to attend their wedding. Though she admitted that while they do have plans to get married this year, she countered that October 1 is not going to be the date of their wedding. When reporters kept on asking her questions about the supposed wedding plans in France, Angelababy finally relented and reluctantly said that it was just an April Fool’s joke. Boo yeah!
However, despite the distasteful “you-can’t-just-joke-about-those-things” prank from the lovebirds, the media and their fans are still keeping their eyes peeled for these two for a possible grand wedding ceremony to be happening soon.
Even if the supposed French wedding might just be a harmless prank, but with Xiao Ming’s extravagant and overly generous display of affection for his fiancee, such as throwing over-the-top birthday surprises for her and giving her a Lamborghini as a birthday gift, expect nothing short of a lavish wedding for this high profile couple to take place soon in their near future.
For now, let us all just have a good laugh on this prank, just like the good sport that we are.


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Gangster Cat Mod (Money) Apk v1.0 Android Download
Explanation: Gangster Cat: This is Action game. Tons of entertaining tasks. Dynamic combats with special cat-fighting style! Cool animations and effects. Hidden secrets around the map. The greatest criminal the whole world is talking about. Gangster cat!
If you want to play this game, you can download and play the game from the link below. Good luck.
Game Name: Gangster Cat
Category: Android Games Download
Game Type: Action
Release Date: 30.10.2017
Size: 95.7 MB
Developer Company: Naxeex Publishing
File Type: .apk
Price Status: FREE


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click image to enlarge
Vijay Pandurangan was chatting with a friend, noting that he felt today's movie posters are extremely dark-colored in their design.
"I mentioned how I felt that most movie posters these days were very blue and dark. She didn’t fully believe me and challenged me to prove it. I looked around, and found some people had done this with a few posters over the last few years, but I became curious about the longer-term trends and what they would show. So, as any engineer would do, I wrote some code!"
The result is an eye-popping graphic that uses data from 35,000 posters dating back to 1914. Each image was condensed in colored pixel form, and then sorted by year and hue. Website Gizmodo
shared a possible explanation for the shifting rainbow, which we can jibe with. "Perhaps the colors say less about how movie posters' colors as a whole and color trends, than they do about how genres of movies have evolved." They point out that there are far more dark thrillers and sci-fi films now than almost 100 years ago, which could account for the inky palette. We'd also like to offer that the creation of film posters has evolved, shifting away from artist's handmade creations (which have always seemed vividly depicted to us), to printers and distributors, and then studio controlled production houses.
Let us know what you think about the graphic above. Pandurangan also created an interactive version
and promised to fix the issue with year 1924 sometime next week. Stay tuned for an updated graphic on his blog

domain: artistic


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Fact-check: Purported damage of Tamale Interchange false
In the last few days, an image showing a purported damage to over head bridge has been circulating on social media with a caption indicating that it was the newly constructed Tamale Interchange which has a section damaged.
In the image, a deep crack is seen on the pillars of the walkway of the structure, making it unsafe for commuters, particularly heavy-duty vehicles.
However, a fact-check shows that the said image was not the Tamale Interchange.
The image is the Dorman Long Bridge located in Nigeria. The bridge connects Ikorodu Road to Western Avenue (Jibowu-Ojuelegba.
On Tuesday morning, as part of the fact check, Graphic Online's reporter in Tamale, Mohammed Fugu also took a tour of the structure and discovered that no such damage had occurred on it as being reported on social media.
Further checks with the authorities also confirmed that the structure was in good shape.
In addition, in the viral picture a metal barricade has been erected around the interchange but a visit to the area shows that no such barricades exist on the Tamale interchange.
Also, a Lagos-based website, lagostelevision on September 18, 2023 reported on the state of the bridge with the headline “FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS PRESS RELEASE ON DORMAN LONG BRIDGE.”
“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Works has been drawn to a video being circulated on the social media, indicating that a section of Dorman-long Bridge connecting Ikorodu Road to Western Avenue (Jibowu-Ojuelegba) is in critical condition and requires urgent attention.
In response to this, the Lagos State Field Headquarters Engineers led by the Federal Controller of Works of the Ministry on Monday 18th September, 2023 inspected the bridge to ascertain the veracity of this claim” the website reported.
Multiple fact-checks have all pointed to the fact that the said image purported to be a damage section of the Tamale Interchange is outright false and should be disregarded.


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News and Articles About Employee Compensation
If you're a small-business owner who hopes the fuss will die down after November -- it won't.
With insightful analytics, companies can establish a compensation strategy that works best for them.
Make More Happen
Employers serious about growing help their employees be the innovators they yearn to be.
Chieh Huang, the CEO of Boxed Wholesale, says it 'just felt right to extend this benefit to all our valued employees.'
In the new deal, attorneys for drivers calculated that Lyft drivers could have recovered $156 million had they been classified as employees.
And the perk is better for workers who have been with the company longer.
A new report also highlights the biggest loser.
Five members of the US women's national soccer team filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The disclosure comes as U.S. companies face criticism on the issue of pay equality, especially in the male-dominated technology sector.
The company has been sweetening employee compensation packages to retain talent as the company's user growth stalls and it stock price slides.
Comparably, a platform that provides compensation data for public and private companies, launches today.
'The sooner you start collecting that data, the better off you'll be,' says Namely CEO Matt Straz.
Your startup isn't generating enough cash to pay decent salaries. Now what?
An increase to the minimum wage has already become law in several cities, and a federal bill is under review. But there are benefits to taking action ahead of any mandates.


text: Obtaining spatially separated, high-frequency water samples from rivers and lakes is critical to enhance our understanding and effectivemanagement of fresh water resources. In this paper we present an aerial water sampler and verify the system in field experiments. The aerial water sampler has the potential to vastly increase the speed and range at which scientists obtain water sampleswhile reducing cost and effort. The water sampling system includes: 1) a mechanism to capture three 20 ml samples per mission; 2) sensors and algorithms for safe navigation and altitude approximation over water; and 3) software components that integrate and analyze sensor data, control the vehicle, and drive the sampling mechanism. In this paper we validate the system in the lab, characterize key sensors, and present results of outdoor experiments.We comparewater samples from local lakes obtained by our system to samples obtained by traditional sampling techniques. We find that most water properties are consistent between the two techniques. These experiments show that despite the challenges associated with flying precisely over water, it is possible to quickly obtain water samples with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).


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We have developed a method for learning how to play golf the right and easy way, we are calling it “Golf 101”. Why we play golf ? Golf is a wonderful and exciting sport. Playing golf gives you an opportunity to be out doors in a beautiful settings with expansive grassy area. Some mowed very precisely and some in its natural state. There is also an abundance of trees, shrubs and flowers alone with stonewalls and walk ways .
There are not many places more beautiful than a golf course early in the morning with dew still on the grass, along with a multitude of birds and small animals beginning a new day. Golf courses are a nice to engage into digital marketing world. Many courses have streams, ponds lakes and waterfalls within and outside the boundaries of the playing areas through SEO special offers. Golf is a sport in which you can have fun and a heartwarming experience with companions of your choice, and a golf course is also good for marketing services online.
You can play a golf just a great social interaction and or take delight on a challenge of becoming skillful at the game itself. You can play golf your entire life and can always improve upon your ability your skills to play the game. Obviously there are those who take the game very seriously and play for high stakes as well as make their living playing the game. It is important to learn the game right away, the primary idea of the Golf 101 is to gain basic understanding about the game for the first time. You need to be like flexible to make it easier to learn.
Thanks to all our partners that give us some information about this!


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In the US, Nivolumab (nivolumab systemic) is a member of the drug class Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies and is used to treat Colorectal Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Melanoma, Melanoma - Metastatic, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma, Small Cell Lung Cancer and Urothelial Carcinoma.
CAS registry number (Chemical Abstracts Service)
Antineoplastic agent: Inhibitor of PD-1 proteins
A genetically engineered, fully human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) mA anti programmed death-1/PD-1 antibody.
Immunoglobulin G4-kappa, anti-[Homo sapiensPDCD1 (programmed cell death 1, PD-1, PD1, CD279)], Homo sapiensmonoclonal antibody; gamma4 haevy chain (1-440) [Homo sapiensVH (IGHV3-33*01 (91.80%) -(IGHD)-IGHJ4*01) [8.8.6] (1-113) -IGHG4*01 hinge S10>P (221) (WHO)
- Nivolumabum (Latin)
- Nivolumab (German)
- Nivolumab (French)
- Nivolumab (Spanish)
- Nivolumab (OS: USAN, JAN)
- BMS-936558 (IS)
- MDX-1106 (IS)
- UNII-31YO63LBSN (IS)
- Nivolumab BMS
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Switzerland; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Germany; Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical, United Kingdom
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Switzerland; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Germany; Bristol-Myers Squibb, France; Bristol-Myers Squibb, United States; Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical, United Kingdom
|JAN||Japanese Accepted Name|
|Rec.INN||Recommended International Nonproprietary Name (World Health Organization)|
|USAN||United States Adopted Name|
|WHO||World Health Organization|
Further information on drug naming conventions: International Nonproprietary Names.
Important Notice: The Drugs.com international database is in BETA release. This means it is still under development and may contain inaccuracies. It is not intended as a substitute for the expertise and judgement of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of any medication in any country is safe, appropriate or effective for you. Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any medication.


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Anticorrosion Coating Market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of xx%. The base year considered for the study is 2018 and the forecast period considered is 2019 To 2025.
Anti-rust coatings are coated on the surface to prevent corrosion. Other desirable features of the corrosion-resistant coating include light weight, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance and gloss retention among others. Heavy metals such as zinc and titanium are among the major raw materials used in the production of corrosion protection coatings. The main applications of anti-corrosion coatings include construction and construction, automotive, industrial machinery and electronics. Construction and construction are the dominant sectors in anticorrosion coatings, and this trend is expected to continue during the forecast period.
The Anticorrosion Coating Market report offers competitive landscape has been developed by describing the various aspects of leading sectors such as shares, profit margin, and competition at the global level. In recent years, complementary expansions have been made in terms of technology, a trend that has driven the Anticorrosion Coating market to traverse exponential growth paths. This report also offers an important valuation of the scope of the regions and where the key contributors might find potential growth opportunities in future.


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Although marijuana is famous for causing the munchies, it turns out that despite all the snacking, there isn't much need for concern about weight gain. According to science, in fact, smoking marijuana might cause people to lose weight. Which is unexpected, but there is an explanation.
According to a new study by researchers from San Diego State University and Cornell, states in which laws were passed permitting medical marijuana, there was a decline in obesity in the state. In fact, legalizing medical marijuana is associated with a 2-6 percent decrease in the probability. And places that adopted medical marijuana also saw a decline of $58 to $115 in per-person costs related to obesity.
"These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that MMLs [medical marijuana laws] may be more likely to induce marijuana use for health-related reasons among older individuals," the researchers write in the paper, "and cause substitution toward lower-calorie recreational 'highs' among younger individuals."
In other words, for young people, using marijuana means people are less likely to use other recreational substances like alcohol, which are much higher in calories. Apparently even higher than the calorie count associated with munchies, which sadly isn't surprising — the calorie content in most alcoholic beverages is enough to make you cry.
Of course, there have also been studies that suggest marijuana is associated with weight gain, as well. In one from earlier this year, researchers found that people who smoked marijuana were more likely to gain weight than people who smoked regular cigarettes, and that the more marijuana they smoked, the more likely they were to gain weight. So nothing is conclusive.
Either way, however, it does seem that there are lots of potential positive health effects from marijuana use that are worthy of researchers' attention. While not all weight gain threatens a person's health, it is true that obesity is correlated with a higher risk of certain diseases, depending on a variety of factors. And so if marijuana indeed reduces the risk of obesity, as suggested in this latest study, that's certainly worth looking into. And now that the U.S. is slowly relaxing its policy on marijuana in many states, researchers will hopefully have a greater opportunity to do just that.


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A Call (or Text) to Action1 Sep, 2009 By: Nicole Urso Reed Response
A Call (or Text) to Action
Securing Online and Mobile Sales
The advantage of online shopping from a consumer perspective is convenience, but as more consumers flock online to shop, there's a lower level of commitment to complete a purchase. Often, consumers will shop online and leave their carts full without committing to buy. This presents an opportunity for retailers to reach out to potential customers, encourage or help them to complete a purchase and recommend an upsell item.
"We were working with a retailer that had most of its transactions online but it had a call center," says Craig Handley, CEO of Listen Up Español (LUE) and Revenue Enhancement Consultants, based in Portland, Maine. "Its upsells were low, and the calls into the center also had low conversions on upsells. So, in a moment of frustration one of my managers picked up the phones and started calling back customers about their experience, confirmed the order and asked for additional upsells."
LUE has worked with online retailers in categories ranging from nutraceuticals to dating. The company's cart abandon call-back program guarantees to reach 70 percent of a retailer's customer base, and that at least 15 percent of these calls will convert back into sales. Over the course of a year, Handley claims, this can result in more than $1 million in sales for a retailer. While calling back on abandoned carts, they've also discovered and exposed some fraudulent sales, which customers appreciated and benefited from as well.
"We call from a service standpoint and just make sure they got what they wanted," says Handley. "Some customers say, 'Oh, yeah. I wanted to get that!' Some need a little extra push, so we like to have a discounted offer or a new SKU to offer, just in case. But we can get more than 15 percent to happily give us a credit card, creating found money in a day and age when it's harder to find."
As with all new direct response marketing campaigns, the key to launching a mobile strategy is to start small, test and then roll out a larger plan that's customized to a business' needs and also provides a special value to consumers. The added benefit of mobile is that it brings businesses one step closer to understanding their consumers and creating low-cost marketing programs that will work. It's the ultimate medium for consumer segmentation and ushers in a new era of real-time, geo-based and direct communication.

domain: economics


US 'not targeting' India, says FDA chief
Published on Feb 22, 2014 4:20 AM
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US regulators are not targeting India, despite a series of import restrictions on drugs from the major US trading partner, the head of the US Food and Drug Administration said Friday.
FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg briefed reporters after her first official trip to India, where she met with government and industry leaders earlier this month.
India is the second largest US supplier of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and its big pharma companies Ranbaxy and Wockhardt have faced a series of US import restrictions over safety concerns.
"We are not targeting Indian countries. We are undertaking our required regulatory activities," Ms Hamburg said.
To continue reading, log in if you are a subscriber
Enjoy 2 weeks of unlimited digital access to The Straits Times. Get your free access now!


text: Some frog species, such as Kassina maculata (red-legged running frog), use an asynchronous walking/running gait as their primary locomotor mode. Prior comparative anatomy work has suggested that lateral rotation of the pelvis improves walking performance by increasing hindlimb stride length; however, this hypothesis has never been tested. Using non-invasive methods, experimental high-speed video data collected from eight animals were used to create two three-dimensional kinematic models. These models, each fixed to alternative local anatomical reference frames, were used to investigate the hypothesis that lateral rotation of the mobile ilio-sacral joint in the anuran pelvis plays a propulsive role in walking locomotion by increasing hindlimb stride length. All frogs used a walking gait (duty factor greater than 0.5) despite travelling over a range of speeds (0.04-0.23 m s 21). The hindlimb joint motions throughout a single stride were temporally synchronized with lateral rotation of the pelvis. The pelvis itself, on average, underwent an angular excursion of 12.718 (+4.398) with respect to the body midline during lateral rotation. However, comparison between our two kinematic models demonstrated that lateral rotation of the pelvis only increases the cranio-caudal excursion of the hindlimb modestly. Thus, we propose that pelvic lateral rotation is not a stride length augmenting mechanism in K. maculata.

domain: biology


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If you’re looking for a good date night spot or a special occasion, O-Ku’s sleek modern vibes and the rooftop deck is perfect.
Sourced from fresh ingredients, their menu selection has classic sushi and sashimi. They also offer small plates, full entrees, and food cooked over their robata grill.
Their second-floor lounge and bar have a variety of Japanese whiskey, sake, specialty cocktails, wine, and local beer. Come up here for a drink to finish off the night and views of the city below.
Top Review: “Spectacular experience. Went there to celebrate my birthday and everything about O-Ku made it a fantastic night out. The cocktails crafted with attention to detail, the food used so many components to form unique flavors while still being to identify the individual parts, but the true stand-out of the night was the service. Our server, Wesley, was incredible. He was engaged and responsive while managing a full section of tables. His recommendations were spot on and tailored to our preferences. An outstanding representative of the restaurant.” – Milton P.
Neighborhood: Union Market district
Address: 1274 5th St NE Washington, DC 20002
Availability: open for indoor dining. Mon-Sat: 5 – 10 PM, order online for delivery
Sushiko in Chevy Chase is one of the best sushi in DC and is a local favorite.
Their lovely style of carving fish into flowers is just one of the many things you’ll experience in the restaurant. Aside from their rolls and sashimi, they have specialty dishes and an extensive selection of vegan and vegetarian food. If you want to go all out, they also have wagyu beef on their menu.
Their happy hour offers include sake, Japanese whiskey, cocktails, wine, and beer.
Top Review:“Truly a gem. Their cuts are top-quality, and always taste incredible–complex and fresh. (They’re gorgeous, too.) Unlike other restaurants on par with their quality, everything comes at an excellent price. When ordering out, they put in extra steps to ensure enough wasabi and ginger is included, and they put in effort to try and accommodate special requests. They’re great with allergies.” – Nat N.
Neighborhood: Friendship Heights
Address: 5455 Wisconsin Ave Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Availability:open for indoor dining. Tue – Sun: 4:30 – 8 PM, order in uber eats and door dash for delivery
This sushi restaurant is one of the most popular and iconic in DC.
The prices are a little steeper than most, but if you’re looking for authentic Japanese sushi, this is the right place to be. Not only is it known for authenticity, but the chefs also like to mix it up once in a while and be adventurous in their menu. This freestyle vibe can be seen in their East-West fusion cuisines.
They’ve been an institution in downtown DC for 20 years, and still many come back for more. Their dinner menu includes hot and cold small plates, sushi, and rolls. They also have Omakase or their “Kaz Tasting Menu,” which they’re really known for.
Top Review: “I’ve been here a few times, and just tried delivery on Uber Eats. In my experience so far, it’s the best sushi downtown (including compared to Sushi Taro IMO). Prices can be high, given its usual DC power-lunch crowd. But it never disappoints in terms of quality. I’ll keep relying on Kaz for solid, fresh sushi.” – James L
Address: 1915 I St NW Washington, DC 20006
Availability: Open for indoor dining. Tue – Sat: 5 – 9 PM, open for delivery
Another downtown favorite is Sushi Gakyu, right in the heart of DC. The sushi restaurant is led by the veteran sushi chef and sake sommelier, Yoshi Ota.
It’s perfect for foodies looking for authentic sushi.
What they’re known for here are the Japanese specialties they offer that you can’t find elsewhere. Some of these are the rare fugu pufferfish, lobster rolls, spot prawn nigiri, and even fermented sushi. People also come here for their Omakase specials starting from 3 appetizer courses, 10 premium Nigiri, and dessert.
Even more remarkable is their seasonal Fugu Puffy Fish course. If you’d like something a little more casual, they have sushi and sashimi plates and even sushi a la carte.
Lunch is a casual affair, but dinner has a more formal vibe, so dress accordingly.
Address: 1420 New York Ave NW Washington, DC 20005
Availability: open for indoor dining. Mon-Sat; lunch: 12 – 2 PM and dinner: 4 – 8 PM, order online at postmates, ubereats, & caviar for delivery
Sushi Hachi by chef and owner Steve Yoon is great for people looking for an affordable and casual sushi restaurant.
They have an omakase and a la carte option on their menu, all sourced from fresh ingredients. Their hot dishes range from prime beef grills to soups and udon. You also have your classic sushi rolls and nigiri sashimi with some unique selections like prime beef nigiri.
It’s great for a quick bite but super filling and worth it if you’ve got that sushi craving.
Top Review: “This is the third time I’ve ordered delivery from Sushi Hachi, and each experience has been excellent. Delivery is easy and prompt, and the food comes still very fresh. This has definitely become my go-to for delivery in the area.” – Brian G.
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Address: 735 8th St SE Washington, DC 20003
Availability: open for indoor dining daily. 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM, order online for delivery
Yume Sushi is about 20 minutes from DC, but it’s one of the best sushi restaurants in the DC area, so it’s worth it.
Plus, they have free delivery for people within 5 miles of the restaurant.
Their menu selection features signature rolls like the wagyu roll, the salmon lover roll, and more. They also have sushi a la carte. More than that, their omakase and tasting menu is reason enough to drive to Arlington. You might get to try “The Winner,” the winner of the 2006 Morikami Award. It’s a tower of foie gras with unagi, tuna rose, and caviar.
The vibes inside are more upscale than the other sushi places, but it’s still pretty comfortable and nice.
Top Review: “This place is freaking amazing. It’s like an explosion of flavor in your mouth every single bite!!! Every interaction has been spot on from the moment we step inside the door.” – Phong L.
Address: 2121 N Westmoreland St A-2 Arlington, VA 22213
Availability: open for indoor dining, open for delivery with free delivery within a 5-mile radius
Perry’s is known for its rooftop bar, complete with fairy lights and a stunning view of Adams Morgan.
This Japanese restaurant is also famous for its Sunday Drag Brunch. Drag as in Drag Queens. Exciting, right? Can other sushi restaurants say they have that? They have an extensive sushi menu, with classic sushi, signature rolls, nigiri, and many good options for authentic Japanese dishes.
Stop by their Happy Hour every Monday to Saturday from 4 – 6 PM or during dinner for the whole experience.
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
Address: 1811 Columbia Rd NW Washington, DC 20009
open for indoor dining daily. Mon-Sat: 4 – 10 PM, Sun: 5:30 – 9:45 PM, Sunday brunch: 10 AM – 12 PM & 1 – 3 PM.
order online at caviar, doordash, ubereats, and postmates for delivery.
Sushi Capitol is a no-fuss, traditional, and intimate sushi house. They say that this is a “pure, minimally processed experience.”
It’s a straightforward approach; they have good sushi that eclipses all the fancy things you may see in other sushi restaurants.
They have three locations in DC, one in Capitol Hill, Chinatown, and Convention Center. It’s also one of the more affordable sushi restaurants in DC, even with their omakase option. Speaking of omakase, many people rave about this experience and come back for the chef’s choice more often than not. They also have several appetizer options you’re going to love.
No question one of the best sushi restaurants in DC.
Top Review: “This restaurant is a gem hidden in plain sight. Have been searching for a great omekase experience in this town, and so happy I landed here. The food is stellar in presentation, in selection, and in variety. The sushi rice is among the best I’ve tasted. Had sweet shrimp last night, and it might have been the best piece of shrimp I’ve ever had.” – Ennis P.
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill, Chinatown, Convention Center
Capitol Hill: 325 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
Chinatown: 750 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Convention Center: 1314 9th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Sushi Taro is your ultimate fine dining sushi experience. It’s definitely one of the most upscale sushi restaurants in DC, but it’s also got a Michelin star, so it’s worth it.
Their omakase counter follows “Kaiseki,” which is a traditional dining experience. There’s no set menu, but they’ll let you choose from the fresh fish they have that day. Their Omakase meal comes with 4-6 small plates, then seasonal sashimi, and finishing with sushi. It’s $250 per person and goes even higher for rare and expensive ingredients. But it’s an interactive and fun experience and will surely be one-of-a-kind.
For something more affordable, they do have sushi a la carte and unique sushi lunch dishes. Try their wagyu sushi or lobster sashimi, some of the best things on their menu. One of the best sushi restaurants in DC.
Top Review: “Probably the best omakase I’ve ever had. Don’t understand how this establishment could possibly have less than a 5 star rating. Usually when I’ve had it, omakase is already decided for you–a smattering of bite size dishes you’ll probably forget later. This is not the case at Sushi Taro. Here the cadence of the meal becomes a choose-your-own-adventure: chef’s serves some appetizers, chef displays all the sashimi they have available at the moment and you choose what you want to try or let him decide what you sample. Then you decide after trying your sampling of sashimi, if there’s anything you want more of. For example I tried the different types of uni, bonito, wagyu, fatty tuna etc. all a second time! Each selection is prepared in a unique way to best complement the fish’s flavors. For example when choosing the bonito, the fish is served soaked in a ginger-soy preparation which has a refreshing plate to better complement its deeply oceanic taste. The octopus on the other hand is only lightly salted since it’s flavor is mild and the focus is on the texture. Even though omakase is several tiny plates of food you will never leave hungry or feel as though you didn’t get your money’s worth because this is essentially all you can eat omakase. And then AFTER the sashimi AYCE there is a SUSHI course. Then after sushi there are the hot dishes which include the snow crab soup in the crab shell itself and then dessert. The priority at Sushi Taro is clearly to let you indulge in every tasty thing the chefs could have possibly procured for you at the time. The attention to detail is so precise. For my left handed boyfriend the chef placed the ginger, wasabi, and radish all on the left side of his plates so that he could more easily reach them while the rest of us had ours on the right. An unforgettable meal!” – Karina C.
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle
Availability: open for indoor dining. Tue – Sat: 5 – 9:30 PM, open for delivery with 2 days advanced order.
Susheria (formerly Mate) is one of the best sushi restaurants in Georgetown, DC. It’s also one of the most unique sushi places in the DC area, with a menu that features a Peruvian-Japanese fusion.
Other than their Peruvian-Japanese sushi, the restaurant also has Nikkei cuisine. Check out their Nikkei rolls like Lomo Saltado roll (strip steak, cream cheese, fried potato, avocado). Almost all of their rolls have a twist to them, but they also have classic sushi and sashimi. There’s even a smoked salmon nigiri and Wagyu nigiri.
While you’re here, enjoy the views of the waterfront and take a dive into their other Peruvian-Japanese dishes!
Top Review:“I had high expectations for susheria given my experience with Latin/Japanese fusion restaurants in Miami. I was not disappointed! As the reviews mention, the fish was fresh, and the Lomo Saltado sushi roll was on point! A great blend of flavors.” – Romy G.
Address: 3101 K Street Northwest, Washington, D. C. 20007


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Puppy crates arrive in various forms, measurement, and colours. Color isn’t just a amazing aspect to think about, however what exactly makes key aspects to think about when it has to do with selecting that dog crate that is perfect?
Deciding upon the perfect dog cage to your own puppy needs brand new notions. Http://softdogcratecenter.com/ will be here now in order to provide you intriguing and special thoughts you’ve always wished to take to in your home.
Delicate dog cage for big canines.
How big is one’s dog will be a critical aspect to take into consideration prior to investing in a crate. Distinct dog breeds arrive in various dimensions and you also need to be aware of the kind of breed that you need before investing in a dog cage that is soft. Your puppy ought to be capable of moving freely in its cage out of the moment that it had been a puppy right up until its adulthood.
Pick a mobile dog cage.
You’re going to require a mobile dog cage to facilitate maneuvers, both inside as well as out doors. Your perfect crate ought to be moderate also it needs to easily fit at the back of your own car/van.
A collapsible dog cage causes it to be easy to get a travel pet proprietor.
Go to get your pet puppy cage having decent venting.
A tender dog cage shouldn’t to be amazing, but it needs to highlight ventilation on the pup/dog. Broad venting can guarantee that your pet is comfy yet in the straight back part of one’s vehicle soft crates are easily collapsible.
A delicate dog cage that’s not difficult to wash racks outside tremendously.
Fixing your pet dog cage could eventually become tougher in case your pet cage isn’t tailormade to ease cleanliness. With care, your furry friend isn’t going to hazard medical concerns. Many pet crates possess a removable underside pad that’s detachable to facilitate vacuuming and washing.
Select your pet dog cage created out of canvas fabric.
Canvas for being a materials is ideal as it has to do with toughness. The picture isn’t going to tear if your pet buddy becomes wrinkled. Your pet cage ought to incorporate both comfortability and endurance.
Other lasting fabric substances that fit canvas.
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Like everyone else regard that your complacency in your residence, don’t neglect to provide your pet buddy that unique care it warrants.

domain: pet


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Catch the Moments
Moments and memories from your first underwater experience; from your diving week on the boat or from the shore. Time to remember your advanced course or just memories from the land.
Travelling, trips to desert, shooting star gazing, horse riding or just island hopping and exploring.
All those memories could be given to you as pictures, or we can learn together how to shoot any special situation.
Unforgettable moments of your life or adventure should be captured to remember.

domain: hobby


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What is w. w. e. two k.?
WWE 2K22 is an upcoming professional wrestling video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports. It is the twenty-sixth game in the WWE game series and the ninth game under the WWE 2K banner.
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Help make Alexa smarter and share your knowledge with the worldLEARN MORE

domain: entertainment


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Wajahat Mansoor wedding dresses 2014 have recently launched.Wajahat Mansoor has launched this collection for both men and women.In this collection, total bridal wear and groom wear dresses were added with full of elegant looks and awesome stitching styles.
Wajahat Mansoor is one of the talented and demanding fashion designer of Pakistan.Wajahat Mansoor is a fashion designer who has emerged on the screen of fashion in year 2010.Wajahat Mansoor has established with the mission is to caters men and women with high quality fabrics.Wajahat Mansoor is a fashion label where you will find all type of eastern and western outfits.They offers casual wear, formal wear and bridal wear dresses as well as mens dresses for every season and occasion.Wajahat Mansoor has designed and launched so many collection and here is an another collection of wedding dresses 2014 by Wajahat Mansoor have released just now.Wajahat Mansoor has designed and launched this collection for the season of wedding.In this collection, you will find stunning yet stylish bridal dresses and groom dresses.The bridal wear dresses have embellished with heavily embroidery with vibrant shades.On other hand, the groom wear collection has consists of sherwanis in trendy style.The embellishments on these sherwani is embroidery in very decent style.The bright shades were used for this collection which makes them more eligible and stylish.These all dresses are looking awesome in their stunning stitching styles and cuts.These dresses are perfect for this wedding seaosn.Guys!! just wait a bit here and have a look at this collection of Wajahat Mansoor wedding 2014 dresses here below.
Wajahat Mansoor Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/WajahatMansoorDesignerWear
Wajahat Mansoor Wedding Dresses 2014 For Men and Women.
Wajahat Mansoor Bridal and Groom Dresses 2014.

domain: design


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Uploaded by Creu on March 20, 2016 at 4:03 pm
Whitney Houston - Praça da Apoteose 1994 - Rio de Janeiro
" How Will I Know "
Thanks! Share it with your friends!
Whitney Houston – Praça da Apoteose 1994 – Rio de Janeiro
” How Will I Know “
lol well she is
The best of all times…her voice incomparable of course and her deep soulful music endearing and powerful will continue to live on. Love you still WHITNEY ELIZABETH HOUSTON
I just love her little teases….when you expect she goes up she suddenly drops the note and then hit it back up.
The saxophonist and the organist seemed like they've reached orgasm somewhere in this video. I love how they played their instruments 😀 But I love how Whitney sang even more :))
high as a kite
the way she brings in that first note is amazing, masterful. You can tell she comes out of the gospel tradition of the church — every rendition of this song is different, with new improvisations.
That is how you sing and perform live. Never be another like her. Always loved.
JUST SO AMAZING~
Love Whitney, Love Song
Best part is 9:25 – 9:30 effortlessly .
Whitney, we love you. Well done.
Que energia boa! Esse show aqui no Brasil, só podia ser. ..
I'm crying right now I love her soo much
Keyboardist was rockin out hardcore. #BringBackKeytars
her voice in 1994 was thicker and darker than 1985
Why is her bodyguard on stage following her?
DID YALL HERE HOW SHE STARTED SINGING OMG!!!! SHE IS AMAZING
What a voice, what a woman, what a legend!
R.I.P Auntie love u
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Dave Ambrose hailed from the roots of Fleetwood Mac (Founder Member) and from playing bass in many 60's bands (Brian Auger and the Trinity, King Crimson, Shotgun Express) Has worked for several major music companies including Director of A&R at EMI Records and Managing Director of MCA (now Universal).
While at EMI he looked after Queen, Pink Floyd and Kraftwerk. He has personally signed many major artistes including Radiohead, Pet Shop Bloys, DuranDuran and Transvision Vamp to name but a few.
Picking up his guitar and writing original songs with Vintage clothing fanatic Amanda,they formed ‘Shadowlands’ and he returned to his original love of playing music but this time not on bass but guitar.
Whilst other kids were playing pop music Amanda was listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Martin and kindled a love of old music, from jazz, to Rock n’ Roll and rockabilly. This made for an interesting fusion of original, mighty hooky songs.
All the musical influences are there overlapping not to mention a fun loving colourful wardrobe! Described as “unexpected and totally entertaining” from many of the students at their gigs, the refreshing ‘Shadowlands’ is here to put something unusual into the industry.
The First single relase, "Sunshine" from the forthcoming album "Americano Dreams" has brought Dave and Amanda to Fidget Studios for Barry Diston to work his remix magic, creating a club version of the track. "We had a fab time working with Barry, he is so easy to work with and we love him. Will definitely be working with him on our projects in the future."Back to Portfolio


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Government of India has issued new rules regarding internet shutdown in India. As per the rules issued under the Telegraph Act 1885, the order to shutdown internet and data services will have to come from the central or the state government. This order will have to be issued by an authority not below the rank of a Joint Secretary.
Earlier, the order to shut down internet services could be passed by a District Magistrate under IPC Section 144 but the new rules have moved away from this. The new rules have sparked debate about the transparency of the process. Moreover, the power to shut down internet services will be in the hands of the central government now.
The number of internet shutdowns have alarmingly grown in India. According to Internetshutdowns.in, an initiative by the NPO Software Freedom Law Center, internet has been shutdown 47 times in the year 2017 itself.
INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN INDIA
Internet and cellular services have been affected in various parts of the country for about 101 times since 2012. Out of these 101 times, internet services were disrupted 47 times this year.
Internet services form an important part of our fundamental rights in today's time. Though not stated in the Constitution explicitly it could be seen as a derived right. A shutdown of internet and cellular services is a major setback for our fundamental rights, especially Freedom of Speech and Expression.
Disconnecting internet services for a day can have widespread effects on the functioning of a state or city. Government machinery is largely reliant on internet services and so are many of our day to day activities.
Kashmir, by far, has been the worst affected state by internet shutdowns. Since 2012, Kashmir has faced an internet shutdown 48 times. In fact, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court issued a notice to the State government in May this year arguing that the Telegraph Act 1885 cannot "be used for the exercise of maintaining the public order" in the state. This notice came after a plea challenging the shutdown of social media websites there.
UN experts also issued a statement in May 2017 regarding the ban of social media websites in J&K. In the statement, David Kaye and Michael Forst, have said that "The scope of these restrictions has a significantly disproportionate impact on the fundamental rights of everyone in Kashmir, undermining the Government's stated aim of preventing dissemination of information that could lead to violence".
Earlier, internet and cellular services could be shut down in an area by the order of a district magistrate under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code. Recently, internet services were disrupted in Haryana and Punjab during the pronouncement of the verdict of Dera Sacha Sauda's Gurmeet Singh.
Incidents of violence or tensions could be cited as reasons for imposing the internet shutdown. As the new rules come in, the government plans to take away this power from the hands of district authorities completely.
These rules were published without any ministerial announcement on August 7, 2017. Incidentally, after that various internet shutdowns have been imposed in various parts of the country, including Haryana, Darjeeling, J&K and Manipur.
Why was there no public consultation about the drafting of the rules?
The rules were published in the Gazette of India on August 7, 2017, quietly. No public consultation, no comments on any draft was received by researchers, experts, engineers and academics. Though these rules have still not been tabled in front of the Parliament, it is clear that no stakeholder participation was involved.
Why do the rules not state the limitation on grounds and time period of the shutdown?
As per the rules that were published in the Gazette of India, the rules are meant to "regulate the temporary suspension of telecom services due to public emergency or public safety". No clear definition of what a public emergency constitutes has been given thus making it possible for the shutdown to be imposed for flimsy reasons. Moreover, there is no mention of the time limit of the shutdown. Although, the word "temporary" appears in the document, a maximum limit to the time period has not been defined, thus making it susceptible to misuse.
What is even more worrisome is that these rules do not only allow the government to dismiss internet services but also telecom services.
On first look, the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 are indefensible.

domain: news